bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Intervention Studies on Word Problem Solving and Math Disabilities
Authors: Zheng Xinhua , Flynn Lindsay J. , Swanson H. Lee
Published: April 2013

This article provides a quantitative synthesis of the published literature on word problem solving intervention studies for children with math disabilities (MD). Seven group and eight single-subject design studies met inclusion criteria. Mean effect sizes ( ESs) for solution accuracy for group design studies were 0.95 ( SE = .19) for children with MD-only and −0.45 ( SE = .14) for children with MD and reading disabilities (MD + RD) when compared with their counterparts in the control condition. The mean ES for single-subject design studies was 0.90 (range = 0.09–2.99), with a mean ES of 1.45 for MD-only students and a mean ES of 0.58 for MD + RD students. Effective group and single-subject interventions shared a number of common instructional components (e.g., advance organizer, skill modeling). In general, the results suggest that specific sample characteristics (reading ability) and specific instruction components (sequencing, explicit practice, task reduction, advanced organizers, questioning, task difficulty control, elaboration, skill modeling, strategy cues) play a major role in treatment outcomes for children with MD.
The Hale Position for a “Third Method” for Specific Learning Disabilities Identification
Authors: Zirkel Perry A.
Published: April 2013

This short article provides a legal analysis of the Hale et al. white paper on specific learning disabilities identification. The white paper presents a purported consensus of experts that an approach combining response to intervention with severe discrepancy is consistent with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The analysis examines the white paper position in relation to the IDEA legislation, regulations, and agency policy interpretations. The conclusions are that this position is legally flawed in terms of its reliance on the “pattern of strengths and weaknesses” provision, its failure to consider state special education laws, and its overemphasis on the processing component. As a result, the position is justifiable only as advocating revisions, rather than in finding support, in the law.
Opportunities, Obstacles, and Options
Authors: Olson Joann S.
Published: April 2013

First-generation college (FGC) students often encounter a campus environment and set of norms that are substantially different from those they previously experienced. Although the literature exploring the challenges facing these students is growing, less attention has been given to their experiences as they graduate and transition from college to work. Social cognitive career theory (SCCT) has been suggested as a useful framework for helping individuals during the early stages of their careers by exploring the individual’s self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and personal goals. In addition, SCCT considers the influence of contextual supports and barriers, which may be influencing the ongoing career development of FGC students after they graduate. This article explores the ways SCCT may prove particularly helpful when working with FGC graduates. Several case studies highlighting key challenges facing FGC graduates are also presented.
Leadership and Volunteer Motivation
Authors: Oostlander Jeannette , Güntert Stefan T. , van Schie Susan , Wehner Theo
Published: April 2013

The aim of the present study is to provide a deeper understanding of how autonomy-supportive leadership affects volunteer motivation by taking volunteers’ individual differences into account. For this purpose, self-determination theory (SDT) was utilized because this conceptual framework considers both the social context (i.e., autonomy-supportive leadership) and individual differences (i.e., causality orientations) as antecedents of motivation. Causality orientations alter the way individuals perceive their social context as either autonomy-supportive or controlling (i.e., autonomy orientation or control orientation, respectively). Therefore, it is hypothesized that both types of causality orientations serve as moderators of the relationship between autonomy-supportive leadership and volunteer motivation. The hypotheses were tested on N = 1,979 volunteers. The results revealed that the relationship between autonomy-supportive leadership and volunteer motivation varied as a function of the strength of autonomy and control orientation. The importance of the moderating role of individual differences on volunteer motivation is discussed.
Social Transmission of the Sensory Benefits of Eye Widening in Fear Expressions
Authors: Lee Daniel H. , Susskind Joshua M. , Anderson Adam K.
Published: April 2013

Facial expressions may have originated from a primitive sensory regulatory function that was then co-opted and further shaped for the purposes of social utility. In the research reported here, we tested such a hypothesis by investigating the functional origins of fear expressions for both the expresser and the observer. We first found that fear-based eye widening enhanced target discrimination in the available visual periphery of the expresser by 9.4%. We then found that fear-based eye widening enhanced observers’ discrimination of expressers’ gaze direction and facilitated observers’ responses when locating eccentric targets. We present evidence that this benefit was driven by neither the perceived emotion nor attention but, rather, by an enhanced physical signal originating from greater exposure of the iris and sclera. These results highlight the coevolution of sensory and social regulatory functions of emotional expressions by showing that eye widening serves to enhance processing of important environmental events in the visual fields of both expresser and observer.
Clearance seal compressors with linear motor drives. Part 2: Experimental evaluation of an oil-free compressor
Authors: Liang Kun , Dadd Mike , Bailey Paul
Published: April 2013

Oil-free compressors are required for various applications, including cryocoolers and refrigeration systems that use compact evaporators. A novel low-cost moving magnet oil-free linear compressor is described here, and follows a companion paper on the linear motor system. The experimental apparatus to evaluate the thermodynamic performance of the linear compressor is comparatively straightforward, but the data analysis is involved, since key measurements have to be corrected for the phase response of the transducers. Harmonic fitting, using fast Fourier transform with zero-padding and minimisation algorithms, have been used for the voltage, current and displacement signals. This enables corrections to be made for the phase lag in the voltage, current and displacement measurements. The experiments using nitrogen, with a constant pressure ratio, show that the linear motor system under resonance achieves a high overall efficiency. For the design point, the motor efficiency is 74%, while for a pressure ratio of 3.0, the average overall adiabatic efficiency is 54% and the isothermal efficiency is 46%, all of which are within a reasonable range for a small compressor.
Is Consulting Patients About Their Health Service Preferences a Useful Exercise?
Authors: Lawton Julia , Rankin David , Elliott Jackie ,   for the United Kingdom National Institute for Health Research Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) Study Group
Published: April 2013

As part of the shift toward patient-centered care, patients are increasingly being consulted about their preferences for health services and interventions, including those explored during randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to ensure that service recommendations are aligned to their own circumstances and needs. Hence, we interviewed patients ( N = 40) who participated in a randomized control trial comparing diabetes education courses delivered using two different formats to establish whether, and why, they preferred one format to the other, to inform recommendations for future course delivery. Not only did patients report changing their preferences, and the reasons underlying these preferences, over time, but all patients also claimed to prefer the particular course they had attended. We use our findings and experiences to problematize the notion of a patient preference and to raise questions about what we can really learn from consulting patients about the care they receive within the context of an RCT.
Risk assessment of structures subjected to blast
Authors: Abdollahzadeh Gholamreza , Nemati Marzieh
Published: April 2013

Attacking city centers with pack portable bombs has become one of the regular terrorist attacks around the world. In these situations, life losses and injuries can be caused from various sources such as direct blast effects, structural collapse, debris impact, fire, and smoke. Casualties could increase when indirect effects are combined with closed exits or timely evacuation. So, calculating the annual risk of the structural collapses resulting from extreme loading conditions is subjected to many efforts. In this paper, the annual risk of blast-induced progressive structural collapse is calculated. The blast fragility is also calculated by a simulation procedure which generate possible blast configuration, and finally kinematic plastic limit analysis is used to verify the structural stability under gravity loading. As a case study, the blast fragility and the annual risk of collapse of a four-storey steel building are calculated.
A quasi-static algorithm that includes effects of characteristic time scales for simulating failures in brittle materials
Authors: Liu JX , Sayed T El
Published: April 2013

When the brittle heterogeneous material is simulated via lattice models, the quasi-static failure depends on the relative magnitudes of [Formula: see text], the characteristic releasing time of the internal forces of the broken elements and [Formula: see text], the characteristic relaxation time of the lattice, both of which are infinitesimal compared with [Formula: see text], the characteristic loading period. The load–unload (L–U) method is used for one extreme, Telem ≪  Tlattice, whereas the force–release (F–R) method is used for the other, Telem ≫  Tlattice. For cases between the above two extremes, we develop a new algorithm by combining the L–U and the F–R trial displacement fields to construct the new trial field. As a result, our algorithm includes both L–U and F–R failure characteristics, which allows us to observe the influence of the ratio of [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] by adjusting their contributions in the trial displacement field. Therefore, the material dependence of the snap-back instabilities is implemented by introducing one snap-back parameter γ. Although in principle catastrophic failures can hardly be predicted accurately without knowing all microstructural information, effects of γ can be captured by numerical simulations conducted on samples with exactly the same microstructure but different γs. Such a same-specimen-based study shows how the lattice behaves along with the changing ratio of the L–U and F–R components.
Prediction of ductile failure in materials for onshore and offshore pipeline applications
Authors: Cortese Luca , Coppola Tommaso , Campanelli Flavia , Campana Francesca , Sasso Marco
Published: April 2013

This paper shows the procedures needed to calibrate a numerical model intended for ductile damage estimation of bulk materials. For this purpose, an extensive experimental campaign has been carried out on three steels used for offshore/onshore pipe applications. Tests have been performed providing very different stress states: tensile and compressive uniaxial tests, multiaxial tensile tests on round notched bars, 3-point bend tests, again on notched geometries, and plane strain tensile tests on large grooved specimens. Based on the gathered results, a standard plasticity model has been tuned and then the damage model parameters have been identified for each investigated material. The chosen theoretical formulation can take into account all of the experimental evidence: hence, the numerical model represents a useful tool for finite element simulation of engineering problems where information concerning the materials ultimate resistance capability is needed. Moreover, the proposed calibration technique has general validity and can be used to tune other similar damage models.
A damage model for concrete under cyclic actions
Authors: Xue Xinhua , Yang Xingguo
Published: April 2013

Neither damage mechanics model nor elastoplastic constitutive law can solely describe the behavior of concrete satisfactorily. In fact, they both fail to represent proper unloading slopes during cyclic loading. To overcome the disadvantages of pure plastic models and pure damage approaches, a constitutive model devised for the analysis of concrete structures, and suitable for generic two- or three-dimensional applications, is presented and validated. Multiaxial damage failure criteria are introduced to be able to adequately describe the plastic and damage behavior of concrete. The multiaxial damage failure criteria can not only deal with failure from compressive damage, tensile damage degradation under related axes, but also consider anisotropic characteristic for damage. Several numerical examples of concrete modeling are shown with the experimental counterparts to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present plastic-damage approach.
Head Tactile Communication
Authors: Myles Kimberly , Kalb Joel T.
Published: April 2013

Although tactile applications have been explored heavily in the past decade, use on the head is rare. Army researchers are exploring the possibility of using a head-mounted tactile display to augment visual displays currently used for navigation. Such a tactile display has the potential to decrease the amount of information the user would otherwise process visually by off-loading the navigation task from the visual to the tactile modality while providing soldiers with a covert method of receiving directional information regarding a navigation or sniper detection task.
Effect of Handle Design on Pallet Jack Operations
Authors: Harris-Adamson Carisa , Lin Jia-Hua
Published: April 2013

Pallet jacks used in manual material handling jobs are commonly pulled behind the operator to allow full visibility, resulting in awkward shoulder extension and trunk rotation. In this laboratory study, we compared an alternative handle with a standard handle during use when traveling with the pallet jack behind the operator. Total oxygen consumption, usability, comfort, and preference were compared between the two handles. The results showed different advantages associated with each handle design, leading to the conclusion that a secondary handle, used in conjunction with a primary standard handle, may be a beneficial intervention for pallet jack use.
Characterizing Psychopathy Using DSM-5 Personality Traits
Authors: Strickland Casey M. , Drislane Laura E. , Lucy Megan , Krueger Robert F. , Patrick Christopher J.
Published: April 2013

Despite its importance historically and contemporarily, psychopathy is not recognized in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revised ( DSM-IV-TR). Its closest counterpart, antisocial personality disorder, includes strong representation of behavioral deviance symptoms but weak representation of affective-interpersonal features considered central to psychopathy. The current study evaluated the extent to which psychopathy and its distinctive facets, indexed by the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure, can be assessed effectively using traits from the dimensional model of personality pathology developed for DSM-5, operationalized by the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5). Results indicate that (a) facets of psychopathy entailing impulsive externalization and callous aggression are well-represented by traits from the PID-5 considered relevant to antisocial personality disorder, and (b) the boldness facet of psychopathy can be effectively captured using additional PID-5 traits. These findings provide evidence that the dimensional model of personality pathology embodied in the PID-5 provides effective trait-based coverage of psychopathy and its facets.
College Students With ADHD Traits and Their Language Styles
Authors: Kim Kyungil , Lee Seongjik , Lee Changhwan
Published: April 2013

Objective: As an exploratory study, this article investigated the relationship between ADHD symptoms and the style of language use of undergraduate college students in Korea. Method: For this study, participants were asked to use stream-of-consciousness writing about any topic. Then, each participant’s piece of writing was analyzed by the Korean Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (KLIWC), a language analysis program. Results: The findings in this study demonstrated that college students with ADHD symptoms used significantly less “clauses per sentence,” “morphemes per sentence,” “numeral pronouns,” “English,” and “home,” whereas they used significantly more “sentences,” “adjectives,” and “TV and movie” in their consciousness writing. Conclusion: This study indicates that college students with ADHD traits have a different language style from their non-ADHD cohorts. Further research studies should be conducted to replicate our findings and develop specific interventions accordingly.
The Financial Flows of Transnational Crime and Tax Fraud in OECD Countries
Authors: Schneider Friedrich
Published: April 2013

This article has two goals. First, it presents a preliminary literature review of the empirical findings of the worldwide proceeds of transnational organized crime (TOC) and for some Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries as well as a breakdown of the different types of crime proceeds. Also the illegal cross-border flows of global dirty money (including tax fraud figures) are shown, which are by far the biggest share (66 percent) of all illegal transactions. Second, some remarks are made about the infiltration of the TOC into the “official” economic system, and the functioning of the Hawala (or informal) banking is described. There are four main conclusions. First, the revenues of transnational crime are extremely difficult to estimate. Second, fighting transnational crime is very difficult, as there are no efficient and powerful international organizations that can effectively do this job. Third, tax fraud and/or other illegal cross-border capital flows should be the prime target for governments to reduce them. Fourth, this article should be seen as a first start/attempt in order to shed some light on the gray area of the magnitude of proceeds of tax fraud and of transnational crime.
A parameter prediction model of running-in based on surface topography
Authors: Zhang Gengpei , Liu Xiaojun , Lu Wenlong
Published: April 2013

Although surface topography is a directive and useful method to evaluate the quality of worn components, the common belief that the surface roughness after running-in is independent of the nature of initial roughness makes it difficult to investigate the surface topography of worn components after running-in based on unworn surface before running-in process. Trying to build the connection of surface topography before and after running-in, this article assumed running-in as a black box and adopted support vector machine as machine learning method to simulate the complex process. Through the training and validation of the simulation, the predictive model of surface topography after running-in based on unworn surface topography was established, which indicated the existence of a correlation between the surface topographies before and after running-in. The model analysis revealed that the hybrid properties of surface topographies before and after running-in have strong correlation. Especially, the correlation between input parameter Sk and output parameter Sq is a particular one among all relationships of parameter pairs.
Modelling of micro-geometry in elastohydrodynamic lubrication: Low-pressure valleys considerations
Authors: Espejel GE Morales , Quiñonez A Félix , Hooke CJ
Published: April 2013

Modelling deep valleys from surface micro-geometry in elastohydrodynamic lubrication has always been a challenge, since the solution of the Reynolds equation meets the cavitation condition [Formula: see text] also in that part of the contact. Full numerical methods in principle can handle situations where the pressure is nearly zero, although the convergence can be affected. However, simplified approaches such as ‘amplitude reduction’ are in principle not designed to handle this problem. The present article shows some modifications to the amplitude reduction approach to handle pressures in deep valleys in a better way and compares with full-numerical solutions and with the unmodified amplitude reduction technique. At the end, some validity limits are established.
Developing parent expertise: A framework to guide parental care following diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in a young child
Authors: Niedel Selaine , Traynor Michael , Tamborlane William , Acerini Carlo , McKee Martin
Published: April 2013

Objectives

This article examines how health professionals guide parental acquisition of knowledge and development of expertise following diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in a young child.

Methods

Fifty-five consultations from two outpatient paediatric diabetes clinics, one in the UK and one in the US, were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed; eight exemplar extracts are presented here. Participants were parents, whose child younger than 6 years of age had been diagnosed with diabetes within the previous 14 months, and health professionals, who were experienced doctors, nurses, dieticians and social workers.

Results

Over the first year following diagnosis, experienced health professionals use four strategies to enable parental self-management of their child's diabetes. Clinicians begin by setting expectations to define the shared responsibilities for the management of the child's disease. Next, they introduce two concepts, trial and error, to help parents respond to variations in blood glucose values and pattern recognition, to help parents refine therapy. As parents gain confidence, clinicians encourage independent pro-active management. Together, these four strategies form a framework to enable development of parental expertise.

Conclusions

This framework addresses the needs of parents and guides their socialization as they assume the role of an expert health care provider for their child. If incorporated into clinical guidelines and health professional training programmes, the framework could facilitate improved self-management of diabetes and perhaps of other chronic diseases.
Identifying and managing performance concerns in community pharmacists in the UK
Authors: Jacobs Sally , Hassell Karen , Seston Elizabeth , Potter Helen , Schafheutle Ellen
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To explore current arrangements for identifying and managing performance concerns in community pharmacists in the UK.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with 20 senior managers from community pharmacies and locum agencies.

Results

A strong emphasis was placed on business performance alongside other aspects of professional performance in the identification of performance concerns in pharmacists. The majority of concerns were identified reactively, through customer complaints, peer- or self-referral, or following a dispensing error. Community pharmacies sought to manage performance concerns internally where possible, but only the larger organizations had the infrastructure to provide their own training or other remedial support. Several challenges to identifying and managing performance concerns were identified. There were few mechanisms for identifying and supporting locum pharmacists with performance issues.

Conclusions

Being ‘for-profit’ organizations, community pharmacies may prioritize business performance over ensuring the professional performance of pharmacists, the responsibility for which would be left to the individual pharmacist. This may be detrimental to the quality of care provided. With the growth of independent sector providers more widely, these findings may have implications for the regulation of other health care professionals’ performance.
The grounds of solidarity
Authors: Kapeller Jakob , Wolkenstein Fabio
Published: April 2013

Solidarity can be conceived in multiple ways. This article probes possible underlying ontological and normative assumptions of solidarity. In order to conceptually clarify the notion of solidarity, we distinguish between five types of solidarity. We suggest that solidarity is either grounded in the Enlightenment ideas of liberty, or a category of loyalty and allegiance. If the former is the case, solidarity can be justified on rational grounds. If the latter is the case, it is contingent on narratives of historical continuity and a non-rational sense of belonging. Moreover, we show that different types of solidarity can be derived from Anglo-Saxon and continental thought, which hints at different conceptions of community.
Conversation analysis as a method for investigating interaction in care home environments
Authors: Chatwin John
Published: April 2013

This article gives an outline of how the socio-linguistic approach of conversation analysis can be applied to the analysis of carer–patient interaction in care homes. A single case study from a routine encounter in a residential care home is presented. This is used to show how the conversation analysis method works, the kinds of interactional and communication features it can expose, and what specific contribution this kind of micro-interactional approach may make to improving quality of care in these environments.
Changing practice of diabetes testing by primary care in West Yorkshire
Authors: Narayanan Deepa , Marchetti Paula , McHugh Anna , Barth Julian H
Published: April 2013

In recent years there have been several major changes to the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended the use of haemoglobin A1C as a diagnostic marker of diabetes in 2011. HbA1C measurement has been standardised to International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) methods and is now being reported in IFCC units. This recommended change was implemented in the UK from 1 June 2009, but is yet to be embraced internationally. We assessed the impact of these changes on the use of HbA1C and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in the primary care population. We found a decrease in OGTT tests requested/performed with a concurrent increase in the number of samples with HbA1C < 48 mmol/mol (< 6.5%) received in the laboratory. This changing practice of diabetes testing in our primary care antedates the WHO recommendation.
Contract Length, Expected Surplus, and Specific Investments
Authors: Tang Meng-Chi
Published: April 2013

This study empirically tests how expected surplus and specific investments affect the structure of National Football League player contracts. Empirical results show that both length and monetary compensations of a player’s contract increase with expected surplus and specific investments. In particular, early draftees with higher expected value of future performance signed longer and more lucrative contracts than later draftees did. This correlation is affected by a team’s expected surplus from contracting with their draftees. Comparing to the other teams, teams with more empty seats and fewer wins in the previous season invested more in early draftees, but less in later draftees. The results also indicate that players requiring more specific investments negotiated longer and more lucrative contracts than did other players, particularly quarterbacks.
Social Desirability Bias in Polling on Same-Sex Marriage Ballot Measures
Authors: Powell Richard J.
Published: April 2013

Prior public opinion research has identified a wide range of circumstances in which polling results may be tainted by social desirability bias. In races pitting a Black candidate against White opponents, this has often been referred to as the “Bradley effect” (aka “Wilder effect” or “Dinkins effect”), by which survey respondents overstate their preference for Black candidates running against White opponents. This study examines the accuracy of polling on same-sex marriage ballot measures relative to polling on other statewide ballot issues in all states voting on the issue from 1998 to 2012, controlling for a range of theoretically relevant contextual factors. There has been a great deal of speculation, though little empirical evidence, that polling systematically understates opposition to same-sex marriage. Consistent with social desirability bias, this study finds that opposition to same-sex marriage is about 5% to 7% greater on election day than in preelection polls.
Reducing interruptions during medication administration: the White Vest study
Authors: Craig Jayne , Clanton Fiesta , Demeter Marylee
Published: April 2013

The well-established Institute of Medicine report entitled To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System highlighted the importance of preventative errors in medicine, suggesting interruptions are a contributing factor. Patient safety organisations, such as The Joint Commission, acknowledge that interruptions contribute to preventable medical errors. The aim of this research is to examine the most frequently observed interruptions experienced by nurses administering medications and evaluate an intervention designed to reduce those interruptions. The primary intervention consisted of a White Vest worn during administration stating: ‘Please do not interrupt while passing medications’. A quasi-experimental design was employed. Nurses were observed for 2 weeks during routine administration of morning medications. The vest was then introduced and worn during administration for 2 weeks for post-intervention data collection. The hospital unit, date, time, duration, and description of the interruption were recorded. Data collection was conducted in four hospital units sequentially. A content analysis revealed the most frequently observed interruptions were comments/questions by hospital staff, phone calls, and seeking supplies. As hypothesised, the overall number of interruptions during medication administration (MA) declined after implementation of the intervention. This study illustrates implications and policy changes with regards to nursing practices and MA.
Trauma pain – a military perspective
Authors: Wyldbore Mark , Aldington Dominic
Published: April 2013

This paper outlines the system developed by the United Kingdom’s Defence Medical Services to manage the pain associated with combat trauma from the point of wounding, through repatriation back home to rehabilitation and eventual discharge from the Forces, whenever that may be. The system is founded upon the principles of integration and sustainability and this article includes discussion of both clinical and non-clinical components.
Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells recapitulate hematopoietic abnormalities of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Gandre-Babbe Shilpa , Paluru Prasuna , Aribeana Chiaka , Chou Stella T. , Bresolin Silvia , Lu Lin , Sullivan Spencer K. , Tasian Sarah K. , Weng Julie , Favre Helene , Choi John K. , French Deborah L. , Loh Mignon L. , Weiss Mitchell J.
Published: April 2013

Key Points

Patient-derived iPSCs recapitulate juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia. MEK inhibition normalizes GM-CSF independence and hypersensitivity in myeloid precursors from JMML iPSCs.
Early responses predict better outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia: results with four tyrosine kinase inhibitor modalities
Authors: Jain Preetesh , Kantarjian Hagop , Nazha Aziz , O’Brien Susan , Jabbour Elias , Romo Carlos Guillermo , Pierce Sherry , Cardenas-Turanzas Marylou , Verstovsek Srdan , Borthakur Gautam , Ravandi Farhad , Quintás-Cardama Alfonso , Cortes Jorge
Published: April 2013

Key Points

This analysis demonstrates the universality of the early response in CML, regardless of the treatment modality used. Factors correlating with poor cytogenetic responses at 3-mo assessment in a multivariate analysis across all 4 TKIs.
A new characterization of Mathieu-groups by the order and one irreducible character degree
Authors: Xu Haijing , Yan Yanxiong , Chen Guiyun
Published: April 2013

The main aim of this article is to characterize the finite simple groups by less character quantity. In fact, we show that each Mathieu-group G can be determined by their largest and second largest irreducible character degrees.

MSC:20C15.
Metabolic syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis: case control study
Authors: Rostom Samira , Mengat Mariam , Lahlou Racha , Hari Asmaa , Bahiri Rachid , Hajjaj-Hassouni Najia
Published: April 2013

Background

Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of classical cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia is highly prevalent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MS) in RA patients, and to evaluate the relationships between metabolic syndrome and RA.

Methods

The study was conducted on 120 RA patients according to the 1987 revised American College of Rheumatology classification criteria, and 100 age and sex matched apparently healthy controls. The frequency of metabolic syndrome was assessed using six Metabolic Syndrome definitions (Joint Consensus 2009, National Cholesterol Education Programme 2004 and 2001, International Diabetes Federation, World Health Organisation and European Group for Study of Insulin Resistance). Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of metabolic Syndrome.

Results

The frequency of metabolic syndrome varied from 18 to 48.6% in RA according to the definition used and was significantly higher than controls (for all definitions p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, higher ESR was independently associated with the presence of Met S (OR =1.36; CI: 1.18–2.12; p = 0.03). Glucocorticoid use, but not other disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), values remained significant independent predictors of the presence of metabolic syndrome in RA patients (OR = 1.45; CI: 1.12–2.14; p = 0.04).

Conclusions

In summary, the frequency of metabolic syndrome in RA varies according to the definition used and was significantly higher compared to controls (for all definitions p<0.05). Higher systemic inflammatory marker, and glucocorticoids use were independent predictors associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome in patients with RA. These findings suggest that physicians should screen for metabolic syndrome in patients with RA to control its components and therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients.
Development of a population suppression strain of the human malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles stephensi
Authors: Marinotti Osvaldo , Jasinskiene Nijole , Fazekas Aniko , Scaife Sarah , Fu Guoliang , Mattingly Stefanie T , Chow Karissa , Brown David M , Alphey Luke , James Anthony A
Published: April 2013

Background

Transgenic mosquito strains are being developed to contribute to the control of dengue and malaria transmission. One approach uses genetic manipulation to confer conditional, female-specific dominant lethality phenotypes. Engineering of a female-specific flightless phenotype provides a sexing mechanism essential for male-only mosquito, release approaches that result in population suppression of target vector species.

Methods

An approach that uses a female-specific gene promoter and antibiotic-repressible lethal factor to produce a sex-specific flightless phenotype was adapted to the human malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi. Transposon- and site-specific recombination-mediated technologies were used to generate a number of transgenic An. stephensi lines that when combined through mating produced the phenotype of flight-inhibited females and flight-capable males.

Results

The data shown here demonstrate the successful engineering of a female-specific flightless phenotype in a malaria vector. The flightless phenotype was repressible by the addition of tetracycline to the larval diet. This conditional phenotype allows the rearing of the strains under routine laboratory conditions. The minimal level of tetracycline that rescues the flightless phenotype is higher than that found as an environmental contaminant in circumstances where there is intensive use of antibiotics.

Conclusions

These studies support the further development of flightless female technology for applications in malaria control programmes that target the vectors.
Phospholipid Scramblase 1, an interferon-regulated gene located at 3q23, is regulated by SnoN/SkiL in ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Kodigepalli Karthik M. , Anur Pavana , Spellman Paul , Sims Peter J. , Nanjundan Meera
Published: April 2013

Background

Treatment of advanced stage ovarian cancer continues to be challenging due to acquired drug resistance and lack of early stage biomarkers. Genes identified to be aberrantly expressed at the 3q26.2 locus (i.e. SnoN/SkiL) have been implicated in ovarian cancer pathophysiology. We have previously shown that SnoN expression is increased in advanced stage ovarian cancers and alters cellular response to arsenic trioxide (As2O3).

Findings

We now demonstrate increased DNA copy number levels (TCGA data) of phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1, located at 3q23) whose transcript expression in ovarian cell lines is highly correlated with SnoN mRNA. Interestingly, SnoN can modulate PLSCR1 mRNA levels in the absence/presence of interferon (IFN-2α). Both IFN-2α and As2O3 treatment can modulate PLSCR1 mRNA levels in ovarian carcinoma cells. However, SnoN siRNA does not lead to altered PLSCR1 protein implicating other events needed to modulate its protein levels. In addition, we report that PLSCR1 can modulate aspects of the As2O3 cellular response.

Conclusions

Our findings warrant further investigation into the role of PLSCR1 in ovarian cancer development and chemoresistance.
Strong Eu2+ light emission in Eu silicate through Eu3+ reduction in Eu2O3/Si multilayer deposited on Si substrates
Authors: Li Leliang , Zheng Jun , Zuo Yuhua , Cheng Buwen , Wang Qiming
Published: April 2013

Eu2O3/Si multilayer nanostructured films are deposited on Si substrates by magnetron sputtering. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrate that multicrystalline Eu silicate is homogeneously distributed in the film after high-temperature treatment in N2. The Eu2+ silicate is formed by the reaction of Eu2O3 and Si layers, showing an intense and broad room-temperature photoluminescence peak centered at 610 nm. It is found that the Si layer thickness in nanostructures has great influence on Eu ion optical behavior by forming different Eu silicate crystalline phases. These findings open a promising way to prepare efficient Eu2+ materials for photonic application.
Comparison of anti-angiogenic properties of pristine carbon nanoparticles
Authors: Wierzbicki Mateusz , Sawosz Ewa , Grodzik Marta , Prasek Marta , Jaworski Slawomir , Chwalibog André
Published: April 2013

Angiogenesis is vital for tumour formation, development and metastasis. Recent reports show that carbon nanomaterials inhibit various angiogenic signalling pathways and, therefore, can be potentially used in anti-angiogenic therapy. In the present study, we compared the effect of different carbon nanomaterials on blood vessel development. Diamond nanoparticles, graphite nanoparticles, graphene nanosheets, multi-wall nanotubes and C60 fullerenes were evaluated for their angiogenic activities using the in ovo chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane model. Diamond nanoparticles and multi-wall nanotubes showed the greatest anti-angiogenic properties. Interestingly, fullerene exhibited the opposite effect, increasing blood vessel development, while graphite nanoparticles and graphene had no effect. Subsequently, protein levels of pro-angiogenic growth factor receptors were analysed, showing that diamond nanoparticles decreased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. These results provide new insights into the biological activity of carbon nanomaterials and emphasise the potential use of multi-wall nanotubes and diamond nanoparticles in anti-angiogenic tumour therapy.
The ability of TNPO3-depleted cells to inhibit HIV-1 infection requires CPSF6
Authors: Fricke Thomas , Valle-Casuso Jose Carlos , White Tommy E , Brandariz-Nuñez Alberto , Bosche William J , Reszka Natalia , Gorelick Robert , Diaz-Griffero Felipe
Published: April 2013

Background

Expression of the cellular karyopherin TNPO3/transportin-SR2/Tnp3 is necessary for HIV-1 infection. Depletion of TNPO3 expression in mammalian cells inhibits HIV-1 infection after reverse transcription but prior to integration.

Results

This work explores the role of cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor subunit 6 (CPSF6) in the ability of TNPO3-depleted cells to inhibit HIV-1 infection. Our findings showed that depletion of TNPO3 expression inhibits HIV-1 infection, while the simultaneous depletion of TNPO3 and CPSF6 expression rescues HIV-1 infection. Several experiments to understand the rescue of infectivity by CPSF6 were performed. Our experiments revealed that the HIV-1 capsid binding ability of the endogenously expressed CPSF6 from TNPO3-depleted cells does not change when compared to CPSF6 from wild type cells. In agreement with our previous results, depletion of TNPO3 did not change the nuclear localization of CPSF6. Studies on the formation of 2-LRT circles during HIV-1 infection revealed that TNPO3-depleted cells are impaired in the integration process or exhibit a defect in the formation of 2-LTR circles. To understand whether the cytosolic fraction of CPSF6 is responsible for the inhibition of HIV-1 in TNPO3-depleted cells, we tested the ability of a cytosolic full-length CPSF6 to block HIV-1 infection. These results demonstrated that overexpression of a cytosolic full-length CPSF6 blocks HIV-1 infection at the nuclear import step. Fate of the capsid assays revealed that cytosolic expression of CPSF6 enhances stability of the HIV-1 core during infection.

Conclusions

These results suggested that inhibition of HIV-1 by TNPO3-depleted cells requires CPSF6.
Glucocorticoid receptor is involved in the breed-dependent transcriptional regulation of mtDNA- and nuclear-encoded mitochondria genes in the liver of newborn piglets
Authors: Li Runsheng , Zou Huafeng , Jia Yimin , Zhao Ruqian
Published: April 2013

Background

Mitochondria, which are essential for the functionality of eukaryotic cells, are particularly important in metabolically active tissues such as liver. Different breeds of pigs demonstrate distinct metabolic profiles in the liver, yet little is known whether the expression and transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial genes differ between breeds.

Results

Here we used male newborn Large White (LW) and Erhualian (EHL) piglets to delineate the difference in hepatic mitochondrial gene regulation between breeds. The hepatic content of ATP was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in EHL piglets, which was associated with lower mtDNA copy number (p < 0.05). Most of the mtDNA-encoded genes (10 of 13), however, were more abundantly expressed in EHL compared to LW piglets. We also detected 3 differentially expressed nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes, among which isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) and ATP synthase, H+ transporting, mitochondrial Fo complex, subunit d (ATP5H) were expressed significantly lower, while adenylate kinase 1 (AK1) was significantly over expressed in EHL piglets. Compared to LW, the over expression of mtDNA-encoded genes in EHL was associated with significantly higher (p < 0.01) glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding to the control region of mtDNA with no alterations in the methylation status. For nuclear-encoded genes, however, a negative correlation was observed between GR binding and mRNA expression of AK1 and ATP5H. Moreover, higher expression of AK1 in EHL piglets was also associated with lower cytosine methylation (p < 0.05) and hydroxymethylation (p < 0.05). In the promoter region.

Conclusions

These results indicate a role of the GR in the breed-dependent regulation of mitochondrial genes in the liver of newborn piglets.
Temporal and spatial requirements of Smoothened in ventral midbrain neuronal development
Authors: Tang Mianzhi , Luo Sarah X , Tang Vivian , Huang Eric J
Published: April 2013

Background

Several studies have indicated that Sonic hedgehog (Shh) regulates the expansion of dopaminergic (DA) progenitors and the subsequent generation of mature DA neurons. This prevailing view has been based primarily on in vitro culture results, and the exact in vivo function of Shh signaling in the patterning and neurogenesis of the ventral midbrain (vMB) remains unclear.

Methods

We characterized the transcriptional codes for the vMB progenitor domains, and correlated them with the expression patterns of Shh signaling effectors, including Shh, Smoothened, Patched, Gli1, Gli2 and Gli3.

Results

While Shh and its downstream effectors showed robust expression in the neurogenic niche for DA progenitors at embryonic day (E)8 to E8.5, their expression shifted to the lateral domains from E9.5 to E12.5. Consistent with this dynamic change, conditional mutants with region-specific removal of the Shh receptor Smoothened in the vMB progenitors (Shh-Cre;Smo

fl/fl
) showed a transient reduction in DA progenitors and DA neurons at E10.5, but had more profound defects in neurons derived from the more lateral domains, including those in the red nucleus, oculomotor nucleus, and raphe nuclei. Conversely, constitutive activation of Smoothened signaling in vMB (Shh-Cre;SmoM2) showed transient expansion of the same progenitor population. To further characterize the nature of Shh-Smoothened signaling in vMB, we examined the BAT-GAL reporter and the expression of Wnt1 in vMB, and found that the antagonistic effects of Shh and Wnt signaling critically regulate the development of DA progenitors and DA neurons.

Conclusion

These results highlight previously unrecognized effects of Shh-Smoothened signaling in the region-specific neurogenesis within the vMB.