bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of Lipogenesis and Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase-1B Expression in the Liver of Wistar Rats with Metabolic Syndrome Chronically Induced by Drinking Sucrose Water
Authors: Huang Chun-Yin , Lin Yu-Shun , Chen Gou-Chun , Huang Hui-Ling , Chuang Shu-Han , Chao Pei-Min
Published: November 2010

Background: Establishing animal models with metabolic disorders similar to human metabolic syndrome (MS) is important. In terms of eliciting a full array of MS, we have previously shown that Wistar rats are more responsive to sucrose water drinking than are C57BL/6J mice. This study was aimed at investigating the underlying molecular mechanism of sucrose water-induced MS in Wistar rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups (n = 8 for each group) which were given plain water (C group) or 30% sucrose water (SW group) to drink ad libitum. After 20 weeks, the transcriptional levels and protein translocation of hepatic sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) as well as the protein levels of protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) in insulin-responsive tissues (liver, muscle, and adipose tissue) were measured. Results: The sucrose water regimen successfully elicited visceral obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure. The upregulation of de novo lipogenesis in the liver of the sucrose water-treated rats was demonstrated by an increased activity of enzymes, mRNA levels of lipogenic proteins, and nuclear levels of SREBP-1c and ChREBP. Moreover, in the sucrose water-treated rats, protein levels of PTP-1B were significantly increased in liver and skeletal muscle but decreased in adipose tissue. Conclusion: The susceptibility of Wistar rats to sucrose water-induced MS is associated with the transactivation of SREBP-1c and ChREBP in the liver, and PTP-1B is involved in the upregulation of de novo lipogenesis in the liver and the pathology of systemic insulin resistance in rats with MS chronically induced by drinking sucrose water.
Perinatal Exposure to High-Fat Diet Programs Energy Balance, Metabolism and Behavior in Adulthood
Authors: Sullivan Elinor L. , Smith M. Susan , Grove Kevin L.
Published: November 2010

The perinatal environment plays an important role in programming many aspects of physiology and behavior including metabolism, body weight set point, energy balance regulation and predisposition to mental health-related disorders such as anxiety, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Maternal health and nutritional status heavily influence the early environment and have a long-term impact on critical central pathways, including the melanocortinergic, serotonergic system and dopaminergic systems. Evidence from a variety of animal models including rodents and nonhuman primates indicates that exposure to maternal high-fat diet (HFD) consumption programs offspring for increased risk of adult obesity. Hyperphagia and increased preference for fatty and sugary foods are implicated as mechanisms for the increased obesity risk. The effects of maternal HFD consumption on energy expenditure are unclear, and future studies need to address the impact of perinatal HFD exposure on this important component of energy balance regulation. Recent evidence from animal models also indicates that maternal HFD consumption increases the risk of offspring developing mental health-related disorders such as anxiety. Potential mechanisms for perinatal HFD programming of neural pathways include circulating factors, such as hormones (leptin, insulin), nutrients (fatty acids, triglycerides and glucose) and inflammatory cytokines. As maternal HFD consumption and obesity are common and rapidly increasing, we speculate that future generations will be at increased risk for both metabolic and mental health disorders. Thus, it is critical that future studies identify therapeutic strategies that are effective at preventing maternal HFD-induced malprogramming.
Impact of gsp Oncogene on the mRNA Content for Somatostatin and Dopamine Receptors in Human Somatotropinomas
Authors: Taboada Giselle Fernandes , Neto Leonardo Vieira , Luque Raul M. , Córdoba-Chacón Jose , de Oliveira Machado Evelyn , de Carvalho Denise Pires , Kineman Rhonda D. , Gadelha Mônica Roberto
Published: November 2010

Introduction: It has been reported in some series that gsp+ somatotropinomas are more sensitive to somatostatin analogues (SA) and dopamine’s actions which may be related to their somatostatin receptor (SSTR) and dopamine receptor (DR) profile. No previous studies have been undertaken to evaluate the SSTR and DR profile related with the gsp status in somatotropinomas. Objectives: To determine if (1) gsp status is correlated with response to octreotide LAR (LAR) and tumor expression patterns of SSTR1-5 and DR1-5 and (2) cAMP level can directly modulate SSTR and DR mRNA levels. Methods: Response to SA was evaluated by GH and IGF-I percent reduction after 3 and 6 months of treatment with LAR. Conventional PCR and sequencing were used to identify gsp+ tumors. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine SSTR and DR tumor expression. Primary pituitary cell cultures of primates were used to study whether SSTR and DR expression is regulated by forskolin. Results: The response to LAR did not significantly differ between patients with gsp+ and gsp– tumors; however, gsp+ tumors expressed higher levels of SSTR1, SSTR2, DR2 and a lower level of SSTR3. Forskolin increased SSTR1, SSTR2, DR1 and DR2 expression in cell cultures. Conclusion: Elevated SSTR1, SSTR2, and DR2 tumor expression may help improve responsiveness to SA and DA therapy; however, this study may not have been appropriately powered to observe significant effects in the clinical response. Elevated cAMP levels could be directly responsible for the upregulation in SSTR1, SSTR2 and DR2 mRNA levels observed in gsp+ patients.
Safety of Pharmacological Augmentation of Stroke Rehabilitation
Authors: Engelter Stefan T. , Frank Matthias , Lyrer Philippe A. , Conzelmann Martin
Published: November 2010

Background: Based on experimental studies, pharmacological augmentation (PA) of stroke rehabilitation might be reasonable. Whether PA is beneficial in clinical practice is unclear. Methods: We performed an observational study on the use of PA in addition to regular rehabilitative therapies in a stroke rehabilitation unit. Over 20 months, we systematically observed (1) the utilization rate of PA, (2) possible adverse events, and (3) the functional outcome of patients with versus without PA (non-PA). The primary outcome variable was the increase in abilities in activities of daily living during in-hospital rehabilitation as quantified by the delta ‘functional independence measure’ (FIM). Results: Ninety-seven of 249 (39%) patients had PA. L-Dopa was used in 63 (65%), acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in 33 (34%), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in 31 (32%) PA patients. In 11 (11%) patients, PA was associated with delirium (n = 4), gastrointestinal symptoms (n = 4), electrolyte disorders (n = 2), or incontinence (n = 1). All adverse events were temporary. PA patients did not differ from non-PA patients in age (74 vs. 73 years; p = 0.62), gender ratio, and stroke type (ischemia 85 vs. 82%; p = 0.49). However, compared with non-PA patients, PA patients were more severely affected (median NIH Stroke Scale Score 7 vs. 4; p < 0.001; median FIM 58 vs. 85; p = 0.01). At discharge, the PA group had a higher median ΔFIM compared with non-PA patients (16 vs. 9; p = 0.01). None of the PA patients but 5 (3.3%) of the non-PA patients had died. Conclusion: PA of stroke rehabilitation was used frequently. The absence of safety concerns suggests that there is scope for benefit from PA in stroke rehabilitation. A large randomized controlled trial seems feasible and ethically justified.
Integration of Cognitive Impairment in the Expanded Disability Status Scale of 215 Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Brissart Hélène , Sauvée Mathilde , Latarche Clotilde , Dillier Céline , Debouverie Marc
Published: November 2010

Background: Estimates of the prevalence of cognitive impairment among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) range between 40 and 70%. The current cerebral functional system (CFS) of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is subjective. Aim: To define a new cerebral functional system (NCFS) based on neuropsychological evaluation (NE). Methods: We prospectively included 215 MS patients. NE evaluated cognitive functions. Fatigue was assessed with the Fatigue Impact Scale. The NCFS was devised with grades from 0 to 5, excluding depression but including fatigue. Grade 1 of the NCFS was integrated in the EDSS as other functional scores. The NCFS and new EDSS including the NCFS were compared with the current CFS and EDSS. Results: 215 patients (69% women, 67% with relapsing-remitting MS, median EDSS 3.0) were assessed. 98% of these patients presented fatigue and/or cognitive impairment with the NCFS compared to 62% with the CFS. The NCFS was higher than the CFS, and the EDSS had changed in 31% of the 113 patients with an EDSS <3.5. Change in functional score was not correlated to current age or age at onset of MS. Conclusions: We propose a new CFS grading based on NE, including fatigue, and integrating grade 1 at EDSS.
Genesis of Phase 3 Early Afterdepolarizations and Triggered Activity in Acquired Long-QT Syndrome
Authors: Maruyama Mitsunori , Lin Shien-Fong , Xie Yuanfang , Chua Su-Kiat , Joung Boyoung , Han Seongwook , Shinohara Tetsuji , Shen Mark J. , Qu Zhilin , Weiss James N. , Chen Peng-Sheng
Published: November 2010

Background—

Both phase 2 and phase 3 early afterdepolarizations (EADs) occur in long-QT syndromes, but their respective roles in generating arrhythmias in intact cardiac tissue are incompletely understood.

Methods and Results—

Intracellular Ca (Ca
i
) and membrane voltage (V
m
) were optically mapped in a quasi 2-dimensional model of cryoablated Langendorff-perfused rabbit ventricles (n=16). E-4031 (an
I
Kr
blocker) combined with reduced extracellular K ([K
+
]
o
) and Mg ([Mg
2+
]
o
) prolonged action potential duration heterogeneously and induced phase 2 and phase 3 EADs. Whereas phase 2 EADs were Ca
i
-dependent, phase 3 EADs were not. The origins of 47 triggered activity episodes were attributed to phase 2 EADs in 12 episodes (26%) and phase 3 EADs in 35 episodes (74%). When phase 2 EADs accompanied phase 3 EADs, they accentuated action potential duration heterogeneity, creating a large V
m
gradient across the boundary between long and short action potential duration regions from which triggered activity emerged. The amplitude of phase 3 EADs correlated with the V
m
gradient (
r
=0.898,
P
<0.001). Computer simulation studies showed that coupling of cells with heterogeneous repolarization could extrinsically generate phase 3 EADs via electrotonic current flow. Alternatively, reduced
I
K1
caused by low [K
+
]
o
could generate intrinsic phase 3 EADs capable of inducing triggered activity at the boundary zone.

Conclusions—

Phase 3 EADs can be extrinsic as the result of electrotonic current across steep repolarization gradients or intrinsic as the result of low
I
K1
and do not require spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca release. Reduction of
I
K1
by low [K
+
]
o
strongly promotes ventricular arrhythmias mediated by phase 3 EADs in acquired long-QT syndrome caused by
I
Kr
blockade.
Adenoviral Delivery of VEGF
121
Early in Pregnancy Prevents Spontaneous Development of Preeclampsia in BPH/5 Mice
Authors: Woods Ashley K. , Hoffmann Darren S. , Weydert Christine J. , Butler Scott D. , Zhou Yi , Sharma Ram V. , Davisson Robin L.
Published: November 2010

An imbalance in circulating proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors is postulated to play a causal role in preeclampsia (PE). We have described an inbred mouse strain, BPH/5, which spontaneously develops a PE-like syndrome including late-gestational hypertension, proteinuria, and poor feto-placental outcomes. Here we tested the hypothesis that an angiogenic imbalance during pregnancy in BPH/5 mice leads to the development of PE-like phenotypes in this model. Similar to clinical findings, plasma from pregnant BPH/5 showed reduced levels of free vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PGF) compared to C57BL/6 controls. This was paralleled by a marked decrease in VEGF protein and
Pgf
mRNA in BPH/5 placentae. Surprisingly, antagonism by the soluble form of the FLT1 receptor (sFLT1) did not appear to be the cause of this reduction, as sFLT1 levels were unchanged or even reduced in BPH/5 compared to controls. Adenoviral-mediated delivery of VEGF
121
(Ad-VEGF) via tail vein at embryonic day 7.5 normalized both the plasma-free VEGF levels in BPH/5 and restored the in vitro angiogenic capacity of serum from these mice. Ad-VEGF also reduced the incidence of fetal resorptions and prevented the late-gestational spike in blood pressure and proteinuria observed in BPH/5. These data underscore the importance of dysregulation of angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of PE and suggest the potential utility of early proangiogenic therapies in treating this disease.
Engaging Southeast Asia? Labor's Regional Mythology and Australia's Military Withdrawal from Singapore and Malaysia, 1972–1973
Authors: Benvenuti Andrea , Jones David Martin
Published: November 2010

This article draws on previously classified Australian and British archival material to reevaluate Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam's foreign policy. The article focuses on the Whitlam government's decision in 1973 to withdraw Australian forces from Malaysia and Singapore—a decision that constitutes a neglected but defining episode in the evolution of Australian postwar diplomacy. An analysis of this decision reveals the limits of Whitlam's attempt to redefine the conduct of Australian foreign policy from 1972 to 1975, a policy he saw as too heavily influenced by the Cold War. Focusing on Whitlam's approach to the Five Power Defence Arrangement, this article contends that far from being an adroit and skillful architect of Australian engagement with Asia, Whitlam irritated Australia's regional allies and complicated Australia's relations with its immediate neighbors. Australia's subsequent adjustment to its neighborhood was not the success story implied in the general histories of Australian diplomacy. Whitlam's policy toward Southeast Asia, far from being a “watershed” in foreign relations, as often assumed, left Australia increasingly isolated from its region and more reliant on its chief Cold War ally, the United States.
Improving Spatial Perception in Telepresence and Teleaction Systems by Displaying Distance Information through Visual and Vibrotactile Feedback
Authors: Cha Jongeun , Kammerl Julius , El Saddik Abdulmotaleb
Published: November 2010

Telepresence and teleaction (TPTA) systems enable humans to operate in a remote, hostile, or inaccessible environment. The performance of these systems strongly depends on the deployed sensors and actuators and the quality of the feedback to the user. Spatial perception plays an especially important role when handling dangerous and fragile objects. Stereoscopic cameras and displays can be deployed to improve spatial perception. However, in networked TPTA scenarios with limited transmission capacity on the communication link, the additional bandwidth required for sending two separate video streams is often infeasible. Furthermore, stereoscopic displays are known to have limitations in quality that affect spatial orientation when navigating within the remote environment. In this work, we present methods for displaying remotely measured distance between a teleoperator and a target object through visual and vibrotactile displays in order to improve spatial perception in TPTA systems. Furthermore, we propose to exploit human sensory illusions of the vibrotactile sense to overcome limitations of vibrotactile displays. Psychophysical experiments are conducted to investigate the performance of our proposed display methods. Our experiments show that our proposed vibrotactile feedback methods can compete with visual distance displays.
Influence of Varied Human Movement Control on Task Performance and Feeling of Telepresence
Authors: Peer Angelika , Pongrac Helena , Buss Martin
Published: November 2010

One of the main objectives in telerobotics is the development of a telemanipulation system that allows a high task performance to be achieved by simultaneously providing a high degree of telepresence. Specific mechatronic design guidelines and appropriate control algorithms as well as augmented visual, auditory, and haptic feedback systems are typical approaches adopted in this context. This work aims at formulating new design guidelines by incorporating human factors in the development process and analyzing the effects of varied human movement control on task performance and on the feeling of telepresence. While it is well known that humans are able to coordinate and integrate multiple degrees of freedom (DOF), the focus of this work is on how humans utilize rotational degrees of freedom provided by a human-system interface and if and how varied human movement control affects task performance and the feeling of telepresence. For this analysis, a telemanipulation experiment with varying degrees of freedom has been conducted. The results indicate that providing the full range of movement, even though this range is not necessary to accomplish a task, has a beneficial effect on the feeling of telepresence and task performance in terms of measured interaction forces. Further, increasing visual depth cues provided to the human operator also had a positive effect.
Perception of Delay in Haptic Telepresence Systems
Authors: Rank Markus , Shi Zhuanghua , Hirche Sandra
Published: November 2010

Time delay is recognized as an important issue in haptic telepresence systems as it is inherent to long-distance data transmission. What factors influence haptic delay perception in a time-delayed environment are, however, largely unknown. In this article, we examine the impact of manual movement frequency and amplitude in a sinusoidal exploratory movement as well as the stiffness of the haptic environment on the detection threshold for delay in haptic feedback. The results suggest that the detection of delay in force feedback depends on the movement frequency and amplitude, while variation of the absolute feedback force level does not influence the detection threshold. A model based on the exploration movement is proposed and guidelines for system design with respect to the time delay in haptic feedback are provided.
MiroSurge—Advanced User Interaction Modalities in Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery
Authors: Tobergte Andreas
Published: November 2010

This paper presents MiroSurge, a telepresence system for minimally invasive surgery developed at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and introduces MiroSurge's new user interaction modalities: (1) haptic feedback with software-based preservation of the fulcrum point, (2) an ultrasound-based approach to the quasi-tactile detection of pulsating vessels, and (3) a contact-free interface between surgeon and telesurgery system, where stereo vision is augmented with force vectors at the tool tip. All interaction modalities aim to increase the user's perception beyond stereo imaging by either augmenting the images or by using haptic interfaces.

MiroSurge currently provides surgeons with two different interfaces. The first option, bimanual haptic interaction with force and partial tactile feedback, allows for direct perception of the remote environment. Alternatively, users can choose to control the surgical instruments by optically tracked forceps held in their hands. Force feedback is then provided in augmented stereo images by constantly updated force vectors displayed at the centers of the teleoperated instruments, regardless of the instruments' position within the video image. To determine the centerpoints of the instruments, artificial markers are attached and optically tracked.

A new approach to detecting pulsating vessels beneath covering tissue with an omnidirectional ultrasound Doppler sensor is presented. The measurement results are computed and can be provided acoustically (by displaying the typical Doppler sound), optically (by augmenting the endoscopic video stream), or kinesthetically (by a gentle twitching of the haptic input devices).

The control structure preserves the fulcrum point in minimally invasive surgery and user commands are followed by the surgical instrument. Haptic feedback allows the user to distinguish between interaction with soft and hard environments. The paper includes technical evaluations of the features presented, as well as an overview of the system integration of MiroSurge.
China, the United States, and the Geopolitics of Sustainability
Authors: Ross Andrew
Published: November 2010

In the aftermath of the financial crash of 2008, commentators speculated that the relative buoyancy of China’s economy signaled the onset of an epochal shift of world power from West to East. This article considers the evidence by reviewing the state of the Sino-American economic relationship against the backdrop of the urgency of action on climate change. The lead established by Chinese companies in the clean technology sectors underpins the PRC’s primacy in the alternative fuel economy, but political and social need for a high GDP growth rate is irreconcilable with the demand for decarbonization. By contrast, U.S. efforts to jumpstart a green industrial revolution are stymied by political resistance from oil and gas lobbies, and the longterm recovery of its economic dominance as a trade super power is in doubt. The initiative lies with Beijing, thrust, once again, into the role of making history under conditions not of its own making.
Jo Are You Lying to Me? Temporal Cues for Deception
Authors: Boltz Marilyn G. , Dyer Rebecca L. , Miller Anna R.
Published: November 2010

This research investigated whether variations in speech rate and response latency provide cues for deception. Participants listened to a conversation between a male/ female couple containing responses to questions that not only varied in timing characteristics but also potential type of lie. Results revealed gender differences in the type of lie told that depended on speech timing characteristics.
Immunohistochemical Diagnosis of Canine Oral Amelanotic Melanocytic Neoplasms
Authors: Smedley R. C. , Lamoureux J. , Sledge D. G. , Kiupel M.
Published: November 2010

Definitive diagnosis of canine oral melanocytic neoplasms is often difficult because of variability in pigmentation and cellular pleomorphism. These neoplasms can resemble carcinomas, sarcomas, and round cell neoplasms, which differ in prognosis and treatment. A variety of immunohistochemical antibodies have been used for diagnosis of melanocytic neoplasms in humans and dogs; however, sensitivity and specificity of many markers have not been determined in amelanotic melanocytic neoplasms in dogs. The authors investigated a comprehensive panel of immunohistochemical markers in 49 canine oral amelanotic melanocytic neoplasms—namely, Melan-A, PNL2, HMB-45, microphthalmia transcription factor (MiTF), S-100, tyrosine hydroxylase, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2 (TRP-1 and TRP-2), and CD34. Ten well-differentiated cutaneous soft tissue spindle cell sarcomas were negative controls. Melan-A, PNL2, TRP-1, and TRP-2 were highly sensitive and 100% specific for the diagnosis of canine oral amelanotic melanocytic neoplasms. S-100 and MiTF showed high sensitivity but were less specific; that is, they also labeled a proportion of the soft tissue spindle cell sarcomas. HMB-45, tyrosinase, and tyrosine hydroxylase were 100% specific but had low sensitivities. CD34 did not label any of the melanocytic neoplasms but did label 80% of the soft tissue spindle cell sarcomas. A cost-effective and efficient immunodiagnostic cocktail containing antibodies against PNL2, Melan-A, TRP-1, and TRP-2 was created that had 100% specificity and 93.9% sensitivity in identifying canine oral amelanotic melanocytic neoplasms. The spindloid variant was the variant with the lowest sensitivity to the cocktail. The likelihood of correctly diagnosing canine oral amelanotic melanocytic neoplasms was dramatically higher when biopsy samples contained ample overlying and adjacent epithelium.
Efficacy and tolerability of rizatriptan for the treatment of acute migraine in sumatriptan non-responders
Authors: Seeburger Jeffrey L , Taylor Frederick R , Friedman Deborah , Newman Lawrence , Ge Yang , Zhang Ying , Hustad Carolyn M , LaSorda Jeanne , Fan Xiaoyin , Hewitt David , Ho Tony , Connor Kathryn M
Published: November 2010

Objective: The study was carried out to assess the efficacy and tolerability of rizatriptan orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) for treating acute migraine in patients who are non-responders to sumatriptan.

Background: Many migraineurs report dissatisfaction with sumatriptan efficacy. It is unclear whether sumatriptan 100 mg non-responders will respond to other triptans.

Methods: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in adults with >1-year history of ICHD-II (International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition) migraine who reported that they generally do not respond to sumatriptan (≥50% unsatisfactory response). In the baseline phase, participants treated a single moderate/severe migraine attack with open-label generic sumatriptan 100 mg. Those who continued to experience moderate/severe pain at two hours post-dose were eligible to enter the double-blind treatment phase, during which participants treated three migraine attacks in crossover fashion (two with rizatriptan 10-mg ODT, one with placebo) after being randomly assigned to one of three treatment sequences (1 : 1 : 1 ratio). The primary endpoint was two-hour pain relief.

Results: A total of 102 (94%) participants treated at least one study migraine. Pain relief at two hours was significantly greater with rizatriptan compared with placebo (51% vs. 20%, p < .001). Response rates also favored rizatriptan on two-hour pain freedom (22% vs. 12%, p = .013) as well as 24-hour sustained pain relief (38% vs. 14%, p < .001) and sustained pain freedom (20% vs. 11%, p = .036). Treatment was generally well tolerated.

Conclusion: Rizatriptan 10-mg ODT was superior to placebo at providing two-hour pain relief and two-hour pain freedom in the treatment of acute migraine in those who do not respond to sumatriptan 100 mg. Rizatriptan was generally well tolerated in this population.
Evaluate fire behavior GRP panel
Authors: Qiang Xu  , Griffin Greg
Published: November 2010

A series of experiments were conducted to study the fundamental fire and thermal properties of glass-reinforced polyester (GRP) panel material. Both bench-scale and room-scale tests were performed. The GRP was characterized using TGA, DSC, and cone calorimetry. Several predicting models, such as heat release index model, FO-categories model, and minimum energy release rate for flashover model, were used to classify the GRP and forecast the flashover time based on the test results in the cone calorimeter at 50 kW/m2 irradiance. Four experiments were conducted in GRP panels lined ISO 9705 room with a small wooden crib as an ignition source. Flashover time and panel burning time was compared with model study and thermal analysis results.
Doing Care on the Run: Family Strategies in the Contested Terrain of Gender and Institutional Intransigence
Authors: Kaplan Elaine Bell
Published: November 2010

This study draws on the literature on care and on parents’ perceptions of their teenagers’ needs and on their own abilities and their spouses’ ability to perform the necessary caring tasks. Ethnographic interviews with 30 working parents revealed three specific caring strategies—the scheduling parent, the worry-shift parent, and the parent of last resort—all designed to maintain a sense of control over their teenagers. Rather than produce strategies that are based on negotiations with family members, parents in this study tended to develop their own individual strategies when confronted with a set of problems in caring for young teenagers, principle among these is the contested nature of teenagers’ need for care—contested by the educational institution, by employers, by spouses, and teenagers themselves. The study concludes by suggesting that these parents’ strategies lead to unequal divisions of emotional care that are shaped by gender and institutional intransigence.
Induction, Overhypothesis, and the Origin of Abstract Knowledge
Authors: Dewar Kathryn M. , Xu Fei
Published: November 2010

Human cognition relies on the ability to extract generalizable knowledge from limited evidence. One type of inductive learning, overhypothesis formation, allows learners to make inferences that take them beyond the limits of direct experience, leading to the creation of abstract knowledge. The developmental roots of this ability have yet to be investigated. We report three experiments examining whether 9-month-old infants are capable of forming overhypotheses. Our results show that when given evidence about a few objects in some category, infants formed a second-order generalization about categories in general. These findings provide evidence that infants possess a powerful mechanism for inductive learning—a mechanism that may be applied to many domains and that can account for the development of many inductive biases later on.
Gender and Transport
Authors: Rivera Roselle Leah K.
Published: November 2010

What are the strategies which men and women in poor communities utilize to meet their daily mobility needs? This is a key question which captures the emerging policy discussion on transport deprivation in developing countries. As transport deprivation means how people in poor communities, mostly women, experience greatest access problems. The article revisits a neglected dimension of urban poor housing discourse. More often than not, communities are seen as homogenous without recognizing that women and men, from diverse backgrounds, in poor communities have widely varying mobility and accessibility needs. This article initially begins a discussion on the transport experiences, the gendered differences of mobility and travel patterns of the men and women in poor communities, their transport conditions, and the related conditions experienced by poor men and women in three marketplaces. Methods for primary data gathering include (1) a random sample survey of 120 men and women from 3 major marketplaces of the three districts of the city (2) focus group discussions with representatives from four sectors (i.e., transportation leaders, public sector, private sector and NGOs, feminist leaders) and (3) key informant interviews of local and national officials. Secondary data such as official documents of the city were also utilized. While the costs of journey to work vary in the three districts, the time spent traveling for the short distance to work raises time poverty concerns. The article shows that men and women are predominantly pedestrians in a city whose official transport policy and practice is very biased towards high cost projects praised for technological efficiency and management.
Is cognition a matter of representations? Emulation, teleology, and time-keeping in biological systems
Authors: García Rodríguez Ángel , Calvo Garzón Paco
Published: November 2010

Contemporary literature distinguishes two ways to defend the claim that cognition is a matter of representations: first, cognition involves representation-hungry tasks; second, cognition involves a complex form of informational covariation between subcomponents of a system with an adaptive function. Each of these conceptions involves a different notion of representation, and promotes a particular view of the architecture of cognition. But despite the differences, each of them aims to support the claim that cognition is a matter of representations on architectural constraints. The objectives of this article are twofold: first, it is argued that architectural constraints do not entail either of those two ways to defend the claim that cognition is a matter of representations; second, it is claimed that both notions of representation share an objectionable common element—namely, the idea of a model that grounds the representational reading—that must be abandoned, in favor of a more economical explanation in terms of causal relations, in order to get a clear view of cognition.
A swarm cognition realization of attention, action selection, and spatial memory
Authors: Santana Pedro , Correia Luís
Published: November 2010

This article reports a study on modeling covert visual attention as a parallel process that unfolds in synergy with the embodied agent’s action selection process. The parallel nature of the proposed model is according to the multiple covert attention hypothesis and thus suitable for the concurrent search for multiple objects in the embodied agent’s visual field. In line with the active vision approach, the interaction with the action selection process is exploited by the model to deploy visual attention in a by-need way. Additionally, the multiple focuses of attention considered in the proposed model interact in a way that their collective behavior robustly self-organizes for a proper handling of the speed—accuracy trade-off inherent to visual search tasks. Besides the self-organization of a global spatiotemporal visual attention policy, the model also produces parallel, sparse, and active spatial working memories, that is, local maps of the environment. The underlying mechanisms of the model are based on the well known formalism that describes the self-organization of collective foraging strategies in social insects. This metaphor is particularly interesting because of its similarities with the problem tackled in this article, that is, the one of parallel visual attention. This claim is validated by experimental results on a simulated robot performing local navigation, where the ability of the model to generate accurate visual attention and spatial memories in a parsimonious and robust way is shown.
An Anti-von Willebrand Factor Aptamer Reduces Platelet Adhesion Among Patients Receiving Aspirin and Clopidogrel in an Ex Vivo Shear-Induced Arterial Thrombosis
Authors: Arzamendi Dabit , Dandachli Firas , Théorêt Jean-François , Ducrocq Gregory , Chan Mark , Mourad Walid , Gilbert James C. , Schaub Robert G. , Tanguay Jean-François , Merhi Yahye
Published: November 2010

The von Willebrand factor (vWF) aptamer, ARC1779 that blocks the binding of vWF A1-domain to platelet glycoprotein 1b (GPIb) at high shear, may deliver a site-specific antithrombotic effect. We investigated the efficiency of ARC1779 on platelet function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) on double antiplatelet therapy. Blood from patients taking aspirin and clopidogrel and from normal volunteers was treated ex vivo with ARC1779 or abciximab, either prior to perfusion (pretherapy) or 10 minutes following the initiation of perfusion (posttherapy) on damaged arteries. Under pre- but not posttherapy, platelet adhesion was significantly reduced by ARC1779 at 83 and 250 nmol/L and by abciximab (100 nmol/L) versus placebo (4.8, 3.8, and 2.9 vs 7.3 platelets × 106/cm2, P < .05). In contrast to abciximab, ARC1779 did not significantly affect platelet aggregation, P-selectin expression, and platelet−leukocyte binding. These proof-of-concept data may constitute the framework for randomized clinical investigations of this novel antiplatelet therapy among patients with CAD.
Exit Strategy: An Exploration of Late-Stage Police Crime
Authors: Stinson Philip Matthew , Liederbach John , Freiburger Tina L.
Published: November 2010

There are no exhaustive statistics available on the crimes committed by law enforcement officers, and only a small number of studies provide specific data on police crimes. The purpose of the current study is to examine the character of police arrests known to the media. Cases were identified through a content analysis of news coverage using the Internet-based GoogleTM News search engine and its Google Alerts search tool. The study focuses on the crimes committed by experienced officers who are approaching retirement. The occurrence of these late-stage crimes presents a challenge to existing assumptions regarding the relationship between experience and various forms of police misconduct and also provides an opportunity to examine a stage of the police career that has not been the subject of much research. The article concludes with an identification of research and policy implications and includes a discussion regarding how our data should be interpreted within the context of existing studies on police socialization and the production of misconduct.
Subclavian artery stenosis: A review for the vascular medicine practitioner
Authors: Ochoa Victor M , Yeghiazarians Yerem
Published: November 2010

Peripheral artery disease assessment typically focuses on the evaluation of lower extremity symptoms and physical findings. Few practitioners consider the importance of upper extremity arterial disease; which, besides causing hand and arm symptoms, can be associated with significant neurologic and cardiac sequelae. A review of the existing literature through PubMed using the search term ‘subclavian stenosis’ was performed. The latest original articles, including clinical studies, case reports and limited reviews of this topic were adapted. A comprehensive article review focusing on the diagnostic and treatment approach for subclavian stenosis was prepared. In conclusion, vascular medicine practitioners including cardiologists and vascular surgeons caring for patients with arterial disease should routinely assess for subclavian stenosis. There are excellent screening tools and effective medical therapies which can be instituted if diagnosed early. When the need for revascularization arises, percutaneous modalities are favored given their proven long-term efficacy, decreased morbidity and mortality, and cost-effectiveness.
The vector innovations structural time series framework
Authors: de Silva Ashton , Hyndman Rob J , Snyder Ralph
Published: November 2010

The vector innovations structural time series framework is proposed as a way of modelling a set of related time series. As with all multivariate approaches, the aim is to exploit potential interseries dependencies to improve the fit and forecasts. The model is based around an unobserved vector of components representing features such as the level and slope of each time series. Equations that describe the evolution of these components through time are used to represent the inter-temporal dependencies. The approach is illustrated on a bivariate dataset comprising Australian exchange rates of the UK pound and US dollar. The forecasting accuracy of the new modelling framework is compared to other common uni- and multivariate approaches in an experiment using time series from a large macroeconomic database.
Bayesian outlier detection in Capital Asset Pricing Model
Authors: De Giuli Maria Elena , Maggi Mario Alessandro , Tarantola Claudia
Published: November 2010

We propose a novel Bayesian optimization procedure for outlier detection in the Capital Asset Pricing Model. We use a parametric product partition model to robustly estimate the systematic risk of an asset. We assume that the returns follow independent normal distributions and we impose a partition structure on the parameters of interest. The partition structure imposed on the parameters induces a corresponding clustering of the returns. We identify via an optimization procedure the partition that best separates standard observations from the atypical ones. The methodology is illustrated with reference to a real dataset, for which we also provide a microeconomic interpretation of the detected outliers.
A Bayesian model for repeated measures zero-inflated count data with application to outpatient psychiatric service use
Authors: Neelon Brian H , O’Malley A James , Normand Sharon-Lise T
Published: November 2010

In applications involving count data, it is common to encounter an excess number of zeros. For example, in the study of outpatient service utilization, the number of utilization days will take on integer values, with many subjects having no utilization (zero values). Mixed distribution models, such as the zero-inflated Poisson and zero-inflated negative binomial, are often used to fit such data. A more general class of mixture models, called hurdle models, can be used to model zero deflation as well as zero inflation. Several authors have proposed frequentist approaches to fitting zero-inflated models for repeated measures. We describe a practical Bayesian approach which incorporates prior information, has optimal small-sample properties and allows for tractable inference. The approach can be easily implemented using standard Bayesian software. A study of psychiatric outpatient service use illustrates the methods.
Heteroscedastic factor mixture analysis
Authors: Montanari Angela , Viroli Cinzia
Published: November 2010

When data come from an unobserved heterogeneous population, common factor analysis is not appropriate to estimate the underlying constructs of interest. By replacing the traditional assumption of Gaussian distributed factors by a finite mixture of multivariate Gaussians, the unobserved heterogeneity can be modelled by latent classes. In so doing, we obtain a particular factor mixture analysis with heteroscedastic components. In this paper, the model is presented and a maximum likelihood estimation procedure via the expectation–maximization algorithm is developed. We also show that the approach well performs as a dimensionally reduced model-based clustering. Two real applications are illustrated and performances are compared to standard model-based clustering methods.
‘It’s Just Pure Harassment... As If It’s a Crime to Walk in the Street’: Anti-social Behaviour, Youth Justice and Citizenship — The Reality for Young Men in the East End of Glasgow
Authors: Deuchar Ross
Published: November 2010

The concern about anti-social youth is on the increase globally, as are the range of available sanctions. This article explores the nature of current youth justice strategies in western societies and draws upon a qualitative analysis of the experiences of 20 young men from deprived communities in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. It explores the way in which the recent preoccupation with anti-social behaviour, gang culture and punitive interventions has impacted on these young males. The article illustrates the negative impact of the young men’s marginalization on their sense of citizenship and human rights, and makes recommendations for the future.
A Different Kind of Evidence? Looking for ‘What Works’ in Engaging Young Offenders
Authors: Prior David , Mason Paul
Published: November 2010

The skills and knowledge required by practitioners to develop relationships with young offenders that will engage and sustain them in intervention programmes is a core theme of the ‘effective practice’ literature. Yet this question of how to secure young people’s engagement is scarcely examined in research on interventions with young offenders, despite an apparent preoccupation with ‘what works’. The article discusses this disjuncture between the research and practice literatures, arguing that prevailing orthodoxies regarding what constitutes valid research evidence prevent certain questions about what works and how from being studied. It is suggested that both the practice literature and alternative research methodologies can provide rigorous evidence in response to these questions.
BEACOPP chemotherapy is a highly effective regimen in children and adolescents with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma: a report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Kelly Kara M. , Sposto Richard , Hutchinson Raymond , Massey Vickie , McCarten Kathleen , Perkins Sherrie , Lones Mark , Villaluna Doojduen , Weiner Michael
Published: November 2010

Dose-intensified treatment strategies for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have demonstrated improvements in cure but may increase risk for acute and long-term toxicities, particularly in children. The Children's Oncology Group assessed the feasibility of a dose-intensive regimen, BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone) in children with high-risk HL (stage IIB or IIIB with bulk disease, stage IV). Rapidity of response was assessed after 4 cycles of BEACOPP. Rapid responders received consolidation therapy with guidelines to reduce the risk of sex-specific long-term toxicities of therapy. Females received 4 cycles of COPP/ABV (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine) without involved field radiation therapy (IFRT). Males received 2 cycles of ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) with IFRT. Slow responders received 4 cycles of BEACOPP and IFRT. Ninety-nine patients were enrolled. Myelosuppression was frequent. Rapid response was achieved by 74% of patients. Five-year event-free-survival is 94%, IFRT with median follow-up of 6.3 years. There were no disease progressions on study therapy. Secondary leukemias occurred in 2 patients. Overall survival is 97%. Early intensification followed by less intense response-based therapy for rapidly responding patients is an effective strategy for achieving high event-free survival in children with high-risk HL. This trial is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00004010.
Overexpression of PtrABF gene, a bZIP transcription factor isolated from Poncirus trifoliata, enhances dehydration and drought tolerance in tobacco via scavenging ROS and modulating expression of stress-responsive genes
Authors: Huang Xiao-San , Liu Ji-Hong , Chen Xue-Jun
Published: November 2010

Background

Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting plant growth, development and crop productivity. ABA responsive element binding factor (ABF) plays an important role in stress responses via regulating the expression of stress-responsive genes.

Results

In this study, a gene coding for ABF (PtrABF) was isolated fromPoncirus trifoliata(L.) Raf.PtrABFhad a complete open reading frame of 1347 bp, encoding a 448 amino acid peptide, and shared high sequence identities with ABFs from other plants. PtrABF was subcellularly targeted to the nucleus, exhibited transactivation activity in yeast cell and could bind to ABRE, supporting its role as a transcription factor. Expression levels ofPtrABFwere induced by treatments with dehydration, low temperature and ABA. Ectopic expression ofPtrABFunder the control of a CaMV 35S promoter in transgenic tobacco plants enhanced tolerance to both dehydration and drought. Under dehydration and drought conditions, the transgenic plants accumulated lower levels of reactive oxygen species compared with wild type, accompanied by higher activities and expression levels of three antioxidant enzymes. In addition, steady-state mRNA levels of nine stress-responsive genes coding for either functional or regulatory proteins were induced to higher levels in the transgenic lines with or without drought stress.

Conclusions

PtrABFis a bZIP transcription factor and functions in positive modulation of drought stress tolerance. It may be an important candidate gene for molecular breeding of drought- tolerant plants.