bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of petrophysical parameters by linearized inversion of angle domain pre‐stack data
Authors: Chiappa F. , Mazzotti A.
Published: April 2009

We describe a linear Bayesian inversion method to estimate the relevant petrophysical properties of the media forming a reflecting interface from the observations of amplitude variation with incidence angle. Three main steps characterize the proposed approach:

– information from borehole logs are statistically analysed to estimate the empirical models that describe the functional relationship between petrophysical (e.g. porosity, saturation, pressure or depth) and seismic variable(P and S velocities and density);

– the pure‐mode (PP) reflection coefficient is parameterized in terms of the relevant petrophysical variables and is linearized in order to implement the linear inversion;

– the sought petrophysical parameters are estimated from the seismic reflected amplitudes by applying the linearized inversion wherea prioriinformation, data and model errors and solutions are described by probability density functions.

We test the method on synthetic and real data relative to reflections from a shale/gas‐sand interface where the amplitude versus angle response, besides the lithological contrast, is mainly controlled by the saturation and porosity of the sand layer. The outcomes of the linearized inversion are almost identical to those obtained by a previously developed non‐linear inversion method demonstrating the applicability of the linear inversion. It turns out that the gas‐sand saturation in the range 0%–95% is a poorly resolved parameter while the porosity is the best resolved parameter. The issues of robustness and resolution of the inversion are discussed either through singular value decomposition analysis or the observation of thea posterioriprobability density functions.

The linear inversion algorithm, compared with the previously developed non‐linear method, reduces significantly the computation time allowing for more extensive applications.
A Model Equation for Wavepacket Solitary Waves Arising from Capillary‐Gravity Flows
Authors: Akers Benjamin , Milewski Paul A.
Published: April 2009

A model equation governing the primitive dynamics of wave packets near an extremum of the linear dispersion relation at finite wavenumber is derived. In two spatial dimensions, we include the effects of weak variation of the wave in the direction transverse to the direction of propagation. The resulting equation is contrasted with the Kadomtsev–Petviashvilli and Nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equations. The model is derived as an approximation to the equations for deep water gravity‐capillary waves, but has wider applications. Both line solitary waves and solitary waves which decay in both the transverse and propagating directions—lump solitary waves—are computed. The stability of these waves is investigated and their dynamics are studied via numerical time evolution of the equation.
ENTREPRENEURIAL GOVERNANCE: CHALLENGES OF LARGE‐SCALE PROPERTY‐LED URBAN REGENERATION PROJECTS
Authors: TAŞAN‐KOK TUNA
Published: April 2009

Large‐scale urban regeneration projects become highly complex as they involve multiple actors with different expectations. In general, the implementation of such projects entails building governance regimes at the city or regional level, but this often means forging partnerships between public and private actors to serve as policy instruments. Each city government formulates its own strategy for coping with the complexities of various levels of policy‐making, thereby establishing multi‐level governance regimes. And each city has its own particular experience with the implementation trajectory: long or short, successful or unsuccessful. This paper focuses on how the complexities of multi‐actor governance influence the implementation of these projects. The purpose is to show how the macro‐level institutional context affects the project's success and to analyse the challenges posed by multi‐actor governance. Comparative analysis of two old port regeneration projects, namely Rotterdam's Kop van Zuid in the Netherlands, and Het Eilandje in Antwerp, Belgium, reveals how similar challenges were dealt with in different institutional contexts.
The rise and quick fall of the theory of ancient economic imperialism
Authors: DMITRIEV SVIATOSLAV
Published: April 2009

The theory of ancient economic imperialism has declined for two reasons. The first is the absence of any reliable evidence that the politics of ancient states was dictated by economic considerations. Additionally, the usual focus on the Roman provincial system limits the understanding of ‘economic imperialism’ to that of a ‘formal empire’ and ignores other ancient societies. The second reason, which so far has been neglected, is the changing vision of modern imperialism. Once the modern colonial system fell, the understanding of imperialism returned to that of the precolonial period, which saw imperialism in political and military terms.
A systematic review of the clinimetric properties of neuromotor assessments for preterm infants during the first year of life
Authors: Spittle Alicia J , Doyle Lex W , Boyd Roslyn N
Published: April 2009

This systematic review evaluates assessments used to discriminate, predict, or evaluate the motor development of preterm infants during the first year of life. Eighteen assessments were identified; nine met the inclusion criteria. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development ‐ Version III, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales ‐ Version 2, Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP), and Toddler and Infant Motor Examination have good discriminative validity when examined in large populations. The AIMS, Prechtl's Assessment of General Movements (GMs), Neuro Sensory Motor Development Assessment (NSMDA), and TIMP were designed for preterm infants and are able to detect more subtle changes in movement quality. The best predictive assessment tools are age dependent: GMs, the Movement Assessment of Infants, and TIMP are strongest in early infancy (age 4mo or less) and the AIMS and NSMDA are better at older ages (8‐12mo). The TIMP is the only tool that has demonstrated a difference between groups in response to intervention in two randomized controlled trials. The AIMS, TIMP, and GMs demonstrated the highest levels of overall reliability (interrater and intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient or κ>0.85). Selection of motor assessment tools during the first year of life for infants born preterm will depend on the intended purpose of their use for discrimination, prediction, and/or evaluation.
The Infant Motor Profile: a standardized and qualitative method to assess motor behaviour in infancy
Authors: Heineman Kirsten R , Bos Arend F , Hadders‐Algra Mijna
Published: April 2009

A reliable and valid instrument to assess neuromotor condition in infancy is a prerequisite for early detection of developmental motor disorders. We developed a video‐based assessment of motor behaviour, the Infant Motor Profile (IMP), to evaluate motor abilities, movement variability, ability to select motor strategies, movement symmetry, and fluency. The IMP consists of 80 items and is applicable in children from 3 to 18 months. The present study aimed to test intra‐ and interobserver reliability and concurrent validity of the IMP with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and Touwen neurological examination. The study group consisted of 40 low‐risk term (median gestational age [GA] 40wks, range 38‐42wks) and 40 high‐risk preterm infants (median GA 29.6wks, range 26‐33wks) with corrected ages 4 to 18 months (31 females, 49 males). Intra‐ and interobserver agreement of the IMP were satisfactory (Spearman's rho=0.9). Concurrent validity of IMP and AIMS was good (Spearman's rho=0.8, p<0.005). The IMP was able to differentiate between infants with normal neurological condition, simple minor neurological dysfunction (MND), complex MND, and abnormal neurological condition (p<0.005). This means that the IMP may be a promising tool to evaluate neurological integrity during infancy, a suggestion that needs confirmation by means of assessment of larger groups of infants with heterogeneous neurological conditions.
Stress‐induced activation of Nox contributes to cell survival signalling via production of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Groeger Gillian , Mackey Ashley M. , Pettigrew Christopher A. , Bhatt Lavinia , Cotter Thomas G.
Published: April 2009

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have traditionally been viewed as a toxic group of molecules; however, recent publications have shown that these molecules, including H2O2, can also strongly promote cell survival. Even though the retina has a large capacity to produce ROS, little is known about its non‐mitochondrial sources of these molecules, in particular the expression and function of NADPH oxidase (Nox) proteins which are involved in the direct generation of superoxide and indirectly H2O2. This study demonstrated that 661W cells, a retina‐derived cell line, and mouse retinal explants express Nox2, Nox4 and certain of their well‐established regulators. The roles of Nox2 and Nox4 in producing pro‐survival H2O2 were determined using 661W cells and some of the controlling factors were identified. To ascertain if this phenomenon could have physiological relevance, the novel technique of time‐lapse imaging of dichlorofluorescein fluorescence (generated upon H2O2 production) in retinal explants was established and it showed that explants also produce a burst of H2O2. The increase in H2O2 production was partly blocked by an inhibitor of Nox proteins. Overall, this study demonstrates a pro‐survival role of Nox2 and Nox4 in retina‐derived cells, elucidates some of the regulatory mechanisms and reveals that a similar phenomenon exists in retinal tissue as a whole.
Ethnic migration between area groups in England and Wales
Authors: Raymer James , Giulietti Corrado
Published: April 2009

Minority ethnic populations in England and Wales have been increasing steadily as a share of the total population since the 1991 Census. In this paper, we are interested in how internal migration has changed as a possible consequence. Our analysis focuses on the movements between 12 area groups, as defined by the Office for National Statistics, and addresses the following three research questions: (1) how has internal migration in England and Wales evolved from 1991 to 2004; (2) what are the main differences in the movements between the White (majority) population and the ethnic minority population; and (3) how do migration patterns differ when ethnicity, education and employment statuses are considered together? The data come from the 1991 to 2004 National Health Service Central Registers, the 1999–2004 patient registers and the 2001 Census. We find strong stability in the migration patterns of the total population over time. However, large differences appear when the flows are disaggregated by ethnicity and further by education and employment. Education level is an important factor influencing the migration patterns for the White population, whereas employment status is a much more important factor for the ethnic minority population.
Immigration, Europe and the ‘new’ cultural dimension
Authors: VAN DER BRUG WOUTER , VAN SPANJE JOOST
Published: April 2009

Kriesi et al. announced the birth of a new cleavage in contemporary Western Europe, one dividing the winners and losers of globalisation. Their studies in 2006 and 2008 contain analyses of party positions in six countries, based on the contents of editorial sections of newspapers. This article challenges the main conclusion of Kriesi et al. by demonstrating − on the basis of two expert surveys − that party positions are mainly structured by one dimension. The structure detected by Kriesi et al. in their analysis of parties is not found, except concerning voter positions. A consequence of this article's findings is that large groups of citizens are not represented by any parties, in particular those who are left‐wing on socio‐economic issues and right‐wing on cultural issues. The article in its conclusion discusses possible causes for the differences between these findings and those of Kriesi et al., and the implications of these findings for democratic representation.
Trochlear Block Recession in an Alpaca with Traumatic Lateral Patellar Luxation
Authors: FURMAN STEPHANIE M. , FORTIER LISA A. , SCHNABEL LAUREN V. , KROTSCHECK URSULA
Published: April 2009

Objective—To report surgical treatment of traumatic lateral patellar luxation using trochlear block recession in an alpaca.

Study Design—Clinical case report.

Animals—Five‐year‐old female alpaca.

Methods—Grade IV/IV lateral, left patella luxation and mild femoropatellar joint effusion was identified by palpation and visual assessment, and confirmed by ultrasonography and radiographs. Trochlear block recession combined with lateral retinacular release and medial imbrication to restore patella function.

Results—Progressive improvement in weight bearing occurred during hospitalization (6 days) and at 3.5 weeks, no lameness was observed; radiographically, the patella was in normal anatomic alignment. At 15 months, there were no signs of lameness with unrestricted exercise and the alpaca had given birth to another cria.

Conclusions—In this alpaca with traumatic origin of the lateral patellar luxation and normal femoro‐tibial alignment, a combination of retinacular imbrication, contralateral release, and trochlear block recession were successful for long‐term treatment of lateral patellar luxation.

Clinical Relevance—Although trochlear block recession is most commonly performed in small animals, this technique may be useful in treatment of traumatic patellar luxations in camelids.
Part III: Class IC Antiarrhythmic Drugs—A Review of Their Pharmacokinetics, Electrophysiology, Efficacy, and Toxicity*
Authors: SALERNO DAVID M.
Published: April 2009

Type IC antiarrhythmic agents have unique properties on cardiac tissue. These agents tend to have important effects on phase 0 depolarization and therefore, from an electrocardiographic point of vieia, prolong the QRS complex. Their effect on repolarization is less than that of type IA agents, thus, they generally do not prolong the JT interval, that is the QT minus the QRS. Electrophysiologically, type IC agents prolong refractoriness in many cardiac tissues including atrium, AV node, and ventricle. These unique properties are the focus of this review.
The Effects of Sympathetic Imbalance on the Canine T Wave and QT Interval
Authors: EULER DAVID E. , SCANLON PATRICK J.
Published: April 2009

The effects of sympathetic imbalance with left dominance on the electrocardiogram was studied in 12 open‐chest anesthetized dogs. Heart rate was held constant (80 or 150 bpm) by right vagal stimulation and atrial pacing, To minimize vagai‐sympathetic interactions, the intensity of vagal stimulation was well below the threshold for asystole. Electrocardiographic recordings were obtained from three ECC leads (II, X, and Z). Transection of the right stellate increased the T‐wave amplitude in lead II (0.12 ± 0.05 mV, P < 0.05) but had no effect on the QT interval in any lead. Left stellate transect ion after right transection decreased the T‐wave amplitude in lead II (0.13 ± 0.06 mV, P < 0.05) but did not alter the QT interval in any lead. Electrical stimulation of the decentralized left stellate for periods of 3 or 15 sec prolonged the QT interval by as much as 21 msec, but the average changes were considerably less (± 6.0 msec) and were not significant. Left stellate stimulation for 30 or 60 seconds shortened the QT by as much as 30 msec (P < 0.05). All periods of left stellate stimulation significantly increased the T‐wave amplitude in lead II. The electrocardiographic changes induced by sympathetic imbalance were similar at both heart rates. The results do not support the presence of a significant degree of “silent” repolarization after the end of the T wave in the normal canine electrocardiogram.
The Clinical Pharmacology of Propafenone
Authors: SMITH NELLIS A. , KATES ROBERT E. , HARRISON DONALD C.
Published: April 2009

Propafenone is a potent type Ic antiarrhythmic agent that has activity against a wide variety of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Clinical administration must be individualized, based on an appreciation of propafenone pharmacokinctics and dose‐response relationships, which are quite complex. Although a “therapeutic” plasma concentration is achieved in most patients with 300 mg orally every eight hours and plasma concentrations reach steady state after three days, marked interpatient differences in plasma concentrations occur. In addition, the effective plasma concentration required for arrhythmia suppression varies markedly in individual patients. Oral propafenone is subjected to a marked “first‐pass” hepatic elimination via a saturable oxidative pathway. This can result in a tenfold increase in plasma concentrations as the dose is increased from 150 to 450 mg. Accumulation of metabolites, notably 5‐OH propafenone, probably contributes to the net antiarrhythmic effect of oral propafenone during chronic oral administration. Propafenone may exacerbate ventricular arrhythmias in 20–15% of patients. This does not appear to be dose‐dependent, nor is it associated with a definite prolongation in QT interval.
Distinct roles of the mTOR components Rictor and Raptor in MO7e megakaryocytic cells
Authors: Fuhler Gwenny M. , Tyl Monika R. , Olthof Sandra G.M. , Lyndsay Drayer A. , Blom Nel , Vellenga Edo
Published: April 2009

Objective:  During megakaryopoiesis, hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow proliferate and ultimately differentiate in mature megakaryocytes (MK). We and others have recently described a role for the mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR) in proliferation and differentiation of MK cells. Two non‐redundant complexes of mTOR have been described; mTORC1 containing rapamycin‐associated TOR protein (Raptor) and mTORC2 containing Rapamycin‐insensitive companion of mTOR (Rictor). The individual roles of these complexes in MK development have so far not been elucidated, and were investigated in this study.

Methods:  We have used an siRNA approach to selectively knock down either Rictor or Raptor expression in MO7e megakaryoblastic cells. Using flow cytometry, nuclear ploidity, and cell cycling as assessed by BrdU incorporation were investigated. Electron microscopy and cotransductions with GFP‐LC3 were used to quantify autophagy. Activation of intracellular signal transduction pathways was studied by Western blot analysis.

Results:  We observed a reduced cell cycling upon Rictor siRNA transduction, resulting in decreased numbers of polypoid cells. Knocking down Raptor expression resulted in a reduced expansion and a reduced cell size. In addition, increased autophagy was observed in Raptor siRNA‐transduced cells, in correspondence with an attenuation of activation of the p70S6K/S6, and 4E‐BP pathways.

Conclusions:  The current study shows that the mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes have distinct, non‐redundant functions in MO7e MK cell proliferation, and development. The mTOR/Rictor complex affects megakaryopoiesis by regulating nuclear division and subsequent cell cycle progression, whereas Raptor signaling protects MK cells from autophagic cell death, enabling normal megakaryopoiesis to take place.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Preterm Labor: CD55 in Maternal Blood Leukocytes
Authors: Nowicki Stella , Izban Michael G. , Pawelczyk Edyta , Agboto Vincent K. , Pratap Siddarth , Olson Gayle , Nowicki Bogdan
Published: April 2009

Problem  Intrauterine inflammation is a frequent and significant factor associated with the pathogenesis of preterm labor/birth (PTL/PTB). However, it remains unclear whether the intrauterine inflammatory responses activate the maternal peripheral circulation. We explored the association between PTL/PTB and the ‘activation’ of the peripheral circulatory system by determining whether CD55 mRNA expression within peripheral WBCs differed between PTL and control patients not in labor.

Method of Study  RNA was purified from white blood cells collected from pregnant women with preterm labor (n = 45), and from pregnant (n = 30) control women. CD55 gene expression was evaluated by quantitative PCR.

Results  The mean CD55 mRNA level within the PTL group (0.77 ± 0.03) was 1.48‐fold higher than that observed (0.52 ± 0.02) within the control group (P < 0.0001); 71% of PTL patients and only 6.7% of control subjects expressed elevated CD55 mRNA. The receiver operating characteristics (with 95% CI) of CD55 as a marker for PTL were as follows: Sensitivity, 69% (53–82%); Specificity, 93% (78–99%); Positive Predictive Value, 94% (80–99%); and Negative Predictive Value, 67% (51–80%). In the patient population that delivered prematurely (before 37 weeks), 81% expressed elevated CD55 mRNA levels with a mean of 0.78 ± 0.03 and 95% CI of 0.71–0.84. The receiver operating characteristics were as follows: Sensitivity, 73% (54–88%); Specificity, 86% (71–95%); Positive Predictive Value, 81.5% (62–94%); and Negative Predictive Value, 80% (64–91%).

Conclusion  Here we report for the first time that CD55 mRNA expression was elevated in the peripheral WBCs of subjects with preterm labor compared with control gestationally‐matched pregnant woman and that elevated leukocyte CD55 may be a useful predictor of subsequent PTB.
‘Understood Relations’: Law and Literature in Early Modern Studies1
Authors: Mukherji Subha
Published: April 2009

This overview situates early modern criticism engaged with the interface between law and literature in relation to the larger intellectual dialogue that has, since the 1980s, become definable as the ‘Law and Literature movement’. It outlines the history of the field in academia, defines the key issues at stake, and finally goes on to address the specific disciplinary connections and indeed disconnections that underlie the interest that has been focused on this interrelation in the culture of Renaissance England. Through a survey of symptomatic recent publications that take on the challenges of the subject, it seeks to identify trends, acknowledge crises and intimate possibilities of further exploration. The implications of such work are significant for both legal and literary hermeneutics, and suggestive not only of the history of interdisciplinarity, but also of what academic disciplines mean and how they function in our times.
Interactions between the amyloid precursor protein C‐terminal domain and G proteins mediate calcium dysregulation and amyloid β toxicity in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Shaked Gideon M. , Chauv Stephanie , Ubhi Kiren , Hansen Lawrence A. , Masliah Eliezer
Published: April 2009

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by neuropathological accumulations of amyloid β(1–42) [Aβ(1–42)], a cleavage product of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Recent studies have highlighted the role of APP in Aβ‐mediated toxicity and have implicated the G‐protein system; however, the exact mechanisms underlying this pathway are as yet undetermined. In this context, we sought to investigate the role of calcium upregulation following APP‐dependent, Aβ‐mediated G‐protein activation. Initial studies on the interaction between APP, Aβ and Go proteins demonstrated that the interaction between APP, specifically its C‐terminal ‐YENPTY‐ region, and Go was reduced in the presence of Aβ. Cell death and calcium influx in Aβ‐treated cells were shown to be APP dependent and to involve G‐protein activation because these effects were blocked by use of the G‐protein inhibitor, pertussis toxin. Collectively, these results highlight a role for the G‐protein system in APP‐dependent, Aβ‐induced toxicity and calcium dysregulation. Analysis of the APP:Go interaction in human brain samples from Alzheimer’s disease patients at different stages of the disease revealed a decrease in the interaction, correlating with disease progression. Moreover, the reduced interaction between APP and Go was shown to correlate with an increase in membrane Aβ levels and G‐protein activity, showing for first time that the APP:Go interaction is present in humans and is responsive to Aβ load. The results presented support a role for APP in Aβ‐induced G‐protein activation and suggest a mechanism by which basal APP binding to Go is reduced under pathological loads of Aβ, liberating Go and activating the G‐protein system, which may in turn result in downstream effects including calcium dysregulation. These results also suggest that specific antagonists of G‐protein activity may have a therapeutic relevance in Alzheimer’s disease.
The Interface of Self Psychology, Infant Research, and Neuroscience in Clinical Practice
Authors: Rustin Judith
Published: April 2009

This article focuses on the integration of self psychology with findings from infant research and neuroscience. While Kohut's psychology of the self provides a useful theoretical model for psychoanalytic practice, aspects of infant research and neuroscience offer specificity and nuance to basic self‐psychological concepts. Kohut proposed that self‐psychological psychoanalysis ameliorates derailed development through patient–analyst interaction, while a listening stance of empathic immersion begins the curative process of derailed development and sets the stage for reparative psychoanalytic work. Findings from infant research delineate much more specifically the nature of attunement both in early mother–infant and analyst–patient interactions. Findings from neuroscientific research delineate how early mother–infant experiences are encoded in implicit memory and explicates the emotional substrate of affects and feelings. This emotional substrate exists at birth and provides a means of communication both in infancy and adulthood. Additionally, infant research delineates the mutuality of the interactive process. Thus, both infant research and neuroscience add subtlety and nuance to basic self‐psychological concepts. This subtlety opens up new ways of understanding patients and expands the clinical repertoire. Three clinical vignettes demonstrate how this nuance and expansion of self‐psychological concepts are applied in the context of an ongoing psychoanalytic treatment.
From Selfobjects to Dialogue
Authors: Jacobs Lynne
Published: April 2009

The intersubjective field concept is a doorway to a dialogical sensibility. A dialogical attitude recognizes just how thoroughly and intimately any effort to understand another implicates both parties in the dialogue. The therapist's task is to engage in a dialogue that stands the greatest chance of enabling the therapist to understand how our patients’ experiences—and ours—make perfect sense at this time in this situation together, even when our patients’ statements challenge our equilibrium or raise our defenses. In addition, many patients also struggle toward an engagement with their analyst not just as a repetitive figure (and not even as someone who merely serves their developmental needs). I think they strive for a more complex experience of the analyst in his or her subjectivity. Our ability to welcome them into our experiential worlds is often transformative in restoring a sense of dignity to emotionally alienated patients. An extended case example demonstrates these ideas.
A Self‐Psychological Approach to the Study of Biography
Authors: Hershberg Sandra G.
Published: April 2009

This chapter is an exploration of the psychoanalytic aspects of biography and the biographical aspects of psychoanalysis. The narratives that emerge from biography and psychoanalytic treatment incorporate elements of empathy, ideology (theory), and transference/countertransference and are co‐constructed within an intersubjective field involving the subjectivities of both participants, the biographer and her subject and the analyst and her analysand. I will provide examples that demonstrate the way in which these processes play out in the biographical realm. Correspondingly, I will illustrate the way in which the analyst's biography and analysand's autobiography change in the course of the psychoanalytic treatment. Salient differences between biographical and psychoanalytic endeavors are also discussed.
Wishful Thinking about the Future: Does Desire Impact Optimism?
Authors: Krizan Zlatan , Windschitl Paul D.
Published: April 2009

The notion that desire for an outcome inflates optimism about that outcome has been dubbed the desirability bias or wishful thinking. In this paper, we discuss the importance of distinguishing wishful thinking from the more general concept of motivated reasoning, and we explain why documenting overoptimism or correlations between preferences and optimism is not sufficient to infer a desirability bias. Then, we discuss results from a review and meta‐analysis of the experimental literature on wishful thinking. These findings, in conjunction with more recent work, not only highlight important moderators and mediators of the desirability bias but also point out limitations of the empirical research on the bias. These results also reveal an important difference between how likelihood judgments and discrete outcome predictions respond to desirability of outcomes. We conclude by presenting avenues for future research useful for understanding wishful thinking's manifestation in everyday environments and its integration with related phenomena.
Research on the Effects of Violent Video Games: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Ferguson Christopher J.
Published: April 2009

The impact of violent video games on youth and adults who play these games has been a source of great controversy for years. This paper reviews the research on violent video games across three main areas: general effects on aggression, negative effects on specific high‐risk populations, and effects on visuospatial cognition. Difficulties in adequately measuring constructs such as aggression are also highlighted. It is concluded that the extreme focus on general aggression effects is not supported by the current literature, and that social science's focus on general aggression effects distracts from research on specific at‐risk populations, and potential positive uses of some violent video games.
On the relationship between free energy difference calculations by thermodynamic integration and harmonic frequency analysis
Authors: Jechow Jason , Ziegler Tom
Published: April 2009

Harmonic frequency analysis (HFA), based on statistical mechanics, is a widely used and powerful tool for evaluating free energy changes between molecular states. It has, as such, been employed extensively to evaluate the free energy of reaction and activation for chemical processes. Alternatively, free energy differences can be calculated using thermodynamic integration (TI). In TI, the force on a constrained reaction coordinate is calculated, and this force from a to b is integrated to obtain the Helmholtz free energy change ΔAab. Although HFA and TI clearly are related from a fundamental statistical mechanics point-of-view, the relationship is not immediately obvious when one considers the quite different procedures applied in the two methods. This article provides a detailed analysis and proof of the relation between HFA and TI.
Biochemistry, physiology, and genetics of GPAT, AGPAT, and lipin enzymes in triglyceride synthesis
Authors: Takeuchi Kazuharu , Reue Karen
Published: April 2009

Triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and storage in tissues such as adipose tissue and liver have important roles in metabolic homeostasis. The molecular identification of genes encoding enzymes that catalyze steps in TAG biosynthesis from glycerol 3-phosphate has revealed an unexpected number of protein isoforms of the glycerol phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT), acylglycerolphosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT), and lipin (phosphatidate phosphatase) families that appear to catalyze similar biochemical reactions. However, on the basis of available data for a few members in which genetic deficiencies in mouse and/or human have been studied, we postulate that each GPAT, AGPAT, and lipin family member likely has a specialized role that may be uncovered through careful biochemical and physiological analyses.
Noninvasive Detection of Lentiviral-Mediated Choline Kinase Targeting in a Human Breast Cancer Xenograft
Authors: Krishnamachary Balaji , Glunde Kristine , Wildes Flonne , Mori Noriko , Takagi Tomoyo , Raman Venu , Bhujwalla Zaver M.
Published: April 2009

Elevated phosphocholine (PC) and total choline (tCho) metabolites are widely established characteristics of most cancer cells, including breast cancer. Effective silencing of choline kinase (chk), the enzyme that converts choline to PC, is associated with reduced tumor growth. The functional importance and down-regulation of chk using RNA interference has been previously established. Here, we report on the preclinical evaluation of lentiviral vector–mediated down-regulation of chk using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in established tumors derived from human breast cancer cells. Concentrated lentivirus expressing shRNA against chk was injected i.v. in the tail vein of MDA-MB-231 tumor-bearing female severe combined immunodeficient mice. Transduction efficiency in cells and tumors in vivo was assessed optically by enhanced green fluorescent protein expression and additionally from chk mRNA and protein levels. An 80% reduction in chk mRNA and protein was achieved following ∼90% transduction efficiency in cells. After transduction with chk-shRNA, 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) of cell and tumor extracts showed decreases in PC and tCho levels (P < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively) in comparison with controls. PC levels were monitored noninvasively by 31P MRS in tumors and by 1H MRS in cell and tumor tissue extracts. Noninvasive 31P MR spectra of chk-shRNA–transduced tumors in vivo showed lower PC and phosphomonoester levels that were associated with reduced tumor growth and proliferation. This study shows the use of lentiviral vectors to target chk in a human breast cancer xenograft and noninvasive MRS detection of this targeting. [Cancer Res 2009;69(8):3464–71]
Characterization and Regulation of Bv8 in Human Blood Cells
Authors: Zhong Cuiling , Qu Xueping , Tan Martha , Meng Y. Gloria , Ferrara Napoleone
Published: April 2009

Purpose: Bv8, also known as prokineticin 2, has been recently shown to be a mediator of myeloid cell–dependent tumor angiogenesis in mouse models. We wished to determine whether these findings might be potentially relevant to human disease.

Experimental Design: We characterized Bv8 expression in human blood cells in vitro and in vivo, and did Bv8 immunohistochemistry in human tumor sections. We also partially purified Bv8 from human neutrophils and tested its bioactivity.

Results: We found that Bv8 expression is regulated by several cytokines in a cell type–specific fashion. Both granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor induced Bv8 expression in neutrophils and bone marrow cells, whereas interleukin 10 up-regulated Bv8 expression in monocytes and lymphocytes. Bv8 potently promoted neutrophil chemotaxis. Bv8 protein isolated from human neutrophils was found to be biologically active. Of the two receptors for Bv8 [prokineticin receptor 1(PKR1)/endocrine gland–derived vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (EG-VEGFR1) and PKR2/EG-VEGFR2], only PKR2/EG-VEGFR2 was detectable in human neutrophils. Also, we found a marked up-regulation of Bv8 mRNA and protein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from G-CSF–treated donors compared with those from untreated individuals, verifying our in vitro observations. Finally, immunohistochemistry showed Bv8 expression in neutrophils infiltrating human tumors.

Conclusions: These results provide the basis for further investigation of the pathophysiologic role of Bv8 in human tumors and inflammatory disorders and, potentially, for therapeutic application of Bv8 inhibitors.
Development and Characterization of a Novel In vivo Model of Carcinoid Syndrome
Authors: Jackson Lindsey N. , Chen L. Andy , Larson Shawn D. , Silva Scott R. , Rychahou Piotr G. , Boor Paul J. , Li Jing , DeFreitas Gilberto , Stafford W. Lane , Townsend Courtney M. , Evers B. Mark
Published: April 2009

Purpose: Carcinoid syndrome, characterized by flushing, diarrhea, and valvular heart disease, can occur following carcinoid tumor metastasis to the liver and systemic release of bioactive hormones into the systemic circulation. Treatment of this devastating disease is hampered by the lack of an in vivo model that recapitulates the clinical syndrome.

Experimental Design: Here, we have injected BON cells, a novel human carcinoid cell line established in our laboratory, into the spleens of athymic nude mice to establish liver metastases.

Results: The majority of mice injected intrasplenically with BON cells developed significant increases in plasma serotonin and urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and several mice exhibited mesenteric fibrosis, diarrhea, and fibrotic cardiac valvular disease reminiscent of carcinoid syndrome by both echocardiographic and histopathologic evaluation. Mice pretreated with octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue, or bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, developed fewer liver metastases and manifestations of carcinoid syndrome, including valvular heart disease.

Conclusion: We have provided an important in vivo model to further delineate novel treatment modalities for carcinoid syndrome that will also be useful to elucidate the factors contributing to the sequelae of carcinoid disease (e.g., mesenteric fibrosis and valvular heart disease).
The Chemopreventive Agent Myoinositol Inhibits Akt and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase in Bronchial Lesions from Heavy Smokers
Authors: Han Wei , Gills Joell J. , Memmott Regan M. , Lam Stephen , Dennis Phillip A.
Published: April 2009

Myoinositol is an isomer of glucose that has chemopreventive activity in animal models of cancer. In a recent phase I clinical trial, myoinositol administration correlated with a statistically significant regression of preexisting bronchial dysplastic lesions in heavy smokers. To shed light on the potential mechanisms involved, activation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), two kinases that control cellular proliferation and survival, was assessed in 206 paired bronchial biopsies from 21 patients who participated in this clinical trial. Before myoinositol treatment, strongly positive staining for activation of Akt was detected in 27% of hyperplastic/metaplastic lesions and 58% of dysplastic lesions (P = 0.05, χ2 test). There was also a trend toward increased activation of ERK (28% in regions of hyperplasia/metaplasia to 42% of dysplastic lesions). Following myoinositol treatment, significant decreases in Akt and ERK phosphorylation were observed in dysplastic (P < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively) but not hyperplastic/metaplastic lesions (P > 0.05). In vitro, myoinositol decreased endogenous and tobacco carcinogen–induced activation of Akt and ERK in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells, which decreased cell proliferation and induced a G1-S cell cycle arrest. These results show that the phenotypic progression of premalignant bronchial lesions from smokers correlates with increased activation of Akt and ERK and that these kinases are targets of myoinositol. Moreover, they suggest that myoinositol might cause regression of bronchial dysplastic lesions through inhibition of active Akt and ERK.
Short-Range Direct and Diffuse Irradiance Forecasts for Solar Energy Applications Based on Aerosol Chemical Transport and Numerical Weather Modeling
Authors: Breitkreuz Hanne , Schroedter-Homscheidt Marion , Holzer-Popp Thomas , Dech Stefan
Published: April 2009

This study examines 2–3-day solar irradiance forecasts with respect to their application in solar energy industries, such as yield prediction for the integration of the strongly fluctuating solar energy into the electricity grid. During cloud-free situations, which are predominant in regions and time periods focused on by the solar energy industry, aerosols are the main atmospheric parameter that determines ground-level direct and global irradiances. Therefore, for an episode of 5 months in Europe the accuracy of forecasts of the aerosol optical depth at 550 nm (AOD550) based on particle forecasts of a chemical transport model [the European Air Pollution Dispersion (EURAD) CTM] are analyzed as a first step. It is shown that these aerosol forecasts underestimate ground-based AOD550 measurements by a mean of −0.11 (RMSE = 0.20). Using these aerosol forecasts together with other remote sensing data (ground albedo, ozone) and numerical weather prediction parameters (water vapor, clouds), a prototype for an irradiance forecasting system (Aerosol-based Forecasts of Solar Irradiance for Energy Applications, AFSOL) is set up. Based on the 5-month aerosol dataset, the results are then compared with forecasts of the ECMWF model and the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5), with Meteosat-7 satellite data, and with ground measurements. It is demonstrated that for clear-sky situations the AFSOL system significantly improves global irradiance and especially direct irradiance forecasts relative to ECMWF forecasts (bias reduction from −26% to +11%; RMSE reduction from 31% to 19% for direct irradiance). On the other hand, the study shows that for cloudy conditions the AFSOL forecasts can lead to significantly larger forecast errors. This also justifies an increased research effort on cloud parameterization schemes, which is a topic of ongoing research. One practical solution for solar energy power plant operators in the meanwhile is to combine the different irradiance models depending on the forecast cloud cover, which leads to significant reductions in bias for the overall period.
The Role of Pediatricians in Families with a History of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Authors: Augustyn Ann Marie , Wallerstein Robert
Published: April 2009

Colon cancer is not an entity that pediatricians routinely confront; however, a family history of colon cancer can have pediatric implications when it is part of familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome. Colonic (multiple intestinal polyps) and extracolonic manifestations (such as hepatoblastoma or brain tumors) can be the presenting features in children. The authors present 2 patients from different families with familial adenomatous polyposis who presented with the extracolonic manifestation of this syndrome and a family history of colon cancer. Identification of these families and education of their primary care givers can lead to improved screening and management of these high-risk individuals.
The Effects of Behavioral/Cognitive-Behavioral Programs on Recidivism
Authors: Pearson Frank S. , Lipton Douglas S. , Cleland Charles M. , Yee Dorline S.
Published: April 2009

The CDATE project coded studies of treatment/intervention programs in prison, jail, probation, or parole settings reported from 1968 through 1996. Meta-analyses were conducted on the 69 primary research studies on the effectiveness of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral treatment in reducing recidivism for offenders. Results on this heterogeneous collection of studies show that this treatment is associated with reduced recidivism rates. However, this effect is mainly due to cognitive-behavioral interventions rather than to standard behavior modification approaches. The specific types of programs shown to be effective include cognitive-behavioral social skills development programs and cognitive skills (Reasoning and Rehabilitation) programs.
Cheating the Hangman
Authors: Flexon Jamie L. , Stolzenberg Lisa , D’Alessio Stewart J.
Published: April 2009

On March 1, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the execution of offenders under the age of 18 at the time of their criminal offense was unconstitutional. Although many welcomed this decision, some individuals still remain concerned that the elimination of the specter of capital punishment will inevitably increase homicidal behavior among juveniles by reducing the prospect of deterrence. Using monthly data from the Supplemental Homicide Reports and a multiple time-series research design, the authors investigate the impact of the Roper v. Simmons decision on homicides perpetrated by juveniles in the 20 states affected by the law. Maximum likelihood results reveal that the repeal of the juvenile death penalty has had no effect on juvenile homicidal behavior.
Mental health and citizenship in Malaysia
Authors: Crabtree S. Ashencaen , Chong Gabriel
Published: April 2009

Throughout the last 40 years of the development of Malaysian nationhood, the needs of people marginalized by attitudes towards mental illnesses have been inadequately addressed. This article explores the concept of citizenship in relation to social rights and social inclusion within the context of the ‘caring society’.
Hope and despair at the front line
Authors: Jones Martyn
Published: April 2009

Processes of organizational change in the human services are discussed from the perspective of front-line staff. The author argues that we can better appreciate responses to change by considering how staff strive to construct integrity in the light of challenges they construe to their values and their practices. Developmental and conceptual implications of the analysis are outlined in the context of change in human service organizations as they move towards an industrial or post-industrial era.
Participatory action research and social work
Authors: Healy Karen
Published: April 2009

Participatory action research (PAR) is widely endorsed by social workers as consistent with their commitment to social justice. This paper critically appraises the applicability of PAR to the diverse organizational and cultural contexts of social welfare work. The author interrogates participatory researchers’ assertions about power, method and action. Questions are raised about the use of PAR in the Asia-Pacific region where a cultural aversion to the public expression of dissent is frequently encountered. The author argues that some of the limitations of PAR can be overcome by radically opening it to insights from practice and from postmodern theories.
The least detrimental alternative
Authors: Arad Bilha Davidson , Wozner Yochanan
Published: April 2009

The decision to remove children at risk from their homes entails serious dilemmas, since both remaining in and being removed have strong negative psychological repercussions. This article presents an empirical investigation of 194 Israeli child protection officers’ decisions on 368 children at risk. Findings showed that while the officers predicted that all the children would have a better quality of life outside their homes, they removed only those where the projected disparity between the alternatives was substantial. That is, they considered not only whether one alternative was better or worse, but how much better or worse. Implications for decisions in “grey areas” are discussed.
Women’s contradictory roles in the community
Authors: Huang Yen-Yi
Published: April 2009

This article explores the contradictory relationships between women, the community and the state. In Taiwan, the state uses community work as a means of social control, for example, to reinforce patriarchal family relations; to manipulate women as a reserve army of labour to meet the need for a cheap labour force; and to formpatronage relationships with community leaders, in exchange for political loyalty. The Community Development Project is a typical example of this and is explored here. However, in contemporary Taiwan, an increasing number of women seek to change their relationships within the family, the community and the state through various initiatives which have taken them out of the private sphere. They have transcended the state-prescribed sex roles of mothers, homeworkers and volunteers by competing for leadership positions in the project.