bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competencies for infant mental health therapists: A survey of expert opinion
Authors: Quay Herbert C. , Hogan Anne E. , Donohue Keith F.
Published: March 2009

We report on data provided by a nationwide panel of 23 infant mental health (IMH) experts who provided numerical ratings of the relative importance of 143 competencies desirable for licensed mental health therapists working with infants/children birth to 5 years of age and their families/caregivers. The competencies were developed based on prior state and national efforts and our own experience in training IMH therapists. The competencies were grouped conceptually into seven areas: (a) Normal infant and toddler development; (b) Atypical development (perturbations in development); (c) Emotional/behavioral disorders in infants and young children; (d) Assessment; (e) Intervention; (f) Community resources and referrals; and (g) Organization, communication, and collaboration. We calculated means, SDs, 95% confidence intervals to rank order each competency. We conducted reliability analyses and tested for mean differences in ratings for the seven areas. Interrater and intraclass correlations were modest, likely the result of restriction of range in the ratings. The seven areas showed high levels of internal consistency and, with few exceptions, did not significantly differ in the means of their ratings. The utility of the competencies are discussed as a framework for training and professional development for IMH clinicians.
The use of engagement data in accreditation, planning, and assessment
Authors: Banta Trudy W. , Pike Gary R. , Hansen Michele J.
Published: March 2009

A suite of assessment tools, including measures of student engagement, powers a cycle of activities that create an institutional culture of planning and decision making based on evidence.
Converting engagement results into action
Authors: Kinzie Jillian , Pennipede Barbara S.
Published: March 2009

This chapter suggests ways in which institutions may implement positive change on their campuses and addresses the role of institutional research in disseminating NSSE results and partnering with others in the campus community to use data to inform action.
Novel template‐casting technique for fabricating β‐tricalcium phosphate scaffolds with high interconnectivity and mechanical strength and in vitro cell responses
Authors: Liu Yongxing , Kim Joong‐Hyun , Young Daniel , Kim Sungwoo , Nishimoto Satoru K. , Yang Yunzhi
Published: March 2009

A novel template‐casting method was developed to produce completely interconnected, macroporous biodegradable β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) scaffolds, whose architecture and chemistry can be fully manipulated by varying the templates and casting materials. The processing route includes preparation of β‐TCP slurry; casting and shaping into preformed templates comprised of paraffin beads; solidifying, drying; and sintering. Structural, chemical, and mechanical properties of the prepared macroporous scaffolds were characterized using micro computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, x‐ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and mechanical testing. Human embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells were used to evaluate cell proliferation within the scaffolds in vitro. The scaffolds consisted of interconnected macropores and solid struts, leading to a reticular network. Two groups of scaffolds with larger pores, approximately 600–800 μm and smaller pores approximately 350–500 μm, were demonstrated. The interconnected windows between neighboring macropores were 440 ± 57 μm in diameter for the larger‐pored scaffolds, and 330 ± 50 μm for the smaller‐pored scaffolds. The scaffolds were highly crystallized and composed dominantly of β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) accompanied by minor phase of hydroxyapatite (HA). The hydroxyl group was clearly detected by FTIR on the scaffolds. High mechanical strength (9.3 MPa) was demonstrated by the completely interconnected scaffolds with ∼79% porosity. The human embryonic palatal mesenchymal (HEPM) cells proliferated well on the smaller‐pored and larger‐pored scaffolds, exhibiting a significantly higher level of proliferation in the first 11 days of culture on the smaller pored scaffolds. High levels of differentiation were also evidenced in both pore sizes of scaffolds. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Mechanistic study of saikosaponin‐d (Ssd) on suppression of murine T lymphocyte activation
Authors: Wong Vincent Kam Wai , Zhou Hua , Cheung Simon Shiu Fai , Li Ting , Liu Liang
Published: March 2009

Saikosaponin‐d (Ssd) is a triterpene saponin derived from the medicinal plant,Bupleurum falcatumL. (Umbelliferae). Previous findings showed that Ssd exhibits a variety of pharmacological and immunomodulatory activities including anti‐inflammatory, anti‐bacterial, anti‐viral and anti‐cancer effects. In the current study we have investigated the effects of Ssd on activated mouse T lymphocytes through the NF‐κB, NF‐AT and AP‐1 signaling pathways, cytokine secretion, and IL‐2 receptor expression. The results demonstrated that Ssd not only suppressed OKT3/CD28‐costimulated human T cell proliferation, it also inhibited PMA, PMA/Ionomycin and Con A‐induced mouse T cell activation in vitro. The inhibitory effect of Ssd on PMA‐induced T cell activation was associated with down‐regulation of NF‐κB signaling through suppression of IKK and Akt activities. In addition, Ssd suppressed both DNA binding activity and the nuclear translocation of NF‐AT and activator protein 1 (AP‐1) of the PMA/Ionomycin‐stimulated T cells. The cell surface markers like IL‐2 receptor (CD25) were also down‐regulated together with decreased production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines of IL‐6, TNF‐α and IFN‐γ. These results indicate that the NF‐κB, NF‐AT and AP‐1 (c‐Fos) signaling pathways are involved in the T cell inhibition evoked by Ssd, so it can be a potential candidate for further study in treating T cell‐mediated autoimmune conditions. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 303–315, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhancing well‐being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: a practice‐friendly meta‐analysis
Authors: Sin Nancy L. , Lyubomirsky Sonja
Published: March 2009

Do positive psychology interventions—that is, treatment methods or intentional activities aimed at cultivating positive feelings, positive behaviors, or positive cognitions—enhance well‐being and ameliorate depressive symptoms? A meta‐analysis of 51 such interventions with 4,266 individuals was conducted to address this question and to provide practical guidance to clinicians. The results revealed that positive psychology interventions do indeed significantly enhance well‐being (mean r=.29) and decrease depressive symptoms (mean r=.31). In addition, several factors were found to impact the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions, including the depression status, self‐selection, and age of participants, as well as the format and duration of the interventions. Accordingly, clinicians should be encouraged to incorporate positive psychology techniques into their clinical work, particularly for treating clients who are depressed, relatively older, or highly motivated to improve. Our findings also suggest that clinicians would do well to deliver positive psychology interventions as individual (versus group) therapy and for relatively longer periods of time. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 65: 1–21, 2009.
Osteoblastic bone formation is induced by using nanogel‐crosslinking hydrogel as novel scaffold for bone growth factor
Authors: Hayashi Chikako , Hasegawa Urara , Saita Yoshitomo , Hemmi Hiroaki , Hayata Tadayoshi , Nakashima Kazuhisa , Ezura Yoichi , Amagasa Teruo , Akiyoshi Kazunari , Noda Masaki
Published: March 2009

Bone regeneration for the defects in revision surgery of joint replacement is an increasingly important issue. To repair bone defects, bone cell activation by growth factors using synthetic resorbable scaffold is a useful and safe option. We examine the efficiency of nanogel‐crosslinking hydrogel as a novel synthetic scaffold for BMP to stimulate osteoblasts and to induce bone formation. Cholesterol‐bearing pullulan nanogel‐crosslinking hydrogel (CHPA/Hydrogel) was used to deliver BMP. The CHPA hydrogel pellets were implanted in vivo. Single implantation of CHPA/hydrogel containing low amounts of BMP induced osteoblastic activation and new bone formation in vivo. Furthermore, nanogel in a disc shape established recruitment of osteoblastic cells that vigorously formed bone to heal the calvarial defects, which did not heal spontaneously without it. In conclusion, CHPA/hydrogel serves as an efficient and versatile scaffold for the stimulation of osteoblasts to form bone and to repair defects via delivery of BMP. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 1–7, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of fruit by theCerrado's marmoset (Callithrix penicillata): modeling color signals for different background scenarios and ambient light intensities
Authors: Perini Eduardo Sosti , Pessoa Valdir Filgueiras , Pessoa Daniel Marques de Almeida
Published: March 2009

Among placental mammals, only primates have trichromatic color vision, however this is not a uniform condition. Under different genetic status, Old World monkeys have routine trichromacy, while New World monkeys show a visual polymorphism, characterized by obligatory male dichromacy. The ecological role of this genetic difference still remains unclear, but some studies show that dichromats and trichromats appear to have different abilities in detecting colored targets against a background of leaves. TheCerrado's marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) is known to forage in brightly illuminated (savanna‐like vegetation) and dimly illuminated (forests) environments, exploiting a high amount of dark fruits. Hence, it seems to be a good model for studying the differential advantages enjoyed by each color vision phenotype under natural conditions. Our aim was to verify how the different phenotypes ofCerrado's marmoset detect components of their diet, evaluating the existence of differential phenotype advantages. Under two different light conditions, visual signals of naturally consumed fruits were modeled against different backgrounds scenarios. Even though dichromats and trichromats appear to be equally suited for tasks involving fruit detection, phenotype differential advantages are observed in this marmoset. In many conditions trichromats are predicted to perform better than dichromats, but under low ambient light dichromats manage to outperform trichromats in some scenarios. Phenotypes that carry widely spaced and longer M/L pigments enjoy the most advantage. These differential performances of trichromatic phenotypes, together with overdominance selection, seem to explain the maintenance of the tri‐allelic system found in callitrichids.J. Exp. Zool. 311A:289–302, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Planar graphs without 4‐cycles adjacent to 3‐cycles are list vertex 2‐arborable
Authors: Borodin Oleg V. , Ivanova Anna O.
Published: March 2009

It is known that not all planar graphs are 4‐choosable; neither all of them are vertex 2‐arborable. However, planar graphs without 4‐cycles and even those without 4‐cycles adjacent to 3‐cycles are known to be 4‐choosable. We extend this last result in terms of covering the vertices of a graph by induced subgraphs of variable degeneracy. In particular, we prove that every planar graph without 4‐cycles adjacent to 3‐cycles can be covered by two induced forests. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 62, 234–240, 2009
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy presenting with dyspnea
Authors: Pezzo Stephanie P. , Hartlage Gregory , Edwards Charles M.
Published: March 2009

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), or “broken heart syndrome”, is an increasingly recognized condition that mimics acute myocardial infarction with morphologically characteristic left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease. TC is seen almost exclusively in postmenopausal women following extreme emotional or physiologic stress. Although most patients present with chest pain, limited data suggest that African American patients with TC tend to present with atypical symptoms such as dyspnea or nausea. We present a 57 year‐old African American female with TC who presented with severe dyspnea following the shooting death of her son. Added to existing data, our case alerts clinicians to consider Takotsubo syndrome in African American patients with atypical presentation. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:200‐202. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Living with diversity: The peaceful management of horizontal inequalities in Ghana
Authors: Langer Arnim
Published: March 2009

While recent scholarship has highlighted the role of horizontal inequalities in provoking political instability and violent group mobilisation, some countries have been able to prevent their ethnic, religious or regional inequalities from escalating into widespread violence at the national level. This obviously raises the question: under what circumstances are horizontal inequalities more likely to provoke violent group action? In order to understand the linkages between horizontal inequalities and the emergence of violent conflict, we need to analyse not only countries where violent conflicts have emerged but also countries which have been able to manage their ethno‐regional tensions and inequalities relatively peacefully. The current paper aims to do just that for the case of Ghana. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The overwhelming minority: Inter‐ethnic conflict in Ghana's Northern Region
Authors: Jönsson Julia
Published: March 2009

In Ghana historical and modern legal and political circumstances have contributed to violent conflicts being structured around chiefs and tradition. Horizontal inequalities and local rivalries provide material for conflict narratives which in turn interact with national party politics, giving rise to the threat of inter and intra‐ethnic violence being triggered by contentious events. By analysing the background to the series of inter‐ethnic conflicts in the Northern Region which culminated in the 1994–1995 ‘Guinea Fowl War’ this paper examines how traditional and modern politics interact in Ghana and how they generate the categories and dynamics that fuel conflict. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N‐cadherin mediates interaction between precursor cells in the subventricular zone and regulates further differentiation
Authors: Yagita Yoshiki , Sakurai Takeshi , Tanaka Hidekazu , Kitagawa Kazuo , Colman David R. , Shan Weisong
Published: March 2009

Neurogenesis and cell differentiation in the brain continues throughout life. In the subventricular zone and rostral migratory stream, precursor cells contact each other. Cell–cell interactions mediated via adhesion molecules are no doubt involved in establishing and maintaining the neurogenic ability of these cells. Here, we demonstrate that N‐cadherin plays important roles in forming cell clusters and in regulating cell differentiation. N‐cadherin is abundantly expressed in chain migrating cells in the subventricular zone and rostral migratory stream but is down‐regulated after cells exit these regions. We also show that neurosphere formation is inhibited via suppression of N‐cadherin function and that N‐cadherin expression is decreased after induction of neurosphere differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that functional blockade of N‐cadherin can enhance glial cell differentiation in explant cultures of precursors from the subventricular zone. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuroprotective role of erythropoietin by antiapoptosis in the retina
Authors: Chung Hyewon , Lee Hyunju , Lamoke Folami , Hrushesky William J. M. , Wood Patricia A. , Jahng Wan Jin
Published: March 2009

Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates red blood cell production, in part by inhibiting apoptosis of the red blood cell precursors. The erythropoietic effects of EPO are circadian stage dependent. Retinal injury due to light occurs through oxidative mechanisms and is manifest by retinal and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells apoptosis. The visual cycle might be circadian coordinated as a means of effectively protecting the retina from the detrimental effects of light‐induced, oxygen‐dependent, free radical–mediated damage, especially at the times of day when light is more intense. We show that the retinal expression of EPO and its receptor (EPOR), as well as subsequent Janus kinase 2 (Jak2) phosphorylations, are each tightly linked to a specific time after oxidative stress and in anticipation of daily light onset. This is consistent with physiological protection against daily light‐induced, oxidatively mediated retinal apoptosis. In vitro, we verify that EPO protects RPE cells from light, hyperoxia, and hydrogen peroxide–induced retinal cell apoptosis, and that these stimuli increase EPO and EPOR expression in cultured RPE cells. Together, these data support the premise that EPO and its EPOR interactions represent an important retinal shield from physiologic and pathologic light‐induced oxidative injury. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
γ‐Aminobutyric acid‐mediated regulation of the activity‐dependent olfactory bulb dopaminergic phenotype
Authors: Akiba Yosuke , Sasaki Hayato , Huerta Patricio T. , Estevez Alvaro G. , Baker Harriet , Cave John W.
Published: March 2009

γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA) regulates the proliferation and migration of olfactory bulb (OB) interneuron progenitors derived from the subventricular zone (SVZ), but the role of GABA in the differentiation of these progenitors has been largely unexplored. This study examines the role of GABA in the differentiation of OB dopaminergic interneurons using neonatal forebrain organotypic slice cultures prepared from transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) gene promoter (ThGFP). KCl‐mediated depolarization of the slices induced ThGFP expression. The addition of GABA to the depolarized slices further increased GFP fluorescence by inducing ThGFP expression in an additional set of periglomerular cells. These findings show that GABA promoted differentiation of SVZ‐derived OB dopaminergic interneurons and suggest that GABA indirectly regulated Th expression and OB dopaminergic neuron differentiation through an acceleration of the maturation rate for the dopaminergic progenitors. Additional studies revealed that the effect of GABA on ThGFP expression required activation of L‐ and P/Q‐type Ca2+ channels as well as GABAA and GABAB receptors. These voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels and GABA receptors have previously been shown to be required for the coexpressed GABAergic phenotype in the OB interneurons. Together, these findings suggest that Th expression and the differentiation of OB dopaminergic interneurons are coupled to the coexpressed GABAergic phenotype and demonstrate a novel role for GABA in neurogenesis. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shotgun proteomic analysis of the microsomal fraction of eukaryotic cells using a two‐dimensional reversed‐phase×ion‐pair reversed‐phase HPLC setup
Authors: Wörner Martin , Melchior Katja , Delmotte Nathanaël , Hwang Kyung Hoon , Monostory Katalin , Huber Christian G. , Bernhardt Rita
Published: March 2009

A RP×IP‐RP HPLC separation scheme was combined with on‐line ESI‐IT tandem MS or off‐line MALDI tandem TOF MS and applied to the analysis of eukaryotic subcellular proteomes. Previous proteomic studies [1] were complemented by the approval of the approach to eukaryotic proteomes using the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The major focus was set to the analysis of primary human hepatocyte microsomes, representing a compartment of high interest due to its involvement in xenobiotic detoxification and cholesterol homeostasis. Of the 588 proteins identified from two donors, 24% are involved in cholesterol homeostasis or xenobiotic/lipid metabolism. Up to 50% of the identified proteins belong to the group of membrane proteins, difficult to investigate using gel‐based proteomic approaches. We further demonstrated the reproducibility and comparability of the approach and reduced the amount of sample load by almost 70% with only minor loss of information about the proteins identified in the samples. The presented study clearly demonstrates the good applicability of the experimental setup to the analysis of subcellular proteomes including large membrane fractions, where only low amounts of sample material are available.
Lipidomics – A personal view
Authors: Christie William W.
Published: March 2009

The science of lipidomics may not be as new as many current practitioners believe, but the methods that are being applied today, especially those involving electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, are indeed novel and extremely powerful. They are enabling a much better understanding of the functions of lipids in tissues and of the relationship to human disease states. Shotgun lipidomics, i. e. direct mass spectrometric analysis of complex lipid extracts without chromatographic steps, gives rapid access to a great deal of compositional data. On the other hand, there are limitations to even this technique, and there are still occasions when chromatographic, and chemical and enzymatic degradative methods are necessary.
Development of a test device for the evaluation of fretting in point contact
Authors: Pasanen A. , Järvisalo S. , Lehtovaara A. , Rabb R.
Published: March 2009

Fretting wear and fatigue may occur between any two contacting surfaces, wherever short‐amplitude reciprocating sliding is present for a large number of cycles. A test device has been developed for the evaluation of fretting fatigue and wear in partial and gross slip conditions. Three similar sphere‐on‐plane contacts run at the same time. Normal force, tangential force or displacement amplitude and constant bulk stress can be controlled and measured separately. Reciprocating tangential displacement is produced with rotational motion, the amplitude and frequency of which can be adjusted and controlled accurately by an electric shaker. The number of load cycles for crack initiation and growth is determined with strain‐gauge measurements near the fretting point of contact. The contact surfaces are measured with 3D optical profilometer before fretting measurements to determine actual contact geometry.

The measurements were done with quenched and tempered steel. The initial results indicate that cracks are mostly formed in partial slip conditions, whereas fretting wear is more heavily involved in gross slip conditions. The initiation of a crack occurs near the edge of the contact in the slip direction, where the calculated cracking risk has its maximum value in partial slip conditions. The number of cracks increases as the displacement amplitude, i.e. friction force, increases in partial slip conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A methodology for the assessment of the tribocorrosion of passivating metallic materials
Authors: Diomidis N. , Celis J.‐P. , Ponthiaux P. , Wenger F.
Published: March 2009

The synergism between mechanical friction and corrosion may lead to an acceleration of the degradation of materials in sliding contacts exposed to the environment. Electrochemical measurements and sliding tests are proposed as a protocol suitable to decouple the material losses originating from the active material and the passive film, and to identify their electrochemical or mechanical nature. The corrosion resistance of a material, its ability to react onto chemical or mechanical attack, its susceptibility to tribocorrosion and the effect of a passive surface film on the coefficient of friction are evaluated. The proposed tribo‐electrochemical protocol allows to evaluate the potential and risks of applying newly developed materials in sliding contacts, and to support the selection and implementation of materials in industry in applications where corrosion and wear are potential degradation processes. This protocol extends the existing Standard Guide ASTM G 119‐04 ‘Determining Synergism between wear and Corrosion’ for passivating metallic materials. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Existence and uniqueness of periodic solutions for a class of nonlinear n ‐th order differential equations with delays
Authors: Liu Bingwen
Published: March 2009

In this paper, we use the coincidence degree theory to establish new results on the existence and uniqueness of T ‐periodic solutions for a class of nonlinear n ‐th order differential equations with delays of the form

x(n)(t) + f (x(n‐ 1)(t)) + g (t, x (t ‐ τ (t))) = p (t).
On the expected surface area of the Wiener sausage
Authors: Rataj Jan , Schmidt Volker , Spodarev Evgeny
Published: March 2009

For parallel neighborhoods of the paths of thed‐dimensional Brownian motion, so‐calledWiener sausages, formulae for the expected surface area are given for any dimensiond≥ 2. It is shown by means of geometric arguments that the expected surface area is equal to the first derivative of the mean volume of the Wiener sausage with respect to its radius (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nonparallel cutaneous microcirculatory responses to pharmacologic alterations of systemic arterial pressure in rats
Authors: Sun Tzong‐Bor , Kuo Terry B. J. , Yang Cheryl C. H.
Published: March 2009

Both hypotension and hypertension aggravate the damage of reperfusion injury after reconstructive microsurgery. The purpose of this study is to establish a theoretical guide for postoperative blood pressure control in optimizing the cutaneous perfusion and flap survival. Systemic arterial pressure was altered by the intravenous infusion of saline, sodium nitroprusside, phentolamine, and phenylephrine in thirty‐two 280–350 g anesthetized Sprague Dawley rats. Power spectral analysis of systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and laser Doppler flowmetry (flux) of epigastric skin were used to reveal the blood pressure and cutaneous blood flow variabilities. Nonparallel responses of cutaneous perfusion and blood pressure were found. The baseline SAP and flux were 126.0 ± 1.4 mmHg and 57.2 ± 1.8 au, respectively. Sodium nitroprusside and phentolamine significantly decreased the SAP (71.1 ± 2.7 and 70.5 ± 1.5 mmHg,P< 0.0001). However, the corresponding responses in cutaneous perfusion were opposite (56.2 ± 3.1 au,P= 0.7389 and 36.2 ± 2.3 au,P< 0.0001). Phenylephrine significantly increased the SAP (171.7 ± 3.0 mmHg,P< 0.0001) but the flux of epigastric skin was decreased (44.4 ± 2.6 au,P< 0.0001). Phentolamine and phenylephrine showed negative effects on the systemic cardiac and vascular sympathetic modulations. Sodium nitroprusside had a trend in increasing systemic vasomotor activity. We suggested not using vasoconstrictors in treating intra and postoperative hypotension associated with free flap transfer. Nitric oxide donors are superior to α‐adrenoceptor antagonists in preserving the cutaneous flap perfusion when treating postoperative hypertension. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.
Nocturia is an age‐independent risk factor for hip‐fractures in men
Authors: Temml Christian , Ponholzer Anton , Gutjahr Georg , Berger Ingrid , Marszalek Martin , Madersbacher Stephan
Published: March 2009

Aims

Nocturia is a highly prevalent symptom in the elderly and a common reason for interrupted sleep resulting in dizziness, worse daytime functioning and higher risk of falls. The aim of this study was to determine the role of nocturia as a risk factor for hip‐fractures in men.

Methods

Men aged 40–80 years participating in a health‐screening survey in Vienna between 2000 and 2003 entered the study. In parallel to the investigation all men completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). In 2008, files of all Austrian public hospitals were screened whether these men were admitted with the diagnosis of a hip‐fracture. χ2‐test and logistic regression analyses were used to study the association of nocturia to hip‐fractures.

Results

A total of 1,820 men (52 ± 9 years) with a mean follow‐up of 6.2 years entered this analysis. Hip‐fractures occurred in 24 men (1.3%). The occurrence of hip‐fractures increased from 0.9% (no nocturia) to 1.0% (nocturia once) to 2.7% (nocturia twice or more). This trend was significant (P = 0.03, χ2‐test). Even after adjusting for age, men with nocturia of ≥2 were at increased risk (OR 1.36; 95% CI 1.03–1.80, P = 0.03) for developing a hip‐fracture. The IPSS was not correlated to the occurrence of hip‐fractures (p for trend 0.61).

Conclusions

Nocturia of ≥2 is an age‐independent risk factor for hip‐fractures in men. The high frequency of nocturia in elderly men paralleled with the significant morbidity and even mortality of hip‐fractures underline the clinical importance of this association. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:949–952, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adapting question mapping as a methodology to help make sense of a community's collective wisdom and shared futures
Authors: Gelles Erna , Ludeman Richard F.
Published: March 2009

This article investigates question mapping as a methodology for making sense of the complex issues discussed at a West Coast nonprofit leadership summit in the economic downturn following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. A real‐time organizational development tool was employed retrospectively to help frame the fundamental questions raised by the region's leaders about community needs and the sector's role in meeting them. Following a brief description of the summit, the methodology is presented. We then consider how this approach differs from other frameworks for encouraging and analyzing discourse and how it was adapted. The technique is both a heuristic device and a guide with potential for synthesizing community issues in real time or retrospectively. The categorization schema provides a framework for deliberative dialogue and action as well as many potential nonprofit research agendas for the coming years.
Philanthropy and accountability in Europe
Authors: Whitman John R.
Published: March 2009

Philanthropy in Europe: A Rich Past, A Promising Future. Norine MacDonald and Luc Tayart de Borms, eds. London: Alliance Publishing Trust, 2008. 304 pp., free of charge from the European Foundation Centre, efc@efc.be.
What donors want
Authors: Hodges Jan Leggio
Published: March 2009

The 11 Questions Every Donor Asks and the Answers All Donors Crave. Harvey McKinnon. Medfield, Mass.: Emerson & Church, 2008. 112 pp., $24.95 paper.
An approach to pre‐Hispanic diets in the Pampas during the Early/Middle Holocene
Authors: Politis Gustavo G. , Scabuzzo Clara , Tykot Robert H.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to dietary studies of Early‐Middle Holocene Pampean hunter‐gatherers, and to evaluate the intra‐group dietary differences. Results from stable carbon isotope analysis of the organic and inorganic fractions of bone from 26 human remains from the sites Arroyo Seco 2 (Interserrana area) and Monte Hermoso 1 (Atlantic coast) are presented and discussed. Isotopic values from archaeofauna – including megafauna and current fauna – are also reported. δ13CCOL isotopic values on human remains from these sites suggest the existence of different diets in Early‐Middle Holocene groups, including individuals consuming mainly marine resources, individuals with a terrestrial diet based on C3 plants and/or the intake of C3‐consuming herbivores, and finally, individuals with a mixed diet. δ13CCOL data from human remains are consistent with the isotopic results obtained for the most abundant faunal remains at the sites (guanaco, Pampean deer, and seal). Apatite analysis was carried out on 22 individuals from AS2. The apatite results suggest C4 plants or marine food consumption or a combination of both. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of novel thermosetting polyphosphazene‐urethanes
Authors: Zhou Yubo , Huang Xiaobin , Tang Xiaozhen
Published: March 2009

Polyphosphazenes are ready to move from the level of a mere scientific curiosity to the rank of industrially and commercially important macromolecules because they have experienced an explosive development during the last 10 years. In this paper, novel linear poly [bis‐(phenoxy) 1.8 (4‐hydroxybutaneoxy) 0.2 phosphazene] (PPHBP) was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, NMR, and GPC. Then, a series of new thermosetting polyphosphazene‐urethanes (PPU)s were prepared by using PPHBP polyol via a two‐step method. The FTIR spectra have showed the PPUs were successfully prepared. Compared to conventional polyurethane, the results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) have indicated that the PPUs exhibited better thermal stability and flame resistance. The study on water contact angle showed that PPUs were more hydrophobic than conventional polyurethane. This may widen the opportunities for producing a new class of polyurethanes with broad range of uses. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preserving female fertility following cancer treatment: Current options and future possibilities
Authors: West Erin R. , Zelinski Mary B. , Kondapalli Laxmi A. , Gracia Clarisa , Chang Jeffrey , Coutifaris Christos , Critser John , Stouffer Richard L. , Shea Lonnie D. , Woodruff Teresa K.
Published: March 2009

Children and women of reproductive age are increasingly surviving cancer diagnoses, and therefore long‐term quality‐of‐life issues are of greater importance at the time of diagnosis. Cancer therapies including radiation and chemotherapy can be detrimental to fertility, and therefore many patients are motivated to preserve fertility prior to cancer treatment. The only highly successful method in preserving fertility to date is embryo cryopreservation, which may not be appropriate for some patients due to age, delay in treatment, cancer type and stage, as well as availability of an acceptable sperm donor. Alternative methods including oocyte cryopreservation and ovarian tissue banking may also preserve fertility while providing additional flexibility to patients. In vitro ovarian follicle maturation following tissue banking is one potential approach that would not require a delay in cancer therapy for ovarian stimulation, would not require an immediate sperm donor, and does not carry the risk of reintroducing malignant cells following tissue transplantation. In vitro follicle culture systems have resulted in successful live births in the mouse. However, many challenges must be addressed in translating the system to the human. This review summarizes current approaches to fertility preservation and discusses recent developments and future challenges in developing a human in vitro follicle culture system. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:289–295. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of an infant with severe acute refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura using combination therapy including rituximab
Authors: Iesato Kotoe , Hatakeyama Naoki , Yamamoto Masaki , Hori Tsukasa , Inazawa Natsuko , Tsutsumi Hiroyuki , Suzuki Nobuhiro
Published: March 2009

Some infants with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) do not respond to first‐line therapy, and currently there is no consensus on therapy for these refractory cases. We describe a 12‐week‐old infant with acute ITP who was unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroid, and developed gastrointestinal bleeding. Several combination therapies were unsuccessful. After four doses of rituximab followed by intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroid, his platelet counts gradually increased. Combined therapy which includes rituximab may be a promising treatment for severe acute refractory ITP. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:203–205. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prenatal screening and diagnosis of neural tube defects
Authors: Cameron Martin , Moran Paul
Published: March 2009

This review article discusses prenatal screening and diagnosis of neural tube defects (NTD). High detection rates occur in countries operating ultrasound screening programmes because classical two‐dimensional ultrasound cranial signs (lemon shaped head, banana cerebellum, ventriculomegaly) are important diagnostic clues to the presence of spina bifida. Careful evaluation of both the spine and a search for other abnormalities is warranted. Important prognostic information for spina bifida relates to the lesion level, with a “watershed” between L3 and L4 marking a very high chance of being wheelchair bound with the higher lesions. Three‐dimensional ultrasound using multiplanar views can achieve diagnostic accuracy within one vertebral body in around 80% of patients. There are high rates of pregnancy termination for spina bifida in many European countries, but the use of new imagining techniques allow better prediction of outcome, and consequently a refinement of prenatal counselling. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of pH‐responsive crosslinked poly[styrene‐co‐(maleic sodium anhydride)] and cellulose composite hydrogel nanofibers by electrospinning
Authors: Cao Shengguang , Hu Binghuan , Liu Haiqing
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Stimuli‐sensitive materials show enormous potential in the development of drug delivery systems. But the low response rate of most stimuli‐sensitive materials limits their wider application. We propose that electrospinning, a technique for the preparation of ultrafine fibrous materials with ultrafine diameters, may be used to prepare materials with a fast response to stimuli.

RESULTS: Poly[styrene‐co‐(maleic sodium anhydride)] and cellulose (SMA‐Na/cellulose) hydrogel nanofibers were prepared through hydrolysis of precursor electrospun poly[styrene‐co‐(maleic anhydride)]/cellulose acetate (SMA/CA) nanofibers. In the presence of diethylene glycol, the SMA/CA composite nanofibers were crosslinked by esterification at 145 °C, and then hydrolyzed to yield crosslinked SMA‐Na/cellulose hydrogel nanofibers. These nanofibers showed better mechanical strengths and were pH responsive. Their water swelling ratio showed a characteristic two‐step increase at pH = 5.0 and 8.2, with the water swelling ratio reaching a maximum of 27.6 g g−1 at pH = 9.1.

CONCLUSION: The crosslinked SMA‐Na hydrogel nanofibers supported on cellulose showed improved dimensional stability upon immersion in aqueous solutions. They were pH responsive. This new type of hydrogel nanofiber is a potential material for biomedical applications. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Childhood depression: Rethinking the role of the school
Authors: Herman Keith C. , Reinke Wendy M. , Parkin Jason , Traylor Karen B. , Agarwal Geetika
Published: March 2009

Schools play a privileged and strategic role in the lives of children acting as their principle environment away from home. Additionally, schools act as part of the community linking families and neighborhoods. These characteristics make schools a relevant setting for mental health service delivery and support to children and parents. In this article the role of the school environment on the development of childhood depression and as a leverage point in the prevention and treatment of depression will be discussed. Rationales for this viewpoint, as well as practical suggestions for reducing the deleterious effects of schooling on children's emotional well‐being, are offered. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing the viability of treatment rights for prisoners with personality disorder: Substance or substantive?
Authors: McRae Leon
Published: March 2009

Personality disorder (PD) has long been criticized as a diagnosis, not least for the issue of its supposed untreatability. This has precluded many offenders with PD from receiving treatment for their disorder in a secure hospital, with detention in the potentially deleterious penal environment the result. However, transfers for public protection continue to occur. A further problematic issue for treatment considerations when diversion from prison hangs in the balance is the removal of the need for proposed treatment to provide a therapeutic benefit under the recently amended Mental Health Act 1983. In light of these developments, this paper considers the significance of human rights instruments, such as the European Prison Rules 2006, which aim to offer rights to treatment, giving the offender with a diagnosis of PD access to adequate and sustaining treatment, both in prison and secure hospitals. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma proteome analysis for anti‐obesity and anti‐diabetic potentials of chitosan oligosaccharides inob/obmice
Authors: Kumar Suresh G. , Rahman Md. Atiar , Lee Sung Hak , Hwang Hee Sun , Kim Hyun Ah , Yun Jong Won
Published: March 2009

Altered levels of adipokines, derived as a result of distorted adipocytes, are the major factors responsible for changing biochemical parameters in obesity that leads to the development of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. In our previous reports, chitosan oligosaccharides (CO) were proved to inhibit the differentiation of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate the anti‐obesity and anti‐diabetic effect of CO onob/obmice, by means of differential proteomic analysis of plasma. This was followed by immunoblotting, and gene expression in adipose tissue to clarify the molecular mechanism. CO treatment showed reduced diet intake (13%), body weight gain (12%), lipid (29%) and glucose levels (35%). 2‐DE results showed differential levels of five proteins namely RBP4, apoE, and apoA‐IV by >2‐fold down‐regulation and by >2‐fold of apoA‐I and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) up‐regulation after CO treatment. Immunoblotting studies of adiponectin and resistin showed amelioration in their levels in plasma. Furthermore, the results of gene expressions for adipose tissue specific TNF‐α, and IL‐6 secretary molecules were also down‐regulated by CO treatment. Gene expressions of PPARγ in adipose tissue were in good agreement with the ameliorated levels of adipokines, thereby improving the pathological state. Taken together, CO might act as a potent down‐regulator of obesity‐related gene expression inob/obmice that may normalize altered plasma proteins to overcome metabolic disorders of obesity.
Tumoristatic effects of endostatin in prostate cancer is dependent on androgen receptor status
Authors: Isayeva Tatyana , Moore Lakisha D. , Chanda Diptiman , Chen Dongquan , Ponnazhagan Selvarangan
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND

Although anti‐angiogenic therapy is a promising new line of therapy for prostate cancer, we recently reported that stable expression of endostatin arrested the progression of prostate cancer to poorly differentiated state and distant metastasis in TRAMP mice. However, the same therapy failed to provide any benefit when given either during or after the onset of metastatic switch. The present study determined the possible mechanisms behind the selective advantage of endostatin therapy in early‐stage disease.

METHODS

Angiogenesis‐related gene expression analysis was performed to identify target genes and molecular pathways involved in the therapy effects. Based on the results from in vivo studies, and recapitulation of the in vivo data in vitro using tumorigenic and non‐tumorigenic human prostate cancer cells that are either androgen‐sensitive or androgen‐independent, analyses of possible mechanisms of the selective advantage of early treatment were performed using assays for cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and cell signaling. The identified mechanisms were further confirmed in vivo.

RESULTS

Results indicated that cells with high androgen receptor (AR) expression were more sensitive to endostatin treatment than androgen‐independent cells with low or no AR expression. Endostatin was found to significantly downregulate the expression of growth factors, receptor tyrosine kinases, proteases, and AR both in vitro and in vivo only when the cells express high‐levels of AR. Cell proliferation was not influenced by endostatin treatment but migration was significantly affected only in androgen‐sensitive cells. Targeted downregulation of AR prior to endostatin treatment in androgen‐sensitive cells and overexpression of AR in androgen‐independent cells indicated that the effect of endostatin via AR downregulation is mediated by a non‐genotropic mechanism on Ras and RhoA pathways, and independently of AR on MAPK/ERK pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that systemically stable endostatin expression delays the onset of metastatic switch by acting on multiple pathways involving AR. Prostate 69:1055–1066, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transmission electron microscopical investigation of AlGaN/GaN distributed Bragg reflectors
Authors: Pretorius Angelika , Aschenbrenner Timo , Dartsch Heiko , Figge Stephan , Hommel Detlef , Rosenauer Andreas
Published: March 2009

AlGaN/GaN distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) with 40 mirror pairs were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The structures were analysed for defects, interfaces, layer thicknesses and composition in order to reveal possible reasons for the experimentally obtained reflectivity falling behind the theoretically expected one. A low crack density and a homogeneous Al‐concentration in the AlGaN‐layers was found.

Nevertheless, the threading dislocation density was significant, and numerous inversion domains were observed, which originate in the AlGaN‐buffer layer below the DBR‐structure. In addition, the thickness of the GaN‐DBR layers measured along the growth direction of the DBR exhibits large variations, and the interfaces are broad with extensions of ∼ 10% of the intended layer thickness (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Violet blue laser mini‐bars
Authors: Holc Katarzyna , Wisniewski Przemek , Leszczynski Michal , Suski Tadek , Grzegory Iza , Czernecki Robert , Grzanka Szymon , Perlin Piotr
Published: March 2009

We demonstrate the construction of violet blue multi‐quantum‐well (MQW) InGaN/GaN laser mini‐bars, a novel system in nitride‐based devices. It consists of three laser stripes, closely spaced with 40 μm pitch. The width of the stripe was 3 microns. Structures were fabricated on high pressure grown, low dislocation density substrates. Under cw operation the measured spectra demonstrate sharp, almost single line emission (FWHM ∼ 1.43 Å). Measurements of the optical far field pattern revealed that when operated under threshold the device was emitting light from all three stripes, whereas during lasing we observed the optical mode only in the area of the middle laser stripe. The behaviour of optical mode suggests the formation of the supermode (coherent emission from all three devices). The maximum optical output power was 270 mW at 402 nm and the slope efficiency was 0.7 W/A. This device offers the possibility to overcome the optical output power limit, characteristic for narrow stripe devices. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electron transport in nitrogen‐polar high electron mobility transistors
Authors: Brown David F. , Rajan Siddharth , Keller Stacia , Hsieh Yun‐Hao , DenBaars Steven P. , Mishra Umesh K.
Published: March 2009

The electron mobility in N‐polar heterostructures was measured as a function of gate bias using resistance and capacitance measurements on gated transmission line method structures. The mobility was observed to decrease as the gate was reverse biased. Experimental results also revealed that the access resistance of the device increased with increasing reverse bias of the gate. Theoretical scattering rates caused by phonon, alloy disorder and ionized impurity scattering were calculated as a function of gate bias and found to match the experimental data well. An electrostatic model was developed to calculate the sheet charge density of the devices, and they were found to be independent of the polarization of the barrier layer. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)