bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of dietitians’ nutrition counselling self‐efficacy and its positive relationship with reported skill usage
Authors: Lu A. H. , Dollahite J.
Published: January 2010

Background:  Previous studies on nutrition counselling self‐efficacy have assessed small groups of dietitians in focused practice areas or evaluated the effectiveness of skills training on only a few skills. This descriptive study developed a comprehensive scale to examine self‐efficacy in a large, cross‐sectional sample of practising dietitians when performing various counselling skills that promote dietary behaviour changes.

Methods:  A valid and reliable instrument was developed and administered through the Internet to survey dietitians in the USA from various areas of dietetics and with varying years of experience. Items included counselling self‐efficacy, skill usage and counselling‐related job characteristics. Of the 612 respondents, one group (n = 486) conducted counselling for more than 50% of their work week, and the other group (n = 126) for less than 50%. Factor analysis was used for scale development. Independent samples t‐tests and chi‐square tests were performed for group comparisons. Correlations and multiple regression analyses further assessed the relationships among variables.

Results:  The resultant unidimensional scale contained 25 items. Dietitians reported high self‐efficacy scores and frequent skill usage. Those who counsel for more than 50% of their work week were more likely to work in outpatient settings and private practice, reported higher self‐efficacy scores, and held longer and repeated sessions. Self‐efficacy scores were positively correlated with counselling‐related job characteristics. Years of counselling experience and skill usage significantly predicted self‐efficacy scores.

Conclusions:  Dietitians perceive themselves to be highly self‐efficacious in using counselling skills which may contribute positively to their professional practice. However, the relationship between counselling self‐efficacy and actual performance warrants further investigation.
Students’ experiences and perceptions of the use of portfolios in UK preregistration dietetic placements: a questionnaire‐based study
Authors: Brennan K. M. , Lennie S. C.
Published: January 2010

Background:  Reflective portfolios were introduced to dietetic practice placements in 2005, providing evidence for learning outcomes achieved and acting as a summative assessment tool. Portfolios may measure clinical competence more effectively than conventional examinations, but can be time consuming and subjective. The present study investigated current dietetic students’ experiences and perceptions of the use and effectiveness of portfolio based learning and assessment during practice placements.

Methods:  Current UK dietetic students, who had completed a B or B and C placement, were invited to participate, via University course leaders, in an online questionnaire exploring opinions and experiences of portfolio preparation, generation, assessment, and personal and professional development and reflection.

Results:  One hundred and fourteen students from 11 Universities participated. Seventy‐seven percent would have liked more information about portfolio construction prior to placement. Eighty percent of students believed that reflection helped monitor their strengths and weaknesses. Perceived reflective skills were significantly positively correlated with students’ perceived writing skills (P < 0.0005) and academic ability (P = 0.002). Of the respondents, 92% agreed the portfolio was a valuable learning experience; however, 76% agreed that the amount of paperwork involved was excessive and 67% felt there were inconsistencies in portfolio assessment by different supervisors.

Conclusions:  Portfolio weaknesses identified are not specific to dietetics but are inherent to portfolio assessment across many professions. The introduction of national standardised assessment processes, practices, tools and training for assessors may help improve inter‐departmental and inter‐rater reliability, respectively.
Association between fruit juice consumption and self‐reported body mass index among adult Canadians
Authors: Akhtar‐Danesh N. , Dehghan M.
Published: January 2010

Background:  The prevalence of obesity and being overweight is rising among adult Canadians and diet is recognised as one of the main causes of obesity. The consumption of fruit and vegetables is shown to be protective against obesity and being overweight but little is known about the association of fruit juice consumption and obesity and being overweight. The present study aimed to investigate the association between fruit juice consumption and self‐reported body mass index (BMI) among adult Canadians.

Methods:  This analysis is based on the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 3.1. A regression method was used to assess the association of fruit juice consumption with self‐reported BMI in 18–64‐year‐old Canadians who had been adjusted for sex, age, total household income, education, self‐rated health, and daily energy expenditure. Because the analysis is based on a cross‐sectional dataset, it does not imply a cause and effect relationship.

Results:  Almost 38.6% of adult Canadians reported a fruit juice intake of 0.5–1.4 times per day and 18.2% consumed fruit juice more than 1.5 times per day. Participants with normal weight were likely to consume more fruit juice than obese individuals. Regression analysis showed a negative association between fruit juice consumption and BMI after adjusting for age, sex, education, marital status, income, total fruit and vegetable intake, daily energy expenditure, and self‐rated health. On average, for each daily serving of fruit juice, a −0.22 unit (95% confidence interval = −0.33 to −0.11) decrease in BMI was observed.

Conclusions:  The results obtained showed a moderate negative association between fruit juice intake and BMI, which may suggest that a moderate daily consumption of fruit juice is associated with normal weight status.
Do microsatellites reflect genome‐wide genetic diversity in natural populations? A comment on Väliet al.(2008)
Authors: LJUNGQVIST MARCUS , ÅKESSON MIKAEL , HANSSON BENGT
Published: January 2010

A recent study byVäli et al. (2008)highlights that microsatellites will often provide a poor prediction of the genome‐wide nucleotide diversity of wild populations, but does not fully explain why. To clarify and stress the importance of identity disequilibrium and marker variability for correlations between multilocus heterozygosity and genome‐wide genetic variability, we performed a simple simulation with different types of markers, corresponding to microsatellites and SNPs, in populations with different inbreeding history. The importance of identity disequilibrium was apparent for both markers and there was a clear impact of marker variability.
Quantitative genetic and translocation experiments reveal genotype‐by‐environment effects on juvenile life‐history traits in two populations of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Authors: EVANS M. L. , NEFF B. D. , HEATH D. D.
Published: January 2010

Understanding the genetic architecture of phenotypic plasticity is required to assess how populations might respond to heterogeneous or changing environments. Although several studies have examined population‐level patterns in environmental heterogeneity and plasticity, few studies have examined individual‐level variation in plasticity. Here, we use the North Carolina II breeding design and translocation experiments between two populations of Chinook salmon to detail the genetic architecture and plasticity of offspring survival and growth. We followed the survival of 50 800 offspring through the larval stage and used parentage analysis to examine survival and growth through freshwater rearing. In one population, we found that additive genetic, nonadditive genetic and maternal effects explained 25%, 34% and 55% of the variance in larvae survival, respectively. In the second population, these effects explained 0%, 24% and 61% of the variance in larvae survival. In contrast, fry survival was regulated primarily by additive genetic effects, which indicates a shift from maternal to genetic effects as development proceeds. Fry growth also showed strong additive genetic effects. Translocations between populations revealed that offspring survival and growth varied between environments, the degree of which differed among families. These results indicate genetic differences among individuals in their degree of plasticity and consequently their ability to respond to environmental variation.
The long and the short of sperm selection in vitro and in vivo: swim-up techniques select for the longer and faster swimming mammalian sperm
Authors: Holt W. V. , Hernandez M. , Warrell L. , Satake N.
Published: January 2010

Sperm competition and sexual selection outcomes are sometimes reported as depending on sperm velocity and flagellar length, suggesting that sperm shape may be optimized for maximum efficiency. This is a largely unexamined assumption regarding sperm performance. Here, we examine this idea using a ‘swim-up’ selection technique as a proxy for sperm transport within the female tract, testing the hypothesis that variation in sperm tail length should be reduced by this procedure. We detected small but significant (P < 0.001) increases in mean flagellar length in brown hare, pig and bull spermatozoa without reduction in variance. Applying the swim-up technique to boar ejaculates confirmed that the selected populations were enriched for fast motile spermatozoa. These effects were also reflected in vivo where boar spermatozoa with both short and long flagellae were able to reach and colonize the oviductal sperm reservoir. The benefits of possessing a longer flagellum thus appear to be marginal, suggesting that sperm selection in vivo is based on more complex criteria.
Pre‐synaptic and post‐synaptic neuronal activity supports the axon development of callosal projection neurons during different post‐natal periods in the mouse cerebral cortex
Authors: Mizuno Hidenobu , Hirano Tomoo , Tagawa Yoshiaki
Published: January 2010

Callosal projection neurons, one of the major types of projection neurons in the mammalian cerebral cortex, require neuronal activity for their axonal projections [H. Mizuno et al. (2007) J. Neurosci., 27, 6760–6770; C. L. Wang et al. (2007) J. Neurosci., 27, 11334–11342]. Here we established a method to label a few callosal axons with enhanced green fluorescent protein in the mouse cerebral cortex and examined the effect of pre‐synaptic/post‐synaptic neuron silencing on the morphology of individual callosal axons. Pre‐synaptic/post‐synaptic neurons were electrically silenced by Kir2.1 potassium channel overexpression. Single axon tracing showed that, after reaching the cortical innervation area, green fluorescent protein‐labeled callosal axons underwent successive developmental stages: axon growth, branching, layer‐specific targeting and arbor formation between post‐natal day (P)5 and P9, and the subsequent elaboration of axon arbors between P9 and P15. Reducing pre‐synaptic neuronal activity disturbed axon growth and branching before P9, as well as arbor elaboration afterwards. In contrast, silencing post‐synaptic neurons disturbed axon arbor elaboration between P9 and P15. Thus, pre‐synaptic neuron silencing affected significantly earlier stages of callosal projection neuron axon development than post‐synaptic neuron silencing. Silencing both pre‐synaptic and post‐synaptic neurons impaired callosal axon projections, suggesting that certain levels of firing activity in pre‐synaptic and post‐synaptic neurons are required for callosal axon development. Our findings provide in‐vivo evidence that pre‐synaptic and post‐synaptic neuronal activities play critical, and presumably differential, roles in axon growth, branching, arbor formation and elaboration during cortical axon development.
Causality between local field potentials of the subthalamic nucleus and electromyograms of forearm muscles in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Florin Esther , Gross Joachim , Reck Christiane , Maarouf Mohammad , Schnitzler Alfons , Sturm Volker , Fink Gereon R. , Timmermann Lars
Published: January 2010

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease, although its precise mechanisms remain poorly understood. To gain further insight into the mechanisms underlying deep brain stimulation, we analysed the causal relationship between forearm muscle activity and local field potentials derived from the subthalamic nucleus. In 19 patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease of the akinetic‐rigid subtype, we calculated the squared partial directed coherence between muscles of the contralateral forearm and the subthalamic nucleus or zona incerta during both a rest and a hold condition of the arm. For both recording regions, data analysis revealed that, during the rest condition, electromyographic activity was significantly more often ‘Granger‐causal’ for the local field potentials than the opposite causation. In contrast, during the hold condition, no significant difference was found in the occurrence of causalities. Contrary to the existing basal ganglia model and the current concept of Parkinson’s disease pathophysiology, we found the subthalamic nucleus to receive more ‘afferences’ than it emitted ‘efferences’, suggesting that its role is more complex than a simple driving nucleus in the basal ganglia loop. Therefore, the effect of deep brain stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus could, at least in part, result from a blockade of pathological afferent input.
Theta‐burst stimulation over primary motor cortex degrades early motor learning
Authors: Iezzi Ennio , Suppa Antonio , Conte Antonella , Agostino Rocco , Nardella Andrea , Berardelli Alfredo
Published: January 2010

Theta‐burst stimulation (TBS) is currently used for inducing long‐lasting changes in primary motor cortex (M1) excitability. More information is needed on how M1 is involved in early motor learning (practice‐related improvement in motor performance, motor retention and motor consolidation). We investigated whether inhibitory continuous TBS (cTBS) is an effective experimental approach for modulating early motor learning of a simple finger movement in healthy humans. In a short task, 11 subjects practised 160 movements, and in a longer task also testing motor consolidation ten subjects practised 600 movements. During both experiments subjects randomly received real or sham cTBS over the left M1. Motor evoked potentials were tested at baseline and 7 min after cTBS. In the 160‐movement experiment to test motor retention, 20 movements were repeated 30 min after motor practice ended. In the 600‐movement experiment motor retention was assessed 15 and 30 min after motor practice ended, motor consolidation was tested by performing 20 movements 24 h after motor practice ended. Kinematic variables – movement amplitude, peak velocity and peak acceleration – were measured. cTBS significantly reduced the practice‐related improvement in motor performance of finger movements in the experiment involving 160 movements and in the first part of the experiment involving 600 movements. After cTBS, peak velocity and peak acceleration of the 20 movements testing motor retention decreased whereas those testing motor consolidation remained unchanged. cTBS over M1 degrades practice‐related improvement in motor performance and motor retention, but not motor consolidation of a voluntary finger movement.
Ecology of pathogenic and non‐pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus on the French Atlantic coast. Effects of temperature, salinity, turbidity and chlorophyll a
Authors: Julie Deter , Solen Lozach , Antoine Véron , Jaufrey Chollet , Annick Derrien , Dominique Hervio‐Heath
Published: January 2010

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the principal bacterial causes for seafood‐borne gastroenteritis in the world. In the present study, three sites located on the French Atlantic coast were monitored monthly for environmental parameters over 1 year. The presence of total and pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus in sediment, water and mussel samples was detected following enrichment by culture and real‐time PCR (toxR gene, tdh, trh1 and trh2 virulence genes). Using generalized linear models, we showed that the presence of V. parahaemolyticus in water could be explained by a combination of mean temperature over the 7 days before the day of sampling (P < 0.001) and turbidity (P = 0.058). In mussels, an effect of chlorophyll a (P = 0.005) was detected when an effect of the mean salinity over the 7 days before sampling was significant for the sediment (P < 0.001). We did not detect any significant effect of phytoplanktonic blooms or of the number of culturable bacteria on V. parahaemolyticus presence. No sample was revealed positive for tdh. The presence of trh1 and trh2 was positively influenced by the mean temperature during the 2 days before the day of sampling (P < 0.001 and P = 0.032). The importance of these ecological parameters is discussed in relation to the biology of V. parahaemolyticus.
EVIDENCE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECONOMICS AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Authors: BORG MARY O. , STRANAHAN HARRIET A.
Published: January 2010

This research provides empirical support for the hypothesis that learning economics increases a student’s critical thinking skills. Using the short form of the Watson‐Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA‐S) as our measure of critical thinking skills, we find that students who gain a high level of economic understanding in their introductory economics class, as measured by the Test of Understanding College Economics (TUCE), have statistically significant gains in their WGCTA‐S scores. Students who spend more time taking classes and are more fully engaged in the university experience also have greater gains in critical thinking. These results lend support to the idea that introductory economics courses can work in concert with other university level courses, especially within the context of a full‐time curriculum, to enhance critical thinking skills. (JEL A22)
ENROLLMENT AT HIGHLY SELECTIVE PRIVATE COLLEGES: WHO IS LEFT BEHIND?
Authors: DEZHBAKHSH HASHEM , KARIKARI JOHN A.
Published: January 2010

This study examines the enrollment decisions of freshmen applicants to highly selective private colleges relative to highly selective public colleges. The empirical analysis shows that college enrollment varies by family income—in particular, low‐income students with demonstrated financial need are less likely to enroll at private colleges, controlling for other factors including race and financial aid. Grant aid tends to have a moderating effect but the amount of aid under the existing college pricing and financial aid system appears to be inadequate. This finding provides support for recent revamping of financial aid offerings to low‐income students by some highly selective private colleges. In addition, the results suggest that while family income appears to be a strong determinant of enrollment at these colleges, race does not seem to play a role. (JEL I21)
JOB CENTERS: ARE FINDERS KEEPERS? A NOTE FROM JAPAN
Authors: FUESS SCOTT M.
Published: January 2010

Do job centers help unemployed people to find and keep jobs? Using the results of a unique survey by the Japanese government, this note examines the employment success of job center clients. Success in finding and keeping jobs varies systematically across distinct subgroups. Moreover, job center clients were not particularly successful in finding work that fit their qualifications. (JEL J60, J68, J40)
THE EARNINGS EFFECT OF EDUCATION AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Authors: MARCOTTE DAVE E.
Published: January 2010

In this paper, I make use of data from the 2000 follow‐up of the National Education Longitudinal Survey postsecondary education transcript files to extend what is known about the value of education at community colleges. I examine the effects of enrollment in community colleges on students' subsequent earnings. I estimate the effects of credits earned separately from credentials because community colleges are often used as a means for students to engage in study not necessarily leading to a degree or certificate. I find consistent evidence of wage and salary effects of both credits and degrees, especially for women. There is no substantial evidence that enrollment in vocational rather than academic coursework has a particularly beneficial effect, however. (JEL I2, J24)
The effects of species pool, dispersal and competition on the diversity–productivity relationship
Authors: Xiao Sa , Zobel Martin , Szava‐Kovats Robert , Pärtel Meelis
Published: January 2010

Aim The diversity–productivity relationship is a controversial issue in ecology. Diversity is sometimes seen to increase with productivity but a unimodal relationship has often been reported. Competitive exclusion was cited initially to account for the decrease of diversity at high productivity. Subsequently, the roles of evolutionary history (species pool size) and dispersal rate have been acknowledged. We explore how the effects of species pool, dispersal and competition combine to produce different diversity–productivity relationships.

Methods We use a series of simulations with a spatially explicit, individual‐based model. Following empirical expectations, we used four scenarios to characterize species pool size along the productivity gradient (uniformly low and high, linear increase and unimodal). Similarly, the dispersal rate varied along the productivity gradient (uniformly low and high, and unimodal). We considered both neutral communities and communities with competitive exclusion.

Results and main conclusions Our model predicts that competitive interactions will result in unimodal diversity–productivity relationships. The model often predicts unimodal patterns in neutral communities as well, although the decline in richness at high productivity is less than in competing communities. A positive diversity–productivity relationship is simulated for neutral communities when the species pool size increases with productivity and the dispersal rate is high. This scenario is probably more widespread in nature than the others since positive diversity–productivity relationships have been observed more frequently than previously expected, especially in the tropics and for woody species. Our simulated effects of species pool, dispersal and competition on diversity patterns can be linked to empirical observations to uncover mechanisms behind the diversity–productivity relationship.
E‐GOVERNANCE AS STRATEGY OF PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM: PECULIARITY OF JAPANESE IT POLICY AND ITS INSTITUTIONAL ORIGIN
Authors: Kudo Hiroko
Published: January 2010

As the cases of public sector reform and e‐governance projects have shown, e‐governance can play a role in public sector reform. This paper describes Japanese e‐governance policy and its status, focusing on the issues affecting the government and the public. Japan has implemented a series of political and administrative reforms in order to improve accountability. NPM reforms utilize various strategies to manage public policies, and e‐governance is a public policy that directly affects other policies and brings about change. Its characteristics as public policy are different from those of other policies, especially in relation to public accountability.
An analysis of communication in conversation after severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Rousseaux M. , Vérigneaux C. , Kozlowski O.
Published: January 2010

Background and objective:  Communication disorders have been reported following severe traumatic brain injury. However, we have little information about patient behaviour during dyadic interaction. Here, we analyzed conversation at the rehabilitation and chronic phase post traumatic brain injury (TBI), to define the main mechanisms of verbal and non‐verbal communication disorders and relationship with other cognitive difficulties.

Methods:  Sixteen patients were evaluated at the rehabilitation phase (2–12 months) and 18 at the chronic phase (after 2 years) following severe TBI. They were compared with equivalent groups of matching (gender, age, education level) control subjects. We used the Lille Communication Test, which comprises three parts: participation to communication (greeting, attention, engagement), verbal communication (verbal comprehension, speech outflow, intelligibility, word production, syntax, verbal pragmatics, verbal feedback) and non‐verbal communication (understanding gestures, affective expressivity, producing gestures, pragmatics, non‐verbal feedback). We also investigated executive functions (Stroop test, trail‐making test, categorical evocation), language (Montreal‐Toulouse protocol) and behaviour (Neurobehavioural Rating Scale). Verbal communication disorders were relatively equivalent at the rehabilitation and chronic phases.

Results:  Patients were impaired (P ≤ 0.01) in their participation to communication, especially in greeting behaviour. Verbal communication was mostly affected by difficulties in producing fluent and intelligible language and using pragmatics (responding to open questions, presenting new information and introducing new themes, organizing discourse and adapting to interlocutor knowledge). Non‐verbal communication was impaired by difficulties in using pragmatics (mostly adapted prosody). Participation and verbal communication correlated with the executive functions, language and behavioural assessment.

Conclusions:  Disorders of social communication justify systematic assessment in patients with TBI.
Membrane lipid modification by polyunsaturated fatty acids sensitizes oligodendroglial OLN‐93 cells against oxidative stress and promotes up‐regulation of heme oxygenase‐1 (HSP32)
Authors: Brand Annette , Bauer Nina G. , Hallott Amanda , Goldbaum Olaf , Ghebremeskel Kebreab , Reifen Ram , Richter‐Landsberg Christiane
Published: January 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 465–476.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are highly abundant in brain tissue, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) might protect cells from oxidative stress (OS) during inflammation and demyelinating disorders, but also might exert pro‐oxidant effects. Here we investigated if PUFA supplements lead to heat shock protein induction, altered cell survival properties and stress responses to OS exerted by hydrogen peroxide in oligodendroglial OLN‐93 cells. The data show that supplements of various fatty acids (FA) with 18–22 carbons chain length and 2–6 double bonds led to PUFA enrichment in cellular membranes. Depending on the degree of desaturation, FA‐supplements caused the up‐regulation of heme oxygenase‐1 (HSP32), a stress protein inducible by OS, and an increase in sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide‐treatment. DHA, with the highest number of double bonds, was most effective. Co‐treatment with DHA and the lipophilic vitamin E analogue α‐tocopherol, suppressed heme oxygenase‐1 up‐regulation and cell survival was restored. Analysis of the lipid profile demonstrates that α‐tocopherol not only has antioxidant capacities, but also directly modified the PUFA profile in cell membranes. Enrichment with higher omega‐3, ‐6 and ‐9 PUFA and an increase in the biosynthesis rate of very long chain fatty acids, mainly changed the FA profile of ethanolamine and serine phosphoglycerides.
Signaling, delivery and age as emerging issues in the benefit/risk ratio outcome of tPA For treatment of CNS ischemic disorders
Authors: Armstead William M. , Ganguly Kumkum , Kiessling J. W. , Riley John , Chen Xiao‐Han , Smith Douglas H. , Stein Sherman C. , Higazi Abd A. R. , Cines Douglas B. , Bdeir Khalil , Zaitsev Sergei , Muzykantov Vladimir R.
Published: January 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 303–312.

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. While tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA) remains the only FDA‐approved treatment for ischemic stroke, clinical use of tPA has been constrained to roughly 3% of eligible patients because of the danger of intracranial hemorrhage and a narrow 3 h time window for safe administration. Basic science studies indicate that tPA enhances excitotoxic neuronal cell death. In this review, the beneficial and deleterious effects of tPA in ischemic brain are discussed along with emphasis on development of new approaches toward treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke. In particular, roles of tPA‐induced signaling and a novel delivery system for tPA administration based on tPA coupling to carrier red blood cells will be considered as therapeutic modalities for increasing tPA benefit/risk ratio. The concept of the neurovascular unit will be discussed in the context of dynamic relationships between tPA‐induced changes in cerebral hemodynamics and histopathologic outcome of CNS ischemia. Additionally, the role of age will be considered since thrombolytic therapy is being increasingly used in the pediatric population, but there are few basic science studies of CNS injury in pediatric animals.
Nuclear localization of the G protein β5/R7–regulator of G protein signaling protein complex is dependent on R7 binding protein
Authors: Panicker Leelamma M. , Zhang Jian‐Hua , Posokhova Ekaterina , Gastinger Matthew J. , Martemyanov Kirill A. , Simonds William F.
Published: January 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 1101–1112.

The neuronally expressed Gβ5 subunit is the most structurally divergent among heterotrimeric Gβ isoforms and unique in its ability to heterodimerize with the R7 subfamily of regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins. The complex between Gβ5 and R7‐type RGS proteins targets the cell nucleus by an unknown mechanism. Although the nuclear targeting of the Gβ5/R7‐RGS complex is proposed to involve the binding of R7‐binding protein (R7BP), this theory is challenged by the observations that endogenous R7BP is palmitoylated, co‐localizes strongly with the plasma membrane, and has never been identified in the cytosol or nucleus of native neurons or untreated cultured cells. We show here mutant RGS7 lacking the N‐terminal Disheveled, EGL‐10, Pleckstrin homology domain is expressed in transfected cells but, unlike wild‐type RGS7, is excluded from the cell nucleus. As the Disheveled, EGL‐10, Pleckstrin homology domain is essential for R7BP binding to RGS7, we studied the subcellular localization of Gβ5 in primary neurons and brain from mice deficient in R7BP. The level of endogenous nuclear Gβ5 and RGS7 in neurons and brains from R7BP knockout mice is reduced by 50–70%. These results suggest that R7BP contributes significantly to the nuclear localization of endogenous Gβ5/R7‐RGS complex in brain.
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS OF ANTIQUE LACQUERS FROM A 17TH‐CENTURY JAPANESE ORNAMENTAL CABINET
Authors: PITTHARD V. , WEI S. , MIKLIN‐KNIEFACZ S. , STANEK S. , GRIESSER M. , SCHREINER M.
Published: January 2010

A recent restoration of a 17th‐century Japanese lacquer cabinet revealed various later treatments over the original black coating to maintain and preserve the high gloss of the oriental cabinet over the course of time and to meet changing tastes. The comprehensive investigation on a series of coating samples was executed by means of two hyphenated techniques: gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and pyrolysis combined with GC–MS (Py‐GC–MS). The results showed that the original lacquer is based on urushi and linseed oil, while the past interventions are composed of sandarac, shellac and dammar. Additional microscopic studies proved the multi‐layer structure of the lacquer and the use of different pigments.
Scale as an explanatory concept: evaluating Canada's Compassionate Care Benefit
Authors: Giesbrecht Melissa , Crooks Valorie A , Williams Allison
Published: January 2010

The concept of ‘scale’ and usage of this term have raised much debate within human geography over the past 25 years. At the same time, these very debates have developed the concept dramatically by offering new considerations of its use. Building on notions that scale is experienced and that scalar concepts offer a vocabulary to articulate complex phenomena, this analysis aims to explore the relevance of scale as an explanatory concept used by informal family caregivers and front‐line health and social care workers when discussing their experiences with a Canadian social programme, the Compassionate Care Benefit (CCB). The goal of the CCB is to provide income assistance and job security to those who take temporary leave from employment to care for a terminally ill family member. As part of a larger evaluative study on the CCB, semi‐structured interviews with 57 family caregivers and 50 front‐line health and social care workers from across Canada were conducted and transcripts were thematically analysed. Emerging from analysis of both datasets was the common usage of scalar concepts, specifically ‘region’, ‘community’ and ‘home’. Respondents employed these scalar categories to reference both differences and relationships in highly spatial and comparative ways, and also to organise and articulate their thoughts in ways meaningful to them and their lives in place. Based upon these scalar categories and issues highlighted by respondents, particular spatial challenges and inequities are illuminated, and implications for the CCB and its administration are identified. These findings provide insight into the complex ways family caregivers and front‐line health and social care workers make sense of their world and more specifically, understand how federal programmes like the CCB operate. By considering how such programmes are experienced in scalar ways, knowledge can be maximised and thus, informed decision‐makers can more effectively meet the needs of programme users.
Vibrating materialities: mobility–body–technology relations
Authors: Bissell David
Published: January 2010

This paper contributes to debates that consider the corporeal experience of mobilities. Drawing on some experiences of railway travel in Britain, it explores the experience of movement through the event of vibration. Vibration opens up ways of thinking about the uncertain and provisional connections between bodies, their travelling environments and the experience of movement that do not rely on dualistic or causal renderings of materiality. As such, this paper explores the generative possibilities that vibration opens up by considering how vibration change the shape of body–technology assemblages; challenge us to think about different assemblages in terms of their capacity for absorption, diffusion and transmission; and generate particular collectives. The paper concludes by considering how these vibrations sit within contemporary sensory economies of smoothness and turbulence.
Obesity enhances eosinophilic inflammation in a murine model of allergic asthma
Authors: Calixto MC , Lintomen L , Schenka A , Saad MJ , Zanesco A , Antunes E
Published: January 2010

Background and purpose:  Obesity is associated with deterioration in asthma outcomes. Although airways eosinophil accumulation is characteristic of lung allergic diseases, little is known about the influence of obesity on the allergic eosinophil trafficking from bone marrow to lung tissues, and recruitment to airways lumen. Here, we have assessed the effects of diet‐induced obesity on allergic eosinophilic inflammation in mice, examining eosinophil trafficking from bone marrow to airways, and production of TH1/TH2 cytokines.

Experimental approach:  C57BL/6 mice fed for 10 weeks with standard chow or high‐fat diet were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. At 24–96 h post‐ovalbumin challenge, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, lung tissue and bone marrow were examined.

Key results:  The high‐fat‐fed mice exhibited increased body weight and epididymal fat, glucose intolerance and alterations in lipid profile compared with the lean mice. Obesity markedly elevated serum leptin and lowered adiponectin levels. Ovalbumin challenge in obese mice promoted a markedly higher eosinophil accumulation in bone marrow and connective tissue surrounding the bronchial and bronchiolar segments. Eosinophil number in BAL fluid of obese mice was lower at 24 and 48 h. Levels of interleukin (IL)‐5, eotaxin, tumour necrosis factor‐α and IL‐10 in BAL fluid of obese mice were significantly higher than in lean mice.

Conclusions and implications:  Diet‐induced obesity enhanced eosinophil trafficking from bone marrow to lung tissues, and delayed their transit through the airway epithelium into the airway lumen. Consequently, eosinophils remain longer in lung peribronchiolar segments due to overproduction of TH1/TH2 cytokines and chemokines.
Determinants of Adoption of Protected Designation of Origin Label: Evidence from the French Brie Cheese Industry
Authors: Bouamra‐Mechemache Zohra , Chaaban Jad
Published: January 2010

This paper investigates empirically the determinants of agro‐food firms’ adoption of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label. A unique dataset containing firm‐level cost and production information on the French Brie cheese is used, covering the period 1980–2000. The Brie cheese data are especially relevant as PDO Brie producers have coexisted with other non‐PDO producers since 1981. To evaluate the producers’ incentive to opt for PDO certification, we use a structural switching regression model which incorporates cost and production structure variables. Results show that PDO certification is less attractive the higher the costs of raw materials and the greater the size of the company. PDO Brie cheese production costs are estimated to be on average 40% higher than those for non‐PDO Brie. The PDO production process could be technically inefficient when compared with the unconstrained non‐PDO manufacturing; yet, PDO producers benefit from a price premium on their product which offsets their higher production cost.
Ice‐free conditions in Sweden during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3?
Authors: WOHLFARTH BARBARA
Published: January 2010

Wohlfarth, B. 2010: Ice‐free conditions in Sweden during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3? Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2009.00137.x. ISSN 0300‐9483

Published and unpublished 14C dates for Sweden older than the Last Glacial Maximum ice advance were evaluated. Acceptable 14C dates indicate that age ranges for interstadial organic material in northern and central Sweden are between c. 60 and c. 35 cal. kyr BP and for similar deposits in southern Sweden are between c. 40 and c. 25 cal. kyr BP, which is in good agreement with recently derived Optical Stimulated Luminescence ages. 14C dates on mammoth remains show a larger scatter, possibly as a result of incomplete laboratory pretreatment. A possible scenario based on calibrated 14C dates from interstadial deposits is that central and northern Sweden was ice‐free during the early and middle part of Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3 and that southern Sweden remained ice‐free until c. 25 cal. kyr BP. A first ice advance into northern and central Sweden might have occurred as late as around 35 cal. kyr BP, more or less coeval with the Last Glacial Maximum ice advance onto the Norwegian shelf. To test the conclusions drawn here, new multi‐proxy and high‐resolution investigations of several key sites in north, central and south Sweden are required.
Consumer Feelings and Equilibrium Product Quality
Authors: Iyer Ganesh , Kuksov Dmitri
Published: January 2010

This paper considers the possibility that a firm can invest not only in the true product quality, but also in activities such as merchandizing and store atmospherics that influence consumer perception of the product quality. Consumers make their purchase decisions based on the signal (perception) of quality they experience, where the signal is influenced by both the true product quality valued by the consumer and the affect of the consumer at the time of the signal formation. In this situation, a firm finds it optimal to invest in both product quality and in variables inducing affect, even though rational consumers, in equilibrium, correctly solve back for the true product quality. We uncover an asymmetry in the effects of the cost of producing quality and the cost of inducing affect. As a firm's cost of quality decreases, the firm will find it optimal to invest more both in the true quality and in the affect inducement, even if it does not have a lower cost of inducing affect. Conversely, if a firm finds it easier to induce affect, then the product quality decreases but affect‐inducing activities increase.

Under competition, we find that the firm investing more in quality also invests more in affect creation. An implication of this is that in a competitive environment, consumers can rationally associate an up‐lifting store atmosphere, affect inducing merchandizing, or mood‐creating communication with high quality products even when the firm has no need to signal their private cost of quality information, and when there is no consumption externality of the affect. We also analyze the case in which firms might have different costs and consumers are uncertain about the costs incurred by a given firm. Here again we show that the perceived quality production is positively correlated with both the true quality and the affect inducing activities.
Orthodontically Assisted Vertical Augmentation in the Esthetic Zone
Authors: Mirmarashi Babak , Torbati Arman , Aalam Alexander , Chee Winston
Published: January 2010

Severe periodontal disease leading to tooth loss causes multiple challenges when treatment planning replacement of these teeth with implant‐supported restorations. Provisionalization and transitioning the patient from natural dentition to implant‐supported restorations without use of removable prostheses can be difficult to achieve. A detailed evaluation and comprehensive treatment plan should precede extraction of the affected teeth. Forced eruption as a method of modifying the osseous and gingival topography has been established. This clinical report illustrates the use of nonmaintainable teeth to simultaneously develop the site for future implant placement, as well as support a fixed interim restoration during treatment. Patient was classified as an American College of Prosthodontists Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index (ACP PDI) class IV patient.
Predonation hydration and applied muscle tension combine to reduce presyncopal reactions to blood donation
Authors: France Christopher R. , Ditto Blaine , Wissel Mary Ellen , France Janis L. , Dickert Tara , Rader Aaron , Sinclair Kadian , McGlone Sarah , Trost Zina , Matson Erin
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the effects of hydration and applied muscle tensing on presyncopal reactions to blood donation. Both interventions are designed to prevent the decreases in blood pressure that can contribute to such reactions, but due to the distinct physiologic mechanisms underlying their pressor responses it was hypothesized that a combined intervention would yield the greatest benefit.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Before blood donation, first‐ and second‐time blood donors (mean age, 20.2 years; SD, 4.9) were randomly assigned to 1) standard donation, 2) placebo (leg exercise before venipuncture), 3) predonation water, or 4) predonation water and leg exercise during donation.

RESULTS: Main effects of group were observed for phlebotomist classification of vasovagal reactions (χ2(3) = 8.38, p < 0.05) and donor reports of presyncopal reactions (χ2(3) = 13.16, p < 0.01). Follow‐up analyses of phlebotomist classifications revealed fewer reactions in the predonation water and predonation water and leg exercise groups relative to placebo but not standard donation. Follow‐up analyses of self‐reported reactions revealed that women, but not men, had lower scores in both the predonation water and the predonation water and leg exercise groups relative to both placebo and standard donation.

CONCLUSIONS: Predonation hydration and a combination of hydration and leg exercise may help attenuate presyncopal reactions in relatively novice donors, although future studies with larger samples are required to confirm this effect.
Development of a reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assay for eubacterial RNA detection in platelet concentrates
Authors: Rood Ineke G.H. , Pettersson Annika , Savelkoul Paul H.M. , De Korte Dirk
Published: January 2010

BACKGROUND: The sensitivity of a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay detecting bacteria in platelet concentrates (PCs) was improved by detection of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in addition to DNA. The real‐time reverse transcription–PCR (RT‐PCR) assay was compared with the BacT/ALERT culturing system (bioMérieux) to determine its value for routine screening of PCs for bacterial contamination.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The sensitivity of the assay was determined by spiking PCs with serial dilutions of bacteria. RNA amplification was performed with real‐time RT‐PCR, using a universal primer and probe set based on the conserved 16S rRNA gene of bacteria. Routinely prepared PCs in plasma were spiked with low bacterial titers of four different bacteria to compare the real‐time RT‐PCR with the BacT/ALERT. For the BacT/ALERT, samples were taken directly after spiking. For the real‐time RT‐PCR, samples were taken daily during 7 days of storage.

RESULTS: RNA detection improved the sensitivity of the PCR assay at least 10‐fold. When PCs were spiked with low bacterial titers, all positive samples were detected by the real‐time RT‐PCR after 48 hours. The BacT/ALERT became positive for almost all samples within 24 hours. However, some positive PC samples remained negative in the BacT/ALERT.

CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of the PCR assay was improved by detection of rRNA. A spiking study demonstrated the advantage of late sampling for PCR testing compared to early sampling for culturing with the BacT/ALERT system. A real‐time RT‐PCR assay that is performed on PCs during storage or shortly before transfusion can be a good alternative to culturing methods.
A Delayed Case of Fatal Atrioesophageal Fistula Following Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: GILCREASE GLYNN W. , STEIN JOSEPH B.
Published: January 2010

A Delayed Case of Fatal Atrioesophageal Fistula.  We describe the case of a 61‐year‐old man with a fatal atrioesophageal fistula following radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Esophageal injury was first noted on computed tomography (CT) scan 10 days following RFA. Fistulization occurred 41 days following the procedure. This is a delayed time course in comparison with published reports. The patient declined intervention and we have serial CT imaging documenting the natural progression from ulceration to fistula. Although the patient was on acid suppression, he received 2 courses of corticosteroids, which may have contributed to the progression of his esophageal ulcer. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 708‐711, June 2010)