bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
False Memory and the Associative Network of Happiness
Authors: Koo Minkyung , Oishi Shigehiro
Published: January 2009

This research examines the relationship between individuals' levels of life satisfaction and their associative networks of happiness. Study 1 measured European Americans' degree of false memory of happiness using the Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm. Scores on the Satisfaction With Life Scale predicted the likelihood of false memory of happiness but not of other lure words such as sleep . In Study 2, European American participants completed an association-judgment task in which they judged the extent to which happiness and each of 15 positive emotion terms were associated with each other. Consistent with Study 1's findings, chronically satisfied individuals exhibited stronger associations between happiness and other positive emotion terms than did unsatisfied individuals. However, Koreans and Asian Americans did not exhibit such a pattern regarding their chronic level of life satisfaction (Study 3). In combination, results suggest that there are important individual and cultural differences in the cognitive structure and associative network of happiness.
The Impact of Technology on High School Principals
Authors: Hines Christopher , Edmonson Stacey , Moore George W.
Published: January 2009

The purpose of this study was (a) to research the impact of electronic communication on the role of the principal and school leaders and (b) to investigate patterns of unanticipated consequences or phenomena that have developed within the organization along with the widespread use of electronic media. Twelve themes were identified and grouped into two main categories of the principal's role and computer-mediated communication.
Productive Strategies for Raising Student Achievement in Algebra
Authors: Flores Sergio , Roberts William
Published: January 2009

High school students continue to struggle in algebra, especially in large inner-city schools with underprivileged students. Students are not the only ones skirmishing with algebra. Teachers and school leaders are just as frustrated as they search for answers to complex teaching and learning problems. Two high school principals report the results of action research they gleaned from visitations to successful high schools similar to their own in demographics in order to raise proficiency levels in mathematics in their own schools. Among the results include the focused and empowered leadership of department chairs and specific instructional pedagogies that are fostered and shared among teachers and mathematics coaches.
Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Disorder in Relation to Walking in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Mendes de Leon Carlos F. , Cagney Kathleen A. , Bienias Julia L. , Barnes Lisa L. , Skarupski Kimberly A. , Scherr Paul A. , Evans Denis A.
Published: January 2009

Objectives: To examine the role of neighborhood social conditions and walking in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A multi-level analysis of data from 4,317 older adults (mean age = 74.5; 73% black) from a geographically-defined urban community. Participants completed structured interviews including 14 questions on neighborhood conditions and self-reported walking. The neighborhood questions were summarized into individual-level measures of perceived neighborhood social cohesion and disorder. These measures were aggregated by neighborhood to construct neighborhood-level measures of social cohesion and disorder. Results: Neighborhood-level disorder, but not social cohesion, was significantly associated with walking, independent individual-level neighborhood perceptions and other correlates of walking. Further adjustment for race weakened this association to a marginally significant level. Discussion: Neighborhood conditions may shape walking behavior in older adults, especially conditions that reflect physical neglect or social threat. Promotion of walking behavior in older adults may require improvement of the safety and upkeep of the neighborhood environment.
Palaeoecological and historical evidence for manuring and irrigation at Garðar (Igaliku), Norse Eastern Settlement, Greenland
Authors: Buckland Paul C. , Edwards Kevin J. , Panagiotakopulu Eva , Schofield J. Edward
Published: January 2009

Palaeoenvironmental data are presented from the site of Garðar (modern Igaliku), the location of the cathedral and the bishop's farm in the Norse Eastern Settlement of Greenland. The latter was founded from c. AD 985 and abandoned some time during the fifteenth century. Inspection of drainage ditches located in close proximity to the settlement ruins revealed inter alia an organic-rich unit containing cultural debris (worked wood, animal bone, stone and charcoal) dated by AMS radiocarbon dates on seeds to the period c. AD 1110—1370. Fossil insect and pollen assemblages contained within the deposit appear representative of natural environments (primarily wet eutrophic meadows) but are mixed with high frequencies of a range of synanthropic insects, including human and animal ectoparasites that could only derive from indoor habitats. This is strongly indicative of the manuring of fields with waste from houses and byres in order to increase yields of hay. Large amounts of hay would have been necessary to provide winter fodder for the bishop's herd of cattle — the largest known in Norse Greenland — and dung from these animals seems likely to have been a significant component of the material used to fertilize the fields. The process of spreading the manure at Garðar was probably integrated with the careful manipulation of water resources across the site, indicated by the presence of a network of irrigation channels and dams in the archaeological record, and comparisons are drawn with similar systems elsewhere in Mediaeval Europe.
Mechanisms of Holocene palaeoenvironmental change in the Antarctic Peninsula region
Authors: Bentley M.J. , Hodgson D.A. , Smith J.A. , Cofaigh C.Ó , Domack E.W. , Larter R.D. , Roberts S.J. , Brachfeld S. , Leventer A. , Hjort C. , Hillenbrand C-D. , Evans J.
Published: January 2009

The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the three fastest warming regions on Earth. Here we review Holocene proxy records of marine and terrestrial palaeoclimate in the region, and discuss possible forcing mechanisms underlying past change, with a specific focus on past warm periods. Our aim is to critically evaluate the mechanisms by which palaeoclimate changes might have occurred, in order to provide a longer-term context for assessing the drivers of recent warming. Two warm events are well recorded in the Holocene palaeoclimate record, namely the early Holocene warm period, and the `Mid Holocene Hypsithermal' (MHH), whereas there are fewer proxy data for the `Mediaeval Warm Period' (MWP) and the `Recent Rapid Regional' (RRR) warming. We show that the early Holocene warm period and MHH might be explained by relatively abrupt shifts in position of the Southern Westerlies, superimposed on slower solar insolation changes. A key finding of our synthesis is that the marine and terrestrial records in the AP appear to show markedly different behaviour during the MHH. This might be partly explained by contrasts in the seasonal insolation forcing between these records. Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) has been implicated in several of the prominent changes through the Holocene but there are still differences in interpretation of the proxy record that make its influence difficult to assess. Further work is required to investigate contrasts between marine and terrestrial proxy records, east—west contrasts in palaeoclimate, the history of CDW, to retrieve a long onshore high resolution record of the Holocene, and determine the role of sea ice in driving or modulating palaeoclimate change, along with further efforts to study the proxy record of the RRR and the MWP.
A robust, multisite Holocene history of drift ice off northern Iceland: implications for North Atlantic climate
Authors: Andrews John T. , Darby Dennis , Eberle Dennis , Jennings Anne E. , Moros Matthias , Ogilvie Astrid
Published: January 2009

An important indicator of Holocene climate change is provided by evidence for variations in the extent of drift ice. A proxy for drift ice in Iceland waters is provided by the presence of quartz. Quantitative x-ray diffraction analysis of the < 2 mm sediment fraction was undertaken on 16 cores from around Iceland. The quartz weight (wt.)% estimates from each core were integrated into 250-yr intervals between −0.05 and 11.7 cal. ka BP. Median quartz wt.% varied between 0.2 and 3.4 and maximum values ranged between 2.8 and 11.8 wt.%. High values were attained in the early Holocene and minimum values were reached 6—7 cal. ka BP. Quartz wt.% then rose steadily during the late Holocene. Our data exhibit no correlation with counts on haematite-stained quartz (HSQ) grains from VM129-191 west of Ireland casting doubt on the ice-transport origin. A pilot study on the provenance of Fe oxide grains in two cores that cover the last 1.3 and 6.1 cal. ka BP indicated a large fraction of the grains between 1 and 6 cal. ka BP were from either Icelandic or presently unsampled sources. However, there was a dramatic increase in Canadian and Russian sources from the Arctic Ocean ~1 cal. ka BP. These data may indicate the beginning of an Arctic Oscillation-like climate mode.
International Humanitarian Nursing Work
Authors: Zinsli Graham , Smythe Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2009

This article explores the experience of humanitarian disaster and emergency nursing, asking the question, “How is difference (and sameness) in being a nurse revealed when working in a disaster/relief context?” The articles discusses interviews with seven nurses, plus the primary researcher, who tell their stories of humanitarian nursing. Stark differences are revealed: extent of injuries, limits of treatment, and overwhelmingness of need. Alongside this is the huge difference of personal danger. Sameness shows itself in the human-to-human call and response to need that holds nurses in such work. Difference and sameness are not fixed; one readily becomes the other.
The Interplay of Concepts, Data, and Methods in the Development of the Family Management Style Framework
Authors: Knafl Kathleen , Deatrick Janet A. , Gallo Agatha M.
Published: January 2009

This article describes the process of development of the Family Management Style Framework. The FMSF is a conceptual representation of family response to a child's condition that takes into account the views of individual family members to conceptualize overall patterns of family response. The FMSF provides a more complete understanding of family life in the context of a child's chronic condition and directs researchers' and clinicians' efforts to assess family response, especially with regard to how condition management is incorporated into everyday family life. Framework development has included conceptual analyses of the literature, empirical studies of family management of childhood illness, and methodological work directed to treating the family as a unit of study and analysis. This article highlights how the interplay of conceptual, empirical, and methodological work advances knowledge development and presents lessons learned over the course of developing the FMSF.
Half Full or Half Empty
Authors: Crosno Jody L. , Rinaldo Shannon B. , Black Hulda G. , Kelley Scott W.
Published: January 2009

Previous research demonstrates the dysfunctional consequences of high levels of role stressors (role ambiguity and role conflict) in boundary-spanning positions. These consequences include higher levels of burnout and lower levels of satisfaction and performance. Although marketing researchers have investigated external mechanisms for coping with role stressors, research to date has not investigated the inherent capability of boundary spanners to cope with role stressors. This research examines optimism as an internal characteristic that facilitates coping with role stressors in boundary-spanning positions. The research findings reveal that optimists are able to anticipate and respond proactively to stressors, resulting in less burnout and higher levels of performance and satisfaction.
Decrease in consanguinity among parents of children born in Norway to women of Pakistani origin: A registry-based study
Authors: Grjibovski Andrej M. , Magnus Per , Stoltenberg Camilla
Published: January 2009

Aims: To describe the prevalence of consanguinity among Norwegian Pakistani parents in the period from 1995 to 2005. Methods: All first births to women of Pakistani origin in 1995—2005 (n = 1962) were identified by linking the Medical Birth Registry of Norway with information on country of origin and country of birth from Statistics Norway. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and prevalence differences were calculated by multiple binomial regression analyses with adjustment for maternal age and education. Women born in Pakistan who gave birth in Norway in 1995—97 formed the reference group. Results: The proportion of women who were consanguineously related to their co-parent decreased from 45.5% in 1995—97 to 27.3% in 2002—2005 among those who were born in Pakistan, and from 48.3% to 18.8% among women of Pakistani origin who were born in Norway. The proportion of women who were related to their co-parent as first cousin decreased from 37.7% to 24.7% among women born in Pakistan, and from 43.3% to 16.7% among women of Pakistani origin who were born in Norway. The proportion of births to women with an unrelated co-parent increased by 25% for women born in Pakistan (PR = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12—1.39), and by 53% for women of Pakistani origin born in Norway (PR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.35—1.74). Conclusions: In contrast to previous reports from the UK, our analysis suggests that there is a decrease in the proportion of consanguineously related parents of children born to women of Pakistani origin in Norway.
Why India Cannot Plan Its Cities: Informality, Insurgence and the Idiom of Urbanization
Authors: Roy Ananya
Published: January 2009

The fast-paced growth of the Indian economy and particularly its cities has produced an urban crisis, one that is marked by the lack of adequate infrastructure and growth management as well as by sharp social divisions that are starkly etched in a landscape of bourgeois enclaves and slums. In this context, there are numerous calls for a more decisive and vigorous type of planning that can `future-proof' Indian cities. Yet, such efforts are often unsuccessful and many are fiercely challenged by social movements and forms of insurgence. This article explains this urban crisis by analyzing the structure of urban informality in India. While informality is often seen to be synonymous with poverty, this article makes the case that India's planning regime is itself an informalized entity, one that is a state of deregulation, ambiguity, and exception. This idiom of urbanization makes possible new frontiers of development but also creates the territorial impossibility of governance, justice, and development.
Border-processes and homemaking: encounters with possums in suburban Australian homes
Authors: Power Emma R.
Published: January 2009

Ruptures in borders that materially and conceptually separate western homes from nature, nonhumans and the outside have been conceptualized as disrupting and destabilizing home, and provoking a sense of anxiety in homemakers. This paper argues that border ruptures can also contribute to feelings of homeyness at a number of scales. Everyday experiences of border-making and rupture at home are explored through the accounts of 24 residents of suburban Sydney who have lived with uninvited brushtail possums in the wall and ceiling cavities of their homes. Human residents primarily encountered possums through sound and smell-scapes that permeated homes' immediate physical borders. These events at times unsettled home's human residents, but also simultaneously contributed to residents' feelings of belonging within home, the urban environment and the nation. The paper particularly attends to the role of nonhuman agency in processes of border-making and rupture at home, focusing on the activity of brushtail possums as well as the role that less evidently active structures like walls and ceilings play in mediating human—possum interactions.
Living in an artwork: the extraordinary geographies of the Hundertwasser-Haus, 1 Vienna
Authors: Kraftl Peter
Published: January 2009

In light of current attention to the `everyday', this paper attends to the construction and negotiation of one particular building as an avowedly `extraordinary place'. The paper examines how unusual mixtures of diverse properties (such as `artwork' and `tourist attraction') at the Hundertwasser-Haus in Vienna are always actively and collectively operated such that the house produces and maintains its extraordinariness. Moreover, it forwards the contention that a crucial way in which the extraordinary can be produced is in the meshing of the spectacular with the mundane, everyday and practical, rather than in a separation of the former from the latter. The paper concludes by considering how the complexities of this case study might allow us to reflect upon the critical role of extraordinariness in apprehending the geographies that we take most for granted.
Telehealth-Based Exposure Therapy for Motor Vehicle Accident-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Hassija Christina M. , Gray Matt J.
Published: January 2009

Although empirically supported treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been available for some time, many treatment-seeking trauma survivors do not receive such services. This is especially true in remote and rural areas where access to specialists is the exception rather than the rule. Fortunately, advances in videoconferencing-based technologies are improving rural trauma survivors' access to remote specialty clinics, thereby allowing access to optimal treatments for PTSD. At present, however, little is known about feasibility, barriers, and efficacy of exposure therapy provided through distance technologies. The present case study attempts to partially address this void by providing an account of exposure therapy implemented via videoconferencing with a motor vehicle accident survivor.
Behavioral Activation of a Breast Cancer Patient With Coexistent Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Armento Maria E. A. , Hopko Derek R.
Published: January 2009

Recently developed behavioral activation interventions have shown promise in effectively treating depression through increasing value-based activity levels that elicit response-contingent reinforcement. This case study highlights the implementation of behavioral activation to a breast cancer patient with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, applied within the context of a medical center oncology clinic. Following an eight-session behavioral activation protocol, the patient demonstrated notable decreases in self-reported depressive and anxious symptoms and an overall increase in quality of life and medical functioning. These treatment gains were maintained through 6-month follow-up. Consistent with an accumulating literature, these data support behavioral activation as an effective and parsimonious intervention for individuals with depression and concurrent medical problems such as breast cancer.
Combined Heat, Air and Moisture (HAM) Transfer Model for Porous Building Materials
Authors: Dos Santos Gerson Henrique , Mendes Nathan
Published: January 2009

In the building science area, mathematical models are developed to provide better indoor thermal comfort with lower energy consumption. Although the fact moisture and air transfer can strongly affect the temperature distribution within constructions, whole-building simulation codes do not take into account the convective air transport in porous materials. In this way, this article presents a heat, air, and moisture (HAM) transfer model based on driving potentials of temperature, air pressure, and water vapor pressure gradients for consolidated porous material in both pendular and funicular states. The solution of the set of governing equations has been simultaneously obtained using the MTDMA (MultiTriDiagonal-Matrix Algorithm) for the three potentials. To conclude, results are presented showing the impact of convective terms on the HAM transfer through a two-layer porous building envelope.
Potential use of endothelial progenitor cells for regeneration of the vasculature
Authors: Yamahara Kenichi , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: January 2009

Over the past decade, interest has been generated in the study of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). EPCs have been studied for their role in endogenous maintenance and for their therapeutic potential in vascular regenerative medicine. Despite their obvious potential in clinical practice, there still remain many controversies regarding how EPCs actually enhance endothelial repair and neovascularization. In addition, because of the limited expansion ability of EPCs, expansion of sufficient EPC populations for therapeutic angiogenesis remains a major task. On the other hand, embryonic stem (ES) cells have an extended self-renewal activity and can be expanded without limit, thus ES-cell-derived endothelial cells could be feasible as a novel cell source for therapeutic angiogenesis. In this review, we discuss recent experimental and clinical findings of EPCs and human ES-cell-derived endothelial cells for the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular diseases.
Activin-A attenuates several human natural killer cell functions
Authors: Robson Neil C. , Wei Heng , McAlpine Tristan , Kirkpatrick Naomi , Cebon Jonathan , Maraskovsky Eugene
Published: January 2009

Dendritic-cell (DC) and natural killer (NK)–cell interactions are critical in sculpting the adaptive immune response. However, the mechanisms by which DCs down-regulate NK-cell functions are not well understood. NK-cell function is inhibited by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), but DCs do not appear to produce TGF-β. We have previously shown that activated human DCs produce large amounts of activin-A, a TGF-β superfamily member, which autoregulates DC function. The present report shows that NKcells express type I and II activin receptors and that activin-A triggers NK-cell Smad 2/3 signaling. Furthermore, activin-A directly regulates NK cell functions by (1) down-regulating the T-box transcription factor T-bet and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) but not perforin or granzyme mRNA; (2) suppressing NK-cell IFN-γ production as potently as TGF-β; and (3) suppressing NK-cell CD25 expression and proliferation and sculpting NK-cell cytokine and chemokine profiles. Interestingly, unlike TGF-β, activin-A weakly down-regulates the NK-cell natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) NKp30 and NKG2D but does not attenuate their cytotoxic function. These findings provide the first evidence for a novel immune regulatory role of activin-A during DC-mediated NK-cell regulation, highlighting the potential of antagonizing activin-A signaling in vivo to enhance NK cell–mediated immune functions and adaptive immunity.
Analytical approximations for the amplitude and period of a relaxation oscillator
Authors: Kut Carmen , Golkhou Vahid , Bader Joel S
Published: January 2009

Background

Analysis and design of complex systems benefit from mathematically tractable models, which are often derived by approximating a nonlinear system with an effective equivalent linear system. Biological oscillators with coupled positive and negative feedback loops, termed hysteresis or relaxation oscillators, are an important class of nonlinear systems and have been the subject of comprehensive computational studies. Analytical approximations have identified criteria for sustained oscillations, but have not linked the observed period and phase to compact formulas involving underlying molecular parameters.

Results

We present, to our knowledge, the first analytical expressions for the period and amplitude of a classic model for the animal circadian clock oscillator. These compact expressions are in good agreement with numerical solutions of corresponding continuous ODEs and for stochastic simulations executed at literature parameter values. The formulas are shown to be useful by permitting quick comparisons relative to a negative-feedback represillator oscillator for noise (10× less sensitive to protein decay rates), efficiency (2× more efficient), and dynamic range (30 to 60 decibel increase). The dynamic range is enhanced at its lower end by a new concentration scale defined by the crossing point of the activator and repressor, rather than from a steady-state expression level.

Conclusion

Analytical expressions for oscillator dynamics provide a physical understanding for the observations from numerical simulations and suggest additional properties not readily apparent or as yet unexplored. The methods described here may be applied to other nonlinear oscillator designs and biological circuits.
Reconstruction and logical modeling of glucose repression signaling pathways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Christensen Tobias S , Oliveira Ana Paula , Nielsen Jens
Published: January 2009

Background

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the presence of high levels of glucose leads to an array of down-regulatory effects known as glucose repression. This process is complex due to the presence of feedback loops and crosstalk between different pathways, complicating the use of intuitive approaches to analyze the system.

Results

We established a logical model of yeast glucose repression, formalized as a hypergraph. The model was constructed based on verified regulatory interactions and it includes 50 gene transcripts, 22 proteins, 5 metabolites and 118 hyperedges. We computed the logical steady states of all nodes in the network in order to simulate wildtype and deletion mutant responses to different sugar availabilities. Evaluation of the model predictive power was achieved by comparing changes in the logical state of gene nodes with transcriptome data. Overall, we observed 71% true predictions, and analyzed sources of errors and discrepancies for the remaining.

Conclusion

Though the binary nature of logical (Boolean) models entails inherent limitations, our model constitutes a primary tool for storing regulatory knowledge, searching for incoherencies in hypotheses and evaluating the effect of deleting regulatory elements involved in glucose repression.
A 70-year-old male having advanced prostate cancer presenting with hypercalcemia and diffuse osteoblastic bone metastases: a case report
Authors: Liao Wan-Hsiu , Lin Sheng-Hsiang , Wu Tsu-Tuan
Published: January 2009

Background

Bony metastases were occasionally the initial presentations of malignancy. Overlooking of bony changes on radiographs in cancer patients with non-specific clinical symptoms may lead to delayed diagnosis.

Case presentation

We presented a 70-year-old male having hypercalcemia and diffuse osteoblastic bone metastases on routine plain films. Finally, prostate cancer was diagnosed with a prostate needle biopsy.

Conclusion

Although the modern radionuclide bone scanning is useful in diagnosis, osteoblastic bone changes are occasionally seen in plain films, which are frequently overlooked. To avoid delayed diagnosis, bony structures should be carefully examined in all plain-film radiographs.
Designable DNA Functions toward New Nanobiotechnology
Authors: Sugimoto Naoki
Published: January 2009

DNA has many properties that cannot be attained with other molecules. The ability of DNA to form base pairing and its structural polymorphism allow the formation of distinct secondary and tertiary structures and may have further catalytic or aptamer function. It is also of great advantage that the base pairing of a short oligonucleotide sequence can be well predicted and designed with the thermodynamic parameters of Watson–Crick base pairs, mismatch pairs, and noncanonical base pairs based on the nearest-neighbor model. We have investigated the thermodynamics of various types of oligonucleotide structures, and obtained the nearest-neighbor parameters for Watson–Crick base pair formations and fundamental information regarding the nucleotide interactions. The data of the DNA interaction energy were also applied for molecular design of a DNA logic gate and DNA nanowire. I will further discuss the importance of quantitative data of DNA interaction energy toward the rational design of artificial DNAs carried out by our laboratory, such as base pair-mimic nucleosides and DNA containing bipyridine units, useful as nanobiodevices and nanobiomaterial.
Thermodynamics of the Bis(η6-t-butylphenyl)chromium Fulleride [Cr{η6-(t-BuPh)}2]•+C60•−
Authors: Ruchenin Vitaly A , Markin Alexey V , Smirnova Natalia N , Markin Gennady V , Shevelev Yurii A , Cherkasov Vladimir K , Kuropatov Vyatcheslav A , Ketkov Sergey Y , Lopatin Mikhail A , Domrachev Georgy A
Published: January 2009

In this work, the temperature dependence of heat capacity $C_{\text{p,m}}^{o}$ = f(T) of crystalline bis(η6-t-butylphenyl)chromium fulleride between T = 6 and 360 K was measured for the first time by precision adiabatic vacuum calorimetry. Also, for the first time, the temperature dependence of EPR signal parameters of bis(η6-t-butylphenyl)chromium fulleride in the range from 118 to 298 K was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance. In the interval 170–210 K the reversible endothermic transformation was detected and its thermodynamic characteristics were estimated. This transformation was caused by dedimerization of fullerene fragments during heating. Based on the experimental data, the standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) thermodynamic functions, namely, the heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs function of heating were calculated for dimeric fulleride in the interval from T → 0 to 170 K as well as for monomeric [Cr{η6-(t-BuPh)}2]•+C60•− complex between 210 and 360 K. The standard thermodynamic properties of tested fulleride and previously studied C60 fullerite and neutral dimer (C60)2 were compared.
Kinetic Study on the Interactions of Cyclodextrins with Organic Phosphates and Thiophosphates
Authors: Nagata Takuya , Yamamoto Kenta , Yoshikiyo Keisuke , Matsui Yoshihisa , Yamamoto Tatsuyuki
Published: January 2009

α-Cyclodextrin (α-CD) and 6-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-β-cyclodextrin (G1-β-CD) affected the rates of phenol release from a few dimethyl(nitrophenyl) phosphates and the corresponding thiophosphates in aqueous alkaline solutions. Curve-fitting analysis of changes in the rate constants with CD concentrations showed that both α-CD and G1-β-CD form not only 1:1 but also 2:1 (host:guest) complexes with the phosphates and thiophosphates. In 1:1 complexes, phenol release from the phosphates was mostly accelerated, and that from the thiophosphates was decelerated. In 2:1 complexes, the reactions both of the phosphates and thiophosphates were strongly retarded. Binding constants and rate constants determined showed significant host and substrate specificities.
Benzothiazole-2-thiolato-Bridged Heterometallic Complexes and Their I2-Doped Products: Preparation, Characterization, and Conducting Properties
Authors: Singh Nanhai , Prasad Akhilesh , Sinha Rohit K
Published: January 2009

A series of new heterometallic complexes of the type [MM′(bzta)4] [M = Co2+, Pd2+, or 2Cu+; M′ = Ni2+; M = Fe3+ or Co3+; M′ = Cu+; bzta− = benzothiazole-2-thiolate (C6H4NSCS−)] and their I2-doped products have been synthesized. These have been characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurement, IR and UV–visible spectroscopies, and solid-state electrical conductivity techniques. A significant observation is the ligand benzothiazole-2-thiolate mediated reduction of Cu2+ to Cu+ and subsequent oxidation of Co2+/Fe2+ to Co3+/Fe3+ in aqueous medium for some of the bimetallic complexes. Room-temperature solid-state electrical conductivities, σrt, ≈10−12 S m−1 and the increase in conductivity with increase in temperature in the 300–420 K range with activation energies, Ea = 0.20–0.68 eV show semiconducting properties of [CoNi(bzta)4], [NiPd(bzta)4], and [FeCu(bzta)4]. The σrt of I2-doped products of the complexes are increased 10–102 fold and show the behavior of semiconductors over the given temperature range.
Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids Composed of Perfluoroalkyltrifluoroborates for Ionic Liquid–Water Two-Phase Systems
Authors: Nishi Naoya , Suzuki Akihito , Kakiuchi Takashi
Published: January 2009

Ionic liquids (ILs) composed of perfluoroalkyltrifluoroborate ions (CnF2n+1BF3−, n = 2, 3, 4, and 6) and highly hydrophobic cations are found to have properties suitable to the applications of ILs in IL–water (W) two-phase systems because of their high stability against hydrolysis, high hydrophobicity, and low melting points. The rate of hydrolysis of CnF2n+1BF3− is four orders of magnitude slower than that of BF4−. The ion-transfer voltammograms for the transfer of CnF2n+1BF3− across the interface between nitrobenzene and W show that these CnF2n+1BF3− have hydrophobicity comparable to or higher than those of PF6− and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide depending on n. The physicochemical properties (density, viscosity, conductivity, and solubility of ILs in W) of CnF2n+1BF3−-based ILs are measured for the ILs having melting points lower than room temperature. The hydrophobicity of the CnF2n+1BF3− ions is well correlated with the solubility of the ILs in W and also with the width of the polarized potential window at the IL|W interface.
A review of telemedicine in China
Authors: Wang Zhelong , Gu Hong
Published: January 2009

Telemedicine in China began in the mid-1980s and the early Chinese telemedicine activities were mostly based on store-and-forward techniques as the telecommunication infrastructure required for realtime work was not available. In recent years, telemedicine in China has developed quickly with the rapid growth of telecommunication networks. China now has three major telemedicine networks: the Golden Health Network (GHN), the International MedioNet of China (IMNC) network and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) telemedicine network. Nonetheless, research and application of telemedicine is at a relatively early stage in China. We suggest that the Chinese government needs to make a policy in favour of rural people and invest more in telemedicine, so that they can enjoy low-cost telemedicine services and foster a large telemedicine market.
Outcomes of a home telehealth intervention for patients with heart failure
Authors: Wakefield Bonnie J , Holman John E , Ray Annette , Scherubel Melody , Burns Trudy L , Kienzle Michael G , Rosenthal Gary E
Published: January 2009

We evaluated the efficacy of two telehealth applications, delivered by telephone and videophone, for improving outcomes of patients following hospital discharge for an acute exacerbation of heart failure. The outcomes measured were patient self-efficacy, satisfaction with care and knowledge of and compliance with prescribed medications. At hospital discharge, patients were randomly assigned to either control (usual care), telephone or videophone groups. Study nurses contacted the intervention patients each week for 90 days after discharge. A total of 148 patients were enrolled: 49 were randomized to usual care, 52 to the videophone intervention and 47 to the telephone intervention. At 90 days, 126 patients (85%) had completed follow-up; at 180 days, 109 patients (74%) had completed follow-up. There were no significant differences between the groups in medication compliance, self-efficacy or satisfaction with care. The intervention group patients were more likely to have had their medications adjusted during the 90-day intervention period. Knowledge scores improved in the intervention group patients, although these scores were lower at enrolment compared to the control group. It is possible that routine monitoring of symptoms by the study nurses led to medication adjustments and accounted for the intervention patients' significantly delayed time to readmission relative to the control patients.
The VEGF IRESes are differentially susceptible to translation inhibition by miR-16
Authors: Karaa Zeïneb S. , Iacovoni Jason S. , Bastide Amandine , Lacazette Eric , Touriol Christian , Prats Hervé
Published: January 2009

Experiments with EMCV (Encephalomyocarditis virus) internal ribosome entry sites (IRESes) have shown that microRNAs (miRs) are unable to inhibit IRES driven translation. However, it is accepted that miRs can inhibit translation through multiple mechanisms, only some of which require interaction with the 5′ cap structure. In this report, we first validate the targeting of miR-16 to a predicted binding site in the VEGF 3′UTR. We developed a series of experiments to ascertain whether or not miR-16 can inhibit translation of transcripts driven by either of the VEGF IRESes. Our results indicate that cellular IRESes can be classified as both sensitive and insensitive to miR control. While VEGF IRES-A activity was not altered by miR-16 targeting to the 3′UTR, IRES-B was susceptible to miR-16 inhibition. Taken together with previous results that show that IRES-B selectively translates the CUG initiated VEGF-121 isoform, we can conclude that the existence of two differentially susceptible IRESes in the VEGF 5′UTR leads to even more complex regulatory control of VEGF isoform production. This study demonstrates for the first time the inhibition of cellular IRES driven translation by a miR.
Identification of 8-methyladenosine as the modification catalyzed by the radical SAM methyltransferase Cfr that confers antibiotic resistance in bacteria
Authors: Giessing Anders Michael Bernth , Jensen Søren Skov , Rasmussen Anette , Hansen Lykke Haastrup , Gondela Andrzej , Long Katherine , Vester Birte , Kirpekar Finn
Published: January 2009

The Cfr methyltransferase confers combined resistance to five different classes of antibiotics that bind to the peptidyl transferase center of bacterial ribosomes. The Cfr-mediated modification has previously been shown to occur on nucleotide A2503 of 23S rRNA and has a mass corresponding to an additional methyl group, but its specific identity and position remained to be elucidated. A novel tandem mass spectrometry approach has been developed to further characterize the Cfr-catalyzed modification. Comparison of nucleoside fragmentation patterns of A2503 from Escherichia coli cfr+ and cfr− strains with those of a chemically synthesized nucleoside standard shows that Cfr catalyzes formation of 8-methyladenosine. In addition, analysis of RNA derived from E. coli strains lacking the m2A2503 methyltransferase reveals that Cfr also has the ability to catalyze methylation at position 2 to form 2,8-dimethyladenosine. The mutation of single conserved cysteine residues in the radical SAM motif CxxxCxxC of Cfr abolishes its activity, lending support to the notion that the Cfr modification reaction occurs via a radical-based mechanism. Antibiotic susceptibility data confirm that the antibiotic resistance conferred by Cfr is provided by methylation at the 8 position and is independent of methylation at the 2 position of A2503. This investigation is, to our knowledge, the first instance where the 8-methyladenosine modification has been described in natural RNA molecules.
The nuclear poly(A) polymerase and Exosome cofactor Trf5 is recruited cotranscriptionally to nucleolar surveillance
Authors: Wery Maxime , Ruidant Sabine , Schillewaert Stéphanie , Leporé Nathalie , Lafontaine Denis L.J.
Published: January 2009

Terminal balls detected at the 5′-end of nascent ribosomal transcripts act as pre-rRNA processing complexes and are detected in all eukaryotes examined, resulting in illustrious Christmas tree images. Terminal balls (also known as SSU-processomes) compaction reflects the various stages of cotranscriptional ribosome assembly. Here, we have followed SSU-processome compaction in vivo by use of a chromatin immunoprecipitation (Ch-IP) approach and shown, in agreement with electron microscopy analysis of Christmas trees, that it progressively condenses to come in close proximity to the 5′-end of the 25S rRNA gene. The SSU-processome is comprised of independent autonomous building blocks that are loaded onto nascent pre-rRNAs and assemble into catalytically active pre-rRNA processing complexes in a stepwise and highly hierarchical process. Failure to assemble SSU-processome subcomplexes with proper kinetics triggers a nucleolar surveillance pathway that targets misassembled pre-rRNAs otherwise destined to mature into small subunit 18S rRNA for polyadenylation, preferentially by TRAMP5, and degradation by the 3′ to 5′ exoribonucleolytic activity of the Exosome. Trf5 colocalized with nascent pre-rRNPs, indicating that this nucleolar surveillance initiates cotranscriptionally.
Two Piwi proteins, Xiwi and Xili, are expressed in the Xenopus female germline
Authors: Wilczynska Anna , Minshall Nicola , Armisen Javier , Miska Eric A. , Standart Nancy
Published: January 2009

The Argonaute superfamily is a large family of RNA-binding proteins involved in gene regulation mediated by small noncoding RNA and characterized by the presence of PAZ and PIWI domains. The family consists of two branches, the Ago and the Piwi clade. Piwi proteins bind to 21–30-nucleotide-long Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), which map primarily to transposons and repeated sequence elements. Piwi/piRNAs are important regulators of gametogenesis and have been proposed to play roles in transposon silencing, DNA methylation, transcriptional silencing, and/or post-transcriptional control of translation and RNA stability. Most reports to date have concentrated on the Piwi family members in the male germline. We have identified four Piwi proteins in Xenopus and demonstrate that two, namely, Xiwi1b and Xili, are expressed in the oocyte and early embryo. Xiwi1 and Xili are predominantly found in small, separate complexes, and we do not detect significant interaction of Piwi proteins with the cap-binding complex. Putative nuclear localization and export signals were identified in Xiwi1 and Xili, supporting our observation that Xiwi1, but not Xili, is a nucleo-cytoplasmic protein. Furthermore, by immunoprecipitation of small RNAs, we establish Xiwi1 as a bona fide Piwi protein. These results suggest that the Piwi/piRNA pathway is active in translationally repressed oocytes. This is a significant finding as the Xenopus model provides an excellent tool to study post-transcriptional mechanisms.
Blast Counts in Bone Marrow Aspirate Smears
Authors: Vollmer Robin T.
Published: January 2009

Counts of cells or other phenomena observed through a microscope are numeric observations and, as such, are subject to mathematical and statistical analyses. For example, the Poisson probability function provides the probability of observing a particular number of blasts in a bone marrow aspirate, given an underlying true fraction of blasts present and a particular number of cells evaluated. Furthermore, using the Poisson function, Bayes theorem can provide the probabilities of specific categories of refractory anemia, given a number of observed blasts in a specific total of cells evaluated. Herein, I introduce and demonstrate these mathematical functions for the analysis of counts of blasts in marrow aspirates and explore the uncertainty that naturally arises when counts of blasts are near cut points used to separate the categories of refractory anemia without excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts, and acute leukemia.
Fetal testosterone and autistic traits: A response to three fascinating commentaries
Authors: Baron‐Cohen Simon , Auyeung Bonnie , Ashwin Emma , Knickmeyer Rebecca
Published: January 2009

This article is an author response to three previous commentaries on ‘Fetal testosterone and autistic traits’ (Auyeung et al., 2009).
Daily Organisational Hassles and Uplifts as Determinants of Psychological and Physical Health in a Sample of New Zealand Police
Authors: Stephens Christine , Pugmire Leith A.
Published: January 2009

This study investigated the role of minor daily events (organisational hassles and uplifts) as determinants of psychological distress and self-rated health in a sample of 326 New Zealand police officers. Hassles were associated with negative outcomes, and uplifts with positive health outcomes. Tests of relationships between hassles, uplifts and health showed that hassles were not positively correlated with uplifts and that the hassles and health relationship was not moderated by uplifts, however, the prediction that more hassles than uplifts would negatively affect health was supported. These results suggest that both decreasing hassles and increasing uplifts are promising approaches to organisational improvement of health. Some suggestions for the improvement of the police specific measure of hassles and uplifts are made for future exploration of the relationships between positive and negative experiences at work in regard to stress.
Young People's Knowledge of the UK Criminal Justice System and Their Human Rights
Authors: Barnes Karen , Wilson J. Clare
Published: January 2009

This study explored young people's attitudes towards, and knowledge of, the UK criminal justice system and their human rights. Knowledge and attitudes were measured using a 120-item questionnaire that was administered to 141 young offenders who were incarcerated for the first time (Offenders Inexperienced with Incarceration), young offenders who were incarcerated more than once (Offenders Experienced with Incarceration); and a Control group (of nonincarcerated young people). The results found that Offenders Experienced with Incarceration did not possess a greater knowledge of the criminal justice system, despite their increased experience. However, their attitude was significantly more negative than that of either the Offenders Inexperienced with Incarceration or the Control group. The Control group demonstrated a better understanding and a significantly more positive attitude towards their human rights than either of the offender groups. In conclusion, the current level of understanding and attitudes of young offenders about the criminal justice system and their human rights suggest that they may be limited in their capacity to make informed decisions regarding active participation.
Stress, Gender and Policing: The Impact of Perceived Gender Discrimination on Symptoms of Stress
Authors: Dowler Kenneth , Arai Bruce
Published: January 2009

Police work is inherently stressful. However, the traditionally male-dominated field of policing may create increased obstacles and stressors for female officers. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine gender differences in the perception of gender discrimination and in levels of stress. The results indicate that male and female officers have conflicting attitudes about the amount and nature of gender discrimination within police work. The findings further suggest that female officers experience higher levels of stress. In addition, the results indicate a weak relationship between perceptions of gender-related jokes and stress levels for females. Interestingly, male officers who report that females are held to a higher standard experience lower levels of stress. Nevertheless, the most important stressor for both males and females is the perception of job-related problems.
Automated blood cell differential: State of the art and eye to the future1
Authors: Nebe C. Thomas , Baurmann Herrad , Kuling Gudrun , Diem Heinz
Published: January 2009

Complete blood count including automated blood cell differential is one of the most frequent tests in the medical laboratory. How reliable is the method representing a diagnostic sieve in a stepwise diagnostic approach? Which pathologic conditions will be overlooked? Which body fluids can be investigated? What are the preanalytical requirements? When is a microscopic review required? Reimbursement has reached a level where a personal review of the diagram of cell clusters and of the blood film cannot be afforded. As the technology of blood cell analyzers has recently been described in this journal, this article focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of the automated blood cell differential. This allows judgment of the risks of a stepwise approach dependent on the medical discipline sending the sample.