bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study of clinical dietetic workforce recruitment and retention in Queensland
Authors: HUGHES Roger , ODGERS‐JEWELL Kate , VIVANTI Angela , FERGUSON Maree , LEVERITT Michael
Published: February 2011

Aims:  The aim of the present study was to investigate factors influencing the recruitment and retention of the clinical dietetics workforce in metropolitan practice, with a focus on Queensland Health.

Methods:  A qualitative study using semistructured telephone and face‐to‐face interviews among a purposively recruited sample of 28 Queensland clinical dietitians. The interviews explored factors affecting recruitment and retention, job satisfaction and possible strategies for the recruitment and retention of hospital‐based dietitians within Queensland Health was conducted. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and content analysed by two researchers (authors 1 & 2) before comparing, confirming, describing and interpreting themes identified.

Results:  All but two of the interviewees (26/28) were either existing (n = 16) or previous (n = 10) employees of Queensland Health. The demographic attributes of the sample reflected the broader Australian dietetic workforce. Factors effecting recruitment to current positions were the position itself, the closeness of the position to home and job security associated with Queensland Health positions. The most common factors assisting retention in Queensland Health were the team collegiality, opportunities, and the closeness to home of the workplace and professional development opportunities. The negatives of employment were high work demands or workload and bureaucratic frustrations within Queensland Health. Increasing remuneration rates, career pathways and increasing the flexibility of work hours were strategies considered as most important for Queensland Health to enhance clinician recruitment and retention.

Conclusion:  Factors effecting recruitment and retention of clinical dietitians are largely amenable to human resource and organisational management strategies that address these determinants of staff turnover.
Student food insecurity: The skeleton in the university closet
Authors: HUGHES Roger , SEREBRYANIKOVA Irene , DONALDSON Katherine , LEVERITT Michael
Published: February 2011

Aim:  Food security is an important nutrition issue among vulnerable population groups such as the young and socioeconomically disadvantaged. The present study sought to identify and describe the prevalence, distribution and severity of food insecurity, and related behavioural adaptations, among a sample of Australian university students.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey design involving a self‐administered questionnaire consisting of 39 food security‐related and 15 demographic questions administered among a sample of university students.

Results:  A sample of 399 students completed questionnaires representing a response rate of 71.5% of students invited to participate. Sample demography was representative of the total student population except for being overrepresented by full‐time and international students. Food insecurity was evident in the student sample ranging from 12.7% to 46.5% (based on method of analysis). Student food insecurity was significantly associated with those renting, boarding or sharing accommodation, with low incomes or receiving government assistance. Coping strategies developed by students focused on income generation and austerity measures, included living with parents, working more than 10 hours per week outside of university and borrowing money and food. Students who reported food insecurity were more likely to rate their overall health status lower than those who were food secure.

Conclusion:  The present study suggests university students are at significant risk of food insecurity in part attributed to inadequate income support. Further research is required to assess the broader determinants of food insecurity and appropriate strategy responses, including social support policies, in this population group.
To Snack or Not to Snack: What should we advise for weight management?
Authors: PALMER Michelle A. , CAPRA Sandra , BAINES Surinder K.
Published: February 2011

Aims: Although our current weight management guidelines suggest eating regularly, speculation about whether snacking assists with managing weight occurs widely among the media, weight loss clients and health professionals. We aim to examine whether there is adequate scientific evidence available to support the manipulation of eating frequently for improving body weight, diabetes and cardiovascular risk markers, and theories that link eating frequently with weight management.

Methods: Relevant papers from nutrition and dietetics journals and other sources were used to assess the association between eating frequency and weight and health.

Results: Longer‐term evidence suggests eating frequency does not affect weight, glucose, insulin control, hunger or energy expenditure in intentional weight losers and maintainers. There is consistent short‐term evidence of an inverse association between blood lipid levels and eating frequency during weight maintenance. Many of the common theories that suggest manipulating eating frequency for weight management are not supported by the literature. Sustaining a change to eating frequency also may be challenging over the longer term.

Conclusions: Overall current evidence does not suggest that manipulating eating frequency greatly benefits weight and health. Health professionals may not need to manipulate eating frequency for weight management.
Detection of regime shifts in multi‐species communities: the Bay of Quinte phytoplankton example
Authors: Nicholls Kenneth H.
Published: February 2011

1. Human activities have led to ecological regime shifts, first revealed at the community level in ecosystems. A regime shift in a biological community is a sudden change in the relative contributions of several taxa, resulting in a post‐shift state that remains stable over the long term with a structure that is outside the boundaries of the ‘normal’ pre‐shift variability. Most methods for regime shift detection are based on univariate statistics (e.g. commercial fish catch data, sea surface temperature anomalies). Multivariate methods suitable for identifying change in multi‐species communities can be used to identify regime shifts in communities.

2. In this paper, I use a 37‐year record (1972–2008) of phytoplankton in the Bay of Quinte (northeastern Lake Ontario) to demonstrate the use of several largely independent data analysis methods that are shown here to concur in their output. Among the most powerful procedures is an approach that models the anomalies around long‐term Grand Mean and reference‐point community structures that were compared to annual structures using Bray–Curtis community similarity coefficients. CUSUM plots of model residuals, segmented regression analysis and other tests are all useful to identify the location of break‐points in records of anomalies. Follow‐up significance testing was performed separately with permutation tests. Improved sensitivity of these techniques when applied to highly seasonal data was demonstrated after extraction of seasonal components as periodic functions.

3. Statistically significant shifts in the Bay of Quinte phytoplankton were detected in the year following an approximate 50% reduction in point‐source phosphorus loading in early 1978 and again immediately after the establishment of invasive dreissenid mussels in the mid‐1990s. Associated with this second intervention was an increased representation by species of the potentially toxic Cyanoprokaryote Microcystis, and dramatic declines in some diatom species, with significant implications for human use and food web function.

4. This paper provides a ‘tool box’ of methods (most freely available on the WWW) for those needing to distinguish between true shifts and normal inter‐annual variability in biological communities. Ability to measure statistically significant change in communities can lead to enhanced understanding of cause–effect relations and to enhanced capabilities for prediction of change.
Individual and social network predictors of the short‐term stability of bullying victimization in the United Kingdom and Germany
Authors: Sapouna Maria , Wolke Dieter , Vannini Natalie , Watson Scott , Woods Sarah , Schneider Wolfgang , Enz Sibylle , Aylett Ruth
Published: February 2011

Background.  There is still relatively little research on the social context within which bullying develops and remains stable.

Aim.  This study examined the short‐term stability of bullying victimization among primary school students in the United Kingdom and Germany (mean age, 8.9 years) and the individual and social network factors that contributed to remaining a victim of bullying.

Sample.  The sample consisted of 454 children (247 males and 207 females).

Methods.  Participants completed questionnaires on bullying victimization at three assessment points over a 9‐week period. Other measures consisted of self‐reported demographic, peer, and family relationship characteristics. Social network indices of density, reciprocity, and hierarchy were constructed using friendship and peer acceptance nominations.

Results.  Relative risk analyses indicated a six‐fold increased risk of remaining a victim at consequent follow‐ups, compared to a child not victimized at baseline becoming a victim over the follow‐up period. Individual characteristics explained substantially more variance in the stability of bullying victimization than class‐level factors. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses revealed that being victimized by siblings and being rejected by peers predicted remaining a victim over a 9‐week period.

Conclusions.  Bullying victimization among primary school students proved moderately stable over a 9‐week period. Individual characteristics were more influential in predicting the stable victim role than class‐level factors. Our findings have implications for the identification of stable victims in primary school and early preventative bullying programs.
Isotopic Evidence of Cr Partitioning into Earth’s Core
Authors: Moynier Frederic , Yin Qing-Zhu , Schauble Edwin
Published: February 2011

Chromium isotopes in meteorites reveal Earth’s accretion history.
Directional Switching of the Kinesin Cin8 Through Motor Coupling
Authors: Roostalu Johanna , Hentrich Christian , Bieling Peter , Telley Ivo A. , Schiebel Elmar , Surrey Thomas
Published: February 2011

A molecular motor switches direction upon interacting with individual microtubules or antiparallel microtubules.
Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis in Humans with Inborn Errors of Interleukin-17 Immunity
Authors: Puel Anne , Cypowyj Sophie , Bustamante Jacinta , Wright Jill F. , Liu Luyan , Lim Hye Kyung , Migaud Mélanie , Israel Laura , Chrabieh Maya , Audry Magali , Gumbleton Matthew , Toulon Antoine , Bodemer Christine , El-Baghdadi Jamila , Whitters Matthew , Paradis Theresa , Brooks Jonathan , Collins Mary , Wolfman Neil M. , Al-Muhsen Saleh , Galicchio Miguel , Abel Laurent , Picard Capucine , Casanova Jean-Laurent
Published: February 2011

Chronic yeast infections in the absence of other infections result from genetic deficiencies in proinflammatory host responses.
Extending the Krogh legacy: development of the CA–TIMS method for zircon U–Pb geochronologyThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.
Authors: Mattinson James M.
Published: February 2011

Tom Krogh was without a doubt the most influential U–Pb geochronologist of the modern era. His career was marked by a continuing series of breakthroughs, both revolutionary and evolutionary. His legacy is such that every lab around the world uses the methods he developed. After some fascinating insights into chemical leaching effects in zircon, Tom largely dropped this approach in favor of his enormously successful air abrasion technique, coupled with careful sample selection at the individual grain level. Here, I describe continued experiments with leaching and “step-wise dissolution” techniques, and how a series of alternating steps forward and setbacks eventually led to a new “chemical abrasion” or “CA–TIMS” method for selectively removing those domains within zircon that have lost Pb. Continuing to strive for improvements in analytical technique is perhaps the best way to honor Tom’s many contributions and extend his legacy.
Age and significance of Grenvillian and Silurian orogenic events in the Finnmarkian Caledonides, northern NorwayThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.
Authors: Corfu F. , Gerber M. , Andersen T. B. , Torsvik T. H. , Ashwal L. D.
Published: February 2011

The concepts concerning the origin of the Caledonides of northern Norway have changed rapidly in the last decade thanks largely to the application of modern geological and isotopic methods. This contribution presents U–Pb data obtained by ID–TIMS (isotope dilution – thermal ionization mass spectrometry) on zircon, titanite, and monazite from plutonic and metamorphic rocks. The Gjesvær Migmatite Complex of the Kalak Nappe Complex is shown to be of Grenvillian age, with granite and leucosome emplaced at about 970 Ma in a succession of psammites and amphibolites. It then underwent metamorphism and partial melting at about 425 Ma during Caledonian thrusting. Dating of granitic and gabbroic rocks that intrude the mainly turbiditic Hellefjord Group of the overlying Magerøy Nappe yields ages of 440–435 Ma, confirming that this unit is a correlative of the rocks on the island of Magerøy. A superimposed set of events at 430–425 Ma caused metamorphism forming pegmatites and local leucosome proving that the Magerøy Nappe, and the underlying Kalak Nappe Complex were juxtaposed on Baltica by that time. The age structure and other geological and paleomagnetic constraints suggest that the nappes originated along the Laurentian and perhaps Gondwanan margins and were brought to intersect Baltica by Cordilleran-type terrane translations along sinistral transform fault systems during the oblique convergence of Baltica and Laurentia.
Evidence for post-1200 Ma — pre-Grenvillian supracrustal rocks in the Pinware terrane, eastern Grenville Province at Battle Harbour, LabradorThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.
Authors: Kamo Sandra L. , Heaman Larry M. , Gower Charles F.
Published: February 2011

U–Pb zircon geochronological investigations at Battle Harbour, in the Pinware terrane, eastern Grenville Province show that a cross-bedded psammitic rock from Battle Island was deposited after 1200 Ma and prior to Grenvillian orogenesis, as part of a package of psammitic, semi-pelitic and calc-silicate rocks. This represents a major finding as no previous data had indicated any supracrustal-rock deposition after ca. 1500 Ma in the interior eastern Grenville Province. The age is comparable to that obtained from supracrustal units of minor extent elsewhere in the interior Grenville Province, indicating that change in crustal level in these regions was modest during Grenvillian orogenesis. Grenvillian metamorphism at amphibolite facies occurred at 1030 ± 4 Ma, based on evidence from a concordant mafic rock within the supracrustal assemblage that is interpreted to be a sill. Grenvillian orogenesis at Battle Harbour was accompanied by abundant pegmatite injection over an extended period, as indicated by cross-cutting relationships and various states of deformation displayed by the pegmatites. An amazonite-bearing pegmatite has an age of 1024 ± 3 Ma. An even younger, cross-cutting pegmatite contains only inherited zircon grains.
Geochronology and geochemistry of Precambrian gneisses, metabasites, and pegmatite from the Tobacco Root Mountains, northwestern Wyoming craton, MontanaThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.T.E. Krogh deceased April 2008.
Authors: Krogh Thomas E. , Kamo Sandra L. , Hanley Thomas B. , Hess David F. , Dahl Peter S. , Johnson Robert E.
Published: February 2011

The Middle Mountain Metamorphic Domain of the Montana Metasedimentary Terrane, northwestern Wyoming Craton, within the northwestern Tobacco Root Mountains, mainly comprises migmatized tonalitic gneiss interlayered with amphibolitic (hornblende) gneiss, both of which are cut by metamorphosed mafic rocks. Together, these gneisses are defined as Middle Mountain Gneiss. Archean tonalitic gneiss from west of, and amphibolitic gneiss from east of, the Bismark Fault give, from chemically and air-abraded zircon grains, U–Pb ID–TIMS ages of 3325.5 ± 1.7 and 3340 Ma, respectively. These results reflect primary magmatic ages and show that the Middle Mountain Gneiss extends into the northern area of the Central Fault Block, between the Bismark and Mammoth faults. Older crustal processes in the tonalitic gneiss are evidenced by inherited grains, the oldest of which is >3460 Ma. A metabasite hosted in tonalitic gneiss in the Bismark Fault selvage zone yields a zircon age of 2468 Ma, which is interpreted as the time of metamorphism. This date and other ca. 2470 Ma dates known in the region reflect a series of thermotectonic events designated here as the Beaverhead – Tobacco Root Orogeny. Geochemical evidence in the Central Fault Block metabasites suggests that their >2470 Ma precursors evolved in a back-arc – arc-rift setting, whereas their equivalents west of the Bismark Fault were largely mid-ocean ridge basalt-related tholeiites and east of the Central Fault Block were back-arc tholeiites showing some continental affinity. The metabasite was metamorphosed, deformed, and intruded by pegmatite at 1756 Ma during the Big Sky Orogeny. This orogenic event also produced new zircon growth in Archean tonalitic gneiss. Monazite with an age of 75 Ma, found at one location, reflects nearby intrusion of the Cretaceous Tobacco Root Batholith.
Intraspecific Resource Partitioning by Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) in a Stratified Lake
Authors: Sandheinrich Mark B. , Hubert Wayne A.
Published: February 2011

Summer habitat use and relative abundances of different size classes of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were determined using gill nets set in the main basin, deep bays, and shallow bays of a lake. Niche overlap indices were used to quantify resource use patterns. Size classes spatially segregated into different habitats, but not different depths within a habitat type. Segregation of sexes at different depths was observed with females occupying warm, shallow areas, whereas males were more common in cool, deep water. Formation of an anoxic hypolimnion restricted perch to the epilimnion in late summer, but patterns of habitat segregation observed prior to thermocline formation were maintained. Food partitioning was relatively unimportant in reducing niche overlap. Spatial segregation of perch size classes and sexes may compensate for high diet overlap between conspecifics and reinforces the importance of habitat partitioning in structuring fish communities.
Risk assessment of a water supply system under climate variability: a stochastic approach
Authors: Yung Beatrice B. , Tolson Bryan A. , Burn Donald H.
Published: February 2011

A model is developed to assess risk to a municipal water supply system under the influence of population growth and climate variability. To incorporate the uncertainty in water use, a model that combines time series Monte Carlo simulations and a deterministic artificial neural network (ANN) is developed to simulate the daily water demand under climate variation. The model is first applied to assess how climate change alters the risk of a current water supply system and is then used to estimate the effects of demand management programs and system expansion. The model quantifies water supply system risk in terms of reliability, resiliency, and vulnerability (RRV). The model evaluates 11 scenarios defined by combining various population growth forecasts, demand management programs, system expansions, and global climate model (GCM) scenarios. The simulation results suggest that a rise in temperature and a change in precipitation magnitude will negatively impact the performance of the case study system.
An experimental study on bond–slip in moderately confined concrete subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading using an experimental plan
Authors: Guizani Lotfi , Chaallal Omar
Published: February 2011

This paper presents results from an experimental investigation of the bond–slip performance of moderately confined concrete under monotonic and cyclic loading. The effects of six factors on the bond–slip response and on the bond mechanisms are investigated. These factors are grouped into two categories: the first category of four factors is related to the confining conditions, the second category to the loading conditions. A total of 43 pullout tests under monotonic and cyclic loadings were performed. Results show that the quantity of confining steel and the distance between the tested bar and the confining steel are the most important factors affecting the overall bond response. Bar spacing and height of concrete cast below the bar have less significant effects on the overall response, affecting mainly the initial response phase. The height of concrete cast below the tested bar is found to affect the maximum bond resistance to the same extent as in well-confined concrete. Cyclic bond behaviour of moderately confined concrete is found to be similar in shape and in cyclic degradation to that of well-confined concrete. It was also found that most of the bond response parameters, such as maximum bond resistance and the post-peak (softening) phase, can be predicted with excellent accuracy in terms of the factors investigated.
Circular precast concrete manholes: experimental investigation
Authors: Sabouni Reem , El Naggar M.H.
Published: February 2011

Circular precast concrete manholes are widely used in sanitary sewer and storm water systems. The lack of detailed technical information on them and the conservatism of their governing codes and standards call for a detailed investigation on them. The main objectives of this paper are to evaluate the state of strains in the precast concrete manhole and state of stresses in the soil beneath the base to be used in developing enhanced guidelines for the design of their bases. Three full-scale circular precast concrete manholes, two 1200 mm in diameter and one 1500 mm in diameter, were tested in the large-scale geotechnical testing facility (LSGTF) at the University of Western Ontario. Only one 1200 mm manhole base was reinforced. Twenty seven load tests were performed on the manholes, which involved loads representing the Ontario truck loads incorporated in the Canadian Highway Bridge Code. None of the manhole sections tested in the experimental program experienced any cracks. The test results showed that traffic loading had a small effect on the pressure under the manhole base. All three specimens could withstand the critical Ontario truck loads, even the non-reinforced ones.
Travel time estimation in urban networks using limited probes data
Authors: El Esawey Mohamed , Sayed Tarek
Published: February 2011

Travel time is a simple and robust network performance measure that is well understood by the public. However, travel time data collection can be costly especially if the analysis area is large. This research proposes a solution to the problem of limited network sensor coverage caused by insufficient sample size of probe vehicles or inadequate numbers of fixed sensors. Within a homogeneous road network, nearby links of similar character are exposed to comparable traffic conditions, and therefore, their travel times are likely to be positively correlated. This correlation can be useful in developing travel time relationships between nearby links so that if data becomes available on a subset of these links, travel times of their neighbours can be estimated. A methodology is proposed to estimate link travel times using available data from neighbouring links. To test the proposed methodology, a case study was undertaken using a VISSIM micro-simulation model of downtown Vancouver. The simulation model was calibrated and validated using field traffic volumes and travel time data. Neighbour links travel time estimation accuracy was assessed using different error measurements and the results were satisfactory. Overall, the results of this research demonstrate the feasibility of using neighbour links data as an additional source of information to estimate travel time, especially in case of limited coverage.
Adventures inRhodococcus — from steroids to explosivesThis article is based on a presentation by Dr. Lindsay Eltis at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists in Hamilton, Ontario, 14 June 2010. Dr. Eltis was the recipient of the 2010 Norgen Biotek Corporation / CSM Award, an annual award sponsored by Norgen Biotek and the Canadian Society of Microbiologists intended to recognize outstanding scientific work in microbiology by a Canadian researcher.
Authors: Yam Katherine C. , Okamoto Sachi , Roberts Joseph N. , Eltis Lindsay D.
Published: February 2011

Rhodococcus is a genus of mycolic-acid-containing actinomycetes that utilize a remarkable variety of organic compounds as growth substrates. This degradation helps maintain the global carbon cycle and has increasing applications ranging from the biodegradation of pollutants to the biocatalytic production of drugs and hormones. We have been using Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 as a model organism to understand the catabolic versatility of Rhodococcus and related bacteria. Our approach is exemplified by the discovery of a cluster of genes specifying the catabolism of cholesterol. This degradation proceeds via β-oxidative degradation of the side chain and O2-dependent cleavage of steroid ring A in a process similar to bacterial degradation of aromatic compounds. The pathway is widespread in Actinobacteria and is critical to the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis , arguably the world’s most successful pathogen. The close similarity of some of these enzymes with biphenyl- and polychlorinated-biphenyl-degrading enzymes that we have characterized is facilitating inhibitor design. Our studies in RHA1 have also provided important insights into a number of novel metalloenzymes and their biosynthesis, such as acetonitrile hydratase (ANHase), a cobalt-containing enzyme with no significant sequence identity with characterized nitrile hydratases. Molecular genetic and biochemical studies have identified AnhE as a dimeric metallochaperone that delivers cobalt to ANHase, enabling its maturation in vivo. Other metalloenzymes we are characterizing include N-acetylmuramic acid hydroxylase, which catalyzes an unusual hydroxylation of the rhodococcal and mycobacterial peptidoglycan, and 2 RHA1 dye-decolorizing peroxidases. Using molecular genetic and biochemical approaches, we have demonstrated that one of these enzymes is involved in the degradation of lignin. Overall, our studies are providing fundamental insights into a range of catabolic processes that have a wide variety of applications.
Malate synthase expression is deregulated in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa cystic fibrosis isolate FRD1
Authors: Hagins Jessica M. , Scoffield Jessica , Suh Sang-Jin , Silo-Suh Laura
Published: February 2011

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes chronic pulmonary infections, which can persist for decades, in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Current evidence suggests that the glyoxylate pathway is an important metabolic pathway for P. aeruginosa growing within the CF lung. In this study, we identified glcB, which encodes for the second key enzyme of the glyoxylate pathway, malate synthase, as a requirement for virulence of P. aeruginosa on alfalfa seedlings. While expression of glcB in PAO1, an acute isolate of P. aeruginosa, responds to some carbon sources that use the glyoxylate pathway, expression of glcB in FRD1, a CF isolate, is constitutively upregulated. Malate synthase activity is moderately affected by glcB expression and is nearly constitutive in both backgrounds, with slightly higher activity in FRD1 than in PAO1. In addition, RpoN negatively regulates glcB in PAO1 but not in FRD1. In summary, the genes encoding for the glyoxylate-specific enzymes appear to be coordinately regulated, even though they are not located within the same operon on the P. aeruginosa genome. Furthermore, both genes encoding for the glyoxylate enzymes can become deregulated during adaptation of the bacterium to the CF lung.
POLICE WORK WITH YOUTH-AT-RISK: WHAT CAN SOCIAL WORK CONTRIBUTE?
Authors: CHUN ROXCO P. K. , CHUI Y. H. , CHAN Y.C. , CHENG HOWARD. C. H.
Published: February 2011

While traditional policing focuses on crime control by law enforcement, the Hong Kong Police Force has increasingly affirmed the importance of multi-agency collaboration and service-orientation in their work. The change provides impetus for venturing on more innovative training for police. The Police Attachment to NGOs Program is an unprecedented tailor-made multi-agency training program for serving police officers in Hong Kong. A series of these training programs were commissioned to the Department of Applied Social Sciences of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. So far, seven rounds of training have been completed. The program consisted of three phases — the pre-attachment induction phase, the attachment phase and the post-attachment deepening phase. The trainees were provided with opportunities to dialog with the social workers and youth-at-risk directly, an experience evaluated by the trainees as stimulating and rewarding. The program also generated benefits to the social workers and the service users of the NGOs because they both could gain better understanding of the police mindset, their work and difficulties. This paper discusses what social work can contribute in police training, including the design of the program, its implementation, and evaluation of its effect. In a way, the training can be regarded as an indirect social work practice from which both the young people and the society can benefit. Since the trained police officers can avoid stereotyping the youth-at-risk and have better collaboration with social workers, this training is able to enhance police work with youth-at-risk.

傳統警務工作重點在於預防罪案和執法。但香港警務處近年不斷强調多機構合作和以服務爲取向的警務工作摸式，爲警務培訓工作提供了革新的的機遇。「青鋒計劃」 (Police Attachment to NGOs Program) 是一項嶄新、具針對性、並强調多機構合作的在職警務培訓項目。計劃可分爲三個部份 —— 導引期，機構體驗期，和深化期。透過與前線社工和邊青直接對話，警務學員普遍認爲這項體驗計劃，獲益良多。另一方面，這計劃也爲參與的社工和邊青帶來了益處。他們表示對警方的工作和難處都增加了認識和諒解。本文章探討社會工作對警務培訓可以作出的供献，包括了培訓的設計，執行和檢討成效。無疑，這項培訓是一項間接的社會工作實踐，社工參與這項培訓，減少警察對邊青定型，促成警務人員和前線社工在處理邊青問題上的互相了解，對各方都有益處。
TRAUMA FROM SEXUAL ABUSE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF MALE VICTIMS IN HONG KONG
Authors: CHAN SIMON T. M.
Published: February 2011

In Asian societies, the sexual abuse experiences of male victims are rarely studied due to social gender role stereotype, which enforces the discourse that men are supposed to be tough and impossible to be hurt, and not to report sexual abuse. This research examines the life journey of 12 sexually abused male survivors in Hong Kong to explore their struggles. Results show: firstly, male survivors are caught in shame and excitement when talking about their abusive incidents. Shamefulness leads some of them to have negative self-esteem while excitement makes some of them addicted to sexual activities or even become homosexual; secondly, they feel insecure to tell others about it after being abused, because of masculinity identity; thirdly, relationship building is always hard for them since they do not know how to maintain distance with the others.
QUANTUM DESIGNS: FOUNDATIONS OF A NONCOMMUTATIVE DESIGN THEORY
Authors: ZAUNER GERHARD
Published: February 2011

This is a one-to-one translation of a German-written Ph.D. thesis from 1999.

Quantum designs are sets of orthogonal projection matrices in finite(b)-dimensional Hilbert spaces. A fundamental differentiation is whether all projections have the same rank r, and furthermore the special case r = 1, which contains two important subclasses:

Mutually unbiased bases (MUBs) were introduced prior to this thesis and solutions of b + 1 MUBs whenever b is a power of a prime were already given. Unaware of those papers, this concept was generalized here under the notation of regular affine quantum designs. Maximal solutions are given for the general case r ≥ 1, consisting of r(b2 - 1)/(b - r) so-called complete orthogonal classes whenever b is a power of a prime. For b = 6, an infinite family of MUB triples was constructed and it was — as already done in the author's master's thesis (1991) — conjectured that four MUBs do not exist in this dimension.

Symmetric informationally complete positive operator-valued measures (SIC POVMs) in this paper are called regular quantum 2-designs with degree 1. The assigned vectors span b2 equiangular lines. These objects had been investigated since the 1960s, but only a few solutions were known in complex vector spaces. In this thesis further maximal analytic and numerical solutions were given (today a lot more solutions are known) and it was (probably for the first time) conjectured that solutions exist in any dimension b (generated by the Weyl–Heisenberg group and with a certain additional symmetry of order 3).
Improved Initial Performance of Si Nanoparticles by Surface Oxide Reduction for Lithium-Ion Battery Application
Authors: Xun S. , Song X. , Grass M. E. , Roseguo D. K. , Liu Z. , Battaglia V. S. , Liu G.
Published: February 2011

This study characterizes the native oxide layer of Si nanoparticles and evaluates its effect on their performance for Li-ion batteries. x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy were applied to identify the chemical state and morphology of the native oxide layer. Elemental and thermogravimetric analysis were used to estimate the oxide content for the Si samples. Hydrofluoric acid was used to reduce the oxide layer. A correlation between etching time and oxide content was established. The initial electrochemical performances indicate that the reversible capacity of etched Si nanoparticles was enhanced significantly compared with that of the as-received Si sample.
Animal models for the study of liver fibrosis: new insights from knockout mouse models
Authors: Hayashi Hiromitsu , Sakai Takao
Published: February 2011

Fibrosis arises as part of a would-healing response that maintains organ structure and integrity following tissue damage but also contributes to a variety of human pathologies such as liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis is an abnormal response of the liver to persistent injury with the excessive accumulation of collagenous extracellular matrices. Currently there is no effective treatment, and many patients end up with a progressive form of the disease, eventually requiring a liver transplant. The clarification of mechanisms underlying pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and the development of effective therapy are of clinical importance. Experimental animal models, in particular targeted gene knockouts (loss of function) in mice, have become a powerful resource to address the molecular mechanisms or significance of the targeted gene in hepatic functions and diseases. This review will focus on the recent advances in knowledge obtained from genetically engineered mice that provide novel insights into the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis.
Different functions of intestinal and liver-type fatty acid-binding proteins in intestine and in whole body energy homeostasis
Authors: Lagakos William Stacy , Gajda Angela Marie , Agellon Luis , Binas Bert , Choi Victor , Mandap Bernadette , Russnak Timothy , Zhou Yin Xiu , Storch Judith
Published: February 2011

It has long been known that mammalian enterocytes coexpress two members of the fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) family, the intestinal FABP (IFABP) and the liver FABP (LFABP). Both bind long-chain fatty acids and have similar though not identical distributions in the intestinal tract. While a number of in vitro properties suggest the potential for different functions, the underlying reasons for expression of both proteins in the same cells are not known. Utilizing mice genetically lacking either IFABP or LFABP, we directly demonstrate that each of the enterocyte FABPs participates in specific pathways of intestinal lipid metabolism. In particular, LFABP appears to target fatty acids toward oxidative pathways and dietary monoacylglycerols toward anabolic pathways, while IFABP targets dietary fatty acids toward triacylglycerol synthesis. The two FABP-null models also displayed differences in whole body response to fasting, with LFABP-null animals losing less fat-free mass and IFABP-null animals losing more fat mass relative to wild-type mice. The metabolic changes observed in both null models appear to occur by nontranscriptional mechanisms, supporting the hypothesis that the enterocyte FABPs are specifically trafficking their ligands to their respective metabolic fates.
Imaging alveolar-duct geometry during expiration via 3He lung morphometry
Authors: Hajari A. J. , Yablonskiy D. A. , Quirk J. D. , Sukstanskii A. L. , Pierce R. A. , Deslée G. , Conradi M. S. , Woods J. C.
Published: February 2011

Acinar geometry has been the subject of several morphological and imaging studies in the past; however, surprisingly little is known about how the acinar microstructure changes when the lung inflates or deflates. Lung morphometry with hyperpolarized 3He diffusion MRI allows non-destructive evaluation of lung microstructure and acinar geometry, which has important applications in understanding basic lung physiology and disease. In this study, we have measured the alveolar and acinar duct sizes at physiologically relevant volumes by 3He lung morphometry in six normal, excised, and unfixed canine lungs. Our results imply that, during a 37% decrease in lung volume, the acinar duct radius decreases by 19%, whereas the alveolar depth increases by 9% ( P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively via paired t-tests with a Bonferroni correction). A comparison to serial sections under the microscope validates the imaging results and opens the door to in vivo human studies of lung acinar geometry and physiology during respiration using 3He lung morphometry.
The Neuronal Differentiation Factor NeuroD1 Downregulates the Neuronal Repellent Factor Slit2 Expression and Promotes Cell Motility and Tumor Formation of Neuroblastoma
Authors: Huang Peng , Kishida Satoshi , Cao Dongliang , Murakami-Tonami Yuko , Mu Ping , Nakaguro Masato , Koide Naoshi , Takeuchi Ichiro , Onishi Akira , Kadomatsu Kenji
Published: February 2011

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor NeuroD1 has been implicated in the neurogenesis and early differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cells. However, its function in relation to cancer has been poorly examined. In this study, we found that NeuroD1 is involved in the tumorigenesis of neuroblastoma. NeuroD1 was strongly expressed in a hyperplastic region comprising neuroblasts in the celiac sympathetic ganglion of 2-week-old MYCN transgenic (Tg) mice and was consistently expressed in the subsequently generated neuroblastoma tissue. NeuroD1 knockdown by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) resulted in motility inhibition of the human neuroblastoma cell lines, and this effect was reversed by shRNA-resistant NeuroD1. The motility inhibition by NeuroD1 knockdown was associated with induction of Slit2 expression, and knockdown of Slit2 could restore cell motility. Consistent with this finding, shRNA-resistant NeuroD1 suppressed Slit2 expression. NeuroD1 directly bound to the first and second E-box of the Slit2 promoter region. Moreover, we found that the growth of tumor spheres, established from neuroblastoma cell lines in MYCN Tg mice, was suppressed by NeuroD1 suppression. The functions identified for NeuroD1 in cell motility and tumor sphere growth may suggest a link between NeuroD1 and the tumorigenesis of neuroblastoma. Indeed, tumor formation of tumor sphere–derived cells was significantly suppressed by NeuroD1 knockdown. These data are relevant to the clinical features of human neuroblastoma: high NeuroD1 expression was closely associated with poor prognosis. Our findings establish the critical role of the neuronal differentiation factor NeuroD1 in neuroblastoma as well as its functional relationship with the neuronal repellent factor Slit2. Cancer Res; 71(8); 2938–48. ©2011 AACR.
Endogenous Axon Guiding Chemorepulsant Semaphorin-3F Inhibits the Growth and Metastasis of Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Wu Feng , Zhou Qi , Yang Jing , Duan Guang-jie , Ou Juan-juan , Zhang Rong , Pan Feng , Peng Qiu-ping , Tan Hong , Ping Yi-fang , Cui You-hong , Qian Cheng , Yan Xiao-chu , Bian Xiu-wu
Published: February 2011

Purpose: To elucidate the role of Semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F), originally described as an axon guiding chemorepulsant implicated in nerve development, in the progression of colorectal carcinoma.

Experimental Design: SEMA3F and its receptor NRP2 were examined in 72 cases of human colorectal carcinoma specimens and cell lines LoVo, SW480, and SW620 with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. SEMA3F mRNA expression in the frozen tissue specimens and cell lines was examined with quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used for detection of cellular localization of the proteins by immunofluorescent staining. MTT assay, flow cytometry, cell adhesion and migration, and xenografts were used to evaluate biological significance of SEMA3F.

Results: SEMA3F was significantly reduced in colorectal carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of SEMA3F resulted in reduced proliferation, adhesion to fibronectin, and migratory capability as well as reduced S-phase population and integrin αvβ3 expression of SW480 colon cancer cells. In addition, SEMA3F-overexpressing cells exhibited diminished tumorigenesis when transplanted orthotopically in nude mice and reduced liver metastases. Moreover, transfection of siRNA targeting SEMA3F in colon cancer cells increased their tumorigenicity in vivo.

Conclusions: Endogenous SEMA3F acts as a suppressor of the growth and metastasis of human colorectal cancer cells. Clin Cancer Res; 17(9); 2702–11. ©2011 AACR.
Analysis of MiR-195 and MiR-497 Expression, Regulation and Role in Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Dan , Zhao Yulan , Liu Changxing , Chen Xiaona , Qi Yanting , Jiang Yue , Zou Chao , Zhang Xiaolong , Liu Shunying , Wang Xuejing , Zhao Dan , Sun Qiang , Zeng Zhenbing , Dress Andreas , Lin Marie C. , Kung Hsiang-Fu , Rui Hallgeir , Liu Ling-Zhi , Mao Feng , Jiang Bing-Hua , Lai Lihui
Published: February 2011

Purpose: To investigate expression, regulation, potential role and targets of miR-195 and miR-497 in breast cancer.

Experimental Design: The expression patterns of miR-195 and miR-497 were initially examined in breast cancer tissues and cell lines by Northern blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. Combined bisulfite restriction analysis and bisulfite sequencing were carried out to study the DNA methylation status of miR-195 and miR-497 genes. Breast cancer cells stably expressing miR-195 and miR-497 were established to study their role and targets. Finally, normal, fibroadenoma and breast cancer tissues were employed to analyze the correlation between miR-195/497 levels and malignant stages of breast tumor tissues.

Results: MiR-195 and miR-497 were significantly downregulated in breast cancer. The methylation state of CpG islands upstream of the miR-195/497 gene was found to be responsible for the downregulation of both miRNAs. Forced expression of miR-195 or miR-497 suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Raf-1 and Ccnd1 were identified as novel direct targets of miR-195 and miR-497. miR-195/497 expression levels in clinical specimens were found to be correlated inversely with malignancy of breast cancer.

Conclusions: Our data imply that both miR-195 and miR-497 play important inhibitory roles in breast cancer malignancy and may be the potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets. Clin Cancer Res; 17(7); 1722–30. ©2011 AACR.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Neurotrophin-4/5 Are Expressed in Breast Cancer and Can Be Targeted to Inhibit Tumor Cell Survival
Authors: Vanhecke Elsa , Adriaenssens Eric , Verbeke Stéphanie , Meignan Samuel , Germain Emmanuelle , Berteaux Nathalie , Nurcombe Victor , Le Bourhis Xuefen , Hondermarck Hubert
Published: February 2011

Purpose: Given that nerve growth factor has previously been shown to be involved in breast cancer progression, we have tested here the hypothesis that the other neurotrophins (NT) are expressed and have an influence in breast tumor growth.

Experimental Design: The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NT-3 and NT-4/5, as well as the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, TrkB, and TrkC, was studied by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry in cell lines and tumor biopsies. The biological impacts of neurotrophins, and associated mechanisms, were analyzed in cell cultures and xenografted mice.

Results: BDNF and NT-4/5 were expressed and secreted by breast cancer cells, and the use of blocking antibodies suggested an autocrine loop mediating cell resistance to apoptosis. The corresponding tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB was only rarely observed at full length, whereas the expression of TrkB-T1, lacking the kinase domain, as well as p75NTR, were detected in all tested breast cancer cell lines and tumor biopsies. In contrast, NT-3 and TrkC were not detected. SiRNA against p75NTR and TrkB-T1 abolished the antiapoptotic effect of BDNF and NT-4/5, whereas the pharmacological inhibitors K252a and PD98059 had no effect, suggesting the involvement of p75NTR and TrkB-T1, but not kinase activities from Trks and MAPK. In xenografted mice, anti-BDNF, anti-NT-4/5, anti-p75NTR, or anti-TrkB-T1 treatments resulted in tumor growth inhibition, characterized by an increase in cell apoptosis, but with no change in proliferation.

Conclusion: BDNF and NT-4/5 contribute to breast cancer cell survival and can serve as prospective targets in attempts to inhibit tumor growth. Clin Cancer Res; 17(7); 1741–52. ©2011 AACR.
Phase II, Open-Label Study of Brivanib as First-Line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Park Joong-Won , Finn Richard S. , Kim Jun Suk , Karwal Mark , Li Ruby K. , Ismail Fuad , Thomas Melanie , Harris Rosemarie , Baudelet Christine , Walters Ian , Raoul Jean-Luc
Published: February 2011

Purpose: Brivanib, a selective dual inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor and VEGF signaling, has demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity in preclinical and phase I studies. We performed a phase II open-label study of brivanib as first-line therapy in patients with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.

Experimental Design: Brivanib was administered orally at a dose of 800 mg once daily. The primary objective was 6-month progression-free survival, progression-free survival rate; secondary objectives were tumor response rate, time to response, duration of response, median progression-free survival, median overall survival, disease control rate (complete response, partial response, or stable disease ≥ 42 days), and safety and tolerability.

Results: Between March 2007 and May 2009, 55 patients were treated and were evaluable for response. Patients were assessed using modified World Health Organization (mWHO) criteria. According to mWHO criteria and as assessed by Independent Response Review Committee, the six-month progression-free survival rate (95% CI) was 18.2% (9.1%–30.9%). Median progression-free survival (95% CI) was 2.7 months (1.4–3.0). One patient achieved a complete response and three achieved a partial response. Twenty-two had stable disease. Median overall survival (95% CI) was 10 (6.8–15.2) months. Brivanib was generally well tolerated; the most common adverse events included fatigue, hypertension, and diarrhea.

Conclusion: Brivanib as first-line therapy demonstrates promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced, unresectable HCC. Clin Cancer Res; 17(7); 1973–83. ©2011 AACR.