bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemicelluloses
Authors: Scheller Henrik Vibe , Ulvskov Peter
Published: May 2010

Hemicelluloses are polysaccharides in plant cell walls that have β-(1→4)-linked backbones with an equatorial configuration. Hemicelluloses include xyloglucans, xylans, mannans and glucomannans, and β-(1→3,1→4)-glucans. These types of hemicelluloses are present in the cell walls of all terrestrial plants, except for β-(1→3,1→4)-glucans, which are restricted to Poales and a few other groups. The detailed structure of the hemicelluloses and their abundance vary widely between different species and cell types. The most important biological role of hemicelluloses is their contribution to strengthening the cell wall by interaction with cellulose and, in some walls, with lignin. These features are discussed in relation to widely accepted models of the primary wall.

Hemicelluloses are synthesized by glycosyltransferases located in the Golgi membranes. Many glycosyltransferases needed for biosynthesis of xyloglucans and mannans are known. In contrast, the biosynthesis of xylans and β-(1→3,1→4)-glucans remains very elusive, and recent studies have led to more questions than answers.
The Language of Calcium Signaling
Authors: Dodd Antony N. , Kudla Jörg , Sanders Dale
Published: May 2010

Ca2+ signals are a core regulator of plant cell physiology and cellular responses to the environment. The channels, pumps, and carriers that underlie Ca2+ homeostasis provide the mechanistic basis for generation of Ca2+ signals by regulating movement of Ca2+ ions between subcellular compartments and between the cell and its extracellular environment. The information encoded within the Ca2+ transients is decoded and transmitted by a toolkit of Ca2+-binding proteins that regulate transcription via Ca2+-responsive promoter elements and that regulate protein phosphorylation. Ca2+-signaling networks have architectural structures comparable to scale-free networks and bow tie networks in computing, and these similarities help explain such properties of Ca2+-signaling networks as robustness, evolvability, and the ability to process multiple signals simultaneously.
Brassinosteroid Signal Transduction from Receptor Kinases to Transcription Factors
Authors: Kim Tae-Wuk , Wang Zhi-Yong
Published: May 2010

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are growth-promoting steroid hormones in plants. Genetic studies in Arabidopsis illustrated the essential roles of BRs in a wide range of developmental processes and helped identify many genes involved in BR biosynthesis and signal transduction. Recently, proteomic studies identified missing links. Together, these approaches established the BR signal transduction cascade, which includes BR perception by the BRI1 receptor kinase at the cell surface, activation of BRI1/BAK1 kinase complex by transphosphorylation, subsequent phosphorylation of the BSK kinases, activation of the BSU1 phosphatase, dephosphorylation and inactivation of the BIN2 kinase, and accumulation of unphosphorylated BZR transcription factors in the nucleus. Mass spectrometric analyses are providing detailed information on the phosphorylation events involved in each step of signal relay. Thus, the BR signaling pathway provides a paradigm for understanding receptor kinase–mediated signal transduction as well as tools for the genetic improvement of the productivity of crop plants.
Political Order and One-Party Rule
Authors: Magaloni Beatriz , Kricheli Ruth
Published: May 2010

The second half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century have witnessed an unprecedented expansion of one-party autocracies. One-party regimes have become the most common type of authoritarian rule and have proved to be more stable and to grow faster than other types of authoritarianism. We review the literature on one-party rule and, using data from 1950–2006, suggest four avenues for future research: focusing on autocrats' ability to simultaneously minimize threats from the elites and from the masses; focusing on the conditions that foster the establishment and the collapse of one- party regimes and on transitions from one type of authoritarianism to another; focusing on the relationship between authoritarian elections and democratization; and focusing on the global and international forces that influence the spread of one-party rule.
The Masticatory Contractile Load Induced Expression and Activation of Akt1/PKBαin Muscle Fibers at the Myotendinous Junction within Muscle-Tendon-Bone Unit
Authors: Korkmaz Yüksel , Klinz Franz J. , Moghbeli Mehrnoush , Addicks Klaus , Raab Wolfgang H.-M. , Bloch Wilhelm
Published: May 2010

The cell specific detection of enzyme activation in response to the physiological contractile load within muscle-tendon-bone unit is essential for understanding of the mechanical forces transmission from muscle cells via tendon to the bone. The hypothesis that the physiological mechanical loading regulates activation of Akt1/PKBαat Thr308 and at Ser473 in muscle fibers within muscle-tendon-bone unit was tested using quantitative immunohistochemistry, confocal double fluorescence analysis, and immunoblot analysis. In comparison to the staining intensities in peripheral regions of the muscle fibers, Akt1/PKBαwas detected with a higher staining intensity in muscle fibers at the myotendinous junction (MTJ) areas. In muscle fibers at the MTJ areas, Akt1/PKBαis dually phosphorylated at Thr308 and Ser473. The immunohistochemical results were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. We conclude that contractile load generated by masticatory muscles induces local domain-dependent expression of Akt1/PKBαas well as activation by dually phosphorylation at Thr308 and Ser473 in muscle fibers at the MTJ areas within muscle-tendon-bone unit.
Simulation of Novel NEMS Contact Switch Using MRTD with Alterable Steps
Authors: Yu Wen-Ge , Zhou Kang-Qu , Wu Zheng-Zhong , Yang Ting-Hong , Zhao Jing
Published: May 2010

In order to apply Radio Frequency Micro-nano-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS/NEMS) technologies to produce miniature, high isolation, low insertion loss, good linear characteristic, and low power consumption microwave switches, we present a novel NEMS switch with nanoscaling in this paper through the analysis of electrics and mechanics of the RF switch. The measured data show the pull-in voltage of 24.1 V and the good RF performance of the insertion loss of below −10 dB at 0 GHz on the “on” state, and the isolation of beyond –40 dB at 0–40 GHz on the “off” state, indicating that the witch is suitable for the 0–40 GHz applications. Our analysis shows that the NEMS switch not only can work in wide frequency bands, but also has better isolation performance in lower frequency, thus extending the application to the lower band. The Haar-wavelet-based multiresolution time domain (MRTD) with compactly supported scaling function is used for modeling and analyzing the nanomachine switch for the first time. The major advantage of the MRTD algorithms is their capability to develop real-time time and space adaptive grids through the efficient thresholding of the wavelet coefficients. The error between the measured and computed results is below 5%, this indicated that the Haar-wavelet-based multiresolution time domain was suitable for simulating the nano-scaling contact switch.
The Role of Ets Factors in Tumor Angiogenesis
Authors: Oettgen Peter
Published: May 2010

Angiogenesis is a critical component of tumor growth. A number of growth factors, including VEGF, FGF, and HGF, have been implicated as angiogenic growth factors that promote tumor angiogenesis in different types of cancer. Ets-1 is the prototypic member of the Ets transcription factor family. Ets-1 is known to be a downstream mediator of angiogenic growth factors. Expression of Ets-1 in a variety of different tumors is associated with increased angiogenesis. A role for other selected members of the Ets transcription factor family has also been shown to be important for the development of tumor angiogenesis. Because Ets factors also express a number of other important genes involved in cell growth, they contribute not only to tumor growth, but to disease progression. Targeting Ets factors in mouse tumor models through the use of dominant-negative Ets proteins or membrane permeable peptides directed at competitively inhibiting the DNA binding domain has now demonstrated the therapeutic potential of inhibiting selected Ets transcription factors to limit tumor growth and disease progression.
Overeating Behavior and Striatal Dopamine with 6--Fluoro-L--Tyrosine PET
Authors: Wilcox Claire E. , Braskie Meredith N. , Kluth Jennifer T. , Jagust William J.
Published: May 2010

Eating behavior may be affected by dopamine synthesis capacity. In this study, 6--fluoro-L--tyrosine (FMT) positron emission tomography (PET) uptake in striatal subregions was correlated with BMI (kg/) and an estimate of the frequency of prior weight loss attempts in 15 healthy subjects. BMI was negatively correlated with FMT uptake in the dorsal caudate. Although the association between BMI and FMT uptake in the dorsal caudate was not significant upon correction for age and sex, the association fell within the range of a statistical trend. Weight loss attempts divided by years trying was also negatively correlated with FMT uptake in the dorsal putamen . These results suggest an association between low dorsal striatal presynaptic dopamine synthesis capacity and overeating behavior.
NT-Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Infants with Failure to Thrive due to Caloric Deprivation
Authors: Mänhardt L. B. , Norozi K. , Müller C. , Willaschek C. , Kostuch B. , Buchhorn R.
Published: May 2010

Background.Brain natriuretic peptide and its inactive fragment N-terminal pro-BNP (N-BNP) are reliable markers of ventricular dysfunction in adults and children. We analyzed the impact of nutritional state on N-BNP levels in infants with failure to thrive (FTT) and in infants with severe heart failure (HF). The purpose of this study was to compare N-BNP levels in infants with FTT with infants with severe HF and healthy controls.Methods.In a retrospective cohort study, we compared N-BNP levels from all consecutive infants with FTT and bodyweight below the tenth percentile (caloric deprivation (CD) group) to infants with severe HF. Reference values from infants between 2 and 12 month were taken from the literature and healthy infants.Results.Our results show that infants with FTT (n=15) had significantly (P<.001) elevated N-BNP values compared with the healthy infants (n=23), 530 (119–3150) pg/mL versus 115 (15–1121) pg/mL. N-BNP values in this CD group are comparable to the median value of infants with severe HF (n=12) 673 (408–11310) pg/mL. There is no statistical significant difference in age.Conclusion. Nutritional state has an important impact on N-BNP levels in infants with FTT. We could show comparable levels of N-BNP in infants with FTT and infants with severe HF.
Mannose-Binding Lectin Gene Polymorphism and Early Neonatal Outcome in Preterm Infants
Authors: Koroglu Ozge Altun , Onay Huseyin , Erdemir Gulin , Yalaz Mehmet , Cakmak Bilin , Akisu Mete , Ozkinay Ferda , Kultursay Nilgun
Published: May 2010

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) as a component of innate immunity plays an important role in preterm infants in whom adaptive immunity is not sufficiently developed. Polymorphisms in immunoregulatory genes influence the response to infection and subsequent inflammation. Infection and inflammation have been implicated in the mechanisms responsible for many of the diseases in the preterm newborns. Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between MBL gene polymorphism and early neonatal outcome in preterm infants. Methods: Codon 54 and 57 polymorphisms in MBL2 gene were genotyped in 99 preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Ege University Children’s Hospital. Results: Overall frequencies of sepsis and early-onset sepsis were higher in the group of infants with MBL polymorphism when compared to infants with wild-type MBL genotype (p = 0.008, 0.009, respectively). Maximum Tollner sepsis score in the first 3 days of life was higher for the infants with variant MBL genotype (p = 0.0278). More infants in the variant MBL group had significant patent ductus arteriosus when compared to infants with wild-type MBL (27.8 vs. 9.5% respectively, p = 0.037). Conclusion: MBL gene polymorphism was associated with increased frequency of clinical sepsis particularly with early neonatal sepsis and also with higher Tollner sepsis scores and increased frequency of patent ductus arteriosus in infants. Overall mortality and incidence of culture proven sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia and necrotizing enterocolitis were not found to be related to MBL genotype.
Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin: An Independent Predictor of Adverse Outcomes in Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Yang Ha Na , Boo Chang Soo , Kim Myung-Gyu , Jo Sang-Kyung , Cho Won Yong , Kim Hyoung-Kyu
Published: May 2010

Background: Several recent studies have shown that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) may be a promising biomarker for the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI), but the role of NGAL in predicting adverse clinical outcomes has not been well addressed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of urine NGAL as outcome predictor in patients with AKI. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study enrolling hospitalized AKI patients. Patients were divided into four groups according to initial urine NGAL excretion quartiles. The primary clinical outcome variables were in-hospital mortality and renal function at 4 weeks. Results: Initial urine NGAL was identified as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and persistent loss of renal function. In the analysis of predictive performance of urine NGAL, the AUC was 0.882 and a cutoff value of 298.28 ng/ml predicted loss of renal function with 88.2% sensitivity and 81.0% specificity. Conclusion: This study could suggest that urine NGAL, a new early biomarker might also be served as a reliable clinical outcome predictor in AKI patients.
Features of Optical Coherence Tomography Are Predictive of Visual Outcomes after Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection for Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Roh Mi In , Kim Ji Hyun , Kwon Oh Woong
Published: May 2010

Purpose: To identify optical coherence tomography (OCT) patterns of diabetic macular edema (DME) predictive of visual outcomes after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB; Avastin®) injection. Methods: We retrospectively examined 56 consecutive eyes that were given IVB injections for DME alongside the preoperative macular OCT data. Using this information, we categorized the eyes into 2 groups: group 1 showing diffuse patterns; group 2 demonstrating cystoid macular edema (CME). Result: The mean follow-up period was 11.66 ± 3.98 months. Group 1 eyes gained 0.04 ± 9.27 ETDRS letters (p = 0.984), while group 2 eyes gained 5.79 ± 9.98 ETDRS letters (p = 0.005). Mean macular thickness decreased by 72.79 ± 145.74 µm in group 1 (p = 0.014) and by 223.71 ± 224.52 µm in group 2 (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Patients showing CME upon OCT achieved greater improvements in visual acuity and macular thickness after IVB injection than patients with diffuse macular edema. The type of macular edema shown by OCT may provide an objective guideline in predicting the response of DME to IVB injection.
Plasma Copeptin and the Risk of Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Enhörning Sofia , Wang Thomas J. , Nilsson Peter M. , Almgren Peter , Hedblad Bo , Berglund Göran , Struck Joachim , Morgenthaler Nils G. , Bergmann Andreas , Lindholm Eero , Groop Leif , Lyssenko Valeria , Orho-Melander Marju , Newton-Cheh Christopher , Melander Olle
Published: May 2010

Background—Animal studies suggest that the arginine vasopressin system may play a role in glucose metabolism, but data from humans are limited.

Methods and Results—We analyzed plasma copeptin (copeptin), a stable C-terminal fragment of the arginine vasopressin prohormone. Using baseline and longitudinal data from a Swedish population-based sample (n=4742; mean age, 58 years; 60% women) and multivariable logistic regression, we examined the association of increasing quartiles of copeptin (lowest quartile as reference) with prevalent diabetes mellitus at baseline, insulin resistance (top quartile of fasting plasma insulin among nondiabetic subjects), and incident diabetes mellitus on long-term follow-up. New-onset diabetes mellitus was ascertained through 3 national and regional registers. All models were adjusted for clinical and anthropometric risk factors, cystatin C, and C-reactive protein. In cross-sectional analyses, increasing copeptin was associated with prevalent diabetes mellitus (P=0.04) and insulin resistance (P<0.001). During 12.6 years of follow-up, 174 subjects (4%) developed new-onset diabetes mellitus. The odds of developing diabetes mellitus increased across increasing quartiles of copeptin, even after additional adjustment for baseline fasting glucose and insulin (adjusted odds ratios, 1.0, 1.37, 1.79, and 2.09;Pfor trend=0.004). The association with incident diabetes mellitus remained significant in analyses restricted to subjects with fasting whole blood glucose <5.4 mmol/L at baseline (adjusted odds ratios, 1.0, 1.80, 1.92, and 3.48;P=0.001).

Conclusions—Elevated copeptin predicts increased risk for diabetes mellitus independently of established clinical risk factors, including fasting glucose and insulin. These findings could have implications for risk assessment, novel antidiabetic treatments, and metabolic side effects from arginine vasopressin system modulation.
Inside Copenhagen: The State of Climate Governance
Authors: Dimitrov Radoslav S.
Published: May 2010

This article clarifies the outcome of the Copenhagen climate conference from the perspective of a government delegate. Access behind closed doors reveals the full extent of the damage. The failure at Copenhagen was worse than our worstcase scenario but should not obscure a bigger and brighter picture. Aggregate climate governance is in healthy condition that contrasts with the plight of multilateral climate governance. While the multilateral UN process is damaged, multilevel governance comprising regional, national and local climate policies worldwide is steadily gaining speed. The challenge to the academic community is to develop a composite measure of multilevel governance that captures aggregate public and nonstate policy initiatives at various levels.
Ice Initiation by Aerosol Particles: Measured and Predicted Ice Nuclei Concentrations versus Measured Ice Crystal Concentrations in an Orographic Wave Cloud
Authors: Eidhammer T. , DeMott P. J. , Prenni A. J. , Petters M. D. , Twohy C. H. , Rogers D. C. , Stith J. , Heymsfield A. , Wang Z. , Pratt K. A. , Prather K. A. , Murphy S. M. , Seinfeld J. H. , Subramanian R. , Kreidenweis S. M.
Published: May 2010

The initiation of ice in an isolated orographic wave cloud was compared with expectations based on ice nucleating aerosol concentrations and with predictions from new ice nucleation parameterizations applied in a cloud parcel model. Measurements of ice crystal number concentrations were found to be in good agreement both with measured number concentrations of ice nuclei feeding the clouds and with ice nuclei number concentrations determined from the residual nuclei of cloud particles collected by a counterflow virtual impactor. Using lognormal distributions fitted to measured aerosol size distributions and measured aerosol chemical compositions, ice nuclei and ice crystal concentrations in the wave cloud were reasonably well predicted in a 1D parcel model framework. Two different empirical parameterizations were used in the parcel model: a parameterization based on aerosol chemical type and surface area and a parameterization that links ice nuclei number concentrations to the number concentrations of particles with diameters larger than 0.5 μm. This study shows that aerosol size distribution and composition measurements can be used to constrain ice initiation by primary nucleation in models. The data and model results also suggest the likelihood that the dust particle mode of the aerosol size distribution controls the number concentrations of the heterogeneous ice nuclei, at least for the lower temperatures examined in this case.
Observation and Theory of the Diurnal Continental Thermal Tide
Authors: Li Yanping , Smith Ronald B.
Published: May 2010

Harmonic analysis of summer Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) data over North America shows sun-following diurnal temperature and pressure oscillations with amplitudes increasing in the western United States (i.e., 5–8 K and 60–120 hPa, respectively) due to larger sensible heating in the dryer western terrains. The phases of temperature and pressure (i.e., 220° and 110°) are constant with longitude after an interfering eastward propagating wave is subtracted. Tidal amplitudes and phases shift significantly with season.

A linear Boussinesq model with thermal forcing can reproduce these observed oscillations with properly selected parameters. The model neglects global effects to focus on a single transect across a single ideal continent. A damping parameter α ranging from 5 × 10−5 to 9 × 10−5 s−1, comparable to the inertia and Coriolis parameters, is needed to explain the temperature phase lag relative to local solar noon (40°–50°C). The phase lag between surface pressure minimum and temperature maximum (45°–70°C) requires a 3–5-h time delay between surface and elevated heating. The ratio of pressure and temperature amplitude requires a heating depth varying between 550 (winter) and 1250 m (summer). Both the heating delay and depth are consistent with a vertical heat diffusivity of about K = 10 m2 s−1 in winter, but K theory gives inconsistent summer K values. The observed tide amplitude requires diurnal heating amplitudes in the range of 100–250 W m−2.

When the model is applied to an inhomogeneous continent, it is possible to obtain a clearer idea of how wide a region must be to approach the tidal (i.e., long-wave) limit. Traveling diurnal heating generates gentle tides over the large uniform interior regions but causes vigorous sea breezes and mountain–plain circulations in regions of heating gradient. These gradient regions have significant vertical motions and are moderately sensitive to the Coriolis force and the mean wind speed. Surprisingly, these local circulations do not alter the phases of the temperature and pressure oscillations, in agreement with observations.
Can CO2 Turbulent Flux Be Measured by Lidar? A Preliminary Study
Authors: Gibert Fabien , Koch Grady J. , Beyon Jeffrey Y. , Hilton Timothy W. , Davis Kenneth J. , Andrews Arlyn , Flamant Pierre H. , Singh Upendra N.
Published: May 2010

The vertical profiling of CO2 turbulent fluxes in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is investigated using a coherent differential absorption lidar (CDIAL) operated nearby a tall tower in Wisconsin during June 2007. A CDIAL can perform simultaneous range-resolved CO2 DIAL and velocity measurements. The lidar eddy covariance technique is presented. The aims of the study are (i) an assessment of performance and current limitation of available CDIAL for CO2 turbulent fluxes and (ii) the derivation of instrument specifications to build a future CDIAL to perform accurate range-resolved CO2 fluxes. Experimental lidar CO2 mixing ratio and vertical velocity profiles are successfully compared with in situ sensors measurements. Time and space integral scales of turbulence in the ABL are addressed that result in limitation for time averaging and range accumulation. A first attempt to infer CO2 fluxes using an eddy covariance technique with currently available 2-μm CDIAL dataset is reported.
Aircraft Observations of the 12–15 July 2004 Moisture Surge Event during the North American Monsoon Experiment
Authors: Mejia John F. , Douglas Michael W. , Lamb Peter J.
Published: May 2010

This paper describes aspects of a strong moisture surge over the Gulf of California that was observed during the 2004 North American Monsoon Experiment. Although a variety of special observation platforms aid the analyses, the authors focus on observations collected during two NOAA research aircraft flights made on 12 and 13 July. These flights sampled the initial and mature phases of a strong surge associated with Tropical Storm Blas. The first flight is identified by both a convective outflow and another feature, both deeper and with larger spatial scale, ahead of the outflow in association with the surge’s leading edge. The surge speed, ~18 m s−1, was identified from anomaly analysis of surface station pressure data. Observations show interesting multiscale features associated with the surge during its initial stages but do not allow for unambiguous identification of the surge’s forcing mechanism or dynamical properties. Data from the second flight were used to describe the along- and cross-gulf structure of the enhanced low-level flow associated with the surge event. The strongest winds were over the northernmost gulf, with weaker winds over the surrounding coastal areas. The kinematic moisture flux increased toward the northern gulf; wind speed is the main control on the flux as the moist layer shows only small horizontal gradients. Over the northern gulf, the combination of a very shallow moist layer and a shallow low-level jet yield maximum moisture fluxes near 950 hPa that are almost an order of magnitude larger than those at 850 hPa.
Performance of NCEP Regional Wave Models in Predicting Peak Sea States during the 2005 North Atlantic Hurricane Season*
Authors: Chao Yung Y. , Tolman Hendrik L.
Published: May 2010

Unprecedented numbers of tropical cyclones occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico in 2005. This provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the performance of two operational regional wave forecasting models at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). This study validates model predictions of the tropical cyclone–generated maximum significant wave height, simultaneous spectral peak wave period, and the time of occurrence against available buoy measurements from the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC). The models used are third-generation operational wave models: the Western North Atlantic wave model (WNA) and the North Atlantic Hurricane wave model (NAH). These two models have identical model physics, spatial resolutions, and domains, with the latter model using specialized hurricane wind forcing. Both models provided consistent estimates of the maximum wave height and period, with random errors of typically less than 25%, and timing errors of typically less than 5 h. Compared to these random errors, systematic model biases are negligible, with a typical negative model bias of 5%. It appears that higher wave model resolutions are needed to fully utilize the specialized hurricane wind forcing, and it is shown that present routine wave observations are inadequate to accurately validate hurricane wave models.
The Rhetorical Lines on TV’s Poker Face: Rhetorical Constructions of Poker as Sport
Authors: Schuck Raymond I.
Published: May 2010

Recent accounts that suggest that poker is a sport do so by characterizing poker along five lines: (a) physical challenge, (b) competition, (c) strategy, (d) excitement, and (e) the ability of audience members to understand how to play. As poker is associated with the term sport through these lines, the term sport functions as an ideograph in that, as a commonplace, nebulous term, its deployment in connection with poker promotes practices of consumption that serve the interests of institutions such as networks that televise poker, casinos that host tournaments, and sponsors that advertise at tournaments and during telecasts. Additionally, use of the term sport to characterize poker along these five lines connects poker to myths of individualism and the American Dream steeped in consumerism, along with a new stylized, commodified form of masculinity that reproduces structures of hegemonic masculinity while providing a means through which to identify with masculine identity for individuals who might struggle otherwise to do. Analysis of the example of poker as sport illustrates the need to recognize the rhetorical construction of the term sport, the interests that it serves, and the ways in which sport promotes consumerism.
SNPs of Fc-gamma Receptor Genes and Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Chai L. , Song Y.-Q. , Zee K.-Y. , Leung W.K.
Published: May 2010

Genetic polymorphisms of host defense genes might increase risk for periodontitis. This case-control study investigated whether 102 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Fc gamma receptor ( FCGR) genes are associated with chronic periodontitis. Cases were 190 Hong Kong Chinese patients with severe chronic periodontitis, and there were 169 periodontitis-free individuals as controls. Genotype CC and allele C of rs445509 ( p < 0.0001, OR = 0.30) of FCGR3A were significantly more prevalent among control individuals than among cases, after adjustment for age, sex, and smoking. Smoking was significantly associated with chronic periodontitis ( p = 0.003, OR = 3.35). Within the limitations of this study, SNP rs445509 of FCGR3A seem to be negatively associated, while smoking was positively associated, with severe chronic periodontitis among Hong Kong Chinese.
Jaw Muscle Soreness after Tooth-clenching Depends on Force Level
Authors: Farella M. , Soneda K. , Vilmann A. , Thomsen C.E. , Bakke M.
Published: May 2010

The effects of prolonged tooth-clenching on masticatory muscle pain have not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that late-onset soreness may develop depending on the clenching force. Ten pain-free females were asked to endure sustained clenching tasks up to exhaustion in randomized sequences of 7.5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, and 40% of maximum clenching force. Perceived pain, fatigue, and pressure-pain thresholds of masseter and temporalis muscles were assessed before, immediately after, and one day after the tasks. Endurance times differed markedly among participants and force levels, ranging from 1.2 to 245.1 min. Masseter pressure-pain threshold decreased immediately after (-13.7%; p = 0.050) and one day after (-22.0%; p = 0.006) the 7.5% task. Temporalis pressure threshold decreased one day after the 7.5 % task (-14.6%; p = 0.003). It was concluded that prolonged low-level tooth-clenching in healthy young women induces a delayed soreness in the jaw elevator muscles.
Tetrapod-like Zinc Oxide Whisker Enhancement of Resin Composite
Authors: Niu L.N. , Fang M. , Jiao K. , Tang L.H. , Xiao Y.H. , Shen L.J. , Chen J.H.
Published: May 2010

There is an increasing demand for composite resins with both strong antibacterial activity and satisfactory mechanical properties. This study tested the hypothesis that the new antibacterial agent tetrapod-like zinc oxide whisker (T-ZnOw) could simultaneously enhance the antibacterial activity and mechanical properties of a two-component composite resin. The antibacterial activities of the materials were assessed by the broth dilution test and direct contact test. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and measurements of the flexural strength, compressive strength, and diametral tensile strength were carried out for mechanical characterization. The results revealed that T-ZnOw provided the resin with strong antibacterial activity and improved mechanical properties in all tested groups. However, the antibacterial activity of the resin with 10% T-ZnOw in the powder component significantly decreased after aging treatment. The incorporation of 5% T-ZnOw into the resin powder was optimal to give appropriate antibacterial activity, long-term antibacterial effectiveness, and mechanical properties.
Ethics and the Use of Technology in Rehabilitation Counseling
Authors: Barros-Bailey Mary , Saunders Jodi L.
Published: May 2010

Standards for technology ethics were first introduced into the Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors in 2002. Since that time, the proliferation of technology has enhanced practice, changed the American vernacular, and become infused in the delivery of services to and teaching of individuals, families, and groups. The 2010 revision to the Code updates and reinforces standards involving behavior, accessibility, confidentiality, informed consent, security, assessment, records, legal issues, advertising, research and publication, counseling unavailability, disclosure, and distance counseling. However, it introduces new standards that are absent from the literature in the counseling and helping professions specific to technology ethics involving consultative and distance group counseling as well as in teaching, supervision, and training.
Quantifying Response Dependence Between Two Dichotomous Items Using the Rasch Model
Authors: Andrich David , Kreiner Svend
Published: May 2010

Models of modern test theory imply statistical independence among responses, generally referred to as local independence. One violation of local independence occurs when the response to one item governs the response to a subsequent item. Expanding on a formulation of this kind of violation as a process in the dichotomous Rasch model, this article shows how the magnitude of this violation can be estimated as a change in the location of the second item caused by its dependence on the first. It is suggested that this index is relatively more tangible in interpretation than other indices of dependence that are either a weight in the interaction term in a model or a correlation coefficient. The prime function of this method of assessing dependence is likely to be in the development of tests where evidence of the degree of dependence of one item on another in a pilot study can be used as part of the evidence in deciding which items will be retained in a final version of a test.
Rehabilitation in practice: Management of lower motor neuron weakness
Authors: Ramdharry Gita M
Published: May 2010

This series of articles for rehabilitation in practice aims to cover a knowledge element of the rehabilitation medicine curriculum. Nevertheless they are intended to be of interest to a multidisciplinary audience. The competency addressed in this article is ‘The trainee consistently demonstrates a knowledge of the pathophysiology of various specific impairments including lower motor neuron weakness’ and ‘management approaches for specific impairments including lower motor neuron weakness’.

This article explores weakness as a lower motor symptom. Weakness as a primary impairment of neuromuscular diseases is addressed, with recognition of the phenomenon of disuse atrophy, and how weakness impacts on the functional abilities of people with myopathy and neuropathy. Interventions to reduce weakness or address the functional consequences of weakness are evaluated with consideration of safety and clinical application.

Learning outcomes: This paper will allow readers to: (1) appraise the contribution of research in rehabilitation of lower motor neuron weakness to clinical decision making and (2) engage with the issues that arise when researching rehabilitation interventions for lower motor neuron weakness.

Aim of article: Impairments associated with neuromuscular conditions can lead to significant functional difficulties that can impact on a person’s daily participation. This article focuses on the primary impairment of weakness and explores the research evidence for rehabilitation interventions that directly influence weakness or address the impact of weakness on function.
Factors associated with phantom limb pain: a 3½-year prospective study
Authors: Bosmans Joline C , Geertzen Jan HB , Post Wendy J , van der Schans Cees P , Dijkstra Pieter U
Published: May 2010

Objective: To analyse the prevalence of phantom (limb) pain over time and to analyse factors associated with phantom (limb) pain in a prospective cohort of amputees.

Design: A multicentre longitudinal study.

Patients: One hundred and thirty-four patients scheduled for amputation were included.

Methods: Patients filled in questionnaires before amputation, and postal questionnaires six months, 1½ years and 2½ years to a maximum of 3½ years after amputation. Preoperative assessment included patients’ characteristics, date, side and level of, and reason for amputation. The follow-up questionnaires assessed the frequencies of the experienced phantom pain, prosthetic use and walking distance. The occurrence of phantom pain was defined as phantom pain a few times a day or more frequently.

Results: Pre- and postoperative questionnaires were available filled in by 85 amputees (33 females and 52 males). The percentage of lower limb amputees with phantom pain was the highest at six months after amputation, and of upper limb amputees at 1½ years. In general, more women than men experienced phantom pain. One and a half years and 2½ years after amputation the highest percentages of the lower limb amputees used their prosthesis more than 4 hours a day (66%), after that time this percentage decreased to 60%. The results of the two-level logistic regression analysis to predict phantom pain show that phantom pain was less frequently present in men (odds ratio (OR) = 0.12), in lower limb amputees (OR = 0.14) and that it decreased in due course (OR = 0.53 for 1 year).

Conclusion: Protective factors for phantom pain are: being male, having a lower limb amputation and the time elapsed since amputation.
Farm Tractors, Occupational Therapy, and Four-Wheel Drive: Transforming a Military Vehicle Into a Cultural Icon
Authors: Iarocci Andrew
Published: May 2010

The armed forces of World War II employed unprecedented numbers of mechanical transport vehicles, precipitating a spike in demand for automotive manufactures. Eager to capture a share of the less certain postwar automobile marketplace, defense contractors such as Willys-Overland pursued a diverse range of product development and advertising strategies, based on the foundation of their military output. This article considers the cultural significance of Willys-Overland’s 1/4-ton truck (“jeep”), one of the most widely recognized transport artifacts of World War II. Working from a Canadian perspective, the discussion traces the jeep’s transformation from a versatile front line utility truck into an enduring icon of the postwar auto age.
Cannabis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Hypothetical and Practical Applications, and a Call for Clinical Trials
Authors: Carter Gregory T. , Abood Mary E. , Aggarwal Sunil K. , Weiss Michael D.
Published: May 2010

Significant advances have increased our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), yet this has not translated into any greatly effective therapies. It appears that a number of abnormal physiological processes occur simultaneously in this devastating disease. Ideally, a multidrug regimen, including glutamate antagonists, antioxidants, a centrally acting anti-inflammatory agent, microglial cell modulators (including tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α] inhibitors), an antiapoptotic agent, 1 or more neurotrophic growth factors, and a mitochondrial function-enhancing agent would be required to comprehensively address the known pathophysiology of ALS. Remarkably, cannabis appears to have activity in all of those areas. Preclinical data indicate that cannabis has powerful antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. In the G93A-SOD1 ALS mouse, this has translated to prolonged neuronal cell survival, delayed onset, and slower progression of the disease. Cannabis also has properties applicable to symptom management of ALS, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, saliva reduction, appetite stimulation, and sleep induction. With respect to the treatment of ALS, from both a disease modifying and symptom management viewpoint, clinical trials with cannabis are the next logical step. Based on the currently available scientific data, it is reasonable to think that cannabis might significantly slow the progression of ALS, potentially extending life expectancy and substantially reducing the overall burden of the disease.
Collaboration Networks Among Local Elected Officials: Information, Commitment, and Risk Aversion
Authors: Feiock Richard C. , In Won Lee  , Hyung Jun Park  , Lee Keon-Hyung
Published: May 2010

Institutional collective action (ICA) problems arise from fragmentation of service responsibilities among a multitude of governments and authorities in metropolitan areas. Many previous empirical evidences suggest that fragmented governments are able to collaborate to share information even in the highly competitive economic development arena. This situation makes local officials in metro areas confront inevitable trade-offs between the potential benefits of interdependent policy action and uncertainties around selective incentives of participating governments. Especially, elected officials’ aversion to risk and short time horizons make them sensitive to possibilities of being misled by wrong or irrelevant information.The authors contend that elected officials seek partners embedded in a structure of relationships that can reduce the political risks of collaboration as well as provide information, commitment that is necessary to overcome the barriers to collective action. The authors apply an exponential random graph (p*) model to test if certain hypothesized network structures are more likely to emerge in self-organizing economic development networks among local elected officials. The results generally confirm that when there are greater commitment risks to collaboration, the actors are more likely to create mechanisms that can enhance trustworthiness to resolve cooperative problems.
Exploring the Strategic Region: Rationality, Context, and Institutional Collective Action
Authors: Andersen Ole Johan , Pierre Jon
Published: May 2010

The article elaborates the concept of strategic regions which refers to bottom-up processes of inter-local cooperation. In a larger number of countries strategic regions are viewed as an attractive strategy to assist local governments in their pursuit or managing increasing costs in service delivery. In this article we first critically inspect rational choice-based models of interlocal cooperation and point out a couple of issues where they can be further refined and elaborated. Here, we focus particularly on the logic of incentives and transaction costs pertaining to the selection of tasks for collective action; the configuration of the actors; and the democratic deficit issue. The article then discusses alternative schemas for explanation of the formation or non-formation of inter-local partnerships; collective history, local identities and “bounded rationality” may prescribe or prevent partnership formation.
The Last Slum: Moving from Illegal Settlements to Subsidized Home Ownership in Chile
Authors: Salcedo Rodrigo
Published: May 2010

The living conditions of the urban poor have dramatically changed in Chile in the past two decades. On one hand, through a massive program of investment in subsidized housing, more than a million Chileans have moved out from slums and shantytowns and become property owners. On the other, youth violence, drug trafficking, and other social maladies are increasing in many neighborhoods. It appears that home ownership has not been enough to overcome marginality and disintegration. Moreover, in some cases, moving to subsidized housing projects contributes to increased social problems, especially those related to violence and disintegration. To acquire knowledge about shantytown living conditions and the changes attendant to the move to home ownership, six focus groups were conducted with former residents of La Toma de Peñalolén, the last important slum remaining in Santiago and eliminated in 2006. This article analyzes the ways in which residents who have moved out from a shantytown compare the houses and neighborhood in which they used to live with their current setting. It analyzes the changes and continuities in living conditions and the aspects of shantytown living that former residents remember as valuable. The article ends with a discussion regarding the conditions of home ownership, social control, stigmatization, and the identity and value transformation residents have experienced.
Internal Consistency and Discriminant Validity of a Delay-Discounting Task With an Adult Self-Reported ADHD Sample
Authors: Hurst Ruth M. , Kepley Hayden O. , McCalla Marjorie K. , Livermore Melissa K.
Published: May 2010

Objective: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the reliability and discriminant validity of a behavioral task of impulsivity, the delay-discounting task. Method: Young adults were asked to report ADHD diagnostic status and to complete the delay-discounting task. The internal consistency of the task was determined, task performances of individuals with and without self-reported ADHD were compared, and the ability of this task to discriminate between participants with and without self-reported ADHD was assessed. Results: The delay-discounting task showed very good to excellent internal consistency. Furthermore, participants with self-reported ADHD responded to the task in a more impulsive manner than did non-ADHD participants. Finally, moderate discriminant validity for detecting self-reported ADHD using this task was found. Conclusion: Findings showed that the delay-discounting task is a promising task for both clinical research and practice as it has strong reliability overall and has moderate discriminant ability for self-reported ADHD in young adults. (J. of Att. Dis. 2011; 15(5) 412-422)
Outsourcing decisions: the effect of scale economies and market structure
Authors: Hecker Achim , Kretschmer Tobias
Published: May 2010

Outsourcing decisions are typically based on the potential to realize cost savings through economies of scale and specialization by the outsourcing provider. However, markets with significant scale economies frequently generate concentrated market structures, which may render them less attractive for the outsourcing client due to the loss of bargaining power when dealing with a dominant outsourcing supplier. This article shows that this (negative) effect always dominates unless scale effects increase at an increasing rate, which the authors call progressive scale economies. Using a simple analytical model, the article derives implications for empirical work and formalizes some of the practitioner literature on outsourcing.
Internal and external influences on adoption decisions in multi-unit firms: the moderating effect of experience
Authors: Simon Daniel H. , Lieberman Marvin B.
Published: May 2010

Facing uncertainty about whether to adopt a new technology, firms rely on both external and internal sources of information. Firms may learn vicariously about the desirability of adoption; a large body of research has demonstrated a tendency for firms to imitate rival adopters. Organizations with multiple units may also learn from their own experience once an initial unit of the firm has adopted. This article uses data on the establishment of websites by consumer magazines during the early internet era to test the hypothesis that multi-unit firms pay less attention to rivals after an initial unit of the firm has adopted. Consistent with this hypothesis, it is found that the influence of rivals drops sharply following the initial adoption. One explanation for the shift is that vicarious learning becomes less valuable once richer information becomes available from internal sources.