bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Mechanical Milling and Cold Pressing on Co Powder
Authors: Bolokang A. S. , Phasha M. J. , Motaung D. E. , Bhero S.
Published: February 2012

Cold pressing (CP) of the amorphous-like Co powder suppressed most of the XRD peaks, in particular the peak along (100) plane. The DSC curve of unmilled CP Co powder has shown a distinct sharp exothermic peak at 615C°. Upon annealing at 700C°, only the FCC phase with lattice parameter of 3.51 Å was detected by XRD. Our results implied that the exotherm at 615C° corresponds to compaction-pressure-assisted HCP to FCC first-order phase transition. The XRD analysis of 30 h milled powder revealed for the first time the FCC phase with a=3.80 Å. However, due to presence of (100) and (210) peaks, this phase is thought to be FCT with lattice parameters a=b=3.80 and c=3.07 Å. Consequently, the high-energy milling carried out in the current work induced for the first time HCP to FCT transition in Co. Upon CP of milled powder, the lattice parameter a shrunk from 3.80 to 3.75 Å. However, during annealing of the CP milled Co powder at 750C°, the FCT to FCC transition occurred, yielding the FCC phase with a=3.51 Å.
Lm-LLO-Based Immunotherapies and HPV-Associated Disease
Authors: Wallecha Anu , French Chris , Petit Robert , Singh Reshma , Amin Ashok , Rothman John
Published: February 2012

HPV infection is a direct cause of neoplasia and malignancy. Cellular immunologic activity against cells expressing HPV E6 and E7 is sufficient to eliminate the presence of dysplastic or neoplastic tissue driven by HPV infection. Live attenuatedListeria monocytogenes-(Lm-) based immunotherapy (ADXS11-001) has been developed for the treatment of HPV-associated diseases. ADXS11-001 secretes an antigen-adjuvant fusion (Lm-LLO) protein consisting of a truncated fragment of theLmprotein listeriolysin O (LLO) fused to HPV-16 E7. In preclinical models, this construct has been found to stimulate immune responses and affect therapeutic outcome. ADXS11-001 is currently being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, cervical cancer, and HPV-positive head and neck cancer. The use of a live attenuated bacterium is a more complex and complete method of cancer immunotherapy, as over millenniaLmhas evolved to infect humans and humans have evolved to prevent and reject this infection over millennia. This evolution has resulted in profound pathogen-associated immune mechanisms which are genetically conserved, highly efficacious, resistant to tolerance, and can be uniquely invoked using this novel platform technology.
Unusual Presentation of Rare Case of Papillary Adenofibroma of Cervix in a Young Woman
Authors: Navada H. Mahesha , Bhat B. Poornima Ramachandra , Ramani Gayatri , Gatty R. Rohan Chandra , Jayaprakash C. S.
Published: February 2012

Adenofibroma is an extremely rare benign biphasic neoplasm that is classified into the mixed epithelial and mesenchymal tumor group. These tumors tend to occur in postmenopausal and elderly women. We report the case of a large polypoidal mass per vagina occupying the whole pelvis in a young woman. Preoperative biopsy showed benign epithelial and mullerian mesenchymal components suggestive of mullerian adenofibroma. Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy was done. The diagnosis of papillary adenofibroma of cervix was made. The total surgery assured complete excision and permitted adequate sampling to exclude malignancy.
Targeting Policy for Obesity Prevention: Identifying the Critical Age for Weight Gain in Women
Authors: Dummer Trevor J. B. , Kirk Sara F. L. , Penney Tarra L. , Dodds Linda , Parker Louise
Published: February 2012

The obesity epidemic requires the development of prevention policy targeting individuals most likely to benefit. We used self-reported prepregnancy body weight of all women giving birth in Nova Scotia between 1988 and 2006 to define obesity and evaluated socioeconomic, demographic, and temporal trends in obesity using linear regression. There were 172,373 deliveries in this cohort of 110,743 women. Maternal body weight increased significantly by 0.5 kg per year from 1988, and lower income and rural residence were both associated significantly with increasing obesity. We estimated an additional 82,000 overweight or obese women in Nova Scotia in 2010, compared to the number that would be expected from obesity rates of just two decades ago. The critical age for weight gain was identified as being between 20 and 24 years. This age group is an important transition age between adolescence and adulthood when individuals first begin to accept responsibility for food planning, purchasing, and preparation. Policy and public health interventions must target those most at risk, namely, younger women and the socially deprived, whilst tackling the marketing of low-cost energy-dense foods at the expense of healthier options.
A Procedure to Identify the Modal and Physical Parameters of a Classically Damped System under Seismic Motions
Authors: De Angelis M. , Imbimbo M.
Published: February 2012

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a methodology for determining some modal parameters (frequencies, damping ratios, and seismic eigenvectors) and, under certain hypotheses,
the physical matrices of a general structure with proportional damping and subjected to seismic loads. The procedure is based on a time-domain state space formulation from which the
modal parameters, including the seismic eigenvectors, and the complex eigenvectors of the
system can be derived also in the case of a limited set of instrumentations. The conditions to
normalize the eigenvectors are then illustrated and, finally, applied to derive the second-order
matrices of the system. The proposed procedure is applied to some numerical examples also
in the case of noise-polluted measurements and to an experimental investigation performed
on a four-story steel frame subjected to earthquake excitations. An optimization procedure
to improve the prediction of the first-order modal parameters of the system is also discussed
and experimentally proved.
Cigarette Smoke Induces Aberrant EGF Receptor Activation That Mediates Lung Cancer Development and Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Filosto Simone , Becker Cathleen R. , Goldkorn Tzipora
Published: February 2012

The EGF receptor (EGFR) and its downstream signaling are implicated in lung cancer development. Therefore, much effort was spent in developing specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) that bind to the EGFR ATP-pocket, blocking EGFR phosphorylation/signaling. Clinical use of TKIs is effective in a subset of lung cancers with mutations in the EGFR kinase domain, rendering the receptor highly susceptible to TKIs. However, these benefits are limited, and emergence of additional EGFR mutations usually results in TKI resistance and disease progression. Previously, we showed one mechanism linking cigarette smoke to EGFR-driven lung cancer. Specifically, exposure of lung epithelial cells to cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress stimulates aberrant EGFR phosphorylation/activation with impaired receptor ubiquitination/degradation. The abnormal stabilization of the activated receptor leads to uncontrolled cell growth and tumorigenesis. Here, we describe for the first time a novel posttranslational mechanism of EGFR resistance to TKIs. Exposure of airway epithelial cells to cigarette smoke causes aberrant phosphorylation/activation of EGFR, resulting in a conformation that is different from that induced by the ligand EGF. Unlike EGF-activated EGFR, cigarette smoke-activated EGFR binds c-Src and caveolin-1 and does not undergo canonical dimerization. Importantly, the cigarette smoke-activated EGFR is not inhibited by TKIs (AG1478; erlotinib; gefitinib); in fact, the cigarette smoke exposure induces TKI-resistance even in the TKI-sensitive EGFR mutants. Our findings show that cigarette smoke exposure stimulates not only aberrant EGFR phosphorylation impairing receptor degradation, but also induces a different EGFR conformation and signaling that are resistant to TKIs. Together, these findings offer new insights into cigarette smoke-induced lung cancer development and TKI resistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(4); 795–804. ©2012 AACR.
The Thymidine Phosphorylase Inhibitor 5′-O-Tritylinosine (KIN59) Is an Antiangiogenic Multitarget Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Antagonist
Authors: Liekens Sandra , Bronckaers Annelies , Belleri Mirella , Bugatti Antonella , Sienaert Rebecca , Ribatti Domenico , Nico Beatrice , Gigante Alba , Casanova Elena , Opdenakker Ghislain , Pérez-Pérez María-Jesús , Balzarini Jan , Presta Marco
Published: February 2012

5′-O-Tritylinosine (KIN59) is an allosteric inhibitor of the angiogenic enzyme thymidine phosphorylase. Previous observations showed the capacity of KIN59 to abrogate thymidine phosphorylase–induced as well as developmental angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Here, we show that KIN59 also inhibits the angiogenic response triggered by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) but not by VEGF in the CAM assay. Immunohistochemical and reverse transcriptase PCR analyses revealed that the expression of laminin, the major proteoglycan of the basement membrane of blood vessels, is downregulated by KIN59 administration in control as well as in thymidine phosphorylase- or FGF2-treated CAMs, but not in CAMs treated with VEGF. Also, KIN59 abrogated FGF2-induced endothelial cell proliferation, FGF receptor activation, and Akt signaling in vitro with no effect on VEGF-stimulated biologic responses. Accordingly, KIN59 inhibited the binding of FGF2 to FGF receptor-1 (FGFR1), thus preventing the formation of productive heparan sulphate proteoglycan/FGF2/FGFR1 ternary complexes, without affecting heparin interaction. In keeping with these observations, systemic administration of KIN59 inhibited the growth and neovascularization of subcutaneous tumors induced by FGF2-transformed endothelial cells injected in immunodeficient nude mice. Taken together, the data indicate that the thymidine phosphorylase inhibitor KIN59 is endowed with a significant FGF2 antagonist activity, thus representing a promising lead compound for the design of multitargeted antiangiogenic cancer drugs. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(4); 817–29. ©2012 AACR.
MicroRNAs in Vascular and Metabolic Disease
Authors: Zampetaki Anna , Mayr Manuel
Published: February 2012

Recent findings demonstrated the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the vasculature and the orchestration of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. MiRNA networks represent an additional layer of regulation for gene expression that absorbs perturbations and ensures the robustness of biological systems. This function is very elegantly demonstrated in cholesterol metabolism where miRNAs reducing cellular cholesterol export are embedded in the very same genes that increase cholesterol synthesis. Often their alteration does not affect normal development but changes under stress conditions and in disease. A detailed understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of miRNA-mediated effects on metabolism and vascular pathophysiology could pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic approaches. In the first part of this review, we summarize the role of miRNAs in vascular and metabolic diseases and explore potential confounding effects by platelet miRNAs in preclinical models of cardiovascular disease. In the second part, we discuss experimental strategies for miRNA target identification and the challenges in attributing miRNA effects to specific cell types and single targets.
Circulating MicroRNAs
Authors: Creemers Esther E. , Tijsen Anke J. , Pinto Yigal M.
Published: February 2012

In the past few years, the crucial role of different micro-RNAs (miRNAs) in the cardiovascular system has been widely recognized. Recently, it was discovered that extracellular miRNAs circulate in the bloodstream and that such circulating miRNAs are remarkably stable. This has raised the possibility that miRNAs may be probed in the circulation and can serve as novel diagnostic markers. Although the precise cellular release mechanisms of miRNAs remain largely unknown, the first studies revealed that these circulating miRNAs may be delivered to recipient cells, where they can regulate translation of target genes. In this review, we will discuss the nature of the stability of miRNAs that circulate in the bloodstream and discuss the available evidence regarding the possible function of these circulating miRNAs in distant cell-to-cell communication. Furthermore, we summarize and discuss the usefulness of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers for a wide range of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Developing MicroRNA Therapeutics
Authors: van Rooij Eva , Purcell Angela L. , Levin Arthur A.
Published: February 2012

Rarely a new research area has gotten such an overwhelming amount of attention as have microRNAs. Although several basic questions regarding their biological principles still remain to be answered, many specific characteristics of microRNAs in combination with compelling therapeutic efficacy data and a clear involvement in human disease have triggered the biotechnology community to start exploring the possibilities of viewing microRNAs as therapeutic entities. This review serves to provide some general insight into some of the current microRNAs targets, how one goes from the initial bench discovery to actually developing a therapeutically useful modality, and will briefly summarize the current patent landscape and the companies that have started to explore microRNAs as the next drug target.
Modeling of Forecast Sensitivity on the March of Monsoon Isochrones from Kerala to New Delhi: The First 25 Days
Authors: Krishnamurti T. N. , Simon Anu , Thomas Aype , Mishra Akhilesh , Sikka Dev , Niyogi Dev , Chakraborty Arindam , Li Li
Published: February 2012

This study addresses observational and modeling sensitivity on the march of the onset isochrones of the Indian summer monsoon. The first 25 days of the passage of the isochrones of monsoon onset is of great scientific interest. Surface and satellite-based datasets are used for high-resolution modeling of the impact of the motion of the onset isochrones from Kerala to New Delhi. These include the asymmetries across the isochrone such as soil moisture and its temporal variability, moistening of the dry soil to the immediate north of the isochrone by nonconvective anvil rains, and formation of newly forming cloud elements to the immediate north of the isochrone. The region immediately north of the isochrone is shown to carry a spread of buoyancy elements. As these new elements grow, they are continually being steered by the divergent circulations of the parent isochrone to the north and eventually to the northwest. CloudSat was extremely useful for identifying the asymmetric cloud structures across the isochrone. In the modeling sensitivity studies, the authors used a mesoscale Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecasting Model (ARW-WRF) to examine days 1–25 of forecasts of the onset isochrone. Prediction experiments were first modeled during normal, dry, and wet Indian monsoons using default values of model parameters. This study was extended to determine the effects of changes in soil moisture and nonconvective rain parameterizations (the parameters suggested by the satellite observations). These sensitivity experiments show that the motion of the isochrones from Kerala to New Delhi are very sensitive to the parameterization of soil moisture and nonconvective anvil rains immediately north of the isochrone.
Improved Simulation of the South Asian Summer Monsoon in a Coupled GCM with a More Realistic Ocean Mixed Layer
Authors: Song Yajuan , Qiao Fangli , Song Zhenya
Published: February 2012

Simulation and prediction of the South Asian summer monsoon in a climate model remain a challenge despite intense efforts by the atmosphere and ocean research community. Because the phenomenon arises from the interaction of the atmosphere with the upper ocean, a deficiency in the simulation of the latter can lead to a poor simulation of the atmospheric meridional circulation. This study demonstrates that a significant improvement can be obtained in the simulation of the summer monsoon by correcting a prevailing deficiency in the mixed layer simulation of the Indian Ocean. A particular physical process of the nonbreaking wave–ocean mixing parameterized as Bυ, which has not been considered in any climate model, is included in this study to enhance the vertical mixing in the upper ocean. Results show that the inclusion of this mixing process in a climate model leads to a better simulation of the ocean mixed layer, especially in the regions where the mixing was previously underestimated. The improved mixed layer simulation further results in stronger meridional differential heating, which drives stronger low-level monsoonal winds and results in stronger moisture transport and convergence, especially in the northern Indian Ocean. Moisture convergence into the Bay of Bengal is significantly enhanced and in general the spatial distribution of moisture is more consistent with observations. The directly driven monsoonal winds by the differential heating are further amplified by the resultant latent heating, which generates not only a wind amplitude comparable to the observations but also a correct vertical structure.
Exact Averaging of Atmospheric State and Flow Variables
Authors: Kowalski Andrew S.
Published: February 2012

A new set of averaging rules is put forward that exactly determines the means of air temperature, mixing ratio, and velocity by incorporating weighting factors in accordance with physical conservation laws. For the temperature and velocity, respectively, the means calculated according to these rules are shown to be in accordance with the gas law and the most fundamental definition from classical mechanics. By contrast, those reckoned according to traditional arithmetic averaging rules are found to be incorrect. For studies of eddy transport, and micrometeorology in particular, such imprecisely determined averages of state and flow variables bias the perturbation variables over the entire averaging domain and thereby skew estimates of mass, heat, and momentum exchange unless appropriate adjustments (such as density corrections) are applied. The exact calculation of gas-phase averages amends this problem and is equally applicable to planetary-, synoptic-, and mesoscale averaging, as well as to climatology.
Abrupt Circulation Responses to Tropical Upper-Tropospheric Warming in a Relatively Simple Stratosphere-Resolving AGCM
Authors: Wang Shuguang , Gerber Edwin P. , Polvani Lorenzo M.
Published: February 2012

The circulation response of the atmosphere to climate change–like thermal forcing is explored with a relatively simple, stratosphere-resolving general circulation model. The model is forced with highly idealized physics, but integrates the primitive equations at resolution comparable to comprehensive climate models. An imposed forcing mimics the warming induced by greenhouse gasses in the low-latitude upper troposphere. The forcing amplitude is progressively increased over a range comparable in magnitude to the warming projected by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change coupled climate model scenarios. For weak to moderate warming, the circulation response is remarkably similar to that found in comprehensive models: the Hadley cell widens and weakens, the tropospheric midlatitude jets shift poleward, and the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) increases. However, when the warming of the tropical upper troposphere exceeds a critical threshold, ~5 K, an abrupt change of the atmospheric circulation is observed. In the troposphere the extratropical eddy-driven jet jumps poleward nearly 10°. In the stratosphere the polar vortex intensifies and the BDC weakens as the intraseasonal coupling between the troposphere and the stratosphere shuts down. The key result of this study is that an abrupt climate transition can be effected by changes in atmospheric dynamics alone, without need for the strong nonlinearities typically associated with physical parameterizations. It is verified that the abrupt climate shift reported here is not an artifact of the model’s resolution or numerics.
Association between Northward-Moving Tropical Cyclones and Southwesterly Flows Modulated by Intraseasonal Oscillation
Authors: Chen Jau-Ming , Shih Ching-Feng
Published: February 2012

Tropical cyclones (TCs) of a particular track type move northward along the open oceans to the east of Taiwan and later pass over or near northern Taiwan. Their northward movement may be associated with intensified monsoon southwesterly flows from the northern South China Sea (SCS) toward Taiwan. Prolonged heavy rainfall then occurs in western Taiwan across the landfall and postlandfall periods, leading to severe floods. Characteristics of this TC–southwesterly flow association and related large-scale regulatory processes of intraseasonal oscillations (ISOs) are studied. For summers from 1958 to 2009, 16 out of 108 TCs affecting Taiwan exhibit the aforementioned northward-moving track. Among them, four TCs (25%) concur with enhanced southwesterly flows. Intensified moisture supplies from the SCS result in strong moisture convergence and prolonged heavy rainfall in western Taiwan. Both 30–60- and 10–24-day ISOs make positive contributions to the TC–southwesterly flow association. Both ISOs exhibit the northward progress of a meridional circulation pair from the tropics toward Taiwan. During landfall and the ensuing few days, Taiwan is surrounded by a cyclonic anomaly to the north and an anticyclonic anomaly to the south of these two ISOs. The appearance of anomalous southwesterly–westerly flows acts to prolong heavy rainfall in western Taiwan after the departure of a TC. The TC–southwesterly flow association tends to occur during the minimum phase of the 30–60-day ISO featuring a cyclonic anomaly in the vicinity of Taiwan but in various phases of the 10–24-day ISO. Rainfall in western Taiwan increases when these two ISOs simultaneously exhibit a cyclonic anomaly to the north of Taiwan.
Sensitivity of Circumpolar Deep Water Transport and Ice Shelf Basal Melt along the West Antarctic Peninsula to Changes in the Winds
Authors: Dinniman Michael S. , Klinck John M. , Hofmann Eileen E.
Published: February 2012

Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) can be found near the continental shelf break around most of Antarctica. Advection of this relatively warm water (up to 2°C) across the continental shelf to the base of floating ice shelves is thought to be a critical source of heat for basal melting in some locations. A high-resolution (4 km) regional ocean–sea ice–ice shelf model of the west Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) coastal ocean was used to examine the effects of changes in the winds on across-shelf CDW transport and ice shelf basal melt. Increases and decreases in the strength of the wind fields were simulated by scaling the present-day winds by a constant factor. Additional simulations considered effects of increased Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) transport. Increased wind strength and ACC transport increased the amount of CDW transported onto the WAP continental shelf but did not necessarily increase CDW flux underneath the nearby ice shelves. The basal melt underneath some of the deeper ice shelves actually decreased with increased wind strength. Increased mixing over the WAP shelf due to stronger winds removed more heat from the deeper shelf waters than the additional heat gained from increased CDW volume transport. The simulation results suggest that the effect on the WAP ice shelves of the projected strengthening of the polar westerlies is not a simple matter of increased winds causing increased (or decreased) basal melt. A simple budget calculation indicated that iron associated with increased vertical mixing of CDW could significantly affect biological productivity of this region.
Is Breastfeeding Truly Cost Free? Income Consequences of Breastfeeding for Women
Authors: Rippeyoung Phyllis L. F. , Noonan Mary C.
Published: February 2012

Based on studies showing health advantages for breastfeeding mothers and their infants, pediatricians and other breastfeeding advocates encourage new mothers to breastfeed their babies for at least the first six months of their infants’ lives, arguing that breast milk is best for infants, families, and society, and it is cost free. Few empirical studies, however, document how the decision to breastfeed instead of formula-feed is associated with women’s post-birth earnings. This is an important omission, given that the majority of women today work for pay, and many work in job environments incompatible with breastfeeding. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, our results show that mothers who breastfeed for six months or longer suffer more severe and more prolonged earnings losses than do mothers who breastfeed for shorter durations or not at all. The larger post-birth drop in earnings for long-duration breastfeeders is due to a larger reduction in labor supply. We discuss the implications of these findings for gender equality at home and at work.
Structure and Dynamics of Religious Insurgency
Authors: Kim Hyojoung , Pfaff Steven
Published: February 2012

The Protestant Reformation swept across Central Europe in the early-sixteenth century, leaving cities divided into Evangelical and Catholic camps as some instituted reforms and others remained loyal to the Roman Church. In offering a new explanation of the Reformation, we develop a theory that identifies ideologically mobilized students as bridge actors—that is, agents of religious contention who helped concatenate incidents of local insurgency into a loosely organized Evangelical movement by bridging structural holes. Building on existing literature, we offer a novel way to measure the influence of contending religious movements through university enrollments; we propose that the institution of reform can be partially explained by the varying degree of exposure that cities had to Evangelical activist and Catholic loyalist university students. Based on statistical analysis of a novel dataset comprising cities in the Holy Roman Empire with a population of 2,000 or more from 1523 to 1545, we find support for the role of university students as bridge actors linking critical communities at universities to arenas of urban contention. The greater a city’s exposure to heterodox ideology through city-to-university ties, the greater its odds of instituting the Reformation.
Internal Medicine Interns Have a Poor Knowledge of Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Schwarcz Aron I. , Quijano Aimee , Olin Jeffrey W. , Ostfeld Robert J.
Published: February 2012

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common and carries an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The level of knowledge among incoming medical trainees about PAD is unknown. During orientation to a single internal medicine residency program, incoming medical interns were given a 19-question multiple-choice questionnaire. The questions fell into 1 of 4 categories about PAD: (1) prevalence, (2) screening, (3) treatment, and (4) outcome. Sixty-two incoming interns were queried. The percentage of questions answered correctly overall was 41.7% (10.5%-73.7%). The percentage of questions answered correctly in the prevalence, screening, treatment, and outcome groups were 48.9% (0 to 100%), 33.8% (0 to 80%), 45.0% (0 to 87.5%), and 42.5% (0 to 100%), respectively. Internal medicine interns have poor knowledge about PAD including its prevalence, screening, treatment, and outcomes. Increased education during medical school is encouraged.
Control of Cytokine mRNA Expression by RNA-binding Proteins and microRNAs
Authors: Palanisamy V. , Jakymiw A. , Van Tubergen E.A. , D’Silva N.J. , Kirkwood K.L.
Published: February 2012

Cytokines are critical mediators of inflammation and host defenses. Regulation of cytokines can occur at various stages of gene expression, including transcription, mRNA export, and post- transcriptional and translational levels. Among these modes of regulation, post-transcriptional regulation has been shown to play a vital role in controlling the expression of cytokines by modulating mRNA stability. The stability of cytokine mRNAs, including TNFα, IL-6, and IL-8, has been reported to be altered by the presence of AU-rich elements (AREs) located in the 3′-untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of the mRNAs. Numerous RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs bind to these 3′UTRs to regulate the stability and/or translation of the mRNAs. Thus, this paper describes the cooperative function between RNA-binding proteins and miRNAs and how they regulate AU-rich elements containing cytokine mRNA stability/degradation and translation. These mRNA control mechanisms can potentially influence inflammation as it relates to oral biology, including periodontal diseases and oral pharyngeal cancer progression.
Self-assembled Nano-layering at the Adhesive Interface
Authors: Yoshida Y. , Yoshihara K. , Nagaoka N. , Hayakawa S. , Torii Y. , Ogawa T. , Osaka A. , Meerbeek B.Van
Published: February 2012

According to the ‘Adhesion–Decalcification’ concept, specific functional monomers within dental adhesives can ionically interact with hydroxyapatite (HAp). Such ionic bonding has been demonstrated for 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) to manifest in the form of self-assembled ‘nano-layering’. However, it remained to be explored if such nano-layering also occurs on tooth tissue when commercial MDP-containing adhesives (Clearfil SE Bond, Kuraray; Scotchbond Universal, 3M ESPE) were applied following common clinical application protocols. We therefore characterized adhesive-dentin interfaces chemically, using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and ultrastructurally, using (scanning) transmission electron microscopy (TEM/STEM). Both adhesives revealed nano-layering at the adhesive interface, not only within the hybrid layer but also, particularly for Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray), extending into the adhesive layer. Since such self-assembled nano-layering of two 10-MDP molecules, joined by stable MDP-Ca salt formation, must make the adhesive interface more resistant to biodegradation, it may well explain the documented favorable clinical longevity of bonds produced by 10-MDP-based adhesives.
Lexical Representation of Japanese Vowel Devoicing
Authors: Ogasawara Naomi
Published: February 2012

Vowel devoicing happens in Japanese when the high vowel is between voiceless consonants. The aim of this study is to investigate the lexical representation of vowel devoicing. A long-term repetition-priming experiment was conducted. Participants shadowed words containing either a devoiced or a voiced vowel in three priming paradigms, and their shadow responses were analyzed. It was found that participants produced the phonologically appropriate allophone most of the time based on the consonantal environments. Shadowing latencies for the voiced stimuli were faster than for the devoiced stimuli in the environment where the vowel should be voiced; while, no significant RT difference was observed between the two forms in the environment where vowel devoicing was expected. In addition, a priming effect between the devoiced and voiced stimuli emerged only in the devoicing environment. The results suggest that since vowel devoicing is very common in spoken Japanese, the devoiced form may be stored in the lexicon. The results also suggest a link between the two forms in the lexicon and a direct access between an input and a lexical representation without going through intermediate levels that usually cost extra processes.
An analytical model for through-thickness permeability of woven fabric
Authors: Xiao Xueliang , Zeng Xuesen , Long Andrew , Lin Hua , Clifford Michael , Saldaeva Elena
Published: February 2012

Woven fabric permeability is relevant to many applications, such as airbags, textile composites processing, paper making and air and water filtration. This paper proposes an analytical model to predict through-thickness fabric permeability based on viscous and incompressible Hagen–Poiseuille flow. The flow is modeled through a unit cell of fabric with a smooth fluid channel at the center with slowly varying cross-section. The channel geometry is determined by yarn spacing, yarn cross-section and fabric thickness. The shape of the channel is approximated by a parabolic function. Volumetric flow rate ( Q) is formulated as a function of pressure drop and flow channel geometry for woven fabric. The permeability ( K) is calculated thereafter according to Darcy’s law. The air permeability of nine different fabrics has been measured to verify the analytical model. A sensitivity study was carried out to understand how geometric parameters influence the fabric permeability. The analytical model shows very close agreement with the experimental data: within 5% for most fabrics. The sensitivity study on permeability indicates the importance of flow channel geometry in obtaining accurate predictions.
Degradation of military body armor due to wear: Laboratory testing
Authors: Pinto Ryan , Carr Debra , Helliker Mark , Girvan Liz , Gridley Nicky
Published: February 2012

Personal armor, including body armor, is protective clothing designed to either absorb or deflect attacks that would usually be fatal to an individual. These attacks include, but are not limited to, slashing, bludgeoning, stabbing and ballistic threats. In the UK, body armor is worn by police officers for their shift; however, military personnel (particularly when based overseas) may wear body armor continuously for much longer time periods. Thus, the effect of wear due to use on the performance of body armor is of interest. Testing of body armor after actual use is problematic for several reasons including, but not limited to, (i) access to such items and (ii) a lack of knowledge of exactly what the body armor has been exposed to. Thus the use of laboratory testing to understand degradation of body armor is of interest to many agencies. Additionally, laboratory testing allows for the effect of variables to be investigated independently of each other, as well as in combination. The effect of inter-layer wear between apparel items and/or among layers of fabric within apparel does not appear to be systematically explored in the literature. In this paper, the effect of wear on (i) the tensile strength and (ii) the fragment protective performance of fabrics packs containing a para-aramid woven fabric typical of those used to manufacture body armor was investigated.
Using Empirical Article Analysis to Assess Research Methods Courses
Authors: Bachiochi Peter , Everton Wendi , Evans Melanie , Fugere Madeleine , Escoto Carlos , Letterman Margaret , Leszczynski Jennifer
Published: February 2012

Developing students who can apply their knowledge of empirical research is a key outcome of the undergraduate psychology major. This learning outcome was assessed in two research methods courses by having students read and analyze a condensed empirical journal article. At the start and end of the semester, students in multiple sections of an introductory research methods course and students in sections of an advanced methods course answered questions about a condensed journal article in a pre–post approach. Students in the advanced course significantly outperformed students in the introductory course at both administrations, and students in both courses improved significantly from beginning to end of the semester. Results indicate that using journal article analysis can effectively supplement assessment efforts for psychology departments.
The Prevalence and Predictors of Teaching Courses in Doctoral Psychology Programs
Authors: Boysen Guy A.
Published: February 2012

Graduate students in psychology frequently receive training to prepare them for teaching responsibilities. However, little is known about the different types of teaching courses that exist or what leads graduate programs to offer such courses. This study explores archival data to determine the prevalence and predictors of formal teaching coursework in doctoral psychology programs. The archival data included department size, university size, university research productivity, university mission, and teaching course offerings. A majority of programs (65%) offered a course related to teaching. The courses tended to be offered by public universities with a smaller percentage of graduate students but a higher number of undergraduates and department faculty. The results suggest widespread but varied access to teacher training in psychology programs.
How Accurately Do Introductory Psychology Textbooks Present Psychoanalytic Theory?
Authors: Habarth Janice , Hansell James , Grove Tyler
Published: February 2012

Previous studies have raised concerns about the quality of the coverage of psychoanalytic content in undergraduate psychology textbooks. The authors investigated the accuracy and currency of psychoanalytic content in top-selling introductory psychology textbooks. Across the textbooks, 2% to 18% of the paragraphs with psychoanalytic content included inaccurate or misleading statements. Consistent with previous research, this study raises concerns about the overall quality of the presentation of psychoanalytic theory to undergraduates. The authors offer suggestions both to textbook authors wishing to include the most accurate and up-to-date information and also to instructors concerned about selecting textbooks that present accurate and current psychoanalytic content.
Predicting Textbook Reading
Authors: Gurung Regan A. R. , Martin Ryan C.
Published: February 2012

The authors constructed the Textbook Assessment and Usage Scale (TAUS) to measure students' textbook evaluations. They tested the scale in 6 introductory and 3 upper level classes. In Studies 1 and 2, the authors developed the TAUS, tested its psychometric properties, and determined which factors predicted how much students read the book and student exam scores. In Study 3, the authors used different introductory textbooks; and in Study 4, they used upper level classes. The authors found initial data to support the psychometric properties of the TAUS. Sex of student, student perceptions of the quality of visuals, pedagogical aids, photographs, writing, and course design predicted student text reading and exam scores. The number of significant predictors varied across textbooks and classes studied.
The Role of Attendance in Lecture Classes
Authors: Golding Jonathan M.
Published: February 2012

A review of prior research on the role of attendance policies in large lecture classes (including psychology) is presented. This research showed that although students often did not attend class, various policies were effective in getting students to the classroom. Moreover, some research showed that an attendance policy did not lower instructor course evaluation scores compared to when there was no attendance policy. With regard to academic performance, a common finding was a positive correlation between attendance and performance. However, research using experimental designs and archival studies that compared classes with and without policies showed that there was not always an improvement in performance. The importance of pedagogical and practical goals in deciding to implement an attendance policy is presented.
Association Between Adult Attachment Representations and Undergraduate Student Course Evaluations
Authors: Henson Alisha M. , Scharfe Elaine
Published: February 2012

Students' course evaluations often play an important role in career advancement for faculty. The authors examined the association between attachment representations of parents and course evaluations in a sample of 230 undergraduate students. They found a significant negative association between attachment anxiety with parents and course evaluation, thereby suggesting that insecure–anxious students were more likely to give negative course evaluations. The authors provide suggestions for professors to improve their scores on student course evaluations.
Psychology Ethics in Introductory Psychology Textbooks
Authors: Zucchero Renee' A.
Published: February 2012

Previous research revealed that introductory psychology textbooks included limited information about psychology ethics. This study reviewed 48 current introductory psychology textbooks for research and other APA ethics content. These textbooks included slightly more total ethics content and were more thorough in their review of research ethics than textbooks of the past. However, psychology ethics related to teaching and clinical practice received minimal coverage and the limited integration of psychology ethics is a concern. Instructors are encouraged to seek supplementary resources to effectively integrate a greater breadth of psychology ethics into their course. Likewise, authors might consider a more comprehensive incorporation in future textbooks.
Crib Card Use During Tests
Authors: Funk Steven C. , Dickson K. Laurie
Published: February 2012

The authors experimentally investigated the effect of crib cards on exam performance and student learning. Fifty-one students expected to use their prepared crib cards during an exam. However, they first completed an unexpected pretest without their crib card. Students performed significantly worse on the pretest than on identical questions when crib cards were allowed during the exam. Students prepared for a later exam by making a crib card but expected that they could not use it during testing. Following the exam, they completed an unexpected posttest containing identical questions with their crib cards. Performance did not differ. Students' expectations of crib card use fostered dependency and reduced learning, while expectations of non-use did not.
The Role of Statistics and Research Methods in the Academic Success of Psychology Majors
Authors: Freng Scott , Webber David , Blatter Jamin , Wing Ashley , Scott Walter D.
Published: February 2012

Comprehension of statistics and research methods is crucial to understanding psychology as a science ( APA, 2007 ). However, psychology majors sometimes approach methodology courses with derision or anxiety ( Onwuegbuzie & Wilson, 2003 ; Rajecki, Appleby, Williams, Johnson, & Jeschke, 2005 ); consequently, students may postpone enrollment ( Onwuegbuzie, 2004 ). We examined the importance of methodology course performance (i.e., grade) and timing of enrollment in these courses for the academic success of psychology majors. After controlling for number of courses taken, relevant American College Test (ACT) scores, and prior Grade Point Average (GPA), we found that methodology course grade and timing of enrollment predicted upper-division psychology GPA. In addition, methodology course grade predicted performance on an assessment of knowledge in psychology. We discuss implications of these results for teaching and advising.
Diversity Topics Covered in Teaching of Psychology Courses
Authors: Boysen Guy A.
Published: February 2012

Teaching of psychology courses trains graduate students in pedagogy, but little is known about how diversity is addressed in these courses. A survey of instructors in teaching of psychology courses assessed their coverage of diversity and classroom bias, as well as the instructional methods used to cover them. Results indicated that 87% of instructors covered diversity issues, and 78% covered bias that occurs in the classroom. Instructors who covered diversity and bias devoted 3 to 5 hr to the topics and primarily used traditional instructional methods, such as discussion, readings, and lectures. Older instructors tended to cover fewer topics than younger instructors. Although diversity topics are part of teaching of psychology courses, it is unlikely that the time devoted to the topics is sufficient preparation for teaching in diverse classrooms.
Personality Traits and Psychological Health Concerns
Authors: Deo Michael S. , Lymburner Jocelyn A.
Published: February 2012

The current study explored whether an affliction similar to Medical Student Syndrome occurs in psychology students (i.e., Psychology Student Syndrome) by examining the relationship between self ratings of psychological health and the number of psychopathology courses taken. Undergraduate participants rated their level of concern about suffering from symptoms of psychological disorders. Students additionally completed a Big Five measure to determine whether personality plays a role in self diagnosis. No evidence was obtained to support Psychology Student Syndrome; however, a positive correlation was found between neuroticism and psychological health anxiety. Instructors of psychopathology courses should be aware that students high in neuroticism may be at a higher risk for diagnosing themselves with psychological problems.
What Happened to the First “R”?: Students' Perceptions of the Role of Textbooks in Psychology Courses
Authors: Marek Pam , Christopher Andrew N.
Published: February 2012

To investigate undergraduate students' perceptions of the role of the textbook in psychology courses, the authors surveyed 311 psychology students. Using an online survey, students answered questions about textbook importance, usage, and preferences and about scenarios that described a textbook as a resource or central course element. If an instructor expected students to read and understand textbook material before class, students perceived they would learn less, enjoy the course less, and find the course more difficult than if an instructor described the textbook as a resource to which students might refer for clarification. Results indicated that students valued classroom experiences more than textbook reading. The authors discuss how such preferences may reflect prior reading experiences and instructors' emphases.
Design and Implementation of an Undergraduate Laboratory Course in Psychophysiology
Authors: Thibodeau Ryan
Published: February 2012

Most psychology curricula require the completion of coursework on the physiological bases of behavior. However, delivery of this critical content in a laboratory format is somewhat rare at the undergraduate level. To fill this gap, this article describes the design and implementation of an undergraduate laboratory course in psychophysiology at a small, primarily undergraduate institution. I discuss the course goals, course structure, and evidence related to its usefulness and promise. The course appears to successfully illuminate the physiological bases of behavior via the conduct of original psychophysiological research.
Utilizing Community Portfolios in Teaching for Social Justice
Authors: Sinacore Ada , Kassan Anusha
Published: February 2012

This article describes how an Integrated Social Justice Pedagogy was applied in a graduate-level multicultural psychology course. As such, it provides an overview of the model and how it is utilized in the didactic, experiential, and reflexive components of the course.
Faculty Perceptions Concerning the Frequency and Appropriateness of Student Behaviors
Authors: Landrum R. Eric
Published: February 2012

A national sample of psychology instructors ( N = 134) rated the appropriateness and frequency of 104 potential student behaviors, replicating and extending Parr and Valerius. The top 10 ratings for appropriateness and frequency differed from previous work. The author discusses the importance of clear communication of instructor expectations of student behavior in addition to course expectations as presented in the syllabus. Instructors may wish to use this list to help inform students of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors as well as to encourage students to increase the frequency of appropriate behaviors.