bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autism and Family in the People's Republic of China: Learning from Parents' Perspectives
Authors: Hobart Helen McCabe
Published: March 2013

Although there is some reported research on the experiences of parents who have children with autism, very little is known about the experiences of parents in other countries—specifically, China. This study investigated the perspectives of parents on their experiences having children with autism in that country. Seventy eight parents completed questionnaires with 14 open-ended questions regarding their own and their families' experiences having a child with autism, and 13 participated in follow-up interviews. Analysis of data suggested three themes. First, parents reacted to the diagnosis with shock and confusion. Second, mothers and fathers were impacted differently. Finally, the impact of a child with autism on a spousal relationship was multifaceted. With both positive and challenging impacts, the article discusses the unique situation of families in China as well as commonalities with Western families.
Joining the Literacy Flow: Fostering Symbol and Written Language Learning in Young Children with Significant Developmental Disabilities through the Four Currents of Literacy
Authors: Kliewer Christopher
Published: March 2013

This article is both an ethnographic and an action-based description of how excellent early childhood teachers in seven inclusive preschool and kindergarten classrooms fostered the developing literacy profiles of young children with significant developmental disabilities alongside their typically developing peers through active, engaging, social means. I have developed four broad themes, described here as currents, that support the meaning-based literacy learning of children still commonly cast as intrinsically incapable of literate citizenship, using participant observation; in-depth interviews with teachers, therapists, and parents; the implementation of increasingly responsive, systematic literacy-based themes, opportunities, and activities into certain inclusive classrooms; and the development of process-oriented portfolio documentation. Important findings include the following: (a) children with significant developmental disabilities can join the early childhood literacy flow; (b) they do so through interactive means; and (c) spoken language need not serve as the foundation of written language learning.
Alternate Assessments Based on Alternate Achievement Standards: Principals' Perceptions
Authors: Towles-Reeves Elizabeth , Kleinert Harold , Anderman Lynley
Published: March 2013

To improve teaching and assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and to truly ensure that state accountability systems address the performance of these students, a better understanding of the instructional effects of accountability systems as perceived by school leaders (i.e., principals) is critically important. This study was designed to examine two exploratory research questions related to principals' perceptions of the alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS) in two states; specifically, (a) What were principals' overall perceptions of the influence of the AA-AAS on teachers' daily instruction; and (b) Were there meaningful differences in perceptions between principals from State 1 and State 2? Findings across the two states were similar and, overall, the principals' perceptions of the AA-AAS in their respective states were positive. Future research considerations and implications for practitioners are discussed.
Seamless Transition and Long-Term Support for Individuals with Severe Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Certo Nicholas J. , Luecking Richard G. , Murphy Sara , Brown Lou , Courey Susan , Belanger Denise
Published: March 2013

The amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) in 2004 reiterate the significance of producing real postsecondary education, employment, and independent living outcomes. However, current employment data continue to show widespread unemployment and very limited access to inclusive community environments and services for adults with severe intellectual disabilities. On the contrary, data from the Transition Service Integration Model (N. J. Certo et al., 2003) demonstrate that these recalcitrant problems could be attenuated if two changes are implemented: The transition from school to adulthood components of IDEIA be strengthened to explicitly authorize school districts to subcontract with appropriate private agencies at the point of transition to produce direct-hire, individualized employment and adult living outcomes and that the federal government amend the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act to provide an entitlement to long-term support, creating a service system which parallels the functions of IDEIA after school exit.
The Dynamic Relationship between Context, Curriculum, and Student Learning: A Case for Inclusive Education as a Research-Based Practice
Authors: Jackson Lewis B. , Ryndak Diane L. , Wehmeyer Michael L.
Published: March 2013

This article used theory, historical records, and empirical research to make a case that inclusive education, in which students experience significant proportions of their day in the age-appropriate contexts and curriculum of general education, is a research-based practice with students who have extensive support needs. We begin by noting that there are regressive trends occurring in educational placements in our country and that these are causing alarm. Next, we establish guidelines for defining a useful, research-based practice. These guidelines include considering what education should be achieving for all students as a standard and using a view of scientific causality that acknowledges complexity. We then show how constructs from ecological theory and group processes theory, which provide accounts for human growth and learning, relate to location of educational services (i.e., context) and curriculum (i.e., content) decisions. Throughout this discussion, we show educating students using an inclusive education approach is supported by these constructs, whereas other widely used special education are not. We then review both historical and empirical data from institutions and schools and show that these data provide empirical support for the primary theoretical position of this article—that context, together with curriculum content, matter crucially when educating students with extensive support needs. We concluded that there is theoretical and empirical support for using general education contexts and curriculum content and for not using other contexts and curriculum content both in educating students with extensive support needs and in conducting related research.
Personnel Preparation: Recurring Challenges and the Need for Action to Ensure Access to General Education
Authors: Delano Monica E. , Keefe Liz , Perner Darlene
Published: March 2013

All teacher preparation programs face serious challenges; however, programs that prepare teachers to work with students with extensive support needs face additional, unique challenges in preparing professionals to facilitate their students' development of functional skills and to ensure their access to the general education curriculum. The purpose of this article is to examine current issues in preparing teachers to work with students with extensive support needs. An examination of how philosophy, law, research, and certification requirements impact the content and structure of teacher preparation programs is provided. Suggestions for teacher educators are included.
Supported Employment's Cost-Efficiency to Taxpayers: 2002 to 2007
Authors: Cimera Robert Evert
Published: March 2013

This study explored the cost-efficiency of all 231,204 supported employees funded by vocational rehabilitation throughout the entire United States from 2002 to 2007. Results found that supported employees returned an average monthly net benefit to taxpayers of $251.34 (i.e., an annual net benefit of $3,016.08 per supported employee) and generated a benefit–cost ratio of 1.46. Further, economic returns of supported employees were investigated across nine disabling conditions. Even individuals with the least cost-efficient disability (i.e., traumatic brain injuries) returned to taxpayers a monthly net benefit of $111.62. Finally, this study determined that supported employees with multiple conditions were as cost-efficient as individuals with only one disability (i.e., benefit–cost ratios of 1.49 versus 1.46, respectively).
Chinese Families of Children with Severe Disabilities: Family Needs and Available Support
Authors: Wang Peishi , Michaels Craig A.
Published: March 2013

This descriptive study gathered quantitative and qualitative data about 368 families in the People's Republic of China who had children with severe disabilities to better understand (a) the perceived needs that families have, (b) the supports available to them, (c) any differences in perceived needs and support between mothers and fathers, and (d) any differences in needs and supports associated with the disability of the child. Data suggest that Chinese families of children with severe disabilities perceived the need for more community services, information, and family/social support. With respect to support systems, parents indicated that they primarily rely on their child's school, their spouse, and their extended families. Minor differences were found between mothers and fathers (with mothers perceiving greater level of needs than fathers), and families of children with autism tended to report greater needs for information and supports than parents of children with intellectual disabilities or physical disabilities. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
In-Service Training for Staffs of Group Homes and Work Activity Centers Serving Developmentally Disabled Adults
Authors: Gage Mary Ann , Fredericks H. D. Bud , Johnson-Dorn Nancy , Lindley-Southard Barbara
Published: March 2013

Results are reported for 3 years of in-service training provided to managers and direct care personnel employed in community, residential, and vocational programs for developmentally disabled adults. The data demonstrate the efficacy of the training model in that 1015 (97%) of 1080 training objectives attempted were completed by the trainees at established criterion levels. Data also indicate that a high percentage of the trainees maintained skills at criterion levels.
Teaching Emergent Literacy Skills Using Cultural Contextual Story-Based Lessons
Authors: Spooner Fred , Rivera Christopher J. , Browder Diane M. , Baker Joshua N. , Salas Spencer
Published: March 2013

Recent statistics suggest that the number of English-language learners has been growing at a rapid rate in the United States. The growth of this population will inevitably lead to a larger number of culturally and linguistically diverse students with significant cognitive disabilities. Currently, there is little research on effective literacy practices, specifically for English-language learners with a moderate or severe intellectual disability. The participants in this study were one Latina paraprofessional and an English-language learner with a moderate intellectual disability. A multiple probe design across skill sets was used to evaluate number of items correct throughout three skill sets derived from a cultural contextual story-based lesson protocol. Results suggest that the cultural contextual story-based lessons did increase emergent literacy skills for this student. Future research and implications are discussed.
Latina Mothers' Views of a Parent-to-Parent Support Group in the Special Education System
Authors: Mueller Tracy Gershwin , Milian Madeline , Lopez Maria Islas
Published: March 2013

Parent–professional partnership literature continues to emphasize the importance of including the parent voice. Spanish-speaking families are often excluded from such studies because of the language barrier. This article presents a qualitative interview study of eight Latina mothers of children with severe disabilities. All participants were members of a parent-to-parent support group available through a local community board. Data analysis revealed that the mothers identified three major benefits of the parent-to-parent support group, including (a) feeling like a family, (b) having a source of information, and (c) receiving emotional support. Findings indicated that information and assistance the parents were missing from the school system were offered through their group. Implications for educational providers and future research will be presented and discussed.
Cross-Cultural Issues in Parent-Professional Interactions: A Qualitative Study of Perceptions of Asian American Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Jegatheesan Brinda
Published: March 2013

This study investigated the perspectives of 23 first-generation Asian American mothers of children with developmental disabilities. The intent was to explore the working relationships between the mothers and professionals in health care and special education in the United States. The participants in this study were from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and India. Data were drawn from semi-structured interviews conducted over 16 months of field-work. The study revealed that mothers endured significant hardships because of communication and cultural barriers. Levels of English proficiency and acculturation as well as a variety of cultural factors were found to be the primary determinants of their perceptions of interactions with the professionals. Implications for professional practice and support for Asian American mothers are discussed.
Literacy for Children with Moderate to Severe Disabilities: Taking Account of Diversity
Authors: Ming Kavin , Dukes Charles
Published: March 2013

The call for practice on the basis of evidence is slowly impacting the link between research and practice. Accompanying the call for evidence-based practice, concerns have been raised about constructing research questions that address the reality of applied settings, as well as arguments for including additional measures to ensure the internal and external validity of intervention studies. Because intervention research continues to evolve, now may be an appropriate time to begin posing questions about considerations of racial and ethnic diversity in this body of work. Validity is one of the most significant aspects of research and there seem to be few definitive notions about children with moderate to severe disabilities from diverse backgrounds. In an attempt to explore this issue, we chose a small part of the extant literature, specifically, the development of literacy, in an effort to examine how scholars report on diversity (e.g., race, ethnicity, culture). In this article we offer commentary on taking account of diversity in empirical research using the development of literacy in children with moderate to severe disabilities as an example. In addition, we also discuss the implications for future research and offer recommendations for taking account of diversity as a means to push the collective knowledge base forward.
What Do Employment Specialists Really Do? A Study on Job Development Practices
Authors: Migliore Alberto , Hall Allison Cohen , Butterworth John , Winsor Jean
Published: March 2013

This study examined the extent to which employment specialists implemented the job development practices recommended in the research literature when assisting job seekers with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Self-reported data were collected through a Web-based survey from 163 employment specialists from 74 employment programs in 28 states. Questions focused on the following four clusters of activities: Getting to know job seekers, finding job openings, engaging employers to hire, and facilitating transition to a job. Findings showed that some employment specialists self-reported practices conflicted with the practices advocated in the literature. On the basis of our findings, we recommended a greater emphasis on implementing job development activities recommended in the literature as well as furthering research on effective, evidence-based practices.
Employment Support as Knowledge Creation
Authors: O'Brien John , Callahan Michael
Published: March 2013

Traditional practice in employment of persons with disabilities has been to assess the skills and interests of the job seeker in relation to normative standards or to others. That comparative approach often results in job seekers with significant developmental disabilities being viewed as having few skills and lacking requisite work readiness, thus effectively excluding many individuals who want to work either from having access to the opportunity for employment or having few marketable skills. This article presents Discovery as a qualitative alternative to quantitative assessment and discusses how employment supports can serve to create useful knowledge for job seekers with disabilities. Rather than focusing on comparison, the sue of Discovery leads supporters and allies of individuals with disabilities to answer an essential question, “Who is this person?” The answer to this question provides an array of activities, skills, interests, and conditions necessary for success that can be translated into knowledge that can direct and define potential employment outcomes.
The Elephant in the Room: Poverty, Disability, and Employment
Authors: Hughes Carolyn , Avoke Selete K.
Published: March 2013

Despite more than 40 years of legislation to improve the outcomes of children and youth with disabilities and those growing up in poverty, vast numbers of adults with severe disabilities are unemployed or underemployed and living in poverty. This article suggests that one of the factors maintaining the problem is our failure to acknowledge the prevalence and complexity of poverty and its relation to disability and employment. We describe disability as both a cause and an effect of poverty, affecting employment and quality of life of people with severe disabilities— particularly those who are racially and ethnically diverse. We propose strategies to address the challenges caused by the intersection of poverty, disability, and employment and efforts to improve the adult lives of people with severe disabilities.
The Path to Aversive Interventions: Four Mothers' Perceptions
Authors: Brown Fredda , Traniello Dina A.
Published: March 2013

An interview was conducted with each of four mothers to gain an understanding of their perceptions of the educational and behavioral history of their children leading up to placement in a residential facility that used aversive interventions, including contingent electric skin shock. Semistructured instruments were used to understand each family's “story.” These mothers, each of whom indicated wanting to remove their child from the facility, reported about their experiences prior to placement in the facility and their experiences while their child was in residence at the facility. In general, these mothers felt there was little support for their child or themselves throughout the years prior to the placement; they had minimal participation or say in their child's programs, and they had no real choice in their child's ultimate placement in the facility that used aversive interventions. Mothers also reported experiencing little choice (along with significant coercion) regarding their child's program at this facility. As a result of this preliminary work, recommendations for future research and practice are discussed.
Peer Interactions of Students with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism: A Map of the Intervention Literature
Authors: Carter Erik W. , Sisco Lynn G. , Chung Yun-Ching , Stanton-Chapman Tina L.
Published: March 2013

Social interactions with peers are an important aspect of childhood development that is closely linked to emotional well-being and success in school. We conducted a comprehensive review of recent intervention studies evaluating strategies to improve the peer interaction outcomes of students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. The purpose of this review was to characterize the current knowledge base, to analyze key dimensions of recent studies, and to identify important areas for future research and synthesis. The 85 reviewed studies addressed 20 educational practices, which we categorized as (a) student-focused, (b) peer-focused, and/or (c) support-focused. Although the overall quality of these studies was high, considerable variation exists in the degree to which specific practices have been adequately evaluated with students across disability categories and grade levels. Additional research is needed to strengthen the depth of evidence for these practices across school levels, school settings, and disability categories.
Locus of Control Orientations in Students with Intellectual Disability, Learning Disabilities, and No Disabilities: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis
Authors: Shogren Karrie A. , Bovaird James A. , Palmer Susan B. , Wehmeyer Michael L.
Published: March 2013

Previous research has suggested differences in the locus of control (LOC) orientations of students with intellectual disability, learning disabilities, and no disabilities, although this research has been characterized by methodological limitations. The purpose of this study was to examine the development of LOC orientations in students with intellectual disability, learning disabilities, and no disabilities using an accelerated design and a curve-of-factors modeling framework. Participants were 1,344 children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18 years who completed two measures of LOC orientations. Students with intellectual disability, at 8 years, tend to be more externally oriented than their peers with learning disabilities and no disabilities, and from 8 to 20 years, they do not significantly increase or decrease in their perceptions of their ability to exert control over their lives. Students with learning disabilities and no disabilities tend to develop more positive orientations as they age; however, this similar pattern of change was offset by initial differences in level (i.e., intercept values). The findings suggest the critical need for continued attention to developing and implementing strategies that focus on promoting the development of adaptive perceptions of control in students with disabilities, particularly students with more severe disabilities.
Historicizing Strong Metaphors
Authors: Schäfer Rieke
Published: March 2013

The debate between metaphor theorists and conceptual historians has been intensifying in recent years. This article takes this debate beyond the bias toward Blumenberg's metaphorology, and starts from the interaction view of metaphor as formulated by Max Black. The article opens with a theoretical framework that reformulates Black's notions of metaphorical resonance and emphasis. It adapts them to the requirements of Conceptual History, and adds a third, historical criterion for metaphoricity. It then applies these suggestions to the history of the metaphor play/game/Spiel/jeu within twentieth-century political thought. Here, the focus lies on the role this metaphor plays in the conceptual relations between the ideas of political order, conflict, and immanence.
The practices, policies, and politics of transforming inequality in South Asia
Authors: Shah Alpa , Shneiderman Sara
Published: March 2013

This is the introduction to a special section of Focaal that includes seven articles on the anthropology of affirmative action in South Asia. The section promotes the sustained, critical ethnographic analysis of affirmative action measures adopted to combat historical inequalities around the world. Turning our attention to the social field of affirmative action opens up new fronts in the anthropological effort to understand the state by carefully engaging the relationship between the formation and effects of policies for differentiated citizenship. We explore this relationship in the historical and contemporary context of South Asia, notably India and Nepal. We argue that affirmative action policies always transform society, but not always as expected. The relationship between political and socioeconomic inequality can be contradictory. Socioeconomic inequalities may persist or be refigured in new terms, as policies of affirmative action and their experiential effects are intimately linked to broader processes of economic liberalization and political transformation.
Anthropology and decision making
Authors: Boholm Åsa , Henning Annette , Krzyworzeka Amanda
Published: March 2013

This article, part of a set of three articles, calls for a critical reexamination of a plethora of phenomena relating to choice and decision making, occasionally addressed by anthropologists, but more regularly studied by economists, political scientists, psychologists, and organization scholars. By means of a bird's-eye research overview, we identify certain weak spots pertaining to a formalistic unicentral view of human rationality, and argue that ethnographic approaches casting light on cultural contexts for thought, reason, and action can explain how choices are framed and constituted from horizons of perceptions and expectations. A positive account of socially and culturally embedded decision making heralds a mode of anthropology with a broad, integrating capacity to address public policy and administration and their interactions with everyday experience and practice.
Les Précieuses du net: quand le blog devient salon
Authors: Sémel Barbara
Published: March 2013

Les blogs dits «girly» qui ont récemment fait leur apparition dans la blogosphère française constituent une activité de loisir souvent dénigrée par ceux qui la jugent futile et vaine, comme l'ont par ailleurs été diverses formes de sociabilité féminine à travers les âges. L'article examine dans quelle mesure cette activité nouvelle emprunte les codes et pratiques éthiques et esthétiques qui caractérisaient la sociabilité des Précieuses et autres mondaines qui menaient leur salon d'une main de maîtresse. Qu'il s'agisse de personnaliser l'espace du blog ou d'accroître sa renommée d'hôtesse cotée, de réunir les «happy few» et modérer les échanges ou de créer l’événement, les salonnières du net ont rapidement établi une sociabilité de la conversation qui répète en les renouvelant les pratiques qui faisaient l'originalité des salons mondains.
Integrating Emotional Attachment and Sustainability in Electronic Product Design
Authors: Lobos Alex , Babbitt Callie
Published: March 2013

Current models for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products encourage frequent product replacement with newer versions that offer only minor incremental improvements. This pattern, named planned obsolescence, diminishes user experience and shortens product lifespan. This paper presents the conceptual basis for a two-part integrated approach to combating planned obsolescence in ICT devices. First, design for emotional attachment, which creates products that users enjoy, value, and use for longer. Second, technological adaptability, which anticipates product upgrades and repairs as new technologies emerge. A model interdisciplinary design course in industrial design and sustainability, also described herein, trains students to apply this approach to create innovative ICT products with smaller environmental footprints.
UVA Photoirradiation of Nitro-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons—Induction of Reactive Oxygen Species and Formation of Lipid Peroxides †
Authors: Xia Qingsu , Yin Jun-Jie , Zhao Yuewei , Wu Yuh-Sen , Wang Yu-Qui , Ma Liang , Chen Shoujun , Sun Xin , Fu Peter , Yu Hongtao
Published: March 2013

Nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) are a class of genotoxic environmental contaminants. We have long been interested in determining the mechanisms by which nitro-PAHs induce genotoxicity. Although the metabolic activation of nitro-PAHs leading to toxicological activities has been well studied, the photo-induced activation of nitro-PAHs has seldom been reported. In this paper, we report photo-induced lipid peroxidation by 19 nitro-PAHs. The results indicated that all but two of the nitro-PAHs can induce lipid peroxidation. Mechanistic studies suggest that lipid peroxidation by nitro-PAHs is mediated by free radicals generated in the reaction. There was no structural correlation between the nitro-PAHs and their ability to induce lipid peroxidation upon UVA irradiation, or between the HOMO-LUMO gap and the ability to cause lipid peroxidation. Most of the nitro-PAHs are less potent in terms of causing lipid peroxidation than their parent PAHs. The lack of correlation is attributed to the complex photophysics and photochemistry of the nitro-PAHs and the yield of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other factors.
Microbiological Analysis in Three Diverse Natural Geothermal Bathing Pools in Iceland
Authors: Thorolfsdottir Berglind , Marteinsson Viggo
Published: March 2013

Natural thermal bathing pools contain geothermal water that is very popular to bathe in but the water is not sterilized, irradiated or treated in any way. Increasing tourism in Iceland will lead to increasing numbers of bath guests, which can in turn affect the microbial flora in the pools and therefore user safety. Today, there is no legislation that applies to natural geothermal pools in Iceland, as the water is not used for consumption and the pools are not defined as public swimming pools. In this study, we conducted a microbiological analysis on three popular but different natural pools in Iceland, located at Lýsuhóll, Hveravellir and Landmannalaugar. Total bacterial counts were performed by flow cytometry, and with plate count at 22 °C, 37 °C and 50 °C. The presence of viable coliforms, Enterococcus spp. and pseudomonads were investigated by growth experiments on selective media. All samples were screened for noroviruses by real time PCR. The results indicate higher fecal contamination in the geothermal pools where the geothermal water flow was low and bathing guest count was high during the day. The number of cultivated Pseudomonas spp. was high (13,000–40,000 cfu/100 mL) in the natural pools, and several strains were isolated and classified as opportunistic pathogens. Norovirus was not detected in the three pools. DNA was extracted from one-liter samples in each pool and analyzed by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Microbial diversity analysis revealed different microbial communities between the pools and they were primarily composed of alpha-, beta- and gammaproteobacteria.
Work-Related Risk Factors by Severity for Acute Pesticide Poisoning Among Male Farmers in South Korea
Authors: Kim Ji-Hyun , Kim Jaeyoung , Cha Eun , Ko Yousun , Kim Doo , Lee Won
Published: March 2013

The objective of this study was to explore work-related risk factors of acute occupational pesticide poisoning among male farmers according to the severity of the poisoning. A nationwide sampling survey of male farmers was conducted in South Korea in 2011. A total of 1,958 male farmers were interviewed. Severity of occupational pesticide poisoning in 2010 was evaluated according to symptoms, types of treatment, and number of pesticide poisoning incidents per individual. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals for risk factors of acute occupational pesticide poisoning. We found that the risk of acute occupational pesticide poisoning increased with lifetime days of pesticide application (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.32–2.29), working a farm of three or more acres in size (OR = 1.49), not wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves (OR = 1.29) or masks (OR = 1.39). Those who engaged in inappropriate work behaviors such as not following pesticide label instructions (OR = 1.61), applying the pesticide in full sun (OR = 1.48), and applying the pesticide upwind (OR = 1.54) had a significantly increased risk of pesticide poisoning. There was no significant risk difference by type of farming. In addition, the magnitude of these risk factors did not differ significantly by severity of acute pesticide poisoning. In fact, our findings suggest that work-related risk factors contributed to the development of acute occupational pesticide poisoning without relation to its severity. Therefore, prevention strategies for reducing occupational pesticide poisoning, regardless of severity, should be recommended to all types of farming and the level of poisoning severity.
Functions and Mechanisms of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Signalling in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Muha Villö , Müller Hans-Arno
Published: March 2013

Intercellular signalling via growth factors plays an important role in controlling cell differentiation and cell movements during the development of multicellular animals. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signalling induces changes in cellular behaviour allowing cells in the embryo to move, to survive, to divide or to differentiate. Several examples argue that FGF signalling is used in multi-step morphogenetic processes to achieve and maintain a transitional state of the cells required for the control of cell fate. In the genetic model Drosophila melanogaster, FGF signalling via the receptor tyrosine kinases Heartless (Htl) and Breathless (Btl) is particularly well studied. These FGF receptors affect gene expression, cell shape and cell–cell interactions during mesoderm layer formation, caudal visceral muscle (CVM) formation, tracheal morphogenesis and glia differentiation. Here, we will address the current knowledge of the biological functions of FGF signalling in the fly on the tissue, at a cellular and molecular level.
Study of Fungal Colonization of Wheat Kernels in Syria with a Focus on Fusarium Species
Authors: Alkadri Dima , Nipoti Paola , Döll Katharina , Karlovsky Petr , Prodi Antonio , Pisi Annamaria
Published: March 2013

Wheat is one of the main crops in Mediterranean countries, and its cultivation has an important role in the Syrian economy. In Syria, Fusarium head blight (FHB) has not been reported so far. Mycological analysis of 48 samples of wheat kernels collected from cultivation areas with different climatic conditions were performed in 2009 and 2010. Fungal isolates were identified at the genus level morphologically; Fusarium species were characterized morphologically and by species-specific PCR. The most frequent fungal genera found were Alternaria spp. and Cladosporium spp., with frequencies of 24.7% and 8.1%, respectively, while the frequency of Fusarium spp. was 1.5% of kernels. Most frequent Fusarium species were F. tricinctum (30% of all Fusarium isolates), F. culmorum (18%), F. equiseti (14%) and F. graminearum (13%). The mycotoxin production potential of selected Fusarium isolates was assessed by HPLC-MS analysis of rice cultures; chemotyping by PCR was carried out for comparison. All six F. graminearum strains tested produced small amounts (<3 mg/kg) of nivalenol (NIV). All ten F. culmorum strains tested produced large amounts of trichothecenes (>100 mg/kg); four strains produced NIV and six strains produced deoxynivalenol (DON) and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3Ac-DON). PCR chemotyping lead to an oversimplified picture, because all 3Ac-DON chemotype strains produced more DON than 3Ac-DON; furthermore, the strongest NIV producers produced significant amounts of DON. All tested strains of F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. pseudograminearum (two strains) and most F. equiseti strains (five of six strains) produced zearalenone. Grains of durum wheat were more frequently colonized by Fusarium spp. than grains of soft wheat. Incidence of Fusarium spp. in irrigated fields was higher than in rainfed fields. The incidence of Fusarium strains producing mycotoxins raises concerns about the risk of Fusarium head blight to Syria and its consequences for public health.
Improved Detection of Domoic Acid Using Covalently Immobilised Antibody Fragments
Authors: Hortigüela María , Wall J.
Published: March 2013

Antibody molecules, and antibody fragments in particular, have enormous potential in the development of biosensors for marine monitoring. Conventional immobilisation approaches used in immunoassays typically yield unstable and mostly incorrectly oriented antibodies, however, resulting in reduced detection sensitivities for already low concentration analytes. The 2H12 anti-domoic acid scFv antibody fragment was engineered with cysteine-containing linkers of two different lengths, distal to the antigen binding pocket, for covalent and correctly oriented immobilisation of the scFvs on functionalised solid supports. The Escherichia coli-produced, cysteine-engineered scFvs dimerised in solution and demonstrated similar efficiencies of covalent immobilisation on maleimide-activated plates and minimal non-covalent attachment. The covalently attached scFvs exhibited negligible leaching from the support under acidic conditions that removed almost 50% of the adsorbed wildtype fragment, and IC50s for domoic acid of 270 and 297 ng/mL compared with 1126 and 1482 ng/mL, respectively, for their non-covalently adsorbed counterparts. The expression and immobilisation approach will facilitate the development of stable, reusable biosensors with increased stability and detection sensitivity for marine neurotoxins.
Molecular Surveillance of Viral Processes Using Silicon Nitride Membranes
Authors: Gilmore Brian , Tanner Justin , McKell Allison , Boudreaux Crystal , Dukes Madeline , McDonald Sarah , Kelly Deborah
Published: March 2013

Here we present new applications for silicon nitride (SiN) membranes to evaluate biological processes. We determined that 50-nanometer thin films of SiN produced from silicon wafers were sufficiently durable to bind active rotavirus assemblies. A direct comparison of SiN microchips with conventional carbon support films indicated that SiN performs equivalent to the traditional substrate to prepare samples for Electron Microscopy (EM) imaging. Likewise, SiN films coated with Ni-NTA affinity layers concentrated rotavirus particles similarly to affinity-coated carbon films. However, affinity-coated SiN membranes outperformed glow-discharged conventional carbon films 5-fold as indicated by the number of viral particles quantified in EM images. In addition, we were able to recapitulate viral uncoating and transcription mechanisms directed onto the microchip surfaces. EM images of these processes revealed the production of RNA transcripts emerging from active rotavirus complexes. These results were confirmed by the functional incorporation of radiolabeled nucleotides into the nascent RNA transcripts. Collectively, we demonstrate new uses for SiN membranes to perform molecular surveillance on life processes in real-time.
Differences in the Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Properties between Vitis coignetiae and Vitis vinifera Seeds Extracts
Authors: Weidner Stanisław , Rybarczyk Anna , Karamać Magdalena , Król Angelika , Mostek Agnieszka , Grębosz Joanna , Amarowicz Ryszard
Published: March 2013

Phenolic compounds were extracted from European and Japanese grapevine species (Vitis vinifera and V. coignetiae) seeds using 80% methanol or 80% acetone. The total content of phenolic compounds was determined utilizing Folin-Ciocalteu’s phenol reagent, while the content of tannins was assayed by the vanillin and BSA precipitation methods. Additionally, the DPPH free radical and ABTS cation radical scavenging activities and the reduction power of the extracts were measured. The HPLC method was applied to determine the phenolic compounds, such as phenolic acids and catechins. The seeds contained large amounts of tannins and gallic acid and observable quantities of catechins, p-coumaric, ferulic and caffeic acids. The dominant form of phenolic acids in the extracts was the ester-bound form. The content of total phenolics was higher in the European grape V. vinifera seeds, which also contained more tannins, catechins and phenolic acids, except for caffeic acid. Extracts from V. vinifera seeds showed better radical scavenger properties and stronger reducing power. The total contents of phenolic compounds and tannins in acetone extracts were higher than in methanolic extracts. Acetone extracts also exhibited stronger antiradical properties as well as stronger reducing power.
Methods for Evaluating Cell-Specific, Cell-Internalizing RNA Aptamers
Authors: Hernandez Luiza , Flenker Katie , Hernandez Frank , Klingelhutz Aloysius , McNamara James , Giangrande Paloma
Published: March 2013

Recent clinical trials of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) highlight the need for robust delivery technologies that will facilitate the successful application of these therapeutics to humans. Arguably, cell targeting by conjugation to cell-specific ligands provides a viable solution to this problem. Synthetic RNA ligands (aptamers) represent an emerging class of pharmaceuticals with great potential for targeted therapeutic applications. For targeted delivery of siRNAs with aptamers, the aptamer-siRNA conjugate must be taken up by cells and reach the cytoplasm. To this end, we have developed cell-based selection approaches to isolate aptamers that internalize upon binding to their cognate receptor on the cell surface. Here we describe methods to monitor for cellular uptake of aptamers. These include: (1) antibody amplification microscopy, (2) microplate-based fluorescence assay, (3) a quantitative and ultrasensitive internalization method (“QUSIM”) and (4) a way to monitor for cytoplasmic delivery using the ribosome inactivating protein-based (RNA-RIP) assay. Collectively, these methods provide a toolset that can expedite the development of aptamer ligands to target and deliver therapeutic siRNAs in vivo.
Drug Adverse Event Detection in Health Plan Data Using the Gamma Poisson Shrinker and Comparison to the Tree-based Scan Statistic
Authors: Brown Jeffrey , Petronis Kenneth , Bate Andrew , Zhang Fang , Dashevsky Inna , Kulldorff Martin , Avery Taliser , Davis Robert , Chan K. , Andrade Susan , Boudreau Denise , Gunter Margaret , Herrinton Lisa , Pawloski Pamala , Raebel Marsha , Roblin Douglas , Smith David , Reynolds Robert
Published: March 2013

Background: Drug adverse event (AE) signal detection using the Gamma Poisson Shrinker (GPS) is commonly applied in spontaneous reporting. AE signal detection using large observational health plan databases can expand medication safety surveillance. Methods: Using data from nine health plans, we conducted a pilot study to evaluate the implementation and findings of the GPS approach for two antifungal drugs, terbinafine and itraconazole, and two diabetes drugs, pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. We evaluated 1676 diagnosis codes grouped into 183 different clinical concepts and four levels of granularity. Several signaling thresholds were assessed. GPS results were compared to findings from a companion study using the identical analytic dataset but an alternative statistical method—the tree-based scan statistic (TreeScan). Results: We identified 71 statistical signals across two signaling thresholds and two methods, including closely-related signals of overlapping diagnosis definitions. Initial review found that most signals represented known adverse drug reactions or confounding. About 31% of signals met the highest signaling threshold. Conclusions: The GPS method was successfully applied to observational health plan data in a distributed data environment as a drug safety data mining method. There was substantial concordance between the GPS and TreeScan approaches. Key method implementation decisions relate to defining exposures and outcomes and informed choice of signaling thresholds.
Investigating the Relationship between X-Band SAR Data from COSMO-SkyMed Satellite and NDVI for LAI Detection
Authors: Capodici Fulvio , D'Urso Guido , Maltese Antonino
Published: March 2013

Monitoring spatial and temporal variability of vegetation is important to manage land and water resources, with significant impact on the sustainability of modern agriculture. Cloud cover noticeably reduces the temporal resolution of retrievals based on optical data. COSMO-SkyMed (the new Italian Synthetic Aperture RADAR-SAR) opened new opportunities to develop agro-hydrological applications. Indeed, it represents a valuable source of data for operational use, due to the high spatial and temporal resolutions. Although X-band is not the most suitable to model agricultural and hydrological processes, an assessment of vegetation development can be achieved combing optical vegetation indices (VIs) and SAR backscattering data. In this paper, a correlation analysis has been performed between the crossed horizontal-vertical (HV) backscattering (s°HV) and optical VIs (VIopt) on several plots. The correlation analysis was based on incidence angle, spatial resolution and polarization mode. Results have shown that temporal changes of s°HV (Δs°HV) acquired with high angles (off nadir angle; θ > 40°) best correlates with variations of VIopt (ΔVI). The correlation between ΔVI and Δs°HV has been shown to be temporally robust. Based on this experimental evidence, a model to infer a VI from s° (VISAR) at the time, ti + 1, once known, the VIopt at a reference time, ti, and Δs°HV between times, ti + 1 and ti, was implemented and verified. This approach has led to the development and validation of an algorithm for coupling a VIopt derived from DEIMOS-1 images and s°HV. The study was carried out over the Sele plain (Campania, Italy), which is mainly characterized by herbaceous crops. In situ measurements included leaf area index (LAI), which were collected weekly between August and September 2011 in 25 sites, simultaneously to COSMO-SkyMed (CSK) and DEIMOS-1 imaging. Results confirm that VISAR obtained using the combined model is able to increase the feasibility of operational satellite-based products for supporting agricultural practices. This study is carried out in the framework of the COSMOLAND project (Use of COSMO-SkyMed SAR data for LAND cover classification and surface parameters retrieval over agricultural sites) funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI).
Fabrication and Characterisation of the Graphene Ring Micro Electrode (GRiME) with an Integrated, Concentric Ag/AgCl Reference Electrode
Authors: Dickinson James , Bromley Michael , Andrieux Fabrice , Boxall Colin
Published: March 2013

Abstract: We report the fabrication and characterisation of the first graphene ring micro electrodes with the addition of a miniature concentric Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The graphene ring electrode is formed by dip coating fibre optics with graphene produced by a modified Hummers method. The reference electrode is formed using an established photocatalytically initiated electroless deposition (PIED) plating method. The performance of the so-formed graphene ring micro electrodes (GRiMEs) and associated reference electrode is studied using the probe redox system ferricyanide and electrode thicknesses assessed using established electrochemical methods. Using 220 µm diameter fibre optics, a ~15 nm thick graphene ring electrode is obtained corresponding to an inner to outer radius ratio of >0.999, so allowing for use of extant analytical descriptions of very thin ring microelectrodes in data analysis. GRiMEs are highly reliable (current response invariant over >3,000 scans), with the concentric reference electrode showing comparable stability (current response invariant over >300 scans). Furthermore the micro-ring design allows for efficient use of electrochemically active graphene edge sites and the associated nA scale currents obtained neatly obviate issues relating to the high resistivity of undoped graphene. Thus, the use of graphene in ring microelectrodes improves the reliability of existing micro-electrode designs and expands the range of use of graphene-based electrochemical devices.