bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining Job Stress and Satisfaction Among Digital Forensic Examiners
Authors: Holt Thomas J. , Blevins Kristie R.
Published: May 2011

A significant body of research has developed focusing on the occupational reactions of police officers and criminal justice system employees. Few studies have, however, examined the way that digital forensic analysts working with computerized evidence experience and respond to work stress. This study addresses this gap in the literature through an analysis of job satisfaction and stress in the work experiences of a sample of 56 digital forensic analysts. The findings suggest that analysts experience a moderate amount of work stress, high levels of job satisfaction, and utilize prosocial coping strategies to deal with these stresses.
A Multi-scale Formulation for Predicting Non-linear Thermo-electro-mechanical Response in Heterogeneous Bodies
Authors: Muliana Anastasia , Lin Chien-Hong
Published: May 2011

This study presents a multi-scale formulation for analyzing coupled heat conduction and thermo-electro-mechanical deformation in heterogeneous bodies, namely active composites. The studied active composite comprises ferroelectric inclusions dispersed in polymer matrix. The multi-scale framework is derived based on an integrated simplified micromechanical and finite element model. A non-linear thermo-electro-elastic constitutive model of materials undergoing large electric driving fields and small strains is used for the polarized ferroelectric inclusions. An integration algorithm with predictor and corrector schemes is developed to obtain approximate solutions of field variables: temperature, displacement, strain, stress, electric field, and electric displacement. The multi-scale model is capable of determining field variables at multiple length scales which is important when non-linear behaviors in the constituents of heterogeneous bodies are considered. We examine the effect of mismatches in the properties of the constituents in an active composite on the overall field coupling responses in the composite. We also compare the field coupling responses in an active composite to those of a homogeneous body, i.e., lead zirconate titanate (PZT). We finally present a simulation of controlling deformation in a smart cantilever beam using the multiscale framework.
Increasing Intrinsic Motivation to Learn in Organizational Behavior Classes
Authors: McEvoy Glenn M.
Published: May 2011

This article describes my experiences redesigning a masters-level organizational behavior (OB) course. The course was delivered to two different audiences— MBA and MS-HR students—two different times. The redesign employed several unique features designed to increase and enhance student intrinsic interest in the subject matter. Two measures of intrinsic motivation were collected along with measures of perceived usefulness of the OB course content, student satisfaction, and student learning. Also, follow-up focus groups were conducted with a subset of the students after the courses were over to gain insight on student reactions. Results provide partial support for the notion that MS-HR students were more intrinsically interested in the subject matter of the course than were MBA students, but outcomes with satisfaction, perceived usefulness, and student learning were mixed. Results are discussed in terms of which specific aspects of the course redesign seemed more effective at eliciting student interest and motivation and which proved problematic. Implications for both teaching and research are provided.
Seeing African Americans as Competent Parents: Implications for Family Counselors
Authors: Adkison-Bradley Carla
Published: May 2011

One of the primary roles of parents is to guide and socialize children to make meaningful life choices. African American parents, in particular, have the additional tasks of preparing their children to thrive in an environment that has historically been hostile toward African Americans. Yet, many African American parents are often depicted as incapable of rearing their own children. This article will examine issues pertaining to African American parents maintaining their humanity in the face of a society that has viewed them as incompetent. Implications for family counseling research and practice will be discussed.
Using Item Response Theory and Adaptive Testing in Online Career Assessment
Authors: Betz Nancy E. , Turner Brandon M.
Published: May 2011

The present article describes the potential utility of item response theory (IRT) and adaptive testing for scale evaluation and for web-based career assessment. The article describes the principles of both IRT and adaptive testing and then illustrates these with reference to data analyses and simulation studies of the Career Confidence Inventory (CCI). The kinds of information provided by IRT are shown to give a more precise look at scale quality across the trait continuum and also to permit the use of adaptive testing, where the items administered are tailored to the individual being tested. Such tailoring can significantly reduce testing time while maintaining high quality of measurement. This efficiency is especially useful when multiscale inventories and/or a large number of scales are to be administered. Readers are encouraged to consider using these advances in career assessment.
Vocational Psychology and Ex-Offenders’ Reintegration: A Call for Action
Authors: Brown Chris
Published: May 2011

Failure to find steady and rewarding employment and stabilizing economic resources are key contributors to recidivism among ex-offenders. Within 3 years of their release, almost two thirds of ex-offenders return to prison. Ex-offenders face formidable barriers to employment including legal limitations and those specific to their skills, education, and training. In addition to these real barriers and the stigma associated with having a criminal record, the ex-offender’s prospect of securing employment is further complicated by the high national unemployment rate that is characteristic of our current economic downturn. Furthermore, due to limited and or restricted hiring opportunities, ex-offenders may be unable to pursue jobs that best fit their interests. Discussion of the role of work in the lives of ex-offenders has been scarce in the vocational psychology literature. Hence, this article illuminates the ex-offender’s reintegration process and the vocational implications of having a criminal record. The author argues that the field of vocational psychology is distinctively qualified to assume a greater presence in the scholarly literature relevant to the vocational needs of ex-offenders.
A Cross-National Test of the Uncertainty Hypothesis of Religious Belief
Authors: Barber Nigel
Published: May 2011

According to the uncertainty hypothesis, religion helps people cope psychologically with dangerous or unpredictable situations. Conversely, with greater control over the external environment due to economic development and technological advances, religious belief is predicted to decline (the existential security hypothesis). The author predicts that religious belief would decline in economically developed countries where there is greater existential security, including income security (income equality and redistribution via welfare states) and improved health. These predictions are tested in regression analyses of 137 countries that partialed out the effects of Communism and Islamic religion both of which affect the incidence of reported nonbelief. Findings show that disbelief in God increased with economic development (measured by lower agricultural employment and third-level enrollment). Findings further show that disbelief also increased with income security (low Gini coefficient, high personal taxation tapping the welfare state) and with health security (low pathogen prevalence). Results show that religious belief declines as existential security increases, consistent with the uncertainty hypothesis.
The Utility of the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms in a Sample of Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Weiss Rebecca A. , Rosenfeld Barry , Farkas Melanie R.
Published: May 2011

The challenges of accurate forensic assessment are aggravated when evaluatees have intellectual disabilities. Few studies have addressed the efficacy of forensic assessment in samples diagnosed with an intellectual disability, and those that have typically focus on measures of cognitive effort rather than on feigned psychiatric symptoms. This study focuses on the applicability of the original and revised versions of the Structured Interview of Reported Symptoms (SIRS) in a sample of participants with genuine intellectual disabilities. The SIRS was administered to 43 individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, all of whom were asked to respond honestly. A considerable proportion of these respondents were misclassified as feigning psychiatric symptoms. These misclassifications were most frequent when the respondents had comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. The updated scoring algorithm of the SIRS-2 generated a rate of misclassifications that was substantially lower but that still exceeded published normative data. The implications for forensic assessment are discussed.
Torsional surface waves in gravitating anisotropic porous half space
Authors: Gupta Asit K. , Gupta S.
Published: May 2011

In this paper we discuss the propagation of torsional surface waves in an anisotropic porous half space in the presence of a gravity field. Although the torsional wave does not propagate in an isotropic elastic half space in the absence of a gravity field, it is found that such a wave propagates in a gravitating isotropic half space. It also propagates in anisotropic half space in the presence or absence of a gravity field if the modulus of elasticity in the horizontal direction is more than that of the vertical direction. It is observed that poro-elasticity has a dominant effect on the velocity of the torsional surface wave. The velocity of the wave increases considerably as the porosity of the medium increases. The presence of a gravity field is also seen to increase the velocity of the torsional surface wave. The velocity depends to a large degree on the anisotropy factor. As a particular case, it is verified that the torsional surface wave does not propagate in perfect fluid under gravity.
Face Time in the Hotel Industry
Authors: O’Neill John W.
Published: May 2011

Many hotel companies, and the hotel industry in general, have been cited as having a culture of face time, that is, a culture inducing its managers to spend considerable amounts of nonproductive time at work. This subject exploratory study seeks to provide greater understanding regarding this apparently common practice but understudied academic topic. This empirical study analyzes how and to what extent the culture of the hotel industry, and of specific lodging companies, relate to levels of face time. It also analyzes how differences in hotel location and size and differences in manager age and tenure affect the extent to which hotel managers report putting in nonproductive face time at work.
The balance of pro-inflammatory and trophic factors in multiple sclerosis patients: effects of acute relapse and immunomodulatory treatment
Authors: Lindquist Sabine , Hassinger Sarah , Lindquist Jonathan A , Sailer Michael
Published: May 2011

Background: In multiple sclerosis inflammation is primarily injurious to the central nervous system, but its therapeutic suppression might inhibit repair-promoting factors.

Objectives: We aimed at better describing the complexity of biological effects during an acute relapse and analysed the effects of intervention with high-dose i.v. glucocorticoids and immunomodulatory treatment with interferon-beta (IFNβ).

Methods: We studied the intracellular expression levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) together with the neurotrophins ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of multiple sclerosis patients during an acute relapse, after intervention with i.v. methylprednisolone and at baseline, using a highly quantitative flow-cytometric approach.

Results: We demonstrated the expression of CNTF in human leucocytes. We showed that CNTF levels differed in acutely relapsing multiple sclerosis patients compared with controls and increased after corticosteroid treatment. CNTF can counteract the toxicity of TNFα towards oligodendrocytes and we found TNFα increased during acute relapses. Following corticosteroids, neither TNFα nor iNOS expression was reduced. Levels of BDNF were not affected by glucocorticoids, but increased during IFNβ therapy. However, IFNβ also increased the expression of iNOS and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), underlining its immunomodulatory potential.

Conclusions: Multiple sclerosis patients might benefit from reparative, and not solely from anti-inflammatory, effects of glucocorticoids. Interactive effects of glucocorticoid- and IFNβ-treatment need to be considered to improve neuroprotection and remyelination resulting from immunomodulatory treatment.
HAGIL (Hamburg Vigil Study): a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study with modafinil for treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Möller F , Poettgen J , Broemel F , Neuhaus A , Daumer M , Heesen C
Published: May 2011

Objective: To reassess the effect of modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting artificial psychostimulant, on fatigue and neuropsychological measures in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Methods: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a baseline score of ≥4 on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and an Expanded Disability Status Scale score <7 were eligible for the 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Modafinil was dosed up to 200 mg/day within 1 week. Assessments were performed at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks. The primary outcome parameter was the mean change of the FSS mean score. Secondary outcome variables were other questionnaires covering fatigue, daytime sleepiness and sleep quality. Cognitive impairment was assessed by the oral version of the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT).

Results: The study included 121 MS patients. Dropout rate was 9%. Both treatment groups showed improvements through time. While mean FSS at 8 weeks showed a trend difference between groups in the intention-to-treat analysis, the primary endpoint was not met. Assessment of cognitive impairment by SDMT and PASAT showed contradictory results. All other secondary endpoints were not met. There was no major safety concern.

Conclusions: In general, the study does not support modafinil as an effective treatment for MS fatigue. However, the study shows the need for new study designs and endpoints in MS fatigue studies.
Randomized trial of a teleconference-delivered fatigue management program for people with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Finlayson Marcia , Preissner Katharine , Cho Chi , Plow Matthew
Published: May 2011

Background: Previous studies support the efficacy and effectiveness of face-to-face group-based fatigue management education for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Nevertheless, many people are unable to access these programs due to environmental barriers.

Objectives: To test the efficacy and effectiveness of a group-based, teleconference-delivered fatigue management program for people with MS.

Methods: A randomly allocated two-group time series design with a wait-list control group was used. In total 190 participants were allocated (94 intervention, 96 wait-list control). Primary outcomes (fatigue impact, fatigue severity, health-related quality of life (HRQOL)) were measured before, immediately after, at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post. Secondary outcome (self-efficacy) was measured at the same points. Effectiveness (intent-to-treat) and efficacy (per protocol) analyses were conducted.

Results: The program was more effective and efficacious than control for reducing fatigue impact but not fatigue severity. Before and after comparisons with the pooled sample demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness for fatigue impact, fatigue severity, and 6 of 8 HRQOL dimensions. Changes were maintained for 6 months with small to moderate effect sizes.

Conclusion: The results offer strong support for the viability of teleconference-delivered fatigue management education for enabling people with MS to manage this disabling symptom.
Imaging the tip of the iceberg: visualization of cortical lesions in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Seewann Alexandra , Vrenken Hugo , Kooi Evert-Jan , van der Valk Paul , Knol Dirk L , Polman Chris H , Pouwels Petra JW , Barkhof Frederik , Geurts Jeroen JG
Published: May 2011

Background: Cortical lesions (CLs) occur frequently in multiple sclerosis (MS), but only few CLs are observed on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Why some CLs are visible and others are not is currently unknown. Here, we investigated whether CLs that are visible on conventional MRI differ from MRI-invisible CLs in terms of underlying histopathology and quantitative MRI (qMRI) measures.

Methods: A total of 16 brain slices from 10 patients with chronic MS were analysed histopathologically and with conventional and qMRI. A region-of-interest approach was used to compare MRI-visible CLs with MRI-invisible CLs.

Results: Although under-powering cannot be completely excluded in this study, MRI-visible CLs did not seem to differ from MRI-invisible CLs in terms of histopathology or qMRI measures. They were, however, significantly larger than their invisible counterparts (mean 13.3 ± 1.7 mm2 versus 6.9 ± 1.3 mm2; p = 0.001). Furthermore, the number of MRI-visible lesions correlated with the overall number of CLs in the brain slice ( r = 0.96, p < 0.01) and with the overall percentage of demyelination ( r = 0.78, p < 0.01) per hemispheric brain slice.

Conclusion: MRI visibility of CLs is determined by lesion size, and not by any distinctive underlying pathology. Visible CLs are associated with a higher total cortical lesion load, which suggests that when CLs in patients with MS become detectable on MRI, they merely represent ‘the tip of the pathological iceberg’.
After renaissance: China’s multilateral offensive in the developing world
Authors: Sohn Injoo
Published: May 2011

Why does a re-emerging China pursue institutional strategies to expand its multilateral ties all over the world? This study explains the genesis of China’s new multilateral diplomacy toward Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. The central argument of the study is that many strands of structural arguments drawn from realist, liberal, and constructivist insights cannot provide complete explanations about China’s multilateral activism without recourse to cognitive feedback dynamics. China fed its regional experiences of multilateralism back into its global policy formation. This experiment-based approach has been a pervasive feature in Chinese multilateral diplomacy as well as Chinese domestic reforms during the post-Mao period. The cognitive feedback model developed in this study intends to complement the prominent structural explanations by identifying micro-level dynamics and seeks to contribute to today’s debate over power transition and international order.
From comparative to international genocide studies: The international production of genocide in 20th-century Europe
Authors: Shaw Martin
Published: May 2011

Genocide is widely seen as a phenomenon of domestic politics, which becomes of international significance because it offends against international law. Hence there are as yet inadequate International Relations analyses of the production of genocide. This article challenges the idea of the domestic genesis of genocide, and critiques the corresponding approach of ‘comparative genocide studies’ which is dominant in the field. It analyses the emergence of more fruitful ‘relational’ and ‘international’ approaches in critical genocide studies, while identifying the limitations of their accounts of the ‘international system’. As first steps towards an adequate international account, the article then explores questions of the international meaning and construction of genocidal relations, and of international relations as the context of genocide. It argues for a historical and sociological approach to the international relations of genocide, and examines 20th-century European genocide in this light. Arguing for a broader conception of this historical experience than is suggested by an exclusive focus on the Holocaust, the article offers an interpretation of genocide as increasingly endemic and systemic in international relations in the first half of the century. It concludes by arguing that this account offers a starting point, but not a model, for analyses of genocide in global international relations in the 21st century.
The better mousetrap fallacy: A case study of the Bali Pathfinder tourist map
Authors: Leiper Neil , Lamont Matthew
Published: May 2011

‘Build’ a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door’ is a slogan originating in the USA in the 19th century that could be applied to the Bali Pathfinder tourist map which is, in its utilitarian and artistic features, superior to other maps intended for tourists in Bali — and its price is lower. However, it is ‘a better mousetrap’ which relatively few tourists are beating a path to buy. Other maps are selling in larger quantities. Thus the case study illustrates what critical thinkers — skeptics — call ‘the better mousetrap fallacy’. A map of excellent quality — designed, published and distributed by a small-scale Balinese-owned business, has a minor share of its market. The weakness is in its method of distribution. In contrast, multinational publishers have a strong method, enabling them to capture a larger share. The strength of the multinationals cannot be matched by the small-scale local publisher.
Crisis management in the travel agency sector: A case study
Authors: Perl Yaron , Israeli Aviad A.
Published: May 2011

The study focuses on crisis management in the travel agency sector. The analysis is based on a questionnaire that assembled a list of crisis management practices. These practices are grouped into four categories: marketing, maintenance, human resources and government assistance. The study evaluates the importance travel agencies’ managers assign to each practice. In addition, the study evaluates how managers use the different crisis management practices. The findings suggest that there is a gap between the importance managers assign to different practices and the intensity of usage. The gap is especially evident in the category of government assistance where importance of practices is higher than their usage. In addition, managers tend to combine different practice from the different categories of marketing, maintenance, human resources and government assistance in an effort to achieve cost cuts. The paper concludes with recommendations for practitioners and suggestions for future research.
How do travel agencies obtain a competitive advantage?: Through a travel blog marketing channel
Authors: Huang Leo , Yung Chi-Yen , Yang Evonne
Published: May 2011

This study explores travel blog marketing channel strategies and the conceptual business model of the marketing channel from travel agency practitioners’ perspective. It is the first attempt to evaluate the external environment forces of adopting a travel blog marketing channel and to discern the motivations for investment in a travel blog marketing channel. In addition to developing travel blog marketing channels’ differentiated strategies and emphasizing the performances of travel blog marketing channels, this study adopts a three-round Delphi research design. According to the findings, Taiwanese travel agencies consider four external environment forces, five internal motivations for investment, four developing differentiated strategies, and four channel performance measurement indicators. This study is quite innovative in that no one else so far has analyzed nor tried to discern the issues of travel blog marketing channel strategies and the business model of travel agency blogs. Finally, the construct of a travel blog marketing channel strategy model for Taiwan’s travel agency industry can help address practical and theoretical needs.
Shari’a and legal pluralism in the West
Authors: Turner Bryan S. , Arslan Berna Zengin
Published: May 2011

Since 9/11, the possibilities for pluralism and tolerance have been severely tested by a discourse of terrorism and security. The development of an intelligent and cosmopolitan understanding between religious communities in Europe and America has been compromised by a range of legal and political responses to terrorism. While the debate about the berqa has clearly indicated the problems relating to Muslim cultural differences, we argue that legal pluralism and in particular the question of Shari’a tribunals may prove to be a more decisive test of Western multiculturalism. This article examines the many criticisms raised against religious arbitration in domestic affairs and considers the presence of the Shari’a at various levels of society, claiming that the evolution of Sharia-mindedness is compatible both with a faith-based life and with liberal ideals. However, the problem with religious courts lies elsewhere, namely with the fragmentation of social life and the erosion of citizenship. The article concludes by examining the prospects and problems of Turkish entry into the European Union with special reference to the domestic policies of the Justice and Development Party.
Issues Encountered by Physicians During International Travel With Youth National Soccer Teams
Authors: Rosenbaum Daryl A. , Davis Stephen W.
Published: May 2011

Background: Little information is available to guide the selection, preparation, and support of a traveling team physician.

Purpose: To determine the types of injuries and medical problems, as well as general team health and performance issues, encountered by physicians traveling internationally with youth national soccer teams.

Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology.

Methods: Physicians assigned to travel abroad with the under-17 men’s and women’s US national soccer teams during a 2-year period documented all encounters with team and staff members. Physicians also documented consultations related to team health and performance issues.

Results: The 108 cases (5.71 per 10 days) were evenly divided between injuries (n = 54) and noninjuries (n = 54). Players sought care at a higher rate than did staff (2.28 vs 1.09 per 100 person days). Mean severity for all player cases was 5.19 days missed (injuries, 10.48; noninjuries, 0.23). Nearly 69% of injuries involved the lower extremities: strains, sprains, and contusions accounted for 74.1% of injuries. Gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and otolaryngologic complaints accounted for 77.8% of noninjuries. Medications were administered in 71% of cases, with analgesics, cough and cold remedies, antibiotics, and gastrointestinal agents accounting for the majority. The leading team health and performance concerns were nutrition/hydration, conditioning, prevention, and doping control.

Conclusion: Physicians traveling internationally with youth soccer teams manage an equal proportion of musculoskeletal and medical problems using simple medications.
Folk Beliefs About Human Genetic Variation Predict Discrete Versus Continuous Racial Categorization and Evaluative Bias
Authors: Plaks Jason E. , Malahy Lori Wu , Sedlins Mara , Shoda Yuichi
Published: May 2011

What role do folk beliefs about human genetic variation play in racial categorization and evaluation? In two studies, the authors assessed or manipulated participants' estimates of the percentage of genetic material that human beings have in common and examined whether this variable would predict categorization (Study 1) and evaluation (Study 2) of faces that varied monotonically in Black–White racial composition. In both studies, participants with low (vs. high) genetic overlap beliefs implicitly perceived the boundary between races to be more discrete. These results remained significant even when controlling for such variables as Need for Cognition, political ideology, essentialist beliefs, and “entity” beliefs. These findings suggest that believing that all people possess similar (vs. different) genetic makeup may serve as a key assumption that shapes racial categorization.
Infection of dendritic cells with herpes simplex virus type 1 induces rapid degradation of CYTIP, thereby modulating adhesion and migration
Authors: Theodoridis Alexandros A. , Eich Christina , Figdor Carl G. , Steinkasserer Alexander
Published: May 2011

Immune responses require spatial and temporal coordinated interactions between different cell types within distinct microenvironments. This dynamic interplay depends on the competency of the involved cells, predominantly leukocytes, to actively migrate to defined sites of cellular encounters in various tissues. Because of their unique capacity to transport antigen from the periphery to secondary lymphoid tissues for the activation of naive T cells, dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the initiation and orchestration of adaptive immune responses. Therefore, pathogen-mediated interference with this process is a very effective way of immune evasion. CYTIP (cytohesin-interacting protein) is a key regulator of DC motility. It has previously been described to control LFA-1 deactivation and to regulate DC adherence. CYTIP expression is up-regulated during DC maturation, enabling their transition from the sessile to the motile state. Here, we demonstrate that on infection of human monocyte-derived DCs with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), CYTIP is rapidly degraded and as a consequence β-2 integrins, predominantly LFA-1, are activated. Furthermore, we show that the impairment of migration in HSV-1-infected DCs is in part the result of this increased integrin-mediated adhesion. Thus, we propose a new mechanism of pathogen-interference with central aspects of leukocyte biology.
HIV-1 activates Cdc42 and induces membrane extensions in immature dendritic cells to facilitate cell-to-cell virus propagation
Authors: Nikolic Damjan S. , Lehmann Martin , Felts Richard , Garcia Eduardo , Blanchet Fabien P. , Subramaniam Sriram , Piguet Vincent
Published: May 2011

HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission confers a strong advantage as it increases efficiency of transfer up to 100-fold compared with a cell-free route. Mechanisms of HIV-1 cell-to-cell transmission are still unclear and can in part be explained by the presence of actin-containing cellular protrusions. Such protrusions have been shown to facilitate cell-to-cell viral dissemination. Using fluorescence microscopy, electron tomography, and ion abrasion scanning electron microscopy we show that HIV-1 induces membrane extensions in immature dendritic cells through activation of Cdc42. We demonstrate that these extensions are induced after engagement of DC-SIGN by HIV-1env via a cascade that involves Src kinases, Cdc42, Pak1, and Wasp. Silencing of Cdc42 or treatment with a specific Cdc42 inhibitor, Secramine A, dramatically reduced the number of membrane protrusions visualized on the cell surface and decreased HIV-1 transfer via infectious synapses. Ion abrasion scanning electron microscopy of cell-cell contact regions showed that cellular extensions from immature dendritic cells that have the appearance of thin filopodia in thin section images are indeed extended membranous sheets with a narrow cross section. Our results demonstrate that HIV-1 binding on immature dendritic cells enhances the formation of membrane extensions that facilitate HIV-1 transfer to CD4+ T lymphocytes.
Identification of T-lymphocytic leukemia–initiating stem cells residing in a small subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemic disease
Authors: Risueño Ruth M. , Campbell Clinton J. V. , Dingwall Steve , Levadoux-Martin Marilyne , Leber Brian , Xenocostas Anargyros , Bhatia Mickie
Published: May 2011

Xenotransplantation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) into immunodeficient mice has been critical for understanding leukemogenesis in vivo and defining self-renewing leukemia-initiating cell subfractions (LICs). Although AML-engraftment capacity is considered an inherent property of LICs, substrains of NOD/SCID mice that possess additional deletions such as the IL2Rγcnull (NSG) have been described as a more sensitive recipient to assay human LIC function. Using 23 AML-patient samples, 39% demonstrated no detectable engraftment in NOD/SCID and were categorized as AMLs devoid of LICs. However, 33% of AML patients lacking AML-LICs were capable of engrafting NSG recipients, but produced a monoclonal T-cell proliferative disorder similar to T-ALL. These grafts demonstrated self-renewal capacity as measured by in vivo serial passage and were restricted to CD34-positive fraction, and were defined as LICs. Molecular analysis for translocations in MLL genes indicated that these AML patient-derived LICs all expressed the MLL-AFX1 fusion product. Our results reveal that the in vivo human versus xenograft host microenvironment dictates the developmental capacity of human LICs residing in a small subset of patients diagnosed with AML harboring MLL mutations. These findings have implications both for the basic biology of CSC function, and for the use of in vivo models of the leukemogenic process in preclinical or diagnostic studies.
Efficacy and safety of once-weekly and twice-weekly bortezomib in patients with relapsed systemic AL amyloidosis: results of a phase 1/2 study
Authors: Reece Donna E. , Hegenbart Ute , Sanchorawala Vaishali , Merlini Giampaolo , Palladini Giovanni , Bladé Joan , Fermand Jean-Paul , Hassoun Hani , Heffner Leonard , Vescio Robert A. , Liu Kevin , Enny Christopher , Esseltine Dixie-Lee , van de Velde Helgi , Cakana Andrew , Comenzo Raymond L.
Published: May 2011

This first prospective phase 2 study of single-agent bortezomib in relapsed primary systemic AL amyloidosis evaluated the recommended (maximum planned) doses identified in phase 1 testing (1.6 mg/m2 once weekly [days 1, 8, 15, and 22; 35-day cycles]; 1.3 mg/m2 twice weekly [days 1, 4, 8, and 11; 21-day cycles]). Among all 70 patients enrolled in the study, 44% had ≥ 3 organs involved, including 73% and 56% with renal and cardiac involvement. In the 1.6 mg/m2 once-weekly and 1.3 mg/m2 twice-weekly groups, the hematologic response rate was 68.8% and 66.7% (37.5% and 24.2% complete responses, respectively); median time to first/best response was 2.1/3.2 and 0.7/1.2 months, and 78.8% and 75.5% had response durations of ≥ 1 year, respectively. One-year hematologic progression-free rates were 72.2% and 74.6%, and 1-year survival rates were 93.8% and 84.0%, respectively. Outcomes appeared similar in patients with cardiac involvement. Among all 70 patients, organ responses included 29% renal and 13% cardiac responses. Rates of grade ≥ 3 toxicities (79% vs 50%) and discontinuations/dose reductions (38%/53% vs 28%/22%) resulting from toxicities appeared higher with 1.3 mg/m2 twice-weekly versus 1.6 mg/m2 once-weekly dosing. Both bortezomib dose schedules represent active, well-tolerated regimens in relapsed AL amyloidosis. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00298766.
Decreased GABAB receptor function in the cerebellum and brain stem of hypoxic neonatal rats: Role of glucose, oxygen and epinephrine resuscitation
Authors: Anju Thoppil R , Jayanarayanan Sadanandan , Paulose Cheramadatikudiyil S
Published: May 2011

Background-

Hypoxia during the first week of life can induce neuronal death in vulnerable brain regions usually associated with an impairment of cognitive function that can be detected later in life. The neurobiological changes mediated through neurotransmitters and other signaling molecules associated with neonatal hypoxia are an important aspect in establishing a proper neonatal care.

Methods-

The present study evaluated total GABA, GABAB receptor alterations, gene expression changes in GABAB receptor and glutamate decarboxylase in the cerebellum and brain stem of hypoxic neonatal rats and the resuscitation groups with glucose, oxygen and epinephrine. Radiolabelled GABA and baclofen were used for receptor studies of GABA and GABAB receptors respectively and Real Time PCR analysis using specific probes for GABAB receptor and GAD mRNA was done for gene expression studies.

Results-

The adaptive response of the body to hypoxic stress resulted in a reduction in total GABA and GABAB receptors along with decreased GABAB receptor and GAD gene expression in the cerebellum and brain stem. Hypoxic rats supplemented with glucose alone and with oxygen showed a reversal of the receptor alterations and changes in GAD. Resuscitation with oxygen alone and epinephrine was less effective in reversing the receptor alterations.

Conclusions-

Being a source of immediate energy, glucose can reduce the ATP-depletion-induced changes in GABA and oxygenation, which helps in encountering hypoxia. The present study suggests that reduction in the GABAB receptors functional regulation during hypoxia plays an important role in central nervous system damage. Resuscitation with glucose alone and glucose and oxygen to hypoxic neonatal rats helps in protecting the brain from severe hypoxic damage.
HTPheno: An image analysis pipeline for high-throughput plant phenotyping
Authors: Hartmann Anja , Czauderna Tobias , Hoffmann Roberto , Stein Nils , Schreiber Falk
Published: May 2011

Background

In the last few years high-throughput analysis methods have become state-of-the-art in the life sciences. One of the latest developments is automated greenhouse systems for high-throughput plant phenotyping. Such systems allow the non-destructive screening of plants over a period of time by means of image acquisition techniques. During such screening different images of each plant are recorded and must be analysed by applying sophisticated image analysis algorithms.

Results

This paper presents an image analysis pipeline (HTPheno) for high-throughput plant phenotyping. HTPheno is implemented as a plugin for ImageJ, an open source image processing software. It provides the possibility to analyse colour images of plants which are taken in two different views (top view and side view) during a screening. Within the analysis different phenotypical parameters for each plant such as height, width and projected shoot area of the plants are calculated for the duration of the screening. HTPheno is applied to analyse two barley cultivars.

Conclusions

HTPheno, an open source image analysis pipeline, supplies a flexible and adaptable ImageJ plugin which can be used for automated image analysis in high-throughput plant phenotyping and therefore to derive new biological insights, such as determination of fitness.
Evolution of MIR159/319 microRNA genes and their post-transcriptional regulatory link to siRNA pathways
Authors: Li Yang , Li Chaoqun , Ding Guohui , Jin Youxin
Published: May 2011

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are prevalent and important endogenous gene regulators in eukaryotes. MiR159 and miR319 are highly conserved miRNAs essential for plant development and fertility. Despite high similarity in conservation pattern and mature miRNA sequences, miR159 and miR319 have distinct expression patterns, targets and functions. In addition, both MIR319 and MIR159 precursors produce multiple miRNAs in a phased loop-to-base manner. Thus, MIR159 and MIR319 appear to be related in origin and considerably diverged. However the phylogeny of MIR159 and MIR319 genes and why such unusual style of miRNA production has been conserved during evolution is not well understood.

Results

We reconstructed the phylogeny of MIR159/319 genes and analyzed their mature miRNA expression. The inferred phylogeny suggests that the MIR159/319 genes may have formed at least ten extant early-branching clades through gene duplication and loss. A series of duplications occurred in the common ancestor of seed plants leading to the original split of flowering plant MIR159 and MIR319. The results also indicate that the expression of MIR159/319 is regulated at post-transcriptional level to switch on the expression of alternative miRNAs during development in a highly spatio-temporal specific manner, and to selectively respond to the disruption of defensive siRNA pathways. Such intra-stem-loop regulation appears diverged across the early-branching clades of MIR159/319 genes.

Conclusions

Our results support that the MIR159 and MIR319 genes evolve from a common ancestor, which is likely to be a phased stem-loop small RNA. Through duplication and loss of genes this miRNA gene family formed clades specific to moss, lycopods, gymnosperms and angiosperms including the two major clades of flowering plants containing the founding members of MIR319 and MIR159 genes in A.thaliana. Our analyses also suggest that some MIR159/319 have evolved into unusual miRNA genes that are regulated at post-transcriptional level to express multiple mature products with variable proportions under different circumstances. Moreover, our analyses reveal conserved regulatory link of MIR159/319 genes to siRNA pathway through post-transcriptional regulation.
QTL underlying resistance to two HG types of Heterodera glycines found in soybean cultivar 'L-10'
Authors: Chang Wei , Dong Limin , Wang Zizhen , Hu Haibo , Han Yingpeng , Teng Weili , Zhang Hongxia , Guo Maozu , Li Wenbin
Published: May 2011

Background

Resistance of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivars to populations of cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines I.) was complicated by the diversity of HG Types (biotypes), the multigenic nature of resistance and the temperature dependence of resistance to biotypes. The objective here was to identify QTL for broad-spectrum resistance to SCN and examine the transcript abundances of some genes within the QTL.

Results

A Total of 140 F5 derived F7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were advanced by single-seed-descent from a cross between 'L-10' (a soybean cultivar broadly resistant to SCN) and 'Heinong 37' (a SCN susceptible cultivar). Associated QTL were identified by WinQTL2.1. QTL Qscn3-1 on linkage group (LG) E, Qscn3-2 on LG G, Qscn3-3 on LG J and Qscn14-1 on LG O were associated with SCN resistance in both year data (2007 and 2008). Qscn14-2 on LG O was identified to be associated with SCN resistance in 2007. Qscn14-3 on LG D2 was identified to be associated with SCN resistance in 2008. Qscn14-4 on LG J was identified to be associated with SCN resistance in 2008. The Qscn3-2 on LG G was linked to Satt309 (less than 4 cM), and explained 19.7% and 23.4% of the phenotypic variation in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Qscn3-3 was less than 5 cM from Satt244 on LG J, and explained 19.3% and 17.95% of the phenotypic variations in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Qscn14-4 could explain 12.6% of the phenotypic variation for the SCN race 14 resistance in 2008 and was located in the same region as Qscn3-3. The total phenotypic variation explained by Qscn3-2 and Qscn3-3 together was 39.0% and 41.3% in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Further, the flanking markers Satt275, Satt309, Sat_350 and Satt244 were used for the selection of resistant lines to SCN race 3, and the accuracy of selection was about 73% in this RIL population. Four genes in the predicted resistance gene cluster of LG J (chromosome 16) were successfully cloned by RT-PCR. The transcript encoded by the gene Glyma16g30760.1 was abundant in the SCN resistant cultivar 'L-10' but absent in susceptible cultivar 'Heinong 37'. Further, the abundance was higher in root than in leaf for 'L-10'. Therefore, the gene was a strong candidate to underlie part of the resistance to SCN.

Conclusions

Satt275, Satt309, Sat_305 and Satt244, which were tightly linked to the major QTL for resistance to SCN on LG G and J, would be candidates for marker-assisted selection of lines resistant to the SCN race 3. Among the six RLK genes, Glyma16g30760.1 was found to accumulate transcripts in the SCN resistance cultivar 'L-10' but not in 'Heinong 37'. The transcript abundance was higher in root than in leaf for L-10.
Exploring the symbiotic pangenome of the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti
Authors: Galardini Marco , Mengoni Alessio , Brilli Matteo , Pini Francesco , Fioravanti Antonella , Lucas Susan , Lapidus Alla , Cheng Jan-Fang , Goodwin Lynne , Pitluck Samuel , Land Miriam , Hauser Loren , Woyke Tanja , Mikhailova Natalia , Ivanova Natalia , Daligault Hajnalka , Bruce David , Detter Chris , Tapia Roxanne , Han Cliff , Teshima Hazuki , Mocali Stefano , Bazzicalupo Marco , Biondi Emanuele G
Published: May 2011

Background

Sinorhizobium meliloti is a model system for the studies of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. An extensive polymorphism at the genetic and phenotypic level is present in natural populations of this species, especially in relation with symbiotic promotion of plant growth. AK83 and BL225C are two nodule-isolated strains with diverse symbiotic phenotypes; BL225C is more efficient in promoting growth of the Medicago sativa plants than strain AK83. In order to investigate the genetic determinants of the phenotypic diversification of S. meliloti strains AK83 and BL225C, we sequenced the complete genomes for these two strains.

Results

With sizes of 7.14 Mbp and 6.97 Mbp, respectively, the genomes of AK83 and BL225C are larger than the laboratory strain Rm1021. The core genome of Rm1021, AK83, BL225C strains included 5124 orthologous groups, while the accessory genome was composed by 2700 orthologous groups. While Rm1021 and BL225C have only three replicons (Chromosome, pSymA and pSymB), AK83 has also two plasmids, 260 and 70 Kbp long. We found 65 interesting orthologous groups of genes that were present only in the accessory genome, consequently responsible for phenotypic diversity and putatively involved in plant-bacterium interaction. Notably, the symbiosis inefficient AK83 lacked several genes required for microaerophilic growth inside nodules, while several genes for accessory functions related to competition, plant invasion and bacteroid tropism were identified only in AK83 and BL225C strains. Presence and extent of polymorphism in regulons of transcription factors involved in symbiotic interaction were also analyzed. Our results indicate that regulons are flexible, with a large number of accessory genes, suggesting that regulons polymorphism could also be a key determinant in the variability of symbiotic performances among the analyzed strains.

Conclusions

In conclusions, the extended comparative genomics approach revealed a variable subset of genes and regulons that may contribute to the symbiotic diversity.