bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Model for Evaluating the Activities of a Coalition-Based Policy Action Group
Authors: Hardy Lisa Jane , Wertheim Peter , Bohan Kyle , Quezada Julio Cesar , Henley Eric
Published: November 2012

Scholars and clinicians are increasingly recognizing the complexity of social contexts of health and the need for multifunctioning approaches to health care problems including community- and policy-level strategies. Barriers to change in health care policy can sometimes be attributed to the actions of advocacy coalitions who operate from a limited view of “policy change.” Advocates have a tendency to pressure stakeholders to mandate laws as a final resolution of a movement, often leading to failure or, worse, stigmatizing of issues. A more inclusive focus on health policy change as an ongoing process increases the efficacy of advocacy and outcomes measurement. This article presents a tool for policy action that coalition members developed through the implementation of a 3-year grant to improve the safety net for preventing childhood obesity. Scholars and policy makers developed the Policy Coalition Evaluation Tool with the intent to create a model to guide and measure efforts and outcomes of a local community-based policy coalition. The authors suggest using community-based participatory research approaches for developing a coalition-specific Policy Coalition Evaluation Tool to increase the effectiveness of advocacy groups and the documentation of coalition activities over time.
Intergenerational Photovoice Projects
Authors: Garcia Carolyn M. , Aguilera-Guzman Rosa Maria , Lindgren Sandi , Gutierrez Rodolfo , Raniolo Blanca , Genis Therese , Vazquez-Benitez Gabriela , Clausen Lisa
Published: November 2012

Intergenerational photovoice groups are promising for promoting health through the topic that is explored and through group dynamics that can foster healthy relationships and communication. To investigate the potential benefits of intergenerational photovoice projects, photovoice groups were conducted in urban Minnesota, United States, and in rural Morelos, Mexico, between 2009 and 2012 with Mexican-origin adults and their adolescent relatives. Seven photovoice groups of adult–adolescent dyads met for eight sessions and developed exhibits highlighting their views on health and migration and made policy recommendations, using messages conveyed through their words and photographs. Informal process evaluation and focus groups were used to elicit feedback about photovoice project participation. Photovoice project themes were descriptively analyzed. Focus group evaluation data were thematically summarized, and facilitator reflections were descriptively summarized to identify factors associated with intergenerational photovoice groups. Seventy-five participants were recruited. Photovoice themes represented effects of migration on health, family, and well-being. The following two evaluative themes were identified: (a) participant sentiments about the benefits of photovoice participation and (b) facilitator observations of intergenerational photovoice group benefits and challenges. Participants described opportunities to learn new things and barriers to healthy relationships that the project was eliminating by providing them with time to work together. Used in health promotion, photovoice is a valuable tool that contributes to understanding the complex underlying factors influencing behaviors and health.
Improving Recall in a Person With Dementia
Authors: Fiksdal Britta L. , Houlihan Daniel , Buchanan Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2012

Because it is often perceived that individuals with dementia cannot relearn information that has been forgotten, few nonpharmacological memory-enhancing interventions have been developed for this population. The current study involved the investigation of a novel memory-enhancement procedure called memory priming (MP) with a 95-year-old individual with dementia. MP is based on the assumption that an individual’s ability to learn is enhanced when learning trials are preceded by an activity that is enjoyable and can be done successfully. MP required the individual to engage in a 5-min preferred conversation followed by the presentation of target questions every 2 min. A memory-enhancement procedure known as spaced retrieval was then used to maintain the information learned through MP. Results provide initial evidence for the utility of MP followed by spaced retrieval for enhancing the recall and retention of meaningful information. MP may provide a simple means for helping individuals with dementia relearn forgotten information.
A Case Series
Authors: Fernandez Shantel , DeMarni Cromer Lisa , Borntrager Cameo , Swopes Rachael , Hanson Rochelle F. , Davis Joanne L.
Published: November 2012

Two case studies are presented to demonstrate that children who experience trauma-related nightmares may benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy for this sleep problem. The treatment was adapted from the empirically supported adult treatment for chronic trauma-related nightmares: exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy (ERRT). Pretreatment and posttreatment nightmare frequency and severity were measured in addition to subjective nightmare-related distress, behavioral problems, sleep quality and quantity, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Improvement in nightmare and sleep disturbance frequencies were found as well as reductions in parents’ reports of child behavior problems. This study provides preliminary support for the use of ERRT with children.
The Psychology of Replication and Replication in Psychology
Authors: Francis Gregory
Published: November 2012

Like other scientists, psychologists believe experimental replication to be the final arbiter for determining the validity of an empirical finding. Reports in psychology journals often attempt to prove the validity of a hypothesis or theory with multiple experiments that replicate a finding. Unfortunately, these efforts are sometimes misguided because in a field like experimental psychology, ever more successful replication does not necessarily ensure the validity of an empirical finding. When psychological experiments are analyzed with statistics, the rules of probability dictate that random samples should sometimes be selected that do not reject the null hypothesis, even if an effect is real. As a result, it is possible for a set of experiments to have too many successful replications. When there are too many successful replications for a given set of experiments, a skeptical scientist should be suspicious that null or negative findings have been suppressed, the experiments were run improperly, or the experiments were analyzed improperly. This article describes the implications of this observation and demonstrates how to test for too much successful replication by using a set of experiments from a recent research paper.
Teaching Replication
Authors: Frank Michael C. , Saxe Rebecca
Published: November 2012

Replication is held as the gold standard for ensuring the reliability of published scientific literature. But conducting direct replications is expensive, time-consuming, and unrewarded under current publication practices. So who will do them? The authors argue that students in laboratory classes should replicate recent findings as part of their training in experimental methods. In their own courses, the authors have found that replicating cutting-edge results is exciting and fun; it gives students the opportunity to make real scientific contributions (provided supervision is appropriate); and it provides object lessons about the scientific process, the importance of reporting standards, and the value of openness.
Scientific Misconduct and the Myth of Self-Correction in Science
Authors: Stroebe Wolfgang , Postmes Tom , Spears Russell
Published: November 2012

The recent Stapel fraud case came as a shattering blow to the scientific community of psychologists and damaged both their image in the media and their collective self-esteem. The field responded with suggestions of how fraud could be prevented. However, the Stapel fraud is only one among many cases. Before basing recommendations on one case, it would be informative to study other cases to assess how these frauds were discovered. The authors analyze a convenience sample of fraud cases to see whether (social) psychology is more susceptible to fraud than other disciplines. They also evaluate whether the peer review process and replications work well in practice to detect fraud. There is no evidence that psychology is more vulnerable to fraud than the biomedical sciences, and most frauds are detected through information from whistleblowers with inside information. On the basis of this analysis, the authors suggest a number of strategies that might reduce the risk of scientific fraud.
Replications in Psychology Research
Authors: Makel Matthew C. , Plucker Jonathan A. , Hegarty Boyd
Published: November 2012

Recent controversies in psychology have spurred conversations about the nature and quality of psychological research. One topic receiving substantial attention is the role of replication in psychological science. Using the complete publication history of the 100 psychology journals with the highest 5-year impact factors, the current article provides an overview of replications in psychological research since 1900. This investigation revealed that roughly 1.6% of all psychology publications used the term replication in text. A more thorough analysis of 500 randomly selected articles revealed that only 68% of articles using the term replication were actual replications, resulting in an overall replication rate of 1.07%. Contrary to previous findings in other fields, this study found that the majority of replications in psychology journals reported similar findings to their original studies (i.e., they were successful replications). However, replications were significantly less likely to be successful when there was no overlap in authorship between the original and replicating articles. Moreover, despite numerous systemic biases, the rate at which replications are being published has increased in recent decades.
Rewarding Replications
Authors: Koole Sander L. , Lakens Daniël
Published: November 2012

Although replications are vital to scientific progress, psychologists rarely engage in systematic replication efforts. In this article, we consider psychologists’ narrative approach to scientific publications as an underlying reason for this neglect and propose an incentive structure for replications within psychology. First, researchers need accessible outlets for publishing replications. To accomplish this, psychology journals could publish replication reports in files that are electronically linked to reports of the original research. Second, replications should get cited. This can be achieved by cociting replications along with original research reports. Third, replications should become a valued collaborative effort. This can be realized by incorporating replications in teaching programs and by stimulating adversarial collaborations. The proposed incentive structure for replications can be developed in a relatively simple and cost-effective manner. By promoting replications, this incentive structure may greatly enhance the dependability of psychology’s knowledge base.
You Could Have Just Asked
Authors: Galak Jeff , Meyvis Tom
Published: November 2012

In an earlier article (Galak & Meyvis, 2011), we reported eight studies that demonstrate people’s tendency to remember unpleasant experiences as more aversive when they think they will experience them again. Based on a test that, ironically, suffers from publication bias, Francis (2012) estimated that there is a high probability that we obtained at least one unsuccessful study that was left in the file drawer. He then argues that, because of this, our findings should be discounted. We propose that, instead of engaging in a statistical fishing expedition, Francis should have simply asked us for our file drawer. If he had done so, he would have quickly realized that a meta-analysis of all our studies (both published and unpublished) shows that the effect we reported is highly reliable. We suggest that when the answer is out there, it makes more sense to ask for it than to estimate it.
Is the Replicability Crisis Overblown? Three Arguments Examined
Authors: Pashler Harold , Harris Christine R.
Published: November 2012

We discuss three arguments voiced by scientists who view the current outpouring of concern about replicability as overblown. The first idea is that the adoption of a low alpha level (e.g., 5%) puts reasonable bounds on the rate at which errors can enter the published literature, making false-positive effects rare enough to be considered a minor issue. This, we point out, rests on statistical misunderstanding: The alpha level imposes no limit on the rate at which errors may arise in the literature (Ioannidis, 2005b). Second, some argue that whereas direct replication attempts are uncommon, conceptual replication attempts are common—providing an even better test of the validity of a phenomenon. We contend that performing conceptual rather than direct replication attempts interacts insidiously with publication bias, opening the door to literatures that appear to confirm the reality of phenomena that in fact do not exist. Finally, we discuss the argument that errors will eventually be pruned out of the literature if the field would just show a bit of patience. We contend that there are no plausible concrete scenarios to back up such forecasts and that what is needed is not patience, but rather systematic reforms in scientific practice.
Low Hopes, High Expectations
Authors: Klein Olivier , Doyen Stéphane , Leys Christophe , Magalhães de Saldanha da Gama Pedro A. , Miller Sarah , Questienne Laurence , Cleeremans Axel
Published: November 2012

This article revisits two classical issues in experimental methodology: experimenter bias and demand characteristics. We report a content analysis of the method section of experiments reported in two psychology journals ( Psychological Science and the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology), focusing on aspects of the procedure associated with these two phenomena, such as mention of the presence of the experimenter, suspicion probing, and handling of deception. We note that such information is very often absent, which prevents observers from gauging the extent to which such factors influence the results. We consider the reasons that may explain this omission, including the automatization of psychology experiments, the evolution of research topics, and, most important, a view of research participants as passive receptacles of stimuli. Using a situated social cognition perspective, we emphasize the importance of integrating the social context of experiments in the explanation of psychological phenomena. We illustrate this argument via a controversy on stereotype-based behavioral priming effects.
Renal denervation for treatment-resistant hypertension
Authors: Mafeld Sebastian , Vasdev Nikhil , Haslam Philip
Published: November 2012

Hypertension is a major public health concern that is increasing in prevalence. Lifestyle and pharmacological management are not always sufficient to control blood pressure and treatment-resistant hypertension is a recognized clinical challenge. Renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) represents a new frontier in the treatment of resistant hypertension. Results from the Symplicity HTN-1 and HTN-2 trials have demonstrated evidence that suggests RSD can safely reduce blood pressure in patients with this condition. More research is needed to verify these data, clarify unanswered questions and assess future applications of RSD. This review provides a detailed overview on the history of hypertension, treatment-resistant hypertension, the rationale behind RSD, current evidence and potential future applications of RSD. An overview of current and upcoming RSD devices is also included.
‘Forsaken and Abandoned’: The Nationalization and Salvage of Deserted, Displaced, and Private Library Collections in Poland, 1945–1948
Authors: Sroka Marek
Published: November 2012

The Second World War and subsequent changes to state boundaries resulted in significant dispersal and displacement of cultural property, including library collections, located in pre-war Poland and Germany. The former Polish eastern provinces became part of the Soviet Union, and the former German eastern and northern territories were incorporated into Poland and the Soviet Union. The immediate post-war activities of the Communist-dominated government in Poland focused on the establishment of Polish administration and nationalization of German property in the annexed territories as well as the development of safekeeping measures for abandoned and dispersed library collections within new Polish borders. The government actions also included the nationalization of the property of Polish landowners and aristocrats. This article examines the legal basis for the nationalization of so-called forsaken and abandoned property as well as the property of Polish landowners, and the organizational structure for salvaging cultural objects in a broader context of the nationalization of private property and war reparations.
Librarians as Authors, Editors, and Self-Publishers: The Information Culture of the Kentucky Pack Horse Library Scrapbooks (1936–1943)
Authors: Vance Jason
Published: November 2012

The Kentucky Pack Horse Libraries project was a government-funded Works Progress Administration programme that paid librarians, mostly women, to deliver reading material on the backs of horses and mules to rural Appalachian mountaineers in eastern Kentucky from 1936 to 1943. As part of their work, the librarians would create original scrapbooks for their collections using fragments of discarded books, magazines, reader-contributed stories and drawings, and other printed ephemera. In creating these scrapbooks, librarians expanded their traditional roles as collectors and distributors of information by becoming authors, editors, self-publishers, and archivists of local memory and culture. This study examines a representative collection of these scrapbooks and discusses the librarians’ roles in their creation and distribution.
The Yak genome database: an integrative database for studying yak biology and high-altitude adaption
Authors: Hu Quanjun , Ma Tao , Wang Kun , Xu Ting , Liu Jianquan , Qiu Qiang
Published: November 2012

Background

The yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired bovine that lives at high altitudes and is an important source of milk, meat, fiber and fuel. The recent sequencing, assembly and annotation of its genome are expected to further our understanding of the means by which it has adapted to life at high altitudes and its ecologically important traits.

Description

The Yak Genome Database (YGD) is an internet-based resource that provides access to genomic sequence data and predicted functional information concerning the genes and proteins of Bos grunniens. The curated data stored in the YGD includes genome sequences, predicted genes and associated annotations, non-coding RNA sequences, transposable elements, single nucleotide variants, and three-way whole-genome alignments between human, cattle and yak. YGD offers useful searching and data mining tools, including the ability to search for genes by name or using function keywords as well as GBrowse genome browsers and/or BLAST servers, which can be used to visualize genome regions and identify similar sequences. Sequence data from the YGD can also be downloaded to perform local searches.

Conclusions

A new yak genome database (YGD) has been developed to facilitate studies on high-altitude adaption and bovine genomics. The database will be continuously updated to incorporate new information such as transcriptome data and population resequencing data. The YGD can be accessed at http://me.lzu.edu.cn/yak.
Purification and characterization of a surfactin-like molecule produced by Bacillus sp. H2O-1 and its antagonistic effect against sulfate reducing bacteria
Authors: Korenblum Elisa , de Araujo Livia Vieira , Guimarães Carolina Reis , de Souza Lauro M , Sassaki Guilherme , Abreu Fernanda , Nitschke Márcia , Lins Ulysses , Freire Denise Maria Guimarães , Barreto-Bergter Eliana , Seldin Lucy
Published: November 2012

Background

Bacillus sp. H2O-1, isolated from the connate water of a Brazilian reservoir, produces an antimicrobial substance (denoted as AMS H2O-1) that is active against sulfate reducing bacteria, which are the major bacterial group responsible for biogenic souring and biocorrosion in petroleum reservoirs. Thus, the use of AMS H2O-1 for sulfate reducing bacteria control in the petroleum industry is a promising alternative to chemical biocides. However, prior to the large-scale production of AMS H2O-1 for industrial applications, its chemical structure must be elucidated. This study also analyzed the changes in the wetting properties of different surfaces conditioned with AMS H2O-1 and demonstrated the effect of AMS H2O-1 on sulfate reducing bacteria cells.

Results

A lipopeptide mixture from AMS H2O-1 was partially purified on a silica gel column and identified via mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). It comprises four major components that range in size from 1007 to 1049 Da. The lipid moiety contains linear and branched β-hydroxy fatty acids that range in length from C13 to C16. The peptide moiety contains seven amino acids identified as Glu-Leu-Leu-Val-Asp-Leu-Leu.

Transmission electron microscopy revealed cell membrane alteration of sulfate reducing bacteria after AMS H2O-1 treatment at the minimum inhibitory concentration (5 μg/ml). Cytoplasmic electron dense inclusions were observed in treated cells but not in untreated cells. AMS H2O-1 enhanced the osmosis of sulfate reducing bacteria cells and caused the leakage of the intracellular contents. In addition, contact angle measurements indicated that different surfaces conditioned by AMS H2O-1 were less hydrophobic and more electron-donor than untreated surfaces.

Conclusion

AMS H2O-1 is a mixture of four surfactin-like homologues, and its biocidal activity and surfactant properties suggest that this compound may be a good candidate for sulfate reducing bacteria control. Thus, it is a potential alternative to the chemical biocides or surface coating agents currently used to prevent SRB growth in petroleum industries.
Low prevalence of connexin-40 gene variants in atrial tissues and blood from atrial fibrillation subjects
Authors: Tchou Gregory D , Wirka Robert C , Van Wagoner David R , Barnard John , Chung Mina K , Smith Jonathan D
Published: November 2012

Background

The atrial gap junction protein connexin-40 (Cx40) has been implicated to play an important role in atrial conduction and development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the frequency of Cx40 mutations in AF populations and their impact on Cx40 expression remains unclear. In this study, we sought to identify polymorphisms in the Cx40 gene GJA5, investigate the potential functional role of these polymorphisms, and determine their allelic frequencies. The prevalence of nonsynonymous Cx40 mutations in blood and atrial tissue was also compared to mutation frequencies reported in prior studies.

Methods

We conducted direct sequencing of the GJA5 coding and 3′ UTR regions in blood samples from 91 lone AF subjects and 67 atrial tissue-derived samples from a lone cohort, a mixed AF cohort, and several transplant donors. Reporter gene transfection and tissue allelic expression imbalance assays were used to assess the effects of a common insertion/deletion polymorphism on Cx40 mRNA stability and expression.

Results

We identified one novel synonymous SNP in blood-derived DNA from a lone AF subject. In atrial tissue-derived DNA from lone and mixed AF subjects, we observed one novel nonsynonymous SNP, one rare previously reported synonymous SNP, and one novel 3′ UTR SNP. A previously noted 25 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism in the 3′ UTR was found to be common (minor allele frequency = 0.45) but had no effect on Cx40 mRNA stability and expression. The observed prevalence of nonsynonymous Cx40 mutations in atrial tissues derived from lone AF subjects differed significantly (p = 0.03) from a prior atrial tissue study reporting a high mutation frequency in a group of highly selected young lone AF subjects.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that Cx40 coding SNPs are uncommon in AF populations, although rare mutations in this gene may certainly lead to AF pathogenesis. Furthermore, a common insertion/deletion polymorphism in the Cx40 3′ UTR does not appear to play a role in modulating Cx40 mRNA levels.
A longitudinal assessment of alcohol intake and incident depression: the SUN project
Authors: Gea Alfredo , Martinez-Gonzalez Miguel A , Toledo Estefania , Sanchez-Villegas Almudena , Bes-Rastrollo Maira , Nuñez-Cordoba Jorge M , Sayon-Orea Carmen , Beunza Juan J
Published: November 2012

Background

Longitudinal studies assessing the long-term association between alcohol intake and depression are scarce. The type of beverage may also be important. Therefore we aimed to prospectively evaluate the influence of alcohol intake on incident depression in a Mediterranean cohort.

Methods

We assessed 13,619 university graduates (mean age: 38 years, 42% men) participating in a Spanish prospective epidemiological cohort (the SUN Project), initially free of depression. They were recruited between 1999–2008 and biennially followed-up during 2001–2010. At baseline, a 136-item validated food–frequency questionnaire was used to assess alcohol intake. Wine was the preferred beverage. Participants were classified as incident cases of depression if they reported a new clinical diagnosis of depression by a physician and/or initiated the use of antidepressant drugs. Cox regression and restricted cubic splines analyses were performed over 82,926 person-years.

Results

Only among women, an U-shaped relationship between total alcohol intake and depression risk was found (P=0.01). Moderate alcohol intake (5–15 g/day) was associated with lower risk (Hazard Ratio: 0.62; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.43-0.89). No association was apparent for higher intakes of alcohol or for any specific type of alcoholic beverage.

Conclusions

Moderate alcohol intake might protect against depression among women. Further confirmatory studies are needed.
InGaN/GaN multilayer quantum dots yellow-green light-emitting diode with optimized GaN barriers
Authors: Lv Wenbin , Wang Lai , Wang Jiaxing , Hao Zhibiao , Luo Yi
Published: November 2012

InGaN/GaN multilayer quantum dot (QD) structure is a potential type of active regions for yellow-green light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The surface morphologies and crystalline quality of GaN barriers are critical to the uniformity of InGaN QD layers. While GaN barriers were grown in multi-QD layers, we used improved growth parameters by increasing the growth temperature and switching the carrier gas from N2 to H2 in the metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. As a result, a 10-layer InGaN/GaN QD LED is demonstrated successfully. The transmission electron microscopy image shows the uniform multilayer InGaN QDs clearly. As the injection current increases from 5 to 50 mA, the electroluminescence peak wavelength shifts from 574 to 537 nm.
A simplified approach to true molar intrusion
Authors: Flieger Stefanie , Ziebura Thomas , Kleinheinz Johannes , Wiechmann Dirk
Published: November 2012

Background

Orthodontic management of anterior open bites is a demanding task for orthodontists. Molar intrusion as a primary means of open bite correction entails the need for appropriate anchorage. Orthodontic mini implants can provide the required mechanical support. The suggested procedure aims to reduce the risk of complications such as root damage or soft tissue irritations while minimizing overall complexity.

Methods

Three female patients aged 14, 18 and 19 years who decided against a surgical correction were treated with a device consisting of mini implants in the palatal slope, a palatal bar and intrusion cantilevers.

Results

In all three patients, an open bite reduction of more than a millimeter occurred within four months. An anterior overbite of 2 mm or more could be established within 6 to 9 months.

Conclusions

The method presented in this article enables the practitioner to use mini implants in an easily accessible insertion site. A lab-side procedure is optional but not required.
Low MRSA prevalence in horses at farm level
Authors: Van den Eede Annelies , Martens Ann , Feryn Isabelle , Vanderhaeghen Wannes , Lipinska Urszula , Gasthuys Frank , Butaye Patrick , Haesebrouck Freddy , Hermans Katleen
Published: November 2012

Background

In Europe, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) belonging to the clonal complex (CC) 398 has become an important pathogen in horses, circulating in equine clinics and causing both colonization and infection. Whether equine MRSA is bound to hospitals or can also circulate in the general horse population is currently unknown. This study, therefore, reports the nasal and perianal MRSA screening of 189 horses on 10 farms in a suspected high prevalence region (East- and West-Flanders, Belgium).

Results

Only one horse (0.53%) from one farm (10%) tested positive in the nose. It carried a spa type t011-SCCmecV isolate, resistant to β-lactams and tetracycline, which is typical for livestock-associated MRSA CC398.

Conclusion

In the region tested here, horses on horse farms seem unlikely to substantially contribute to the large animal associated ST398 MRSA reservoir present at intensive animal production units.
AICAR inhibits ceramide biosynthesis in skeletal muscle
Authors: Erickson Katherine A , Smith Melissa E , Anthonymuthu Tamil S , Evanson Michael J , Brassfield Eric S , Hodson Aimee E , Bressler M Andrew , Tucker Braden J , Thatcher Mikayla O , Prince John T , Hancock Chad R , Bikman Benjamin T
Published: November 2012

Background

The worldwide prevalence of obesity has lead to increased efforts to find therapies to treat obesity-related pathologies. Ceramide is a well-established mediator of several health problems that arise from adipose tissue expansion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether AICAR, an AMPK-activating drug, selectively reduces skeletal muscle ceramide synthesis.

Methods

Murine myotubes and rats were challenged with palmitate and high-fat diet, respectively, to induce ceramide accrual, in the absence or presence of AICAR. Transcript levels of the rate-limiting enzyme in ceramide biosynthesis, serine palmitoyltransferase 2 (SPT2) were measured, in addition to lipid analysis. Student’st-test and ANOVA were used to assess the association between outcomes and groups.

Results

Palmitate alone induced an increase in serine palmitoyltransferase 2 (SPT2) expression and an elevation of ceramide levels in myotubes. Co-incubation with palmitate and AICAR prevented both effects. However, ceramide and SPT2 increased with the addition of compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. In rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD), soleus SPT2 expression increased compared with normal chow-fed littermates. Moreover, rats on HFD that received daily AICAR injections had lower SPT2 levels and reduced muscle ceramide content compared with those on HFD only.

Conclusions

These results suggest that AICAR reduces ceramide synthesis by targeting SPT2 transcription, likely via AMPK activation as AMPK inhibition prevented the AICAR-induced improvements. Given the role of skeletal muscle ceramide in insulin resistance, it is tempting to speculate that interventions that activate AMPK may lead to long-term ceramide reduction and improved metabolic function.
LTRsift: a graphical user interface for semi-automatic classification and postprocessing of de novo detected LTR retrotransposons
Authors: Steinbiss Sascha , Kastens Sascha , Kurtz Stefan
Published: November 2012

Background

Long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are a class of eukaryotic mobile elements characterized by a distinctive sequence similarity-based structure. Hence they are well suited for computational identification. Current software allows for a comprehensive genome-wide de novo detection of such elements. The obvious next step is the classification of newly detected candidates resulting in (super-)families. Such a de novo classification approach based on sequence-based clustering of transposon features has been proposed before, resulting in a preliminary assignment of candidates to families as a basis for subsequent manual refinement. However, such a classification workflow is typically split across a heterogeneous set of glue scripts and generic software (for example, spreadsheets), making it tedious for a human expert to inspect, curate and export the putative families produced by the workflow.

Results

We have developed LTRsift, an interactive graphical software tool for semi-automatic postprocessing of de novo predicted LTR retrotransposon annotations. Its user-friendly interface offers customizable filtering and classification functionality, displaying the putative candidate groups, their members and their internal structure in a hierarchical fashion. To ease manual work, it also supports graphical user interface-driven reassignment, splitting and further annotation of candidates. Export of grouped candidate sets in standard formats is possible. In two case studies, we demonstrate how LTRsift can be employed in the context of a genome-wide LTR retrotransposon survey effort.

Conclusions

LTRsift is a useful and convenient tool for semi-automated classification of newly detected LTR retrotransposons based on their internal features. Its efficient implementation allows for convenient and seamless filtering and classification in an integrated environment. Developed for life scientists, it is helpful in postprocessing and refining the output of software for predicting LTR retrotransposons up to the stage of preparing full-length reference sequence libraries. The LTRsift software is freely available athttp://www.zbh.uni-hamburg.de/LTRsift under an open-source license.
Regulation of directional cell migration by membrane-induced actin bundling
Authors: George Sudeep P. , Chen Hongfeng , Conrad Jacinta C. , Khurana Seema
Published: November 2012

During embryonic development and in metastatic cancers, cells detach from the epithelium and migrate with persistent directionality. Directional cell migration is also crucial for the regeneration and maintenance of the epithelium and impaired directional migration is linked to chronic inflammatory diseases. Despite its significance, the mechanisms controlling epithelial cell migration remain poorly understood. Villin is an epithelial-cell-specific actin modifying protein that regulates epithelial cell plasticity and motility. In motile cells villin is associated with the highly branched and the unbranched actin filaments of lamellipodia and filopodia, respectively. In this study we demonstrate for the first time that villin regulates directionally persistent epithelial cell migration. Functional characterization of wild-type and mutant villin proteins revealed that the ability of villin to self-associate and bundle actin as well as its direct interaction with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] regulates villin-induced filopodial assembly and directional cell migration. Our findings suggest that convergence of different signaling cascades could spatially restrict villin activity to areas of high PtdIns(4,5)P2 and F-actin concentration to assemble filopodia. Furthermore, our data reveal the ability of villin to undergo actin- and PtdIns(4,5)P2-induced self-association, which may be particularly suited to coalesce and reorganize actin bundles within the filopodia.
Perspectives on the enablers of e-heath adoption: an international interview study of leading practitioners
Authors: Moxham Claire , Chambers Naomi , Girling Jeff , Garg Shruti , Jelfs Elizabeth , Bremner Jeni
Published: November 2012

Studies examining the application of information technology to the delivery of health-care services often highlight the anticipated benefits. In consequence, the benefits of health-care information technology adoption, often referred to as ‘e-health’, are widely reported yet there is limited empirical evidence as to how such benefits can be realized. Design and implementation guidelines have been considered from a socio-technical perspective and there is support for the successful application of these principles. There are also some global surveys on the topic, but these often report only statistical data and lack richness of content. This study draws on existing literature to examine whether the principles of health-care information technology adoption are currently applied in practice. The paper presents a timely international analysis of the drivers, critical enablers and successful deployment strategies for e-health from the perspective of leading practitioners. The study considers the adoption of e-health in 15 countries. A qualitative research design was used and semistructured interviews were conducted with 38 thought leaders with expertise in health-care information systems and technology. The study presents a comparative analysis of the lessons learned from implementing, integrating and embedding e-health in practice, and presents a four-phase approach from the perspective of practitioners for the accelerated deployment of e-health systems: (i) develop a strategic approach, (ii) engage the workforce, (iii) capitalize on information technology and (iv) partner with the patient/citizen.
The contribution of clinical leadership to service redesign: a naturalistic inquiry
Authors: Storey John , Holti Richard
Published: November 2012

Numerous policy papers and academic contributions across a range of countries emphasize the importance of clinical leadership in health services. This is seen as especially vital at a time of simultaneous resource constraints and rising demand. Most of the literature in this topic area concerns itself with conceptual clarification of types of leadership and with delineation of requisite competences. But other work on leadership has emphasized the importance of attending to practice in concrete situations in order to identify the dynamics at play and the nature of the challenges. The purpose of this article is to contribute to this latter task by drawing upon a set of data which reveals crucial aspects of the problems facing potential clinical leaders of service redesign. This paper reports on the nature and extent of the challenges as identified by clinicians of different types as well as managers and commissioners.
Prospective analysis of incidence, extent and chronicity of lower extremity venous thrombosis
Authors: Poulikidis K P , Gasparis A P , Labropoulos N
Published: November 2012

Objective

This study was designed to determine all variables related to lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) to be used as reference in patients examined in a hospital setting.

Methods

Consecutive patients presented with signs and symptoms of venous thromboembolism over a one-year period, examined in our university hospital. Patients’ demographics and clinical characteristics in a data base organized to answer all the pertinent questions.

Results

There were 2594 patients. Thrombosis was found in 348 (13.4%) of which 249 were acute and 72 had chronic luminal changes. Unilateral thrombosis was found in 268 and bilateral in 80. Acute DVT and/or chronic changes were more common on the left limb. Chronic thrombosis was more prevalent in the proximal veins. Acute thrombosis was more often found in the inpatients. Both acute DVT and chronic changes were found in 27 patients (7.8%) of whom 15 were bilateral.

Conclusions

Various patterns of thrombosis are found in both inpatients and outpatients with the former having a higher incidence of acute events. Acute, chronic and recurrent thrombosis are very frequent and very important to report as they could change the management of the patients.
The Prostate Cancer Screening Controversy: Addressing Bioethical Concerns at a Community Health Promotion Event for Men
Authors: Davis Jenna L. , Grant Cathy G. , Rivers Brian M. , Rivera-Colón Venessa , Ramos Roberto , Antolino Prado , Harris Erika , Green B. Lee
Published: November 2012

There are bioethical concerns related to prostate cancer screening. A new prostate cancer screening approach at a community health promotion event used vouchers to promote informed decision-making in order to reduce these concerns.
Validity of Postpartum Depression Screening Across Socioeconomic Groups: A Review of the Construct and Common Screening Tools
Authors: King Patricia Ann Lee
Published: November 2012

This integrative literature review evaluates the construct validity and potential for bias of commonly used postpartum depression screening tools in women with low socioeconomic status. Multiple search strategies were applied to identify literature addressing the validity of the Beck Depression Inventory, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Postpartum Depression Screening Scale from January 1980 thru January 2010. Twenty articles were identified, eight of which explicitly included women with low-socioeconomic status. Only three of these articles directly evaluated construct validity. The screening tools reviewed lack the comprehensive psycho-metric evaluation needed to support their extensive use across socioeconomically diverse populations that may result in missed opportunities to identify postpartum depression. This issue stems from serious limitations in the understanding of postpartum depression itself. An alternate understanding of and approach to screening for depression across all women in their developmental and environmental context is recommended.
Revolutionizing the Fossilized: Balzac and Janin's Naturalist Discourse in Les Français peints par eux-mêmes
Authors: de Tholozany Pauline
Published: November 2012

This article questions the panoramic genre through a study of Les Français peints par eux-mêmes and its relation with natural history. Both Janin and Balzac saw similarities between the volumes' social taxonomies and the scientific classifications of the period. At stake in the matter is the question of who "les Français" are and what traits can be put forward as part of a common national identity. Yet, both writers—and ultimately the collective project as a whole— constantly question the taxonomies that their texts are building, eventually casting a doubt on the possibility of classification itself.
Multivariate Analysis of Micro-Raman Spectra of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Blends Using Principal Component Analysis and Principal Component Regression
Authors: Weakley Andrew Todd , Warwick P.C. Temple , Bitterwolf Thomas E. , Aston D. Eric
Published: November 2012

Probing the specific hydrogen-bonding behavior of thermoplastic poly-urethane (TPU) blends using vibrational spectroscopies remains the sin qua non for understanding the link between hydrogen-bonding and phasesegregation behavior. However, current literature holds to more traditional univariate approaches when studying the morphologically interesting normal molecular vibrations of TPUs. In the present study, multivariate analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA) and principal component regression (PCR), is used to scrutinize the relevant Raman bands acquired from a binary mixture of analogous TPU copolymer blends. Considering the near identical behavior of selected spectral regions, PCA was capable of isolating linear and nonlinear composition-dependent trends on PC-scores plots. From here, the PC scores, extracted from wavelengths comprising the carbonyl stretching region (1681–1764 cm−1), CH2 deformations (1380–1500 cm−1), aromatic stretch from the hard segment (1617 cm−1), and amide II mixed band (1540 cm−1), were used to explicitly predict the mole fraction of hard segment present in each blend using PCR. Spectral preprocessing, wavelength selection, and variable scaling were major factors in PCR accurately predicting the weight fraction of each copolymer in spite of the clearly evident, blend-specific spectroscopic behavior.
Book Reviews
Authors: Collis Leo , Daseler Graham , Lake Carolyn , Owen Jez , Dator Robert Kenneth , Kabanova Daria , Kramer Gary M. , Larke-Walsh Dr George , O’Brien Adam
Published: November 2012

Tashlinesque: The Hollywood Comedies of Frank Tashlin, Ethan de Seife, (2012) Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 251pp., ISBN: 9780819572400 (hbk), $35, ISBN: 9700819572437 (e-book), $16.99John Huston: Courage and Art, Jeffrey Meyers, (2011) New York: Crown
Archetype, 475 pp., ISBN: 9780307590671 (hbk), $30‘Halsted Plays Himself, William E. Jones, (2011) Los Angeles, CA: Semiotext(e)/Native Agents Series, 200pp., ISBN: 9781584351078 (pbk), $24.95Cinema & Colour: The Saturated Image, Paul Coates, (2010) London:
Palgrave Macmillan (on behalf of British Film Institute), 184pp., ISBN: 9781844573141 (pbk), £16.99Taking Place: Location and the Moving Image, John David Rhodes and Elena Gorfinkel (eds), (2011) Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 392pp., ISBN: 9780816665174 (pbk), $27.50Directory
of World Cinema: Spain, Lorenzo J. Torres Hortelano (ed.), (2011) Bristol: Intellect, 287pp., ISBN: 9781841504636 (pbk), $25.00Shadows of Progress: Documentary Film in Post-War Britain, Patrick Russell and James Piers Taylor (eds), (2010) London: Palgrave MacMillan on behalf of
the BFI, 429pp., ISBN: 9781844573219 (pbk), £20.99, ISBN: 9781844573226 (hbk), £62.50Hollywood Cinema and the Real Los Angeles, Mark Shiel, (2012) London: Reaktion Books, 336pp., ISBN: 9781861899026 (hbk), £25.00
Stimulation of Electro-Olfactogram Responses in the Main Olfactory Epithelia by Airflow Depends on the Type 3 Adenylyl Cyclase
Authors: Chen Xuanmao , Xia Zhengui , Storm Daniel R.
Published: November 2012

Cilia of olfactory sensory neurons are the primary sensory organelles for olfaction. The detection of odorants by the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) depends on coupling of odorant receptors to the type 3 adenylyl cyclase (AC3) in olfactory cilia. We monitored the effect of airflow on electro-olfactogram (EOG) responses and found that the MOE of mice can sense mechanical forces generated by airflow. The airflow-sensitive EOG response in the MOE was attenuated when cAMP was increased by odorants or by forskolin suggesting a common mechanism for airflow and odorant detection. In addition, the sensitivity to airflow was significantly impaired in the MOE from AC3−/−mice. We conclude that AC3 in the MOE is required for detecting the mechanical force of airflow, which in turn may regulate odorant perception during sniffing.