bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of attributable fractions using inverse probability weighting
Authors: Sjölander Arvid
Published: March 2010

The attributable fraction is commonly used in epidemiology to quantify the impact of an exposure on a disease. Several estimation methods have been suggested in the literature, including maximum likelihood estimation. In this article we propose an additional estimation method, based on inverse probability weighting. This method is particularly useful when a model for the exposure distibution can be well specified. We carry out a simulation study to examine the performance of the inverse probability weighted estimator, and to compare it to the maximum likelihood estimator.
Piecing Together the 20th Century: An Interdisciplinary Unit on Principles of Collage in Modern Music, Art, and Poetry (Grades 4-8)
Authors: Smigel Eric , McDonald Nan L.
Published: March 2010

This theory-to-practice article focuses on interdisciplinary classroom activities based on principles of collage in modern music, art, and poetry. A two-lesson sequence was designed for an inner-city Grade 4 and 5 general classroom of English language learners, where the unit was taught, assessed, and documented by the authors. Included in the article is a detailed teaching script for use by classroom teachers, music teachers, and related arts specialists for Grades 4 to 8. Readers are guided through lesson materials, instructions, interactive hands-on activities, and assessments appropriate for young students with little or no background in music and other arts.
Dislocation Emission from Surface Crack/Notch under Mode I Loading and its Size Dependence
Authors: Minsheng Huang  , Zhenhuan Li
Published: March 2010

Fatigue and fracture of structures often originate from the surface notch or crack. In this contribution, a Peierls type continuum model developed by Rice (1992, Dislocation Nucleation From a Crack Tip: An Analysis Based on the Peierls Concept, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 40: 239—271) is employed to analyze the critical stress of dislocation emission from the surface notch/crack in the plane strain state in a unified manner. Both the stress field in a notched/cracked half-plane under mode I loading and the stress field induced by an edge dislocation are obtained in closed forms using the Muskhelishvili method. Calculations are carried out to study the effects of the notch/crack depth and the root curvature radius on the dislocation emission. Results show that the critical stress for dislocation emission depends greatly on both of them. The shallower the surface notch/crack is, the higher the critical stress is. This depth dependence of the critical stress for the surface notch is more significant than that for the surface crack. Similarly, the dependence of the critical stress on the slip plane orientation angle for the surface notch is relatively stronger than that for the surface crack. Within a certain range of the slip orientation angle, the critical dislocation emission stress for the surface notch with small root curvature radius is even less than that for the surface crack at the same depth. These results are helpful for us to understand the ductile—brittle fracture behavior of materials with surface notches or cracks.
Autism Spectrum Conditions - Enhancing Nurture and Development (ASCEND): An evaluation of intervention support groups for parents
Authors: Pillay Mini , Alderson-Day Ben , Wright Barry , Williams Chris , Urwin Bron
Published: March 2010

There is relatively little evidence about the effectiveness of parent-training programmes for children with autism spectrum conditions (ASCs). Here we evaluate a programme developed to fill a gap in the provision of parent interventions after EarlyBird, which is only available for parents of pre-school ASC children. This programme (ASCEND) has now been running for five years. Questionnaires were used to evaluate seven consecutive 11-session programmes from 2004 to 2007, involving 79 parents representing 58 children. We measured satisfaction ratings in all seven groups; the latter five groups (59 parents representing 44 children) were given Developmental Behaviour Checklists (DBCs) and parental knowledge questionnaires pre- and post-course. Eighty-eight per cent of respondents found the course useful or very useful while parental knowledge and skills improved significantly across a range of learning outcomes. DBC scores showed significant changes post-course for total problem behaviours and disruptive/antisocial behaviours, with a trend towards reductions in anxiety as reported by parents. Changes in behaviour scores moderately correlated with specific learning items relating to improved skills in behaviour management. This preliminary evaluation suggests that the course produces positive outcomes in terms of parent satisfaction, parent learning and perceived changes in child behaviour, although further independent analysis is required in the form of a randomized controlled trial.
Predictors of Relationship Quality and Loyalty in the Chain Restaurant Industry
Authors: Sunghyup Sean Hyun
Published: March 2010

The focus of this research was the chain restaurant industry, and its purpose was to (1) determine which factors influence relationship quality and customer loyalty formation and (2) examine the connections between relationship quality and loyalty. Based on the literature review, five dimensions influence restaurant patrons’ behavior: food quality, service quality, price, location, and environment. Theoretical relationships between attributes influencing patrons’ behavior, relationship quality, and loyalty were derived from the literature review. Data analysis indicated that these five attributes influence loyalty formation, with impact mediated by relationship quality. They also influence customer satisfaction, with satisfaction influencing loyalty formation directly and indirectly via trust. Furthermore, service quality was the only attribute to directly and indirectly affect trust, and its effect is stronger than that of any other attribute. Managerial implications are discussed.
Practice patterns for evaluation, consent, and care of related donors and recipients at hematopoietic cell transplantation centers in the United States
Authors: O'Donnell Paul V. , Pedersen Tanya L. , Confer Dennis L. , Rizzo J. Douglas , Pulsipher Michael A. , Stroncek David , Leitman Susan , Anderlini Paolo
Published: March 2010

Conflict of interest may arise when 1 physician serves 2 persons whose medical care is interdependent. In hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) from unrelated donors and in the setting of solid organ transplantation from living donors, the standard of care is for donors and recipients to be managed by separate physicians to provide unbiased care. However, the practice patterns of evaluation and care of related donors and recipients are not well described. A survey of HCT centers in the United States was conducted by the Donor Health and Safety Working Committee of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research to determine the type of provider involved in medical clearance, informed consent, and medical management of hematopoietic cell collection and the relationship of that provider to the HC transplant recipient. The response rate was 40%. In greater than 70% of centers, transplantation physicians were involved or potentially involved in overlapping care of the HC transplant donor and the recipient. These patterns were similar between transplantation teams caring for adult or pediatric donors and recipients. Among responding centers, medical management of recipients and their related donors by the same provider is common, a practice that has the potential for conflict of interest.
Antigenic modulation limits the efficacy of anti-CD20 antibodies: implications for antibody selection
Authors: Beers Stephen A. , French Ruth R. , Chan H. T. Claude , Lim Sean H. , Jarrett Timothy C. , Vidal Regina Mora , Wijayaweera Sahan S. , Dixon Sandra V. , Kim Hyungjin , Cox Kerry L. , Kerr Jonathan P. , Johnston David A. , Johnson Peter W. M. , Verbeek J. Sjef , Glennie Martin J. , Cragg Mark S.
Published: March 2010

Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20 on B cells, is now central to the treatment of a variety of malignant and autoimmune disorders. Despite this success, a substantial proportion of B-cell lymphomas are unresponsive or develop resistance, hence more potent anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are continuously being sought. Here we demonstrate that type II (tositumomab-like) anti-CD20 mAbs are 5 times more potent than type I (rituximab-like) reagents in depleting human CD20 Tg B cells, despite both operating exclusively via activatory Fcγ receptor–expressing macrophages. Much of this disparity in performance is attributable to type I mAb-mediated internalization of CD20 by B cells, leading to reduced macrophage recruitment and the degradation of CD20/mAb complexes, shortening mAb half-life. Importantly, human B cells from healthy donors and most cases of chronic lymphatic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma, showed rapid CD20 internalization that paralleled that seen in the Tg mouse B cells, whereas most follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells were far more resistant to CD20 loss. We postulate that differences in CD20 modulation may play a central role in determining the relative efficacy of rituximab in treating these diseases and strengthen the case for focusing on type II anti-CD20 mAb in the clinic.
Population prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea in a community of German third graders
Authors: Urschitz M.S. , Brockmann P.E. , Schlaud M. , Poets C.F.
Published: March 2010

We aimed to estimate the population prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in an urban community of German third graders (age range 7.3–12.4 yrs) and the diagnostic test accuracy of two OSA screening methods.

Using a cross-sectional study design with a multi-stage sampling strategy, 27 out of 59 primary schools within the city limits of Hanover, Germany, were selected. 1,144 third graders were screened for symptoms and signs of OSA using questionnaires and nocturnal home pulse oximetry. 183 children underwent abbreviated nocturnal home polysomnography (OSA definition: apnoea/hypopnoea index ≥1) and 22 were diagnosed to suffer from OSA.

In general, sensitivity for both screening methods was low (<0.6), while specificity was moderately high (mostly >0.7). Independent predictors for OSA were body mass index, history of allergy, a composite questionnaire score, and two oximetry-based criteria. Based on these variables and logistic regression, a prediction model (accuracy; 95% confidence interval: 0.86; 0.71–0.94) was constructed and applied to children who had not successfully undergone polysomnography. This resulted in nine additional OSA cases and an overall design-adjusted population prevalence (95% confidence interval) of 2.8% (1.5–4.1%).

Clinical and oximetry findings may be helpful for screening and predicting OSA in primary school children.
The Clara cell: a “Third Reich eponym”?
Authors: Winkelmann A. , Noack T.
Published: March 2010

German anatomist Max Clara (1899–1966) described the “Clara cell” of the bronchiolar epithelium in 1937. The present article investigates Clara's relationship with National Socialism, as well as his use of tissue from executed prisoners for research purposes, details about both of which are largely unknown to date. Our methodology for the present study focussed on analysis of material from historical archives and the publications of Clara and his co-workers.

Clara was appointed as Chair of Anatomy at Leipzig University (Leipzig, Germany) in 1935. He owed his career, at least in part, to Nazi support. He was an active member of the Nazi party (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (NSDAP)) and engaged in university politics; this included making anti-Semitic statements about other academics in appointment procedures. Nevertheless, he also supported prosecuted colleagues.

Much of Clara's histological research in Leipzig, including his original description of the bronchial epithelium, was based on tissue taken from prisoners executed in nearby Dresden (Germany).

Max Clara was an active and outspoken Nazi and his histological research exploited the rising number of executions during the Nazi period. Clara's discovery is thus linked to the Nazi system. The facts given in the present paper invite discussion about the eponym's neglected history and its continued and problematic use in medical terminology.
The RST and PARP-like domain containing SRO protein family: analysis of protein structure, function and conservation in land plants
Authors: Jaspers Pinja , Overmyer Kirk , Wrzaczek Michael , Vainonen Julia P , Blomster Tiina , Salojärvi Jarkko , Reddy Ramesha A , Kangasjärvi Jaakko
Published: March 2010

Background

The SROs (SIMILAR TO RCD-ONE) are a group of plant-specific proteins which have important functions in stress adaptation and development. They contain the catalytic core of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) domain and a C-terminal RST (RCD-SRO-TAF4) domain. In addition to these domains, several, but not all, SROs contain an N-terminal WWE domain.

Results

SROs are present in all analyzed land plants and sequence analysis differentiates between two structurally distinct groups; cryptogams and monocots possess only group I SROs whereas eudicots also contain group II. Group I SROs possess an N-terminal WWE domain (PS50918) but the WWE domain is lacking in group II SROs. Group I domain structure is widely represented in organisms as distant as humans (for example, HsPARP11). We propose a unified nomenclature for the SRO family. The SROs are able to interact with transcription factors through the C-terminal RST domain but themselves are generally not regulated at the transcriptional level. The most conserved feature of the SROs is the catalytic core of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PS51059) domain. However, bioinformatic analysis of the SRO PARP domain fold-structure and biochemical assays of AtRCD1 suggested that SROs do not possess ADP-ribosyl transferase activity.

Conclusions

The SROs are a highly conserved family of plant specific proteins. Sequence analysis of the RST domain implicates a highly preserved protein structure in that region. This might have implications for functional conservation. We suggest that, despite the presence of the catalytic core of the PARP domain, the SROs do not possess ADP-ribosyl transferase activity. Nevertheless, the function of SROs is critical for plants and might be related to transcription factor regulation and complex formation.
Gallin; an antimicrobial peptide member of a new avian defensin family, the ovodefensins, has been subject to recent gene duplication
Authors: Gong Daoqing , Wilson Peter W , Bain Maureen M , McDade Karina , Kalina Jiri , Hervé-Grépinet Virginie , Nys Yves , Dunn Ian C
Published: March 2010

Background

Egg white must provide nutrients and protection to the developing avian embryo. One way in which this is achieved is an arsenal of antimicrobial proteins and peptides which are essentially extensions of the innate immune system. Gallin is a recently identified member of a family of peptides that are found in egg white. The function of this peptide family has not been identified and they are potentially antimicrobial.

Results

We have confirmed that there are at least 3 forms of the gallin gene in the chicken genome in 3 separate lines of chicken, all the forms are expressed in the tubular cells of the magnum region of the oviduct, consistent with its presence in egg white. mRNA expression levels are in the order 10,000 times greater in the magnum than the shell gland. The conservation between the multiple forms of gallin in the chicken genome compared with the conservation between gallin and other avian gallin like peptides, suggests that the gene duplication has occurred relatively recently in the chicken lineage. The gallin peptide family contains a six cysteine motif (C-X5-C-X3-C-X11-C-X3-C-C) found in all defensins, and is most closely related to avian beta-defensins, although the cysteine spacing differs. Further support for the classification comes from the presence of a glycine at position 10 in the 41 amino acid peptide. Recombinant gallin inhibited the growth of Escherischia coli (E. coli) at a concentration of 0.25 μM confirming it as part of the antimicrobial innate immune system in avian species.

Conclusions

The relatively recent evolution of multiple forms of a member of a new defensin related group of peptides that we have termed ovodefensins, may be an adaptation to increase expression or the first steps in divergent evolution of the gene in chickens. The potent antimicrobial activity of the peptide against E. coli increases our understanding of the antimicrobial strategies of the avian innate immune system particularly those of the egg white and the evolution of the defensin family. The potential of this peptide and others in the family can now be investigated in a number of novel antimicrobial roles.
Influence of 5 major Salmonella pathogenicity islands on NK cell depletion in mice infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis
Authors: Karasova Daniela , Sebkova Alena , Havlickova Hana , Sisak Frantisek , Volf Jiri , Faldyna Martin , Ondrackova Petra , Kummer Vladimir , Rychlik Ivan
Published: March 2010

Background

In this study we were interested in the colonisation and early immune response of Balb/C mice to infection withSalmonellaEnteritidis and isogenic pathogenicity island free mutants.

Results

The virulence ofS. Enteritidis for Balb/C mice was exclusively dependent on intact SPI-2. Infections with any of the mutants harbouring SPI-2 (including the mutant in which we left only SPI-2 but removed SPI-1, SPI-3, SPI-4 and SPI-5) resulted in fatalities, liver injures and NK cell depletion from the spleen. The infection was of minimal influence on counts of splenic CD4 CD8 T lymphocytes and γδ T-lymphocytes although a reduced ability of splenic lymphocytes to respond to non-specific mitogens indicated general immunosuppression in mice infected with SPI-2 positiveS. Enteritidis mutants. Further investigations showed that NK cells were depleted also in blood but not in the caecal lamina propria. However, NK cell depletion was not directly associated with the presence of SPI-2 and was rather an indicator of virulence or avirulence of a particular mutant because the depletion was not observed in mice infected with other attenuated mutants such aslonandrfaL.

Conclusions

The virulence ofS. Enteritidis for Balb/C mice is exclusively dependent on the presence of SPI-2 in its genome, and a major hallmark of the infection in terms of early changes in lymphocyte populations is the depletion of NK cells in spleen and blood. The decrease of NK cells in circulation can be used as a marker of attenuation ofS. Enteritidis mutants for Balb/C mice.
Binding and activation of host plasminogen on the surface of Francisella tularensis
Authors: Clinton Shawn R , Bina James E , Hatch Thomas P , Whitt Michael A , Miller Mark A
Published: March 2010

Background

Francisella tularensis (FT) is a gram-negative facultative intracellular coccobacillus and is the causal agent of a life-threatening zoonotic disease known as tularemia. Although FT preferentially infects phagocytic cells of the host, recent evidence suggests that a significant number of bacteria can be found extracellularly in the plasma fraction of the blood during active infection. This observation suggests that the interaction between FT and host plasma components may play an important role in survival and dissemination of the bacterium during the course of infection. Plasminogen (PLG) is a protein zymogen that is found in abundance in the blood of mammalian hosts. A number of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens have the ability to bind to PLG, giving them a survival advantage by increasing their ability to penetrate extracellular matrices and cross tissue barriers.

Results

We show that PLG binds to the surface of FT and that surface-bound PLG can be activated to plasmin in the presence of tissue PLG activator in vitro. In addition, using Far-Western blotting assays coupled with proteomic analyses of FT outer membrane preparations, we have identified several putative PLG-binding proteins of FT.

Conclusions

The ability of FT to acquire surface bound PLG that can be activated on its surface may be an important virulence mechanism that results in an increase in initial infectivity, survival, and/or dissemination of this bacterium in vivo.
The investigation of Mitogen-Activated Protein kinase Phosphatase-1 as a potential pharmacological target in non-small cell lung carcinomas, assisted by non-invasive molecular imaging
Authors: Tai Cheng-Jeng , Wu Alexander TH , Chiou Jeng-Feng , Jan Hsun-Jin , Wei Hon-Jian , Hsu Chung-Huei , Lin Che-Tong , Chiu Wen-Ta , Wu Cheng-Wen , Lee Horng-Mo , Deng Win-Ping
Published: March 2010

Background

Invasiveness and metastasis are the most common characteristics of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and causes of tumour-related morbidity and mortality. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling pathways have been shown to play critical roles in tumorigenesis. However, the precise pathological role(s) of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) in different cancers has been controversial such that the up-regulation of MKP-1 in different cancers does not always correlate to a better prognosis. In this study, we showed that the induction of MKP-1 lead to a significant retardation of proliferation and metastasis in NSCLC cells. We also established that rosiglitazone (a PPARγ agonist) elevated MKP-1 expression level in NSCLC cells and inhibited tumour metastasis.

Methods

Both wildtype and dominant negative forms of MKP-1 were constitutively expressed in NSCLC cell line H441GL. The migration and invasion abilities of these cells were examined in vitro. MKP-1 modulating agents such as rosiglitazone and triptolide were used to demonstrate MKP-1's role in tumorigenesis. Bioluminescent imaging was utilized to study tumorigenesis of MKP-1 over-expressing H441GL cells and anti-metastatic effect of rosiglitazone.

Results

Over-expression of MKP-1 reduced NSCLC cell proliferation rate as well as cell invasive and migratory abilities, evident by the reduced expression levels of MMP-2 and CXCR4. Mice inoculated with MKP-1 over-expressing H441 cells did not develop NSCLC while their control wildtype H441 inoculated littermates developed NSCLC and bone metastasis. Pharmacologically, rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonist appeared to induce MKP-1 expression while reduce MMP-2 and CXCR4 expression. H441GL-inoculated mice receiving daily oral rosiglitazone treatment demonstrated a significant inhibition of bone metastasis when compared to mice receiving sham treatment. We found that rosiglitazone treatment impeded the ability of cell migration and invasion in vitro. Cells pre-treated with triptolide (a MKP-1 inhibitor), reversed rosiglitazone-mediated cell invasion and migration.

Conclusion

The induction of MKP-1 could significantly suppress the proliferative and metastatic abilities of NSCLC both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, MKP-1 could be considered as a potential therapeutic target in NSCLC therapy and PPARγ agonists could be explored for combined chemotherapy.
'I guess my own fancy screwed me over': transitions in drug use and the context of choice among young people entrenched in an open drug scene
Authors: Fast Danya , Small Will , Krüsi Andrea , Wood Evan , Kerr Thomas
Published: March 2010

Background

There is growing interest in describing the broaderrisk trajectoriesexperienced by young people who use drugs - that is, in describing the sequences of drug use transitions experienced by youth in relation to evolving understandings of risk and harm. This study sought to examine young people's perspectives regarding the evolution of their drug use in the context of a local drug scene in Vancouver, Canada.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 38 individuals recruited from a cohort of young drug users known as the At-risk Youth Study (ARYS) were supplemented by ongoing ethnographic fieldwork (e.g., observations and informal conversations with youth) conducted within the same cohort population. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and a thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

The majority of youth characterized past transition events as non-exceptional, largely 'spur-of-the-moment' decisions motivated by evolving feelings of curiosity. At the same time, participants' reflections indicated that the social, structural and material contexts of drug scene entrenchment play a powerful role in shaping these decisions and transition experiences.

Conclusions

Importantly, as young people become increasingly entrenched in the local drug scene, drug use transitions seem to constitute increasingly relevant (and even 'inevitable') choices congruent with everyday lived experience. The implications of these findings for the development of meaningful interventions for youth are discussed.
The Mi-2-like Smed-CHD4 gene is required for stem cell differentiation in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea
Authors: Scimone M. Lucila , Meisel Joshua , Reddien Peter W.
Published: March 2010

Freshwater planarians are able to regenerate any missing part of their body and have extensive tissue turnover because of the action of dividing cells called neoblasts. Neoblasts provide an excellent system for in vivo study of adult stem cell biology. We identified the Smed-CHD4 gene, which is predicted to encode a chromatin-remodeling protein similar to CHD4/Mi-2 proteins, as required for planarian regeneration and tissue homeostasis. Following inhibition of Smed-CHD4 with RNA interference (RNAi), neoblast numbers were initially normal, despite an inability of the animals to regenerate. However, the proliferative response of neoblasts to amputation or growth stimulation in Smed-CHD4(RNAi) animals was diminished. Smed-CHD4(RNAi) animals displayed a dramatic reduction in the numbers of certain neoblast progeny cells. Smed-CHD4 was required for the formation of these neoblast progeny cells. Together, these results indicate that Smed-CHD4 is required for neoblasts to produce progeny cells committed to differentiation in order to control tissue turnover and regeneration and suggest a crucial role for CHD4 proteins in stem cell differentiation.
Spatial regulation of APCCdh1-induced cyclin B1 degradation maintains G2 arrest in mouse oocytes
Authors: Holt Janet E. , Weaver Jessica , Jones Keith T.
Published: March 2010

Within the mammalian ovary, oocytes remain arrested at G2 for several years. Then a peri-ovulatory hormonal cue triggers meiotic resumption by releasing an inhibitory phosphorylation on the kinase Cdk1. G2 arrest, however, also requires control in the concentrations of the Cdk1-binding partner cyclin B1, a process achieved by anaphase-promoting complex (APCCdh1) activity, which ubiquitylates and so targets cyclin B1 for degradation. Thus, APCCdh1 activity prevents precocious meiotic entry by promoting cyclin B1 degradation. However, it remains unresolved how cyclin B1 levels are suppressed sufficiently to maintain arrest but not so low that they make oocytes hormonally insensitive. Here, we examined spatial control of this process by determining the intracellular location of the proteins involved and using nuclear-targeted cyclin B1. We found that raising nuclear cyclin B1 concentrations, an event normally observed in the minutes before nuclear envelope breakdown, was a very effective method of inducing the G2/M transition. Oocytes expressed only the α-isoform of Cdh1, which was predominantly nuclear, as were Cdc27 and Psmd11, core components of the APC and the 26S proteasome, respectively. Furthermore, APCCdh1 activity appeared higher in the nucleus, as nuclear-targeted cyclin B1 was degraded at twice the rate of wild-type cyclin B1. We propose a simple spatial model of G2 arrest in which nuclear APCCdh1-proteasomal activity guards against any cyclin B1 accumulation mediated by nuclear import.
Genotype by temperature interactions in the metabolic rate of the Glanville fritillary butterfly
Authors: Niitepõld Kristjan
Published: March 2010

Metabolic rate is a highly plastic trait. Here I examine factors that influence the metabolic rate of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) in pupae and resting and flying adults. Body mass and temperature had consistent positive effects on metabolic rate in pupae and resting adults but not in flying adults. There was also a consistent nonlinear effect of the time of the day, which was strongest in pupae and weakest in flying adults. Flight metabolic rate was strongly affected by an interaction between the phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi) genotype and temperature. Over a broad range of measurement temperatures, heterozygous individuals at a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Pgi had higher peak metabolic rate in flight, but at high temperatures homozygous individuals performed better. The two genotypes did not differ in resting metabolic rate, suggesting that the heterozygotes do not pay an additional energetic cost for their higher flight capacity. Mass-independent resting and flight metabolic rates were at best weakly correlated at the individual level, and therefore, unlike in many vertebrates, resting metabolic rate does not serve as a useful surrogate of the metabolic capacity of this butterfly.
Neuromechanical simulation of the locust jump
Authors: Cofer D. , Cymbalyuk G. , Heitler W. J. , Edwards D. H.
Published: March 2010

The neural circuitry and biomechanics of kicking in locusts have been studied to understand their roles in the control of both kicking and jumping. It has been hypothesized that the same neural circuit and biomechanics governed both behaviors but this hypothesis was not testable with current technology. We built a neuromechanical model to test this and to gain a better understanding of the role of the semi-lunar process (SLP) in jump dynamics. The jumping and kicking behaviors of the model were tested by comparing them with a variety of published data, and were found to reproduce the results from live animals. This confirmed that the kick neural circuitry can produce the jump behavior. The SLP is a set of highly sclerotized bands of cuticle that can be bent to store energy for use during kicking and jumping. It has not been possible to directly test the effects of the SLP on jump performance because it is an integral part of the joint, and attempts to remove its influence prevent the locust from being able to jump. Simulations demonstrated that the SLP can significantly increase jump distance, power, total energy and duration of the jump impulse. In addition, the geometry of the joint enables the SLP force to assist leg flexion when the leg is flexed, and to assist extension once the leg has begun to extend.
Serotonin in the inferior colliculus fluctuates with behavioral state and environmental stimuli
Authors: Hall Ian C. , Rebec George V. , Hurley Laura M.
Published: March 2010

Neuromodulation by serotonin (5-HT) could link behavioral state and environmental events with sensory processing. Within the auditory system, the presence of 5-HT alters the activity of neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC), but the conditions that influence 5-HT neurotransmission in this region of the brain are unknown. We used in vivo voltammetry to measure extracellular 5-HT in the IC of behaving mice to address this issue. Extracellular 5-HT increased with the recovery from anesthesia, suggesting that the neuromodulation of auditory processing is correlated with the level of behavioral arousal. Awake mice were further exposed to auditory (broadband noise), visual (light) or olfactory (2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline, TMT) stimuli, presented with food or confined in a small arena. Only the auditory stimulus or restricted movement increased the concentration of extracellular 5-HT in the IC. Changes occurred within minutes of stimulus onset, with the auditory stimulus increasing extracellular 5-HT by an average of 5% and restricted movement increasing it by an average of 14%. These findings suggest that the neuromodulation of auditory processing by 5-HT is a dynamic process that is dependent on internal state and behavioral conditions.
Physiological mechanisms underlying a trade-off between growth rate and tolerance of feed deprivation in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Authors: Dupont-Prinet A. , Chatain B. , Grima L. , Vandeputte M. , Claireaux G. , McKenzie D. J.
Published: March 2010

The specific growth rate (SGR) of a cohort of 2000 tagged juvenile European sea bass was measured in a common tank, during two sequential cycles comprising three-weeks feed deprivation followed by three-weeks ad libitum re-feeding. After correction for initial size at age as fork length, there was a direct correlation between negative SGR (rate of mass loss) during feed deprivation and positive SGR (rate of compensatory growth) during re-feeding (Spearman rank correlation R=0.388, P=0.000002). Following a period of rearing under standard culture conditions, individuals representing ‘high growth’ phenotypes (GP) and ‘high tolerance of feed deprivation’ phenotypes (DP) were selected from either end of the SGR spectrum. Static and swimming respirometry could not demonstrate lower routine or standard metabolic rate in DP to account for greater tolerance of feed deprivation. Increased rates of compensatory growth in GP were not linked to greater maximum metabolic rate, aerobic metabolic scope or maximum cardiac performance than DP. When fed a standard ration, however, GP completed the specific dynamic action (SDA) response significantly faster than DP. Therefore, higher growth rate in GP was linked to greater capacity to process food. There was no difference in SDA coefficient, an indicator of energetic efficiency. The results indicate that individual variation in growth rate in sea bass reflects, in part, a trade-off against tolerance of food deprivation. The two phenotypes represented the opposing ends of a spectrum. The GP aims to exploit available resources and grow as rapidly as possible but at a cost of physiological and/or behavioural attributes, which lead to increased energy dissipation when food is not available. An opposing strategy, exemplified by DP, is less ‘boom and bust’, with a lower physiological capacity to exploit resources but which is less costly to sustain during periods of food deprivation.
Fibre architecture and song activation rates of syringeal muscles are not lateralized in the European starling
Authors: Uchida A. M. , Meyers R. A. , Cooper B. G. , Goller F.
Published: March 2010

The songbird vocal organ, the syrinx, is composed of two sound generators, which are independently controlled by sets of two extrinsic and four intrinsic muscles. These muscles rank among the fastest vertebrate muscles, but the molecular and morphological foundations of this rapid physiological performance are unknown. Here we show that the four intrinsic muscles in the syrinx of male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are composed of fast oxidative and superfast fibres. Dorsal and ventral tracheobronchialis muscles contain slightly more superfast fibres relative to the number of fast oxidative fibres than dorsal and ventral syringealis muscles. This morphological difference is not reflected in the highest, burst-like activation rate of the two muscle groups during song as assessed with electromyographic recordings. No difference in fibre type ratio was found between the corresponding muscles of the left and right sound generators. Airflow and electromyographic measurements during song indicate that maximal activation rate and speed of airflow regulation do not differ between the two sound sources. Whereas the potential for high-speed muscular control exists on both sides, the two sound generators are used differentially for modulation of acoustic parameters. These results show that large numbers of superfast fibre types are present in intrinsic syringeal muscles of a songbird, providing further confirmation of rapid contraction kinetics. However, syringeal muscles are composed of two fibre types which raises questions about the neuromuscular control of this heterogeneous muscle architecture.
Stabilization and swelling of hagfish slime mucin vesicles
Authors: Herr J. E. , Winegard T. M. , O'Donnell M. J. , Yancey P. H. , Fudge D. S.
Published: March 2010

When agitated, Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) produce large quantities of slime that consists of hydrated bundles of protein filaments and membrane-bound mucin vesicles from numerous slime glands. When the slime exudate contacts seawater, the thread bundles unravel and the mucin vesicles swell and rupture. Little is known about the mechanisms of vesicle rupture in seawater and stabilization within the gland, although it is believed that the vesicle membrane is permeable to most ions except polyvalent anions. We hypothesized that the most abundant compounds within the slime gland exudate have a stabilizing effect on the mucin vesicles. To test this hypothesis, we measured the chemical composition of the fluid component of hagfish slime exudate and conducted functional assays with these solutes to test their ability to keep the vesicles in a condensed state. We found K+ concentrations that were elevated relative to plasma, and Na+, Cl− and Ca2+ concentrations that were considerably lower. Our analysis also revealed high levels of methylamines such as trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), betaine and dimethylglycine, which had a combined concentration of 388 mmol l−1 in the glandular fluid. In vitro rupture assays demonstrated that both TMAO and betaine had a significant effect on rupture, but neither was capable of completely abolishing mucin swelling and rupture, even at high concentrations. This suggests that some other mechanism such as the chemical microenvironment within gland mucous cells, or hydrostatic pressure is responsible for stabilization of the vesicles within the gland.
The use of computer software for planning care in a resource-scarce setting
Authors: Green David Anthony , Reeves Ben
Published: March 2010

Even in the best resourced units, certain situations (e.g. resuscitations) can benefit from anticipation and preplanning. A resource-scarce environment can indirectly lead to poor planning and organization. Here we share our experience of using computer software (Microsoft Office Excel) to improve the planning of patient care. This technology is now widely available and we suggest that it is feasible and, indeed, particularly valuable in a resource-poor setting. We focus on the steps taken to minimize the chances of errors rooted in the program.
Incremental Satisfiability and Implication for UTVPI Constraints
Authors: Schutt Andreas , Stuckey Peter J.
Published: March 2010

Unit two-variable-per-inequality (UTVPI) constraints form one of the largest class of integer constraints that are polynomial time solvable (unless P = NP). There is considerable interest in their use for constraint solving, abstract interpretation, spatial database algorithms, and theorem proving. In this paper we develop new incremental algorithms for UTVPI constraint satisfaction and implication checking that require ℴ(m + n log n + p) time and ℴ(n + m + p) space to incrementally check satisfiability of m UTVPI constraints on n variables, and we check the implication of p UTVPI constraints. The algorithms can be straightforwardly extended to create nonincremental implication checking and generation of all (nonredundant) implied constraints, as well as generate minimal unsatisfiable subsets and minimal implicants.
FilMINT: An Outer Approximation-Based Solver for Convex Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programs
Authors: Abhishek Kumar , Leyffer Sven , Linderoth Jeff
Published: March 2010

We describe a new solver for convex mixed-integer nonlinear programs (MINLPs) that implements a linearization-based algorithm. The solver is based on an algorithm of Quesada and Grossmann [Quesada, I., I. E. Grossmann. 1992. An LP/NLP based branch-and-bound algorithm for convex MINLP optimization problems. Comput. Chemical Engrg. 16(10–11) 937–947] that avoids the complete re-solution of a master mixed-integer linear program (MILP) by adding new linearizations at open nodes of the branch-and-bound tree whenever an integer solution is found. The new solver, FilMINT, combines the MINTO branch-and-cut framework for MILP with filterSQP to solve the nonlinear programs that arise as subproblems in the algorithm. The MINTO framework allows us to easily employ cutting planes, primal heuristics, and other well-known MILP enhancements for MINLPs. We present detailed computational experiments that show the benefit of such advanced MILP techniques. We offer new suggestions for generating and managing linearizations that are shown to be efficient on a wide range of MINLPs. By carefully incorporating and tuning all these enhancements, an effective solver for convex MINLPs is constructed.
Regadenoson Injection
Authors: Cada Dennis J. , Levien Terri L. , Baker Danial E.
Published: March 2010

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing inservices. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation (DUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are sent in print and are also available online. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. Subscribers to the The Formulary Monograph Service also receive access to a pharmacy bulletin board, The Formulary Information Exchange (The F.I.X). All topics pertinent to clinical and hospital pharmacy are discussed on The F.I.X.

Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service or The F.I.X., call The Formulary at 800–322–4349. The January 2009 monograph topics are on lacosamide, fesoterodine, C1 inhibitor (human), silodosin, and cethromycin. The DUE is on lacosamide.
Actively Caring for Safety: Overcoming Bystander Apathy; ConsumerMedSafety.org: Arming Your Patients with Information to Prevent Medication Errors; Institute for Safe Medication Practices Gains PSO Status
Authors: Cohen Michael R. , Smetzer Judy L.
Published: March 2010

These medication errors have occurred in health care facilities at least once. They will happen again—perhaps where you work. Through education and alertness of personnel and procedural safeguards, they can be avoided. You should consider publishing accounts of errors in your newsletters and/or presenting them at your inservice training programs.

Your assistance is required to continue this feature. The reports described here were received through the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Medication Errors Reporting Program. Any reports published by ISMP will be anonymous. Comments are also invited; the writers' names will be published if desired. ISMP may be contacted at the address shown below.

Errors, close calls, or hazardous conditions may be reported directly to ISMP through the ISMP Web site ( www.ismp.org ), by calling 800-FAIL-SAFE, or via e-mail at ismpinfo@ismp.org . ISMP guarantees the confidentiality and security of the information received and respects reporters' wishes as to the level of detail included in publications.
Extensions of Narens' theory of ratio magnitude estimation
Authors: Augustin Thomas
Published: March 2010

Stevens postulated that the responses of a participant in a ratio scaling experiment can be used directly to construct a psychophysical function. Today, it is generally accepted that the axioms of commutativity and multiplicativity are crucial for the interpretation of the subjects' ratio scaling behaviour. Empirical findings provide evidence that commutativity holds, whereas multiplicativity fails to hold across different sensory modalities. This shows that, in principle, Stevens' direct scaling methods yield measurements on a ratio scale level, but that the numerals occurring in a ratio scaling experiment cannot be taken at face value. Thus, Narens and others introduced a transformation function f, which converts the numerals used in an experiment into the latent mathematical numbers. The aim of the present paper is to specify the (unknown) shape of the transformation function f, by analysing different extensions of the multiplicative property. The results provide evidence that f is either a power function or a logarithmic function.
The Italian job?: Comparing theory of mind performance in British and Italian children
Authors: Lecce Serena. , Hughes Claire.
Published: March 2010

Cross‐cultural research on theory of mind is relatively recent and largely restricted to comparisons of children from Western versus non‐Western samples; much less is known about variation within Western cultures. This study compared 5‐ to 6‐year‐olds from Britain and Italy (matched for age, verbal age, gender, and maternal education;N= 140), on tests tapping children's understanding of 1st and 2nd order false belief and mixed emotions. Overall, British children outperformed Italian children; group differences were clearest for tests of false‐belief understanding. These results are discussed in relation to contrasts in family talk about mental states, schooling, language comprehension, and cultural factors in Britain and Italy.
What does it mean to ‘live’ and ‘die’? A cross‐linguistic analysis of parent–child conversations in English and Indonesian
Authors: Leddon Erin M. , Waxman Sandra R. , Medin Douglas L.
Published: March 2010

Previous work on children's intuitive knowledge about the natural world has documented their difficulty in acquiring an overarching concept of biological life that includes plants as well as humans and non‐human animals. It has also suggested that the acquisition of fundamental biological concepts likealiveanddiemay be influenced by the language used to describe them, as evidenced by differences between English‐ and Indonesian‐speaking children's performance in tasks involving these concepts. Here, we examine one particularly important source of linguistic information available to children during this acquisition process: everyday conversations with their parents. We take a cross‐linguistic approach in analysing the evidence available to English‐ and Indonesian‐speaking children as they acquire meanings for words corresponding to the conceptsaliveanddie. Our analysis illustrates that young children acquiring English and Indonesian are faced with distinct problems, but that parental input in both languages does little to support the acquisition of broad, inclusive biological concepts.
Once Grazing, Now Gone: Sweetgrass
Authors: Ratner Megan
Published: March 2010

Incorporating interview material with filmmakers Ilisa Barbash and Lucien Castaing-Taylor, this essay discusses the sheepherding documentary Sweetgrass, especially its use of sound and its mournful deconstruction of the Western.
Blood and Sugar: The Films of Dušan Makavejev
Authors: Power Nina
Published: March 2010

A reconsideration of the fruitful 1965–75 period in Yugoslav director Dušan Makavejev's career, arguing that Man Is Not a Bird, Love Affair, or The Case of the Missing Switchboard Operator, Innocence Unprotected, WR: Mysteries of the Organism, and Sweet Movie raise questions about sexuality and politics which remain important.