bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Narrate and Embody: A Response To Nigel Biggar, `Specify and Distinguish'
Authors: Hays Richard B.
Published: March 2009

This response has two parts: a reply to Nigel Biggar's specific criticisms of my exegesis and an appeal for attention to more fundamental theological issues. Biggar generally disregards the narrative and epistolary contexts of the verses he cites and introduces anachronistic conceptual distinctions. Beyond specific exegetical disagreements, his argument fails to address the broader christological, ecclesiological, and eschatological warrants for Christians to embody Jesus' way of peace. The moral vocation of the people of God is grounded in the story of Jesus Christ. It is this story that makes just war theologically problematical.
On the Relevance of Jesus Christ for Christian Judgements About the Legitimacy of Violence: A Modest Proposal
Authors: Clough David
Published: March 2009

This article surveys traditional and modern interpretations of Jesus' teaching on violence in the Sermon on the Mount, showing that from Augustine onwards and for a wide variety of reasons Christians have taken the view that the teaching and example of Christ about violence cannot be squared with the necessity of being violent in the context in which they find themselves. Against this position, the article makes the modest proposal that the Church will decide best about the ethics of violence when it recognizes that the teaching and example of Jesus Christ are relevant to the question.
Synthesis and Characterization of Some Polyesters and Poly(ester-imide)s Based on Bisphenol-A Derivatives
Authors: Vlad-Bubulac Tachita , Hamciuc Corneliu , Petreus Oana
Published: March 2009

Aromatic polyesters and poly(ester-imide)s based on bisphenol-A derivatives were prepared by solution polycondensation at high temperature of three diols with an aromatic diacide chloride containing two preformed ester groups, namely terephthaloyl-bis-(4-oxybenzoylchloride) or two diacide chlorides containing preformed imide rings, namely 4-chloroformyl- N ( p-chloroformylphenyl)-phthalimide and 2,2-bis[ N-(4-chloroformylphenyl)phthalimidyl] hexafluoropropane. The polymers were easily soluble in polar organic solvents, such as N-methylpyrrolidone, N , N -dimethylformamide, N , N -dimethylacetamide and chloroform. They showed high thermal stability, the decomposition temperature being above 320 °C and the glass transition temperature in the range 92—196 ° C. Some of the polymers exhibited thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior.
Synthesis and Characterization of Bismaleimide-modified, Soy-based Epoxy Matrices for Flame-retardant Applications
Authors: Mohamed Aboobucker Sithique  , Nagendiran Shanmugam , Alagar Muthukaruppan
Published: March 2009

Epoxidized soybean oil at various concentrations was cured with amine curing agent. The prepared matrices were chemically modified with three types of bismaleimides, namely N, N′ -bismaleimido4,4 ′ -diphenylmethane (BMI-1), 1,3-bis(maleimido)benzene (BMI-2) and 3,3′ -bis(maleimidophenyl) phenylphosphine oxide (BMI-3). The interpenetrating networks thus developed were characterized for glass transition temperature, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical analysis, heat distortion temperature, flame retardancy and water absorption behavior. The incorporation of bismaleimides in the soy-based epoxy matrices significantly enhanced thermal stability and flame retardancy. The excellent flame retardant properties of the BMI-3 incorporated system were also demonstrated by high char yield and high limiting oxygen index. Dynamic mechanical analysis studies showed that the storage modulus increased with the increase in the concentration of bismaleimides and a reduction in the tan δ value for the bismaleimide-modified, 30 wt.% soy-based epoxy system due to enhanced cross-linking density and rigidity.
Blend of Nylon 6 and Polyaniline Doped with Sulfanilic Acid and its Schottky Diode
Authors: Shaker Mabrouk Ebrahim  , Moataz Mohmed Soliman  , Mona Mahmound Abd El-Latif
Published: March 2009

Polyaniline/nylon 6 blends were prepared from formic acid as a single solvent with various weight ratios of polyaniline (PANI). The optical, structural, morphological, thermal, and electrical properties of these blends were investigated. Blend films with PANI protonated with sulfanilic acid (SA) as a new protonating agent showed higher conductivity and degree of protonation in comparison with unprotonated PANI. The PANI-SA/nylon 6 blend exhibited a percolation threshold at around 1.66 wt.% of PANI, whereas unprotonated PANI/nylon 6 blend appeared at round 10 wt.% of PANI. Schottky diodes based on PANI-SA and nylon 6 blend at different weight percentages of PANI were fabricated and characterized using Al as Schottky contact and Ag as an Ohmic contact.
Turning terrorism into a soap opera
Authors: Thussu Daya
Published: March 2009

Last November’s television coverage of the attacks in Mumbai was sensationalist and marked by fevered speculation that led to the transmission of many falsehoods. It also sparked a controversial debate about whether it might be necessary to regulate reporting during an unfolding emergency. Daya Thussu, Professor of International Communication at the University of Westminster, explores the issues and raises questions about the commercial imperative that drives TV to present atrocity as spectacle.
Them and us: is there a difference?
Authors: Gaber Ivor
Published: March 2009

It is no longer an easy matter to define exactly who is a journalist. As the blogosphere expands in range and influence, there are more and more people – the people formerly known as the audience – who are taking an active part in disseminating news. The change this has wrought in reporting has both renewed the old debate over “objectivity” and stimulated a new concern about ethical standards. Ivor Gaber, Professor of Political Campaigning and Reporting at City University, considers the dangers of dealing with an anarchic tsunami of information.
Spookmania and the media
Authors: Wilkinson Nick
Published: March 2009

The media, and their audiences, have long been obsessed with spies and spying. In 1912, to avoid overt censorship, the British government and the then press proprietors reached a gentlemanly agreement to establish a D-Notice Committee in order to restrict reporting of intelligence and security matters that might harm the national interest. It is a system that continues to work effectively, writes Nick Wilkinson, who served as the D-Notice Secretary for five years and whose official history of the system will be published in May this year.
BBC wounds that won't heal
Authors: Somerville Keith
Published: March 2009

The BBC’s training programme for staff after the 2007 revelations about faked winners of phone-ins and competitions was something of a fake itself, argues one of the men tasked with running the course, Keith Somerville. Now a journalism lecturer at Brunel University he was a BBC journalist for 28 years, latterly at the corporation’s College of Journalism. He contends that though the programme, Safeguarding Trust, was well constructed it was watered down and failed to question ruling editorial cultures. Now, with journalists required to be multi-media reporters, there is concern about a further decline in standards.
Book Review: Not baring all about Rupert
Authors: Black Conrad
Published: March 2009

Former Telegraph group proprietor Conrad Black, writing from his prison cell in Florida, reviews Michael Wolff’s biography of Rupert Murdoch, The Man Who Owns The News. He begains by calling “mediocre and annoying” and then he really lets rip.
Staying alive in the killing fields
Authors: Pollard Nick
Published: March 2009

Reporting on wars has always been a risky business for journalists. But news organisations have transformed their approach to safety in recent years by ensuring that all their staff sent to the front line have as much training as possible to minimise their chances of becoming victims of the conflict they are covering. Despite that, and the virtual industry that has grown up around risk assessment, individual journalists on the ground will go on taking decisions that place them in danger, writes Nick Pollard, the former head of Sky News.
Literary and Historical 3D Digital Game—Based Learning: Design Guidelines
Authors: Neville David O. , Shelton Brett E.
Published: March 2009

As 3D digital game—based learning (3D-DGBL) for the teaching of literature and history gradually gains acceptance, important questions will need to be asked regarding its method of design, development, and deployment. This article offers a synthesis of contemporary pedagogical, instructional design, new media, and literary-historical theories to articulate design guidelines for these types of game environments. From the synthesis emerges a discussion of critical components for the design of space, the virtual objects within it, and the needs of player-as-learner in synthetic worlds. Guidelines include preserving the otherness of the game world, supporting knowledge and social networks of learners in virtual spaces, and the importance of point of view with respect to situated contexts. This effort seeks to open a broader, multidisciplinary discussion on the design and use of 3D-DGBL in humanities curricula.
The Empirical Status of Treatments for Children and Youth With Conduct Problems
Authors: Litschge Christine M. , Vaughn Michael G. , McCrea Cynthia
Published: March 2009

Objective: The present study identifies and summarizes treatment effects for children and adolescent conduct problems based on accrued meta-analytic studies. Method: Systematic search and coding procedures were used to summarize studies from 1980 to 2007. Results: A total of 26 meta-analytic reviews composed of nearly 2,000 studies revealed substantial variation in effect sizes. The majority (45%) of effect sizes was small to medium in magnitude ( d < .36). In terms of the distribution of effect sizes ( n = 125), the mean is d = 0.43 ( SD = 0.32). Conclusion: Although there is considerable variation in effect sizes, the results seem to demonstrate evidence for equifinality. Furthermore, these effects are sturdy across a number of interrelated outcomes. Practitioners who work with children and adolescents should be aware of the range of evidence-based treatments available for conduct problems. Limitations of taking stock of treatment outcome literature via meta-analyses are highlighted.
Enhancing the Experience of Student Teams in Large Classes
Authors: Sargent Leisa D. , Allen Belinda C. , Frahm Jennifer A. , Morris Gayle
Published: March 2009

To address the increasing demand for mass undergraduate management education and, at the same time, a greater emphasis on student teamwork, this study outlines the development, delivery, and evaluation of a training intervention designed to build team-coaching skills in teaching assistants. Specifically, practice-centered and problem-centered techniques were used to provide teaching assistants with experiential learning opportunities to help them develop their skills. The authors evaluated the training intervention using a mixed-method multiple-data source design. Both the teaching assistants being trained as well as the student teams’ experiences and perceptions of their coaches’ performance were assessed. The evaluation showed that teaching assistants reported finding the program a positive experience. Importantly, students with trained coaches reported higher levels of coaching performance, team functioning, and productivity than those with untrained coaches. The implications of this intervention are discussed.
A Comparison of Three Types of Opportunities to Respond on Student Academic and Social Behaviors
Authors: Haydon Todd , Conroy Maureen A. , Scott Terrance M. , Sindelar Paul T. , Barber Brian R. , Orlando Ann-Marie
Published: March 2009

An alternating treatments design was used to investigate the effects of three types of opportunities to respond (i.e., individual, choral, and mixed responding) on sight words and syllable practice in six elementary students with behavioral problems. During the mixed responding condition, five out of six students demonstrated a lower rate of disruptive behavior, and four out of six students had fewer intervals of off-task behavior. Results of the three types of opportunities to respond on participants’ active student responding were less clear. A discussion of limitations, implications, and future research directions is included.
Family Education and Support Services in Systems of Care
Authors: Gyamfi Phyllis , Walrath Christine , Burns Barbara J. , Stephens Robert L. , Geng Yisong , Stambaugh Leyla
Published: March 2009

This study examines the use of family education and support (FES) services within community-based mental health systems. Using data from the national evaluation of the Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI), 2,853 caregivers and their children ages 6 to 18 years from 39 communities participated in this study. The findings indicated that during the first 6 months of entry into services, one third of families received FES services, and the clinical characteristics of children whose families received FES services were found to be more severe at intake into services with significantly higher internalizing and externalizing problems and significantly lower strengths than those families who did not. Similarly, caregivers who received FES services entered services experiencing more strain. The findings have implications for the impact of FES services on children.
What does a structured review of the effectiveness of exercise interventions for persons with multiple sclerosis tell us about the challenges of designing trials?
Authors: Asano M , Dawes DJ , Arafah A , Moriello C , Mayo NE
Published: March 2009

Objective

The goal of this review is to ascertain the extent to which the current body of research on the role of exercise in multiple sclerosis (MS) provides sufficiently strong evidence to guide regular exercise prescription.

Methods

We searched CINAHL, COCHRANE, EMBASE, and MEDLINE between 1950 and December 2007 with combinations of MeSH terms and keywords. We assessed the methodological quality of selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of exercise interventions using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and evaluated the effects of the exercise interventions by calculating effect sizes (ES) for the target outcomes.

Results

Eleven RCTs met the criteria, all with acceptable methodological quality. The ES ranged from −0.36 to 3.50 on the target outcomes. Only one study had 95% confidence intervals clearly excluding a value of 0. Measures of body functions and structures and activities were the most common target outcomes of interventions.

Conclusion

Although there was some evidence to support positive effects of exercise on physical and psychosocial functioning and on quality of life, our review revealed insufficient research in this area, making it difficult to guide regular exercise prescription. Furthermore, it also emphasizes the methodological challenges in these RCTs leading us to believe that there is a great need for high quality RCTs in this area, contributing evidence for regular exercise and physical activity prescription for persons with MS.
Anti-α-glucose–based glycan IgM antibodies predict relapse activity in multiple sclerosis after the first neurological event
Authors: Freedman MS , Laks J , Dotan N , Altstock RT , Dukler A , Sindic CJM
Published: March 2009

Background

There is no specific serum-based biomarker for the diagnosis or prognosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objective

We investigated whether levels of IgM antibodies to Glc(α1,4)Glc(α) (GAGA4) or to a panel of four glucose-based glycans could differentiate MS from other neurological diseases (OND) or predict risk of early relapse following first presentation (FP) of RRMS.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 440 sera samples of three cohorts: A) FP-RRMS ( n = 44), OND ( n = 44); B) FP-RRMS ( n = 167), OND ( n = 85); and C) FP ( n = 100). Anti-GAGA4 IgM levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay in cohort-A and cohort-B. Cohort-C IgM antibodies to glucose-based glycan panel were measured by immunofluorescence.

Results

FP-RRMS had higher levels of anti-GAGA4 IgM than OND patients (cohort-A, P = 0.01; cohort-B, P = 0.0001). Sensitivity and specificity were 27% and 97% for cohort-A; and 26% and 90% for cohort-B, respectively. In cohort-C, 58 patients experienced early relapse (<24 months), 31 had late relapse (≥24 months), and 11 did not experience second attack during follow-up. Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated decrease in time to next relapse for patients positive for the antibody panel ( P = 0.02, log rank).

Conclusions

Serum anti-GAGA4 IgM discerns FP-RRMS patients from OND patients. Higher levels of serum anti-α-glucose IgM in FP patients predict imminent early relapse.
Effects of listening strategy instruction on news videotext comprehension
Authors: Cross Jeremy
Published: March 2009

Developments in broadcast and multimedia technology have generated a readily available and vast supply of videotexts for use in second and foreign language learning contexts. However, without pedagogical direction learners are unlikely to be able to deal with the complexities of this authentic listening resource, and strategy instruction may be one route to augmenting comprehension. This quasi-experimental, classroom-based study investigated the impact of listening strategy instruction on advanced-level, adult, Japanese, EFL (English as a foreign language) learners' comprehension of BBC news videotexts. An experimental group received 12 hours of listening strategy instruction consisting of the presentation, practice, and review of listening strategies, while a comparison group did not receive any explicit strategy instruction. Results indicated a significant improvement for the experimental group, although a significant effect in favour of the experimental group with respect to the comparison group was not evident as the comparison group also made significant gains. Possible reasons for findings are outlined and recommendations for future research presented.
Student preferences: Goal-setting and self-assessment activities in a tertiary education environment
Authors: Kato Fumie
Published: March 2009

This article reports the results of student preferences with respect to intervention studies integrated into college level Japanese language courses in two consecutive years. The initial study was entitled `Goal List Project'; the subsequent amended study was entitled `Self-Assessment Project'. The former project required the students to set individual goals and to commit to the goals in a written document. On the basis of the analysis of the students' responses, the second study excluded the written goal list requirement. Both projects contained common elements of student reflection, self-assessment, documentation of problems/comments and written instructor feedback. Questionnaires ( n = 225) were used to investigate the projects from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective. More students recognized the intervention processes used in the Self-Assessment Project as being helpful compared to those used in the Goal List Project. This is indicative of a learner preference for intervention activity dealing with performance self-assessment as opposed to activities that included goal-setting procedures.
African Leadership
Authors: Bolden Richard , Kirk Philip
Published: March 2009

This article provides an account of meanings and connotations of `African leadership' emerging from research with a cohort of participants on a Pan-African leadership development programme. We begin by reviewing current approaches to leadership, and how they have been applied to the study of leadership and management across cultures, before introducing the notion of the `African renaissance', which calls for a re-engagement with indigenous knowledge and practices. The findings from our study indicate a tension between accounts and representations of leadership and the potential for leadership development to act as a forum in which participants can work through these issues. In developing an Afro-centric perspective on leadership, we propose that development activities that promote relational, critical and constructionist perspectives on leadership, with an emphasis on dialogue and sharing experience, could be an important means for surfacing new insights and understandings. In particular, they offer a mechanism by which participants can enhance their sense of `self in community', generate shared understandings, challenge repressive power relations, and develop culturally appropriate forms of leadership behaviour. We conclude by proposing that further research is required on leadership in Africa that steps outside dominant methodological and empirical paradigms, and argue that such work holds great potential for generating insights not just relevant to leadership in Africa but to leadership studies in general.
Terrorism and the Proportionality of Internet Surveillance
Authors: Brown Ian , Korff Douwe
Published: March 2009

As the Internet has become a mainstream communications mechanism, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have developed new surveillance capabilities and been given new legal powers to monitor its users. These capabilities have been particularly targeted toward terrorism suspects and organizations that have been observed using the Internet for communication, propaganda, research, planning, publicity, fundraising and creating a distributed sense of community. Policing has become increasingly pre-emptive, with a range of activities criminalized as `supporting' or `apologizing for' terrorism. The privacy and non-discrimination rights that are core to the European legal framework are being challenged by the increased surveillance and profiling of terrorism suspects. We argue that their disproportionate nature is problematic for democracy and the rule of law, and will lead to practical difficulties for cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
Who's Who?
Authors: Neyland Daniel
Published: March 2009

This article engages empirically with the futures of biometric identification. It does so by engaging with the current UK political debate regarding the introduction of identity cards, by participating in a trial of biometric technologies and by working with an organisational setting where ID cards would be introduced (an airport). The article suggests that, although social science can not predict the future, it can map out ways to engage with technological uncertainty, the challenges of producing and mobilizing identity and the politics of technology development. The article argues that detailed engagement with these areas is currently neglected and that such neglect leaves problematic spaces in discussions regarding the development of biometric technologies.
The `Surveillance Society'
Authors: Wood David Murakami
Published: March 2009

The concept of the `surveillance society' has become a central part of the emerging transdisciplinary narrative of surveillance studies, and is now to be found as much in criminology as in many of the other domains upon which it draws. This piece takes on two key problems generated by contemporary use of the term `surveillance society'; those of its historical novelty and its general geographical or cultural generalizability. In this article, I show that the historical development of arguments about surveillance have created particular and changing ideas of the `surveillance society'. However the contemporary period opens up questions of geography and culture. With reference to the comparative case of Japan, I argue both that a contextual understanding of both surveillance and `surveillance society' is crucial. While surveillance is involved with processes of globalization, it is also not necessarily the same `surveillance society' that one sees in different places and at different scales. Surveillance is historically, spatially and culturally located.
Undressing “Health Fashion”: An Examination of Health-Cause Clothing and Accessories
Authors: Walker Kandi L. , Hart Joy L. , Gregg Jennifer L. , LaJoie A. Scott
Published: March 2009

Today, fashion items such as rubber wristbands in various colors, pink ribbons, and red dresses represent different health-related causes and can be seen frequently across demographic groups. Complete with pithy slogans (e.g., “Go Red for Women”), these items are part of a larger “health fashion” trend—one that involves wearing, using, and displaying health-cause clothing and accessories. In this article, the authors explore recent interest in “health fashion,” examining in particular its origins, effectiveness, and implications.
Evaluation of an Arthritis Communication Campaign to Promote Physical Activity in Two Cities
Authors: Boardman Angela M. , Lob Sibylle H. , Fineman Norman , Ford-Keach Pamela , Fox Patrick
Published: March 2009

Two communications campaigns (a “standard” campaign and an “enhanced” campaign linked to a physical activity opportunity) are evaluated to increase physical activity among people with arthritis. A pre- (n = 295) and post- (n = 806) intervention random sample telephone survey is conducted in two cities to measure the population effect of the campaigns. There are no changes in overall message awareness, beliefs, or behaviors related to physical activity and arthritis management in either city. Significant changes in message awareness and exercise frequency are found in subgroups in both cities, but the results do not show an advantage to enhancing the campaign with a local physical activity opportunity. An inability to saturate the market may partly explain why no overall significant increase in message awareness is found after the campaign. A high level of message awareness among respondents before the campaign may also have made it more difficult to affect measured outcomes.
Promoting Children’s Health Through Physically Active Math Classes: A Pilot Study
Authors: Erwin Heather E. , Abel Mark G. , Beighle Aaron , Beets Michael W.
Published: March 2009

School-based interventions are encouraged to support youth physical activity (PA). Classroom-based PA has been incorporated as one component of school wellness policies. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the effects of integrating PA with mathematics content on math class and school day PA levels of elementary students. Participants include four teachers and 75 students. Five math classes are taught without PA integration (i.e., baseline) followed by 13 math classes that integrate PA. Students wear pedometers and accelerometers to track PA during math class and throughout the school day. Students perform significantly more PA on school days and in math classes during the intervention. In addition, students perform higher intensity (step min-1) PA during PA integration math classes compared with baseline math classes. Integrating PA into the classroom is an effective alternative approach to improving PA levels among youth and is an important component of school-based wellness policies.
A Dynamic Model of Client Recruitment and Retention in Community-Based HIV Prevention Programs
Authors: Miller Robin Lin , Levine Ralph L. , McNall Miles A. , Khamarko Kevin , Valenti Maria Teresa
Published: March 2009

The study used system dynamics modeling computer simulations to gain a better understanding of the process of delivering small-group, evidence-based HIV prevention programs in the community and to explore implications for public health practice. A model was developed to explain provider-reported challenges associated with recruiting, retaining, and graduating people from small-group workshop programs. The model simulations revealed the difficulty in sustaining high rates of recruitment and retention in small-group programs over time. The model simulations provided insight into what processes may lead to suboptimal numbers of people being recruited and positively influenced by these programs.
Uncertain Prospects
Authors: Burger John D. , Walters Stephen J. K.
Published: March 2009

This study uses a unique data set and valuation method to quantify returns to teams in baseball’s high-stakes, high-risk amateur draft. Thanks to teams’ monopsony power over draftees and low-seniority players, payoffs on successful picks far outweigh losses on unsuccessful ones: the expected annual yield on the median first-round draftee is 44%. However, the pattern of returns is inconsistent with market efficiency. Expected yields are lower for high school draftees than collegians (36% vs. 57%), lower for pitchers than position players (34% vs. 52%), and decline for later-round long shots.
Persons With Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Improve Activities and Mood via Instruction Technology
Authors: Lancioni Giulio E. , Singh Nirbhay N. , O'Reilly Mark F. , Sigafoos Jeff , Pangrazio Maria Teresa , Megna Marisa , Zonno Nadia , La Martire Maria L. , Pinto, Katia , Minervini Mauro G.
Published: March 2009

Background: Three studies assessed the (a) effectiveness of verbal instructions presented via technology in helping persons with moderate Alzheimer's disease perform daily activities and (b) impact of activity engagement on mood. Methods: The 3 studies targeted coffee preparation with 2 women, use of make-up with 2 women, and use of make-up and tea preparation with 3 women. Intervention effects on activity performance were assessed through nonconcurrent multiple baseline designs across participants or multiple baseline designs across activities. The impact of activity on mood was assessed by recording indices of happiness during activity trials and parallel nonactivity periods. Results: Verbal instructions presented via technology were effective in helping all participants perform the target activities. The participants also showed mood improvement (ie, increases in indices of happiness) during the activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that the approach reported may be a useful strategy for helping persons with Alzheimer's disease.
The Clenched Fist Syndrome: A Presentation of Eight Cases and an Analysis of the Medicolegal Aspects in Denmark
Authors: WEIS T. , BOECKSTYNS M. E. H.
Published: March 2009

Clenched fist is a rare disorder of the hand associated with fixed contractures of fingers. The condition is often preceded by minor trauma or surgery, but these do not explain the severity of the contractures. Extension of the fingers is painful and hygienic problems can be considerable. Psychiatric disease is frequent in clenched fist patients. The patients may express a strong wish for amputations. In a review of eight patients with clenched fist who had claimed economic compensation from the Danish Patient Insurance Association, four patients had amputations. Three of them subsequently developed new contractures.
Tendon Entrapment in Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: OKAZAKI M. , TAZAKI K. , NAKAMURA T. , TOYAMA Y. , SATO K.
Published: March 2009

We retrospectively defined the rate and clinical features of tendon entrapment in 693 consecutive patients with 701 distal radius fractures treated in a single hospital. Eight extensor tendons and one flexor tendon were entrapped. All fractures with extensor tendon entrapment were palmarly displaced (Smith type) or epiphyseal. Flexor tendon entrapment was seen in dorsally angulated (Colles type) epiphyseal fracture. The rate of tendon entrapment in acute distal radius fractures was 1.3%. Extensor tendon entrapment in palmarly displaced fractures is more common.
Free ‘Mini’ Groin Flap for Digital Resurfacing
Authors: TARE M. , RAMAKRISHNAN V.
Published: March 2009

Ten cases of post-traumatic skin and soft tissue loss over the digits were resurfaced by free ‘mini’ groin flap. Five patients had defects of the dorsum of the digit, three had proximal palmar defects, one patient had circumferential skin loss and one had multiple digital injuries. The flap was harvested from the contralateral groin using a two-team approach. The average size of the flap was 5.5 × 4.75 cm and the mean operating time was 2.45 hrs. All patients had physiotherapy within 48–72 hrs. There were no flap losses. Six patients were happy with the cosmetic result and did not require any further debulking. We recommend free tissue transfer for digital resurfacing specifically in moderate to large dorsal defects, proximal volar defects, circumferential skin loss and multiple digit injuries.
Incidence of Re-Operation and Subjective Outcome Following in Situ Decompression of the Ulnar Nerve at the Cubital Tunnel
Authors: GOLDFARB C. A. , SUTTER M. M. , MARTENS E. J. , MANSKE P. R.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the failure rate of in situ decompression for cubital tunnel syndrome as determined by the need for additional surgery. We performed a comprehensive chart review of 56 adult patients who had undergone in situ decompression for cubital tunnel syndrome in 69 extremities with more than 1 year follow-up. The patients completed a comprehensive questionnaire concerning preoperative and postoperative pain, numbness, and weakness. After decompression, symptoms were improved substantially or resolved. Five limbs (7%) with persistent symptoms postoperatively were treated successfully with anterior submuscular transposition. These data suggest that in situ decompression of the ulnar nerve is a reliable treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome and has a low failure rate. The uncommon patient with continued symptoms after decompression can be treated effectively with transposition of the ulnar nerve.
The Irony of Satire
Authors: LaMarre Heather L. , Landreville Kristen D. , Beam Michael A.
Published: March 2009

This study investigated biased message processing of political satire in The Colbert Report and the influence of political ideology on perceptions of Stephen Colbert. Results indicate that political ideology influences biased processing of ambiguous political messages and source in late-night comedy. Using data from an experiment ( N = 332), we found that individual-level political ideology significantly predicted perceptions of Colbert's political ideology. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the groups in thinking Colbert was funny, but conservatives were more likely to report that Colbert only pretends to be joking and genuinely meant what he said while liberals were more likely to report that Colbert used satire and was not serious when offering political statements. Conservatism also significantly predicted perceptions that Colbert disliked liberalism. Finally, a post hoc analysis revealed that perceptions of Colbert's political opinions fully mediated the relationship between political ideology and individual-level opinion.
Moral Politicking
Authors: Becker Amy B. , Scheufele Dietram A.
Published: March 2009

Using data from a nationally representative random-digit-dial survey collected before the 2004 presidential election ( N = 781), this study examines the ways in which predispositions, media use, and political inputs (political knowledge; political tolerance) influence public support for gay marriage. Our analyses suggest that attitudes toward gay marriage were largely shaped by ideological orientations and religious predispositions during the course of the 2004 election cycle. We show that ideological predispositions acted as perceptual filters by moderating the influence that attention to television campaign coverage has on shaping support for gay marriage. Our findings also suggest that ideological and religious predispositions attenuated the effects of political knowledge and judgments of political tolerance on influencing support for gay marriage. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Spanish- and English-language Local Television Coverage of Politics and the Tendency to Cater to Latino Audiences
Authors: Fowler Erika Franklin , Hale Matthew , Olsen Tricia D.
Published: March 2009

Congressional mandates, federal regulatory policy, local broadcasters, and democratic ideals agree that local media should present local news in a way that adequately represents (and ideally unifies) local communities. But how do local broadcasters determine the composition of their local community? And is their portrayal of the community consistent with the ideals of representative democracy? Through one of the first systematic examinations of Spanish- and English-language local television newscasts, the authors find that general market media attention to Latino audiences is a function of the characteristics of the target audience, the size of the media market, the interaction of market size and market characteristics, and the degree of competition between local stations. The results, however, also indicate that even under the most optimal circumstances, general market outlets provide minimal coverage of minority interests. The implications for localism in broadcasting, democratic representation, and the nature and quality of political information reaching citizens and noncitizens alike are also discussed.
Policy or Processes in Focus?
Authors: Skorkjær Binderkrantz Anne , Green-Pedersen Christoffer
Published: March 2009

The news media are frequently accused of portraying politics as a strategic game rather than focusing on political issues. However, the understanding of the prevalence of different news frames in the media coverage of politics is limited in several respects. This article seeks to contribute to remedying this by (1) conducting a longitudinal analysis of the use of different news frames during election periods as well as in everyday politics, (2) adopting an analytical framework including several different types of process focus, and (3) pointing to the importance of including political developments alongside changes in the media system when explaining developments in the news coverage of politics. The empirical analysis of twenty years of public radio news in Denmark confirms a long-term trend toward greater focus on electoral consequences in news stories in election periods; however, the trend is not mirrored in news stories when an election is not imminent. In explaining these findings, situational factors related to the political system and party politics must be included alongside explanations pointing toward an increasing professionalization of political parties as well as long-term changes in the media system and in party competition.
Party Systems and Oppositional Voices in the News Media
Authors: Sheafer Tamir , Wolfsfeld Gadi
Published: March 2009

This study explores those factors that raise the level of access for oppositional voices in the news media. The Politics—Media—Politics principle argues that cross-national differences in the role of the news media in most political processes can be best understood by examining how variations in political environments affect media performance, which in turn leads to different types of effects on politics. Based on this principle, it is argued that the news media operating in polarized multiparty democracies will allow greater access to oppositional voices than those in two-party democracies. This thesis is examined by comparing the news coverage of major news stories in the United States and Israel in 1984, 1990, and 2000. These two countries provide a useful comparison because they have similar media systems but polar opposite political systems. The results provide strong support for the thesis.
A proliferation-inducing ligand mediates follicular lymphoma B-cell proliferation and cyclin D1 expression through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–regulated mammalian target of rapamycin activation
Authors: Gupta Mamta , Dillon Stacey R. , Ziesmer Steven C. , Feldman Andrew L. , Witzig Thomas E. , Ansell Stephen M. , Cerhan James R. , Novak Anne J.
Published: March 2009

A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), as well as its receptors transmembrane activator and calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand (CAML) interactor (TACI) and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), has been shown to be important in B-cell biology, and overexpression of APRIL in mice results in development of lymphoma. Limited data are available on APRIL-specific signaling responses, but knockout models suggest that signaling through TACI is critical to B-cell homeostasis. To better understand the mechanism by which APRIL exerts its effects and how it may contribute to lymphomagenesis, we sought to characterize the outcome of APRIL-TACI interactions. In support of murine studies, we find that APRIL induces proliferation of human patient follicular lymphoma (FL) B cells in a TACI-dependent manner. This study also shows that APRIL is expressed within the tumor microenvironment and that, upon engagement with TACI, APRIL mediates activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Activation of PI3K via APRIL results in phosphorylation of Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the mTOR-specific substrates p70S6 kinase and 4E-binding protein 1 in a TACI-dependent manner. APRIL-mediated signaling also results in phosphorylation of Rb and up-regulation of cyclin D1. These studies are the first to characterize APRIL-TACI–specific signaling and suggest a role for this ligand-receptor pair in FL B-cell growth.
The mouse Runx1 +23 hematopoietic stem cell enhancer confers hematopoietic specificity to both Runx1 promoters
Authors: Bee Thomas , Ashley Emma L.K. , Bickley Sorrel R.B. , Jarratt Andrew , Li Pik-Shan , Sloane-Stanley Jackie , Göttgens Berthold , de Bruijn Marella F.T.R.
Published: March 2009

The transcription factor Runx1 plays a pivotal role in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) emergence, and studies into its transcriptional regulation should give insight into the critical steps of HSC specification. Recently, we identified the Runx1 +23 enhancer that targets reporter gene expression to the first emerging HSCs of the mouse embryo when linked to the heterologous hsp68 promoter. Endogenous Runx1 is transcribed from 2 alternative promoters, P1 and P2. Here, we examined the in vivo cis-regulatory potential of these alternative promoters and asked whether they act with and contribute to the spatiotemporal specific expression of the Runx1 +23 enhancer. Our results firmly establish that, in contrast to zebrafish runx1, mouse Runx1 promoter sequences do not confer any hematopoietic specificity in transgenic embryos. Yet, both mouse promoters act with the +23 enhancer to drive reporter gene expression to sites of HSC emergence and colonization, in a +23-specific pattern.
JNets: Exploring networks by integrating annotation
Authors: MacPherson Jamie I , Pinney John W , Robertson David L
Published: March 2009

Background

A common method for presenting and studying biological interaction networks is visualization. Software tools can enhance our ability to explore network visualizations and improve our understanding of biological systems, particularly when these tools offer analysis capabilities. However, most published network visualizations are static representations that do not support user interaction.

Results

JNets was designed as a network visualization tool that incorporates annotation to explore the underlying features of interaction networks. The software is available as an application and a configurable applet that can provide a flexible and dynamic online interface to many types of network data. As a case study, we use JNets to investigate approved drug targets present within the HIV-1 Human protein interaction network. Our software highlights the intricate influence that HIV-1 has on the host immune response.

Conclusion

JNets is a software tool that allows interaction networks to be visualized and studied remotely, from within a standard web page. Therefore, using this free software, network data can be presented in an enhanced, interactive format. More information about JNets is available athttp://www.manchester.ac.uk/bioinformatics/jnets.
Photo-activation of the hydrophobic probe iodonaphthylazide in cells alters membrane protein function leading to cell death
Authors: Viard Mathias , Garg Himanshu , Blumenthal Robert , Raviv Yossef
Published: March 2009

Background

Photo-activation of the hydrophobic membrane probe 1, 5 iodonaphthylazide (INA) by irradiation with UV light (310–380 nm) results in the covalent modification of transmembrane anchors of membrane proteins. This unique selectivity of INA towards the transmembrane anchor has been exploited to specifically label proteins inserted in membranes. Previously, we have demonstrated that photo-activation of INA in enveloped viruses resulted in the inhibition of viral membrane protein-induced membrane fusion and viral entry into cells. In this study we show that photo-activation of INA in various cell lines, including those over-expressing the multi-drug resistance transporters MRP1 or Pgp, leads to cell death. We analyzed mechanisms of cell killing by INA-UV treatment. The effects of INA-UV treatment on signaling via various cell surface receptors, on the activity of the multi-drug resistance transporter MRP1 and on membrane protein lateral mobility were also investigated.

Results

INA treatment of various cell lines followed by irradiation with UV light (310–380 nm) resulted in loss of cell viability in a dose dependent manner. The mechanism of cell death appeared to be apoptosis as indicated by phosphatidylserine exposure, mitochondrial depolarization and DNA fragmentation. Inhibition by pan-caspase inhibitors and cleavage of caspase specific substrates indicated that at low concentrations of INA apoptosis was caspase dependent. The INA-UV treatment showed similar cell killing efficacy in cells over-expressing MRP1 function as control cells. Efflux of an MRP1 substrate was blocked by INA-UV treatment of the MRP1-overexpressing cells. Although INA-UV treatment resulted in inhibition of calcium mobilization triggered by chemokine receptor signaling, Akt phosphorylation triggered by IGF1 receptor signaling was enhanced. Furthermore, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments indicated that INA-UV treatment resulted in reduced lateral mobility of a seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor.

Conclusion

INA is a photo-activable agent that induces apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. It reacts with membrane proteins to alter the normal physiological function resulting in apoptosis. This activity of INA maybe exploited for use as an anti-cancer agent.
Preventing falls in older multifocal glasses wearers by providing single-lens distance glasses: the protocol for the VISIBLE randomised controlled trial
Authors: Haran Mark J , Lord Stephen R , Cameron Ian D , Ivers Rebecca Q , Simpson Judy M , Lee Bonsan B , Porwal Mamta , Kwan Marcella MS , Severino Connie
Published: March 2009

Background

Recent research has shown that wearing multifocal glasses increases the risk of trips and falls in older people. The aim of this study is to determine whether the provision of single-lens distance glasses to older multifocal glasses wearers, with recommendations for wearing them for walking and outdoor activities, can prevent falls. We will also measure the effect of the intervention on health status, lifestyle activities and fear of falling, as well as the extent of adherence to the program.

Methods/Design

Approximately 580 older people who are regular wearers of multifocal glasses people will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to either an intervention group (provision of single lens glasses, with counselling and advice about appropriate use) or a control group (usual care). The primary outcome measure will be falls (measured with 13 monthly calendars). Secondary measures will be quality of life, falls efficacy, physical activity levels and adverse events.

Discussions

The study will determine the impact of providing single-lens glasses, with advice about appropriate use, on preventing falls in older regular wearers of multifocal glasses. This pragmatic intervention, if found to be effective, will guide practitioners with regard to recommending appropriate glasses for minimising the risk of falls in older people.

Trial Registration

The protocol for this study was registered with the Clinical Trials.gov Protocol Registration System on June 7th 2006 (#350855).