bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Laninamivir, a Novel Long‐Acting Neuraminidase Inhibitor, After Single and Multiple Inhaled Doses of Its Prodrug, CS‐8958, in Healthy Male Volunteers
Authors: Ishizuka Hitoshi , Yoshiba Satoshi , Okabe Hiromi , Yoshihara Kazutaka
Published: February 2010

Phase 1 studies of laninamivir, a novel long‐acting neuraminidase inhibitor, were carried out to assess its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics after inhaled administration of its prodrug, CS‐8958. Healthy male volunteers (total N = 76) participated in double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials and received 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, or 120 mg of a single dose or 20 or 40 mg of a twice‐daily dose for 3 days. The clinical and laboratory parameters and plasma and urinary concentrations of CS‐8958 and laninamivir for 144 hours post dosing were measured. There were no adverse events related to the test drug. CS‐8958 disappeared from plasma with a half‐life of about 2 hours, although laninamivir was slowly eliminated from the body, lasting for even up to 144 hours after administration with a half‐life of about 3 days. Area under the curve and maximum concentration increased almost linearly with the dose administered. The cumulative urinary excretion amounts of CS‐8958 and laninamivir were 2.3% to 3.6% and 10.7% to 14.6% of the dose, respectively. The half‐life of the urinary excretion rates of laninamivir at higher single dose is comparable to plasma half‐life. CS‐8958, when inhaled by healthy volunteers, is well tolerated and exhibits a suitable pharmacokinetic profile, suggesting potential for long‐lasting anti‐influenza activity.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Three Moxifloxacin Dosage Forms: Implications for Blinding in Active‐Controlled Cardiac Repolarization Studies
Authors: Mason Jay W. , Florian Jeffry A. , Garnett Christine E. , Moon Thomas E. , Selness Daniel S. , Spaulding Randol R.
Published: February 2010

Moxifloxacin is used in thorough QT studies to assess sensitivity for detection of an increase in QTc. Moxifloxacin is usually over‐encapsulated for blinding. However, there is concern that over‐encapsulation alters its pharmacokinetics. In a 4‐arm, randomized crossover study, 22 volunteers received over‐encapsulated moxifloxacin, over‐encapsulated placebo, bare moxifloxacin, and intravenous (IV) moxifloxacin. Placebo capsules and IV infusions were administered so that treatments in each arm, except for bare moxifloxacin, were indistinguishable. Pharmacokinetics of the oral treatments were found to be nearly identical and to meet Food and Drug Administration criteria for bioequivalency. Relative to the IV infusion administered over 1 hour, the tablet formulation was bioequivalent to total exposure but not peak exposure maximum plasma concentration, which was lower by 22%. Median time to maximum plasma concentration of the IV infusion was 1.00 hour. A 2‐compartment model with oral absorption and linear elimination adequately described the observed moxifloxacin data. Changes in QTcF mirrored the pharmacokinetic changes, and there was a linear relationship between plasma concentration of moxifloxacin and change in QTcF. A 2‐stage infusion scheme for IV moxifloxacin mimics the oral plasma concentration versus time curve. Over‐encapsulation of moxifloxacin did not alter its peak or total systemic exposures or pharmacodynamics after oral a dministration.
Geographic Distance and Communication During Courtship
Authors: Stafford Laura
Published: February 2010

Based on interdependence theory, this study explores how the features of geographic separation are associated with the nature of dating partners’ talk throughout courtship. It is hypothesized that the communication of long-distance dating relationship (LDDR) partners, relative to that of geographically close dating relationship (GCDR) partners, reflects greater intimacy, greater conflict avoidance, greater topic avoidance, greater selective positive self-presentation, and less discussion of important premarital topics. Results supported these predictions. Findings suggest LDDR partners communicate in a manner to accentuate positive affect and minimize differences. Although these forms of communication can be effective for LDDR partners’ maintenance of satisfying relationships, it is speculated that there might be negative ramifications of such communication patterns for partners’ informed decisions on relational investment.
A Useless and Terrible Death: The Michael Farmer Case, “Hidden Violence,” and New York City in the Fifties
Authors: Snyder Robert W.
Published: February 2010

In the summer of 1957, old conflicts among black, white, and Hispanic youths over access to a public pool in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan exploded in the murder of one white youth and the wounding of another. Despite a history of white gangs harassing young people of color on the way to municipal pools in New York, the possibility that racial and ethnic conflict had something to do with the killing was dismissed. In the courts, journalism and city government, the slaying was framed as an incident of juvenile delinquency. This ignored a long tradition of informal segregation at formally integrated public pools. It also overlooked growing tensions among white, black and Hispanic New Yorkers, and perpetuated the illusion that New York was a liberal city that would escape battles over integration.
A model-free self-organizing fuzzy logic control system using a dynamic performance index table
Authors: Qing Lu  , Mahfouf Mahdi
Published: February 2010

The ‘raison d’être’ of self-organizing fuzzy logic control (SOFLC) algorithms is the performance index table, which normally issues the adequate corrections to the low-level control given certain performance criteria. In the standard SOFLC architecture, the performance index table is generic, fixed a priori and is of a ‘grid-partition’ structure making the whole scheme inefficient in terms of computational complexity and performance. In this paper, we propose a new model-free SOFLC architecture whereby the performance index table is ‘dynamic’, of free structure and starting from an empty table. The new proposed architecture includes the required mechanisms to ensure self-organization such as those associated with the individual evaluation via an online genetic algorithm (GA) and the fine-tuning of individual regeneration range for micro-GAs, to optimize the rules of the performance index table and enhance the system’s performance. Results of experiments on a non-linear muscle relaxation process show that the proposed control scheme is superior to the standard SOFLC algorithm in terms of performance and robustness against the system input/output scaling factors selection and parameter variations.
Frequency of nocturnal hypoxia in clinically stable patients during stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Roffe Christine , Frohnhofen Helmut , Sills Sheila , Hodsoll John , Allen Martin B , Jones Peter W
Published: February 2010

Objective: Sleep disordered breathing is common in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Nocturnal hypoxia may lead to daytime tiredness and cognitive impairment, thus affecting progress. This study assessed the prevalence of nocturnal hypoxia during rehabilitation from stroke.

Design: Prospective observational trial.

Setting: The stroke rehabilitation wards of the North Staffordshire Hospital, UK and of Kreiskrankenhaus Grevenbroich, Germany.

Subjects: Adult patients on a stroke rehabilitation ward, 10 days to 3 months (mean 32 days, SD18) after stroke onset (n = 160). Age and local environment-matched controls (n = 156) without a history of stroke were recruited from the community at both centres.

Main measures: Pulse oximetry was performed overnight on the day of enrolment from 21:00 to 09:00. The baseline awake oxygen saturation, the mean nocturnal oxygen saturation, the lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation and the 4% Oxygen Desaturation Index were calculated for each participant.

Results: The mean baseline awake oxygen saturation of stroke patients was at 95.3% (SD 1.7), 0.5% lower than that of controls (P = 0.005, independent t-test). The group means of the mean nocturnal oxygen saturation for stroke patients were 0.5% lower (at 93.8% SD 2.2) than controls (P = 0.03, independent t-test). The mean lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation was at 79.4% (SD 9.9), 5.9% lower than that of the controls (P<0.001, independent t-test). Considerably more stroke patients (n = 67, 42%) than controls (n = 24, 15%) had ≥10 desaturations below the baseline per hour (P<0.001 chi-square test).

Conclusion: Clinically stable stroke patients enrolled in rehabilitation programmes have lower oxygen saturation and more nocturnal desaturations than non-stroke controls.
Errorless learning is superior to trial and error when learning a practical skill in rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Donaghey CL , McMillan TM , O'Neill B.
Published: February 2010

Objective: Errorless learning is an effective strategy for the cognitive rehabilitation of memory impairment, but there is little evidence to support its use for skill learning. This preliminary study investigates whether errorless learning is superior to treatment as usual (trial and error), when teaching people with amputations and comorbid risk of vascular cognitive impairment to fit a prosthetic limb.

Design: A randomized control design.

Setting: A regional limb-fitting clinic at the West of Scotland Mobility and Rehabilitation Centre in Glasgow.

Participants: Thirty adults with transtibial amputations, recruited from a regional limb-fitting clinic. Of these 42% were cognitively impaired.

Intervention: Random assignment to an errorless learning intervention (n = 15) or a treatment as usual control (n = 15). There were five training trials within a single session. Participants were then asked to fit their limb without assistance.

Main measures: Performance was scored from videotape recording of the first occasion when the participant attempted to fit their limb without assistance. Addenbrookes Cognitive Examination — Revised (ACE-R) was used to assess general cognitive functioning.

Results: The errorless learning group remembered more correct steps (mean 90.9, SD 12.1) than the control group (77.9; 8.4; P<0.001) and made fewer errors (mean 0.93, SD 1.3) than controls (2.1; 0.95); P =0.002).

Conclusions: Errorless learning can benefit people with amputations in learning the practical skill of fitting a prosthetic limb. Further study that includes follow-up is warranted.
Respiratory muscle training improves cardiopulmonary function and exercise tolerance in subjects with subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sutbeyaz Serap Tomruk , Koseoglu Fusun , Inan Levent , Coskun Ozlem
Published: February 2010

Objective: To determine whether two types of exercise — breathing retraining (BRT) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) — improve on cardiopulmonary functions and exercise tolerance in patients with stroke.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Education and research hospital.

Subjects: Forty-five inpatients with stroke (24 men, 21 women) were recruited for the study. The subjects were randomized into three groups: 15 assigned to receive inspiratory muscle training (IMT); 15 assigned to received breathing retraining, diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lips breathing (BRT); 15 assigned to a control group.

Interventions: All study groups participated in a conventional stroke rehabilitation programme. For the same period, the IMT and BRT groups trained daily, six times a week, with each session consisting of one half-hour of training for six weeks.

Main measures: Each subject underwent pulmonary function and cardiopulmonary exercise tests. Subjects were also assessed for exertional dyspnoea, stages of motor recovery, ambulation status, activity of daily living and quality of life.

Results: After the training programme, the IMT group had significantly improved forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory flow rate 25—75% (FEF 25—75%) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) values compared with the BRT and control groups, although there were no significant differences between the BRT and control groups (P<0.01). Peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) value was increased significantly in the BTR group compared with the IMT and control groups. The IMT group also had significantly higher peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak) than the BRT and control groups, although there were no significant differences between the BRT and control groups (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant increase in maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) and maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure (PEmax) in the BRT group and, PImax in the IMT group compared with baseline and the control group. In the IMT group, this was associated with improvements in exercise capacity, sensation of dyspnoea and quality of life.

Conclusions: Significant short-term effects of the respiratory muscle training programme on respiratory muscle function, exercise capacity and quality of life were recorded in this study.
Antidepressant discontinuation manic states: a critical review of the literature and suggested diagnostic criteria
Authors: Narayan Vinesh , Haddad Peter M
Published: February 2010

We critically appraised all published reports of hypomania and mania following antidepressant termination. To increase reliability and validity we devised diagnostic criteria for an antidepressant discontinuation or withdrawal ‘manic state’ based primarily on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition substance withdrawal criteria. A systematic literature review identified 24 reports meeting our criteria. Mean age was 39 years (range 18–74), men and women were approximately equally represented, and more cases involved people with unipolar ( n = 19) than bipolar disorder ( n = 4). The median duration of preceding antidepressant treatment was 12 weeks (range 4 weeks–12 years). All major antidepressant classes were involved (tricyclic antidepressants  = 13; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors  = 5; monoamine oxidase inhibitors  = 3; selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors  = 2; miscellaneous  = 1). More cases followed abrupt antidepressant withdrawal ( n = 11) than a tapered withdrawal ( n = 6). Six cases appeared to meet the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition for a manic episode, with two cases requiring inpatient admission. Of the 24 cases, nine resolved spontaneously without treatment (median duration  = 25.5 days), six responded to antimanic drugs, four resolved following antidepressant reinstatement, and treatment was unclear in five cases. We conclude that antidepressant discontinuation hypomania/mania is a valid syndrome. It should be added to the differential diagnosis of hypomania/mania. The clinical implications and possible mechanisms are discussed.
Acorns and fruit: From totalization to periodization in the critique of capitalism
Authors: Bieler Andreas , Bruff Ian , Morton Adam David
Published: February 2010

This article enlivens Marxist state debate by clarifying and furthering the appraisal of a series of interventions on the subject linked with Open Marxism. It highlights four particular weaknesses in Open Marxism, arguing that they stem from the same source: a totalizing ontology that takes the capital relation as the singular constitutive source of human social practice. This universal focus on the capital relation leaves Open Marxism ill-suited for the task of offering a critique of transformations and reorganizations of class power within state forms and specific phases of capitalist development.
On the contemporary relevance of ‘left nationalism’
Authors: Ryan Barry , Worth Owen
Published: February 2010

This article re-examines the relevance of ‘left nationalism’ as a form of progressive response to globalization, and argues that despite the considerable work that has been done to revise the concept of nationalism in the light of orthodox Marxist criticisms, such moves ultimately fall into the same divisionary trap that dogged the nationalist struggles inherent in post-colonialism.
The disintegration of the Marxian school
Authors: Kliman Andrew
Published: February 2010

This paper argues that the renewed relevance and strengthened theoretical foundations of Marxian value theory will not matter unless the long-term disintegration of Marxian economics is reversed, and that this disintegration has largely been caused by internal factors. These include a lack of common standards and criteria of justification; an ‘every man his own Marxist’ ethos; the quest to make Marxian economics respectable; the pursuit of ‘product differentiation’; a reliance on the resources of academia; and an instrumental approach to ideas. Finally, the paper proposes several measures to halt and reverse the process of disintegration.
Spheres of collectivism: Group action and perspectives on trade unions among the low-paid unorganized with problems at work
Authors: Pollert Anna
Published: February 2010

Drawing on a 2004 survey of 501 low-paid, non-unionized workers with problems at work, this paper explores the types of difficulties encountered and responses to these, including expressions of collectivism. It finds that not only did most workers take action to resolve their problems, but a quarter did so collectively. However, such spontaneous collectivism did not develop into effective mobilization of power. The paper also explores workers’ views on trade unions. While most workers were broadly pro-union, this was no more likely among those who attempted collective resolutions than it was among others. The relationship between collectivism in consciousness, and action and positive attitudes to union representation, remains as complex a problem among today’s unorganized workers as ethnographic studies demonstrated several decades ago.
Studies on Physicomechanical properties of Fly Ash-filled Hydroxyl-terminated Polyurethane-toughened Epoxy Composites
Authors: Shetty Ravindra Rama  , Rai S.K.
Published: February 2010

Diglycidyl ether of Bisphenol A-based epoxy resin were toughened with varying weight fractions of thermoplastic hydroxyl-terminated polyurethane elastomer by solution blending, and their composites were prepared over an extended range of fly ash composition. Various physicomechanical properties such as tensile and flexural behavior, density, and void content have been determined. Studies revealed that toughened resin composites enhance the properties compared to neat matrix.
Recycling waste brick from construction and demolition of buildings as pozzolanic materials
Authors: Lin Kae-Long , Wu Hsiu-Hsien , Shie Je-Lueng , Hwang Chao-Lung , An Cheng
Published: February 2010

This investigation elucidates the pozzolic characteristics of pastes that contain waste brick from building construction and demolition wastes. The TCLP leaching concentrations of waste brick for the target cations or heavy metals were all lower than the current regulatory thresholds of the Taiwan EPA. Waste brick had a pozzolanic strength activity index of 107% after 28 days. It can be regarded as a strong pozzolanic material. The compressive strengths of waste brick blended cement (WBBC) that contain 10% waste brick increased from 71.2 MPa at 28 days to 75.1 MPa at 60 days, an increase of approximately 5% over that period. At 28 days, the pozzolanic reaction began, reducing the amount of Ca(OH)2 and increasing the densification. The intensity of the peak at 3640 cm— 1 associated with Ca(OH)2 is approximately the same for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) pastes. The hydration products of all the samples yield characteristics peaks at 978 cm—1 associated with C—S—H, and at ~3011 cm—1 and 1640 cm—1 associated with water. The samples yield peaks at 1112 cm—1, revealing the formation of ettringite. In WBBC pastes, the ratio Q2/Q1 increases with curing time. These results demonstrate that increasing the curing time increases the number of linear polysilicate anions in C—S—H. Experimental results reveal that waste brick has potential as a pozzolanic material in the partial replacement of cement.
Pattern of acute food, drug, and chemical poisoning in Sari City, Northern Iran
Authors: Ahmadi Amirhossein , Pakravan Nasrin , Ghazizadeh Zeynab
Published: February 2010

This descriptive and retrospective study was conducted at the poisoning ward of Imam teaching hospital, Sari, Iran, with the aim of evaluating the pattern of poisoning. Hence, the medical profiles of 2057 patients, who were admitted, were carefully reviewed during the period from April 2006 to March 2008 for 2 years. During this period, 2057 cases, 53.9% female and 46.1% male, were admitted with the indication of acute poisoning. The greatest proportion of poisoning occurred between the ages of 18 and 29 years, with suicidal intentions. Most cases of poisoning were intentional (85%). The most common agents involved in acute poisoning were drugs (77.7%), especially sedatives/hypnotics such as benzodiazepines, followed by opioid analgesics. Organophosphate and carbamate insecticides were the third major agent that induced poisoning. Twenty-seven patients (1.3%) who were mostly females and young adults died. Death mostly occurred due to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides (19 cases) poisoning, followed by sedatives/hypnotics like benzodiazepines (3 cases). High prevalence of intentional overdose and mortality among young adults requires considerable attention and further studies to find out the underlying causes. In addition, strict rules must be followed regarding the sale of central nervous system drugs and pesticides, particularly organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. Establishing poison information centers in different parts of the country, preparing national treatment guidelines, training healthcare providers, and ensuring easy availability of the antidotes are also recommended.
Over 8 years experience on severe acute poisoning requiring intensive care in Hong Kong, China
Authors: Lam Sin-Man , Lau Arthur Chun-Wing , Yan Wing-Wa
Published: February 2010

In order to obtain up-to-date information on the pattern of severe acute poisoning and the characteristics and outcomes of these patients, 265 consecutive patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Hong Kong for acute poisoning from January 2000 to May 2008 were studied retrospectively. Benzodiazepine (25.3%), alcohol (23%), tricyclic antidepressant (17.4%), and carbon monoxide (15.1%) were the four commonest poisons encountered. Impaired consciousness was common and intubation was required in 67.9% of admissions, with a median duration of mechanical ventilation of less than 1 day. The overall mortality was 3.0%. Among the 257 survivors, the median lengths of stay in the intensive care unit and acute hospital (excluding days spent in psychiatric ward and convalescent hospital) were less than 1 day and 3 days, respectively. Factors associated with a longer length of stay included age of 65 or older, presence of comorbidity, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 25 or greater, and development of shock, rhabdomyolysis, and aspiration pneumonia, while alcohol intoxication was associated with a shorter stay. This is the largest study of its kind in the Chinese population and provided information on the pattern of severe acute poisoning requiring intensive care admission and the outcomes of the patients concerned.
On the benefit of Teucrium in murine colitis through improvement of toxic inflammatory mediators
Authors: Abdolghaffari Amir Hossein , Baghaei Amir , Moayer Fariborz , Esmaily Hadi , Baeeri Maryam , Monsef-Esfahani Hamid Reza , Hajiaghaee Reza , Abdollahi Mohammad
Published: February 2010

Regarding the role of free radicals in pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we were interested to investigate the effects of Teucrium persicum with approved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in an experimental model of colitis. Immunologic colitis was induced by rectal administration of a mixture of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol through rubber cannula into rats. Three different doses of Teucrium (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were gavaged in a duration of 10 days to rats. Endpoint markers of colitis included macroscopic and microscopic examination of colon tissue and measuring colonic cells concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interlukin-1β (IL-1β), total antioxidant power as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and lipid peroxidation as thiobarbitoric acid-reactive substance (TBARS). Teucrium at all doses improved both macroscopic and histological damages of rats with colitis. Teucrium reduced colonic MPO activity and concentrations of cellular lipid peroxides, TNF-α, and IL-1β, with a concomitant increase in FRAP value in rats with colitis. It is concluded that beneficial effects of Teucrium in experimental colitis is mediated through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Examination of this herbal medicine in patients with IBD as a supplement would further reveal the potential of Teucrium.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloid clivorine induced oxidative injury on primary cultured rat hepatocytes
Authors: LiLi Ji  , TianYu Liu  , ZhengTao Wang
Published: February 2010

Clivorine is an otonecine-type hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid (HPAs), to which humans are exposed when consuming herbs containing such components. In the present study, we investigated clivorine-induced oxidative stress injury on primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Rat hepatocytes were treated with various concentrations of clivorine (1—100 μM) for 48 hours, and then cell viability was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined to evaluate the oxidative injury. The results of MTT assay showed that clivorine decreased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Clivorine also increased LPO amounts in rat hepatocytes at the concentrations of 50 μM and 100 μM. Further results showed that clivorine decreased GPx, GST and GR activities, which are all reduced glutathione (GSH)-related antioxidant enzymes. CAT and SOD are both important antioxidant enzymes, and the results showed that clivorine increased CAT activity at the low concentration of 5 μM and decreased cellular SOD activity at all concentrations. Taken together, our results demonstrated that clivorine induced toxicity on primary cultured rat hepatocytes by causing the damage on cellular redox balance.
High prevalence of hypokalemia after acute acetaminophen overdose: Impact of psychiatric illness
Authors: Zyoud Sa'ed H , Awang Rahmat , Syed Azhar Syed Sulaiman  , Al-jabi Samah W
Published: February 2010

Background: Hypokalemia is not an isolated disease but an associated finding in a number of different diseases. It is also a commonly neglected condition among patients with acute acetaminophen overdose. Objectives: This study intended to determine the prevalence of hypokalemia and its clinical correlates in acute psychiatric illness among hypokalemic and normokalemic patients after acetaminophen overdose. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of hospital admissions for acute acetaminophen overdose conducted over a period of 5 years from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008. Demographic data and different types of psychiatric illness were compared between hypokalemic and normokalemic patients. Hypokalemia was predefined by a serum concentration <3.5 mmol/L. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 15 was used for data analysis. Results: Two hundred and eighty patients out of 305 admissions were studied. Hypokalemia was found in 63.6% of patients with a higher prevalence in the presence of psychiatric illness (67.7%). Hypokalemic patients were significantly associated with the presence of major depression (p = .04), adjustment disorder (p < .001), anxiety (p = .01), and suicidal attempts (p = .04). Conclusion: Hypokalemia was common among patients with psychiatric illness and acute acetaminophen overdose.
Business Incubators
Authors: Al-Mubaraki Hanadi Mubarak , Busler Michael
Published: February 2010

Business incubators can help young firms to survive and grow during their start-up years, and can play a key role in the economic development of a community or region. In developing countries, like Kuwait and the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, business incubators can be particularly valuable in helping to develop local economies, promote technology transfer, create new enterprises and generate jobs. There is potentially a wealth of information available about the characteristics of and services offered by business incubators in the US and other countries, which can be used to inform the development of incubator programmes within these countries. To tap into this information, an Internet-based survey was conducted with a sample of business incubators worldwide. The survey results are used to make recommendations about how to maximize the success of incubators, including matching services offered to the needs of clients and involving a range of community stakeholders in the development of their programmes. A number of options are proposed for developing and expanding the business incubator concept in Kuwait and the GCC member states.
The Local Conditions of Uniqueness and Plastic Strain Localization Part II: Comparison of the Local Uniqueness Condition with the Rice-Rudnicki Local Plastic Strain Localization
Authors: Śloderbach Z. , Pajak J.
Published: February 2010

Based on previous work of the first author, the local sufficient condition of uniqueness of the solution of the incremental boundary-value problem in generalized elastoplasticity which excludes the possibility of bifurcation state is compared with the local necessary condition for the localization of plastic deformations as a Rice—Rudnicki localization plane. The analytical results of limitations imposed on the isothermal hardening functions (moduli) by the Rice—Rudnicki condition of plastic strain localization are compared with those resulting from the local uniqueness condition. It is shown that the local sufficient condition of uniqueness of the solution of the incremental boundary-value problem with an equals sign becomes a local necessary condition of non-uniqueness or local necessary condition of the possible appearance of a bifurcation state.
Maintaining Continuity in a Cultural Contact Zone: Identification Strategies in the Dialogical Self
Authors: O'Sullivan-Lago Ria , de Abreu Guida
Published: February 2010

In this article we argue that the societal-level change caused by the creation of cultural contact zones due to increased immigration has implications for nationals’ cultural identities. We propose that the resultant instability of cultural I-positions demands the development of identification strategies in the Dialogical Self (Hermans, 2001a) that will enable the individual to maintain their identity continuity. Our focus involves a detailed textual analysis of three case studies of Irish nationals to investigate what identification strategies are used and to examine the sign-use these strategies employ. Using insights from Cultural Continuity Theory (Chandler & Lalonde, 1998), this article discusses the relevance of societal level processes to the Dialogical Self (Hermans, 2001a).
News sites’ position in the mediascape: uses, evaluations and media displacement effects over time
Authors: De Waal Ester , Schoenbach Klaus
Published: February 2010

By means of a two-wave representative panel survey of adults in the Netherlands, this study examines changes in the profile of the online-news audience, how it uses and evaluates online news and how this eventually affects the use of traditional media. The analyses reveal interesting differences in the use of newspaper websites and other, non-paper, news sites. Displacement effects become visible: online newspapers gradually substitute for printed newspapers, other news sites for teletext and non-paper news sites for newspaper sites.
US teenagers’ perceptions and awareness of digital technology: a focus group approach
Authors: Hundley Heather L. , Shyles Leonard
Published: February 2010

Scholars have recently begun investigating teenagers’ perceptions of digital devices and awareness of the functions they serve in their lives (Campbell, 2007: Cheong, 2008; Heim et al., 2007; Ling, 2004). This article aligns with research on adolescents’ uses of digital media devices by conducting focus groups with 80 middle- and high-school teenagers. The chief objective of this research was to further our understanding of what young people think about digital devices (e.g. cell phones, video game systems, the internet) and the functions they serve in their lives. Four themes emerged from 11 focus group interviews: (1) an awareness of digital devices; (2) a sense of temporal displacement; (3) social functions; and (4) a palpable sense of risk associated with using them. These themes resonate with the current literature.
The digital identity divide: how technology knowledge impacts college students
Authors: Goode Joanna
Published: February 2010

This article embraces the concept of technology identity as an innovative theoretical and methodological approach to study the digital divide. Reporting on qualitative data taken from a mixed-method study, the analytical approach goes beyond an access and skills perspective in measuring digital inequities. Narratives collected from students demonstrate how powerful sociocultural influences, such as family practices and access to a quality K-12 education, contribute to the development of a technology identity. The stories outlined in this article offer illustrative accounts of how holding a particular technology identity impacts the academic and social life of college students. Taken together, the narratives highlight the role of schools and universities as institutions which are perpetuating — rather than resisting — inequalities associated with the digital divide.
Who’s got the phone? Gender and the use of the telephone at the bottom of the pyramid
Authors: Zainudeen Ayesha , Iqbal Tahani , Samarajiva Rohan
Published: February 2010

Many studies conclude that a significant gender divide in access to the telephone exists, particularly in developing countries. Furthermore, women are also said to use telephones in a different manner from men — making and receiving more calls, spending more time on calls and using telephones primarily for ‘relationship maintenance’ purposes. Much of this research is based on small-sample studies in affluent developed countries. This article shows that a significant gender divide in access to telephones exists in Pakistan and India, to a lesser extent in Sri Lanka, but is absent in the Philippines and Thailand. It also challenges the findings which claim that women’s and men’s use is fundamentally different, at least at the ‘bottom of the pyramid’ in developing countries.
A study of content diversity in online citizen journalism and online newspaper articles
Authors: Carpenter Serena
Published: February 2010

The presence of a diversity of information offers citizens access to a range of ideas, expertise and topics. In this study, a measure of content diversity was created to determine whether online citizen journalism and online newspaper publications were serving this function in the USA. Based on the findings from a quantitative content analysis ( n = 962), online citizen journalism articles were more likely to feature a greater diversity of topics, information from outside sources and multimedia and interactive features. The findings suggest online citizen journalism content adds to the diversity of information available in the marketplace.
COMMUNEcation: a rhizomatic tale of participatory technology, postcoloniality and professional community
Authors: Broadfoot Kirsten J. , Munshi Debashish , Nelson-Marsh Natalie
Published: February 2010

This article explores the authors’ experiences in creating and participating with(in) a virtual conference organized as an experimental virtual network. These experiences demonstrate how physically co-located and virtual conferencing practices acting in tandem provide a greater opportunity for the inclusion of both diverse perspectives and participants in professional communities. Using insights from postcolonial theory, the article examines how the architecture of participation found in the technologies of Web 2.0 accentuates the potential for reclaiming some diversity of perspective and participation, facilitating a form of molecular community through conferencing practices. Finally, it provides theoretical and empirical insights and reflections on the social dynamics of conferencing in both online and offline spaces to demonstrate how online conferencing can expand the directions taken in pursuit of new collective knowledge.
Developing a corporeal cyberfeminism: beyond cyberutopia
Authors: Brophy Jessica E.
Published: February 2010

This article discusses — and rejects — cyberutopia, an idealized theory of internet use that requires users to leave their bodies behind when online. The author instead calls for a cyberfeminist perspective in relation to studying the internet and other new media, centrally locating corporeality and embodiment. The underutilized concept of intra-agency is then employed to develop liminality in relation to the experience of going online. The author then outlines different versions of cyberfeminism and endorses that which addresses the relationships between the lived experiences of users and the technology itself. The article concludes with a call for theorists to expand and enrich the concepts used to study new media.
Review: Castration-resistant prostate cancer: new science and therapeutic prospects
Authors: Bellmunt Joaquim , Oh William K.
Published: February 2010

There is a growing number of new therapies targeting different pathways that will revolutionize patient management strategies in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients. Today there are more clinical trial options for CRPC treatment than ever before, and there are many promising agents in late-stage clinical testing. The hypothesis that CRPC frequently remains driven by a ligand-activated androgen receptor (AR) and that CRPC tissues exhibit substantial residual androgen levels despite gonadotropin-releasing hormone therapy, has led to the evaluation of new oral compounds such as abiraterone and MDV 3100. Their results, coupled with promising recent findings in immunotherapy (eg sipuleucel-T) and with agents targeting angiogenesis (while awaiting the final results of the CALGB trial 90401) will most probably impact the management of patients with CRPC in the near future. Other new promising agents need further development. With our increased understanding of the biology of this disease, further trial design should incorporate improved patient selection so that patient populations are those who may be most likely to benefit from treatment.
Analysis of deep sequencing microRNA expression profile from human embryonic stem cells derived mesenchymal stem cells reveals possible role of let-7 microRNA family in downstream targeting of Hepatic Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha
Authors: Koh Winston , Sheng Chen Tian , Tan Betty , Lee Qian Yi , Kuznetsov Vladimir , Kiang Lim Sai , Tanavde Vivek
Published: February 2010

Background

Recent literature has revealed that genetic exchange of microRNA between cells can be essential for cell-cell communication, tissue-specificity and developmental processes. In stem cells, as in other cells, this can be accomplished through microvesicles or exosome mediated transfer. However, molecular profiles and functions of microRNAs within the cells and in their exosomes are poorly studied. Next generation sequencing technologies could provide a broad-spectrum of microRNAs and their expression and identify possible microRNA targets. In this work, we performed deep sequencing of microRNAs to understand the profile and expression of the microRNAs in microvesicles and intracellular environment of human embryonic stem cells derived mesenchymal stem cells (hES-MSC).

We outline a workflow pertaining to visualizing, statistical analysis and interpreting deep sequencing data of known intracellular and extracellular microRNAs from hES-MSC). We utilized these results of which directed our attention towards establishing hepatic nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) as a downstream target of let-7 family of microRNAs.

Results

In our study, significant differences in expression profile of microRNAs were found in the intracellular and extracellular environment of hES-MSC. However, a high level of let-7 family of microRNAs is predominant in both intra- and extra- cellular samples of hES-MSC. Further results derived from visualization of our alignment data and network analysis showed that let-7 family microRNAs could affect the downstream target HNF4A, which is a known endodermal differentiation marker. The elevated presence of let-7 microRNA in both intracellular and extra cellular environment further suggests a possible intercellular signalling mechanism through microvesicles transfer. We suggest that let-7 family microRNAs might play a signalling role via such a mechanism amongst populations of stem cells in maintaining self renewal property by suppressing HNF4A expression. This is in line with recent paradigm where microRNAs regulate self-renewal and differentiation pathways of embryonic stem cells by forming an integral biological network with transcription factors.

Conclusion

In summary, our study using a combination of alignment, statistical and network analysis tools to examine deep sequencing data of microRNAs in hES-MSC has led to a result that (i) identifies intracellular and exosome microRNA expression profiles of hES-MSCwith a possible mechanism of miRNA mediated intercellular regulation by these cells and (ii) placed HNF4A within the cross roads of regulation by the let-7 family of microRNAs.
In-depth sequencing of the siRNAs associated with peach latent mosaic viroid infection
Authors: Bolduc François , Hoareau Christopher , St-Pierre Patrick , Perreault Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2010

Background

It has been observed that following viroid infection, there is an accumulation of viroid-derived siRNAs in infected plants. Some experimental results suggest that these small RNAs may be produced by the plant defense system to protect it from infection, indicating that viroids can elicit the RNA-silencing pathways. The objective of this study is to identify in the peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd), a model RNA genome, the regions that are most susceptible to RNA interference machinery.

Results

The RNA isolated from an infected tree have been used to sequence in parallel viroid species and small non-coding RNA species. Specifically, PLMVd RNAs were amplified, cloned and sequenced according to a conventional approach, while small non-coding RNAs were determined by high-throughput sequencing. The first led to the typing of 18 novel PLMVd variants. The second provided a library of small RNAs including 880 000 sequences corresponding to PLMVd-derived siRNAs, which makes up 11.2% of the sequences of the infected library. These siRNAs contain mainly 21-22 nucleotide RNAs and are equivalently distributed between the plus and the minus polarities of the viroid. They cover the complete viroid genome, although the amount varies depending on the regions. These regions do not necessarily correlate with the double-stranded requirement to be a substrate for Dicer-like enzymes. We noted that some sequences encompass the hammerhead self-cleavage site, indicating that the circular conformers could be processed by the RNA-silencing machinery. Finally, a bias in the relative abundance of the nature of the 5' nucleotides was observed (A, U >> G, C).

Conclusions

The approach used provided us a quantitative representation of the PLMVd-derived siRNAs retrieved from infected peach trees. These siRNAs account for a relatively large proportion of the small non-coding RNAs. Surprisingly, the siRNAs from some regions of the PLMVd genome appear over-represented, although these regions are not necessarily forming sufficiently long double-stranded structures to satisfy Dicer-like criteria for substrate specificity. Importantly, this large library of siRNAs gave several hints as to the components of the involved silencing machinery.
Sleep triggered by an immune response in Drosophila is regulated by the circadian clock and requires the NFκB Relish
Authors: Kuo Tzu-Hsing , Pike Douglas H , Beizaeipour Zahra , Williams Julie A
Published: February 2010

Background

Immune challenge impacts behavior in many species. In mammals, this adaptive behavior is often manifested as an increase in sleep. Sleep has therefore been proposed to benefit the host by enhancing immune function and thereby overcome the challenge. To facilitate genetic studies on the relationship between sleep and immune function, we characterized the effect of the immune response on sleep in Drosophila melanogaster. Behavioral features of sleep as well as the innate immune response signaling pathways are well characterized in flies and are highly conserved in mammals.

Results

An immune response induced by infection with Gram-negative bacteria or by aseptic injury increased sleep in flies. The increase in sleep occurred during the morning hours after treatment and the magnitude of the effect was dependent on the time-of-day of inoculation or injury such that night-time treatment had a stronger effect than that during the daytime. This pattern persisted in constant darkness, indicating a role of the circadian clock. Mutants of the circadian clock gene, period, eliminated the increase in sleep observed in the morning, but instead showed enhanced sleep immediately after injury or infection.

Null mutants of the Nuclear Factor κB (NFκB) Relish, which is central to the innate immune response, do not increase sleep in response to injury or infection at any time of day. Instead, they maintain a normal sleep pattern until they die. Expression of a full-length Relish transgene in the fat bodies of Relish mutants restored the morning increase in sleep during an immune response. Fat bodies are a major site of immune signalling in flies and have a key role in host defense.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that an immune response increases sleep in flies in a manner that is gated by the circadian clock and that requires the NFκB Relish. These findings support a role of sleep in a recovery process and demonstrate a conserved feature of the Drosophila model of sleep.