bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FcRL5 as a Target of Antibody–Drug Conjugates for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Elkins Kristi , Zheng Bing , Go MaryAnn , Slaga Dionysos , Du Changchun , Scales Suzie J. , Yu Shang-Fan , McBride Jacqueline , de Tute Ruth , Rawstron Andy , Jack Andrew S. , Ebens Allen , Polson Andrew G.
Published: July 2012

Fc receptor-like 5 (FcRL5/FcRH5/IRTA2/CD307) is a surface protein expressed selectively on B cells and plasma cells. We found that FcRL5 was expressed at elevated levels on the surface of plasma cells from the bone marrow of patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma. This prevalence in multiple myeloma and narrow pattern of normal expression indicate that FcRL5 could be a target for antibody-based therapies for multiple myeloma, particularly antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), potent cytotoxic drugs linked to antibodies via specialized chemical linkers, where limited expression on normal tissues is a key component to their safety. We found that FcRL5 is internalized upon antibody binding, indicating that ADCs to FcRL5 could be effective. Indeed, we found that FcRL5 ADCs were efficacious in vitro and in vivo but the unconjugated antibody was not. The two most effective consisted of our anti-FcRL5 antibody conjugated through cysteines to monomethylauristatin E (MMAE) by a maleimidocaproyl-valine-citrulline-p-aminobenzyloxycarbonyl (MC-vcPAB) linker (anti-FcRL5-MC-vcPAB-MMAE) or conjugated via lysines to the maytansinoid DM4 through a disulfide linker (anti-FcRL5-SPDB-DM4). These two ADCs were highly effective in vivo in combination with bortezomib or lenalidomide, drugs in use for the treatment of multiple myeloma. These data show that the FcRL5 ADCs described herein show promise as an effective treatment for multiple myeloma. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(10); 2222–32. ©2012 AACR.
An Optical Probe for Noninvasive Molecular Imaging of Orthotopic Brain Tumors Overexpressing Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
Authors: Agnes Richard S. , Broome Ann-Marie , Wang Jing , Verma Anjali , Lavik Kari , Basilion James P.
Published: July 2012

We have developed a near-infrared (NIR) probe that targets cells overexpressing the EGF receptor (EGFR) for imaging glioblastoma brain tumors in live subjects. A peptide specific for the EGFR was modified with various lengths of monodiscrete polyethylene glycol (PEG) units and a NIR Cy5.5 fluorescence dye. The lead compound, compound 2, with one unit of PEG displayed good binding (8.9 μmol/L) and cellular uptake in glioblastoma cells overexpressing EGFR in vitro. The in vivo studies have shown that the probe was able to selectively label glioblastoma-derived orthotopic brain tumors. In vivo image analyses of peptide binding to the tumors using fluorescence-mediated molecular tomography revealed that the compound could distinguish between tumors expressing different levels of EGFR. The data presented here represent the first demonstration of differential quantitation of tumors expressing EGFR in live animals by a targeted NIR fluorescence probe using a molecular imaging device. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(10); 2202–11. ©2012 AACR.
Executive Functions in Patients with Familial versus Sporadic Schizophrenia and Their Parents
Authors: Erol Almıla , Bayram Suat , Kosger Ferdi , Mete Levent
Published: July 2012

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the executive functions in patients with sporadic schizophrenia (SS) and familial schizophrenia (FS), and the executive functions in their parents. Methods: The study included 30 patients with FS and their 37 parents with a positive family history of schizophrenia; 30 patients with SS and their 44 parents; 30 controls matched with the patients for gender, age and education, and 40 controls matched with the parents for gender, age and education (211 subjects in total). All the subjects were interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-Axis I (SCID-I). The executive functions were assessed using the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), the Trail Making Test (TMT), the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Stroop Test. Results: Patients with FS and their parents, and patients with SS performed significantly worse than their controls on the VFT, TMT, WCST and the Stroop test. There were no statistically significant differences between parents of patients with SS and their controls on any of the tests except for the Stroop color score. FS parents performed significantly worse than SS parents on all tests. FS patients performed significantly worse than SS patients on the VFT, TMT, Stroop test. Conclusion: Previous studies that investigated the cognitive functions of relatives of patients with schizophrenia brought out inconsistent results. The present study investigated relatives with and without a family history of schizophrenia separately and found that executive functions were impaired only in parents with a positive family history of schizophrenia. These findings suggest that impairment in executive functions may represent a genetic endophenotype for schizophrenia.
Effects of Chronic Social Isolation on Wistar Rat Behavior and Brain Plasticity Markers
Authors: Djordjevic Jelena , Djordjevic Ana , Adzic Miroslav , Radojcic Marija B.
Published: July 2012

Chronic stress is a contributing risk factor in the development of psychiatric illnesses, including depressive disorders. The mechanisms of their psychopathology are multifaceted and include, besides others, alterations in the brain plasticity. Previously, we investigated the effects of chronic social stress in the limbic brain structures of Wistar rats (hippocampus, HIPPO, and prefrontal cortex, PFC) and found multiple characteristics that resembled alterations described in some clinical studies of depression. We extended our investigations and followed the behavior of stressed animals by the open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST), and the expression and polysialylation of synaptic plasticity markers, neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and L1, in the HIPPO and PFC. We also determined the adrenal gland mass and plasma corticosterone (CORT) as a terminal part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Our data indicated that stressed animals avoided the central zone in the OFT and displayed decreased swimming, but prolonged immobility in the FST. The animals exhibited marked hypertrophy of the adrenal gland cortex, in spite of decreased serum CORT. Simultaneously, the stressed animals exhibited an increase in NCAM mRNA expression in the HIPPO, but not in the PFC. The synaptosomal NCAM of the HIPPO was markedly polysialylated, while cortical PSA-NCAM was significantly decreased. The results showed that chronic social isolation of Wistar rats causes both anxiety-like and depression-like behavior. These alterations are parallel with molecular changes in the limbic brain, including diminished NCAM sialylation in the PFC. Together with our previous results, the current observations suggest that a chronic social isolation model may potentially be used to study molecular mechanisms that underlie depressive symptomatology.
Antiemetic Control with Palonosetron in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer Receiving a Fluoropyrimidine-Based Regimen in Addition to Either Irinotecan or Oxaliplatin: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Blazer Marlo , Phillips Gary , Reardon Joshua , Efries David , Smith Yahna , Weatherby Lynn , Juergens Kim , Rose Jeffrey , Griffith Niesha , Bekaii-Saab Tanios
Published: July 2012

Background: For moderately emetogenic chemotherapy, palonosetron (PALO) is reported to provide complete control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in 69% of patients. Prior to August 2009, our gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients receiving the moderately emetogenic compounds oxaliplatin or irinotecan plus a fluoropyrimidine regimen received ondansetron and dexamethasone orally on day 1 of chemotherapy for CINV prevention. Beginning in August of 2009, ondansetron was replaced by PALO 0.25 mg (intravenous push). Methods: This is a single-institution retrospective study of GI cancer patients who received oxaliplatin or irinotecan plus a fluoropyrimidine. Failure of an antiemetic regimen was defined as grade ≥1 vomiting or grade ≥2 nausea (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3) on days 1 through 5 following chemotherapy. Patients were divided for analysis into pre-PALO and post-PALO cohorts. Fisher’s exact test compared cohort differences. Results: A total of 305 patients were included in the study, with 157 patients in the pre-PALO cohort and 148 in the post-PALO cohort. For all patients, the risk of antiemetic failure was reduced from 50.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 42.2–58.4%] to 28.4% (95% CI 21.3–36.4%) with PALO. This reduction in the relative risk of antiemetic failure was observed in all subgroups. Conclusion: The addition of PALO may provide increased control of CINV for the moderately emetogenic regimens of oxaliplatin or irinotecan plus a fluoropyrimidine in GI cancer patients.
A Random Change Point Model for Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Yu Lei , Boyle Patricia , Wilson Robert S. , Segawa Eisuke , Leurgans Sue , De Jager Philip L. , Bennett David A.
Published: July 2012

Background: We present a random change point model to characterize decline in cognition among community-based elderly who developed Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and to examine how decline varies with age, sex, education, and APOE status. Methods: Using longitudinal cohort data on cognitive function, we fit a piecewise linear trajectory with a random change point that allows different rates of cognitive decline before and after the change point. We estimated the change point that signals the onset of cognitive impairment, and examined the association of risk factors with the location of the change point as well as the rates of decline before and after the change point. Results: Among participants who were dementia free at enrollment and developed incident AD, the change point occurred on average 5.7 years after enrollment and the rate of cognitive decline after the change point nearly quadrupled. Age, education, and APOE status play important but different roles in the timing of the onset of cognitive impairment and in the rates of decline before and after its onset. Results were similar among participants who were cognitively unimpaired at enrollment but later developed amnestic MCI or AD. Conclusions: The random change point model provides a more comprehensive understanding of the relation of risk factors with the onset of cognitive impairment and rates of decline before and after its onset.
Change in Total Body Water as a Predictive Tool for Growth Hormone Treatment Response
Authors: Ernst Manon A.B. , Simons Michelle Y.G. , Gerver Angèle J.G.M. , Zandwijken Gladys R.J. , Zimmermann Luc J.I. , Gerver Willem-Jan M.
Published: July 2012

Background/Aims: To investigate whether short-term changes in body composition as a result of growth hormone therapy could be used to predict its growth effect after 1 year in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and children born small for gestational age (SGA). Methods: 88 GHD children and 99 SGA children who started treatment with recombinant human growth hormone were included. Total body water (TBW) and height were measured. After 1 year, patients were divided into adequate and inadequate responders. Results: In GHD and SGA children a sensitivity of 87 and 53%, respectively, and a specificity of 58 and 83%, respectively, were found. The positive predictive values for GHD and SGA children were 73 and 90%, respectively. The negative predictive values were 75 and 32%, respectively. Conclusion: Changes in body composition data measured by TBW are a valuable tool to correctly predict 75% of the GHD children and are only useful in SGA children when the change in TBW is above the cut-off value of 0.7 l/m2.
Detection of Varicella-Zoster Virus Antigens in Lesional Skin of Zosteriform Lichen Planus but Not in That of Linear Lichen Planus
Authors: Mizukawa Y. , Horie C. , Yamazaki Y. , Shiohara T.
Published: July 2012

Background: Distinctions between ‘linear lichen planus’ (LP) and ‘zosteriform LP’ are difficult to determine solely based on clinical findings. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether the presence of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antigens could be used to differentiate the zosteriform LP from the linear LP. Methods: We immunohistochemically investigated the presence of in vivo localization of VZV antigens in 8 LP lesions (zosteriform LP: n = 5, linear LP: n = 3). Results: We describe 2 cases of zosteriform LP without apparent prior episodes of herpes zoster, in whom VZV antigens were detected in the eccrine epithelium. Further analysis showed that VZV antigens were exclusively detected in the eccrine epithelium in the zosteriform LP lesions, but not in the linear LP lesions. Conclusion: Etiological differences exist between zosteriform LP and linear LP. The presence of VZV antigens in lesional skin of the former indicates a possible triggering role of this virus in the pathogenesis of this variant.
Chromosome Evolution in Perissodactyla
Authors: Trifonov V.A. , Musilova P. , Kulemsina A.I.
Published: July 2012

Comparative painting has provided a wealth of useful information and helped to reconstruct the pathways of karyotype evolution within major eutherian phylogenetic clades. New data have come from gene localizations, BAC mapping and high throughout sequencing projects that enrich and provide new details of genome evolution. Extensive research on perissodactyl genomes has revealed not only increased rates of chromosomal rearrangements, but also an exceptionally high number of centromere repositioning events in equids. Here were combined new physical mapping, comparative painting and genome sequencing data to refine the putative ancestral karyotype maps and to revise the previously proposed scenario of perissodactyl karyotype evolution.
Patients With the Malignant Profile Within 3 Hours of Symptom Onset Have Very Poor Outcomes After Intravenous Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator Therapy
Authors: Inoue Manabu , Mlynash Michael , Straka Matus , Lansberg Maarten G. , Zaharchuk Greg , Bammer Roland , Albers Gregory W.
Published: July 2012

Background and Purpose—

The malignant profile has been associated with poor outcomes after reperfusion in the 3- to 6-hour time window. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and prognostic implications of the malignant profile, as identified by CT perfusion, in intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator-treated patients who were imaged <3 hours from stroke onset.

Methods—

The incidence of the malignant profile, based on the previously published optimal perfusion-weighted imaging definition, was assessed in consecutive patients using a fully automated software program (RApid processing of Perfusion and Diffusion [RAPID]). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was done to identify time to maximum and core volume thresholds that optimally identify patients with poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale 5–6).

Results—

Forty-two patients had an interpretable CT perfusion performed within 3 hours of symptom onset. Mean age was 74±14 years and median (interquartile range) National Institutes of Stroke Scale score was 13 (6–19). Four patients (9.5%) met the prespecified criteria for the malignant profile and all 4 had poor outcome. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined that the best CT perfusion measure to identify patients with poor outcome was a cerebral blood flow based infarct core >53 mL (100% specificity and 67% sensitivity). This criterion identified 5 patients as malignant (12%). The poor outcome rate in these patients was 100% versus 7.1% in the 37 nonmalignant patients (
P
<0.001).

Conclusion—

The incidence of the malignant profile on CT perfusion is approximately 10% in tissue-type plasminogen activator-eligible patients imaged within 3 hours of symptom onset. The clinical outcome of these patients is very poor despite intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator therapy.
Intravenous Thrombolysis and Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke With Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion
Authors: Mokin Maxim , Kass-Hout Tareq , Kass-Hout Omar , Dumont Travis M. , Kan Peter , Snyder Kenneth V. , Hopkins L. Nelson , Siddiqui Adnan H. , Levy Elad I.
Published: July 2012

Background and Purpose—

Strokes secondary to acute internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion are associated with extremely poor prognosis. The best treatment approach to acute stroke in this setting is unknown. We sought to determine clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke attributable to ICA occlusion treated with intravenous (IV) systemic thrombolysis or intra-arterial endovascular therapy.

Methods—

Using the PubMed database, we searched for studies that included patients with acute ischemic stroke attributable to ICA occlusion who received treatment with IV thrombolysis or intra-arterial endovascular interventions. Studies providing data on functional outcomes beyond 30 days and mortality and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) rates were included in our analysis. We compared the proportions of patients with favorable functional outcomes, sICH, and mortality rates in the 2 treatment groups by calculating χ
2
and confidence intervals for odds ratios.

Results—

We identified 28 studies with 385 patients in the IV thrombolysis group and 584 in the endovascular group. Rates of favorable outcomes and sICH were significantly higher in the endovascular group than the IV thrombolysis-only group (33.6% vs 24.9%,
P
=0.004 and 11.1% vs 4.9%,
P
=0.001, respectively). No significant difference in mortality rate was found between the groups (27.3% in the IV thrombolysis group vs 32.0% in the endovascular group;
P
=0.12).

Conclusions—

According to our systematic review, endovascular treatment of acute ICA occlusion results in improved clinical outcomes. A higher rate of sICH after endovascular treatment does not result in increased overall mortality rate.
Information Sharing and Stock Market Participation: Evidence from Extended Families
Authors: Li Geng
Published: July 2012

Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we document that controlling for observable characteristics, household investors' likelihood of entering the stock market within the ensuing five years is about 20% to 30% higher if their parents or children had entered the stock market during the previous five years. By eliminating competing hypotheses such as preference similarity and herding, we argue that these findings highlight the significance of information sharing regarding household financial decisions.
Competition Policy and Productivity Growth: An Empirical Assessment
Authors: Buccirossi Paolo , Ciari Lorenzo , Duso Tomaso , Spagnolo Giancarlo , Vitale Cristiana
Published: July 2012

This paper estimates the impact of competition policy on total factor productivity growth for 22 industries in twelve OECD countries over 1995 to 2005. We find a positive and significant effect of competition policy as measured by created indexes. We provide results based on instrumental variables estimators and heterogeneous effects to support the causal nature of the established link. The effect is particularly strong for specific aspects of competition policy related to its institutional setup and antitrust activities. It is also strengthened by good legal systems, suggesting complementarities between competition policy and the efficiency of law enforcement institutions.
Income and Health Spending: Evidence from Oil Price Shocks
Authors: Acemoglu Daron , Finkelstein Amy , Notowidigdo Matthew J.
Published: July 2012

Health expenditures as a share of GDP in the United States have more than tripled over the past half-century. A common conjecture is that this is a consequence of rising income. We investigate this hypothesis by instrumenting for local area income with time series variation in oil prices interacted with local oil reserves. This strategy enables us to capture both partial equilibrium and local general equilibrium effects of income on health expenditures. Our central income elasticity estimate is 0.7, with 1.1 as the upper end of the 95% confidence interval, which suggests that rising income is unlikely to be a major driver of the rising health expenditure share of GDP.
Gender, Competitiveness, and Socialization at a Young Age: Evidence From a Matrilineal and a Patriarchal Society
Authors: Andersen Steffen , Ertac Seda , Gneezy Uri , List John A. , Maximiano Sandra
Published: July 2012

Recent literature presents evidence that men are more competitively inclined than women. Since top-level careers usually require competitiveness, competitiveness differences provide an explanation for gender gaps in wages and differences in occupational choice. A natural question is whether women are born less competitive or whether they become so through the process of socialization. To pinpoint when in the socialization process the difference arises, we compare the competitiveness of children in matrilineal and patriarchal societies. We find that while there is no difference at any age in the matrilineal society, girls become less competitive around puberty in the patriarchal society.
Atmospheric Available Energy
Authors: Bannon Peter R.
Published: July 2012

The total potential energy of the atmosphere is the sum of its internal and gravitational energies. The portion of this total energy available to be converted into kinetic energy is determined relative to an isothermal, hydrostatic, equilibrium atmosphere that is convectively and dynamically “dead.” The temperature of this equilibrium state is determined by minimization of a generalized Gibbs function defined between the atmosphere and its equilibrium. Thus, this function represents the maximum amount of total energy that can be converted into kinetic energy and, hence, the available energy of the atmosphere. This general approach includes the effects of terrain, moisture, and hydrometeors. Applications are presented for both individual soundings and idealized baroclinic zones. An algorithm partitions the available energy into available baroclinic and available convective energies. Estimates of the available energetics of the general circulation suggest that atmospheric motions are primarily driven by moist and dry fluxes of exergy from the earth’s surface with an efficiency of about two-thirds.
Tropical Intraseasonal Variability in Version 3 of the GFDL Atmosphere Model
Authors: Benedict James J. , Maloney Eric D. , Sobel Adam H. , Frierson Dargan M. , Donner Leo J.
Published: July 2012

Tropical intraseasonal variability is examined in version 3 of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Atmosphere Model (AM3). In contrast to its predecessor AM2, AM3 uses a new treatment of deep and shallow cumulus convection and mesoscale clouds. The AM3 cumulus parameterization is a mass-flux-based scheme but also, unlike that in AM2, incorporates subgrid-scale vertical velocities; these play a key role in cumulus microphysical processes. The AM3 convection scheme allows multiphase water substance produced in deep cumuli to be transported directly into mesoscale clouds, which strongly influence large-scale moisture and radiation fields. The authors examine four AM3 simulations using a control model and three versions with different modifications to the deep convection scheme. In the control AM3, using a convective closure based on CAPE relaxation, both MJO and Kelvin waves are weak relative to those in observations. By modifying the convective closure and trigger assumptions to inhibit deep cumuli, AM3 produces reasonable intraseasonal variability but a degraded mean state. MJO-like disturbances in the modified AM3 propagate eastward at roughly the observed speed in the Indian Ocean but up to 2 times the observed speed in the west Pacific Ocean. Distinct differences in intraseasonal convective organization and propagation exist among the modified AM3 versions. Differences in vertical diabatic heating profiles associated with the MJO are also found. The two AM3 versions with the strongest intraseasonal signals have a more prominent “bottom heavy” heating profile leading the disturbance center and “top heavy” heating profile following the disturbance. The more realistic heating structures are associated with an improved depiction of moisture convergence and intraseasonal convective organization in AM3.
Why women stay: A theoretical examination of rational choice and moral reasoning in the context of intimate partner violence
Authors: Meyer Silke
Published: July 2012

Public attitudes towards intimate partner violence (IPV) have shifted from viewing IPV as a tolerable, private matter to viewing it as a matter of public concern that should be dealt with as a crime. Despite this major shift in social attitudes towards IPV over the last three decades, there seems to be a lack of understanding of why many women stay, at least initially, when facing severe forms of IPV. Using data from face-to-face interviews conducted with 29 women in Southeast Queensland who experienced severe forms of IPV over an extended period of time, this paper explores the rationale behind the (initial) decision to stay with an abusive partner. While rational decision making has predominantly been seen as a male trait, this paper criticizes this underlying assumption, using a feminist framework of moral reasoning. Findings presented in this paper identify the rationale behind victims’ decisions to stay and offer an advanced understanding of moral reasoning through a gendered lens in the context of IPV. Understanding why women stay, at least initially, is the first crucial step in ensuring adequate support for women on their journey towards the ultimate goal of a violence-free life.
The origins of criminology in Australia
Authors: Finnane Mark
Published: July 2012

Is there a distinctive Australian criminology? Was there a criminology before the discipline? Was the formation of the discipline in Australia shaped by the historical contexts of colonial settlement and its aftermath? And how was the international development of the discipline during the middle decades of the twentieth century reflected in the emergence of Australian institutions of criminology, and academic and governmental departments at that time? This article examines these questions as a contribution to a richer historical understanding of the factors that prefigured the late twentieth century acceleration of the discipline in Australia. In particular, it approaches this history through the voices of those who shaped its early concerns and activities. It is suggested that some outstanding features of Australian historical experience from the time of European settlement – above all its penal colony origins and its dispossession of Indigenous peoples – struggled to make an impact on the intellectual shape of the discipline during its formative years. On the other hand, the institutional forms and intellectual concerns traced here demonstrate the importance of trans-national contexts in shaping a discipline from its early days.
Pedestrian Choice Behavior at Shopping Mall Intersections in China and the United States
Authors: Bitgood Stephen , Davey Gareth , Huang Xiaoyi , Fung Holly
Published: July 2012

Pedestrian navigation through public spaces reflects the nature of interaction between behavior and environment. This study compared pedestrian choice behavior at shopping mall intersections in China and the United States. The study found that in both countries (a) pedestrians chose movement patterns that involved the fewest steps and (b) there was no consistent right-turn bias (i.e., the majority of pedestrians did not turn right at the intersection). In addition, about two thirds of pedestrians walked on the right side in the United States and Mainland China samples, whereas only about one half walked on the right side in the Hong Kong sample suggesting that the English tradition of driving on the left side of the road in Hong Kong may have an influence on walking habits. Consistent with the value ratio (benefit/cost) concept proposed by Bitgood, people minimize the “cost” of their movements by choosing an option involving fewer steps. This behavior pattern (taking the most efficient route) appears to be cross-cultural at least for pedestrians in the United States, Chinese, and Czech–Slovak shopping malls. Finally, a “right-turn bias” (if it occurs at all) does not appear to be a relevant factor when there is a different “cost” (number of steps to navigate) for alternative routes.
The Housing Market Renewal Programme: Origins, Outcomes and the Effectiveness of Public Policy Interventions in a Volatile Market
Authors: Leather Philip , Nevin Brendan
Published: July 2012

This paper examines the operation of the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Programme in England over the period 2002–10. The programme aimed to address high vacancy rates and low house prices in inner-city and declining industrial areas of northern and Midlands cities. The programme achieved some success in generating new housing supply in areas where private developers had previously been reluctant to invest, but had only limited impacts on high vacancy rates. House prices rose sharply in the programme areas, but also in similar areas outside the scope of the programme, driven by wider market-led pressures, including increased demand arising from international in-migration and a boom in speculative investment. With a change in government in 2010, the programme was abruptly wound up and the future of the programme areas is uncertain.
Young Professionals as Ambivalent Change Agents in New Orleans after the 2005 Hurricanes
Authors: Ehrenfeucht Renia , Nelson Marla
Published: July 2012

After the 2005 hurricanes, newcomers arrived in New Orleans to help rebuild the city. The influx of one identifiable group, young professionals and postgraduates, raised hopes and concerns that New Orleans would gentrify. Based on semi-structured interviews with 78 young and mid-career professionals, this paper examines how the young professionals approached an ambivalent situation where they were working to rebuild a better city while retaining its distinct cultural qualities, given that their presence itself contributed to the cultural change. They reconciled these tensions with an appreciation for localism that, for newcomers in particular, was expressed through knowing and responding to longtime residents instead of working against the social displacement that their presence could facilitate.
Well-defined poly(methyl methacrylate) grafted to isotactic polypropylene by metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization
Authors: Abbasian Mojtaba , Shahparian Maryam , Bonab Solmaz Esmaeily Shoja
Published: July 2012

Isotactic polypropylene-based polymer hybrids linking poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was successfully synthesized by a graft copolymerization from maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene (PP; PP-MAH). PP-MAH reacted with ethanolamine to produce a hydroxyl group containing PP (PP-OH), and thus, the obtained PP-OH was treated with α-phenyl chloroacetyl chloride and converted to a chloroacetyl group containing PP. The metal-catalyzed radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate with PP-Cl was performed using a copper catalyst system in o-xylene solution at 100°C to give the PP-based polymer hybrids linking PMMA segments (PP-PMMA hybrids). Thus, obtained PP-PMMA hybrids demonstrated higher melting temperature than PP-Cl and microphase-separation morphology at the nanometer level owing to the chemical linkage between both the segments. The prepared graft copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. Glass transition temperature of grafted copolymer was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric techniques.
Removal of water extractable proteins from concentrated natural rubber latex by eggshells
Authors: Tangboriboon Nuchnapa , Phudkrachang Prapaphan , Mulsow La-orngdow , Kunchornsup Wissawin , Sirivat Anuvat
Published: July 2012

The protein allergy caused by latex products has become an acute problem to human and animals; sweat removes proteins, which then comes in contact with the skin causing the sensitization or allergic reactions. Eggshells from chickens, ducks, and birds are potential starting materials to be used in reducing the water extractable proteins in concentrated natural rubber latex (NRL). The pyrolysis of eggshells at 900°C for 2 h transforms the crystal structure of calcium carbonate into calcium oxide with a high purity, creates a small and uniform particle size, a suitable specific surface area, and an average pore diameter that is suitable for reacting with hydrochloric acid to obtain calcium chloride (CaCl2). The additions of CaCl2 solution and sodium dodecyl sulphate into concentrated NRL are shown and reported here to extract effectively the proteins from the NRL film.
Quality of Life (QOL) and Attitudes Toward Aging in Older Adults in Şanlıurfa, Turkey
Authors: Top Mehmet , Eriş Hüseyin , Kabalcıoğlu Feray
Published: July 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate quality of life (QOL) and attitudes toward aging in older adults in a province in Turkey. Methods: This is a quantitative and descriptive study of QOL and the attitudes toward aging in older adults. Instruments: The data measurement instruments used in this study are the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life Instrument–Older Adults Module (WHOQOL-OLD) and the WHO–Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ). Participants: The Turkish versions of the WHOQOL-OLD and AAQ were administered to 550 older adults living in şanlıurfa Province, Turkey. Results: The results indicated a significant relationship between QOL and attitudes toward aging in older adults. Two dimensions of attitudes toward aging (physical change and psychological growth) were significant predictors of QOL in older adults. It was found that gender, literacy, social security, age, and marital status affect some dimensions of QOL and some subscales of attitudes toward aging.
Migraine and risk of incident diabetes in women: A prospective study
Authors: Burch Rebecca C , Rist Pamela M , Winter Anke C , Buring Julie E , Pradhan Aruna D , Loder Elizabeth W , Kurth Tobias
Published: July 2012

Background:

Previous cross-sectional studies evaluating the relationship between diabetes prevalence and migraine status have found conflicting results. We examined the relationship between migraine and incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a cohort of adult women.

Methods:

Prospective cohort study conducted among participants in the Women’s Health Study who provided information on migraine and did not have diabetes at baseline. Our four exposure groups were migraine with aura, migraine without aura, past history of migraine and no history of migraine. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the hazard ratio for incident T2D.

Results:

Among the 38,620 women included in this study, 5062 (13.1%) women had migraine, of whom 2014 (39.8%) reported migraine with aura, and 2087 (5.4%) women had a past history of migraine. During a mean of 14.6 years of follow-up, there were 3032 cases of incident T2D. After adjustment for confounders, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for developing diabetes was 1.06 (0.91–1.24) for women with migraine with aura, 1.01 (0.89–1.16) for women with migraine without aura, and 1.13 (0.98–1.30) for women with a past history of migraine compared with women with no history of migraine.

Conclusion:

Results of this prospective study in women do not support an association between migraine and incident T2D.
Habituation of the nociceptive blink reflex in episodic and chronic cluster headache
Authors: Holle Dagny , Zillessen Silke , Gaul Charly , Naegel Steffen , Kaube Holger , Diener Hans-Christoph , Katsarava Zaza , Obermann Mark
Published: July 2012

Background:

Analysis of habituation patterns in patients with primary headache disorders allows the detection of changes to the excitability level of the trigeminal nociceptive system. Previous studies demonstrated a habituation deficit to painful stimuli in migraine and it was suggested that similar observations could be made in cluster headache (CH).

Methods:

Habituation of the “nociceptive” blink reflex (nBR) (R2 response) was studied in 66 CH patients (18 episodic CH inside bout, 28 episodic CH outside bout, 20 chronic CH) as well as in 30 healthy controls in a case-control study design.

Results:

Habituation behaviour was similar in CH and healthy controls as well as in CH subtypes. No side-to-side differences of habituation between headache side and non-headache side were detected.

Conclusion:

Our results did not detect an altered habituation in CH patients. Despite clinical similarities, migraine and CH seem not to share the same pathophysiological mechanisms in this regard.
Low rate of self-awareness and medical recognition of migraine in Germany
Authors: Radtke A , Neuhauser H
Published: July 2012

Objective: The study’s objective was to assess self-awareness and medical recognition of migraine and their determinants in Germany.

Methods: We conducted a nationally representative study of the general population of Germany ( N = 7341, aged ≥18 years) by means of computer-assisted telephone interviews. Migraine was diagnosed based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition (ICDH-II).

Results: Twelve-month prevalence of ICHD-II-migraine was 10.6% (women 15.6%, men 5.3%). Seventy percent of ICDH-II-migraineurs recognised their headaches as migraine (moderate agreement between ICDH-II and self-diagnosis, κ = 0.46). Only 42% of migraineurs consulted a physician in the previous 12 months. Of those, 63% reported a medical diagnosis of migraine (moderate agreement, κ = 0.40). Women were more likely to be self-aware (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–2.60), but the difference was no longer significant when adjusting for migraine features. Physician recognition was more likely in patients with higher educational level (high vs. low education OR 3.90, 95% CI 1.43–10.61 after adjusting for migrainous features). Best predictors for self-awareness and medical recognition of migraine were typical migraine accompaniments and greater headache intensity.

Conclusion: Self-awareness and physician recognition of migraine are low in Germany. Presence of typical migraine features and greater headache intensity facilitate medical recognition and awareness of migraine, especially in females.
Delamination prediction in orthogonal machining of carbon long fiber-reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Santiuste C , Olmedo A , Soldani X , Miguélez H
Published: July 2012

Machining processes of composites are common operations in industry involving elevated risk of damage generation in the workpiece. Long fiber reinforced polymer composites used in high-responsibility applications require safety machining operations guaranteeing workpiece integrity. Modeling techniques would help in the improvement of machining processes definition; however, they are still poorly developed for composites. The aim of this paper is advancing in the prediction of damage mechanisms involved during cutting, including out-of-plane failure causing delamination. Only few works have focused on three-dimensional simulation of cutting; however, this approach is required for accurate reproduction of the complex geometries of tool and workpiece during cutting processes. On the other hand, cohesive interactions have proved its ability to simulate out-of-plane failure of composites under dynamic loads, as impact events. However, this interlaminar interaction has not been used up to date to model out-of-plane failure induced during chip removal. In this paper, both a classical damage model and cohesive interactions are implemented in a three-dimensional model based on finite elements, in order to analyze intralaminar and interlaminar damage generation in the simplified case of orthogonal cutting of carbon LFRP composite. More realistic damage predictions using cohesive interactions were observed. The strong influence of the stacking sequence on interlaminar damage has been demonstrated.
An investigation into thermoplastic matrix 3D woven carbon fibre composites
Authors: Archer E , Mulligan R , Dixon D , Buchanan S , Stewart G , McIlhagger AT
Published: July 2012

Three-dimensional woven textile reinforced composites allow the optimisation and tailoring of specific material properties into the final component. The objective of this work is to investigate the processing characteristics of Cyclic Butylene Terephthalate (supplied by Cyclics Corporation) that polymerises to form a thermoplastic, Polybutylene terephthalate, and to impregnate a multi-layer carbon fibre three-dimensional woven angle interlock fabric to produce a three-dimensional woven thermoplastic composite. Through adjustments in process cycle, the significant processing parameters have been identified, which optimise the production of thermoplastic Polybutylene terephthalate composite parts. Three-dimensional multi-layer reinforcements were manufactured on a modified textile loom to produce fabrics with fibres orientated in the warp, weft and through-the-thickness directions. Thermal and mechanical tests were conducted on the thermoplastic composite and comparisons were made to an epoxy composite with the same weave architecture. It was discovered from thermal analysis and optical microscopy that a highly crystalline matrix was developed as a result of the standard fabrication process with microcracks formed throughout the matrix. Reprocessing and annealing of the 3DCFCBT laminate reduced the crystallinity of the polymer structure.
An Infant With Ethylmalonic Encephalopathy Masquerading as a Hematologic Disorder
Authors: Pavlou Evangelos , Augoustides-Savvopoulou Persephone , Gregersen Niels , Haas Dorothea , Gkampeta Anastasia , Athanassiadou-Piperopoulou Fani
Published: July 2012

A 4-month-old male infant was brought to the emergency department because of striking petechial skin lesions and acrocyanosis. Routine hematology revealed leukocytosis and thrombocytosis and the infant was admitted for further investigations. Laboratory findings showed no evidence of infection, and a bone marrow aspirate demonstrated a normal number of immature cells of all lineages. Coagulation and routine biochemistry analyses were within the normal range. Three months later, the infant developed signs and symptoms of encephalopathy with episodes of hypotonia and an altered state of consciousness. A brain magnetic resonance imaging suggested the possibility of an inborn error of metabolism. The urinary organic acid and acylcarnitine profile indicated ethylmalonic encephalopathy. Mutation analysis of the ethylmalonic encephalopathy 1 ( ETHE1) gene confirmed the diagnosis of ethylmalonic encephalopathy at the molecular level.
Alleviation of Neonatal Sinovenous Compression to Enhance Cerebral Venous Blood Flow
Authors: Tan Marilyn A. , Miller Elka , Shroff Manohar M. , deVeber Gabrielle A. , Kirton Adam
Published: July 2012

Occipital bone compression of the superior sagittal sinus occurs in supine neonates. The authors previously showed that this compression is associated with neonatal cerebral sinovenous thrombosis, an important neonatal neurological condition, presumably via increased venous stasis. They hypothesized that a pillow alleviating occipital compression could improve cerebral venous flow. Neonates without cerebral sinovenous thrombosis requiring brain magnetic resonance imaging/venography were prospectively enrolled. Demographics, imaging indications, head position, and superior sagittal sinus compression were recorded. Flow velocities in the anterior and posterior superior sagittal sinus and sigmoid sinus before and after pillow placement were quantified using Doppler ultrasound. A total of 10 neonates (6 female, median postconceptional age 40.6 weeks) were enrolled. Flow velocities increased beyond the superior sagittal sinus compression point following pillow placement: 0.09 ± 0.04 m/sec to 0.15 ± 0.12 m/sec ( P = .047) for posterior superior sagittal sinus; 0.10 ± 0.05 m/sec to 0.19 ± 0.15 m/sec ( P = .005) for sigmoid sinus. Pillow decompression can improve neonatal cerebral venous flow, representing a potential noninvasive intervention for the prevention and treatment of neonatal cerebral sinovenous thrombosis.
Phantosmia During Radiation Therapy
Authors: Yang Joanna C. , Khakoo Yasmin , Lightner Donita D. , Wolden Suzanne L.
Published: July 2012

Phantosmia is an infrequently reported and poorly understood qualitative olfactory disorder characterized by the perception of a frequently unpleasant odor in the absence of an odorant stimulus. Peripheral phantosmia is hypothesized to involve abnormally active olfactory receptor neurons while central phantosmia is theorized to be the result of hyperactive neurons in the cortex. The authors present a case report that describes 2 patients with incomparable tumors and radiation fields who both experienced phantosmia featuring a halitosis-like odor during their courses of radiation therapy. Both the 6-year-old with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma and the 15-year-old with World Health Organization grade II-III astrocytoma in the bifrontal lobes experienced significant distress and decreased quality of life during treatment because of the phantosmia, which resolved after completion of radiation therapy. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, these are the first descriptions of phantosmia during focal or whole-brain radiation therapy.
Students as expert witnesses of teaching and learning
Authors: Busher Hugh
Published: July 2012

Student voice is a key component in constructing discourses of respect, empowerment and citizenship in schools. It can help schools to become learning communities, rather than knowledge factories, that serve the needs of the majority of their members, the students, as successfully as possible and prepare them for future lives in a wide variety of contexts. It can help to improve pedagogical and organisational practice. This article takes the position that students are expert observers of school life and teachers’ practices and interrogates what they consider to be more and less successful approaches to those. It draws on three studies of student voices that were carried out by the author with colleagues between 2006 and 2011 in England and Lebanon in primary and secondary schools.
Repositioning trust: a challenge to inauthentic neoliberal uses of pupil voice
Authors: Czerniawski Gerry
Published: July 2012

At a time when ‘trust’ is argued by many to be on the wane within post-industrial societies this article examines a case study of pupil voice brought about through collaboration between a secondary school (for pupils aged 11−16) and a university located in a large conurbation in southern England. Building on data from focus groups and individual interviews with pupils and teachers, the author suggests that for pupil voice to be truly effective and transformative, policy-makers, academics and practitioners need to move away from the ‘synthetic trust’ that typifies many pupil voice initiatives to one where authentic trust forms the cornerstone of all professional relationships in schools.
The case for using student voice in teacher selection and recruitment: reflections from a school leader
Authors: Kent Peter
Published: July 2012

In this piece Peter Kent, headteacher of Lawrence Sheriff School in Rugby in the UK, reflects upon the role of the student voice in selecting and recruiting new teaching staff. Contextualised by some recent unsympathetic reporting in the UK media, Peter explains why for their school community, using the student voice to inform teacher recruitment has been successful.