bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence-informed evidence-making
Authors: Chalkidou Kalipso , Walley Tom , Culyer Anthony , Littlejohns Peter , Hoy Andrew
Published: October 2008

The extent to which clinical and public health guidance developed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) can effectively serve the public by improving quality and efficiency across the National Health Service (NHS) and the broader public sector depends largely on the quality and relevance of the available evidence which informs its decisions. There are well-established organizational and procedural links between NICE and academic and professional organizations that undertake evidence synthesis. However, there are fewer means for evidence gaps identified during the development of NICE guidance to lead to the commissioning of new prospective studies. In this paper, we discuss the importance of a publicly funded clinical and public health research agenda that includes new prospective studies aimed at addressing knowledge gaps identified by NICE. We describe the early experience of NICE and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) working together to articulate and commission research to inform best practice recommendations. We propose ways in which NICE can collaborate more effectively with research funders to improve the evidence base upon which it bases its recommendations.
Why ‘knowledge transfer’ is misconceived for applied social research
Authors: Davies Huw , Nutley Sandra , Walter Isabel
Published: October 2008

‘Knowledge transfer’ has become established as shorthand for a wide variety of activities linking the production of academic knowledge to the potential use of such knowledge in non-academic environments. While welcoming the attention now being paid to non-academic applications of social research, we contend that terms such as knowledge transfer (and its subordinate sibling, knowledge translation) misrepresent the tasks that they seek to support. By articulating the complex and contested nature of applied social research, and then highlighting the social and contextual complexities of its use, we can see that other terms may serve us better. Following from this analysis, we suggest that ‘knowledge interaction’ might more appropriately describe the messy engagement of multiple players with diverse sources of knowledge, and that ‘knowledge intermediation’ might begin to articulate some of the managed processes by which knowledge interaction can be promoted. While it might be hard to shift the terminology of knowledge transfer in the short term, awareness of its shortcomings can enhance understanding about how social research can have wider impacts.
Economic Impact of a Pharmacy Resident in an Assisted Living Facility—Based Medication Therapy Management Program
Authors: Maack Brody , Miller Donald R , Johnson Todd , Dewey Mark
Published: October 2008

Background:

Pharmacists now have the opportunity to be reimbursed for providing medication therapy management (MTM) services. With 5% of the elderly population living in senior housing such as assisted living facilities, MTM programs need to be evaluated in this setting.

Objective:

To evaluate the economic impact of a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy practice resident's interventions while performing MTM in an assisted living facility.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective, evaluative study at an assisted living facility over 184 days. Patients included in the study were aged 57–100 years. MTM visits were performed by the PGY1 resident, based on the American Pharmacists Association consensus definition of the model of MTM services. The pharmacy resident prospectively collected data, including interventions made and patient demographics. Drug therapy recommendations were categorized and assessed for cost savings and acceptance by a primary care provider.

Results:

Fifty-three patients were enrolled in the study (mean age 85.3 y). Patients were taking an average of 12 medications (prescription and nonprescription). The pharmacy resident made 125 recommendations to primary care providers; 72 of those were addressed and 90.3% of addressed recommendations were accepted. The largest category to elicit drug therapy recommendations was dose appropriateness. Of the 72 addressed recommendations, 17 (23.6%) resulted in direct cost savings totaling $3774. Costs that accrued as a result of drug therapy recommendations totaled $693. The resultant net cost-benefit was $1550, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 1.7 and a return on investment of 70%.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrates the positive value that a PGY1 pharmacy resident has on an assisted living–based MTM program, with respect to a positive drug-related cost-benefit and drug therapy recommendation acceptance.
Die internationale Zuständigkeit der Anfechtungsklage oder die Auslegung des Art. 1 Abs. 2 lit. b EuGVVO
Authors: Zeuner Mark , Elsner Theresa
Published: October 2008

I. Der aktuelle Stand

Bei Insolvenzverfahren mit Auslandsbezug, bei denen der insolvente Schuldner in einem Mitgliedstaat und der Anfechtungsgegner in einem anderen Mitgliedstaat wohnen, treffen unterschiedliche Bedürfnisse aufeinander. Der Insolvenzverwalter ist bestrebt, im Land des insolventen Schuldners zu klagen; dies ist für ihn prinzipiell einfacher und geht schnellervonstatten. Für den Anfechtungsgegner dagegen ist es sachnäher und mit weniger Aufwand verbunden, in seinem eigenen Mitgliedstaat verklagt zu werden. Allgemeiner Grundsatz aus der ZPO ist, dass die Streitsache am Wohnsitz des Beklagten anhängig gemacht werden muss, sofern nicht besondere Regelungen eingreifen. Die Eröffnung des Insolvenzverfahrens dagegen richtet sich gemäß Insolvenzordnung nach dem Wohnsitz des Schuldners. Damit besteht für den Insolvenzverwalter bei Erhebung einer Anfechtungsklage gegen einen Anfechtungsgegner im Ausland die Frage, welches Gericht anzurufen ist.
Die Haftung des Insolvenzverwalters aus § 61 InsO
Authors: Adam Roman F
Published: October 2008

I. Einführung

Nach § 60 Abs. 1 Satz 1 InsO ist der Insolvenzverwalter allen Beteiligten zum Schadenersatz verpflichtet, wenn er schuldhaft Pflichten verletzt, die sich für ihn aus der Insolvenzordnung ergeben. Dabei hat er für die Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen und gewissenhaften Insolvenzverwalters einzustehen (§ 60 Abs. 1 Satz 2 InsO). Unter den Beteiligten im Sinne von § 60 Abs. 1 Satz 1 InsO sind nicht nur die formell am Insolvenzverfahren Teilnehmenden zu verstehen. Nach dem materiellen Beteiligtenbegriff fallen etwa auch Aussonderungs- und Absonderungsgläubiger darunter, von denen die zuerst genannten keine Insolvenzgläubiger sind (§ 47 Satz 1 InsO) und die zuletzt genannten nur, wenn und soweit ihnen der Schuldner auch persönlich haftet (§ 52 Satz 1 InsO), während Massegläubiger als nach § 53 InsO vorrangig zu befriedigende Gruppe am Verfahren teilnehmen. Verbindlichkeiten der Masse, die aus dem gesamten Vermögen des Schuldners besteht (§ 35 InsO), entstehen nach § 55 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 InsO durch Handlungen des Insolvenzverwalters oder in anderer Weise durch Verwaltung, Verwertung und Verteilung. Darüber hinaus ergeben sie sich aus gegenseitigen Verträgen, deren Erfüllung durch den Insolvenzverwalter gemäß § 103 Abs. 1 InsO oder für die Zeit nach Eröffnung des Insolvenzverfahrens (§§ 55 Abs. 1 Nr. 2, 106 ff. InsO) verlangt wird, sowie aus einer ungerechtfertigten Bereicherung der Masse (§ 55 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 InsO). Wenn der Insolvenzverwalter einen Vertrag abschließt, der zum Beispiel die Belieferung des Schuldner-Unternehmens mit Rohmaterial sicherstellen soll, ergibt sich damit für den anderen Teil eine als Verbindlichkeit der Masse privilegierte Forderung auf die Gegenleistung.Wenn nun aber die Masse dazu nicht ausreicht, haftet ihm der Insolvenzverwalter nach § 61 Satz 1 InsO persönlich für den entstandenen Schaden, sofern er dies bei Begründung der Forderung des Vertragsgegners erkennen konnte (§ 61 Satz 2 InsO), der zu jener Zeit noch kein materiell am Verfahren Beteiligter war. Bei § 61 InsO handelt es sich daher um eine Erweiterung des die Beteiligung voraussetzenden § 60 InsO. Schon unter der Konkursordnung hatte die Rechtsprechung einen solchen Haftungstatbestand bei der Betriebsfortführung durch den Verwalter anerkannt, der nunmehr ausdrücklich im Gesetz geregelt ist, während die Frage, ob auch solche Massegläubiger durch § 61 InsO geschützt werden, deren Forderungen nicht auf Verträgen beruhen, höchstrichterlich verneint wurde.
BGH, Beschluss vom 21. 6. 2007 – IX ZR 39/06, Auslegung von Art. 3 Abs. 1 EuInsVO und Art. 1 Abs. 2 lit. b EuGVVO
Authors: Zeuner Mark , Elsner Theresa
Published: October 2008

Beschluss vom 21. 6. 2007 – IX ZR 39/06

Dem Gerichtshof der Europäischen Gemeinschaften werden zur Vorabentscheidung folgende Fragen vorgelegt:

a) Sind die Gerichte des Mitgliedstaates, in dessen Gebiet das Insolvenzverfahren über das Vermögen des Schuldners eröffnet worden ist, für eine Insolvenzanfechtungsklage gegen einen Anfechtungsgegner, der seinen satzungsmäßigen Sitz in einem anderen Mitgliedstaat hat, gemäß Art. 3 Abs. 1 EuInsVO international zuständig?

b) Falls die Frage zu a zu verneinen ist: Fällt die Insolvenzanfechtungsklage unter die Ausnahmebestimmung des Art. 1 Abs. 2 lit. b Brüssel I-VO [EuGVVO] oder bestimmt sich die internationale Zuständigkeit für Insolvenzanfechtungsklagen nach dieser Verordnung?

(Vorgehend: LG Marburg, 2. 8. 2005 – 2 O 209/04; OLG Frankfurt a. M., 26. 1. 2006 – 15 U 200/05)
Die Auslandsvollstreckung – ein Mittel zur Flucht aus dem deutschen Insolvenzrecht
Authors: Stehle Stefan
Published: October 2008

Dem ungesicherten Gläubiger mutet das deutsche Insolvenzrecht viel zu. Selbst wenn es ihm gelungen ist, durch Vollstreckung in das Schuldnervermögen Befriedigung zu erlangen, bringt ihn nicht selten eine Insolvenzanfechtung (§§ 129 ff. InsO) um die bereits sicher geglaubten Früchte seiner Vollstreckung. Hat er durch die Vollstreckung zwar noch keine Befriedigung, aber doch zumindest eine Sicherung am Schuldnervermögen erlangt, kann er auch dieser durch die Insolvenzverfahrens-Eröffnung wieder verlustig gehen (Rückschlagsperre des § 88 InsO).
BGH, Beschluss vom 27. 9. 2007 – IX ZB 172/06, Klage des Insolvenzverwalters nach Anzeige der Masseunzulänglichkeit
Authors: Gundlach Ulf , Frenzel Volkhard
Published: October 2008

Beschluss vom 27. 9. 2007 – IX ZB 172/06

Erhebt der Insolvenzverwalter nach Anzeige der Masseunzulänglichkeit Klage, ist die Frage nach der Bedürftigkeit der Masse unter Einbeziehung der Altmasseverbindlichkeiten zu beantworten.

(Vorgehend: LG Darmstadt, Entscheidung vom 14.7.2006 – 2 O 518/05; OLG Frankfurt/Main, 20.9.2006 – 13 W 70/06)
BGH, Urteil vom 5. 7. 2007 – IX ZR 221/05, Rückforderung einer Beihilfe als einfache Insolvenzforderung
Authors: Cranshaw F. L
Published: October 2008

Urteil vom 5. 7. 2007 – IX ZR 221/05

1. Meldet der Gesellschafter ein eigenkapitalersetzendes Darlehen zur Insolvenztabelle an, ist aber der Vertrag wegen Verstoßes gegen das Verbot der Durchführung staatlicher oder aus staatlichen Mitteln gewährter Beihilfen nach dem EG-Vertrag nichtig, ist die Klage auf Feststellung des vom Verwalter bestrittenen Anspruchs als Darlehensforderung unzulässig; es bedarf einer Neuanmeldung des Rückforderungsanspruchs.

2. Ist die Bundesrepublik Deutschland aufgrund einer Entscheidung der Europäischen Kommission zur Rückforderung einer Beihilfe verpflichtet, ist diese Rückforderung eine einfache Insolvenzforderung im Rang des § 38 InsO; dem Umstand, dass sie den Regeln über eigenkapitalersetzende Darlehen unterliegt, kommt keine Bedeutung zu.

(Vorgehend:LGMagdeburg, 8. 12. 2004 – 5O92/04;OLGNaumburg, 18. 5. 2005 – 5 U 5/05)
Frielinghaus, Die kommunale Insolvenz als Sanierungsansatz für die öffentlichen Finanzen
Authors: Gundlach Ulf
Published: October 2008

Die öffentliche Verwaltung und Insolvenzrecht scheinen zwei Bereiche von verschiedenen Sternen zu sein. In der Insolvenzordnung wird denn auch gleich kurz und knapp festgestellt, dass der »Staat« insolvenzunfähig ist, also nicht mit einem Insolvenzverfahren überzogen werden kann. Zudem ist der »Steuerstaat« so ausgelegt, dass die notwendigen finanziellen Mittel für die Bewältigung der öffentlichen Aufgaben schlicht von den Bürgern eingezogen werden – also wozu ein Insolvenzverfahren?
Haften Vereinsvorstände analog §§ 64 Abs. 2 GmbHG, 93 Abs. 3 Nr. 6 AktG, 34 Abs. 3 Nr. 4 GenG auf Ersatz aller Zahlungen nach Insolvenzreife?
Authors: Koza Axel
Published: October 2008

Seit Inkrafttreten des BGB am 1. 1. 1900 hat sich die Tätigkeit von Vereinen grundlegend verändert. Die zunehmende wirtschaftliche Nebenbetätigung von Idealvereinen, die steigende Zahl von Vereinsinsolvenzen sowie die Schwierigkeiten um die Geltendmachung eines (Quoten-)Schadens wegen verzögerter Insolvenzantragstellung aus §§ 823 Abs. 2, 42 Abs. 2 Satz 2 BGB haben dazu geführt, dass vermehrt eine Haftung für nach Insolvenzreife geleistete Zahlungen analog §§ 92 Abs. 3, 93 Abs. 3 Nr. 6 AktG bzw. in einer Gesamtanalogie zu §§ 64 Abs. 2 GmbHG, 93 Abs. 3 Nr. 6 AktG, 34 Abs. 3 Nr. 4 GenG befürwortet wird.

Nachfolgend wird untersucht, ob die Voraussetzungen einer Analogie vorliegen. Diese setzt voraus, dass das Gesetz eine planwidrige Regelungslücke enthält und der zu beurteilende Sachverhalt in rechtlicher Hinsicht so weit mit dem vom Gesetzgeber geregelten Sachverhalt identisch ist, dass angenommen werden kann, der Gesetzgeber wäre bei einer Interessenabwägung, bei der er sich von den gleichen Grundsätzen hätte leiten lassen, wie bei Erlass der herangezogenen Norm, zum gleichen Abwägungsergebnis gelangt.
Die neue Existenzvernichtungshaftung
Authors: Lieder Jan
Published: October 2008

I. Einleitung

Das Gesellschaftsrecht scheint eine recht kurzlebige Materie zu sein. Nicht nur, dass sich der Rechtsanwender laufend mit immer neuen Gesetzesänderungen auseinandersetzen muss – man denke nur an die bevorstehende GmbH-Reform –, auch der für das Gesellschaftsrecht zuständige II. Zivilsenat des BGH hält Wissenschaft und Praxis in Atem. Das manifestierte sich kürzlich in der grundlegenden Neuausrichtung der Existenzvernichtungshaftung durch das »Trihotel«-Urteil vom 16. 7. 2007. Seitdem qualifiziert der Senat die Haftung wegen existenzvernichtenden Eingriffs als Anwendungsfall der vorsätzlichen sittenwidrigen Schädigung nach § 826 BGB. Existenzvernichtende Eingriffe führen also – entgegen der vorherigen Auffassung von BGH und h. L. – nicht länger zu einer Durchgriffshaftung analog §§ 128, 129 HGB. Das ist bedauerlich, denn der II. Zivilsenat verabschiedet sich mit »Trihotel« von einem nur wenige Jahre zuvor entwickelten Rechtsinstitut, das sowohl in der praktischen Anwendung als auch in rechtsdogmatischer Hinsicht zu überzeugen vermochte.
Die Wertauffüllung einer globalzedierten Forderung in der Rechtsprechung des BGH
Authors: Heinze Harald
Published: October 2008

In zwei Entscheidungen vom 29. 11. 2007 überträgt der BGH die von ihm für Aufrechnungslagen bereits etablierten Grundsätze des Werthaltigmachens auf die Globalzession und zurrt damit die anfechtungsrechtliche Betrachtung des Erwerbs von Sonderrechten an Forderungen in einem für das Kreditwesen überaus bedeutenden Bereich (der Kreditbesicherung durch Globalzession) fest, allerdings im Detail mit dogmatischen Schwächen. Dem wird hier der insolvenzrechtliche Gedanke einer wirtschaftlichen Definition der Forderungsentstehung als Teil der Abtretung gegenüber gestellt.
Zivilgerichtsbarkeit: BGH, Urteil vom 10. 12. 2007 – II ZR 180/06, Kapitalaufbringungsregeln des GmbH-Rechts (Anmerkung Philipp Böcker)
Authors: Böcker Philipp
Published: October 2008

Urteil vom 10. 12. 2007 – II ZR 180/06

1.

Die allgemeinen Kapitalaufbringungsregeln des GmbH-Rechts (§ 19 GmbHG) gelten auch bei der Komplementär-GmbH einer GmbH & Co. KG, ohne dass unter dem Gesichtspunkt einer »wirtschaftlichen Einheit« der beiden Gesellschaften ein »Sonderrecht« für die Kapitalaufbringung bei der Komplementär-GmbH anzuerkennen wäre. Danach ist die Einlageforderung der (Komplementär-)GmbH nicht erfüllt, wenn die an sie gezahlten Einlagemittel umgehend als »Darlehen« an die von dem oder den Inferenten beherrschte KG weiterfließen (vgl. BGHZ 153, 107 [= DZWIR 2003, 199 mit Anm. T. Keil]).

2.

Aus den Kapitalerhaltungsregeln (§§ 30, 31 GmbHG) ergibt sich schon deswegen nichts anderes, weil diese Regeln erst nach dem ordnungsgemäß abgeschlossenen Kapitalaufbringungsvorgang anwendbar sind (vgl. Sen.Urt. v. 17. 9. 2001 – II ZR 275/99, ZIP 2001, 1997 f. [= DZWIR 2002, 202 mit Anm. L. F. Flöther]).
Vitamin D deficiency: a global health problem1
Authors: Pilz Stefan , Dobnig Harald , Fahrleitner-Pammer Astrid , Polt Günter , März Winfried
Published: October 2008

Vitamin D deficiency is present in about 50% of the world population, which is mainly a consequence of reduced sun exposure (ultraviolet B radiation) of the skin that is needed for dermal vitamin D production. Dietary intake of vitamin D is usually too low to maintain a sufficient vitamin D status. It has been demonstrated over the last few years, that most tissues and cells express the vitamin D receptor supporting the notion that vitamin D exerts various effects beyond its established role for maintenance of bone and skeletal health. Epidemiological data show that 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels, that are currently considered the best indicator of vitamin D status, are associated with various diseases including cardiovascular, malignant and autoimmune diseases. However, the causality of these associations remains to be proven. Interventional trials are therefore urgently needed to elucidate whether vitamin D supplementation is useful for the prevention and/or treatment of various chronic diseases. Vitamin D supplementation has immense potential for the improvement of public health when considering the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the easy, inexpensive, and safe way in which vitamin D can be supplemented.
Advances in the diagnostics of Varizella zoster virus and importance of vaccination1
Authors: Wittek Miriam
Published: October 2008

Varizella zoster virus (VZV) belongs to one of the eight herpes viruses known to infect humans.

While primary VZV infection (chickenpox) is generally a disease of childhood, herpes zoster occurs primarily in elderly persons (>50 years). Herpes zoster, also called shingles, is a neurocutaneous disease resulting from reactivation of latent varizella zoster virus infection within dorsal root ganglia.

Severe complications may occur in elderly and in immuno-compromised persons, including severe complication of the eye, the ear, the skin, internal organs, and the peripheral and central nervous system. A progressive decline of VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity and age are associated with an increased incidence and severity of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

PHN is the most common complication of herpes zoster causing chronic, debilitating pain. In cases with characteristic signs and symptoms (presence of prodromal pain, eruptions, grouped vesicles, segmental pain) the diagnosis is almost distinctive enough and no laboratory investigations are required. However, for patients lacking no characteristic pathology, a rapid laboratory diagnosis may be helpful to start antiviral therapy as soon as possible. Antiviral therapy should be initiated immediately within 72 h after onset of rash particularly in older patients. The major aim of treatment is to control and reduce the acute zoster pain, to shorten virus replication, to avoid dissemination of skin lesions and to prevent PHN and other severe complications The aim of the present review is to outline advantages and disadvantages of different laboratory methods of herpes zoster (microscopy, direct immunofluorescence assay, detection of viral DNA, virus isolation and serological methods. A live attenuated VZV vaccine has been developed to prevent herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in individuals beyond 60 years of age (Shingles Prevention Study). This review summarises the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical aspects, complications, therapy and prevention of varizella zoster.
Different place, different action: Clients' personal narratives in psychotherapy
Authors: Bercelli Fabrizio , Rossano Federico , Viaro Maurizio
Published: October 2008

This paper deals with clients' personal narratives in psychotherapy. Using the method of conversation analysis, we focus on actions and tasks accomplished through clients' narratives. We identify, within the overall structural organization of therapeutic talk in our corpus, two different sequential placements of clients' narratives and describe some of their distinctive features. When they are placed within an inquiry phase of the session and are solicited by therapists' questions, the clients' narratives mainly provide information for therapists in the service of their inquiring agenda. When placed within an elaboration phase of the session, personal narratives are regularly volunteered by clients and produced as responses to therapists' reinterpretations, i.e., statements working up clients' circumstances as previously described by clients. In this latter placement, they mainly offer further evidence relevant to the therapists' reinterpretations, and thus show how clients understand therapists' reinterpretations and what they make of them. The import of these findings, for both an explication of therapeutic techniques and a better understanding of the therapeutic process, is also discussed.
Narratives as a resource to manage disagreement: Examples from a parents' meeting in an extracurricular activity center
Authors: Kjaerbeck Susanne
Published: October 2008

This article explores narratives as an interactional resource to manage disagreement. On the basis of a detailed analysis of parents' meetings with three educators, three conversational phenomena were found to be particularly relevant to manage disagreement in narratives. The first phenomenon is the participants' manner of negotiating meaning in the narrative. It is demonstrated that the teller (a professional) and not the recipient (the mother) is the one who initiates the display of understanding the told events. In this kind of informal institutional talk, it emphasizes the asymmetry of the encounter. The second phenomenon is the primary speaker's accounting for and providing evidence in an attempt to obtain mutual understanding and to establish professional accountability. However, alignment is not achieved, and therefore the teller's assessments are constructed in a dispreferred format. The third phenomenon is the recipient's responding actions, which are minimal or absent and are used as a strategy for communicating disagreement indirectly. Finally, the relationship between narrative description and sequential and institutional contexts is addressed, and narratives are considered as contextualized as well as contextualizing resources of communication.
‘From where we're sat …’: Negotiating narrative transformation through interaction in police interviews with suspects
Authors: Johnson Alison
Published: October 2008

This paper examines narratives told in police interviews through a case-study approach with three interviews from a small corpus of twenty. The interviews are conducted by different police interviewers in different parts of England. Narratives given by suspects in initial storytelling episodes are examined along with negotiating activity that develops from this start point. We see how lay narratives are transformed into institutionalized and evidential ones and how content is reshaped through negotiation that challenges and transforms narrative material. Negotiations over role, responsibility, resistance, participation, and assessment of evidential value of story elements occur. This activity sometimes recontextualizes (Sarangi 1998; Linell and Sarangi 1998; Iedema and Wodak 1999) and transforms the start-point narrative, giving it evidential value; that is, value in relation to institutional and generic goals of establishing the facts of an alleged crime, for use in any future trial. Transformation is therefore seen as a negotiated (re)construction and recontextualization of narrative detail, part of the (re)productive work of institutional talk that produces an altered reality and responsibility that orients to the institututional rather than individual perspective.
Small stories as a new perspective in narrative and identity analysis
Authors: Bamberg Michael , Georgakopoulou Alexandra
Published: October 2008

In this article, we depart from our recent work on ‘small stories’, which we propose as an antidote to canonical narrative studies, and we advance our argumentation by sketching out a five-step analytical operation for tapping into small stories as sites of identity work. These steps grow out of the model of positioning (as put forward by Bamberg 1997, and elaborated in Bamberg 2004a; cf. also Georgakopoulou 2000) that succeeds in navigating between the two extreme ends of fine-grained micro analysis and macro accounts. We will work with positioning in the close analysis of a small story event (as part of a moderated group discussion involving ten-year-old boys in an American school) in which we will show how the teller's announcement of the story, the subsequent withdrawal, and the pre-telling negotiation with the interlocutors are as integral parts of our analysis as the actual telling. We will also demonstrate how viewing story content as a function of interactional engagement opens up new insights into identity constructions of sameness in the face of adversative conditions and constant change.
Constructing ethnicity in New Zealand workplace stories
Authors: Marra Meredith , Holmes Janet
Published: October 2008

One important function of narratives in workplace interaction is the valuable contribution they make to the construction of complex social identities. These identities typically include a professional or workplace identity, but may also include other facets of self. In the New Zealand workplace, a mainstream ‘white’ identity can be considered the unmarked, communicative cultural norm. In this context, storytelling provides a creative and socially acceptable strategy for constructing a contrasting ethnic identity. This paper explores the ways in which ethnicity is constructed in a New Zealand Māori organization that comprises an ethnically distinct community of practice. An extended narrative sequence (extracted from a naturally occurring meeting) is analyzed in detail for this purpose. Despite the predominance of English as the language of work in this organization, there is abundant evidence of the pervasive relevance of Māori cultural principles. For these workers, ethnicity acts as a backdrop for all their workplace communication; well-established culturally based norms underpin the ways in which they interact, and the ways in which they construct their social (including ethnic) identity. In this context, the stories told at work contribute not only to the construction of the ethnic identity of individual speakers, but also provide a means for co-constructing a distinctive Māori identity for the group.
Glutamate Transporter-Mediated Glutamate Secretion in the Mammalian Pineal Gland
Authors: Kim Mean-Hwan , Uehara Shunsuke , Muroyama Akiko , Hille Bertil , Moriyama Yoshinori , Koh Duk-Su
Published: October 2008

Glutamate transporters are expressed throughout the CNS where their major role is to clear released glutamate from presynaptic terminals. Here, we report a novel function of the transporter in rat pinealocytes. This electrogenic transporter conducted inward current in response tol-glutamate andl- ord-aspartate and depolarized the membrane in patch-clamp experiments. Ca2+imaging demonstrated that the transporter-mediated depolarization induced a significant Ca2+influx through voltage-gated Ca2+channels. The Ca2+rise finally evoked glutamate exocytosis as detected by carbon-fiber amperometry and by HPLC. In pineal slices with densely packed pinealocytes, glutamate released from the cells effectively activated glutamate transporters in neighboring cells. The Ca2+signal generated by KCl depolarization or acetylcholine propagated through several cell layers by virtue of the regenerative “glutamate-induced glutamate release.” Therefore, we suggest that glutamate transporters mediate synchronized elevation ofl-glutamate and thereby efficiently downregulate melatonin secretion via previously identified inhibitory metabotropic glutamate receptors in the pineal gland.
Phosphorylation-Dependent Trafficking of GluR2-Containing AMPA Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Plays a Critical Role in the Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking
Authors: Famous Katie R. , Kumaresan Vidhya , Sadri-Vakili Ghazaleh , Schmidt Heath D. , Mierke Dale F. , Cha Jang-Ho J. , Pierce R. Christopher
Published: October 2008

A growing body of evidence indicates that enhanced AMPA-mediated glutamate transmission in the core of the nucleus accumbens is critically involved in cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of drug seeking, an animal model of relapse. However, the extent to which increased glutamate transmission in the other major subregion of the nucleus accumbens, the shell, contributes to the reinstatement of cocaine seeking remains unclear. In the present experiments, administration of the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist CNQX (0, 0.03, or 0.3 μg) into either the core or the shell of the nucleus accumbens before a systemic cocaine priming injection (10 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently attenuated the reinstatement of drug seeking. Cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking also was associated with increases in GluR2-pSer880 in the nucleus accumbens shell. The phosphorylation of GluR2 by PKC at Ser880 plays an important role in the trafficking of GluR2-containing AMPA receptors from the plasma membrane. The current results showed that administration of a cell-permeable peptide that disrupts GluR2 trafficking (Pep2-EVKI) into either the accumbens core or shell attenuated cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. Together, these findings indicate that changes in AMPA receptor-mediated glutamate transmission in both the nucleus accumbens core and shell are necessary for the reinstatement of drug seeking induced by a priming injection of cocaine. The present results also demonstrate that the reinstatement of cocaine seeking is associated with increases in the phosphorylation-dependent trafficking of GluR2-containing AMPA receptors in the nucleus accumbens.
Notch1 Signaling in Pyramidal Neurons Regulates Synaptic Connectivity and Experience-Dependent Modifications of Acuity in the Visual Cortex
Authors: Dahlhaus Martijn , Hermans Josephine M. , Van Woerden Leonard H. , Saiepour M. Hadi , Nakazawa Kazu , Mansvelder Huibert D. , Heimel J. Alexander , Levelt Christiaan N.
Published: October 2008

How the visual cortex responds to specific stimuli is strongly influenced by visual experience during development. Monocular deprivation, for example, changes the likelihood of neurons in the visual cortex to respond to input from the deprived eye and reduces its visual acuity. Because these functional changes are accompanied by extensive reorganization of neurite morphology and dendritic spine turnover, genes regulating neuronal morphology are likely to be involved in visual plasticity. In recent years, Notch1 has been shown to mediate contact inhibition of neurite outgrowth in postmitotic neurons and implicated in the pathogenesis of various degenerative diseases of the CNS. Here, we provide the first evidence for the involvement of neuronal Notch1 signaling in synaptic morphology and plasticity in the visual cortex. By making use of the Cre/Lox system, we expressed an active form of Notch1 in cortical pyramidal neurons several weeks after birth. We show that neuronal Notch1 signals reduce dendritic spine and filopodia densities in a cell-autonomous manner and limit long-term potentiation in the visual cortex. After monocular deprivation, these effects of Notch1 activity predominantly affect responses to visual stimuli with higher spatial frequencies. This results in an enhanced effect of monocular deprivation on visual acuity.
Lesions of the Medial Striatum in Monkeys Produce Perseverative Impairments during Reversal Learning Similar to Those Produced by Lesions of the Orbitofrontal Cortex
Authors: Clarke Hannah F. , Robbins Trevor W. , Roberts Angela C.
Published: October 2008

The ability to switch responding between two visual stimuli based on their changing relationship with reward is dependent on the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). OFC lesions in humans, monkeys, and rats disrupt performance on a common test of this ability, the visual serial discrimination reversal task. This finding is of particular significance to our understanding of psychiatric disorders such as obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia, in which behavioral inflexibility is a prominent symptom. Although OFC dysfunction can occur in these disorders, there is considerable evidence for more widespread dysfunction within frontostriatal and frontoamygdalar circuitry. Because the contribution of these subcortical structures to behavioral flexibility is poorly understood, the present study compared the effects of excitotoxic lesions of the medial striatum (MS), amygdala, and OFC in the marmoset monkey on performance of the serial reversal task.

All monkeys were able to learn a novel stimulus–reward association but, compared with both control and amygdala-lesioned monkeys, those with MS or OFC lesions showed a perseverative impairment in their ability to reverse this association. However, whereas both MS and OFC groups showed insensitivity to negative feedback, only OFC-lesioned monkeys showed insensitivity to positive feedback. These findings suggest that, for different reasons, both the MS and OFC support behavioral flexibility after changes in reward contingencies, and are consistent with the hypothesis that striatal and OFC dysfunction can contribute to pathological perseveration.
Central Respiratory Rhythmogenesis Is Abnormal inLbx1- Deficient Mice
Authors: Pagliardini Silvia , Ren Jun , Gray Paul A. , VanDunk Cassandra , Gross Michael , Goulding Martyn , Greer John J.
Published: October 2008

Lbx1is a transcription factor that determines neuronal cell fate and identity in the developing medulla and spinal cord. NewbornLbx1mutant mice die of respiratory distress during the early postnatal period. Usingin vitrobrainstem–spinal cord preparations we tested the hypothesis thatLbx1is necessary for the inception, development and modulation of central respiratory rhythmogenesis. The inception of respiratory rhythmogenesis at embryonic day 15 (E15) was not perturbed inLbx1mutant mice. However, the typical age-dependent increase in respiratory frequency observed in wild-type from E15 to P0 was not observed inLbx1mutant mice. The slow respiratory rhythms in E18.5Lbx1mutant preparations were increased to wild-type frequencies by application of substance P, thyrotropin releasing hormone, serotonin, noradrenaline, or the ampakine drug 1-(1,4-benzodioxan-6-yl-carbonyl) piperidine. Those data suggest that respiratory rhythm generation within the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) is presumably functional inLbx1mutant mice with additional neurochemical drive. This was supported by anatomical data showing that the gross structure of the preBötC was normal, although there were major defects in neuronal populations that provide important modulatory drive to the preBötC including the retrotrapezoid nucleus, catecholaminergic brainstem nuclei, nucleus of the solitary tract, and populations of inhibitory neurons in the ventrolateral and dorsomedial medullary nuclei. Finally, we determined that those defects were caused by abnormalities of neuronal specification early in development or subsequent neuronal migration.
Selectivity for Grasp in Local Field Potential and Single Neuron Activity Recorded Simultaneously from M1 and F5 in the Awake Macaque Monkey
Authors: Spinks Rachel L. , Kraskov Alexander , Brochier Thomas , Umilta M. Alessandra , Lemon Roger N.
Published: October 2008

The selectivity for object-specific grasp in local field potentials (LFPs) was investigated in two awake macaque monkeys trained to observe, reach out, grasp and hold one of six objects presented in a pseudorandom order. Simultaneous, multiple electrode recordings were made from the hand representations of primary motor cortex (M1) and ventral premotor cortex (area F5). LFP activity was well developed during the observation and hold periods of the task, especially in the beta-frequency range (15–30 Hz). Selectivity of LFP activity for upcoming grasp was rare in the observation period, but common during stable grasp. The majority of M1 (90 of 92) and F5 (81of 97) sites showed selectivity for at least one frequency, which was maximal in the beta range but also present at higher frequencies (30–50 Hz). When the LFP power associated with grasp of a specific object was large in the beta-frequency range, it was usually of low power in the higher 30–50 Hz range, and vice-versa. Simple hook grips involving flexion of one or more fingers were associated with large beta power, whereas more complex grips involving the thumb (e.g., precision grip) were associated with small beta power. At many M1 sites, there was a highly significant inverse relationship between the tuning of spikes (including those of identified pyramidal tract neurons) and beta-range LFP for different grasps, whereas a positive correlation was found at higher frequencies (30–50 Hz). High levels of beta LFP and low pyramidal cell spike rate may reflect a common mechanism used to control motor set during different types of grasp.
Dynamic, Nonlinear Feedback Regulation of Slow Pacemaking by A-Type Potassium Current in Ventral Tegmental Area Neurons
Authors: Khaliq Zayd M. , Bean Bruce P.
Published: October 2008

We analyzed ionic currents that regulate pacemaking in dopaminergic neurons of the mouse ventral tegmental area by comparing voltage trajectories during spontaneous firing with ramp-evoked currents in voltage clamp. Most recordings were made in brain slice, with key experiments repeated using acutely dissociated neurons, which gave identical results. During spontaneous firing, net ionic current flowing between spikes was calculated from the time derivative of voltage multiplied by cell capacitance, signal-averaged over many firing cycles to enhance resolution. Net inward interspike current had a distinctive nonmonotonic shape, reaching a minimum (generally <1 pA) between −60 and −55 mV. Under voltage clamp, ramps over subthreshold voltages elicited a time- and voltage-dependent outward current that peaked near −55 mV. This current was undetectable with 5 mV/s ramps and increased steeply with depolarization rate over the range (10–50 mV/s) typical of natural pacemaking. Ramp-evoked subthreshold current was resistant to α-dendrotoxin, paxilline, apamin, and tetraethylammonium but sensitive to 4-aminopyridine and 0.5 mmBa2+, consistent with A-type potassium current (IA). Same-cell comparison of currents elicited by various ramp speeds with natural spontaneous depolarization showed how the steep dependence ofIAon depolarization rate results in small net inward currents during pacemaking. These results reveal a mechanism in which subthresholdIAis near zero at steady state, but is engaged at depolarization rates >10 mV/s to act as a powerful, supralinear feedback element. This feedback mechanism explains how net ionic current can be constrained to <1–2 pA but reliably inward, thus enabling slow, regular firing.
Roles of Ephrin-As and Structured Activity in the Development of Functional Maps in the Superior Colliculus
Authors: Cang Jianhua , Wang Lupeng , Stryker Michael P. , Feldheim David A.
Published: October 2008

The orderly projections from retina to superior colliculus (SC) preserve a continuous retinotopic representation of the visual world. The development of retinocollicular maps depend on a combination of molecular guidance cues and patterned neural activity. Here, we characterize the functional retinocollicular maps in mice lacking the guidance molecules ephrin-A2, -A3, and -A5 and in mice deficient in both ephrin-As and structured spontaneous retinal activity, using a method of Fourier imaging of intrinsic signals. We find that the SC of ephrin-A2/A3/A5 triple knock-out mice contains functional maps that are disrupted selectively along the nasotemporal (azimuth) axis of the visual space. These maps are discontinuous, with patches of SC responding to topographically incorrect locations. The patches disappear in mice that are deficient in both ephrin-As and structured activity, resulting in a near-absence of azimuth map in the SC. These results indicate that ephrin-As guide the formation of functional topography in the SC, and patterned retinal activity clusters cells based on their correlated firing patterns. Comparison of the SC and visual cortical mapping defects in these mice suggests that although ephrin-As are required for mapping in both SC and visual cortex, ephrin-A-independent mapping mechanisms are more important in visual cortex than in the SC.
A Cation-π Interaction in the Binding Site of the Glycine Receptor Is Mediated by a Phenylalanine Residue
Authors: Pless Stephan A. , Millen Kat S. , Hanek Ariele P. , Lynch Joseph W. , Lester Henry A. , Lummis Sarah C. R. , Dougherty Dennis A.
Published: October 2008

Cys-loop receptor binding sites characteristically contain many aromatic amino acids. In nicotinic ACh and 5-HT3receptors, a Trp residue forms a cation-π interaction with the agonist, whereas in GABAAreceptors, a Tyr performs this role. The glycine receptor binding site, however, contains predominantly Phe residues. Homology models suggest that two of these Phe side chains, Phe159 and Phe207, and possibly a third, Phe63, are positioned such that they could contribute to a cation-π interaction with the primary amine of glycine. Here, we test this hypothesis by incorporation of a series of fluorinated Phe derivatives using unnatural amino acid mutagenesis. The data reveal a clear correlation between the glycine EC50value and the cation-π binding ability of the fluorinated Phe derivatives at position 159, but not at positions 207 or 63, indicating a single cation-π interaction between glycine and Phe159. The data thus provide an anchor point for locating glycine in its binding site, and demonstrate for the first time a cation-π interaction between Phe and a neurotransmitter.
Dichotomous Anatomical Properties of Adult Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons
Authors: Gertler Tracy S. , Chan C. Savio , Surmeier D. James
Published: October 2008

Principal medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs) of the striatum have long been thought to be homogeneous in their somatodendritic morphology and physiology. Recent work using transgenic mice, in which the two major classes of MSN are labeled, has challenged this assumption. To explore the basis for this difference, D1and D2receptor-expressing MSNs (D1and D2MSNs) in brain slices from adult transgenic mice were characterized electrophysiologically and anatomically. These studies revealed that D1MSNs were less excitable than D2MSNs over a broad range of developmental time points. Although M1muscarinic receptor signaling was a factor, it was not sufficient to explain the dichotomy between D1and D2MSNs. Reconstructions of biocytin-filled MSNs revealed that the physiological divergence was paralleled by a divergence in total dendritic area. Experimentally grounded simulations suggested that the dichotomy in MSN dendritic area was a major contributor to the dichotomy in electrophysiological properties. Thus, rather than being an intrinsically homogenous population, striatal MSNs have dichotomous somatodendritic properties that mirror differences in their network connections and biochemistry.
Afferent Deprivation Elicits a Transcriptional Response Associated with Neuronal Survival after a Critical Period in the Mouse Cochlear Nucleus
Authors: Harris Julie A. , Iguchi Fukuichiro , Seidl Armin H. , Lurie Diana I. , Rubel Edwin W
Published: October 2008

The mechanisms underlying enhanced plasticity of synaptic connections and susceptibilities to manipulations of afferent activity in developing sensory systems are not well understood. One example is the rapid and dramatic neuron death that occurs after removal of afferent input to the cochlear nucleus (CN) of young mammals and birds. The molecular basis of this critical period of neuronal vulnerability and the transition to survival independent of afferent input remains to be defined. Here we used microarray analyses, real-time reverse transcription PCR, and immunohistochemistry of the mouse CN to show that deafferentation results in strikingly different sets of regulated genes in vulnerable [postnatal day (P) 7] and invulnerable (P21) CN. An unexpectedly large set of immune-related genes was induced by afferent deprivation after the critical period, which corresponded with glial proliferation over the same time frame. Apoptotic gene expression was not highly regulated in the vulnerable CN after afferent deprivation but, surprisingly, did increase after deafferentation at P21, when all neurons ultimately survive. Pharmacological activity blockade in the eighth nerve mimicked afferent deprivation for only a subset of the afferent deprivation regulated genes, indicating the presence of an additional factor not dependent on action potential-mediated signaling that is also responsible for transcriptional changes. Overall, our results suggest that the cell death machinery during this critical period is mainly constitutive, whereas after the critical period neuronal survival could be actively promoted by both constitutive and induced gene expression.
Microstructural Organization of the Cingulum Tract and the Level of Default Mode Functional Connectivity
Authors: van den Heuvel Martijn , Mandl René , Luigjes Judith , Hulshoff Pol Hilleke
Published: October 2008

The default mode network is a functionally connected network of brain regions that show highly synchronized intrinsic neuronal activation during rest. However, less is known about the structural connections of this network, which could play an important role in the observed functional connectivity patterns. In this study, we examined the microstructural organization of the cingulum tract in relation to the level of resting-state default mode functional synchronization. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging data of 45 healthy subjects were acquired on a 3 tesla scanner. Both structural and functional connectivity of the default mode network were examined. In all subjects, the cingulum tract was identified from the total collection of reconstructed tracts to interconnect the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex and medial frontal cortex, key regions of the default mode network. A significant positive correlation was found between the average fractional anisotropy value of the cingulum tract and the level of functional connectivity between the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex and medial frontal cortex. Our results suggest a direct relationship between the structural and functional connectivity measures of the default mode network and contribute to the understanding of default mode network connectivity.