bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac torsion-strain relationships in fatigued primary biliary cirrhosis patients show accelerated aging: a pilot cross-sectional study
Authors: Hollingsworth Kieren G. , MacGowan Guy A. , Morris Louise , Bates Matthew G. D. , Taylor Roy , Jones David E. J. , Newton Julia L. , Blamire Andrew M.
Published: March 2012

The autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is associated with life-altering fatigue in ∼50% of patients. Previous work suggests that fatigued PBC subjects have evidence of autonomic dysfunction and may be at a higher risk of sudden cardiac death. The manifestation of this risk is not clear. This pilot study investigated whether alterations in cardiac torsion and strain could be detected in fatigued or nonfatigued early-stage PBC patients. We performed cardiac tissue tagging and anatomical cine-imaging in 13 early-stage PBC patients (including 7 with significant fatigue) and 10 control subjects to calculate cardiac torsion and strain throughout systole and diastole. From the cardiac tagging, we calculated the torsion-to-shortening ratio (TSR), a measure of subepicardial torsion exerting mechanical advantage over subendocardial shortening. Autonomic function testing was performed to evaluate baroreceptor effective index on standing. TSR was markedly increased in the fatigued PBC patients (0.70 ± 0.13) compared with both controls (0.46 ± 0.11, P = 0.002) and nonfatigued PBC patients (0.44 ± 0.12, P = 0.003). Decreased baroreceptor effective index on standing strongly correlated with increased TSR within the whole PBC group ( r = −0.71, P = 0.007). Fatigued PBC patients demonstrate a redistribution of myocardial strain characteristic of a reduced relative contribution to contraction from the subendocardium. This is analogous to the changes found in healthy aging for subjects ∼16 yr older than the fatigued PBC patients. Hence the hearts of fatigued PBC patients may be subject to processes of accelerated aging.
Automated rodent in situ muscle contraction assay and myofiber organization analysis in sarcopenia animal models
Authors: Weber H. , Rauch A. , Adamski S. , Chakravarthy K. , Kulkarni A. , Dogdas B. , Bendtsen C. , Kath G. , Alves S. E. , Wilkinson H. A. , Chiu C-S.
Published: March 2012

Age-related sarcopenia results in frailty and decreased mobility, which are associated with increased falls and long-term disability in the elderly. Given the global increase in lifespan, sarcopenia is a growing, unmet medical need. This report aims to systematically characterize muscle aging in preclinical models, which may facilitate the development of sarcopenia therapies. Naïve rats and mice were subjected to noninvasive micro X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging, terminal in situ muscle function characterizations, and ATPase-based myofiber analysis. We developed a Definiens (Parsippany, NJ)-based algorithm to automate micro-CT image analysis, which facilitates longitudinal in vivo muscle mass analysis. We report development and characterization of translational in situ skeletal muscle performance assay systems in rat and mouse. The systems incorporate a custom-designed animal assay stage, resulting in enhanced force measurement precision, and LabVIEW (National Instruments, Austin, TX)-based algorithms to support automated data acquisition and data analysis. We used ATPase-staining techniques for myofibers to characterize fiber subtypes and distribution. Major parameters contributing to muscle performance were identified using data mining and integration, enabled by Labmatrix (BioFortis, Columbia, MD). These technologies enabled the systemic and accurate monitoring of muscle aging from a large number of animals. The data indicated that longitudinal muscle cross-sectional area measurement effectively monitors change of muscle mass and function during aging. Furthermore, the data showed that muscle performance during aging is also modulated by myofiber remodeling factors, such as changes in myofiber distribution patterns and changes in fiber shape, which affect myofiber interaction. This in vivo muscle assay platform has been applied to support identification and validation of novel targets for the treatment of sarcopenia.
Effector selection precedes reach planning in the dorsal parietofrontal cortex
Authors: Bernier Pierre-Michel , Cieslak Matthew , Grafton Scott T.
Published: March 2012

Experimental evidence and computational modeling suggest that target selection for reaching is associated with the parallel encoding of multiple movement plans in the dorsomedial posterior parietal cortex (dmPPC) and the caudal part of the dorsal premotor cortex (PMdc). We tested the hypothesis that a similar mechanism also accounts for arm selection for unimanual reaching, with simultaneous and separate motor goal representations for the left and right arms existing in the right and left parietofrontal cortex, respectively. We recorded simultaneous electroencephalograms and functional MRI and studied a condition in which subjects had to select the appropriate arm for reaching based on the color of an appearing visuospatial target, contrasting it to a condition in which they had full knowledge of the arm to be used before target onset. We showed that irrespective of whether subjects had to select the arm or not, activity in dmPPC and PMdc was only observed contralateral to the reaching arm after target onset. Furthermore, the latency of activation in these regions was significantly delayed when arm selection had to be achieved during movement planning. Together, these results demonstrate that effector selection is not achieved through the simultaneous specification of motor goals tied to the two arms in bilateral parietofrontal cortex, but suggest that a motor goal is formed in these regions only after an arm is selected for action.
Human eye-head gaze shifts preserve their accuracy and spatiotemporal trajectory profiles despite long-duration torque perturbations that assist or oppose head motion
Authors: Boulanger Mathieu , Galiana Henrietta L. , Guitton Daniel
Published: March 2012

Humans routinely use coordinated eye-head gaze saccades to rapidly and accurately redirect the line of sight (Land MF. Vis Neurosci 26: 51–62, 2009). With a fixed body, the gaze control system combines visual, vestibular, and neck proprioceptive sensory information and coordinates two moving platforms, the eyes and head. Classic engineering tools have investigated the structure of motor systems by testing their ability to compensate for perturbations. When a reaching movement of the hand is subjected to an unexpected force field of random direction and strength, the trajectory is deviated and its final position is inaccurate. Here, we found that the gaze control system behaves differently. We perturbed horizontal gaze shifts with long-duration torques applied to the head that unpredictably either assisted or opposed head motion and very significantly altered the intended head trajectory. We found, as others have with brief head perturbations, that gaze accuracy was preserved. Unexpectedly, we found also that the eye compensated well—with saccadic and rollback movements—for long-duration head perturbations such that resulting gaze trajectories remained close to that when the head was not perturbed. However, the ocular compensation was best when torques assisted, compared with opposed, head motion. If the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) is suppressed during gaze shifts, as currently thought, what caused invariant gaze trajectories and accuracy, early eye-direction reversals, and asymmetric compensations? We propose three mechanisms: a gaze feedback loop that generates a gaze-position error signal; a vestibular-to-oculomotor signal that dissociates self-generated from passively imposed head motion; and a saturation element that limits orbital eye excursion.
Sustained BOLD and theta activity in auditory cortex are related to slow stimulus fluctuations rather than to pitch
Authors: Steinmann Iris , Gutschalk Alexander
Published: March 2012

Human functional MRI (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies indicate a pitch-specific area in lateral Heschl's gyrus. Single-cell recordings in monkey suggest that sustained-firing, pitch-specific neurons are located lateral to primary auditory cortex. We reevaluated whether pitch strength contrasts reveal sustained pitch-specific responses in human auditory cortex. Sustained BOLD activity in auditory cortex was found for iterated rippled noise (vs. noise or silence) but not for regular click trains (vs. jittered click trains or silence). In contrast, iterated rippled noise and click trains produced similar pitch responses in MEG. Subsequently performed time-frequency analysis of the MEG data suggested that the dissociation of cortical BOLD activity between iterated rippled noise and click trains is related to theta band activity. It appears that both sustained BOLD and theta activity are associated with slow non-pitch-specific stimulus fluctuations. BOLD activity in the inferior colliculus was sustained for both stimulus types and varied neither with pitch strength nor with the presence of slow stimulus fluctuations. These results suggest that BOLD activity in auditory cortex is much more sensitive to slow stimulus fluctuations than to constant pitch, compromising the accessibility of the latter. In contrast, pitch-related activity in MEG can easily be separated from theta band activity related to slow stimulus fluctuations.
Increase in flexor but not extensor corticospinal motor outputs following ischemic nerve block
Authors: Vallence Ann-Maree , Hammond Geoffrey R. , Reilly Karen T.
Published: March 2012

Human motor cortex is capable of rapid and long-lasting reorganization, evident globally, as shifts in body part representations, and at the level of individual muscles as changes in corticospinal excitability. Representational shifts provide an overview of how various body parts reorganize relative to each other but do not tell us whether all muscles in a given body part reorganize in the same manner and to the same extent. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) provides information about individual muscles and can therefore inform us about the uniformity of plastic changes within a body part. We used TMS to investigate changes in corticospinal excitability of forearm flexors and extensors after inflation of a tourniquet around the wrist. Motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitudes and input/output (I/O) curves were obtained from wrist flexors and extensors simultaneously before and during block. TMS was delivered to the optimal site for eliciting MEPs in flexors in experiment 1, extensors in experiment 2, and both flexors and extensors in experiment 3. In all experiments flexor MEP amplitude increased during block while extensor MEP amplitude showed no systematic change, and the slope of flexor but not extensor I/O curves increased. Flexor H-reflex amplitude normalized to maximal M wave showed negligible changes during block, suggesting that the increase in corticospinal excitability in the flexors cannot be completely explained by increased excitability at the spinal cord level. These findings show that forearm flexors and extensors differ in their potential for plastic changes, highlight the importance of investigating how experimentally induced plasticity affects anatomically close, but functionally distinct, muscle groups, and suggest that rehabilitation interventions aiming to alter cortical organization should consider the differential sensitivity of various muscle groups to plasticity processes.
A trail of artificial vestibular stimulation: electricity, heat, and magnet
Authors: Shaikh Aasef G.
Published: March 2012

The interaction between the magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine and ion currents within the inner-ear endolymph results in a Lorentz force. This force produces a pressure that pushes on the cupula within the semicircular canals causing nystagmus and vertigo. Here I discuss several implications of this unique and noninvasive way to stimulate the vestibular system in experimental neurophysiology and clinical neurology.
Phosphoproteomics Identifies Driver Tyrosine Kinases in Sarcoma Cell Lines and Tumors
Authors: Bai Yun , Li Jiannong , Fang Bin , Edwards Arthur , Zhang Guolin , Bui Marilyn , Eschrich Steven , Altiok Soner , Koomen John , Haura Eric B.
Published: March 2012

Driver tyrosine kinase mutations are rare in sarcomas, and patterns of tyrosine phosphorylation are poorly understood. To better understand the signaling pathways active in sarcoma, we examined global tyrosine phosphorylation in sarcoma cell lines and human tumor samples. Anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies were used to purify tyrosine phosphorylated peptides, which were then identified by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The findings were validated with RNA interference, rescue, and small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We identified 1,936 unique tyrosine phosphorylated peptides, corresponding to 844 unique phosphotyrosine proteins. In sarcoma cells alone, peptides corresponding to 39 tyrosine kinases were found. Four of 10 cell lines showed dependence on tyrosine kinases for growth and/or survival, including platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)α, MET, insulin receptor/insulin-like growth factor receptor signaling, and SRC family kinase signaling. Rhabdomyosarcoma samples showed overexpression of PDGFRα in 13% of examined cases, and sarcomas showed abundant tyrosine phosphorylation and expression of a number of tyrosine phosphorylated tyrosine kinases, including DDR2, EphB4, TYR2, AXL, SRC, LYN, and FAK. Together, our findings suggest that integrating global phosphoproteomics with functional analyses with kinase inhibitors can identify drivers of sarcoma growth and survival. Cancer Res; 72(10); 2501–11. ©2012 AACR.
HER3 Is Required for HER2-Induced Preneoplastic Changes to the Breast Epithelium and Tumor Formation
Authors: Vaught David B. , Stanford Jamie C. , Young Christian , Hicks Donna J. , Wheeler Frank , Rinehart Cammie , Sánchez Violeta , Koland John , Muller William J. , Arteaga Carlos L. , Cook Rebecca S.
Published: March 2012

Increasing evidence suggests that HER2-amplified breast cancer cells use HER3/ErbB3 to drive therapeutic resistance to HER2 inhibitors. However, the role of ErbB3 in the earliest events of breast epithelial transformation remains unknown. Using mouse mammary specific models of Cre-mediated ErbB3 ablation, we show that ErbB3 loss prevents the progressive transformation of HER2-overexpressing mammary epithelium. Decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis were seen in MMTV-HER2 and MMTV-Neu mammary glands lacking ErbB3, thus inhibiting premalignant HER2-induced hyperplasia. Using a transgenic model in which HER2 and Cre are expressed from a single polycistronic transcript, we showed that palpable tumor penetrance decreased from 93.3% to 6.7% upon ErbB3 ablation. Penetrance of ductal carcinomas in situ was also decreased. In addition, loss of ErbB3 impaired Akt and p44/42 phosphorylation in preneoplastic HER2-overexpressing mammary glands and in tumors, decreased growth of preexisting HER2-overexpressing tumors, and improved tumor response to the HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib. These events were rescued by reexpression of ErbB3, but were only partially rescued by ErbB36F, an ErbB3 mutant harboring six tyrosine-to-phenylalanine mutations that block its interaction with phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase. Taken together, our findings suggest that ErbB3 promotes HER2-induced changes in the breast epithelium before, during, and after tumor formation. These results may have important translational implications for the treatment and prevention of HER2-amplified breast tumors through ErbB3 inhibition. Cancer Res; 72(10); 2672–82. ©2012 AACR.
Interleukin-17 Promotes Formation and Growth of Prostate Adenocarcinoma in Mouse Models
Authors: Zhang Qiuyang , Liu Sen , Ge Dongxia , Zhang Qingsong , Xue Yun , Xiong Zhenggang , Abdel-Mageed Asim B. , Myers Leann , Hill Steven M. , Rowan Brian G. , Sartor Oliver , Melamed Jonathan , Chen Zhenbang , You Zongbing
Published: March 2012

The contributions of interleukin (IL)-17 to cancer remain unclear and somewhat controversial. We took a genetic approach to explore its role in prostate cancers by interbreeding IL-17 receptor C (IL-17RC)–deficient mice with mice that are conditionally mutant for PTEN, one established preclinical model for prostate cancer. Mice that were IL-17RC–deficient (IL-17RC−) displayed prostates that were smaller than mice that maintained IL-17RC expression (IL-17RC+). In addition, IL-17RC− mice developed a reduced number of invasive prostate adenocarcinomas with lower rates of cellular proliferation and higher apoptosis than IL-17RC+ mice. Moreover, the fibromuscular stroma surrounding prostatic glands was relatively thicker in IL-17RC− mice and was associated with decreased matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp)7 expression and increased Timp1, 2, and 4 expression, whereas administration of recombinant mouse IL-17 induced prostatic expression of Mmp7. Taken together, our results suggested that IL-17 promotes the formation and growth of prostate adenocarcinoma, and that an IL-17–MMP7 signaling axis is required for the transition of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to frank adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res; 72(10); 2589–99. ©2012 AACR.
IGF-1R/MDM2 Relationship Confers Enhanced Sensitivity to RITA in Ewing Sarcoma Cells
Authors: Di Conza Giusy , Buttarelli Marianna , Monti Olimpia , Pellegrino Marsha , Mancini Francesca , Pontecorvi Alfredo , Scotlandi Katia , Moretti Fabiola
Published: March 2012

Ewing sarcoma is one of the most frequent bone cancers in adolescence. Although multidisciplinary therapy has improved the survival rate for localized tumors, a critical step is the development of new drugs to improve the long-term outcome of recurrent and metastatic disease and to reduce side effects of conventional therapy. Here, we show that the small molecule reactivation of p53 and induction of tumor cell apoptosis (RITA, NSC652287) is highly effective in reducing growth and tumorigenic potential of Ewing sarcoma cell lines. These effects occur both in the presence of wt-p53 as well as of mutant or truncated forms of p53, or in its absence, suggesting the presence of additional targets in this tumor histotype. Further experiments provided evidence that RITA modulates an important oncogenic mark of these cell lines, insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF-1R). Particularly, RITA causes downregulation of IGF-1R protein levels. MDM2 degradative activity is involved in this phenomenon. Indeed, inhibition of MDM2 function by genetic or pharmacologic approaches reduces RITA sensitivity of Ewing sarcoma cell lines. Overall, these data suggest that in the cell context of Ewing sarcoma, RITA may adopt additional mechanism of action besides targeting p53, expanding its field of application. Noteworthy, these results envisage the promising utilization of RITA or its derivative as a potential treatment for Ewing sarcomas. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(6); 1247–56. ©2012 AACR.
Common and Low-Frequency Genetic Variants in the
PCSK9
Locus Influence Circulating
PCSK9
Levels
Authors: Chernogubova Ekaterina , Strawbridge Rona , Mahdessian Hovsep , Mälarstig Anders , Krapivner Sergey , Gigante Bruna , Hellénius Mai-Lis , de Faire Ulf , Franco-Cereceda Anders , Syvänen Ann-Christine , Troutt Jason S. , Konrad Robert J. , Eriksson Per , Hamsten Anders , van ’t Hooft Ferdinand M.
Published: March 2012

Objective —

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a circulating protein that influences plasma low-density lipoprotein concentration and susceptibility to coronary heart disease. Circulating PCSK9 levels show considerable interindividual differences, but the factors responsible for this variation are largely unknown.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed circulating PCSK9 levels in 4 cohorts of healthy, middle-aged Swedes (n=5722) and found that PCSK9 levels varied over ≈50-fold range, showed a positive relationship with plasma low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol concentration, and were associated with plasma triglyceride, fibrinogen, insulin, and glucose concentrations. A genome-wide association study conducted in 2 cohorts (n=1215) failed to uncover common genetic variants robustly associated with variation in circulating PCSK9 level. As expected, the minor allele of the
PCSK9
R46L variant was in all cohorts associated with reduced PCSK9 levels and decreased plasma low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol concentrations, but no relationship was observed with the plasma triglyceride concentration. Further mapping of the
PCSK9
locus revealed a common polymorphism (rs2479415, minor allele frequency 43.9%), located ≈6 kb upstream from
PCSK9
, which is independently associated with increased circulating PCSK9 levels.

Conclusion—

Common and low-frequency genetic variants in the
PCSK9
locus influence the pronounced interindividual variation in circulating PCSK9 levels in healthy, middle-aged white (predominantly Swedish) subjects.
Potential Role of Upstream Stimulatory Factor 1 Gene Variant in Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia and Related Disorders
Authors: Auer Simon , Hahne Penelope , Soyal Selma M. , Felder Thomas , Miller Karl , Paulmichl Markus , Krempler Franz , Oberkofler Hannes , Patsch Wolfgang
Published: March 2012

Objective—

Genetic studies implicated upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF1) in familial combined hyperlipidemia because the rs2073658 minor allele was associated with reduced risk of familial combined hyperlipidemia and related disorders. The molecular mechanisms whereby rs2073658 influences trait expression have remained elusive.

Methods and Results—

Plasma lipids, rs2073658 genotypes (N=372), and hepatic transcript levels (N=96) of
USF1
and genes involved in hepatic lipoprotein production were determined in obese subjects. The rs2073658 minor allele was associated with reduced plasma triglycerides (TGs) (
P
<0.001), hepatic
USF1
(
P
<0.01), and microsomal TG transfer protein transcript levels (
P
<0.05). Functional studies in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells showed that rs2073658 is located in a forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) binding site and that major allele constructs displayed higher transcriptional activity than minor allele constructs. Knockdown of FOXA2 reduced the activity of major, but not minor allele constructs. Furthermore, an interaction between hepatic FOXA2 transcript levels and rs2073658 minor allele carrier status on hepatic
USF1
transcript levels was observed in vivo (
P
<0.05).
USF1
activated the transcription of FOXA2 and FOXA2 strongly activated the transcription of microsomal TG transfer protein.

Conclusion—

A feed-forward loop comprising activation of
USF1
transcription by FOXA2 and activation of FOXA2 transcription by
USF1
, driving microsomal TG transfer protein expression, is modulated by rs2073658. Hence, rs2073658 likely influences hepatic TG secretion.
Endogenous Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors in the Biology of Disease
Authors: Caplin Ben , Leiper James
Published: March 2012

The asymmetric methylarginines inhibit nitric oxide synthesis in vivo by competing with L-arginine at the active site of nitric oxide synthase. High circulating levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine predict adverse outcomes, specifically vascular events but there is now increasing experimental and epidemiological evidence that these molecules, and the enzymes that regulate this pathway, play a mechanistic role in cardiovascular diseases. Recent data have provided insight into the impact of altered levels of these amino acids in both humans and rodents, however these reports also suggest a simplistic approach based on measuring, and modulating circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine alone is inadequate. This review outlines the basic biochemistry and physiology of endogenous methylarginines, examines both the experimental and observational evidence for a role in disease pathogenesis, and examines the potential for therapeutic regulation of these molecules.
Depression and Antidepressant Use After Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: El Husseini Nada , Goldstein Larry B. , Peterson Eric D. , Zhao Xin , Pan Wenqin , Olson DaiWai M. , Zimmer Louise O. , Williams John W. , Bushnell Cheryl , Laskowitz Daniel T.
Published: March 2012

Background and Purpose—

Patients with stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) often have comparable comorbidities, but it is unclear whether they have similar rates of depression or antidepressant use.

Methods—

This study was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort registry that enrolled subjects from 2006 to 2008 in the United States. Depression (defined by the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 score ≥10) and medication use were prospectively assessed 3 and 12 months after hospitalization in 1450 subjects with ischemic stroke and 397 subjects with TIA.

Results—

The proportional frequency of depression after stroke and TIA was similar at 3 months (17.9% versus 14.3%,
P
=0.09) and at 12 months (16.4% versus 12.8%,
P
=0.08). The rates of newly identified depression between 3 and 12 months were also similar (8.7% versus 6.2%,
P
=0.12). Persistent depression (defined as Patient Health Questionnaire-8 score ≥10 at both 3 and 12 months) was present in 134 (9.2%) of those with stroke and in 30 (7.6%) of those with TIA. Younger age, greater stroke-related disability, and inability to work at 3 months were associated with persistent depression in subjects with stroke. Among subjects with persistent depression, 67.9% of those with stroke and 70.0% of those with TIA were not using antidepressants at either time point (
P
=0.920).

Conclusions—

Stroke and TIA subjects had a similar frequency of depression at 3 and 12 months after hospitalization and similar rates of newly identified depression between 3 and 12 months. A high proportion of those with persistent depression was untreated.
Comparison of 2 Extended Activities of Daily Living Scales With the Barthel Index and Predictors of Their Outcomes
Authors: Sarker Shah-Jalal , Rudd Anthony G. , Douiri Abdel , Wolfe Charles D.A.
Published: March 2012

Background and Purpose—

Basic activities of daily living measures are often supplemented by extended activities of daily living. We compared the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) and Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL) with the Barthel Index (BI) in terms of distribution of scores, concurrent validity, reliability, and their agreement and investigated the predictors of scales outcomes.

Methods—

Two hundred thirty-eight patients from the population-based South London Stroke Register were assessed with the BI, FAI, and NEADL 3 months after a first-ever stroke. The pairwise relationship was studied using correlations, fractional polynomial regression, and Bland and Altman plot; the baseline predictors, for example, sociodemography, case severity: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, and 7-day Abbreviated Memory Test, comorbidities, and acute treatments by negative binomial regression.

Results—

The BI was highly affected by a ceiling effect (33% had the highest score), FAI was only affected by floor effect (19%), but NEADL was symmetrical with only 4% highest and lowest score. Despite high concurrent validity of the scales (
r
≥0.80,
P
<0.001), they agreed poorly only for the highest and the lowest level of activities. The association and agreement of NEADL with BI was higher than that of FAI with BI. Severe stroke patients (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale >13) had 28% lower BI (79% lower FAI and 62% lower NEADL) score than nonsevere patients (
P
≤0.001). Cognitively intact patients (Abbreviated Memory Test: 8–10) had 2.3 times greater FAI values (65% higher NEADL) compared with impaired patients (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

The NEADL scale was symmetrical, concurrently valid with no floor and ceiling effects. It corresponded better with BI than FAI did confirming its basic activities of daily living properties, yet it is a more sensitive tool for extended activities of daily living without the floor and ceiling effects. Future functional status could be predicted by the acute stage National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, whereas only extended activities of daily living status could be predicted by the Abbreviated Memory Test score. Predicting future functional status at the acute stage may decrease unnecessary length of stay in acute care settings.
An Approach for Improving Cirrus Cloud-Top Pressure/Height Estimation by Merging High-Spatial-Resolution Infrared-Window Imager Data with High-Spectral-Resolution Sounder Data
Authors: Weisz Elisabeth , Menzel W. Paul , Smith Nadia , Frey Richard , Borbas Eva E. , Baum Bryan A.
Published: March 2012

The next-generation Visible and Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) offers infrared (IR)-window measurements with a horizontal spatial resolution of at least 1 km, but it lacks IR spectral bands that are sensitive to absorption by carbon dioxide (CO2) or water vapor (H2O). The CO2 and H2O absorption bands have high sensitivity for the inference of cloud-top pressure (CTP), especially for semitransparent ice clouds. To account for the lack of vertical resolution, the “merging gradient” (MG) approach is introduced, wherein the high spatial resolution of an imager is combined with the high vertical resolution of a sounder for improved CTP retrievals. The Cross-Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) is on the same payload as VIIRS. In this paper Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) data are used as proxies for VIIRS and CrIS, respectively, although the approach can be applied to any imager–sounder pair. The MG method establishes a regression relationship between gradients in both the sounder radiances convolved to imager bands and the sounder CTP retrievals. This relationship is then applied to the imager radiance measurements to obtain CTP retrievals at imager spatial resolution. Comparisons with Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) cloud altitudes are presented for a variety of cloud scenes. Results demonstrate the ability of the MG algorithm to add spatial definition to the sounder retrievals with a higher accuracy and precision than those obtained solely from the imager.
Some Counterintuitive Dependencies of Tropical Cyclone Frequency on Parameters in a GCM
Authors: Zhao Ming , Held Isaac M. , Lin Shian-Jiann
Published: March 2012

High-resolution global climate models (GCMs) have been increasingly utilized for simulations of the global number and distribution of tropical cyclones (TCs), and how they might change with changing climate. In contrast, there is a lack of published studies on the sensitivity of TC genesis to parameterized processes in these GCMs. The uncertainties in these formulations might be an important source of uncertainty in the future projections of TC statistics.

This study investigates the sensitivity of the global number of TCs in present-day simulations using the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory High Resolution Atmospheric Model (GFDL HIRAM) to alterations in physical parameterizations. Two parameters are identified to be important in TC genesis frequency in this model: the horizontal cumulus mixing rate, which controls the entrainment into convective cores within the convection parameterization, and the strength of the damping of the divergent component of the horizontal flow. The simulated global number of TCs exhibits nonintuitive response to incremental changes of both parameters. As the cumulus mixing rate increases, the model produces nonmonotonic response in global TC frequency with an initial sharp increase and then a decrease. However, storm mean intensity rises monotonically with the mixing rate. As the strength of the divergence damping increases, the model produces a continuous increase of global number of TCs and hurricanes with little change in storm mean intensity. Mechanisms for explaining these nonintuitive responses are discussed.
Thermodynamic Aspects of Tropical Cyclone Formation
Authors: Wang Zhuo
Published: March 2012

The thermodynamic aspects of tropical cyclone (TC) formation near the center of the wave pouch, a region of approximately closed Lagrangian circulation within the wave critical layer, are examined through diagnoses of a high-resolution numerical simulation and dropsonde data from a recent field campaign. It is found that the meso-β area near the pouch center is characterized by high saturation fraction, small difference in equivalent potential temperature θe between the surface and the middle troposphere, and a short incubation time scale. Updrafts tend to be more vigorous in this region, presumably because of reduced dry air entrainment, while downdrafts are not suppressed. The thermodynamic conditions near the pouch center are thus critically important for TC formation.

The balanced responses to convective and stratiform heating at the pregenesis stage are examined using the Sawyer–Eliassen equation. Deep convection is concentrated near the pouch center. The strong radial and vertical gradients of latent heat release effectively force the transverse circulation and spin up a surface protovortex near the pouch center. Stratiform heating induces modest midlevel inflow and very weak low-level outflow, which contributes to the midlevel spinup without substantially spinning down the low-level circulation.

The analysis of dropsonde data shows that the midlevel θe increases significantly near the pouch center one to two days prior to genesis but changes little away from the pouch center. This may indicate convective organization and the impending TC genesis. It also suggests that the critical information of TC genesis near the pouch center may be masked out if a spatial average is taken over the pouch scale.
Tropical Cyclone Climatology of the South Pacific Ocean and Its Relationship to El Niño–Southern Oscillation
Authors: Dowdy Andrew J. , Qi Lixin , Jones David , Ramsay Hamish , Fawcett Robert , Kuleshov Yuri
Published: March 2012

Climatological features of tropical cyclones in the South Pacific Ocean have been analyzed based on a new archive for the Southern Hemisphere. A vortex tracking and statistics package is used to examine features such as climatological maps of system intensity and the change in intensity with time, average tropical cyclone system movement, and system density. An examination is presented of the spatial variability of these features, as well as changes in relation to phase changes of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation phenomenon. A critical line is defined in this study based on maps of cyclone intensity to describe the statistical geographic boundary for cyclone intensification. During El Niño events, the critical line shifts equatorward, while during La Niña events the critical line is generally displaced poleward. Regional variability in tropical cyclone activity associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation phases is examined in relation to the variability of large-scale atmospheric or oceanic variables associated with tropical cyclone activity. Maps of the difference fields between different phases of El Niño–Southern Oscillation are examined for sea surface temperature, vertical wind shear, lower-tropospheric vorticity, and midtropospheric relative humidity. Results are also examined in relation to the South Pacific convergence zone. The common region where each of the large-scale variables showed favorable conditions for cyclogenesis coincided with the location of maximum observed cyclogenesis for El Niño events as well as for La Niña years.
The Paradox of Law Enforcement in Immigrant Communities
Authors: Kirk David S. , Papachristos Andrew V. , Fagan Jeffrey , Tyler Tom R.
Published: March 2012

Frustrated by federal inaction on immigration reform, several U.S. states in recent years have proposed or enacted laws designed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States and to facilitate their removal. An underappreciated implication of these laws is the potential alienation of immigrant communities—even law-abiding, cooperative individuals—from the criminal justice system. The ability of the criminal justice system to detect and sanction criminal behavior is dependent upon the cooperation of the general public, including acts such as the reporting of crime and identifying suspects. Cooperation is enhanced when local residents believe that laws are enforced fairly. In contrast, research reveals that cynicism of the police and the legal system undermines individuals’ willingness to cooperate with the police and engage in the collective actions necessary to socially control crime. By implication, recent trends toward strict local enforcement of immigration laws may actually undercut public safety by creating a cynicism of the law in immigrant communities. Using data from a 2002 survey of New York City residents, this study explores the implications of perceived injustices perpetrated by the criminal justice system for resident willingness to cooperate with the police in immigrant communities.
Immigration Enforcement Policies, the Economic Recession, and the Size of Local Mexican Immigrant Populations
Authors: Parrado Emilio A.
Published: March 2012

This article relies on local area variation in immigration policies, specifically the local implementation of the 287(g) program, and economic conditions to estimate their impact on changes in the size of local Mexican immigrant populations between 2007 and 2009. The author also investigates the impact of the 287(g) program on the employment prospects of low-skilled native black and white workers. The study finds that outside of four influential outliers (Dallas, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Phoenix), there is no evidence that the 287(g) program impacted the size of the Mexican immigrant population. In addition, there is no evidence that immigration enforcement policies mitigated the negative impact of the economic recession on the native population, even in the four outliers where the program was strongly enforced. The author highlights the limited efficacy of immigration enforcement as a way to resolve the issue of the undocumented immigrant population and for altering the employment opportunities of native workers.
Expertise in Crime Scene Examination
Authors: Baber Chris , Butler Mark
Published: March 2012

Objective: The strategies of novice and expert crime scene examiners were compared in searching crime scenes.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that experts frame a scene through reconstructing the likely actions of a criminal and use contextual cues to develop hypotheses that guide subsequent search for evidence.

Method: Novice (first-year undergraduate students of forensic sciences) and expert (experienced crime scene examiners) examined two “simulated” crime scenes. Performance was captured through a combination of concurrent verbal protocol and own-point recording, using head-mounted cameras.

Results: Although both groups paid attention to the likely modus operandi of the perpetrator (in terms of possible actions taken), the novices paid more attention to individual objects, whereas the experts paid more attention to objects with “evidential value.” Novices explore the scene in terms of the objects that it contains, whereas experts consider the evidence analysis that can be performed as a consequence of the examination.

Conclusion: The suggestion is that the novices are putting effort into detailing the scene in terms of its features, whereas the experts are putting effort into the likely actions that can be performed as a consequence of the examination.

Application: The findings have helped in developing the expertise of novice crime scene examiners and approaches to training of expertise within this population.
Doctoral Dissertation Research in Rehabilitation Counseling
Authors: Tansey Timothy N. , Phillips Brian N. , Zanskas Stephen A.
Published: March 2012

This article continues the tradition of reviews documenting doctoral rehabilitation research. Doctoral dissertations completed during calendar years 2008–2010 from recognized doctoral rehabilitation programs were identified and reviewed using the same approach used by Tansey, Zanskas, and Phillips. Analysis of 88 dissertations resulted in a topical index of research topic, methodology, model, and type of statistical analysis that were considered independently and in relation to previous reviews. Among findings, the increase in predictive outcome studies observed in Tansey et al. was also observed in this review. An increase in research on specific clinical populations was also observed. Implications for the practice of rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation education, and future research are discussed.
School Enrollment Changes and Student Achievement Growth
Authors: Grigg Jeffrey
Published: March 2012

Students in the United States change schools often, and frequent changes are associated with poor outcomes along numerous dimensions. These moves occur for many reasons, including both promotional transitions between educational levels and nonpromotional moves. Promotional student mobility is less likely than nonpromotional mobility to suffer from confounding due to unobserved factors. Using panel data from students enrolled in grades 3 to 8 in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools during the implementation of a major change in school attendance policies, this article investigates the potential influence of four types of school changes—including promotional student mobility—on test score growth in reading and mathematics. All types of changes are associated with lower achievement growth during the year the enrollment change occurred, representing approximately 6 percent of expected annual growth, or 10 days of instruction. This incremental deficit is particularly concerning for disadvantaged students since they change schools more frequently. The results suggest that being new to a school does influence student achievement net of other factors; they also imply that important social ties are ruptured when students change schools.
Empowerment—Fad or Fab? A Multilevel Review of the Past Two Decades of Research
Authors: Maynard M. Travis , Gilson Lucy L. , Mathieu John E.
Published: March 2012

In this article, the authors review research that has examined psychological empowerment at various levels of analysis. Specifically, at the individual, team, and organizational levels of analysis, the authors summarize research that has examined both antecedents to psychological empowerment and the various outcomes of empowerment. Similarly, they discuss studies that have considered the multilevel relationships of psychological empowerment. In addition to reviewing the multilevel empowerment nomological network, the review examines how empowerment has been conceptualized within the literature. The authors include a discussion of how psychological empowerment has been operationalized within the literature, as well as various methodological considerations of psychological empowerment research. Throughout this review, they suggest avenues for future research, including methodological and theoretical considerations that are important to advancing our understanding of psychological empowerment across various levels of analysis.
Parenting and Youth Psychosocial Well- Being in South Korea using Fixed-Effects Models
Authors: Han Yoonsun , Grogan-Kaylor Andrew
Published: March 2012

The present study analyzed the relationship between various parenting practices and an array of adolescent psychosocial outcomes in South Korea, while controlling for demographic, family, school, and neighborhood factors. Analyses were based on five waves of the nationally representative Korea Youth Panel Survey using 3,263 youth ( Person Years = 13,121). All parenting (warmth, monitoring, and hostility) and youth’s psychosocial (confidence, depressive symptoms, and aggressive behaviors) measures were reported by the youth. Within-person fixed-effects regression results indicated that parental warmth not only facilitated youth’s confidence, but also protected them against feelings of depression and aggression. Parental monitoring was a predictor of positive self-perception. As a parental measure with a preventive-orientation, monitoring exhibited a trend toward reducing aggressive behavior. On the other hand, hostile parenting was significantly associated with depressive symptoms and aggressive behaviors. Factors external to the family, such as school and neighborhoods were also associated with mental health outcomes among Korean youth.
‘Trust no one’: Modernization, paranoia and conspiracy culture
Authors: Aupers Stef
Published: March 2012

Popular conspiracy theories, like those about JFK, the attacks of 9/11, the death of Princess Diana or the swine flu vaccination, are generally depicted in the social sciences as pathological, irrational and, essentially, anti-modern. In this contribution it is instead argued that conspiracy culture is a radical and generalized manifestation of distrust that is embedded in the cultural logic of modernity and, ultimately, produced by processes of modernization. In particular, epistemological doubts about the validity of scientific knowledge claims, ontological insecurity about rationalized social systems like the state, multinationals and the media; and a relentless ‘will to believe’ in a disenchanted world – already acknowledged by Adorno, Durkheim, Marx and Weber – nowadays motivate a massive turn to conspiracy culture in the West.
What’s left of trust in a network society? An evolutionary model and critical discussion of trust and societal communication
Authors: Quandt Thorsten
Published: March 2012

There seems to be dwindling trust in media and public authorities in highly developed, democratic societies, with a common fear that audiences are being manipulated. At the same time, people in these countries increasingly turn to alternative information sources, like social networks, blogs and other forms of online communication that they deem to be more authentic. This article discusses the role of trust in parallel to the development of society and media. On the basis of an evolutionary model of societal communication, the author develops a concept of network trust vis-a-vis institutionalized trust and personal trust. He argues that a widespread loss of trust in media and institutions might pose a danger to democratic societies – and that various forms of (participatory) network communication might not be an adequate solution to this problem.
Believing the news: From sinking trust to atrophied efficacy
Authors: Coleman Stephen
Published: March 2012

It is not that people disbelieve the news that they consume, but that its long-term impact upon their political confidence is corrosive. They come to believe that if the world is as they see and read about it, scope for making a positive difference is slim. In the context of three recent crises – financial, political and media – this article sets out an argument for thinking about trust and efficacy as closely related concepts.