bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel animal models of acetylcholine receptor antibody–related myasthenia gravis
Authors: Tüzün Erdem , Allman Windy , Ulusoy Canan , Yang Huan , Christadoss Premkumar
Published: December 2012

Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) in mice has been used to unravel the pathogenic mechanisms and to be used as a preclinical model of myasthenia gravis (MG). Induction of predominantly ocular EAMG in HLA‐DQ8 transgenic mice immunized with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) subunits demonstrated the importance of nonconformationally expressed AChR subunits in extraocular muscle involvement. Wild‐type (WT) and CD4+ T cell knockout (KO) C57BL/6 mice developed EAMG upon immunization with AChR in incomplete Freund's adjuvant plus lipopolysaccharide. AChR‐specific IgG2+ B cell frequencies, estimated by Alexa‐conjugated AChR, and AChR‐reactive IgG2b levels significantly correlated with the clinical grades of EAMG in WT mice. CD4+ T cell–deficient EAMG mice exhibited AChR antibodies mainly of the IgG2b isotype, emphasizing T helper–independent B cell activation pathways in EAMG induction. These novel EAMG models have suggested that diverse immunopathological mechanisms might contribute to EAMG or MG pathogenesis.
Jitter analysis with concentric needle electrodes
Authors: Stålberg Erik
Published: December 2012

Because of certain restrictions in medical praxis, reusable materials are only allowed in some countries. This also applies to electrodes for electromyography; the special single‐fiber electromyography electrode must be replaced. This article gives some details of the possibilities of using an alternative—a small concentric needle electrode. Practical hints, reference values, and the application in diagnostic work for myasthenia gravis are summarized.
Management challenges in muscle‐specific tyrosine kinase myasthenia gravis
Authors: Evoli Amelia , Alboini Paolo E. , Bisonni Ana , Mastrorosa Alessia , Bartocccioni Emanuela
Published: December 2012

Myasthenia gravis with antibodies to muscle‐specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK‐MG) is generally considered a severe disease because of the associated weakness distribution with prevalent involvement of bulbar muscles and a rapidly progressive course and early respiratory crises. Its treatment can be unrewarding, owing to poor response to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in most patients, disease relapses in spite of high‐dose immunosuppression, and development of permanent bulbar weakness. High‐dose prednisone plus plasma exchange is the recommended approach for treating rapidly progressive bulbar weakness. In the disease management, oral steroids proved effective, plasma exchange produced marked, albeit short‐term, improvement, while conventional immunosuppressants were comparatively less effective. Rituximab is a promising treatment for refractory MuSK‐MG; in uncontrolled studies, nearly all treated patients achieved significant improvement with substantial decrease of medication. It is yet to be clarified whether the early use of rituximab could prevent the permanent bulbar weakness, which constitutes a relevant disability in these patients.
The MG composite: an outcome measure for myasthenia gravis for use in clinical trials and everyday practice
Authors: Burns Ted M.
Published: December 2012

The myasthenia gravis composite (MGC) was constructed by selecting the best performing items from three commonly used, MG‐specific scales. The response categories of the items were subsequently weighted for importance. The MGC, which takes less than five minutes to complete, is made up of three ocular, three bulbar, one respiratory, one neck, and two limb items. After its construction, the MGC was validated in an 11‐center scale validity study. During the validation study, which included test–retest analysis, it was determined that a 3‐point improvement in MGC score reliably indicates clinical improvement. A 3‐point improvement in MGC also appears to be meaningful to the patient. Rasch analysis of the MGC confirmed that all 10 items belong and can be summed to provide a total score, and that the weights given to the response categories of the items are appropriate.
Targeting plasma cells with proteasome inhibitors: possible roles in treating myasthenia gravis?
Authors: Gomez Alejandro M. , Willcox Nick , Molenaar Peter C. , Buurman Wim , Martinez‐Martinez Pilar , De Baets Marc H. , Losen Mario
Published: December 2012

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is treated primarily with broad‐spectrum immuno‐suppressants such as prednisone or azathioprine, which normally require several months to reduce autoantibody titers significantly. This delay may be caused by the resistance of the main antibody‐producing cells, the plasma cells, to these drugs. In particular, long‐lived plasma cells are resistant to immunosuppressive treatments and can produce (auto‐) antibodies for months. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor approved for treating patients with multiple myeloma, a plasma cell malignancy. Recent preclinical studies in cell cultures and animal models, and clinical studies in organ‐transplant recipients, have demonstrated that bortezomib can kill non‐neoplastic plasma cells within hours. This suggests that proteasome inhibitors could also be used for rapidly reducing autoantibody production in autoimmune diseases. We have begun to assess their potential in MG.
The Design of Re‐usable Carius Tubes for the Determination of Rhenium, Osmium and Platinum‐Group Elements in Geological Samples
Authors: Qi Liang , Gao Jian‐Feng , Zhou Mei‐Fu , Hu Jing
Published: December 2012

The traditional Carius tube technique is cumbersome and requires skilful work to seal the Carius tube, which can be used only once. We describe a modification to the technique that does not require the use of a high‐temperature welding torch to melt the Carius tube to seal it. The newly designed Carius tube consists of a main body with a 3 mm‐thick glass wall, a neck and head with walls 4 mm in thickness, and an efficient screw‐thread stopper. These new features allowed the tube to be used repeatedly. We demonstrate relatively low procedural blanks derived for Re and Os, and platinum‐group elements (PGEs), using the redesigned tube. A temperature of 220 °C could be reached for about 5 ml of HNO3 for a 47 ml tube and for 32 ml of inverse aqua regia for a 200 ml tube. This digestion technique can be used for routine analysis of Re and PGEs in geological samples.
‘A Man Obscurely Situated’: Samuel Richardson, Autobiography and ‘The History of Mrs Beaumont’
Authors: CURRAN LOUISE
Published: December 2012

This article considers Samuel Richardson's final fictional work, ‘The History of Mrs Beaumont’, a story removed from his last published novel, Sir Charles Grandison (1753‐4), that now survives in manuscript form (following partial publication in 1804). It explores Richardson's interest in different forms of life‐writing, draws attention to the quasi‐autobiographical nature of this work and argues that ‘Mrs Beaumont’ demonstrates a new interest in the way personal history could be used in fictional practice. The article concludes that, though fragmentary and neglected by critics to date, the work is a significant part of the novelist's literary oeuvre.
Treat me Right, Treat me Equal: Using National Policy and Legislation to Create Positive Changes in Local Health Services for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Roberts Amanda , Townsend Samantha , Morris Jennifer , Rushbrooke Elizabeth , Greenhill Beth , Whitehead Richard , Matthews Tim , Golding Laura
Published: December 2012

Background

Creative use of legislation can produce positive change in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. This may be ‘bottom‐up’ or ‘top‐down’ or at multiple levels and with multiple stakeholders.

Method

Using a human rights–based approach (HRBA), four initiatives to improve services for people with intellectual disabilities in theUKare described.

Results

The first example explains the process of co‐producing aDVDand board game to enable people with intellectual disabilities to understand their human rights. The second example considers the impact of organizational culture in the process of embedding a pilot evaluation of practical, human rights–based risk assessment and management tools. A third pilot project examines how the guiding principles of Mental Health Act (MHA) (2007) for England and Wales can be operationalized using anHRBA. Finally, improving equitable access to health care through a ‘top‐down’ process of change involving the Green Light Toolkit is reported.

Conclusion

The authors consider how to approach the process and where to focus in the system, to realize meaningful change.
Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for Anger in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Nicoll Matthew , Beail Nigel , Saxon David
Published: December 2012

Background

The cognitive behavioural treatment for anger in adults with intellectual disabilities has received increasing interest. The current study aims to review the current literature and provide a meta‐analysis.

Method

A literature search found 12 studies eligible for the quality appraisal. The studies examined cognitive behavioural treatment for anger in adults with intellectual disabilities published since 1999. Nine studies were eligible to be included in the meta‐analysis.

Results

The meta‐analysis revealed large uncontrolled effect sizes for the treatment for anger in adults with intellectual disabilities, but is viewed with caution due to low sample sizes. The narrative review showed improved methodological quality of the literature.

Conclusions

The emerging literature is encouraging. However, it is limited through concatenated data, a lack of comparative control groups and small study samples.
A Case with Occurrence of Antidromic Tachycardia After Ablation of Idiopathic Left Fascicular Tachycardia: Mechanism of Left Upper Septal Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: NISHIUCHI SUGURU , NOGAMI AKIHIKO , NAITO SHIGETO
Published: December 2012

Antidromic Tachycardia After Ablation of Idiopathic Left Fascicular Tachycardia

A 36‐year‐old male presented with verapamil‐sensitive narrow QRS tachycardia. The patient underwent the catheter ablation of common idiopathic left fascicular ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) 2 years ago. During narrow QRS tachycardia, the diastolic and presystolic potentials (P1 and P2) were recorded at the left septum. Activation sequences of P1 and P2 were opposite from those in common ILVT. Entrainment of P1 at the upper septum exhibited concealed fusion and S‐QRS equal to P1‐QRS. Radiofrequency current to P1 suppressed VT. Idiopathic left upper septal VT might be the antidromic macroreentry of the common form of ILVT.
Noninvasive Panoramic Mapping of Human Atrial Fibrillation Mechanisms: A Feasibility Report
Authors: HAISSAGUERRE MICHEL , HOCINI MELEZE , SHAH ASHOK J. , DERVAL NICOLAS , SACHER FREDERIC , JAIS PIERRE , DUBOIS REMI
Published: December 2012

Noninvasive Panoramic Mapping of Human Atrial Fibrillation Mechanisms

Introduction

Recent developments in body surface mapping and computer processing have allowed noninvasive mapping of atrial activation responsible for various cardiac arrhythmias with increasingly greater resolution. We developed specific algorithms to identify localized sources and atrial propagation occurring simultaneously during ongoing atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and Results

We report the feasibility of noninvasive panoramic mapping of human AF mechanisms and its validation by successful ablation. We used a commercially available mapping system using an array of 252 body surface electrodes and noncontrast thoracic CT scan to obtain high‐resolution images of the biatrial geometry and the relative electrode positions. On the surface unipolar electrograms acquired during AF we developed specific signal‐analysis process combining filtering, wavelet transform, and phase mapping. At least 5 windows with spontaneous, long ventricular pauses were selected for mapping. The incidence, location and characteristics of localized sources (foci and rotors) were assessed on the cumulative duration of all recorded windows.

In a patient with paroxysmal AF, noninvasive maps showed multiple single or repetitive discharges from 3 pulmonary veins (PVs), a rotor meandering along the right venous ostia, and their mutual interplay. All areas outside the left posterior wall were passively activated. AF terminated during isolation of right PV.

In a patient with persistent AF for 7 months, a rotor was identified recurrently, drifting in the left atrial inferior and posterior wall and in the roof. It was not stationary for more than 2 rotations. The right atrial free wall was activated over the Bachman's bundle by a passive wavefront propagating in a counterclockwise pattern. Ablation at the rotor locations abruptly converted AF into atrial tachycardia after 10 minutes of radiofrequency application. Further mapping and ablation confirmed a counterclockwise cavotricuspid isthmus—dependent flutter.

Conclusions

This report demonstrates the feasibility of noninvasive panoramic mapping of AF in identifying active sources, which include unstable rotors and PV foci, and its validation by ablation results.
Dispersal ability of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae): edge effect in area‐wide treatments
Authors: Navarro‐Llopis V. , Vacas S. , Zarzo M. , Primo J.
Published: December 2012

Bait stations are widely used to control Ceratitis capitata, even though the effect of intrusion from untreated areas decreases the efficacy of the technique. In this work, the edge effect of outer fruit fly populations from untreated areas and backyard orchards has been studied. For this purpose, a field trial was carried out during four years in a wide area of 10 000 ha located in Valencia (Spain). The main growing species were Prunus persica, Prunus domestica, Citrus sinensis, Citrus reticulata and Diospyros kaki. An area of 3,600 ha was treated with chemosterilant bait stations. Fruit fly populations were monitored during the 4 years of study inside and outside the treated area using Tephri‐traps baited with trimedlure. A grid of 180 traps was placed in the field with an intertrap distance of 450 m. Multiple linear regression was applied to model population levels as a function of distance to untreated areas and backyards. The distance at which outer medfly populations influenced the treated wide‐area population was about 1.3 km. This value reflects the distance at which a given fruit fly population is influenced by outer populations and suggests that C. capitata is able to move more than 1 km seeking for hosts. Thus, buffer areas in area‐wide integrated pest management of Mediterranean fruit fly should be at least 1.3 km wide.
Size, sex and seasonal patterns in the assemblage of Carcharhiniformes in a sub‐tropical bay
Authors: Taylor S. M. , Bennett M. B.
Published: December 2012

Size, sex and seasonal patterns among Carcharhiniformes were examined in shallow regions of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. A total of 1259 sharks were caught, comprising 13 species. The Australian sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon taylori and the blacktip complex Carcharhinus limbatus–Carcharhinus tilstoni comprised 55% of all shark individuals. Neonates were observed for five species including the dusky shark Carcharhinus obscurus, which contrary to previous reports was relatively abundant in shallow, predominantly estuarine waters. Three contrasting patterns of occurrence were observed: smaller species were abundant and present throughout much of their ontogeny, larger species were mainly caught as neonates or juveniles and vagrant species were only caught during the warmer months. The shark assemblage differed significantly among seasons. While many species were observed during the warmer months, species diversity was lower in winter when C. obscurus comprised 43% of the catch. Overall, the results indicated that spatial and temporal distribution patterns were not synchronous for all species. The capture of small numbers of neonate C. obscurus in late autumn and winter demonstrates that parturition among Carcharhiniformes is not confined to spring and summer in sub‐tropical waters.
Is Geriatric Care Associated with Less Emergency Department Use?
Authors: D'Arcy Laura P. , Stearns Sally C. , Domino Marisa E. , Hanson Laura C. , Weinberger Morris
Published: December 2012

Objectives

To determine whether community‐dwelling individuals and nursing home (NH) residents treated by a geriatrician were less likely to use the emergency department (ED) than individuals treated by other physicians.

Design

Retrospective cohort study using data from a national sample of older adults with a history of cardiovascular disease.

Setting

Ambulatory care or NH.

Participants

Fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries aged 66 and older diagnosed with one or more geriatric conditions from 2004 to 2007 and followed for up to 3 years.

Measurements

Emergency department use was measured in Medicare inpatient and outpatient claims; geriatric care was measured as geriatrician visits in ambulatory or NH settings coded in physician claims.

Results

Multivariable analyses controlled for observed and unobserved subject characteristics that were constant during the study period. For community‐dwelling participants, one or more nonhospital geriatrician visits in a 6‐month period were associated with 11.3% lower ED use the following month (95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.5–15.0, N = 287,259). Participants who received primary care from geriatricians were less likely to have ED use than those who had traditional primary care. Results for participants who received consultative care from geriatricians were similar to those for participants who received primary care from geriatricians. Results for NH residents (N = 66,551) were similar to those for community‐dwelling participants.

Conclusion

Geriatric care was associated with an estimated 108 fewer ED visits per 1,000 community‐dwelling residents and 133 fewer ED visits per 1,000 NH residents per year. Geriatric consultative care in collaboration with primary care providers may be as effective in reducing ED use as geriatric primary care. Increased provision of collaborative care could allow the existing supply of geriatricians to reach a larger number of individuals.
Substrate determinants in the C99 juxtamembrane domains differentially affect γ–secretase cleavage specificity and modulator pharmacology
Authors: Ousson Solenne , Saric Arman , Baguet Aurelie , Losberger Christophe , Genoud Stephane , Vilbois Francis , Permanne Bruno , Hussain Ishrut , Beher Dirk
Published: December 2012

The molecular mechanisms governing γ‐secretase cleavage specificity are not fully understood. Herein, we demonstrate that extending the transmembrane domain of the amyloid precursor protein‐derived C99 substrate in proximity to the cytosolic face strongly influences γ–secretase cleavage specificity. Sequential insertion of leucines or replacement of membrane‐anchoring lysines by leucines elevated the production of Aβ42, whilst lowering production of Aβ40. A single insertion or replacement was sufficient to produce this phenotype, suggesting that the helical length distal to the ε–site is a critical determinant of γ‐secretase cleavage specificity. Replacing the lysine at the luminal membrane border (K28) with glutamic acid (K28E) increased Aβ37 and reduced Aβ42 production. Maintaining a positive charge with an arginine replacement, however, did not alter cleavage specificity. Using two potent and structurally distinct γ–secretase modulators (GSMs), we elucidated the contribution of K28 to the modulatory mechanism. Surprisingly, whilst lowering the potency of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐type GSM, the K28E mutation converted a heteroaryl‐type GSM to an inverse GSM. This result implies the proximal lysine is critical for the GSM mechanism and pharmacology. This region is likely a major determinant for substrate binding and we speculate that modulation of substrate binding is the fundamental mechanism by which GSMs exert their action.
Autobiographical memory and episodic future thinking after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Rasmussen Katrine W. , Berntsen Dorthe
Published: December 2012

Converging evidence suggests that autobiographical memory and episodic future thinking share a common neurocognitive basis. Although previous research has shown that traumatic brain injury (TBI) can impair the ability to remember the personal past, episodic future thinking has not previously been systematically examined within this population. In this study, we examined the ability to remember events in the personal past and the ability to imagine possible events in the personal future in a sample of moderate‐to‐severeTBIpatients. We present data on nine patients and nine healthy controls, who were asked to report a series of events that had happened to them in the past and a series of events that might happen to them in the future. Transcriptions were scored according to a reliable system for categorizing internal (episodic) and external (semantic) information. For each event described, participants also completed two modified Autobiographical Memory Questionnaire items to assess self‐reported phenomenal qualities associated with remembering and imagining. In addition,TBIpatients underwent neuropsychological assessment. Results revealed thatTBIpatients recalled/imagined proportionally fewer episodic event‐specific details for both past and future events compared to healthy controls (η2p = 0.78). In contrast, there were no group differences in ratings of phenomenal characteristics. These results are discussed in relation to theories suggesting that remembering and imagining the future are the expression of the same underlying neurocognitive system.
Population study of neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely premature infants admitted after office hours
Authors: Abdel‐Latif Mohamed E , Bajuk Barbara , Oei Julee , Lui Kei ,   the NSW and ACT Neonatal Intensive Care Units Audit Group
Published: December 2012

Aim

The aim of the study was to compare neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants admitted during (OH) and after (AH) office hours.

Methods

A retrospective review of the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Neonatal Intensive Care Units' (NICUs) Data Collection of all infants <29 weeks gestation admitted to New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory NICUs between January 1998 and December 2004 was conducted. The primary outcome was moderate/severe functional disability (FD) at 2–3 years follow‐up defined as developmental delay (Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales general quotient or Bayley Scales of Infant Development‐II mental developmental index >2 standard deviations below the mean), cerebral palsy (unable to walk without aids), deafness (requiring bilateral hearing aids) or blindness (visual acuity <6/60 in the better eye).

Results

Mortality and age at follow‐up were comparable between the AH and OH groups. Developmental outcome was evaluated in 972 (74.9%) infants admitted during AH and 501 (74.6%) admitted during OH. FD was not significantly different between the AH and OH groups (17.1% vs. 14.8%, adjusted odds ratio 1.131, 95% confidence interval 1.131 (0.839–1.523), P = 0.420). There were no significant differences between AH and OH infants with cerebral palsy (9.6% vs. 7.6%), developmental delay (5.4% vs. 5.0%) or any other component of FD.

Conclusion

There is little circadian variation in mortality and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in an NICU network with the current model of after hours staffing and support, and sharing of NICU workload within a network.
Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccination in children: A UK perspective
Authors: de Whalley Philip CS , Pollard Andrew J
Published: December 2012

Pandemic H1N1 influenza infection was common in the UK in 2009 and children were particularly vulnerable. Most cases were mild or subclinical, but there was significant mortality, predominantly in those with pre‐existing disease. Despite the rapid development of monovalent pandemic vaccines, and the fast‐tracked approval process, these products were not available for large‐scale use until the end of the second wave of infection. Vaccine uptake was relatively low, both among children and health‐care workers. The monovalent pandemic vaccines and the 2010/2011 trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines were immunogenic and effective, and they probably reduced the impact of the third wave of infection. Vaccines containing novel adjuvants enabled antigen sparing, but safety concerns could limit the future use of these adjuvanted influenza vaccines in children. Public perceptions that the threat of the pandemic was exaggerated by the authorities, and concerns about vaccine safety, might prompt an inadequate response to the next influenza pandemic, potentially compromising public health.
Mewling and puking: Infantile gastroesophageal reflux in the 21st century
Authors: Forbes David
Published: December 2012

Infantile gastroesophageal reflux is challenging because of the difficulties in differentiating normal developmental physiology from disease, the imprecision of diagnostic tests and the paucity of evidence‐based therapies for clinicians to implement. Careful clinical assessment is central to avoidance of inappropriate diagnosis and utilisation of ineffective or dangerous therapies, and at the same time, identification of those infants who warrant intervention.
Brain abscess in a recent immigrant
Authors: Britton Philip N , Chaseling Raymond
Published: December 2012

A 7‐year‐old boy who has recently immigrated from India presented with two episodes of focal seizure over a 3‐month period. A cranial magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a ring‐enhancing lesion in his cerebral cortex. He was diagnosed with a pyogenic brain abscess following resection of the lesion and also had positive serology to Taenia solium (which causes neurocysticercosis). We briefly review these two diseases and discuss the important diagnostic issues.
Long‐term oral administration of melatonin improves spatial learning and memory and protects against cholinergic degeneration in middle‐aged Ts65Dn mice, a model of Down syndrome
Authors: Corrales Andrea , Martínez Paula , García Susana , Vidal Verónica , García Eva , Flórez Jesús , Sanchez‐Barceló Emilio J. , Martínez‐Cué Carmen , Rueda Noemí
Published: December 2012

Ts65Dn mice (TS), the most commonly used model of Down syndrome (DS), exhibit phenotypic characteristics of this condition. Both TS mice and DS individuals present cognitive disturbances, age‐related cholinergic degeneration, and increased brain expression of β‐amyloid precursor protein (AβPP). These neurodegenerative processes may contribute to the progressive cognitive decline observed in DS. Melatonin is a pineal indoleamine that has been reported to reduce neurodegenerative processes and improve cognitive deficits in various animal models. In this study, we evaluated the potentially beneficial effects of long‐term melatonin treatment on the cognitive deficits, cholinergic degeneration, and enhanced AβPP and β‐amyloid levels of TS mice. Melatonin was administered for 5 months to 5‐ to 6‐month‐old TS and control (CO) mice. Melatonin treatment improved spatial learning and memory and increased the number of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)‐positive cells in the medial septum of both TS and CO mice. However, melatonin treatment did not significantly reduce AβPP or β‐amyloid levels in the cortex or the hippocampus of TS mice. Melatonin administration did reduce anxiety in TS mice without inducing sensorimotor alterations, indicating that prolonged treatment with this indoleamine is devoid of noncognitive behavioral side effects (e.g., motor coordination, sensorimotor abilities, or spontaneous activity). Our results suggest that melatonin administration might improve the cognitive abilities of both TS and CO mice, at least partially, by reducing the age‐related degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. Thus, chronic melatonin supplementation may be an effective treatment for delaying the age‐related progression of cognitive deterioration found in DS.
Attitudes Toward Including Students With Intellectual Disabilities at College
Authors: Griffin Megan M. , Summer Allison H. , McMillan Elise D. , Day Tammy L. , Hodapp Robert M.
Published: December 2012

Although inclusive postsecondary education programs are increasingly available, little is known about the attitudes of matriculating college students toward the inclusion of students with intellectual disabilities in their classes. To assess these attitudes, the authors surveyed 256 college students about their attitudes toward students with intellectual disabilities and their inclusion in college classes. Overall, the college students reported positive attitudes. They noted that female students and those with higher comfort levels perceived the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities as higher, thought more benefits were associated with their inclusion, and were more willing to interact with them on campus. The authors concluded that these findings offer evidence of the social acceptability of inclusive postsecondary education programs among the general population of college students and the viability of such programs as an inclusive transition option for students with intellectual disabilities.
Creating Effective Mentoring Partnerships for Students With Intellectual Disabilities on Campus
Authors: Jones Melissa M. , Goble Zach
Published: December 2012

Mentoring of students with intellectual disabilities (ID) in postsecondary education settings can be a beneficial support to enhancing their educational and social experiences. The authors report on a mentoring program undertaken at one regional American university and the qualitative research study they engaged in to determine what made the mentoring program effective and how the current program should evolve. Data were collected via focus group discussions involving the mentoring partners (college students both with and without disabilities), professors, parents, and a staff member from the disability services office. The study identified several key components for creating and improving effective mentoring partnerships on a university campus. These include (1) providing mentoring orientations and faculty training; (2) developing effective systems for communicating and collaborating across stakeholders; (3) promoting the establishment of co‐equal relationships among mentoring partners; (4) maintaining high expectations for students with ID; (5) using mentors as resources to professors and establishing natural supports in the college classroom; (6) encouraging independence; (7) prioritizing fun and socializing; and (8) staying focused on the big picture of inclusion. The authors concluded that the study provided insight into the strengths of effective mentoring support programs while simultaneously placing a spotlight on potential challenges and drawbacks.
An Investigation of Attitude Change in Inclusive College Classes Including Young Adults With an Intellectual Disability
Authors: May Cynthia
Published: December 2012

Postsecondary education programs for students with an intellectual disability are expanding, and an emerging question concerns the impact of these programs on campus communities. The author examined changes in attitudes toward diversity among peers without disabilities who participated in an inclusive college course that had students with an intellectual disability. The Miville‐Guzman Universality‐Diversity Scale (M‐GUDS) was administered to college students enrolled in either inclusive or noninclusive college classes. M‐GUDS scores did not differ between groups at the start of the semester, but students enrolled in inclusive courses showed significantly greater openness to diversity at the end of the semester. Findings suggest that inclusive college programs that enroll both students with and without an intellectual disability in regular college courses may foster positive attitudes about acceptance and diversity among students without such a disability.
Oxygen isotopic and chemical zoning of melilite crystals in a type A Ca‐Al‐rich inclusion of Efremovka CV3 chondrite
Authors: KAWASAKI Noriyuki , SAKAMOTO Naoya , YURIMOTO Hisayoshi
Published: December 2012

Abstract– Different oxygen isotopic reservoirs have been recognized in the early solar system. Fluffy type A Ca‐Al‐rich inclusions (CAIs) are believed to be direct condensates from a solar nebular gas, and therefore, have acquired oxygen from the solar nebula. Oxygen isotopic and chemical compositions of melilite crystals in a type A CAI from Efremovka CV3 chondrite were measured to reveal the temporal variation in oxygen isotopic composition of surrounding nebular gas during CAI formation. The CAI is constructed of two domains, each of which has a core‐mantle structure. Reversely zoned melilite crystals were observed in both domains. Melilite crystals in one domain have a homogeneous 16O‐poor composition on the carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mineral (CCAM) line of δ18O = 5–10‰, which suggests that the domain was formed in a 16O‐poor oxygen isotope reservoir of the solar nebula. In contrast, melilite crystals in the other domain have continuous variations in oxygen isotopic composition from 16O‐rich (δ18O = −40‰) to 16O‐poor (δ18O = 0‰) along the CCAM line. The oxygen isotopic composition tends to be more 16O‐rich toward the domain rim, which suggests that the domain was formed in a variable oxygen isotope reservoir of the solar nebula. Each domain of the type A CAI has grown in distinct oxygen isotope reservoir of the solar nebula. After the domain formation, domains were accumulated together in the solar nebula to form a type A CAI.
Going (More) Public: Institutional Isomorphism and Ownership Reform among Chinese Firms
Authors: Haveman Heather A. , Wang Yongxiang
Published: December 2012

Publicly traded Chinese firms recently reformed their ownership structures by converting non-tradable shares, which constituted two-thirds of shares outstanding and were held largely by the state, into shares that could trade on domestic exchanges. To facilitate this reform, tradable shareholders were compensated with stock grants from non-tradable shareholders. Our analysis focuses on the level of compensation, thecompensation ratio, the ratio of new tradable shares granted to tradable shares outstanding before the reform. Contrary to the predictions of asset-pricing models, most firms set the compensation ratio around 0.3. We explain this surprising convergence using institutional theory. In doing so, we analyze the power and interests of all relevant actors – not just owners, but also state regulators, executives, and other agents — and draw on insights from resource-dependence and agency theories. We find strong evidence of coercive and mimetic isomorphism, but no evidence of normative isomorphism. Because our dependent variable is continuous (a ratio), we are able to show that the mimetic effects we observe cannot be attributed to coercion or norms. Thus, we not only explain an empirical puzzle, we also advance institutional analysis of isomorphism by clearly distinguishing three isomorphic forces that have been conflated in much previous research.
The Implicit Apophaticism of Dada Zurich: A Spiritual Quest by Means of Nihilist Procedures
Authors: Aldea Leonard
Published: December 2012

The present article focuses on the intrinsic theological intuitions of the Avant‐garde. More to the point, the article is built around the key representatives of Dada Zurich and the relationship between their art and the concept of Byzantine apophaticism in an attempt to argue that the apparently anarchist movement can and should be interpreted in this theological key. Mostly due to a confusing understanding of nihilism and apophaticism, previous scholarship has generally linked Dada with nihilism, in spite of the anti‐nihilist essence of the central Dada ideals, such as man's spiritual freedom, the total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk) and the positive use of otherwise anarchist techniques, such as chance and de‐contextualisation. Methodologically, the article investigates each of these concepts from an apophatic perspective; thus, it focuses, respectively, on the deeply anthropologic interest of the Dadaists, their use of chance as an apophatic creative force, and on de‐contextualization as a key to understanding Dada spiritual concern with primitive art. Overall, this is a theological analysis of the early Dada artists in Zurich, aiming to underline the principles of their deeply apophatic manner of understanding and creating art.
Possession and Dispossession: Wittgenstein, Cavell, and Gregory of Nyssa on Life Amidst Skepticism
Authors: Carnes Natalie
Published: December 2012

This article follows Ludwig Wittgenstein, Stanley Cavell, and Gregory of Nyssa in a journey of epistemic dispossession. It begins by tracing two ways of wandering off this trail, two epistemological sirens that tempt wayfarers from a path of epistemic dispossession. These are skepticism and anti‐skepticism, elaborated by Wittgenstein and Cavell as joined in their enthronement of epistemically‐anchored certainty. Following Wittgenstein and Cavell into an exploration of the forms of life and death that sustain and are sustained by grasping at such certainty, this article yet identifies two sources of un‐peace in their projects. One is an ill‐confessed threat that looms over their work, and the other is the inhuman difficulty of resisting the skeptical temptations of isolation and domination after this threat is named. It is the threat of death, which becomes, under the skeptic's anxiety, the threat of murder. That is, the skeptic denies finitude in such a way that he refuses to come to terms with the way that death attends life, and such refusal introduces as a skeptical temptation the further threat of murder. The difficulty of resisting skeptical temptations rides on the incompleteness of (merely) epistemic dispossession, which will always undo itself unless deepened into a more radical form of dispossession. Such forms of dispossession are suggested by Cavell and perfected in Gregory's descriptions of his sister Macrina. Macrina illumines epistemic dispossession as a form of love that refuses certain relationships to property. Yielding a vision for how dispossession might meet the threat of murderousness, Macrina's life thus interprets relationships of property, love, and death that complete epistemic dispossession.
Figuring the Porous Self: St. Augustine and the Phenomenology of Temporality
Authors: Rivera Joseph
Published: December 2012

This article examines the phenomenological structures of the homo temporalis filtered through Augustine's illuminating, if unsystematic, insights on temporality and the imago Dei. It situates such a phenomenological interpretation of the Augustinian self in view of current interpretations that polarize or split the Augustinian self into an either/or scheme—either an “interior” self or an “exterior” self. Given this imbalance, the article suggests that a phenomenological evaluation of Augustine brings to light how interior and exterior spheres are deeply integrated. The article elaborates this position by contending that the self's temporal streaming within the exterior world‐horizon is inescapable because it reflects basic constituents of a self created by God which is nevertheless capable of contemplating a God who transcends time. This seeming paradox is resolved by recourse to what is described as the “double entry” of the self. The temporal streaming of the self in the world‐horizon (entry one) is porous to the eternal inwardly (entry two); the eternal entry is thus interior and analyzable in terms of a non‐reflective self‐awareness on display in Augustine's De Trinitate; and finally Augustine's understanding of the temporality of faith indicates how the self of faith can be lived in light of Heidegger's emphasis on the future and Husserl's emphasis on the past.
Henri de Lubac's Genealogy of Modern Exegesis and Nicholas of Lyra's Literal Sense of Scripture
Authors: McDermott Ryan
Published: December 2012

According to Henri de Lubac's history of medieval exegesis, the fourteenth century marked the tipping point for the disintegration of history and allegory. The Postilla super totam bibliam of the Franciscan Nicholas of Lyra (1270–1349) plays a prominent role in this declension narrative by ceding the “spirit” of interpretation to the separate discipline of theology, and opening the space for critical biblical studies to attain autonomy. But what if Nicholas of Lyra was on the other side of this history? Arguing from the layout of early Postilla manuscripts and the institutional and manuscript culture of the fourteenth century, this article proposes that Nicholas's Postilla represents a vigorous and largely successful attempt to reintegrate Biblical text, historical scholarship, and theological exegesis. Nicholas's approach to the exegetical crises of his own day helps us to reassess the challenges and possibilities of theological exegesis today.
Renal services disaster planning: Lessons learnt from the 2011 Queensland floods and North Queensland cyclone experiences
Authors: Johnson David W , Hayes Bronwyn , Gray Nicholas A , Hawley Carmel , Hole Janet , Mantha Murty
Published: December 2012

In 2011, Queensland dialysis services experienced two unprecedented natural disasters within weeks of each other. Floods in south‐east Queensland and Tropical Cyclone Yasi in North Queensland caused widespread flooding, property damage and affected the provision of dialysis services, leading to Australia's largest evacuation of dialysis patients. This paper details the responses to the disasters and examines what worked and what lessons were learnt. Recommendations are made for dialysis units in relation to disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
Visualization of spinal afferent innervation in the mouse colon by AAV8‐mediated GFP expression
Authors: Schuster D. J. , Dykstra J. A. , Riedl M. S. , Kitto K. F. , Honda C. N. , McIvor R. S. , Fairbanks C. A. , Vulchanova L.
Published: December 2012

Background  Primary afferent neurons whose cell bodies reside in thoracolumbar and lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) innervate colon and transmit sensory signals from colon to spinal cord under normal conditions and conditions of visceral hypersensitivity. Histologically, these extrinsic afferents cannot be differentiated from intrinsic fibers of enteric neurons because all known markers label neurons of both populations. Adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors are capable of transducing DRG neurons after intrathecal administration. We hypothesized that AAV‐driven overexpression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in DRG would enable visualization of extrinsic spinal afferents in colon separately from enteric neurons.

Methods  Recombinant AAV serotype 8 (rAAV8) vector carrying the GFP gene was delivered via direct lumbar puncture. Green fluorescent protein labeling in DRG and colon was examined using immunohistochemistry.

Key Results  Analysis of colon from rAAV8‐GFP‐treated mice demonstrated GFP‐immunoreactivity (GFP‐ir) within mesenteric nerves, smooth muscle layers, myenteric plexus, submucosa, and mucosa, but not in cell bodies of enteric neurons. Notably, GFP‐ir colocalized with CGRP and TRPV1 in mucosa, myenteric plexus, and globular‐like clusters surrounding nuclei within myenteric ganglia. In addition, GFP‐positive fibers were observed in close association with blood vessels of mucosa and submucosa. Analysis of GFP‐ir in thoracolumbar and lumbosacral DRG revealed that levels of expression in colon and L6 DRG appeared to be related.

Conclusions & Inferences  These results demonstrate the feasibility of gene transfer to mouse colonic spinal sensory neurons using intrathecal delivery of AAV vectors and the utility of this approach for histological analysis of spinal afferent nerve fibers within colon.
A specialized ABC efflux transporter GcABC‐G1 confers monoterpene resistance to Grosmannia clavigera, a bark beetle‐associated fungal pathogen of pine trees
Authors: Wang Ye , Lim Lynette , DiGuistini Scott , Robertson Gordon , Bohlmann Jörg , Breuil Colette
Published: December 2012

Grosmannia clavigera is a bark beetle‐vectored pine pathogen in the mountain pine beetle epidemic in western North America. Grosmannia clavigera colonizes pines despite the trees' massive oleoresin terpenoid defences. We are using a functional genomics approach to identify G. clavigera's mechanisms of adaptation to pine defences.

We annotated the ABC transporters in the G. clavigera genome and generated RNA‐seq transcriptomes from G. clavigera grown with a range of terpenes. We functionally characterized GcABC‐G1, a pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) transporter that was highly induced by terpenes, using qRT‐PCR, gene knock‐out and heterologous expression in yeast.

Deleting GcABC‐G1 increased G. clavigera's sensitivity to monoterpenes and delayed development of symptoms in inoculated young lodgepole pine trees. Heterologous expression of GcABC‐G1 in yeast increased tolerance to monoterpenes. G. clavigera but not the deletion mutant, can use (+)‐limonene as a carbon source. Phylogenetic analysis placed GcABC‐G1 outside the ascomycete PDR transporter clades.

G. clavigera appears to have evolved two mechanisms to survive and grow when exposed to monoterpenes: GcABC‐G1 controls monoterpene levels within the fungal cells and G. clavigera uses monoterpenes as a carbon source. This work has implications for understanding adaptation to host defences in an important forest insect–fungal system, and potentially for metabolic engineering of terpenoid production in yeast.
A Perioperative Management Algorithm for Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices: The PACED‐OP Protocol
Authors: MAHLOW WILLIAM J. , CRAFT ROBERT M. , MISULIA NICHOLAS L. , COX JAMES W. , HIRSH JEFFREY B. , SNIDER CAROLYN C. , NABERS JERRIN O. , DICKSON ZACHARY A. , MUENCHEN ROBERT A. , WORTHAM DALE C.
Published: December 2012

Background

Limited data are available regarding the perioperative management of cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMDs) exposed to intraoperative electromagnetic interference. We postulated that implementation of a simple, standardized approach to CRMD management using our own institution's Pacing And Cardioverting Electronic Devices peri‐Operative Protocol (the PACED‐OP protocol) would be associated with a reduction in the amount of device reprogramming without an increase in CRMD‐related complications.

Methods

Records of patients with CRMDs undergoing 497 consecutive surgical procedures were analyzed retrospectively. Roughly half (51%, n = 254) of these procedures occurred before implementation of the PACED‐OP protocol, when patients were generally treated according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists' 2005 guidelines. These cases were compared to the remaining surgeries that occurred after implementation of the PACED‐OP protocol. Records were screened for evidence of intraoperative CRMD malfunction that was directly associated with the use of electrocautery. Postoperative complications that could be indirectly or possibly linked to electrocautery‐mediated CRMD malfunction were also identified.

Results

Implementation of the PACED‐OP protocol was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of device reprogramming (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.19, P < 0.001). There was no direct evidence of CRMD malfunction in either cohort. The rate of postoperative complications that could be indirectly or possibly linked with electrocautery‐mediated CRMD damage did not differ significantly between cohorts (aOR = 1.37, 95% confidence interval 0.56–3.3, P = 0.49).

Conclusion

The PACED‐OP protocol implementation was associated with a significant reduction in the odds of device reprogramming without a significant difference in the odds of CRMD‐related complications.