bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Ion Channels by Pyridine Nucleotides
Authors: Kilfoil Peter J. , Tipparaju Srinivas M. , Barski Oleg A. , Bhatnagar Aruni
Published: February 2013

Recent research suggests that in addition to their role as soluble electron carriers, pyridine nucleotides [NAD(P)(H)] also regulate ion transport mechanisms. This mode of regulation seems to have been conserved through evolution. Several bacterial ion–transporting proteins or their auxiliary subunits possess nucleotide-binding domains. In eukaryotes, the Kv1 and Kv4 channels interact with pyridine nucleotide–binding β-subunits that belong to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily. Binding of NADP
+
to Kvβ removes N-type inactivation of Kv currents, whereas NADPH stabilizes channel inactivation. Pyridine nucleotides also regulate Slo channels by interacting with their cytosolic regulator of potassium conductance domains that show high sequence homology to the bacterial TrkA family of K
+
transporters. These nucleotides also have been shown to modify the activity of the plasma membrane K
ATP
channels, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, the transient receptor potential M2 channel, and the intracellular ryanodine receptor calcium release channels. In addition, pyridine nucleotides also modulate the voltage-gated sodium channel by supporting the activity of its ancillary subunit—the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-like protein. Moreover, the NADP
+
metabolite, NAADP
+
, regulates intracellular calcium homeostasis via the 2-pore channel, ryanodine receptor, or transient receptor potential M2 channels. Regulation of ion channels by pyridine nucleotides may be required for integrating cell ion transport to energetics and for sensing oxygen levels or metabolite availability. This mechanism also may be an important component of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, memory, and circadian rhythms, and disruption of this regulatory axis may be linked to dysregulation of calcium homeostasis and cardiac arrhythmias.
Art and/or Revolution: The Matter of Painting in Postwar Japan
Authors: Erber Pedro
Published: February 2013

Japanese art critics of the 1950s perceived the locus of a new materialist aesthetics in the new trends of informal abstraction emanating from the United States and France. This revealed a stark contrast with the idea of individual freedom that informed North-American discourse on Abstract Expressionism. Focusing on the writings of Miyakawa Atsushi, Haryū Ichirō, and Segi Shinichi, this article explores the political significance of the question of matter in Japanese postwar art criticism and indicates its importance for the subsequent development of avant-garde art in 1960s Japan.
Post-Art Situation: Logical Syntax
Authors: Armenakyan Hratch
Published: February 2013

The two texts presented here were written by members of conceptual artists' group ACT operating in Armenia in 1994–1996. The group developed affirmative artistic actions and exhibitions to support the constitution of the new state based on the principles of liberal democracy and market capitalism. Its conceptual interventions and actions, both in conventional spaces of exhibition, but also on the street and in the already dysfunctional factories, were often formally minimal and austere, but almost always prescriptive in terms of offering a model of political and aesthetic participation.
Neural Representation of Reward Probability: Evidence from the Illusion of Control
Authors: Kool Wouter , Getz Sarah J. , Botvinick Matthew M.
Published: February 2013

To support reward-based decision-making, the brain must encode potential outcomes both in terms of their incentive value and their probability of occurrence. Recent research has made it clear that the brain bears multiple representations of reward magnitude, meaning that a single choice option may be represented differently—and even inconsistently—in different brain areas. There are some hints that the same may be true for reward probability. Preliminary evidence hints that, even as systematic distortions of probability are expressed in behavior, these may not always be uniformly reflected at the neural level: Some neural representations of probability may be immune from such distortions. This study provides new evidence consistent with this possibility. Participants in a behavioral experiment displayed a classic “illusion of control,” providing higher estimates of reward probability for gambles they had chosen than for identical gambles that were imposed on them. However, an fMRI study of the same task revealed that neural prediction error signals, arising when gamble outcomes were revealed, were unaffected by the illusion of control. The resulting behavioral–neural dissociation reinforces the case for multiple, inconsistent internal representations of reward probability, while also prompting a reinterpretation of the illusion of control effect itself.
Spatial Frequency Tuning Reveals Interactions between the Dorsal and Ventral Visual Systems
Authors: Mahon Bradford Z. , Kumar Nicholas , Almeida Jorge
Published: February 2013

It is widely argued that the ability to recognize and identify manipulable objects depends on the retrieval and simulation of action-based information associated with using those objects. Evidence for that view comes from fMRI studies that have reported differential BOLD contrast in dorsal visual stream regions when participants view manipulable objects compared with a range of baseline categories. An alternative interpretation is that processes internal to the ventral visual pathway are sufficient to support the visual identification of manipulable objects and that the retrieval of object-associated use information is contingent on analysis of the visual input by the ventral stream. Here, we sought to distinguish these two perspectives by exploiting the fact that the dorsal stream is largely driven by magnocellular input, which is biased toward low spatial frequency visual information. Thus, any tool-selective responses in parietal cortex that are driven by high spatial frequencies would be indicative of inputs from the ventral visual pathway. Participants viewed images of tools and animals containing only low, or only high, spatial frequencies during fMRI. We find an internal parcellation of left parietal “tool-preferring” voxels: Inferior aspects of left parietal cortex are driven by high spatial frequency information and have privileged connectivity with ventral stream regions that show similar category preferences, whereas superior regions are driven by low spatial frequency information. Our findings suggest that the automatic activation of complex object-associated manipulation knowledge is contingent on analysis of the visual input by the ventral visual pathway.
Adolescents’ Perspectives on Vaccination Outside the Traditional Medical Home
Authors: Pyrzanowski Jennifer , Curtis C. Robinette , Crane Lori A. , Barrow Jennifer , Beaty Brenda , Kempe Allison , Daley Matthew F.
Published: February 2013

Eleventh- and 6th-grade students from an urban public school district were surveyed concerning vaccination outside the traditional medical home. Survey response rates were 50% for 11th- and 73% for 6th-grade students. Seventy-two percent of 11th-grade students reported that public health clinics were definitely or probably acceptable locations for vaccination; 70% reported this for emergency departments, 65% for school-based health centers, 55% for family planning clinics, and 44% for obstetrics/gynecology clinics. Corresponding percentages for 6th-grade students were 60% for public health clinics, 49% for emergency departments, 39% for school-based health centers, and 36% for family planning clinics. Sixth-grade students were not asked about obstetrics/gynecology clinics. Forty-seven percent of respondents identified a doctor’s office as the “best” setting to receive vaccines, more than identified any other setting. We concluded that vaccination in one or more settings outside the traditional medical home was acceptable to most adolescents.
A review of the literature on the social and environmental factors which influence children (aged 3–5 years) to be obese/overweight and the accuracy of parental perceptions
Authors: McMullan Julie , Keeney Sinead
Published: February 2013

Objective:

This article aims to review the previously published literature on the social and environmental factors which influence children (aged 3–5 years) to be obese/overweight and the accuracy of parental perceptions. Obesity levels are on the increase in today’s society and habits are being passed from parents to children, with family lifestyle choices often influencing this health condition. Childhood obesity has many consequences; therefore it is vital that action is taken to stop this epidemic spreading further.

Design:

A variety of databases and websites were used to search for relevant and up-to-date research studies and information on the subject of childhood obesity.

Setting:

There appears to be a dearth of research focusing on nursery and primary one-aged children, especially within the United Kingdom (UK). Therefore the literature focuses on this group within the population.

Method:

Several studies on childhood obesity were identified and critically analysed in the following areas: childhood obesity and environment, childhood obesity and socioeconomic status.

Results:

It became obvious from the identified studies that there is no clear solution to solving the issue of obesity in young children.

Conclusion:

It appears that targeting several factors within their lives is the only way to begin to see a change in children’s lifestyles which will hopefully be passed onto future generations.
Effects of Knowledge and Internal Locus of Control in Groups of Health Care Workers Judging Likelihood of Pathogen Transfer
Authors: McLaughlin Anne Collins , Walsh Fran , Bryant Michelle
Published: February 2013

Objective:

A study was conducted to measure the effects of attitudes and beliefs on the risk judgments of health care workers.

Background:

Lack of hand hygiene compliance is a worldwide issue in health care, contributing to infections, fatalities, and increased health care costs. Human factors methods are a promising solution to the problem of compliance, although thus far, the concentration has been on process and engineering methods, such as the design of no-touch sinks. Factors internal to the health care worker, such as their attitudes and beliefs about hand hygiene, have received less attention.

Method:

For this study, three groups of health care workers completed measures of attitudes, control beliefs, and hand hygiene knowledge. They then provided risk judgments of touching various surfaces via a factorial survey.

Results:

Attitudes, knowledge, control beliefs, and surface type all predicted the risk judgments of the sample of health care workers, with differences between professional groups.

Conclusion:

Health care workers perceive less risk when touching surfaces, which may explain historically low rates of hand hygiene compliance after surface contact.

Application:

Although more research is needed to directly connect risk judgments to failures of hand hygiene, the current results can inform interventions targeting the internal attitudes and beliefs of health care workers.
Culturally Responsive Instruction for English Language Learners With Learning Disabilities
Authors: Orosco Michael John , O’Connor Rollanda
Published: February 2013

This case study describes the culturally responsive instruction of one special education teacher with Latino English language learners (ELLs) with learning disabilities in an urban elementary school setting. This study was situated in a social constructivist research based framework. In investigating this instruction with ELLs, this study focused on how one teacher’s knowledge of culturally responsive pedagogy affected her special education instruction. Findings resulted in three major themes that were aligned with the current literature in this area: Cultural Aspects of Teaching Reading, Culturally Relevant Skills-Based Instruction, and Collaborative Agency Time. The results indicated that the success of special education with ELLs at the elementary education level might be dependent on how well the special education teacher integrates culturally responsive instruction with ELLs’ cultural and linguistic needs.
Compensatory dead-reckoning-based update scheduling for distributed virtual environments
Authors: Li Zengxiang , Tang Xueyan , Cai Wentong , Li Xiaorong
Published: February 2013

In a distributed virtual environment (DVE), participants located in different places may observe inconsistent views of the simulated virtual world due to message delay and loss in the network. This paper investigates how to compensate for the impact of message delay and loss on consistency in the DVE. We focus on dead reckoning (DR)-based update mechanisms and measure inconsistency by the time–space inconsistency (TSI) metric. We theoretically analyze the TSI of an entity and derive the condition under which the impact of message delay and loss on consistency can be fully compensated for by reducing the DR threshold. Based on the analysis, a compensatory update scheduling algorithm is proposed. Experiments using real traces of a racing car game are conducted to evaluate the compensatory algorithm. The results confirm that if the condition derived in our theoretical analysis is fulfilled, the compensatory algorithm can decrease the TSI of a racing car to the level of the case without message delay and loss when there is sufficient network bandwidth available. Under severe bandwidth constraints, the compensatory algorithm still leads to comparable TSIs of the racing car among the participants regardless of their network conditions so as to enable fair competition.
Using a Bug-Killing Paradigm to Understand How Social Validation and Invalidation Affect the Distress of Killing
Authors: Webber David , Schimel Jeff , Martens Andy , Hayes Joseph , Faucher Erik H.
Published: February 2013

Clinical evidence demonstrates that killing among soldiers at war predicts their experience of long-lasting trauma/distress. Killing leads to distress, in part, due to guilt experienced from violating moral standards. Because social consensus shapes what actions are perceived as moral and just, we hypothesized that social validation for killing would reduce guilt, whereas social invalidation would exacerbate it. To examine this possibility in a laboratory setting, participants were led to kill bugs in an “extermination task.” Perceptions of social validation/invalidation were manipulated through the supposed actions of a confederate (Study 1) or numerous previous participants (Study 2) that agreed or refused to kill bugs. Distress measures focused on trauma-related guilt. Higher levels of distress were observed when individuals perceived their actions as invalidated as opposed to when they perceived their actions as socially validated. Implications for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced by soldiers and the paradoxical nature of publicly expressing antiwar sentiments are discussed.
Localism, voluntarism and devolution: Experiences, opportunities and challenges in a changing policy context
Authors: Woolvin Mike , Hardill Irene
Published: February 2013

This article focuses on the importance of the community context for voluntarism within shifting discourses of localism in England and Scotland. Mobilising communities through the encouragement and support of voluntarism is an important policy and practice driver in both jurisdictions, but is non-reserved. In this context, we outline the ways localism discourses have been mobilised, drawing on case study research in deprived urban areas of Scotland and England to explore the implications of these for sustaining voluntarism. We argue it is important to recognise that the social, spatial and economic context in which voluntarism takes place is multi-layered: some acts are undertaken through an organisation, others may be part of one-to-one acts of helping, or through semi-formal or informal neighbourhood/community groups. If expectations of further voluntarism are to be realistic and sustainable, discourses of localism must support this at the local level and recognise the diverse range of both visible and less visible acts which take place over time. Otherwise unrealistic, unsustainable and ultimately unachievable models and amounts of voluntary participation may be asked of communities, posing serious challenges for ‘localism’ discourse.
Systematic review of the psychological consequences of terrorism among child victims
Authors: Pereda Noemí
Published: February 2013

Terrorist acts have an enormous potential to produce trauma, especially in vulnerable groups such as children and adolescents. However, few studies have analysed the potentially adverse effects of terrorism on child victims. The present article systematically reviews the literature on the psychological consequences which exposure to acts of terrorism can have for children. A total of 54 publications were reviewed, the majority originating from the USA (72.22%) and linked to the 9/11 attacks in New York (50%). Most of the studies analysed post-traumatic symptoms (64.81%) in children who were indirect victims through exposure to media reports about the attack (33.33%). There is a need for trained professionals to work with child victims of terrorism; they must be able to recognize the symptoms associated with these experiences, as well as the damaging effects they may have on children.
Progress of Infants/Toddlers With Severe Disabilities
Authors: Salisbury Christine L. , Copeland Christina G.
Published: February 2013

An exploratory case study was undertaken to examine child and caregiver outcomes in a diverse sample of 21 infants/toddlers with severe disabilities who received services from an urban, Part C program where caregiver-focused intervention was emphasized. Purposive sampling and mixed methods were used to collect data on child developmental change, rate of progress, and caregiver self-efficacy. Analyses revealed that (a) child developmental gains were significant across all subscales of the Early Learning Accomplishment Profile–Revised (ELAP-R) with large effect sizes, (b) individual rates of progress were highly variable as measured by proportional change index (PCI) scores, (c) caregivers attributed improvement in self-efficacy and parenting competence to involvement in this program, (d) caregivers whose child received services at home reported slightly greater levels of self-efficacy than those whose child was seen in a center-based context, and (e) location of service produced equally significant, positive changes in child outcome. Implications for research and practice were discussed.
Rating the Preferences for Potential Harms of Treatments for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Zhang Guangxiang , Parikh Puja B. , Zabihi Soraya , Brown David L.
Published: February 2013

Background. The Institute of Medicine has called for a new health care paradigm that integrates patient values into discussions of the risks and benefits of treatment. Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects one-third of Americans, little is known about how adults regard the potential harms or complications of treatment. Objective. We sought to determine the preferences of community-dwelling adults for 15 potential harms or complications resulting from treatment of CVD. Methods. In a telephone survey, adults older than 18 years residing on Long Island, New York, were asked to score the preferences for 15 potential harms or complications of treatment of CVD on a scale from 0 to 100. All statistical analyses were based on nonparametric methods. Multivariable general linear model analyses were performed to identify demographic factors associated with the score assigned for each adverse outcome. Results. The 807 individuals surveyed generated 723 unique sequences of scores for the 15 outcomes. The ranking of scores from least to most acceptable was stroke, major myocardial infarction (MI), cognitive dysfunction, renal failure, death, prolonged ventilator support, heart failure, angina, sternal wound infection, major bleeding, reoperation, prolonged recovery in a nursing home, cardiac readmission, minor MI, and percutaneous coronary intervention. Demographic factors accounted for less than 7% of the observed variation in the score attributed to each outcome. Conclusions. Individual community-dwelling adults living on Long Island, New York, assign unique values to their preferences for potential harms encountered following treatment of CVD. Thus, risk-benefit discussions and treatment decisions regarding CVD should be harmonized to the value system of each individual.
Decoupled torque control of tendon-driven fingers with tension management
Authors: Abdallah Muhammad E , Platt Robert , Wampler Charles W
Published: February 2013

To facilitate human assembly tasks, Robonaut 2 is equipped with a dexterous, compact hand featuring fingers driven remotely by tendons. This work outlines the force-control strategy for the fingers, which are actuated by an “n + 1” tendon arrangement. Existing tendon-driven fingers have applied force control through independent tension controllers on each tendon, in other words, in the tendon space. The coupled kinematics of the tendons, however, cause such controllers to exhibit a transient coupling in their response. This problem can be resolved by alternatively framing the controllers in the joint space of the finger. A joint-space torque control law is proposed here that demonstrates a decoupled response with a faster settling time than an equivalent tendon-space formulation. In addition, a tension distribution algorithm is presented here to translate joint torque commands into tendon tensions. It guarantees that each tendon tension respects both an upper and a lower bound, using an efficient, finitely-convergent algorithm. These two contributions provide for a compliant, well-controlled hand, aptly suited for unstructured interaction.
Comparison of Hamstring Strain Injury Rates Between Male and Female Intercollegiate Soccer Athletes
Authors: Cross Kevin M. , Gurka Kelly K. , Saliba Susan , Conaway Mark , Hertel Jay
Published: February 2013

Background:

Hamstring strains are common among soccer athletes, and they have a high incidence of recurrence. Among American collegiate soccer players, men have an overall higher incidence rate of hamstring strains than women.

Purpose:

This research compares the hamstring strain injury rates in event and athlete characteristics between male and female college soccer athletes.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Data describing partial and complete hamstring strains were obtained from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System (ISS) for men’s and women’s soccer from 2004 to 2009. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) comparing the incidence of hamstring strains between the sexes as well as during games versus practices and the preseason versus the in-season were calculated. χ2 tests were used to compare the occurrence of hamstring strains across different event and athlete characteristics.

Results:

Men were 64% more likely than women to sustain a hamstring strain (IRR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.37-1.96). Men had significantly higher rates of hamstring strains than women during both games (IRR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.82-3.23) and practices (IRR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.06-1.68). There were no differences between men and women in injury rates during the preseason, but men were significantly more likely to sustain a hamstring strain during the in-season (IRR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.56-2.52). Men had a significantly higher proportion of recurrent hamstring strains compared with women (men, 22%; women, 12%; P = .003). There were no significant differences in the distribution of strains in event or athlete characteristics between men and women for first-time or recurrent hamstring strains.

Conclusion:

In collegiate soccer, men have significantly higher rates of hamstring strains than women, and regardless of the recurrence status, the event and athlete characteristics were similar for both sexes. Identifying common characteristics may assist in the targeted development of preventive and rehabilitative programs as well as continued research on hamstring strains among collegiate soccer players.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Focused Shock Waves in the Treatment of Jumper’s Knee in Athletes
Authors: Vetrano Mario , Castorina Anna , Vulpiani Maria Chiara , Baldini Rossella , Pavan Antonio , Ferretti Andrea
Published: February 2013

Background:

Tendinopathies represent a serious challenge for orthopaedic surgeons involved in treatment of athletes.

Purpose:

To compare the effectiveness and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in athletes with jumper’s knee.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

Forty-six consecutive athletes with jumper’s knee were selected for this study and randomized into 2 treatment groups: 2 autologous PRP injections over 2 weeks under ultrasound guidance (PRP group; n = 23), and 3 sessions of focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (2.400 impulses at 0.17-0.25 mJ/mm2 per session) (ESWT group; n = 23). The outcome measures were Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment–Patella (VISA-P) questionnaire, pain visual analog scale (VAS), and modified Blazina scale. A reviewer who was blinded as to the group allocation of participants performed outcome assessments before treatment and at 2, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Nonparametric tests were used for within-group (Friedman/Wilcoxon test) and between-group (Kruskal-Wallis/Fisher test) testing, and the significance level was set at .05.

Results:

The 2 groups were homogeneous in terms of age, sex, level of sports participation, and pretreatment clinical status. Patients in both groups showed statistically significant improvement of symptoms at all follow-up assessments. The VISA-P, VAS, and modified Blazina scale scores showed no significant differences between groups at 2-month follow-up ( P = .635, .360, and .339, respectively). The PRP group showed significantly better improvement than the ESWT group in VISA-P, VAS scores at 6- and 12-month follow-up, and modified Blazina scale score at 12-month follow-up ( P < .05 for all).

Conclusion:

Therapeutic injections of PRP lead to better midterm clinical results compared with focused ESWT in the treatment of jumper’s knee in athletes.
Cytotoxic and phytotoxic actions of Heliotropium strigosum
Authors: Shah Syed Majid , Hussain Sajid , Khan Arif-ullah , Shah Azhar-ul-Haq Ali , Khan Haroon , Ullah Farhat , Barkatullah
Published: February 2013

This study describes the cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities of the crude extract of Heliotropium strigosum and its resultant fractions. In brine shrimp toxicology assays, profound cytotoxicity was displayed by ethyl acetate (LD50 8.3 μg/ml) and chloroform (LD50 8.8 μg/ml) fractions, followed by relatively weak crude methanolic extract of H. strigosum (LD50 909 μg/ml) and n-hexane fraction (LD50 1000 μg/ml). In case of phytotoxicity activity against Lemna acquinoctialis, highest phytotoxic effect was showed by ethyl acetate fraction (LD50 91.0 μg/ml), while chloroform fraction, plant crude extract and n-hexane, respectively, caused 50%, 30.76 ± 1.1% and 30.7 ± 1.1% inhibitory action at maximum concentration used, that is, 1000 μg/ml. These data indicates that H. strigosum exhibits cytotoxic and phytotoxic potential, which explore its use as anticancer and herbicidal medicine. The ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions were more potent for the evaluated toxicity effects, thus recommended for isolation and identification of the active compounds.
The periodontal health of lead-exposed children living in a shipyard industrial area
Authors: Youravong Nattaporn , Teanpaisan Rawee
Published: February 2013

In a cross-sectional design, 292 schoolchildren living around a shipyard area, known to be contaminated with lead from shipyard industry, were examined to verify the association between lead exposure and periodontal health. The probing pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing, plaque and calculus, and the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ( Aa) in subgingival crevices were recorded. Gingival inflammation was the most common (98%) among children in the area. No significant difference in gingival inflammation was observed between high blood lead (PbB) and low PbB children. The prevalence rate of probing PD of ≥5 mm was 14%. The high PbB group showed more deep pockets at tooth 16 (upper right first permanent molar) and tooth 46 (lower right first permanent molar) than the low PbB group. The odds ratios (ORs) for having probing PD ≥5 mm after adjusting for other factors were 3.63 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24–10.61; p = 0.02) for tooth 16 and 3.93 (95% CI, 1.18–13.00; p = 0.02) for tooth 46. The presence of Aa was observed in 17% of the children and it significantly increased in high PbB compared with low PbB children at tooth 46 (OR = 5.53, 95% CI: 1.68–18.15; p = 0.005). This study may suggest no association between lead exposure and gingival inflammation, yet there was the involvement of deeper periodontal tissue in lead-exposed children.
Silymarin prevents benzo(a)pyrene-induced toxicity in Wistar rats by modulating xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes
Authors: Kiruthiga PV , Karthikeyan K , Archunan G , Pandian S Karutha , Devi K Pandima
Published: February 2013

Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), which is commonly used as an indicator species for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination, has a large number of hazardous consequences on human health. In the presence of the enzyme cytochrome-P-450 1A1 (CYP1A1), it undergoes metabolic activation to form reactive intermediates that are capable of inducing mutagenic, cytotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects in various species and tissues. Research within the last few years has shown that flavonoids exhibit chemopreventive effect against these toxins. In the present study, the protective effect of silymarin (a flavonoid) against B(a)P-induced toxicity was monitored in Wistar rats by evaluating the levels of hepatic phase I (CYP1A1), phase II enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase, epoxide hydroxylases, uridinediphosphate glucuronosyltransferases, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1, sulfotransferases), cellular antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase and total glutathione. The results reveal that silymarin possesses substantial protective effect against B(a)P-induced damages by inhibiting phase I detoxification enzyme CYP1A1 and modulating phase II conjugating enzymes, which were confirmed by histopathological analysis. Overall, the inhibition of CYP1A1 and the modulation of phase II enzymes may provide, in part, the molecular basis for the effect of silymarin against B(a)P.
A Society in Revolt or Under Analysis? Investigating the Dialogue Between 19th-Century Anarchists and Sociologists
Authors: Williams Dana M.
Published: February 2013

Anarchism has not had a noticeable impact upon sociology. The two traditions diverged in their interest in society and their relationship to it. This paper contrasts the practitioners or thinkers of one tradition against the other. The analysis shows some strong antagonisms, many instances of close analysis and critique of each other’s perspectives, and a number of friendly and supportive relationships between anarchists and sociologists. Anarchists tended to admire the intellectual rigor of sociologists, but thought sociologists were insiders – mere reformers at best, reactionaries at worst – content to study society, but rarely to act for its improvement. Sociologists viewed anarchists with an even wider range of opinion, including considering them principled and admirable revolutionaries, slightly naïve utopians, or criminals and chaos-lovers bent on the destruction of social order. These factors contributed to the exclusion of anarchist ideas and anarchists themselves from the sociological canon.
Performance on Five Times Sit-to-Stand Task as a Predictor of Subsequent Falls and Disability in Older Persons
Authors: Zhang Fang , Ferrucci Luigi , Culham Elsie , Metter E. Jeffrey , Guralnik Jack , Deshpande Nandini
Published: February 2013

Objectives: To investigate whether the performance on 5 times sit-to-stand test (5tSTS) can predict subsequent falls, fall-related fracture, and activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disability in older persons. Methods: A total of 948 older adults (age ≥ 60) participated in this study. Ability and the time to finish 5tSTS were recorded at baseline. Number of falls, fall-related fractures, and the ability to complete ADL and IADL without assistance were recorded retrospectively at baseline and at the 3-year follow-up. Results: Inability to complete 5tSTS was a marginal predictor of falls ( OR = 4.22) and a significant predictor of ADL- ( OR = 24.70) and IADL-related disability ( OR = 17.10) at 3-year follow-up. The need of longer time to complete 5tSTS was predictive of developing IADL-related disability at 3-year follow-up ( OR = 4.22 [> 16.6 s]; OR = 2.49 [13.7 – 16.6 s]). Discussion: 5tSTS is an easily administered tool which can be used to predict subsequent ADL- and IADL-related disability.
Modifying Memory
Authors: St. Jacques Peggy L. , Schacter Daniel L.
Published: February 2013

Memory can be modified when reactivated, but little is known about how the properties and extent of reactivation can selectively affect subsequent memory. We developed a novel museum paradigm to directly investigate reactivation-induced plasticity for personal memories. Participants reactivated memories triggered by photos taken from a camera they wore during a museum tour and made relatedness judgments on novel photos taken from a different tour of the same museum. Subsequent recognition memory for events at the museum was better for memories that were highly reactivated (i.e., the retrieval cues during reactivation matched the encoding experience) than for memories that were reactivated at a lower level (i.e., the retrieval cues during reactivation mismatched the encoding experience), but reactivation also increased false recognition of photographs depicting stops that were not experienced during the museum tour. Reactivation thus enables memories to be selectively enhanced and distorted via updating, thereby supporting the dynamic and flexible nature of memory.
Local people’s understanding of risk from civil nuclear power in the Chinese context
Authors: Fang Xiang
Published: February 2013

This paper analyses how people understand civil nuclear risk in the local context in China. The findings of the paper are based on six months of fieldwork research on a potential inland nuclear power project in Dapu townland in 2007 and 2008. Understanding varies greatly depending on local context, with economic, geographic and social factors influencing the way people view risks and benefits. I argue that when local people do not have enough ‘scientific knowledge’ to understand risk from nuclear power, they can still use their experience of everyday life to reflect rationally on the risks and benefits that they face. I conclude that when local people trust in nuclear technology and ‘the government’, and are unaware of nuclear risk it is partly because of their over-dependence on institutions and experts. However, despite their lack of agency, local people rationally calculate risk and benefit in accordance with their social identity and geographical location.
Epidemics in the news: Health and hygiene in the press in periods of crisis
Authors: de Almeida Maria Antónia Pires
Published: February 2013

How did scientific knowledge reach the public? Using the press and keeping in mind the population’s limited access to written material, this paper establishes how the latest scientific news was divulged to unspecialised audiences. In times of sanitary crisis in Oporto, such as the cholera morbus epidemic of 1854–1856, the bubonic plague in 1899 and the 1918 influenza pandemic, newspapers were important sources to access the information and advice given to the public. A database of 6700 articles, medical reports and advertisements published in daily newspapers reveals the state of the art of medical science. It also reveals the importance given by health authorities and journalists to the publication of recent discoveries and adequate hygiene procedures to prevent the spread of the epidemics. This is a subject that contributes to the debates on the dissemination of science and on the place that Portugal occupied in the international scientific community.
Unsteady analysis for oscillatory flow of magnetorheological fluid dampers based on Bingham plastic and Herschel–Bulkley models
Authors: Yu Miao , Wang Siqi , Fu Jie , Peng Youxiang
Published: February 2013

It is known that a quasi-static analysis without considering fluid inertia is usually used for magnetorheological damper design. However, fluid inertia terms need to be incorporated into the governing Navier–Stokes equation in practical application for oscillatory or unsteady fluid flow. In this article, an unsteady flow of magnetorheological fluids within flow mode magnetorheological dampers was theoretically investigated under sinusoidal displacement excitation. Based on the governing Navier–Stokes equation, incorporating the boundary and initial conditions, central numerical velocity solutions of magnetorheological fluids within magnetorheological damping channel were developed and used to confirm the damping force using both Bingham plastic and Herschel–Bulkley models of magnetorheological fluids. To simplify the governing equation of Herschel–Bulkley flow, an approximation method replacing Herschel–Bulkley model velocity with Bingham plastic model velocity during calculating effective viscosity shear rate of Herschel–Bulkley model is proposed and used. For given magnetorheological fluid properties and flow mode magnetorheological damper geometry, under different yield stresses, sinusoidal excitation frequencies, and power-law exponent of Herschel–Bulkley model, the effects of magnetorheological fluid inertia terms on work and characteristic diagrams of magnetorheological dampers are discussed.
Anxieties About Modernization, Concerns About Community, and Fear of Crime
Authors: Hirtenlehner Helmut , Farrall Stephen
Published: February 2013

In contemporary European criminology, there is a growing understanding of the fear of crime as the consequence of, and a code for, broader social anxieties, the origins of which are usually traced to fundamental social and global transformation processes characteristic of late modernity. Within the large body of papers published on this topic, one can differentiate between two distinct perspectives: a generalized insecurity approach, according to which free-floating, amorphous anxieties about modernization are directly projected onto crime, and an expanded community concern approach, whereby abstract anxieties about social change require the prism of local conditions in order to convert into fear of crime. Here, these two perspectives are examined on the basis of survey data from Austria. The results provide support for both approaches, with slight advantages for the generalized insecurity model. We also demonstrate that large parts of the frequently reported association between concerns about incivility and fear of crime can be traced to their common roots in broader social anxieties. Questions are raised pertaining to the generalizability of the findings and a comparative research agenda is encouraged which acknowledges that pathways into fear of crime may differ from country to country, depending on the sociocultural and political–institutional makeup of a society.
Infections With Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Charcot Arthropathy of the Foot
Authors: Illgner Ulrich , Uekoetter Andreas , Runge Sabrina , Wetz Hans Henning
Published: February 2013

Background:

Patients with Charcot arthropathy present a high risk for ulcers with secondary bone infection. Infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa represent a severe threat to the patients. We hypothesized that infections with P aeruginosa result in a longer stay in hospital and more operations than infections with other bacteria.

Methods:

All patients who underwent surgery for Charcot arthropathy of the feet between 1996 and 2006 (n = 205) in our clinic were included. The duration of hospitalization and number of surgeries for infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) versus P aeruginosa were compared to infections with other bacteria. All patients were scanned for MRSA and were isolated when tested positive and treated according to a defined algorithm.

Results:

Seventy-nine intraoperative samples exhibited bacterial growth: 12 cases of MRSA, 14 cases of P aeruginosa, and 53 case of other bacteria. Patients with deep infections due to P aeruginosa stayed significantly longer in the hospital (52 vs 35 days, P < .041) and needed significantly more surgery (1.71 vs 1.28 surgeries, P < .027). There was no significant difference between patients with MRSA infections and those without MRSA or P aeruginosa.

Conclusion:

Infections with P aeruginosa resulted in more surgeries and a longer stay in the hospital. Early debridement is the basic treatment. A specific algorithm for isolation and operative and antibiotic treatment for P aeruginosa infections is proposed similar to an algorithm for MRSA that has been shown to be successful.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case Series.
Clinical Outcome and Magnetic Resonance Imaging after Osteochondral Autologous Transplantation in Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Talus
Authors: Woelfle Julia V. , Reichel Heiko , Javaheripour-Otto Katayoun , Nelitz Manfred
Published: February 2013

Background:

Osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) has been performed for years for osteochondritis dissecans of the knee with good clinical results. In osteochondritis dissecans of the talus, however, OAT represents a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon as frequently malleolar osteotomy has to be performed for exposure of the talus and the harvesting of the osteochondral graft usually requires an arthrotomy of the knee.

Methods:

In this study, we evaluated the clinical outcome of OAT in 32 patients (mean follow-up 29 months) by means of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, ankle pain on the visual analogue scale (VAS), HSS Patella Score, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the osteochondral graft.

Results:

Median AOFAS score was 86, median ankle pain on VAS was 2.0, and median HSS Patella score was 95. Complications included 1 case of delayed wound healing and 1 case of nonunion of the malleolar osteotomy requiring revision surgery. MRI findings were abnormal in 14 out of 28 cases; however, with the numbers available in our study no correlation to clinical outcome could be detected.

Conclusion:

OAT in osteochondritis dissecans of the talus was a safe procedure with good clinical results. As abnormal MRI finding was not necessarily diagnostically conclusive, MRI might be of limited value in postoperative follow-up.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
A Model of Hypoxia-Reoxygenation on Isolated Adult Mouse Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Portal Lolita , Martin Valérie , Assaly Rana , d'Anglemont de Tassigny Alexandra , Michineau Stéphanie , Berdeaux Alain , Ghaleh Bijan , Pons Sandrine
Published: February 2013

The use of in vitro experimental models of hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) that mimic in vivo ischemia-reperfusion represents a powerful tool to investigate cardioprotective strategies against myocardial infarction. Most in vitro studies are performed using neonatal cardiac cells or immortalized embryonic cardiac cell lines which may limit the extrapolation of the results. We developed an H/R model using adult cardiomyocytes freshly isolated from mice and compared its characteristics to the in vivo ischemia-reperfusion conditions. First, cell death was assessed at different values of pH medium during hypoxia (6.2 vs 7.4) to simulate extracellular pH during in vivo ischemia. Cardiomyocyte mortality was aggravated with hypoxia under acidic pH. We next evaluated the relationship between the duration of hypoxia and cell death. Hypoxia time-dependently reduced myocyte viability (−24%, −36%, −53%, and −74% with 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 hours of hypoxia followed by 17 hours of reoxygenation, respectively). We then focused on the duration of reoxygenation as cardioprotective strategies have been reported to have different effects with short and long durations of reperfusion. We observed that cardiomyocyte mortality was increased when the duration of reoxygenation was increased from 2 h to 17 hours. Finally, we used our characterized model to investigate the cardioprotective effect of regular treadmill exercise. Myocyte viability was significantly greater in exercised when compared to sedentary mice (44% and 26%, respectively). Similarly, mice submitted to in vivo ischemia-reperfusion elicited infarct sizes reaching 27%, 43%, and 55% with 20, 30, and 45 minutes of coronary artery occlusion. In addition, infarct size was significantly reduced by exercise. In conclusion, this H/R model of cardiomyocytes freshly isolated from adult mice shows similar characteristics to the in vivo ischemia-reperfusion conditions. The comparison of in vivo and in vitro settings represents a powerful approach to investigate cardioprotective strategies and to distinguish between direct and indirect cardiomyocyte-dependent mechanisms.
Revealing Writing, Concealing Writers
Authors: Dutro Elizabeth , Selland Makenzie K. , Bien Andrea C.
Published: February 2013

Drawing on the combined theoretical lenses of positioning theory and academic literacies, this article presents case studies of four children from one urban classroom, two of whom scored at or above proficient on the large-scale writing assessments required by their district and state and two of whom scored below. Using criteria from state rubrics, we closely analyzed the writing products children produced for high-stakes assessments and classroom writing projects as well as drew on a range of qualitative data to contextualize children’s writing within the complex relationships with writing observed across the school year. Our findings suggest test scores may be inaccurate or highly malleable based on relations between the features of the writing children produced, students’ identities as writers and preferred practices, quirks of the testing context, and arbitrary features of the test itself. Indeed, our analyses found that some children’s test scores misrepresented their capabilities as demonstrated in the writing they produced both within and outside of the testing situation. Furthermore, the form of the assessments risked positioning these children in just the ways that would frustrate rather than promote their attempts to put their best writing on the page. Our data suggest that the children’s test scores did not provide the information about achievement in writing that such tests are assumed to convey and that both the form of on-demand writing assessments and the dichotomized sorting they facilitate potentially undermine some of the very goals, often articulated by policy makers, underlying the push for accountability through testing.