bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence in science dialogue: Individual attitude changes as a result of dialogue between laypersons and scientists
Authors: Zorn Theodore E. , Roper Juliet , Weaver C. Kay , Rigby Colleen
Published: November 2010

Dialogue as a science communication process has been idealized in both practitioner and scholarly literature. However, there is inconsistency in what is meant by dialogue, the forms it should take, and its purported consequences. Empirical research on the experienced benefits of dialogue is limited. The present study addresses this gap by examining attitudinal changes among laypeople and scientists in dialogue on the topic of human biotechnology (HBT). We found that, as a result of participation in dialogue, laypeople’s attitudes toward scientists were more positive and scientists’ and laypeople’s attitudes toward HBT tended to converge. Additionally, laypeople reported increased communicative self-efficacy after the dialogue experience. However, effects in some cases differed by dialogue format. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Communities of Practice: A Learning Strategy for Management Education
Authors: Monaghan Catherine H.
Published: November 2010

Teaching students self-directed learning skills provides benefits that outlast individual courses. An individual self-directed approach is insufficient, however, given the fast pace of change students encounter in their professional lives. Communities of practice combine self-directed and collaborative learning to meet the challenges of today’s dynamic organizational environment. This article introduces a learning strategy based on communities of practice to help students gain in-depth knowledge about an individual passion related to the course topic that, in turn, contributes effectively to students’ professional development outside of the formal classroom setting. In this article, I briefly discuss the characteristics of communities of practice in organizational environments, including their relevance and effectiveness; provide the details for implementing communities of practice as a learning strategy in a management education classroom; and present an assessment of this learning strategy.
An Examination of Exposure to Traumatic Events and Symptoms and Strengths for Children Served in a Behavioral Health System of Care
Authors: Whitson Melissa L. , Connell Christian M. , Bernard Stanley , Kaufman Joy S.
Published: November 2010

The present study examined how exposure to traumatic events affects children with severe emotional disturbance who are being served in a school-based system of care. Multilevel growth curve models were used to examine the relationships between a child’s history of traumatic events (physical abuse, sexual abuse, or domestic violence) and behavioral and emotional strengths, internalizing problem behaviors, and externalizing problem behaviors over 18 months. Results indicate that children receiving services ( N = 134) exhibited increased emotional and behavioral strengths and decreased internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors from enrollment to 18-month follow-up. Children with a history of traumatic events improved more slowly than children without such a history on both strengths and internalizing problem behaviors, even after controlling for dosage of services received and other characteristics previously found to predict outcomes. Gender was also related to improvement in internalizing symptoms. Results highlight the continued need to assess the impact of exposure to traumatic events for children served in a system of care.
Developmental Trajectories of Behavior Problems Among Children Who Have Experienced Maltreatment
Authors: Tabone Jiyoung K. , Guterman Neil B. , Litrownik Alan J. , Dubowitz Howard , Isbell Patricia , English Diana J. , Runyan Desmond K. , Thompson Richard
Published: November 2010

The current study is a longitudinal investigation of unobserved heterogeneity in the developmental trajectories of problem behaviors among children who have experienced maltreatment. The goal of this study is to inform effective intervention plans with respect to behavior problems of maltreated children by examining the different trajectories of behavior problems and by assessing ecological risk factors related to each trajectory. This study utilized data from the Longitudinal Study of Child Abuse and Neglect, in which 827 maltreated children have been followed from age 4 to age 10. This study identified five distinctive developmental trajectories of maltreated children. In most trajectory groups, a specific set of ecological risk factors distinctively predicted the probability of membership in a specific group. The results are discussed with respect to individualized early intervention efforts toward those most likely to benefit.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Standardized Behavior Management Intervention for Students With Externalizing Behavior
Authors: Forster Martin , Sundell Knut , Morris Richard J. , Karlberg Martin , Melin Lennart
Published: November 2010

This study reports the results from a Swedish randomized controlled trial of a standardized behavior management intervention. The intervention targeted students with externalizing behavior in a regular education setting. First- and second-grade students ( N = 100) from 38 schools were randomly assigned to either the intervention or an active comparison group. Observer, teacher, and peer ratings were collected at pretest, posttest (6 months later), and follow-up (14 months after pretest). Significant intervention effects were found on student externalizing behavior and teacher behavior management at both posttest and follow-up. The intervention effect on student externalizing behavior was mediated by change in teacher behavior. Moderating effects of demographic and classroom variables were explored, as well as the social validity of the intervention. The results are discussed in relation to cost-effectiveness and feasibility of behavioral interventions in typical school settings.
The Occupational Decision: A Cultural and Motivational Perspective
Authors: Jae Yup Jung  , McCormick John
Published: November 2010

This study tested a new model of the occupational decision-making processes of senior high-school students, which incorporates cultural and motivational perspectives. A theoretical framework guided the study. A refined version of a previously used survey instrument was administered to 566 Australian Grade 11 students attending a stratified random sample of 16 government high schools in the Sydney metropolitan area. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The major finding of the study is the confirmation of a new model of the occupational decision-making processes of senior high school students, that incorporates the predictive roles of idiocentrism oriented toward the future and allocentrism toward the family, and the strong mediating role of occupational interest/enjoyment, in arriving at occupational attitudes, and ultimately, occupational intentions. Psychologists, career managers, counselors, educators, and families may be able to use the findings to understand, and guide, the occupational decisions of senior high school students.
The Link between Age, Career Goals, and Adaptive Development for Work-Related Learning Among Local Government Employees
Authors: Tones Megan , Pillay Hitendra , Kelly Kathy
Published: November 2010

More recently, lifespan development psychology models of adaptive development have been applied to the workforce to investigate ageing worker and lifespan issues. The current study uses the Learning and Development Survey (LDS) to investigate employee selection and engagement of learning and development goals and opportunities and constraints for learning at work in relation to demographics and career goals. It was found that mature age was associated with perceptions of preferential treatment of younger workers with respect to learning and development. Age was also correlated with several career goals. Findings suggest that younger workers’ learning and development options are better catered for in the workplace. Mature aged workers may compensate for unequal learning opportunities at work by studying for an educational qualification or seeking alternate job opportunities. The desire for a higher level job within the organization or educational qualification was linked to engagement in learning and development goals at work. It is suggested that an understanding of employee perceptions in the workplace in relation to goals and activities may be important in designing strategies to retain workers.
Enhancing Entrepreneurship: The Role of Goal Orientation and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Culbertson Satoris S. , Smith Michael R. , Leiva Pedro I.
Published: November 2010

Entrepreneurship has become increasingly important in the workplace. Research suggests motivational traits are important in pursuing entrepreneurial activities. Yet, the extent to which factors influencing entrepreneurial versus managerial goals differ remains unclear. This study assessed the influence of goal orientation and self-efficacy in predicting entrepreneurial and managerial career anchors development. Data from 158 college students indicated learning goal orientation (LGO) and performance-prove goal orientation (PPGO) predicted entrepreneurial career anchors when coupled with high self-efficacy. For managerial goals, self-efficacy did not influence these relationships. Findings suggest providing opportunities for increased self-efficacy and adaptive goal orientations may affect entrepreneurial development.
Emerging Adults at Work and at Play: Leisure, Work Engagement, and Career Indecision
Authors: Konstam Varda , Lehmann Ilana S.
Published: November 2010

To expand the understanding of how leisure and recreational activities can inform career indecision, this research examined the relationship between career indecision, work engagement, and leisure in emerging adults, 25—30 years of age. Independent sample t tests reveal that career indecisive emerging adults scored significantly lower on all three leisure factors on the Leisure Diagnostic Battery, Short Form (LDB-B): Leisure Enjoyment t(62) = 6.997; Leisure Competence t(62) = 8.383; and Leisure Control t(62) = 6.792 (all at p < .001). Career indecisive emerging adults also scored significantly lower on work engagement t(62) = 5.488, p < .001. Work engagement and leisure activity provide an additional lens to understanding emerging adults in the throes of career decision making, some of whom are floundering and in need of professional assistance. Implications for career counselors are discussed.
Mapping StrengthsQuest Themes to Holland’s Vocational Personality Types
Authors: Carson Andrew D. , Evans Karen , Gitin Elena , Eads Jonathan
Published: November 2010

A sample of 1,747 students attending undergraduate classes in legal education at an online university completed the StrengthsQuest assessment as part of a larger investigation; of this number, 117 students also completed the Kuder Career Search. Exploratory factor analysis (principal components followed varimax rotation) of 34 StrengthsQuest theme rankings found 11 factors. The results replicate and extend an earlier report of correlations between StrengthsQuest theme subscales and indicators of Holland’s six vocational personality types. Implications are discussed for the use of the StrengthsQuest in career assessment.
Prediction and mitigation analyses of ground vibrations induced by high speed train with 3-dimensional finite element method and substructure method
Authors: Feng Chen  , Takemiya Hirokazu , Maosong Huang
Published: November 2010

This paper focuses on the dynamic interactions between a Shinkansen viaduct and the nearby ground when a high speed train is running along the viaduct. Due to the characteristics of the structure-foundation-soil system, a substructure method is employed to divide the global system into two substructures: one consists of the superstructure of track girder and supporting piers, the other consists of the foundation and near ground. Both substructures have continuity conditions at the interfaces, i.e. deformation continuity and force continuity. The superstructures are modeled by 3-dimensional (3-D) beam elements with a structural procedure, while the substructure is analyzed through a pseudo 3-D axisymmetric finite element method. A field test was conducted in the near field of the Shinkansen viaduct to examine the vibration level. The measurement data also help us to understand the wave motion influenced by the geometric properties of the structures and the moving train. Based on the field test results, a thorough interpretation is provided by analyzing both the structures and the soil. Further, computation simulation is conducted to investigate the vibrations in the ground to a wider extent. According to the nature of vibration, a combined countermeasure is proposed which involves the source motion control and the wave propagation obstruction. Satisfactory mitigation is achieved by the combined measure.
Analyses of dynamic behavior of track transition with finite elements
Authors: Xiaoyan Lei  , Bin Zhang
Published: November 2010

New types of vehicle and track elements are presented, by means of the finite element method, to establish a model for dynamic analysis of vehicle-track-subgrade coupling systems. The associated stiffness matrix, mass matrix and damping matrix for these two types of elements are deduced. Computational software is coded with Matlab. As an application example, the dynamic behavior of track transition is investigated by the vehicle and the track elements. The influencing factors for the simulation include train speed, subgrade stiffness, and irregularity angles of track transition as well as the transition pattern. The computational results show that 1) Abrupt changes of the subgrade stiffness influence the vertical acceleration of the rail and the wheel/rail contact force, and this influence increases with increases in train speed, 2) Both the irregularity angles of the track transition and the abrupt changes of the subgrade stiffness have significant effects on rail vertical acceleration and the wheel/rail contact force, with the peak value in this situation being greater than that generated by irregularity angles of the track transition or the abrupt changes of the subgrade stiffness, 3) Train speed, abrupt changes of the subgrade stiffness, and track transition irregularity angles have a minor influence on the vertical acceleration of the vehicle due to the excellent behavior of vibration isolation resulting from the primary and the secondary suspension systems of the vehicle, 4) Transition pattern for irregularity of track transition has a significant influence on the vehicle acceleration and the wheel/rail contact force, and the cosine transition is a much better indicator than the linear transition, and 5) Influences of the directions the train is moving on the dynamic behavior of the vehicle and the track are relatively insignificant.
Load Balancing versus Occupancy Maximization on Graphics Processing Units: The Generalized Hough Transform as a Case Study
Authors: Gómez-Luna Juan , González-Linares José María , Ignacio Benavides José , Zapata Emilio L. , Guil Nicolás
Published: November 2010

Programs developed under the Compute Unified Device Architecture obtain the highest performance rate, when the exploitation of hardware resources on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is maximized. In order to achieve this purpose, load balancing among threads and a high value of processor occupancy, i.e. the ratio of active threads, are indispensable. However, in certain applications, an optimally balanced implementation may limit the occupancy, due to a greater need for registers and shared memory. This is the case of the Fast Generalized Hough Transform (Fast GHT), an image-processing technique for localizing an object within an image. In this work, we present two parallelization alternatives for the Fast GHT, one that optimizes the load balancing and another that maximizes the occupancy. We have compared them using a large amount of real images to test their strong and weak points and we have drawn several conclusions about under which conditions it is better to use one or the other. We have also tackled several parallelization problems related to sparse data distribution, divergent execution paths, and irregular memory access patterns in updating operations by proposing a set of generic techniques, including compacting, sorting, and memory storage replication. Finally, we have compared our Fast GHT with the classic GHT, both on a current GPU, obtaining an important speed-up.
Designing Online Environments for Expert/Novice Collaboration
Authors: Zagal José P. , Bruckman Amy
Published: November 2010

/ Designing environments that can bring novices and experts together is not trivial. We explore how we can design environments where these collaborations happen in such a way that everyone benefits. We explore these questions in the context of one such environment. In this study, we used the Game Ontology Project (GOP), a wiki-enabled hierarchy of elements of gameplay used by game studies researchers, in a game design class. Students found that their participation was enjoyable and useful for learning. Also, there is evidence that they developed a deeper understanding of the medium of videogames. However, encouraging sustained participation was challenging because students tended to view the GOP as a static source, rather than a participatory and editable resource. Expert analysis of the students’ contributions to the ontology found them to be useful and significant. We conclude with thoughts on the importance of these kinds of authentic environments in traditional learning.
'Click on the Big Red Car'
Authors: Davidson Christina
Published: November 2010

/ The playing of computer games in the home is ubiquitous in contemporary life. Research that examines young children’s computer use confirms that playing computer games is a dominant form of activity. While computer game playing has important social effects for children, how children accomplish their social activity during computer use is very much taken for granted in the game-playing literature. This article addresses young children’s computer game playing through a detailed analysis of two children’s interaction while playing a Wiggles game in their home. Conversation analysis is employed to describe and explicate the social accomplishment of playing the game through a sequential analysis of data. Discussion considers the local organization of the game, its occasioned complexity, and the management of identity-related activities during game playing. The study provides a description of the ways that social interaction accomplishes the children’s game playing.
New Media and the Prolongations of Urban Environments
Authors: Mubi Brighenti Andrea
Published: November 2010

/ The article addresses the relationships between new media and public urban environments. It advances an anti-reductionist argument, which seeks to understand the material and the immaterial as two irreducible yet intertwined layers or levels of the social sphere. In order to do so, the notion of prolongation is proposed. This notion, together with those of territory and visibility, is explicitly designed to escape both reductionist monism (material as immaterial or vice versa) and dualism (material versus immaterial). The hypothesis is that the environments created and edited by the new media can be conceptualized and studied as specific visibility regimes of urban territoriality. The use of the concepts of territory, prolongation, and visibility also leads to deexceptionalizing the new media, insofar as new media are explained as a specific techno-social configuration, determined by a pattern of the same analytical variables that are at stake in the social sphere at large.
Teaching kids to cope with anger: Peer education
Authors: Puskar Kathryn R , Stark Kirsti H , Northcut Terri , Williams Rick , Haley Tammy
Published: November 2010

Anger could be an early warning signal of violent behavior. Early peer education health promotion in relation to anger management could help children before uncontrolled anger becomes a problem in adolescence and adulthood. Peer education has been identified as a viable intervention strategy worldwide with various prevention programs for youth. The purpose of this article is to describe an anger management program (Teaching Kids to Cope with Anger, TKC-A 4th—8th graders) co-led by high school peer educators in an urban school district’s summer school enhancement program. A program of five modules will be described. This paper discusses the peer educator implementation and recommendations for future implementation.
Q-statistic and T2-statistic PCA-based measures for damage assessment in structures
Authors: Mujica LE , Rodellar J. , Fernández A. , Güemes A.
Published: November 2010

This article explores the use of principal component analysis (PCA) and T2 and Q-statistic measures to detect and distinguish damages in structures. For this study, two structures are used for experimental assessment: a steel sheet and a turbine blade of an aircraft. The analysis has been performed in two ways: (i) by exciting the structure with low-frequency vibrations using a shaker and using several piezoelectric (PZT) sensors attached on the surface, and (ii) by exciting at high-frequency vibrations using a single PZT as actuator and several PZTs as sensors. A known vibration signal is applied and the dynamical responses are analyzed. A PCA model is built using data from the undamaged structure as a reference base line. The defects in the turbine blade are simulated by attaching a mass on the surface at different positions. Instead, a progressive crack is produced to the steel sheet. Data from sets of experiments for undamaged and damaged scenarios are projected into the PCA model. The first two projections, and the Q-statistic and T2-statistic indices are analyzed. Q-statistic indicates how well each sample conforms to the PCA model. It is a measure of the difference or residual between a sample and its projection into the principal components retained in the model. T2-statistic index is a measure of the variation of each sample within the PCA model. Results of each scenario are presented and discussed demonstrating the feasibility and potential of using this formulation in structural health monitoring.
Becoming professional? Exploring Early Years Professional Status and its implications for workforce reform in England
Authors: Simpson Donald
Published: November 2010

Across the ‘European learning space’ (Lawn, 2006) professionalisation of early years workforces has become a key priority and there has been a flow of this policy between borders (Oberhuemer, 2005). Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) is central to these developments in England.Within what is regarded as a traditionally ‘split’ early years workforce (Moss, 2008), EYPS felt to offer a route for those from a childcare background to improve their position relative to teaching professionals (HMT, 2004). Alongside these developments theoretical perspectives have emerged attempting to explain the professionalisation process in England. They include the following: 1) a post-structural theory suggesting the operation of an official discourse of professionalisation as a mode of control and regulation of EYPs’ roles (Osgood, 2006); 2) an activist theory suggesting EYPs can take the lead in defining their own professionalisation and roles (Miller, 2008). Based on qualitative interview data, this article provides a typology which classifies EYPs as: role makers, role takers, role distancers or role avoiders. Then the potential of the post-structuralist and activist perspectives to explain how EYPs have come to play these roles is considered. It is claimed both these perspectives fall short in accounting for the complexity involved in the emergence of EYPs roles and a theory informed by critical realist insights is advocated as an alternative. The article concludes by casting doubt on the contributory potential of EYPS to facilitate change within the early years workforce.
The same or separate? An exploration of teachers’ perceptions of the classroom assignment of twins in prior to school and kindergarten to Year Two school settings
Authors: Jones Laura , De Gioia Katey
Published: November 2010

This article investigates the perceptions of 12 teachers from New South Wales, Australia, regarding the classroom assignment of twins. Analysis of semi-structured interviews with each of the teachers revealed four key findings: 1) teachers’ perceptions about the classroom assignment of twins vary according to their previous experience and relationship with twins in their personal life; 2) there are no sector-wide policies regarding the classroom assignment of twins; 3) setting size is a major factor influencing teachers’ perceptions of the classroom assignment of twins; and 4) formal training does not refer to twins and their education. Recommendations and implications for teachers are discussed.
Pediatricians’ perspectives on identification and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Finke Erinn H. , Drager Kathryn D.R. , Ash Stephanie
Published: November 2010

Qualitative interview methodology was used to investigate the perspectives and experiences of five general pediatricians who had diagnosed children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Information was obtained from the participants in the following areas: a) training; b) signs/symptoms of ASD; c) causes of ASD; d) well-child exams; e) first concerns/signs of ASD; f) use of ‘wait and see’; g) communication with families; h) making referrals; i) the diagnostic process for ASD; j) pediatrician comfort with making the ASD diagnosis; k) family reactions to the ASD diagnosis; l) recommendations for families; and m) recommendations for other pediatricians. The results of this investigation are discussed as they relate to these themes and with reference to published literature. Recommendations and future directions are also presented.
Relationship between parents’ beliefs and their responses to children’s risk-taking behaviour during outdoor play
Authors: Little Helen
Published: November 2010

Learning how to respond appropriately in risk situations comes not only from the child’s direct experiences but also through the guidance of those around them. The role of parent practices in guiding children’s decision-making in risky situations has mainly been investigated in experimental contexts. The present study examined children’s risk-taking behaviour and parent responses in everyday outdoor play settings. Parents’ own risk-taking beliefs and behaviours were assessed using the Attitudes Towards Risk Questionnaire (ATR). Interviews explored parents’ attitudes towards children’s risk-taking and parents (11 mothers, one father) were observed as they supervised their four- to five-year-old children on playground equipment at a park. Parents’ ATR scores were predictive of children’s risk-taking behaviour. Parents mainly supervised their child’s play and provided encouragement and support to foster children’s engagement in challenging use of the equipment. Parents rarely intervened to prevent children’s risky play but provided advice on how to complete the activity safely. Parents emphasized that their responses to children’s risk-taking are context dependent.
Talking about children’s resistance to the institutional order and teachers in preschool
Authors: Markström Ann-Marie
Published: November 2010

This article highlights the parent—teacher conferences in the Swedish preschool and the talk about children’s inappropriate and undesirable behaviour in a preschool setting.The focus of the article concerns how teachers talk about children’s resistance to the social order in preschool and especially how children show resistance to teachers. The empirical material consists of 22 audio-taped conferences included in a larger study of parent—teacher conferences in a Swedish preschool setting. The analysis reveals five different strategies concerning the talk about children’s resistance to the practitioners and the institution: physical resistance, emotional resistance, social resistance, verbal resistance and resistance through rejection. In addition, the article discusses what is expected of a ‘normal’ preschool child.
Young children’s Internet use at home and school: Patterns and profiles
Authors: Johnson Genevieve Marie
Published: November 2010

Thirty-eight children in first and second grade completed a 10-item rating scale on Internet use at home and school. Results suggested that, in general, more children used the Internet at school than at home but home-based use was more often perceived as enjoyable. Three patterns of Internet use emerged suggesting three types of young users: home-based users demonstrated extensive, comprehensive, and enjoyable use of the Internet at home coupled with limited and less enjoyable Internet use at school; school-oriented information seekers reported mainly visiting websites, both at home and at school, but school access was preferred; and school-oriented communicators indicated primarily using email, both at home and at school, but school use was preferred. Implications for Internet literacy in young school children are discussed.
Do Relief Pitching and Remaining Games Create Moral Hazard Problems in Major League Baseball?
Authors: Baldini Kevin , Gillis Mark T. , Ryan Matt E.
Published: November 2010

Previous research neglects to consider additional sources of moral hazard in baseball beyond the designated hitter (DH) rule. Using a game-level analysis similar to Bradbury and Drinen (2006) , the authors find that an additional National League (NL) relief pitcher leads to more hit batsmen than an additional American League (AL) relief pitcher and that the number of games remaining in the NL has a smaller positive effect on the number of hit batsmen than the number of games remaining in the AL, though the latter relationship is economically small. Both results, however, imply additional avenues by which moral hazard emerges.
Playoff Uncertainty and Pennant Races
Authors: Krautmann Anthony C. , Lee Young Hoon , Quinn Kevin
Published: November 2010

Outcome uncertainty, a fundamental principle associated with Rottenberg, has many meanings in the sports economics literature. In this article, the authors consider a type of within-season uncertainty termed “playoff uncertainty” (PLU). As with any type of within-season uncertainty, this concept looks at how demanders respond to the probability that their team has a chance of winning over the course of the season. But more specifically, PLU focuses on whether attendance is affected by a team’s chance of making the playoffs. Looking at attendance data on a monthly basis, the authors find that a tighter pennant race does enhance league-wide attendance, but only for those months toward the end of the season when the pennant race is heating up.
The Effect of Home Advantage, Momentum, and Fighting on Winning in the National Hockey League
Authors: Leard Benjamin , Doyle Joanne M.
Published: November 2010

Using game-level data, the authors estimate models of team success and test for the effect of three specific factors on game outcomes in professional ice hockey. First, they estimate the home ice advantage and find that much of it can be attributed to rules advantages for the home team. Second, contrary to previous studies on momentum, the authors find some evidence that game-to-game momentum has a positive effect on winning. Finally, the authors test the impact of fighting on the likelihood of winning and find that winning fights does not lead to winning games.
The Lavender Ceiling Atop the Global Closet: Human Resource Development and Lesbian Expatriates
Authors: Gedro Julie
Published: November 2010

This literature review will examine international assignments as career development opportunities and uncover multiple issues and considerations with respect to lesbians and international assignments. There is a clear interest in the fields of management and human resource management in the privileges, challenges, and opportunities of international assignments. International assignments serve as a function of HRD because they provide grooming for the most senior management positions in corporations. However, there is little to no research or exploration of the multiple considerations faced by lesbians who seek and engage in international assignments.
F-Actin Reorganization and Inactivation of Rho Signaling Pathway Involved in the Inhibitory Effect of Coptidis Rhizoma on Hepatoma Cell Migration
Authors: Ning Wang  , Yibin Feng  , Echo Ping Woi Lau  , Chiman Tsang  , Yickpang Ching  , Kwan Man  , Yao Tong  , Nagamatsu Tadashi , Weiwei Su  , Saiwah Tsao
Published: November 2010

Hypothesis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant human tumors and one of the risk factors is its highly metastatic property. Coptidis Rhizoma aqueous extract (CRAE) is able to suppress the migration and invasion of HCC cells, MHCC97-L, and F-actin reorganization and Rho signaling inhibition is involved. Main methods. CRAE was prepared and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The cytotoxicity and antimigration action of CRAE on MHCC97-L cells were evaluated; Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were used to investigate the proposed mechanism of CRAE action. Key findings . Chemical analysis reveals that the active components in CRAE are berberine and berberine-like alkaloids. CRAE exhibits a significant inhibitory effect on MHCC97-L cell migration as indicated by wound-healing and invasion-chamber assays. No significant alteration of matrix metalloproteinases and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression were observed in MHCC97-L cells exposed to CRAE. Reduction of F-actin polymerization and damage to cytoskeleton network in MHCC97-L cells were observed after CRAE treatment. Furthermore, it was found that CRAE significantly downregulated the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway. Significance. These results indicate that CRAE may act as a Rho/ROCK signaling inhibitor to suppress MHCC97-L cell migration in vitro and suggested that total alkaloids in Coptidis Rhizoma may be a potential agent for suppressing liver cancer invasion.
Reflexology for the Symptomatic Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kim Jong-In , Myeong Soo Lee  , Jung Won Kang  , Do Young Choi  , Ernst Edzard
Published: November 2010

The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of reflexology as a symptomatic treatment for breast cancer. In all, 12 databases were searched from the time of their inception through July 2010. Prospective, controlled clinical trials of reflexology in patients with breast cancer that included an assessment of clinical outcome measures were reviewed. Study selection, data extraction, and validations were performed independently by 2 reviewers. One randomized clinical trial (RCT) and three nonrandomized controlled clinical trials (CCTs) met our inclusion criteria. One large RCT showed significant differences in quality of life and mood when reflexology was compared with self-initiated support. Three CCTs tested reflexology compared with no treatment or simple rest. All of them suggested favorable effects of reflexology on pain, nausea, and vomiting. However, they had a high risk of bias. Collectively, the existing evidence does not convincingly show that reflexology is effective for breast cancer care. Future studies seem warranted; they should be of high methodological quality, and include adequate control interventions.
Alteration in the Radiosensitivity of HeLa Cells by Dichloromethane Extract of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
Authors: Rao Shaival K. , Rao Priya S.
Published: November 2010

Exposure of HeLa cells to TCE (dichloromethane extract of Tinospora cordifolia) for 4 hours before exposure to 2-Gy γ-radiation caused a significant decrease in the cell viability (approximately 50%). The surviving fraction (SF) was reduced to 0.52 after 4 hours of TCE treatment; thereafter, clonogenecity of HeLa cells declined negligibly with treatment duration up to 6 hours posttreatment. Exposure of HeLa cells to different doses of γ-radiation resulted in a dose-dependent decline in the viability of HeLa cells, whereas treatment of HeLa cells with various doses of TCE further decreased the cell viability depending not only on the irradiation dose but also on the concentration of TCE. Treatment of HeLa cells with various doses of TCE caused a significant decline in cell viability after exposure to 1 to 4 Gy γ-radiation. The increase in TCE concentration before irradiation caused a concentration-dependent reduction in the SF, and a lowest SF was observed for 4 μg/mL TCE for all exposure doses. HeLa cells treated with TCE showed an increase in lactate dehydrogenase and decrease in glutathioneS-transferase activity at all postirradiation times. Lipid peroxidation increased up to 4 hours postirradiation and declined gradually up to 12 hours postirradiation.
Laparoendoscopic Single-Site (LESS) Nephroureterectomy and En Bloc Resection of Bladder Cuff With a Novel Extravesical Endoloop Technique
Authors: Chung Shiu-Dong , Huang Chao-Yuan , Wang Shuo-Meng , Chueh Shih-Chieh , Hung Shun-Fa , Tsai Yao-Chou , Yu Hong-Jeng
Published: November 2010

Objective: To present the initial experience of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) nephroureterectomy via the transperitoneal approach using the Alexis wound retractor and bladder cuff resection by endoloop. Methods: Two patients received LESS nephroureterectomies and bladder cuffs resection with homemade single ports, which were created by using an Alexis wound retractor as an access platform through a 4-cm incision. Distal ureters were resected through the same incision with endoloop. No additional ports were used and both procedures were completed successfully. Results: Both LESS procedures were completed successfully without traditional laparoscopic conversion or complication. LESS nephreoureterectomy with bladder cuff excision was performed in 165 and 325 minutes with estimated blood loss of 30 and 65 mL, respectively. Patients were discharged on postoperative days 3 and 7, respectively. Conclusions: The initial results demonstrated that LESS technique of nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff resection with endoloop is a safe and feasible procedure for urothelial carcinoma of upper urinary tract.
SR-A/MARCO–mediated ligand delivery enhances intracellular TLR and NLR function, but ligand scavenging from cell surface limits TLR4 response to pathogens
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Subhankar , Varin Audrey , Chen Yunying , Liu Baoying , Tryggvason Karl , Gordon Siamon
Published: November 2010

Phagocytic and pathogen sensing receptors are responsible for particle uptake and inflammation. It is unclear how these receptors' systems influence each other's function to shape an innate response. The class-A scavenger receptors SR-A (scavenger receptor A) and MARCO (macrophage receptor with collagenous structure) are 2 well-characterized phagocytic receptors that are unable to initiate inflammatory responses by themselves, yet are implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders. However, the mechanism for such an apparent discrepancy is still unclear. We utilized SR-A−/−, MARCO−/−, and SR-A−/−-MARCO−/− mice, along with microbe-derived, environmental, and synthetic polyanions to assess the inflammatory responses following combinatorial ligation of SR-A/MARCO and selected Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)–like receptors (NLRs) by their shared ligands. In addition to ligating SR-A and MARCO, these agonists also selectively activated the cell-surface sensor TLR4, endosomal TLR3, and the cytosolic NOD2 and NALP3 (NACHT domain–, leucine-rich repeat–, and pyrin domain–containing protein 3). We show that, following recognition of common ligands, SR-A and MARCO attenuate TLR4-mediated responses while enhancing responses by the intracellular TLR3, NOD2, and NALP3. We conclude that SR-A/MARCO-mediated rapid ligand internalization prevented sensing by surface TLRs while increasing ligand availability in intracellular compartments, thus allowing sensing and robust responses by intracellular sensors.
Pregnancy outcomes after maternal exposure to rituximab
Authors: Chakravarty Eliza F. , Murray Elaine R. , Kelman Ariella , Farmer Pamela
Published: November 2010

Rituximab is a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal B cell–depleting antibody indicated for certain hematologic malignancies and active rheumatoid arthritis with inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor antagonists. Despite counseling to avoid pregnancy, women may inadvertently become pregnant during or after rituximab treatment. Using the rituximab global drug safety database, we identified 231 pregnancies associated with maternal rituximab exposure. Maternal indications included lymphoma, autoimmune cytopenias, and other autoimmune diseases. Most cases were confounded by concomitant use of potentially teratogenic medications and severe underlying disease. Of 153 pregnancies with known outcomes, 90 resulted in live births. Twenty-two infants were born prematurely; with one neonatal death at 6 weeks. Eleven neonates had hematologic abnormalities; none had corresponding infections. Four neonatal infections were reported (fever, bronchiolitis, cytomegalovirus hepatitis, and chorioamnionitis). Two congenital malformations were identified: clubfoot in one twin, and cardiac malformation in a singleton birth. One maternal death from pre-existing autoimmune thrombocytopenia occurred. Although few congenital malformations or neonatal infections were seen among exposed neonates, women should continue to be counseled to avoid pregnancy for ≤ 12 months after rituximab exposure; however, inadvertent pregnancy does occasionally occur. Practitioners are encouraged to report complete information to regulatory authorities for all pregnancies with suspected or known exposure to rituximab.
Sampling the conformation of protein surface residues for flexible protein docking
Authors: Francis-Lyon Patricia , Gu Shengyin , Hass Joel , Amenta Nina , Koehl Patrice
Published: November 2010

Background

The problem of determining the physical conformation of a protein dimer, given the structures of the two interacting proteins in their unbound state, is a difficult one. The location of the docking interface is determined largely by geometric complementarity, but finding complementary geometry is complicated by the flexibility of the backbone and side-chains of both proteins. We seek to generate candidates for docking that approximate the bound state well, even in cases where there is backbone and/or side-chain difference from unbound to bound states.

Results

We divide the surfaces of each protein into local patches and describe the effect of side-chain flexibility on each patch by sampling the space of conformations of its side-chains. Likely positions of individual side-chains are given by a rotamer library; this library is used to derive a sample of possible mutual conformations within the patch. We enforce broad coverage of torsion space. We control the size of the sample by using energy criteria to eliminate unlikely configurations, and by clustering similar configurations, resulting in 50 candidates for a patch, a manageable number for docking.

Conclusions

Using a database of protein dimers for which the bound and unbound structures of the monomers are known, we show that from the unbound patch we are able to generate candidates for docking that approximate the bound structure. In patches where backbone change is small (within 1 Å RMSD of bound), we are able to account for flexibility and generate candidates that are good approximations of the bound state (82% are within 1 Å and 98% are within 1.4 Å RMSD of the bound conformation). We also find that even in cases of moderate backbone flexibility our candidates are able to capture some of the overall shape change. Overall, in 650 of 700 test patches we produce a candidate that is either within 1 Å RMSD of the bound conformation or is closer to the bound state than the unbound is.
The rapid generation of chimerical genes expanding protein diversity in zebrafish
Authors: Fu Beide , Chen Ming , Zou Ming , Long Manyuan , He Shunping
Published: November 2010

Background

Variation of gene number among species indicates that there is a general process of new gene origination. One of the major mechanism providing raw materials for the origin of new genes is gene duplication. Retroposition, as a special type of gene duplication- the RNA-based duplication, has been found to play an important role in new gene evolution in mammals and plants, but little is known about the process in the teleostei genome.

Results

Here we screened the zebrafish genome for identification of retrocopies and new chimerical retrogenes and investigated their origination and evolution. We identified 652 retrocopies, of which 440 are intact retrogenes and 212 are pseudogenes. Retrocopies have long been considered evolutionary dead ends without functional significance due to the presumption that retrocopies lack the regulatory element needed for expression. However, 437 transcribed retrocopies were identified from all of the retrocopies. This discovery combined with the substitution analysis suggested that the majority of all retrocopies are subject to negative selection, indicating that most of the retrocopies may be functional retrogenes. Moreover, we found that 95 chimerical retrogenes had recruited new sequences from neighboring genomic regions that formed de novo splice sites, thus generating new intron-containing chimeric genes. Based on our analysis of 38 pairs of orthologs between Cyprinus carpio and Danio rerio, we found that the synonymous substitution rate of zebrafish genes is 4.13×10-9 substitution per silent site per year. We also found 10 chimerical retrogenes that were created in the last 10 million years, which is 7.14 times the rate of 0.14 chimerical retrogenes per million years in the primate lineage toward human and 6.25 times the rate of 0.16 chimerical genes per million years in Drosophila. This is among the most rapid rates of generation of chimerical genes, just next to the rice.

Conclusion

There is compelling evidence that much of the extensive transcriptional activity of retrogenes does not represent transcriptional "noise" but indicates the functionality of these retrogenes. Our results indicate that retroposition created a large amount of new genes in the zebrafish genome, which has contributed significantly to the evolution of the fish genome.