bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Antibiotics on
Staphylococcus aureus
Producing Panton-Valentine Leukocidin
Authors: Dumitrescu Oana , Boisset Sandrine , Badiou Cedric , Bes Michele , Benito Yvonne , Reverdy Marie-Elisabeth , Vandenesch François , Etienne Jerome , Lina Gerard
Published: January 2007

We examined the capacity of
Staphylococcus aureus
strains to release Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) in the presence of antibiotics. No PVL was detected when
S. aureus
was incubated at inhibitory concentrations, while subinhibitory concentrations of oxacillin enhanced the PVL level; clindamycin, linezolid, and fusidic acid were inhibitory; and vancomycin had roughly no effect.
SUPERSYMMETRIC A4×Z3 AND A4 REALIZATIONS OF NEUTRINO TRIBIMAXIMAL MIXING WITHOUT AND WITH CORRECTIONS
Authors: MA ERNEST
Published: January 2007

In an improved application of the tetrahedral symmetry A4 first introduced by Ma and Rajasekaran, supplemented by the discrete symmetry Z3 as well as supersymmetry, a two-parameter form of the neutrino mass matrix is derived which exhibits the tribimaximal mixing of Harrison, Perkins and Scott. This form is the same as the one obtained previously by Altarelli and Feruglio, and the inverse of that obtained by Babu and He. If only A4 is used, then corrections appear, making tan2 θ12 different from 0.5, without changing significantly sin22θ23 from one or θ13 from zero.
NATURAL REGULARIZATION
Authors: DILLIG M.
Published: January 2007

We formulate natural regularization (NR) as a variant of dimensional regularization (DR). We replace the conventional dimensional reduction by a dimensionless regulator, allowing a transparent regularization of standard D-dimensional Feynman integrals. For arbitrary dimensions, we motivate and demonstrate explicitly the transition from the dimensionally reduced integration space to natural regularization. We establish the relation to cut-off regularization and point out the basic differences from dimensional regularization. Possible applications, such as to the axial anomaly or to gauge theories are briefly touched upon.
CYBER TRUST MODEL WITH APPLICATION TO THE ELECTRIC GRID
Authors: SCHNEIDEWIND NORMAN F.
Published: January 2007

Our overall objective is to develop a multilayered model that can identify system vulnerabilities and detect anomalous system behavior. Once these model components have been developed, we could link the resulting multilayered SCADA systems (e.g., substation networks linked by the Internet) to determine system interactions, and then test, refine, and validate these models and data through increasingly sophisticated experiments to discover and record additional dependencies and system interactions. What do we want to trust? We want to have confidence that the system is available and reliable to deliver power to the utility's customers as their needs demand. Furthermore, we want a secure system that is not vulnerable to cyber attacks. Why might we have lack of trust in critical infrastructure systems? External threats to the electrical power infrastructure are increasing over internal threats. One reason is the increasing use of the Internet for connecting substation networks to other parts of the electric grid.
SPECIFIED DEMAND PATTERNS FOR FINITE MARKOV SYSTEMS IN DISCRETE AND CONTINUOUS TIME WITH ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Authors: CSENKI ATTILA
Published: January 2007

We consider systems whose time–dependent behaviour can be described by a Markov chain with a finite state space. There is a finite set of subsets of the state space given and every point in the time interval under consideration is associated with one of these subsets, thereby definig a demand (or usage) pattern. Closed form expressions are derived for the probability of a demand pattern being satisfied, in both, discrete and continuous time. Known reliability measures are identified as special cases. We illustrate the theory on two examples: the first is a system comprising three power transmission lines, the second is a small computer system consisting of four units, each in one of the states up or down. The demand patterns cover a four–week period.
ESTIMATING DISCRETE-TIME PERIODIC SOFTWARE REJUVENATION SCHEDULES UNDER COST EFFECTIVENESS CRITERION
Authors: IWAMOTO KAZUKI , DOHI TADASHI , KAIO NAOTO
Published: January 2007

Software rejuvenation is a preventive and proactive solution that is particularly useful for counteracting the phenomenon of software aging. In this article, we consider the similar periodic software rejuvenation model to Garg et al.13 under the different operation circumstance. That is, we model the stochastic behavior of telecommunication billing applications by using a discrete-time Markov regenerative process, and determine the optimal periodic software rejuvenation schedule maximizing the so-called cost effectiveness, in discrete-time setting. Also, we provide a statistically non-parametric method to estimate the optimal software rejuvenation schedule, based on the discrete total time on test concept. Numerical examples are devoted to illustrate the determination/estimation of the optimal software rejuvenation schedule and to examine the asymptotic behavior of the estimator developed here.
ON THE REGULARITY OF THE EXTREMAL SOLUTION OF SOME DIRICHLET PROBLEM
Authors: EIDELMAN S. D. , EIDELMAN Y.
Published: January 2007

We consider the problem of regularity of the extremal positive solution of the Dirichlet problem for superlinear elliptic equations with a strong non-linearity and a positive parameter. We prove the smoothness of the extremal solution for some classes of nonlinearities. These classes are generalizations of the model examples of the exponential and of the power functions. We pay a special attention to cases where the regularity of the extremal solution holds for the same dimensions as for the model cases.
PROTEOMIC BIOMARKER IDENTIFICATION FOR DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY RELAPSE IN OVARIAN CANCER
Authors: OH JUNG HUN , NANDI ANIMESH , GURNANI PREM , KNOWLES LYNNE , SCHORGE JOHN , ROSENBLATT KEVIN P. , GAO JEAN X.
Published: January 2007

Ovarian cancer recurs at the rate of 75% within a few months or several years later after therapy. Early recurrence, though responding better to treatment, is difficult to detect. Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry has showed the potential to accurately identify disease biomarkers to help early diagnosis. A major challenge in the interpretation of SELDI-TOF data is the high dimensionality of the feature space. To tackle this problem, we have developed a multi-step data processing method composed of t-test, binning and backward feature selection. A new algorithm, support vector machine-Markov blanket/recursive feature elimination (SVM-MB/RFE) is presented for the backward feature selection. This method is an integration of minimum weight feature elimination by SVM-RFE and information theory based redundant/irrelevant feature removal by Markov Blanket. Subsequently, SVM was used for classification. We conducted the biomarker selection algorithm on 113 serum samples to identify early relapse from ovarian cancer patients after primary therapy. To validate the performance of the proposed algorithm, experiments were carried out in comparison with several other feature selection and classification algorithms.
A RECURSIVE METHOD FOR SOLVING HAPLOTYPE FREQUENCIES WITH APPLICATION TO GENETICS
Authors: NG MICHAEL K. , FUNG ERIC S. , LEE YIU-FAI , CHING WAI-KI
Published: January 2007

Multiple loci analysis has become popular with the advanced developments in biological experiments. A lot of studies have been focused on the biological and the statistical properties of such multiple loci analysis. In this paper, we study one of the important computational problems: solving the probabilities of haplotype classes from a large linear system Ax = b derived from the recombination events in multiple loci analysis. Since the size of the recombination matrix A increases exponentially with respect to the number of loci, fast solvers are required to deal with a large number of loci in the analysis. By exploiting the nice structure of the matrix A, we develop an efficient recursive algorithm for solving such structured linear systems. In particular, the complexity of the proposed algorithm for the n loci problem is of O(n2n) operations and the memory requirement is of O(2n) locations for the 2n-by-2n matrix A. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our efficient solver. Finally, we apply our proposed method to analyze the haplotype classes for a set of single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) from Hapmap data.
Functional Polymorphism of the
Anpep
Gene Increases Promoter Activity in the Dahl Salt-Resistant Rat
Authors: Kotlo Kumar , Hughes Douglas E. , Herrera Victoria L.M. , Ruiz-Opazo Nelson , Costa Robert H. , Robey R. Brooks , Danziger Robert S.
Published: January 2007

We have reported that aminopeptidase N/CD13, which metabolizes angiotensin III to angiotensin IV, exhibits greater renal tubular expression in the Dahl salt-resistant (SR/Jr) rat than its salt-sensitive (SS/Jr) counterpart. In this work, aminopeptidase N (
Anpep
) genes from SS/Jr and SR/Jr strains were compared. The coding regions contained only silent single nucleotide polymorphisms between strains. The 5′ flanking regions also contained multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms, which were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility-shift assay using renal epithelial cell (HK-2) nuclear extracts and oligonucleotides corresponding with single nucleotide polymorphism–containing regions. A unique single nucleotide polymorphism 4 nucleotides upstream of a putative CCAAT/enhancer binding protein motif (nucleotides −2256 to −2267) in the 5′ flanking region of the SR/Jr
Anpep
gene was associated with DNA-protein complex formation, whereas the corresponding sequences in SS rats were not. A chimeric reporter gene containing ≈4.4 Kb of
Anpep
5′ flank from the Dahl SR/Jr rat exhibited 2.5- to 3-fold greater expression in HK-2 cells than the corresponding construct derived from the SS strain (
P
<0.05). Replacing the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein
cis
-acting element from the SS rat with that from the SR strain increased reporter gene expression by 2.5-fold (
P
<0.05) and abolished this difference. CCAAT/enhancer binding protein association was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and correlated with expression, suggesting selection for a functional CCAAT/enhancer binding protein polymorphism in the 5′ flank of
Anpep
in the Dahl SR/Jr rat. These results highlight a possible association of the
Anpep
gene with hypertension in Dahl rat and raise the prospect that increased Anpep may play a mechanistic role in adaptation to high salt.
Quantifying Improvement in Symptoms, Functioning, and Quality of Life After Peripheral Endovascular Revascularization
Authors: Safley David M. , House John A. , Laster Steven B. , Daniel William C. , Spertus John A. , Marso Steven P.
Published: January 2007

Background—

Patients with peripheral arterial disease often undergo peripheral endovascular revascularization (PER) to alleviate symptoms. Despite the growth of PER, little information exists quantifying the health status benefits after the procedure.

Methods and Results—

From February 2001 to August 2004, 477 consecutive patients underwent PER for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. Of these, 300 consented to participate in a longitudinal follow-up study of their health status. Health status was quantified with the disease-specific Peripheral Artery Questionnaire and the generic Short Form-12 and the EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ5D)questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores represent fewer symptoms and better health status. The average age of the cohort was 68±11 years (mean±SD); 186 (62%) were male, 288 (96%) were white, and 118 (39%) were diabetic. Clinical follow-up was attained in 99% of patients; health status assessments were made in 86%. Mean Peripheral Artery Questionnaire summary scores improved significantly after revascularization from 31±19 to 62±27 at 1 year (
P
<0.0001). Generic health status scores also improved significantly (
P
<0.001 for all). Despite a technically successful procedure in 98% of patients, 21% of patients did not achieve the minimal clinically important improvement of an 8-point change in Peripheral Artery Questionnaire Summary score after PER (35±19 at baseline versus 31±16 at 1 year;
P
=0.09).

Conclusions—

For most patients, significant and sustained improvements in symptoms, functioning, and quality of life occur after PER. Identifying and counseling patients less likely to benefit from PER is an important future research direction.
Police Education, Experience, and the Use of Force
Authors: Paoline Eugene A. , Terrill William
Published: January 2007

Police researchers have devoted a considerable amount of empirical attention to testing the impact college education has on police performance. The counterargument to the education debate is that experience, in learning the police craft, is what contributes to differences in performance. The current study adds to both lines of research by examining the impact of education and experience on one of the core features of the police role: the use of coercion. The findings indicate that varying levels of education and experience are related to differences in the use of coercion in encounters with citizens. Encounters involving officers with any college education result in significantly less verbal force compared to those with a high school education. However, only those encounters involving officers with a 4-year degree result in significantly less physical force. Finally, encounters involving officers with greater experience result in less verbal and physical force.
The Impact of Perceived Need for Treatment on Risk of Arrest and Violence Among People With Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Elbogen Eric B. , Mustillo Sarah , van Dorn Richard , Swanson Jeffrey W. , Swartz Marvin S.
Published: January 2007

One clinical strategy for managing risk of arrest and violence among people with severe mental illness (SMI) involves targeting potentially treatable factors related to these risks. The current study examines the association between individuals’ perceived need for psychiatric treatment and their risk of arrest and violence among people with SMI. Adults meeting criteria for psychotic and affective disorders receiving public mental health services in four states are interviewed ( N = 907), with 26% reporting being arrested or violent in the past year. Participants in this group are more likely to deny needing psychiatric treatment. Multivariate analyses confirm this pattern for participants both arrested and violent, controlling for clinical and demographic covariates. As a result, clinical interventions that address a patient’s perceived need for psychiatric treatment, such as compliance therapy and motivational interviewing, appear to hold promise as risk management strategies for clinicians providing services for individuals with SMI.
The Electronic Patient Record as a Meaningful Audit Tool:Accountability and Autonomy in General Practitioner Work
Authors: Winthereik Brit Ross , van der Ploeg Irma , Berg Marc
Published: January 2007

Health authorities increasingly request that general practitioners (GPs) use information and communication technologies such as electronic patient records (EPR) for accountability purposes. This article deals with the use of EPRs among general practitioners in Britain. It examines two ways in which GPs use the EPR for accountability purposes. One way is to generate audit reports on the basis of the information that has been entered into the record. The other is to let the computer intervene in the clinical process through prompts. The article argues that GPs' ambivalence toward using the EPR makes them active in finding ways that turn the EPR into a meaningful tool for them, that is, a tool that helps them provide what they see as good care. The article's main contribution is to show how accountability and autonomy are coproduced; less professional autonomy does not follow from more requests to document one's work. Instead, new forms of autonomy are produced in the sociotechnical network that is made up by health policy and local engagements with patients and technology.
Space is the Place: TheLaws of Formand Social Systems
Authors: Schiltz Michael
Published: January 2007

It is well known that Niklas Luhmann’s theory of social systems is grounded in Spencer-Brown’s seminal Laws of Form ( LoF) or ‘calculus of indications’. It is also known that the reception of the latter has been rather problematic. This article attempts to describe the construction of LoF, and confront it with Niklas Luhmann’s ontological and epistemological premises. I show how LoF must be considered a protologic, or research into the fundamentals of logical systems. The clue to its understanding is to be found in its profoundly topological conception of common mathematics and (Boolean) algebra. Both are explained as direct offspring of their planar orientation. Self-reference is a justified instance of an extended, more intricate topological arrangement. Its consequences for ontology (non-identity) and epistemology (autology), I argue, have been adopted correctly by Niklas Luhmann. Separate sections are devoted to how Spencer-Brown’s notion of re-entry relates to Luhmann’s definition of system/environment, and to a comparison between Luhmann’s and Parsons’ functionalism.
Autotranscendence and Creative Organization: On Self-Creation and Self-Organization
Authors: Michelsen Anders
Published: January 2007

This article discusses the issue of social and cultural ‘autotranscendence’ - self-production, creativity - in the debates on self-organization. The point of departure is Cornelius Castoriadis’s idea of ‘self-creation’. First, a schisma between mechanical and ontological modeling is indicated and used to introduce the idea of a ‘creative organization’. This is further discussed in relation to Jean-Pierre Dupuy’s concept of social ‘autotranscendence’ by ‘complex methodological individualism’, with particular respect to the incomprehension of the social. Following Johann P. Arnason’s treatment of the question of cultural articulation in Castoriadis, the article argues that the problem of autotranscendence presents a further problem of self-creation discernible in Castoriadis’s notions of phusis/nomos, living being/human, and constraint/magma. The article closes with a consideration of Duncan Watts, Alberto-László Barabási and Bernardo Huberman’s sketch of a network sociology.
Occasioned knowledge exploration in family interaction
Authors: Goodwin Marjorie Harness
Published: January 2007

This article examines the ensemble of conversational practices a particular family makes use of to cultivate active and joyful engagement in imaginative inquiry about the world, during mundane, largely unstructured activity. Parents provide opportunities for children to query new words, idioms, and concepts, and invite them to do so, though they do not impose explanations on children. Explanations are ‘recipient-designed’ in terms of age appropriateness, and may involve dramatic animations through use of the current scene as a local metric. Unpacking meanings of words and concepts can involve the playful exploration of possible rather than literal meanings as well. Participants choose to hear (and restructure) words in particular ways so that they can be seized as opportunities for launching play on sound structure. Involvement in the talk of the moment entails practices such as collaborative production of utterances, format tying, and sound play.
The Effect of Electrode Pattern on the Behavior of Piezoelectric Actuators in a Circular Diaphragm Structure
Authors: Changki Mo  , Wright Rika , Clark William W.
Published: January 2007

The relationship between electrical loading and the deflected behavior of circular composite plates relies on the piezoelectric properties of the material, thickness of each layer, edge conditions, and the electrode pattern used. In particular, this study examines the effect of electrode pattern on the resulting deflection of circular actuators. An analytical model is presented with which to optimize the electrode pattern, and then experimental results are obtained to validate the model. Four sets of clamped unimorph circular diaphragm actuators, with different `regrouped' electrode patterns and piezoelectric coverage, are tested. According to analytical and experimental results, it is shown that a factor of five increase in diaphragm deflection can be obtained with regrouping. This increase in transverse deflection allows optimization of volumetric displacement, which can enable minimization of the device to provide some advantages in space-limited applications.
High-powered Backlight Inverter for LCD-TVs using Piezoelectric Transformers
Authors: Tien Huang Yao , Kung Lee Chin , Jong Wu Wen
Published: January 2007

In this study, an innovative design of a high-voltage, high-powered, low-cost backlight inverter based on piezoelectric transformer technology for lighting long cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) on large size LCD-TVs is presented. Three innovative design thoughts are introduced here. First, the quasi-modal electrode is used as the input electrode of the piezoelectric transformer. It is shown that a full modal filtering effect is achieved. In other words, all unwanted vibration modes of the structure are suppressed, which eliminates all higher harmonics of the input voltage. The second one is an innovative rigid support design which can enhance the modal filtering effect, which can also be used to replace thin input wiring and lead to lower contact resistance. The third innovative design uses direct switching on the rectified voltage from the power line (110/220V). With direct line voltage input, a single layer Rosen-type piezoelectric transformer (PT) can have enough gain to generate a high voltage to light long length CCFLs instead of using high cost multilayered PTs. A piezoelectric transformer-based inverter based on the above design considerations is built and verified in this study.
Attributional Styles and Psychosocial Functioning of Adults With ADHD
Authors: Rucklidge Julia , Brown Deborah , Crawford Susan , Kaplan Bonnie
Published: January 2007

Objective: This study investigates attributional styles and psychosocial functioning of men and women with ADHD identified in adulthood to inform practice issues.

Method: One hundred and eighty adults participate: 52 females with ADHD, 37 males with ADHD, 51 female controls, and 40 male controls are administered questionnaires broadly assessing attributional style and psychosocial functioning.

Results: The ADHD groups report more depression and anxiety, greater childhood dissatisfaction, a more external locus of control and lower self-esteem, and being more likely to be classified with a maladaptive attributional style than controls. No specific gender differences are noted in the ADHD groups, although a few overall gender differences emerge, with males reporting lower self-esteem, a more external locus of control, and more dissatisfaction in childhood than females.

Conclusion: Consistent with other research, ADHD participants, regardless of gender, are struggling significantly with psychosocial functioning.
Medication Adherence in Psychopharmacologically Treated Adults With ADHD
Authors: Safren Steven A. , Duran Petra , Yovel Iftah , Perlman Carol A. , Sprich Susan
Published: January 2007

Objective: One of the potential causes of residual symptoms of ADHD in adults can be difficulties with consistent adherence to medications.

Method: This formative study examined self-reported medication adherence in adults with ADHD with clinically significant symptoms despite medication treatment.

Results: Mean adherence for the two-week period prior to the assessment point was 86%, with 18% of the sample reporting less than 80% adherence, and 43% less than 90% adherence. Adherence correlated with ADHD symptoms but not anxiety or depression. Those with less than 80% adherence had higher ADHD severity compared to those whose adherence was at least 80%.

Conclusion: These data suggest that self-report of adherence to ADHD medications may be a useful and expedient way of assessing adherence, and that assessment and counseling about adherence may be an important part of treatment. Future research using an objective indicator of adherence is needed to follow up on these findings.
Profits and Perils
Authors: Chung Deborah Soun
Published: January 2007

Interviews with website producers nominated for the Online Journalism Awards explored their perceptions of interactivity and reasons for adopting or not adopting interactive features that facilitate interpersonal communication. Findings reveal that site producers show interest but are experiencing problems with incorporating such interactive features online and are therefore cautious about implementing them. The evidence suggests that journalists are undergoing an uncomfortable transition migrating online and are unlikely to fully adopt interpersonal interactive features onto their websites.
DVD, Video and Reaching Audiences
Authors: Knight Julia
Published: January 2007

The advent of the internet (as a means of marketing and selling) and DVD (as a delivery medium) has revitalized interest in selling/delivering ‘alternative’ moving image work direct to the public. The potential these avenues offer for reaching wider audiences are proving particularly attractive in the light of the recent UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity. However, similar initiatives were undertaken when VHS took off as a mass delivery medium in the 1980s. This article examines some of the attempts to embrace the video sell-through market in the UK in the 1980s and 1990s as a way of getting artists’/independent moving-image work to a wider public. However, these attempts met with mixed results. The reasons for this are discussed, and the article concludes that while digital technology has in some ways made it easier to reach audiences, there are important lessons to be learned from its video precursor, if the potential of DVD and the internet is to be maximized.
A Historiographic Look at Online Selling
Authors: Perry Stephen D. , Massie Keith
Published: January 2007

This article addresses a new implication of the internet for historiography. It focuses mainly on online sellers as new sources for accessing primary, historical artifacts. This article argues that through identifying and often purchasing historical artifacts online, broadcast historians can reduce an inherent bias in institutional archives and gain insight into more localized, non-institutional broadcasting. The loss of accessible original artifacts through digitization and micro-filming also lends weight to online acquisition. The authors also discuss the need for authentication, and highlight possible ethical considerations.
The making of criminology revisited
Authors: Cullen Francis T. , Messner Steven F.
Published: January 2007

We use a 1987 interview with Robert K. Merton to contribute a chapter to the evolving paradigm of ‘Social Structure and Anomie’ (SS&A). This oral history reveals how Merton's early life experiences may have contributed to his views about universalistic American goals prescribing social ascent and about why, despite growing up in a slum, he did not theoretically link crime to disorganized neighborhoods. It also allows commentary on Merton's preference for middle-range theory and the consolidation of competing paradigms; on the Marxian and Durkheimian influences on his work; and on his responses to critiques of SS&A. We contend that this project should be seen as an ‘oral publication’, a means of transmitting knowledge valued by Merton.
An evaluation of the assumptions that underlie institutional anomie theory
Authors: Chamlin Mitchell B. , Cochran John K.
Published: January 2007

Messner and Rosenfeld's institutional anomie theory [IAT] postulates that a pervasive cultural mandate to obtain material wealth, coupled with an anomic normative environment that arises from a pronounced imbalance of power in favor of the economy over all other societal institutions, is responsible for the high rates of serious crime found in the United States. Though intuitively appealing, this perspective is not readily amenable to falsification. Consequently, most empirical evaluations of institutional anomie theory have examined the additive and multiplicative effects of the structural antecedents of the institutional imbalance of power and anomie on violent and property crime rates. Our research takes a different tack. We examine the theory's underlying assumptions and suggest that the applicability of IAT may be limited to advanced, western nation-states.
Building Realities Less Limited Than Their Own: Young People Practising Same-Sex Attraction on the Internet
Authors: Hillier Lynne , Harrison Lyn
Published: January 2007

The internet has met with mixed community reactions, especially when the focus is on young people's internet use. There are those who fear that the internet will introduce undesirable people and information into the home, leaving the young vulnerable and exploited. Alternatively, there are others who argue that the exclusion of young people from the internet is one of many examples of the diminishing public space that is made available to young people in this post-modern world. In this article we focus on the internet use of one ‘space deprived’ group of marginalized young people, those who are same-sex attracted. Regardless of some important changes in Australian culture and law, these young people's opportunities to openly live their sexual difference remain restricted. In this article we are interested in exploring the role of the internet as a space in which some important sexuality work can be done. What we found was that the internet was providing young people with the space to practise six different aspects of their sexual lives namely identity, friendship, coming out, intimate relationships, sex and community.
What works in resettlement? Findings from seven Pathfinders for short-term prisoners in England and Wales
Authors: Lewis Sam , Maguire Mike , Raynor Peter , Vanstone Maurice , Vennard Julie
Published: January 2007

This article presents findings from the evaluation of Phase One of the resettlement ‘Pathfinder’, which was funded under the Home Office Crime Reduction Programme. Seven projects (four probation-led and three run by voluntary agencies) targeted the resettlement needs and/or offending behaviour of adults sentenced to prison for under 12 months, who are currently not subject to post-release supervision. All participants received help with welfare needs, and some attended a short cognitive motivational programme. The results suggest that such interventions can significantly reduce the problems faced by this frequently neglected group, as well as having a positive effect on their attitudes to crime. There was also some evidence of reductions in reconviction, especially among those who maintained contact with mentors after release. The findings have implications for the Government's resettlement agenda, as set out in the Reducing Re-offending National Action Plan, as well as for NOMS policy and practice. The shelving of plans for the introduction of ‘Custody Plus’, it is argued, creates a risk that potentially effective ‘through the gate’ work with short-termers will not come to fruition.
Apolipocrustacein, formerly vitellogenin, is the major egg yolk precursor protein in decapod crustaceans and is homologous to insect apolipophorin II/I and vertebrate apolipoprotein B
Authors: Avarre Jean-Christophe , Lubzens Esther , Babin Patrick J
Published: January 2007

Background

In animals, the biogenesis of some lipoprotein classes requires members of the ancient large lipid transfer protein (LLTP) superfamily, including the cytosolic large subunit of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), vertebrate apolipoprotein B (apoB), vitellogenin (Vtg), and insect apolipophorin II/I precursor (apoLp-II/I). In most oviparous species, Vtg, a large glycolipoprotein, is the main egg yolk precursor protein.

Results

This report clarifies the phylogenetic relationships of LLTP superfamily members and classifies them into three families and their related subfamilies. This means that the generic term Vtg is no longer a functional term, but is rather based on phylogenetic/structural criteria. In addition, we determined that the main egg yolk precursor protein of decapod crustaceans show an overall greater sequence similarity with apoLp-II/I than other LLTP, including Vtgs. This close association is supported by the phylogenetic analysis, i.e. neighbor-joining, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, of conserved sequence motifs and the presence of three common conserved domains: an N-terminal large lipid transfer module marker for LLTP, a DUF1081 domain of unknown function in their central region exclusively shared with apoLp-II/I and apoB, and a von Willebrand-factor type D domain at their C-terminal end. Additionally, they share a conserved functional subtilisin-like endoprotease cleavage site with apoLp-II/I, in a similar location.

Conclusion

The structural and phylogenetic data presented indicate that the major egg yolk precursor protein of decapod crustaceans is surprisingly closely related to insect apoLp-II/I and vertebrate apoB and should be known as apolipocrustacein (apoCr) rather than Vtg. These LLTP may arise from an ancient duplication event leading to paralogs of Vtg sequences. The presence of LLTP homologs in one genome may facilitate redundancy, e.g. involvement in lipid metabolism and as egg yolk precursor protein, and neofunctionalization and subfunctionalization, e.g. involvement in clotting cascade and immune response, of extracellular LLTP members. These protein-coding nuclear genes may be used to resolve phylogenetic relationships among the major arthropod groups, especially the Pancrustacea-major splits.
Bluetongue virus RNA binding protein NS2 is a modulator of viral replication and assembly
Authors: Kar Alak Kanti , Bhattacharya Bishnupriya , Roy Polly
Published: January 2007

Background

Bluetongue virus (BTV) particles consist of seven structural proteins that are organized into two capsids. In addition, BTV also encodes three non-structural (NS) proteins of which protein 2 (NS2) is the RNA binding protein and is also the major component of virus encoded inclusion bodies (VIBs), which are believed to be virus assembly sites. To investigate the contribution of NS2 in virus replication and assembly we have constructed inducible mammalian cell lines expressing full-length NS2. In addition, truncated NS2 fragments were also generated in an attempt to create dominant negative mutants for NS2 function.

Results

Our data revealed that expression of full-length NS2 was sufficient for the formation of inclusion bodies (IBs) that were morphologically similar to the VIBs formed during BTV infection. By using either, individual BTV proteins or infectious virions, we found that while the VP3 of the inner capsid (termed as "core") that surrounds the transcription complex was closely associated with both NS2 IBs and BTV VIBs, the surface core protein VP7 co-localized with NS2 IBs only in the presence of VP3. In contrast to the inner core proteins, the outer capsid protein VP2 was not associated with either IBs or VIBs. Like the core proteins, newly synthesized BTV RNAs also accumulated in VIBs. Unlike full-length NS2, neither the amino-, nor carboxyl-terminal fragments formed complete IB structures and each appeared to interfere in overall virus replication when similarly expressed.

Conclusion

Together, these data demonstrate that NS2 is sufficient and necessary for IB formation and a key player in virus replication and core assembly. Perturbation of NS2 IB formation resulted in reduced virus synthesis and both the N terminal (NS2-1) and C terminal (NS2-2) fragments act as dominant negative mutants of NS2 function.
Increased isoprostane and prostaglandin are prominent in neurons in Alzheimer disease
Authors: Casadesus Gemma , Smith Mark A , Basu Samar , Hua Jing , Capobianco Dae E , Siedlak Sandra L , Zhu Xiongwei , Perry George
Published: January 2007

Background

Inflammation and oxidative stress are both involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease and have been shown to be reciprocally linked. One group of molecules that have been directly associated with inflammation and the production of free radicals are the prostaglandin 13,14-dihydro 15-keto PGF2α and the isoprostane 8-iso-PGF2α.

Results

To further delineate the role of inflammatory and oxidative parameters in Alzheimer disease, in this study we evaluated the amount and localization of 13,14-dihydro 15-keto PGF2α and 8-iso-PGF2α in hippocampal post mortem tissue samples from age-matched Alzheimer disease and control patients. Our results demonstrate increased levels of 13,14-dihydro 15-keto PGF2α and 8-iso-PGF2α in the hippocampal pyramidal neurons of Alzheimer disease patients when compared to control patients.

Conclusion

These data not only support the shared mechanistic involvement of free radical damage and inflammation in Alzheimer disease, but also indicate that multiple pathogenic "hits" are likely necessary for both the development and propagation of Alzheimer disease.
Growth arrest-specific protein 6 plasma concentrations during septic shock
Authors: Gibot Sébastien , Massin Frédéric , Cravoisy Aurélie , Dupays Rachel , Barraud Damien , Nace Lionel , Bollaert Pierre-Edouard
Published: January 2007

Introduction

The product of growth arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) is a vitamin K dependent protein that is secreted by leucocytes and endothelial cells in response to injury and participates in cell survival, proliferation, migration and adhesion. Our purpose was to investigate plasma Gas6 concentration and its relation to organ dysfunction in patients with septic shock.

Methods

Forty-five patients with septic shock admitted to a medical adult intensive care unit were enrolled. Plasma Gas6 concentration was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at days 1, 3, 7 and 14.

Results

The median (interquartile range) Gas6 concentration was 51 (5 to 95) pg/ml at admission. A positive correlation (Spearman rank-order coefficient [rs] = 0.37, P = 0.01) was found between Gas6 level and Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score. Patients requiring renal support had higher Gas6 concentration that those without need for haemofiltration (76.5 [52 to 164] pg/ml versus 10.5 [1.5 to 80.5] pg/ml; P = 0.04). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between Gas6 and aspartate transaminase (rs = 0.42, P = 0.006) and between Gas6 and prothrombin time (rs = 0.45, P = 0.02). Although there was a progressive decline in Gas6 concentration in survivors (analysis of variance, P = 0.01), nonsurvivors exhibited persistently elevated Gas6. However, the two populations diverged only after day 7 (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Plasma concentrations of Gas6 correlate with disease severity, especially with renal and hepatic dysfunction, in septic shock.
Differences in one-year health outcomes and resource utilization by definition of prolonged mechanical ventilation: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Cox Christopher E , Carson Shannon S , Lindquist Jennifer H , Olsen Maren K , Govert Joseph A , Chelluri Lakshmipathi ,   the Quality of Life After Mechanical Ventilation in the Aged (QOL-MV) Investigators
Published: January 2007

Introduction

The outcomes of patients ventilated for longer than average are unclear, in part because of the lack of an accepted definition of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). To better understand the implications of PMV provision, we compared one-year health outcomes between two common definitions of PMV as well as between PMV patients and those ventilated for shorter periods of time.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from medical and surgical intensive care units at an academic tertiary care medical center. The study included 817 critically ill patients ventilated for ≥ 48 hours, 267 (33%) of whom received PMV based on receipt of a tracheostomy and ventilation for ≥ 96 hours. A total of 114 (14%) patients met the alternate definition of PMV by being ventilated for ≥ 21 days. Survival, functional status, and costs were measured at baseline and at 2, 6, and 12 months after discharge. Of one-year survivors, 71 (17%) were lost to follow up.

Results

PMV patients ventilated for ≥ 21 days had greater costs ($140,409 versus $143,389) and higher one-year mortality (58% versus 48%) than did PMV patients with tracheostomies who were ventilated for ≥ 96 hours. The majority of PMV deaths (58%) occurred after hospital discharge whereas 67% of PMV patients aged 65 years or older had died by one year. At one year PMV patients on average had limitations in two basic and five instrumental elements of functional status that exceeded both their pre-admission status and the one-year disability of those ventilated for < 96 hours. Costs per one-year survivor were $423,596, $266,105, and $165,075 for patients ventilated ≥ 21 days, ≥ 96 hours with a tracheostomy, and < 96 hours, respectively.

Conclusion

Contrasting definitions of PMV capture significantly different patient populations, with ≥ 21 days of ventilation specifying the most resource-intensive recipients of critical care. PMV patients, particularly the elderly, suffer from a significant burden of costly, chronic critical illness and are at high risk for death throughout the first year after intensive care.
Development of a Brief Mental Health Screen for Intimate Partner Violence Victims in the Emergency Department
Authors: Houry Debra , Kemball Robin S. , Click Lorie A. , Kaslow Nadine J.
Published: January 2007

Background: Emergency physicians routinely treat victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) and patients with mental health symptoms, although these issues may be missed without routine screening. In addition, research has demonstrated a strong association between IPV victimization and mental health symptoms.

Objectives: To develop a brief mental health screen that could be used feasibly in an emergency department to screen IPV victims for depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and suicidal ideation.

Methods: The authors conducted a pretest/posttest validation study of female IPV victims to determine what questions from the Beck Depression Inventory II, Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation would predict moderate to severe levels of depressive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and suicidal ideation. A principal components factor analysis was conducted to determine which questions would be used in the brief mental health screen. Scatter plots were then created to determine a cut point.

Results: Scores on the brief mental health screen ranged from 0 to 8. A cutoff score of 4 was used, which resulted in positive predictive values of 96% for the brief mental health screen for depression, 84% for PTSD symptoms, and 54% for suicidal ideation. In particular, four questions about sadness, experiencing a traumatic event, the desire to live, and the desire to commit suicide were associated with moderate to severe mental health symptoms in IPV victims.

Conclusions: The brief mental health screen provides a tool that could be used in an emergency department setting and predicted those IPV victims with moderate to severe mental health symptoms. Using this tool can assist emergency physicians in recognizing at‐risk patients and referring these IPV victims to mental health services.
National Study of the Relation of Primary Care Shortages to Emergency Department Utilization
Authors: Richman Ilana B. , Clark Sunday , Sullivan Ashley F. , Camargo Carlos A.
Published: January 2007

Background: Emergency department (ED) visit volumes are increasing nationwide.

Objectives: To determine whether states with primary care shortages have higher rates of ED use.

Methods: Populations residing in primary care shortage areas were abstracted from the Health Resources and Services Administration Geospatial Database. Annual ED visit volumes were available from the 2001 National ED Inventory. Population data and potential confounders were abstracted from federal data sets. All analyses were conducted at the state level.

Results: Primary care shortage densities varied greatly across states, ranging from 3 (New Jersey) to 28 (Mississippi) medically underserved individuals per 100 people. States also varied in their annual ED visit densities, ranging from 23 visits (Hawaii) to 65 visits (Washington, DC) per 100 people. Of the 17 states in the top tertile for primary care shortage, 7 also were in the top tertile for ED visits. Primary care shortage density was positively associated with ED visit density. An increase of 10 medically underserved individuals per 100 people was associated with an annual increase of 4.2 ED visits per 100 people (p = 0.04). The association remained after controlling for six factors, with an increase of 10 medically underserved individuals per 100 people associated with an annual increase of 3.3 ED visits per 100 people (p = 0.04). Nevertheless, five states had high ED visit densities despite comparatively low primary care shortage densities (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), whereas five others had low ED visit densities despite high primary care shortage densities (Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and South Dakota).

Conclusions: A positive association between primary care shortage densities and ED visit densities was found. Although most states adhere to this pattern, some states do not. Further investigation of this dissociation may yield additional explanations for rising ED visit volumes.
A Survey of Post-Intake Orthopaedic Trauma Meetings in England
Authors: Mcnamara Iain R , Crawford John R , Edwards Dennis J
Published: January 2007

INTRODUCTION

The structure of trauma meetings has been noted to vary considerably throughout our region. The aim of this study was to assess current practice of trauma meetings on a national level and to propose a structure on the basis of the survey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A telephone survey of 120 hospitals in England was performed with a 100% response rate. The on-call duty orthopaedic surgeon at each hospital was contacted and questioned regarding trauma meetings held at that hospital. Details obtained included the frequency of meetings, the presence of medical staff and staff from other disciplines, review of radiographs and educational value.

RESULTS

In total, 107 (89.2%) hospitals conducted regular trauma meetings with a mean duration of 36 min (range, 15–120 min). Teaching of junior medical staff occurred at 89 (83.2%) meetings. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed at 80 (74.8%) hospitals. A radiologist attended in 5 (4.7%) of meetings. The median number of consultants present was 3 (range, 1–10). Other attendees included trauma co-ordinators (34.6%), physiotherapists (30.8%), theatre staff (23.4%), nursing staff (20.6%) and anaesthetists (15.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Trauma meetings assist with the organisation of trauma lists, the review of results and have a valuable educational component. However, in busier orthopaedic units, additional meetings for teaching purposes may be necessary as an adjunct to routine daily trauma meetings.