bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Contribution of Primary Motor Cortex is Essential for Probabilistic Implicit Sequence Learning: Evidence from Theta Burst Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: Wilkinson Leonora , Teo James T. , Obeso Ignacio , Rothwell John C. , Jahanshahi Marjan
Published: March 2009

Theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS) is considered to produce plastic changes in human motor cortex. Here, we examined the inhibitory and excitatory effects of TBS on implicit sequence learning using a probabilistic serial reaction time paradigm. We investigated the involvement of several cortical regions associated with implicit sequence learning by examining probabilistic sequence learning in five age- and IQ-matched groups of healthy participants following continuous inhibitory TBS over primary motor cortex (M1); or the supplementary motor area (SMA) or dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or following intermittent excitatory TBS of M1; or after sham TBS. Relative to sham TBS, probabilistic sequence learning was abolished by inhibitory TBS over M1, demonstrating that this region is critical for implicit motor sequence learning. Sequence learning was not significantly affected by inhibitory TBS over the SMA, DLPFC or excitatory TBS over M1. These results demonstrate that the M1 mediates implicit sequence learning.
Effective Connectivity of the Fronto-parietal Network during Attentional Control
Authors: Wang Liang , Liu Xun , Guise Kevin G. , Knight Robert T. , Ghajar Jamshid , Fan Jin
Published: March 2009

The ACC, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and the parietal cortex near/along the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) are members of a network subserving attentional control. Our recent study revealed that these regions participate in both response anticipation and conflict processing. However, little is known about the relative contribution of these regions in attentional control and how the dynamic interactions among these regions are modulated by detection of predicted versus unpredicted targets and conflict processing. Here, we examined effective connectivity using dynamic causal modeling among these three regions during a flanker task with or without a target onset cue. We compared various models in which different connections among ACC, DLPFC, and IPS were modulated by bottom–up stimulus-driven surprise and top–down conflict processing using Bayesian model selection procedures. The most optimal of these models incorporated contextual modulation that allowed processing of unexpected (surprising) targets to mediate the influence of the IPS over ACC and DLPFC and conflict processing to mediate the influence of ACC and DLPFC over the IPS. This result suggests that the IPS plays an initiative role in this network in the processing of surprise targets, whereas ACC and DLPFC interact with each other to resolve conflict through attentional modulation implemented via the IPS.
Real-time Tracking of Motor Response Activation and Response Competition in a Stroop Task in Young Children: A Lateralized Readiness Potential Study
Authors: Szűcs Dénes , Soltész Fruzsina , Bryce Donna , Whitebread David
Published: March 2009

The ability to select an appropriate motor response by resolving competition among alternative responses plays a major role in cognitive performance. fMRI studies suggest that the development of this skill is related to the maturation of the frontal cortex that underlies the improvement of motor inhibition abilities. However, fMRI cannot characterize the temporal properties of motor response competition and motor activation in general. We studied the development of the time course of resolving motor response competition. To this end, we used the lateralized readiness potential (LRP), an ERP measure, for tracking correct and incorrect motor cortex activation in children in real time. Fourteen children and 14 adults took part in an animal-size Stroop task where they selected between two animals, presented simultaneously on the computer screen, which was larger in real life. In the incongruent condition, the LRP detected stronger and longer lasting incorrect response activation in children than in adults. LRP results could explain behavioral congruency effects, the generally longer RT in children than in adults and the larger congruency effect in children than in adults. In contrast, the peak latency of ERP waves, usually associated with stimulus processing speed, could explain neither of the above effects. We conclude that the development of resolving motor response competition, relying on motor inhibition skills, is a crucial factor in child development. Our study demonstrates that the LRP is an excellent tool for studying motor activation in children.
Determining Burst Firing Time Distributions from Multiple Spike Trains
Authors: Lago-Fernández Luis F. , Szücs Attila , Varona Pablo
Published: March 2009

Recent experimental findings have shown the presence of robust and cell-type-specific intraburst firing patterns in bursting neurons. We address the problem of characterizing these patterns under the assumption that the bursts exhibit well-defined firing time distributions. We propose a method for estimating these distributions based on a burst alignment algorithm that minimizes the overlap among the firing time distributions of the different spikes within the burst. This method provides a good approximation to the burst's intrinsic temporal structure as a set of firing time distributions. In addition, the method allows labeling the spikes in any particular burst, establishing a correspondence between each spike and the distribution that best explains it, and identifying missing spikes. Our results on both simulated and experimental data from the lobster stomatogastric ganglion show that the proposed method provides a reliable characterization of the intraburst firing patterns and avoids the errors derived from missing spikes. This method can also be applied to nonbursting neurons as a general tool for the study and the interpretation of firing time distributions as part of a temporal neural code.
Stability of Localized Patterns in Neural Fields
Authors: Doubrovinski Konstantin , Herrmann J. Michael
Published: March 2009

We investigate two-dimensional neural fields as a model of the dynamics of macroscopic activations in a cortex-like neural system. While the one-dimensional case was treated comprehensively by Amari 30 years ago, two-dimensional neural fields are much less understood. We derive conditions for the stability for the main classes of localized solutions of the neural field equation and study their behavior beyond parameter-controlled destabilization. We show that a slight modification of the original model yields an equation whose stationary states are guaranteed to satisfy the original problem and numerically demonstrate that it admits localized noncircular solutions. Typically, however, only periodic spatial tessellations emerge on destabilization of rotationally invariant solutions.
Building Organizational Capacity Through Trust
Authors: Cosner Shelby
Published: March 2009

This article explores the cultivation of collegial trust as a central feature of the capacity-building work of 11 high school principals, nominated for their expertise with capacity building. This qualitative study examined interview data and school documents collected over 18 months. Principals regarded trust as critical and were motivated to engage in trust building based on their understanding of the importance of trust or by information that pointed to school-wide trust concerns. To address collegial trust concerns, principals set, enforced, and reinforced norms of interaction. Based on a review of interdisciplinary literature on trust development, and drawing upon a knowledge-based model of trust development where repeated interactions serve as a key mechanism for trust formation in organizations, three broad actions, emanating in large measure from principals' work to support and enhance collaboration, are identified as important with respect to the cultivation of collegial trust. Varied and context-specific strategies are noted.
Trust as a Mediator of the Relationships Between Poverty, Racial Composition, and Academic Achievement
Authors: Goddard Roger D. , Salloum Serena J. , Berebitsky Dan
Published: March 2009

Purpose: Research shows that trust is significantly related to academic achievement. This study expands knowledge of this connection in two ways. First, because a stratified, random sample of elementary schools from an entire state was used, the results have considerable generalizability. Second, this study tested the relationship between trust and achievement and assessed whether links between academic achievement, socioeconomic status (SES), and racial composition are mediated by the levels of trust teachers report in students and parents. Data Collection and Analysis: Schools were systematically randomly selected and stratified by location, prior achievement, SES, and size to represent all traditional public elementary schools across Michigan. Teachers responded to surveys measuring the levels of trust in schools. A path analysis was conducted at the school level to model variation in trust and the proportion of students passing the state mathematics and reading assessments. Findings: Using path analysis and controlling for measures of school context, greater trust was associated with increased school achievement in mathematics and reading on state assessments used for accountability purposes. Also, school SES, racial composition, and size were indirectly related to achievement through their associations with trust. However, racial and economic disadvantage were not directly related to achievement after controlling for prior achievement and trust. Conclusion: Because racial and economic disadvantage were related to achievement only indirectly through their negative associations with trust, trust relations appear to mediate the relationship between school disadvantage and academic achievement. Future researchers may wish to study whether programs seeking to increase trust in schools can effectively minimize the academic disadvantage typically associated with poverty and racial composition.
Who Brings Which Peace?
Authors: Svensson Isak
Published: March 2009

This study examines the effect of biased versus neutral mediation on the content of peace agreements. The author argues that neutral mediators, who are engaged primarily because of their interest to end the war, will have incentives to hasten the reaching of an agreement to the expense of its quality. By contrast, biased mediators, seeking to protect their protégés, will take care to ensure that there are stipulations in an agreement guaranteeing the interest of “their” side or use their particular access and leverage to make their side agree to costly concessions. Biased mediation processes are therefore more likely than neutral mediation processes to lead to elaborated institutional arrangements that are generally considered conducive to democracy and durable peace, such as power sharing, third-party security guarantees, and justice provisions. Empirical analysis, covering the 1989—2004 period and building on data from 124 peace agreements, supports these claims.
Pre-emptive or Arbitrary
Authors: Herreros Francisco , Criado Henar
Published: March 2009

This article analyzes the determinants of the variation in the levels of lethal violence against civilians during a civil war. It departs from the usual explanations of this variation, advancing two different logics to account for civilians' victimization: strategic violence directed to avoid rebellions by targeting would-be political entrepreneurs and violence as a consequence of the breakdown of the state's authority. It uses a new data set on violence against civilians during the Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939.
Examining the Relationship Between Class Scheduling and Student Achievement in College Algebra
Authors: Gallo Michael A. , Odu Michael
Published: March 2009

This study examines the relationship between scheduling (3-, 2-, and 1-day-per-week classes) and achievement in college algebra. The study is grounded in spacing effect theory, which examines how variations in the frequency and timing of instruction affect student learning, and involves 116 Florida community college students. Regression analyses controlling for student and teacher attributes show that the 1-day-per-week group consistently scores the lowest on unit tests and final examinations. The findings suggest that although many students may prefer intensive courses or compressed schedules that minimize the time they spend on campus, these scheduling options may not be optimal for learning, at least not in mathematics.
The Effects of Feedback with and without Strength Training on Lower Extremity Biomechanics
Authors: Herman Daniel C. , Oñate James A. , Weinhold Paul S. , Guskiewicz Kevin M. , Garrett William E. , Yu Bing , Padua Darin A.
Published: March 2009

Background

Feedback instruction is a proven modality for the alteration of motion patterns. There are no existing data on the contribution of strength training, when combined with feedback instruction, to the altering of lower extremity biomechanics.

Hypothesis

Lower extremity muscle strength training provides an increased capacity to alter knee and hip biomechanics during a stop-jump task in response to a feedback protocol.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Knee and hip 3-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected for 58 female recreational athletes while performing 3 stop-jump tasks after completing a 9-week strength training program (ST-FB; n = 29) or a 9-week period of no strength training (FB; n = 29). Data were then collected for both groups after completing a jump-landing feedback instruction protocol. Knee and hip joint angles, as well as resultant forces and moments, were calculated.

Results

Across all participants, there were decreased peak vertical ground-reaction forces (P < .001) and increased knee flexion (P = .050), hip flexion (P < .001), and hip abduction (P = .032) angles, subsequent to the feedback protocol. Hip abduction angle (P < .001) increased in the ST-FB group but not the FB group, and peak knee anterior shear force (P = .015) decreased in the ST-FB group but increased in the FB group (P = .009).

Conclusion

The results indicate that strength training, when used in conjunction with video-assisted feedback, may provide an increased capacity for the alteration of knee and hip biomechanics.

Clinical Relevance

Programs that include both strength training and movement education through feedback may be necessary to increase the effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament prevention programs. Strength training may provide an increased capacity for athletes to respond to other intervention modalities used in anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention programs.
Making the Most of Adolescence
Authors: Faircloth Beverly S.
Published: March 2009

This qualitative study investigated the relationship between adolescents' sense of school belonging and opportunities to integrate aspects of their identity with their 9th-grade English assignments. The study provided evidence of a positive relationship between these two experiences for an ethnically diverse group of students. Moreover, issues of identity (connections made with issues that were important to the self, connections with their background, and the ability to make themselves known) contributed significantly to belonging. Students' sense of connection and engagement in their classroom was supported while they participated in activities designed to encourage curricular connections with their identity and culture.
Analytical Model of Leadership in Family Firms Under Transformational Theoretical Approach
Authors: Vallejo Manuel Carlos
Published: March 2009

The goals of the current research were to analyze the existence of differences in leadership between family and nonfamily firms adopting a transformational leadership approach, as well as the potential positive effects of transformational leadership on family businesses. With the transformational leadership theory as theoretical background, the research reveals that leadership is more transformational in family businesses than in nonfamily businesses. Similarly, this research uses a structural equations model to explain the relations between this kind of leadership in family businesses and specific performance-related variables, such as group cohesion, longevity, and profitability.
A Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Green Spaces in European Cities
Authors: Baycan-Levent Tüzin , Vreeker Ron , Nijkamp Peter
Published: March 2009

Green spaces, such as parks, are an essential constituent of urban quality of life. It is noteworthy, however, that some cities have been more successful in implementing a green space policy than others. This article aims to assess the complex and heterogeneous supply of urban green spaces by means of a multidimensional evaluation approach, and to compare the `green performance' of European cities in terms of the present situation, priorities in decision making and planning, and their success level as evaluated by experts in the field. The article examines urban green spaces from the viewpoint of relevant indicators, in particular `quantity and availability of urban green spaces', `changes in green spaces', `planning of urban green spaces',`financing of urban green spaces' and `level of performance', on the basis of a comparison of 24 European cities. It deploys a proper type of multi-criteria analysis for mixed quantitative and qualitative information, coined Regime Analysis.A comparison of urban green spaces in European cities by means of this multi-criteria analysis brings to light the critical elements in green space availability and sets out choice directions based on priorities in decision making and policy evaluation.The results of this Regime Analysis show that when only the indicators on the availability of urban green spaces are used to assess the green performance with a view to a ranking of European cities, the Southern European cities are in the lead. However, when the planning performance indicators are also taken into consideration, the Northern European cities appear to have higher scores.
New Euroregional Territories, Old Catalanist Dreams?
Authors: Prytherch David L.
Published: March 2009

This article analyses the history of the Euroregionalist idea of a so-called Mediterranean Arc. By tracing historical debates about the economic integration of neighbouring Catalan-speaking regions in the North-western Mediterranean, I explore how economic restructuring and cultural regionalism/ nationalism can be synthesized within the `New Regionalist' politics of the economic macroregion or Euroregion. Emerging European regions are at the centre of theoretical debates about state rescaling and new regionalism. Recent scholarship now points past structurally overdetermined interpretations of regionalization — focused exclusively on economic globalization, European integration, and state institutions — towards empirically rich, cultural-economic analyses exploring how economy and culture are dialectically co-constituted and articulated relationally. I offer such a case-study of the century-old Catalan national project of integrating Valencia with Catalunya as the core of a wider macroregion, now called the Euroregion of the Mediterranean Arc. Analysing writings by prominent Valencian Catalanists over a century reveals how the economic and cultural have long been dialectically synthesized and articulated relationally in a macroregion said to be economically competitive, Catalan-speaking, and linked more to the Mediterranean and Europe than Madrid.And it suggests neither Euroregionalism nor new regionalism is particularly new in places like Valencia and the Mediterranean Arc.
Student Communities and Landscapes of Creativity
Authors: Paolo Russo Antonio , Sans Albert Arias
Published: March 2009

Faced with global pressures and intensifying competition, `growth coalitions' in European cities respond with the construction of iconic consumption landscapes. In many cases, such efforts are questionable because they abide by unimaginative, mainstream planning concepts, resulting in an erosion of the idiosyncratic qualities of urban landscapes. The serial reproduction of cityscapes also extends to tourism development strategies, which fail to meet the increasing demand expressed by travellers for genuine and creative experiences. However, the `knowledge city' is populated with new actors producing alternative images and brands.Among these, academic and student communities are emerging as significant agents of urban regeneration. This article discusses the potential role students play as generators of landscapes of creativity, which develop as appealing spaces for cultural consumers, including `new cultural tourists'.The fluid,glocal geography of student activity may well be the epicentre of change for destinations now basing their product on an unreflexive relation between gazers and place,towards a more sustainable engagement of visitors in creative production and consumption. However, this process presents substantial challenges for policy and may be short-lived. Illustrations are provided from the case of Venice, Italy, a paradigmatic mass tourism destination where student-related activities are breathing new life into a clichéd tourism product.
Valuing Skill Differences
Authors: Oosterhof Aad , Van der Vegt Gerben S. , Van de Vliert Evert , Sanders Karin
Published: March 2009

This article reports effects of perceived skill dissimilarity and perceived skill complementarity on dyadic helping behavior using a cross-lagged panel study. Specifically, the authors hypothesize that perceived skill dissimilarity is negatively related, whereas perceived skill complementarity is positively related, to self-rated and peer-rated dyadic helping behavior in teams. The authors compare the effects of both perceptions in a sample of 301 unilateral work relationships within 20 student research teams. The study shows that perceived skill dissimilarity is unrelated to self-rated and peer-rated dyadic helping behavior whereas perceived skill complementarity is positively related to both self-rated and peer-rated dyadic helping behavior.
Moderating Role of Follower Characteristics With Transformational Leadership and Follower Work Engagement
Authors: Zhu Weichun , Avolio Bruce J. , Walumbwa Fred O.
Published: March 2009

This study examines whether follower characteristics moderate the relationship between transformational leadership and follower work engagement. Data were collected from 140 followers and their 48 supervisors from a diverse range of industries in South Africa. Hierarchical linear modeling results show that follower characteristics moderate the positive relationship between transformational leadership and follower work engagement. More specifically, transformational leadership has a more positive effect on follower work engagement when follower characteristics are more positive. Implications of the findings for theory, research, and practice are discussed.
Environmental Organizations and Communication Praxis
Authors: Dreiling Michael , Lougee Nicholas , Jonna R. , Nakamura Tomoyasu
Published: March 2009

Environmental organizations (EOs) in the United States display a diverse range of environmental identities and vary in terms of organizational resources, influencing not only the environmental issues that they address but also the methods that they use to address them. Our study investigates the strategies and practices EOs use to communicate with their membership, recruit new participants, and develop alliances with other EOs. This article explores the relationships between various EOs' communication strategies, resource capacities, and environmental identities using data obtained from a survey of nonprofit EOs and secondary data sources. Using ordinary least squares regression, we develop two models—interactivity of communication and costliness of communication—to test various concepts derived from social movement theory. We find that EOs are influenced in significant and predictable ways by their social and technological context.
Overcoming the Social and Psychological Barriers to Green Building
Authors: Hoffman Andrew J. , Henn Rebecca
Published: March 2009

The green building movement has overcome formidable, technical, and economic hurdles in recent years, yet adoption of green building practices within the design and construction field remains low. Major corporations now offer products and services at a scale that is bringing costs down to competitive levels, but environmental sustainability in building design and delivery remains at the early stages of the adoption s-curve. This article argues that environmental progress in the building design and construction industry will continue to stall if the significant social and psychological barriers that remain are not addressed. After surveying the three levels of barriers—individual, organizational, and institutional—the article concludes with strategies for overcoming them. Seven specific strategies are elaborated, namely, issue framing, targeting the right demographic, education, structural and incentive change, indemnifying risk, green building standard improvements, and tax reform.
A Retrospective View of My Development as an Environmental Sociologist
Authors: Catton William R.
Published: March 2009

Initially hoping just to contribute increments of useful knowledge by genuinely scientific social research, this formerly “mainstream” sociologist was alerted to environmental concerns by encounters with urban growth, burgeoning university enrollment, and impacts of overuse in wildland recreation areas. Enlightening research collaboration with foresters, exposure to ecological themes in interpretive exhibits at National Parks in New Zealand and North America, and encounters with significant literature in biological sciences contradicted conventional notions that human societies are somehow exempt from influences by non-social aspects of the ecosystems of which they are part. It became apparent that biogeochemical processes and other extra-societal variables must be taken into account to understand humanity's inescapable adjustments to carrying capacity deficit after an era of thriving on a carrying capacity surplus.
Patterns in Office Referral Data by Grade, Race/Ethnicity, and Gender
Authors: Kaufman Joy S. , Jaser Sarah S. , Vaughan Ellen L. , Reynolds Jesse S. , Di Donato John , Bernard Stanley N. , Hernandez-Brereton Maria
Published: March 2009

Research supports that office referral data is useful in informing programmatic decisions and planning interventions such as Positive Behavior Supports (PBS). Knowledge of patterns of office referrals may facilitate development of interventions that target specific groups. This study examines patterns in office referrals within an urban district by gender, race/ ethnicity and grade. Findings reveal that there are differences by grade that appear to be related to developmental level, with more referrals for aggression in younger students (grades K-6), disrespectful behavior in middle school students (grades 7-8), and attendance problems in high school students. Gender differences in the rate and type of referrals were found, with significantly more referrals for boys’ delinquent/aggressive behavior, which may relate to how schools define unacceptable behavior and the data collection method. Finally, there were significantly more referrals for African American/black students than Hispanic students, suggesting that schools consider racial differences when developing behavioral expectations.
Brain activation in multiple sclerosis: a BOLD fMRI study of the effects of fatiguing hand exercise
Authors: White AT , Lee JN , Light AR , Light KC
Published: March 2009

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience fatigue as a chronic symptom that decreases quality of life. Commonly, fatigue in MS patients is manifested as decreased motor function during or after physical activity and is associated with changes in brain metabolism.

Objective

To determine brain activation patterns in MS patients and healthy controls during a simple motor task before and after fatiguing hand-grip exercise.

Methods

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans were conducted on 10 MS patients and 13 healthy controls during 4-finger flexion and extension in rested and fatigued states.

Results

Before the fatigue protocol, MS patients had greater activation in the contralateral primary motor cortex, insula, and cingulate gyrus than controls. Following fatiguing exercise, controls showed increased activation of precentral gyrus and insula while patients did not show any activation increases and actually decreased activity to the insula.

Conclusion

Results indicate that before fatiguing exercise, MS patients marshaled more brain activation compared to controls, which may represent functionally adaptive changes in response to demyelination. This increased activation may suggest that patients require more effort to perform even simple motor tasks, possibly because peripheral or central signals for fatigue are chronically enhanced. When fatigued further by muscle contraction, brain activation cannot be further increased.
Depressive symptoms and coping in newly diagnosed patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lode K , Bru E , Klevan G , Myhr KM , Nyland H , Larsen JP
Published: March 2009

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease with unclear etiology, unpredictable clinical course, and no cure. Patients’ ability to cope with MS moderates the adaptation to the disease.

Objectives

To compare coping in patients recently diagnosed with MS and healthy controls and to study the association between depressive symptoms and patients' coping styles.

Methods

A sample of 86 recently diagnosed patients with definite or probable MS and 93 healthy population controls completed questionnaires assessing coping styles and depressive symptoms.

Results

Compared with healthy controls, patients with MS used significantly less the problem focused strategies including planning, restraint coping, and seeking social support for instrumental reasons, and they used less the emotion-focused strategies seeking social support for emotional reasons, focusing on and venting of emotions, and positive reinterpretation and growth. The mean Beck Depressive symptoms Inventory scores were 10.8 and 4.7 in patients and controls, respectively. In stress situations connected to MS, depressive symptoms in these patients were related to the problem-focused strategies of restraint coping and planning, the emotion-focused strategy of focusing on and venting of emotions, and the avoidance strategies of behavioral- and mental disengagements, and denial.
Epidemiological characteristics of pregnancy, delivery, and birth outcome in women with multiple sclerosis in Argentina (EMEMAR study)
Authors: Fernández Liguori N , Klajn D , Acion L , Cáceres F , Calle A , Carrá A , Cristiano E , Deri N , Garcea O , Jaureguiberry A , Onaha P , Patrucco L , Riccio P , Rotta Escalante R , Saladino ML , Sinay V , Tarulla A , Villa A
Published: March 2009

Background

The influence of pregnancy on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been extensively studied but such influence on Latin American women with MS has not been characterized. Our objective was to describe the course of pregnancy and birth outcome in Argentinean MS patients and the evolution of MS during pregnancy and after delivery.

Method

We used a retrospective design in eight MS centers in Argentina and administered a survey to women with definite MS (Mc Donald) with pregnancies during or after MS onset. We contacted 355 women of which 81 met inclusion criteria. We recorded 141 pregnancies.

Results

Involuntary abortion was observed in 16% of pregnancies (95% CI = 10–23). Thirty five women received immunomodulatory therapy (IMT) before 42 pregnancies. Twenty three (55%) out of 42 pregnancies were exposed to IMT. The mean time of IMT discontinuation before conception in 19 (45.2%) pregnancies without exposure, was 104 days (95% CI = 61.0–147.0). There were 103 deliveries: 79% full term. Birth defects were detected in 19% of pregnancies exposed to IMT (95% CI = 4–46) and in 2% of non-exposed (95% CI = 0.3–8.0). The mean relapse rate was: pre-pregnancy year: 0.22 (95% CI = 0.12–0.32); pregnancy: 0.31 in 1st (95% CI = 0.10–0.52), 0.19 (95% CI = 0.03–0.36) in 2nd, and 0.04 in 3rd trimester (95% CI = –0.04–0.12); 1st trimester post delivery: 0.82 (95% CI = 0.42–1.22).

Conclusion

We observed a higher rate of birth defects among infants exposed to immunomodulators in utero than those not exposed. The reduction in MS relapses during 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy and its increase during postpartum is consistent with previous reports.
A People’s Method(ology) A Dialogical Approach
Authors: Barnard Stephen R. , Van Gerven Jesse P.
Published: March 2009

This is a critical dialogue between graduate student and activists in the discipline of sociology. Critical approaches to the essential question of critical race studies are discussed and evaluated in terms of their ability to develop a theory and praxis for changing the structural and cultural inequalities that constitute the enduring legacy of the colonial project and slavery. Conventional sociological methodologies as well as combative epistemologies and pedagogies, suffer from an inability to inform and be informed by real world movements for social justice and thus are limited in their applicability beyond the ivory tower.Through a Freirean critical dialogue the possibility for a human method of mobilization emerges that has the potential for aiding with the liberation struggles of all oppressed peoples. The authors hope that this dialogue will be taken up by other peoples in other places to further their quest for social justice.
Increased Fruit and Vegetable Intake May Reduce the Nutrition-Related Health Disparities in African Americans
Authors: Celentano Joanne Curran
Published: March 2009

Racial and ethnic minorities in the United States have higher rates of nutrition-related health problems than whites. African Americans have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. The cause for the disparity in these diseases and conditions is complex and multifaceted, and lifestyle factors are clearly implicated. African Americans have a lower intake of fruit and vegetables and poorer overall diet quality scores than other minority and majority populations, and it is possible that such differences contribute to health disparities. Modification in eating patterns is likely to improve the health outlook, but implementing changes requires attention to both personal behaviors and the food environment. Access to healthy foods is attenuated in many low-income and predominately African American neighborhoods, leaving residents overweight and undernourished. It is important to consider availability and access to healthy foods, including fruit and vegetables, as part of a culturally sensitive intervention strategy to reduce nutrition-related health disparities in African Americans.
Functional Foods as Modifiers of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Johnston Carol
Published: March 2009

There is growing consensus that systemic inflammation is at the heart of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Inflammation is a key feature of the immune system, functioning to defend tissue integrity and function. However, chronic stimulation of inflammatory mediators leads to lasting vascular reactivity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and, subsequently, chronic disease. Dietary practices to minimize inflammatory stimuli and CVD risk include regular intakes of fatty fish rich in the eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids that compete with the more pervasive membrane fatty acid, arachidonic acid, disrupting the metabolic cascades that stimulate inflammation. Another effective dietary strategy is to consume less arachidonic acid by reducing beef, poultry, fish, and eggs from the diet (eg, adopting a vegetarian-like diet). Because oxidative stress plays a prominent role in immune system activation, regular ingestion of ample amounts of fruits and vegetables (8+ servings/d) rich in antioxidant compounds, the polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C (eg, citrus, tomatoes, berries, carrots, and greens), lowers inflammatory mediators and risk for chronic disease. Whole grains, legumes, and nuts have also been demonstrated in clinical trials to effectively reduce inflammatory mediators and risk for CVD. As proclaimed in antiquity, “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Effect of sputtering pressure and temperature on DC magnetron sputtered CrN films
Authors: Shah H. N. , Jayaganthan R. , Kaur D.
Published: March 2009

Chromium nitride thin films were deposited on Si(100) substrate by using DC magnetron sputtering and the influence of process parameters such as substrate temperature, pressure and power on their microstructural characteristics were investigated in the present work. The CrN films were characterised with X-ray diffraction and it was observed that the films exhibit (111) preferred orientation but it transforms in to (200) orientation with increasing working pressure. The preferred orientations of CrN thin films are strongly influenced by sputtering conditions, thickness and the induced microstrain in the thin films. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterise the morphology and surface topography of the CrN thin films respectively. The as deposited CrN films exhibited columnar morphology and its surface roughness values were influenced by the working pressure and temperature. Similarly, the microstrain in the films exhibited a strong dependence on deposition conditions.
Basic experimental investigation of pulsed electrochemical mechanical polishing process
Authors: Yi J. J. , Chen C. M. , Tian X. Q. , Ji B. Y.
Published: March 2009

Pulse electrochemical mechanical polishing (PECMP) technology is a compound polishing technology by combining the mechanical action of a traditional grinding process and the electrochemical reaction of a pulse electrochemical machining (PECM) like process. Its advantages are low surface roughness, high efficiency, simple equipment, low material removal and more applications. Because a number of processing input variables (voltage activation program, electrolyte composition, etc.) will influence the surface quality of workpiece and productivity, controlling the surface reactions in PECMP requires a carefully designed combination of various processing parameters. In the present work, several typical experiments are investigated to compare the properties of PECMP with that of electrochemical mechanical polishing (ECMP). The experimental results can contribute to optimisation of the processing parameters of PECMP. Analytic methodology for the workpiece surface quality after PECMP is helpful to conduct the processing parameters as well. By comparison, PECMP is proved to be more efficient and have better surface quality than ECMP.
Prevalence and prognostic implications of CEBPA mutations in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML): a report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Ho Phoenix A. , Alonzo Todd A. , Gerbing Robert B. , Pollard Jessica , Stirewalt Derek L. , Hurwitz Craig , Heerema Nyla A. , Hirsch Betsy , Raimondi Susana C. , Lange Beverly , Franklin Janet L. , Radich Jerald P. , Meshinchi Soheil
Published: March 2009

CEBPA mutations have been associated with improved outcome in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We evaluated the prevalence and prognostic significance of CEBPA mutations in 847 children with AML treated on 3 consecutive pediatric trials. Two types of CEBPA mutations—N-terminal truncating mutations and in-frame bZip-domain mutations—were detected in 38 (4.5%) of 847 patients tested; 31 (82%) of 38 patients with mutations harbored both mutation types. Mutation status was correlated with laboratory and clinical characteristics and clinical outcome. CEBPA mutations were significantly more common in older patients, patients with FAB M1 or M2, and patients with normal karyotype. Mutations did not occur in patients with either favorable or unfavorable cytogenetics. Actuarial event-free survival at 5 years was 70% versus 38% (P = .015) with a cumulative incidence of relapse from complete remission of 13% versus 44% (P = .007) for those with and without CEBPA mutations. The presence of CEBPA mutations was an independent prognostic factor for improved outcome (HR = 0.24, P = .047). As CEBPA mutations are associated with lower relapse rate and improved survival, CEBPA mutation analysis needs to be incorporated into initial screening for risk identification and therapy allocation at diagnosis. The clinical trials in this study are registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov under NCT00002798 and NCT00070174.
Desensitization to type I interferon in HIV-1 infection correlates with markers of immune activation and disease progression
Authors: Hardy Gareth A. D. , Sieg Scott F. , Rodriguez Benigno , Jiang Wei , Asaad Robert , Lederman Michael M. , Harding Clifford V.
Published: March 2009

Type I interferon (IFNα/β) plays a complex role in HIV-1 infection and has been proposed alternately to have roles in either disease protection or progression. Although IFNα/β plays crucial roles in regulating monocytes and dendritic cells, responsiveness of these cells to IFNα/β in HIV-1 infection is poorly understood. We report significant defects in IFNα/β receptor (IFNα/βR) expression, IFNα signaling, and IFNα-induced gene expression in monocytes from HIV-1–infected subjects. IFNα/βR expression correlated directly with CD4+ T-cell count and inversely with HIV-1 RNA level and expression of CD38 by memory (CD45RO+) CD8+ T cells, a measure of pathologic immune activation in HIV-1 infection associated with disease progression. In addition, monocytes from HIV-1–infected persons showed diminished responses to IFNα, including decreased induction of phosphorylated STAT1 and the classical interferon-stimulated gene produces MxA and OAS. These IFNα responses were decreased regardless of IFNα/βR expression, suggesting that regulation of intracellular signaling may contribute to unresponsiveness to IFNα/β in HIV-1 disease. Defective monocyte responses to IFNα/β may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection, and decreased IFNα/βR expression may serve as a novel marker of disease progression.
Transcriptional signatures of BALB/c mouse macrophages housing multiplying Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes
Authors: Fortéa José Osorio y , de La Llave Emilie , Regnault Béatrice , Coppée Jean-Yves , Milon Geneviève , Lang Thierry , Prina Eric
Published: March 2009

Background

Mammal macrophages (MΦ) display a wide range of functions which contribute to surveying and maintaining tissue integrity. One such function is phagocytosis, a process known to be subverted by parasites likeLeishmania (L). Indeed, the intracellular development ofL. amazonensisamastigote relies on the biogenesis and dynamic remodelling of a phagolysosome, termed the parasitophorous vacuole, primarily within dermal MΦ.

Results

Using BALB/c mouse bone marrow-derived MΦ loaded or not with amastigotes, we analyzed the transcriptional signatures of MΦ 24 h later, when the amastigote population was growing. Total RNA from MΦ cultures were processed and hybridized onto Affymetrix Mouse430_2 GeneChips®, and some transcripts were also analyzed by Real-Time quantitative PCR (RTQPCR). A total of 1,248 probe-sets showed significant differential expression. Comparable fold-change values were obtained between the Affymetrix technology and the RTQPCR method. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software®pinpointed the up-regulation of the sterol biosynthesis pathway (p-value = 1.31e-02) involving several genes (1.95 to 4.30 fold change values), and the modulation of various genes involved in polyamine synthesis and in pro/counter-inflammatory signalling.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the amastigote growth relies on early coordinated gene expression of the MΦ lipid and polyamine pathways. Moreover, these MΦ hosting multiplyingL. amazonensisamastigotes display a transcriptional profile biased towards parasite-and host tissue-protective processes.
Curcumin Eliminates Leptin’s Effects on Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation via Interrupting Leptin Signaling
Authors: Tang Youcai , Zheng Shizhong , Chen Anping
Published: March 2009

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is commonly found in patients with obesity and is often accompanied with abnormally elevated levels of plasma leptin, i.e. hyperleptinemia. A relatively high population of NASH patients develops hepatic fibrosis, even cirrhosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major effector cells during liver fibrogenesis and could be activated by leptin. The antioxidant curcumin, a phytochemical from turmeric, has been shown to suppress HSC activation in vitro and in vivo. This project is to evaluate the effect of curcumin on leptin-induced HSC activation and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We hypothesize that curcumin abrogates the stimulatory effect of leptin on HSC activation by interrupting leptin signaling and attenuating leptin-induced oxidative stress. Curcumin eliminates the stimulatory effects of leptin on regulating expression of genes closely relevant to HSC activation. Curcumin interrupts leptin signaling by reducing phosphorylation levels of leptin receptor (Ob-R) and its downstream intermediators. In addition, curcumin suppresses gene expression of Ob-R in HSCs, which requires the activation of endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and de novo synthesis of glutathione. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that curcumin abrogates the stimulatory effect of leptin on HSC activation in vitro by reducing the phosphorylation level of Ob-R, stimulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ activity, and attenuating oxidative stress, leading to the suppression of Ob-R gene expression and interruption of leptin signaling. These results provide novel insights into therapeutic mechanisms of curcumin in inhibiting HSC activation and intervening liver fibrogenesis associated with hyperleptinemia in NASH patients.