bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rational choice and institutional factors underpinning state‐level interagency collaboration initiatives
Authors: Williams Christine B. , Fedorowicz Jane
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on Public Safety Networks (PSNs) created and used in the USA at the state level. Empirical analysis describes the formation and use of extant state‐level PSNs, based upon factors representing rational choice and institutional theories.

Design/methodology/approach

Contextual data representing 160 different characteristics and descriptors of state‐level attributes produces two factors that evidence an underlying structure consistent with rational choice and institutional theories. Using these factors as predictors, the authors employ multiple regression analysis to explain differences in size and maturity among state public‐safety collaborations. The size and maturity indicators come from extensive survey data collected in phone interviews with senior personnel at 80 PSNs.

Findings

Consistent with rational choice theory, higher needs and resources predict larger PSN size. Contrary to expectations, institutionalization rather than a culture of innovation is associated with PSN maturity, and suggests that maturity brings positive benefits, such as more experience, better operational routines and increased organizational competence.

Research limitations/implications

This study moves beyond the usual case study approach to empirically investigate theoretical explanations for state‐level collaboration characteristics.

Originality/value

The authors' research investigates the social and environmental backdrop against which PSNs are implemented, to improve understanding of the state‐specific settings in which PSNs currently reside and develop. Given the financial and human resources involved in PSN creation and implementation, their initiators would benefit from a better understanding of governmental settings linked to PSN success. Identification of potential success or risk factors advances understanding of the underlying dynamics of interagency collaboration efforts.
Directors' duties with a particular focus on the Companies Act 2006
Authors: Ashraf Tahir
Published: March 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an easy‐to‐read article for academics, lawyers, directors and those advising directors, to be able to gain an appreciation of the duties that directors owe to their companies in light of the Companies Act 2006, the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, 2007 and the Bribery Act 2010.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a range of case law and statutory materials, as well as published works, including material from the Financial Reporting Council, the Institute of Directors and the Health and Safety Executive, the paper aims to provide practical advice (as opposed to merely academic listing) on directors' duties.

Findings

It has been noted that there are not enough resources which combine the three aspects of legislation that impact upon directors' duties.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses on directors' duties for private limited companies within the law relating to England and Wales, specifically the Companies Act 2006, the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, 2007 and the Bribery Act. The implications are that those wishing to conduct business outside of the UK would need to look elsewhere for guidance. Conversely, UK‐based businesses seeking to conduct business internationally will need to be aware of not just directors' duties but also the potential conduct of those authorised to act on behalf of directors abroad, particularly in the context of the Bribery Act 2010.

Practical implications

The paper is an easy‐to‐read, useful source of impartial information for academics, lawyers directors and those advising directors to gain an understanding of directors' duties under English law.

Originality/value

The paper brings together three different areas of legal practice into one, as they have a significant impact upon businesses and appear not to have been addressed previously in such a manner.
A new metric for quantifying performance impairment on the psychomotor vigilance test
Authors: RAJARAMAN SRINIVASAN , RAMAKRISHNAN SRIDHAR , THORSLEY DAVID , WESENSTEN NANCY J. , BALKIN THOMAS J. , REIFMAN JAQUES
Published: March 2012

We have developed a new psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) metric for quantifying the effects of sleep loss on performance impairment. The new metric quantifies performance impairment by estimating the probability density of response times (RTs) in a PVT session, and then considering deviations of the density relative to that of a baseline‐session density. Results from a controlled laboratory study involving 12 healthy adults subjected to 85 h of extended wakefulness, followed by 12 h of recovery sleep, revealed that the group performance variability based on the new metric remained relatively uniform throughout wakefulness. In contrast, the variability of PVT lapses, mean RT, median RT and (to a lesser extent) mean speed showed strong time‐of‐day effects, with the PVT lapse variability changing with time of day depending on the selected threshold. Our analysis suggests that the new metric captures more effectively the homeostatic and circadian process underlying sleep regulation than the other metrics, both directly in terms of larger effect sizes (4–61% larger) and indirectly through improved fits to the two‐process model (9–67% larger coefficient of determination). Although the trend of the mean speed results followed those of the new metric, we found that mean speed yields significantly smaller (∼50%) intersubject performance variance than the other metrics. Based on these findings, and that the new metric considers performance changes based on the entire set of responses relative to a baseline, we conclude that it provides a number of potential advantages over the traditional PVT metrics.
Oral Sumatriptan and Almotriptan – Delimiting the MAOI Effect
Authors: Oberhardt Florian , Fox Anthony W.
Published: March 2012

(Headache 2012;52:765‐772)

Objectives/Background.— (1) To investigate whether a parsimonious model for sumatriptan pharmacokinetics can apply to oral administration; (2) for a successful model, whether a monoamine oxidase A inhibitor (MAOI‐A) perturbs it; and (3) whether such a model is generalizable to oral almotriptan. These goals respond to statements in US product labeling.

Methods.— Extension of a previous model for subcutaneous sumatriptan. Numerical solutions to 3 concurrent differential equations were found, with prospective criteria for model acceptance based upon comparison with clinically observed data.

Results.— The model was successfully extended by inserting a time factor into the absorption phase. This extension was robust: it imitated clinical data for 3 oral sumatriptan dose sizes (both without and with a concomitant MAOI‐A) and also for oral almotriptan.

Conclusion.— A model for oral sumatriptan pharmacokinetics can be found using the differential calculus, and it is generalizable to oral almotriptan. The model suggests that an MAOI‐A probably has greater effect on elimination kinetics than first‐pass metabolism, and that this interaction appears to be overstated in product labeling.
Feminist Heuristics: Transforming the Foundation of Food Quality and Safety Assurance Systems*
Authors: Kimura Aya Hirata
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Food safety and quality assurance systems have emerged as a key mechanism of food governance in recent years and are also popular among alternative agrofood movements, such as the organic and fair trade movements. Rural sociologists have identified many problems with existing systems, including corporate cooptation, the marginalization of small producers, and the depoliticization of consumer consciousness. Tackling these problems requires an epistemological shift. This article argues that the existing systems are based on positivist epistemology and calls for a feminist intervention. To show a concrete example of a feminist departure from the conventional assurance systems, I look at the case of a Japanese women's food cooperative and analyze its unique system, comparing it to its conventional counterpart, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Feminist epistemology can change assurance systems from being closed, nondiscriminatory, and technical to being participatory, differentiated, and normative.
Perspective‐Taking and Depth of Theory‐of‐Mind Reasoning in Sequential‐Move Games
Authors: Zhang Jun , Hedden Trey , Chia Adrian
Published: March 2012

Theory‐of‐mind (ToM) involves modeling an individual’s mental states to plan one’s action and to anticipate others’ actions through recursive reasoning that may be myopic (with limited recursion) or predictive (with full recursion). ToM recursion was examined using a series of two‐player, sequential‐move matrix games with a maximum of three steps. Participants were assigned the role of Player I, controlling the initial and the last step, or of Player II, controlling the second step. Appropriate for the assigned role, participants either anticipated or planned Player II’s strategy at the second step, and then determined Player I’s optimal strategy at the first step. Participants more readily used predictive reasoning as Player II (i.e., planning one’s own move) than as Player I (i.e., anticipating an opponent’s move), although they did not differ when translating reasoning outcome about the second step to optimal action in the first step. Perspective‐taking influenced likelihood of predictive reasoning, but it did not affect the rate at which participants acquired it during the experimental block. We conclude that the depth of ToM recursion (related to perspective‐taking mechanisms) and rational application of belief–desire to action (instrumental rationality) constitute separate cognitive processes in ToM reasoning.
Transplantation of novel human GDF5‐expressing CHO cells is neuroprotective in models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Costello Daniel J. , O'Keeffe Gerard W. , Hurley Fiona M. , Sullivan Aideen M.
Published: March 2012

Growth/differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) is a neurotrophic factor that promotes the survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in vivo and as such is potentially useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study shows that a continuous supply of GDF5, produced by transplanted GDF5‐overexpressing CHO cells in vivo, has neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects on midbrain dopaminergic neurons following 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA)‐induced lesions of the adult rat nigrostriatal pathway. It also increases the survival and improves the function of transplanted embryonic dopaminergic neurons in the 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rat model of PD. This study provides the first proof‐of‐principle that sustained delivery of GDF5 in vivo may be useful in the treatment of PD.
The enigmatic black hole candidate and X-ray transient IGR J17091–3624 in its quiescent state as seen with XMM—Newton
Authors: Wijnands R. , Yang Y. J. , Altamirano D.
Published: March 2012

We report on two short XMM—Newton observations performed in 2006 August and 2007 February during the quiescence state of the enigmatic black hole candidate system IGR J17091−3624. During both observations the source was clearly detected. Although the errors on the estimated fluxes are large, the source appears to be brighter by several tens of per cent during the 2007 February observation compared to the 2006 August observation. During both observations, the 2–10 keV luminosity of the source was close to ∼1033 erg s−1 for an assumed distance of 10 kpc. However, we note that the distance to this source is not well constrained and it has been suggested it might be as far as 35 kpc which would result in an order of magnitude higher luminosities. If the empirically found relation between the orbital period and the quiescence luminosity of black hole transients is also valid for IGR J17091−3624, then we can estimate an orbital period of >100 h (>4 d) for a distance of 10 kpc but it could be as large as tens of days if the source is truly much further away. Such a large orbital period would be similar to GRS 1915+105 which has an orbital period of ∼34 d. Orbital periods this large could possibly be connected to the fact that both sources exhibit the same very violent and extreme rapid X-ray variability which has so far not yet been seen from any other black hole system. Alternatively the orbital period of IGR J17091−3624 might be more in line with the other systems (<100 h), but we happened to have observed the source in an episode of elevated accretion which was significantly higher than its true quiescent accretion rate. In that case, the absence or presence of extreme short-term variability properties as is seen for IGR J17091−3624 and GRS 1915+105 is not related to the orbital periods of these black hole systems.
Resource implications of SNOT22 data submission
Authors: Atfeh M. , Williams A.T.
Published: March 2012

Background:  Continuous clinical audit tools are important in the maintenance of good medical practice and will doubtlessly be used for revalidation purposes. Accordingly, ENT.UK and BRS developed The Rhinology Minimum Electronic Dataset, which is completed via online submission of pre‐ and postoperative SNOT22 scores of patients visiting the outpatient department. According the web tool guidance notes, once familiar with the system, any data entry relating to a single patient should take between 30 and 60 s. It also advises entering data in real time rather than at a later date to save time.

Aim:  This study assesses the resource requirements for submitting patients’ SNOT22 data using the Rhinology Minimum Electronic Dataset web tool.

Method:  SNOT22 scores were collected over a week of ENT outpatient sessions in April 2011. The number of patients (n) was 31. The data were submitted in a single sitting for each OPD session to avoid delays arising from automatic website logout. The study was carried out using a fast Internet connection (20 Mb) and an advanced computer operating system (Windows 7®, Intel core i3), compared with those available locally.

Results:  The number of SNOT 22 scores collected was 31. The total submission time for SNOT22 results was 125 min, with an average time of 4 min per single patient’s data. The automatic logout time for the website was 20 min.

Discussion:  Our results show that the time required to enter patients’ data to the website is far longer (300% delay per patient) than the time suggested by the guidance notes. This would be even longer in real time using clinic‐based computers and Internet connection. The study suggests that the best results would be achieved by entering patients’ data at one sitting, rather than individually, following every OPD session, as a result of automatic logout time of the web browser. If our rhinology service were to use the web tool to register patients’ data, it would have a significant impact on our service resource and OPD consultation time.
Federal supports for state oral health plans
Authors: Edelstein Burton L
Published: March 2012

The past decade has witnessed both a proliferation of state oral health plans that include very specific proposals for action and an emergence of federal laws that include support for oral health. This paper provides an overview of state oral health priorities for action as reflected in 40 oral health plans that were developed independently by states. It examines four federal laws – the 2002 Safety Net Improvement Act, the 2009 CHIP Reauthorization Act, the 2009 economic stimulus law, and the 2010 health reform law – to identify opportunities for alignment with action steps proposed in state plans. This analysis identifies 23 categories of activity proposed by states in their action plans and determines that all but six of these activities are now supported by one or more of these four federal laws. State activities undertaken through grants provided under the 2002 Safety Net Improvement Act are analyzed as an example of how states can leverage federal legislation to advance their oral health plans. The paper concludes with consideration of the steps needed for states to promote their oral health plans by leveraging the full capacity of federal legislation.
Potential to improve oral health care through evidence, protocols, and payment models
Authors: Tinanoff Norman
Published: March 2012

Evidence‐based health care aims to utilize the best available evidence from scientific methods and apply this evidence to clinical and public health practice. Evidence of the benefits and risks of treatment is derived from randomized controlled clinical trials, systematic reviews, and expert panels. Evidence‐based clinical parameters and guidelines should foster the best health outcomes for individuals or populations at reduced costs. By incorporating evidence‐based guidelines into payment models, the payers – private or public – have the capacity to improve oral health care and ultimately oral health outcomes. This paper uses examples from pediatric dentistry to show how adoption of caries risk factors, clinical management protocols, and a reimbursement system based on evidence‐based guidelines may allow for better quality of care to more individuals and at a lower cost.
The role of pleural fluid MAGE RT‐nested PCR in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Jeon Eun Ju , Park Hye Kyeong , Jeon Kyeongman , Koh Won‐Jung , Suh Gee Young , Chung Man Pyo , Kim Hojoong , Kwon O. Jung , Ki Chang‐Seok , Kim Jong‐Won , Shim Young Mog , Um Sang‐Won
Published: March 2012

Background:  Melanoma antigen (MAGE) genes are expressed in tumor cells, the testis and the placenta. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), MAGE reverse transcriptase‐nested polymerase chain reaction (RT‐nested PCR), and cytology of pleural fluid in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.

Methods:  Patients in whom unilateral pleural effusion was identified on chest radiography from January to December 2009 were included in the study. MAGE genes were analyzed by RT‐nested PCR using MAGE A1‐6 common primers.

Results:  Of 81 enrolled patients, 46 were diagnosed as malignant pleural effusion, and 24 were diagnosed as benign pleural effusion. The diagnoses of 11 patients were not confirmed in this study. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MAGE RT‐nested PCR were 61.4%, 95.7%, and 73.1%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivities of cytology and CEA (>5 ng/mL) were 61.4% and 75.0%, respectively. Among 17 patients with negative cytology who had malignant pleural effusion, 12 and 10 patients were positive for CEA (>5.0 ng/mL) and MAGE RT‐nested PCR, respectively. However, of five patients with malignant pleural effusion that was not recognized by cytology and CEA, MAGE RT‐nested PCR correctly predicted a malignant etiology in only one additional patient (20%).

Conclusions:  MAGE RT‐nested PCR seems to add little on the combination of conventional methods in the diagnosis of malignant effusion.
Electron emission Si-based resonant-tunneling diode
Authors: Evtukh A. , Litovchenko V. , Goncharuk N. , Mimura H.
Published: March 2012

A new type of field emission resonant tunneling diode has been proposed and investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The diode is based on an Si–SiOx–Si multilayer cathode containing an SiOx layer as the input potential barrier, an Si layer as the quantum well, and a vacuum layer as the output potential barrier of a double barrier quantum structure. The calculation predicted the existence of the resonant maxima (three or four depending on the input barrier height) of the current density–electric field dependencies. Frequency dependencies of the diode microwave impedance pointed to the existence of negative conductance resulting from resonant tunneling through an energy level in the quantum well (QW) at electron transit angle values in the interval from zero up to near 2π/3. Also found is a peak of negative conductance on the frequency dependence with the greatest peak value ∼57 S/cm at a frequency of 0.63 THz. The maximum upper frequency of the negative conductance band of more than 2 THz at a transit angle near 0.45π is reached when resonant tunneling occurs through the third resonant level in the QW. Experimental results confirmed the existence of the resonance peak in the investigated resonant-tunneling structure.
Correction factors for A1SL ionization chamber dosimetry in TomoTherapy: Machine‐specific, plan‐class, and clinical fields
Authors: Gago‐Arias Araceli , Rodríguez‐Romero Ruth , Sánchez‐Rubio Patricia , Miguel González‐Castaño Diego , Gómez Faustino , Núñez Luis , Palmans Hugo , Sharpe Peter , Pardo‐Montero Juan
Published: March 2012

Purpose:

Recently, an international working group on nonstandard fields presented a new formalism for ionization chamber reference dosimetry of small and nonstandard fields [Alfonsoet al., Med. Phys. 35, 5179–5186 (2008)] which has been adopted by AAPM TG‐148. This work presents an experimental determination of the correction factors for reference dosimetry with an Exradin A1SL thimble ionization chamber in a TomoTherapy unit, focusing on: (i) machine‐specific reference field, (ii) plan‐class‐specific reference field, and (iii) two clinical treatments.

Methods:

Ionization chamber measurements were performed in the TomoTherapy unit for intermediate (machine‐specific and plan‐class‐specific) calibration fields, based on the reference conditions defined by AAPM TG‐148, and two clinical treatments (lung and head‐and‐neck). Alanine reference dosimetry was employed to determine absorbed dose to water at the point of interest for the fields under investigation. The corresponding chamber correction factors were calculated from alanine to ionization chamber measurements ratios.

Results:

Two different methods of determining the beam quality correction factor for the A1SL ionization chamber in this TomoTherapy unit, where reference conditions for conventional beam quality determination cannot be met, result in consistent values. The observed values of overall correction factors obtained for intermediate and clinical fields are consistently around 0.98 with a typical expanded relative uncertainty of 2% (k = 2), which when considered make such correction factors compatible with unity. However, all of them are systematically lower than unity, which is shown to be significant when a hypothesis test assuming a t‐student distribution is performed (). Correction factors and , which are needed for the computation of field factors for relative dosimetry of clinical beams, have been found to be very close to unity for two clinical treatments.

Conclusions:

The results indicate that the helical field deliveries in this study (including two clinical fields) do not introduce changes on the ion chamber correction factors for dosimetry. For those two specific clinical cases, ratios of chamber readings accurately represent field output factors. The values observed here for intermediate calibration fields are in agreement with previously published data based on alanine dosimetry but differ from values recently reported obtained via radiochromic dosimetry.
COMPETITION OF α DECAY AND HEAVY PARTICLE DECAY IN SUPERHEAVY NUCLEI
Authors: POENARU D. N. , GHERGHESCU R. A. , GREINER W.
Published: March 2012

Calculations of half-lives of superheavy nuclei (SH) show an unexpected result: For some of them heavy particle radioactivity (HPR) dominates over α decay (branching ratios larger than 1). The new mass table AME11 and the theoretical KTUY05 and FRDM95 masses are used to determine Q-values. For Z = 124 we found isotopes with half-lives in the range of ns to ps.
EXAMPLES OF HODGE LAPLACIANS ON QUANTUM SPHERES
Authors: ZAMPINI ALESSANDRO
Published: March 2012

Using a non-canonical braiding over the three-dimensional left covariant calculus we present a family of Hodge operators on SU q(2) and on its homogeneous quantum space [Formula: see text].
Adaptive Probabilistic Proactive Routing for Dense MANETs
Authors: Belghith Abdelfettah , Abid Mohamed Amine , Ben Mnaouer Adel
Published: March 2012

Conventional proactive routing protocols, due to their inherent nature based on shortest paths, select longer links which are amenable to rapid breakages as nodes move around. In this paper, we propose a novel adaptive probabilistic approach to handle routing information in dense mobile ad hoc networks in a way to improve the proactive routing pertinence as a function of network dynamics. We first propose a new proactive routing framework based on probabilistic decisions and a generic model to compute the existence probabilities of nodes and links. Then, we present a distributed algorithm to collect the cartography of the network. This cartography is used to instantiate the existence probabilities. Conducted simulations show that our proposal yields substantially better routing validity. Nonetheless, it amounts to much longer routes. We proposed then a bounding technique to adapt and overcome this side effect and defined two probabilistic proactive routing variants. Conducted simulations show that our proposed bounded probabilistic proactive routing schemes outperform conventional routing protocols and yield up to 66 percent increase in throughput.
Decreased GABA receptor in the cerebral cortex of epileptic rats: effect of Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A
Authors: Mathew Jobin , Balakrishnan Savitha , Antony Sherin , Abraham Pretty Mary , Paulose CS
Published: March 2012

Abstact

Background

Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cerebral cortex, maintains the inhibitory tones that counter balances neuronal excitation. When this balance is perturbed, seizures may ensue.

Methods

In the present study, alterations of the general GABA, GABAA and GABAB receptors in the cerebral cortex of the epileptic rat and the therapeutic application of Bacopa monnieri were investigated.

Results

Scatchard analysis of [3H]GABA, [3H]bicuculline and [3H]baclofen in the cerebral cortex of the epileptic rat showed significant decrease in Bmax (P < 0.001) compared to control. Real Time PCR amplification of GABA receptor subunits such as GABAAά1, GABAAγ, GABAAδ, GABAB and GAD where down regulated (P < 0.001) in epileptic rats. GABAAά5 subunit and Cyclic AMP responsible element binding protein were up regulated. Confocal imaging study confirmed the decreased GABA receptors in epileptic rats. Epileptic rats have deficit in radial arm and Y maze performance.

Conclusions

Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A treatment reverses epilepsy associated changes to near control suggesting that decreased GABA receptors in the cerebral cortex have an important role in epileptic occurrence; Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A have therapeutic application in epilepsy management.
Niacinamide mitigated the acute lung injury induced by phorbol myristate acetate in isolated rat's lungs
Authors: Lin Chia-Chih , Hsieh Nan-Kuang , Liou Huey Ling , Chen Hsing I
Published: March 2012

Background

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) is a strong neutrophil activator and has been used to induce acute lung injury (ALI). Niacinamide (NAC) is a compound of B complex. It exerts protective effects on the ALI caused by various challenges. The purpose was to evaluate the protective effects of niacinamide (NAC) on the PMA-induced ALI and associated changes.

Methods

The rat's lungs were isolatedin situand perfused with constant flow. A total of 60 isolated lungs were randomized into 6 groups to received Vehicle (DMSO 100 μg/g), PMA 4 μg/g (lung weight), cotreated with NAC 0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/g (lung weight). There were 10 isolated lungs in each group. We measured the lung weight and parameters related to ALI. The pulmonary arterial pressure and capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc) were determined in isolated lungs. ATP (adenotriphosphate) and PARP [poly(adenosine diphophate-ribose) polymerase] contents in lung tissues were detected. Real-time PCR was employed to display the expression of inducible and endothelial NO synthases (iNOS and eNOS). The neutrophil-derived mediators in lung perfusate were determined.

Results

PMA caused increases in lung weight parameters. This agent produced pulmonary hypertension and increased microvascular permeability. It resulted in decrease in ATP and increase in PARP. The expression of iNOS and eNOS was upregulated following PMA. PMA increased the neutrophil-derived mediators. Pathological examination revealed lung edema and hemorrhage with inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical stain disclosed the presence of iNOS-positive cells in macrophages and endothelial cells. These pathophysiological and biochemical changes were diminished by NAC treatment. The NAC effects were dose-dependent.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that neutrophil activation and release of neutrophil-derived mediators by PMA cause ALI and associated changes. NO production through the iNOS-producing cells plays a detrimental role in the PMA-induced lung injury. ATP is beneficial, while PARP plays a deteriorative effect on the PMA-induced ALI. NAC exerts protective effects on the inflammatory cascade leading to pulmonary injury. This B complex compound may be applied for clinical usage and therapeutic regimen.
Novel polysome messages and changes in translational activity appear after induction of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells
Authors: Fromm-Dornieden Carolin , von der Heyde Silvia , Lytovchenko Oleksandr , Salinas-Riester Gabriela , Brenig Bertram , Beissbarth Tim , Baumgartner Bernhard G
Published: March 2012

Background

Control of translation allows for rapid adaptation of the cell to stimuli, rather than the slower transcriptional control. We presume that translational control is an essential process in the control of adipogenesis, especially in the first hours after hormonal stimulation. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured to confluency and adipogenesis was induced by standard protocols using a hormonal cocktail. Cells were harvested before and 6 hours after hormonal induction. mRNAs attached to ribosomes (polysomal mRNAs) were separated from unbound mRNAs by velocity sedimentation. Pools of polysomal and unbound mRNA fractions were analyzed by microarray analysis. Changes in relative abundance in unbound and polysomal mRNA pools were calculated to detect putative changes in translational activity. Changes of expression levels of selected genes were verified by qPCR and Western blotting.

Results

We identified 43 genes that shifted towards the polysomal fraction (up-regulated) and 2 genes that shifted towards free mRNA fraction (down-regulated). Interestingly, we found Ghrelin to be down-regulated. Up-regulated genes comprise factors that are nucleic acid binding (eIF4B, HSF1, IRF6, MYC, POLR2a, RPL18, RPL27a, RPL6, RPL7a, RPS18, RPSa, TSC22d3), form part of ribosomes (RPL18, RPL27a, RPL6, RPL7a, RPS18, RPSa), act on the regulation of translation (eIF4B) or transcription (HSF1, IRF6, MYC, TSC22d3). Others act as chaperones (BAG3, HSPA8, HSP90ab1) or in other metabolic or signals transducing processes.

Conclusions

We conclude that a moderate reorganisation of the functionality of the ribosomal machinery and translational activity are very important steps for growth and gene expression control in the initial phase of adipogenesis.
PRAF3 induces apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Shi Guo-Zhen , Yuan Yang , Jiang Guo-Jun , Ge Zhi-Jun , Zhou Jian , Gong De-Jun , Tao Jing , Tan Yong-Fei , Huang Sheng-Dong
Published: March 2012

Background

Prenylated Rab acceptor 1 domain family member 3 (PRAF3) is involved in the regulation of many cellular processes including apoptosis, migration and invasion. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of PRAF3 on apoptosis, migration and invasion in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

The expression of PRAF3 mRNA and protein in primary ESCC and the matched normal tissues (57cases) was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Immunohistochemical analysis of PRAF3 expression was carried out in paraffin-embedded sections of ESCC and correlated with clinical features. The role of PRAF3 in apoptosis, migration and invasion was studied in ESCC cell lines of Eca109 and TE-1 through the adenovirus mediated PRAF3 gene transfer. The effect of PRAF3 on apoptosis was analyzed by annexin V-FITC assay. The regulation of PRAF3 on migration was determined by transwell and wounding healing assay, while the cellular invasion was analyzed by matrigel-coated transwell assay.

Results

We found that the expression of PRAF3 was significantly down-regulated in ESCC tissue compared with the matched normal tissue and was correlated with the clinical features of pathological grade, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, overexpression of PRAF3 induced cell apoptosis through both caspase-8 and caspase-9 dependent pathways, and inhibited cell migration and invasion by suppressing the activity of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human ESCC cell lines.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that PRAF3 plays an important role in the regulation of tumor progression and metastasis and serves as a tumor suppressor in human ESCC. We propose that PRAF3 might be used as a potential therapeutic agent for human ESCC.
Placental Restriction Reduces Insulin Sensitivity and Expression of Insulin Signaling and Glucose Transporter Genes in Skeletal Muscle, But Not Liver, in Young Sheep
Authors: De Blasio Miles J. , Gatford Kathryn L. , Harland M. Lyn , Robinson Jeffrey S. , Owens Julie A.
Published: March 2012

Poor growth before birth is associated with impaired insulin sensitivity later in life, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The tissue sites at which insulin resistance first develops after intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and its molecular basis, are unclear. We have therefore characterized the effects of placental restriction (PR), a major cause of IUGR, on whole-body insulin sensitivity and expression of molecular determinants of insulin signaling and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and liver of young lambs. Whole-body insulin sensitivity was measured at 30 d by hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp and expression of insulin signaling genes (receptors, pathways, and targets) at 43 d in muscle and liver of control (n = 15) and PR (n = 13) lambs. PR reduced size at birth and increased postnatal growth, fasting plasma glucose (+15%, P = 0.004), and insulin (+115%, P = 0.009). PR reduced whole-body insulin sensitivity (−43%, P < 0.001) and skeletal muscle expression of INSR (−36%), IRS1 (−28%), AKT2 (−44%), GLUT4 (−88%), GSK3α (−35%), and GYS1 (−31%) overall (each P < 0.05) and decreased AMPKγ3 expression in females (P = 0.030). PR did not alter hepatic expression of insulin signaling and related genes but increased GLUT2 expression (P = 0.047) in males. Whole-body insulin sensitivity correlated positively with skeletal muscle expression of IRS1, AKT2, HK, AMPKγ2, and AMPKγ3 in PR lambs only (each P < 0.05) but not with hepatic gene expression in control or PR lambs. Onset of insulin resistance after PR and IUGR is accompanied by, and can be accounted for by, reduced expression of insulin signaling and metabolic genes in skeletal muscle but not liver.
Do ants need to be old and experienced to teach?
Authors: Franklin Elizabeth L. , Robinson Elva J. H. , Marshall James A. R. , Sendova-Franks Ana B. , Franks Nigel R.
Published: March 2012

Learning is widespread in invertebrates. However, whether social insects improve their recruitment skills with experience is only beginning to be investigated. Tandem running is a one-to-one form of recruitment used by certain species of ant. It is a remarkable communication system that meets widely accepted criteria for teaching in non-human animals. Here, we determined experimentally to what extent participation in, and efficient execution of, tandem running depends on either the age or the experience of worker ants. To investigate these issues, we constructed colonies of the ant Temnothorax albipennis with different compositions of inexperienced and experienced workers from different age cohorts and then examined which ants participated in tandem runs when they emigrated. Our results show that the ability to participate actively in recruitment by tandem running is present in all worker age groups but the propensity to participate varies with experience rather than age per se. Experienced individuals were more likely to engage in tandem runs, either as leaders or as followers, than young inexperienced individuals, and older experienced ants were more likely to lead tandems than older inexperienced ants. Young inexperienced ants led faster, more rapidly dispersing and less accurately orientated tandem runs than the older experienced ants. Our study suggests that experience (rather than age per se) coupled to stimulus threshold responses might interact to promote a division of labour so that a suitable number of workers actively participate in tandem runs.
Fiscal Policy for Economic Growth
Authors: Boskin Michael J.
Published: March 2012

Its very simple says Michael Boskin – as he said in 1986, and he says again – “Too Many Promises.” Simple reforms to Social Security and a shift to premium based Medicare together with a broader tax base and lower tax rates is necessary – but so is critical investment.
Modeling and Characterization of Blended Guava Pomace and Pulse Powder Based Rice Extrudates
Authors: Tangirala Srikanth , Sarkar B. C. , Sharma Harish Kumar , Kumar Navneet
Published: March 2012

The purpose of the present work was to study the effect of guava pomace and pulse powder incorporation in to rice based extrudates on physical characteristics. Guava pomace collected after juice extraction was dried and milled. It was then added with pulse powder-rice flour blend at different combinations based on Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD). The independent variables were moisture content (17 – 21%), temperature (115 – 135°C), screw speed (230 – 270rpm), and varying proportion of rice, pulse and guava pomace. Higher feed moisture content resulted in extrudates with a higher density, lower expansion, higher water absorption index, lower water soluble index, and higher hardness. Higher barrel temperature resulted in reduced density, increased expansion, and water solubility index. Addition of guava pomace resulted in increase in water absorption index, hardness and decreased bulk density, expansion and water solubility index. The study suggested the guava pomace may be utilized up to the level of 10% to in Ready to Eat Snacks.
"May the Best Man Win": Local Government Representatives
Authors: Akirav Osnat
Published: March 2012

The research asks two questions related to each other. First, why do people who are successful in fields other than politics not want to become more active in politics? Second, what are the preferred characteristics of a political leader? In order to address these questions we conducted an action research involving changes in the patterns of political participation and used Dror’s (2008) model to determine the preferred characteristics of a political leader. The research, the first in its kind in the field of local government field, tried to create professional change and system change. Today, a year after the action research began; it deepens our understanding about how local council members work and allows us to implement changes based on an evaluation process in order to improve the decision-making process in the local government. Eventually, perhaps this process will attract talented people who have previously avoided political participation to engage more with the political process.
Major Contributions to Quantitative Economics Sponsored by the Defense
Community
Authors: Solomon Henry
Published: March 2012

Quantitative economics has advanced dramatically in the past eighty
years and much of this took place in the three decades following World War
II. Many contributions were initiated and sponsored by the defense
community. For the resolution of major military management and planning
problems it was essential to create new quantitative economic models and
methodologies. Accomplishments served the military while providing
substantive and lasting new directions in economics. This paper is devoted
to highlighting these results by describing the research on Input-Output
economics, linear programming, game theory, decision theory, probabilistic
models, and high-speed computing.
Political Risk Insurance and Foreign Direct Investments
Authors: Brockett Patrick L. , Leng Chao-Chun , Wen Min-Ming , Yang Charles C.
Published: March 2012

Political risk is an important consideration in the capital budgeting process for firms contemplating foreign direct investment (FDI) in emerging markets or in volatile political environments. Unfortunately, the unique characteristics of political risk make the application of familiar actuarially-based pricing models almost infeasible for valuating political risk insurance. In this article we employ utility theory instead to derive an equilibrium price (premium). This price maximizes an insurer’s expected profit and the insured’s expected utility, while taking into account the effects of risk control (self-protection) and risk financing (self-insurance). In addition, within this equilibrium framework, we derive the boundary level for the amount of foreign investment, the amount of political risk insurance coverage, and the minimum required rate of return of foreign investment. Finally, we employ a constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) utility function to illustrate the theoretical equilibrium model.
Injection molding of optics for high volume consumer products
Authors: de Schipper Rien
Published: March 2012

For high volume consumer products using optical technology, plastics injection molding is a very suitable technology. In optical component fabrication, astonishing results are be booked. However, to achieve success, excellent performance is needed in mastering different technologies such as polymer processing, evaporated coatings, tool making, ultra-precision turning of metals and optical metrology.
Considerations for early acute myocardial infarction rule-out for emergency department chest pain patients: the case of copeptin
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Plebani Mario , Di Somma Salvatore , Monzani Valter , Tubaro Marco , Volpe Massimo , Moscatelli Paolo , Vernocchi Arialdo , Cavazza Mario , Galvani Marcello , Cappelletti Piero , Marenzi Giancarlo , Ferraro Simona , Lombardi Alberto , Peracino Andrea
Published: March 2012

The evaluation of patients admitted at the emergency department (ED) for chest pain is challenging and involves many different clinical specialists including emergency physicians, laboratory professionals and cardiologists. The preferable approach to deal with this issue is to develop joint protocols that will assist the clinical decision-making to quickly and accurately rule-out patients with non life-threatening conditions that can be considered for early and safe discharge or further outpatient follow-up, rule-in patients with acute coronary syndrome and raise the degree of alert of the emergency physicians on non-cardiac life-threatening emergencies. The introduction of novel biomarkers alongside the well-established troponins might support this process and also provide prognostic information about acute short-term or chronic long-term risk and severity. Among the various biomarkers, copeptin measurement holds appealing perspectives. The utility of combining troponin with copeptin might be cost-effective due to the high negative predictive value of the latter biomarker in the rule-out of an acute coronary syndrome. Moreover, in the presence of a remarkably increased concentration (e.g., more than 10 times the upper limit of the reference range), to reveal the presence of acute life-threatening conditions that may not necessarily be identified with the use of troponin alone. The aim of this article is to review current evidence about the clinical significance of copeptin testing in the ED as well as its appropriate placing within diagnostic protocols.
Exaggerating difference: Representations of the Third World Other in PI aid
Authors: Juffermans, Kasper
Published: March 2012

This article is concerned with how private/personal initiatives (PIs) in development cooperation (PI aid) discursively represent their projects and aid beneficiaries. To this end it, examines Dutch and Flemish PIs active in The Gambia, West Africa, on the basis of a critical analysis of self-promotional material published on their websites. It is argued that PIs construct an image that exaggerates cultural and socio-economic differences between the European Self and the African Other, and that this needs to be understood in the context of the PIs' roots in tourism and other discourses of representing the Third World Other.
Questions in academic ELF interaction
Authors: Björkman, Beyza
Published: March 2012

This article investigates questions in a higher education setting where English is used as a lingua franca. The study originates from a larger piece of work which investigated the communicative effectiveness of spoken English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) among the teachers and students at a technical university in authentic situations (Björkman, 2010a). The focus in the present article is placed on student-student interaction from group-work sessions, but references to lectures have been included for comparison where appropriate.

The questions in the study were first categorized syntactically. Syntactic analyses were followed by phonological analyses of question intonation. The results of the pilot study point to three cues the listener can rely on to be able to register an utterance as a question: syntax with specific reference to word order, utterance-final rising question intonation and the interrogative adverb/pronoun (in Wh-questions only).

The results of the analyses in the present study, drawing on qualitative and quantitative data, demonstrate that a question is more likely to be registered as such when all available cues are provided for the listener. It seems reasonable to suggest, then, that the speakers in lingua franca settings, with the added complexities at the syntactic level, make use of all available cues to ensure communicative effectiveness. Most importantly, the speakers in this setting appeared to achieve communicative effectiveness by using utterance-final rising question intonation in the absence of the other cues, and not by following unmarked native speaker intonation. The fact that utterance-final question intonation is the most reliable cue among the three shows, yet from another angle in ELF usage, that we cannot assume native speaker usage as the ideal in similar settings.
Conjugacy expansiveness in finite groups
Authors: Halasi Zoltán , Maróti Attila , Sidki Said , Bezerra Marcelo
Published: March 2012

A finite group
On generators of crystallographic groups and actions on flat orbifolds
Authors: Adem Alejandro , Dekimpe Karel , Petrosyan Nansen , Putrycz Bartosz
Published: March 2012

We find new bounds on the minimal number of generators of crystallographic groups with
Photodynamic skin rejuvenation
Authors: Kohl Elisabeth A. , Karrer Sigrid
Published: March 2012

The aesthetic effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for photoaged skin are well documented in clinical studies. An improvement of lentigines, skin roughness, sallow complexion, and fine wrinkles was demonstrated. Reduction of histological signs of photoaging as a decrease of elastotic material and expression of p53 was shown together with the induction of neocollagenesis. PDT represents a promising technique for skin rejuvenation because this therapy effectively improves photoaged skin, allows repeated treatment sessions, has only limited and calculable side effects, and offers the possibility of contemporaneously treating non-melanoma skin cancer.