bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Haploinsufficiency of Human APOE Reduces Amyloid Deposition in a Mouse Model of Amyloid-β Amyloidosis
Authors: Kim Jungsu , Jiang Hong , Park Seonha , Eltorai Adam E. M. , Stewart Floy R. , Yoon Hyejin , Basak Jacob M. , Finn Mary Beth , Holtzman David M.
Published: December 2011

The ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence suggests that the effect of apoE isoforms on amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation in the brain plays a critical role in AD pathogenesis. Like in humans, apoE4 expression in animal models that develop Aβ amyloidosis results in greater Aβ and amyloid deposition than with apoE3 expression. However, whether decreasing levels of apoE3 or apoE4 would promote or attenuate Aβ-related pathology has not been directly addressed. To determine the effect of decreasing human apoE levels on Aβ accumulationin vivo, we generated humanAPOEisoform haploinsufficient mouse models by crossingAPPPS1-21 mice withAPOEisoform knock-in mice. By genetically manipulatingAPOEgene dosage, we demonstrate that decreasing human apoE levels, regardless of isoform status, results in significantly decreased amyloid plaque deposition and microglial activation. These differences in amyloid load between apoE3- and apoE4-expressing mice were not due to apoE4 protein being present at lower levels than apoE3. These data suggest that current therapeutic strategies to increase apoE levels without altering its lipidation state may actually worsen Aβ amyloidosis, while increasing apoE degradation or inhibiting its synthesis may be a more effective treatment approach.
Epigenetic Enhancement of BDNF Signaling Rescues Synaptic Plasticity in Aging
Authors: Zeng Yan , Tan Miao , Kohyama Jun , Sneddon Marissa , Watson Joseph B. , Sun Yi E. , Xie Cui-Wei
Published: December 2011

Aging-related cognitive declines are well documented in humans and animal models. Yet the synaptic and molecular mechanisms responsible for cognitive aging are not well understood. Here we demonstrated age-dependent deficits in long-term synaptic plasticity and loss of dendritic spines in the hippocampus of aged Fisher 344 rats, which were closely associated with reduced histone acetylation, upregulation of histone deacetylase (HDAC) 2, and decreased expression of a histone acetyltransferase. Further analysis showed that one of the key genes affected by such changes was the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene. Age-dependent reductions in H3 and H4 acetylation were detected within multiple promoter regions of theBdnfgene, leading to a significant decrease in BDNF expression and impairment of downstream signaling in the aged hippocampus. These synaptic and signaling deficits could be rescued by enhancing BDNF and trkB expression via HDAC inhibition or by directly activating trkB receptors with 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, a newly identified, selective agonist for trkB. Together, our findings suggest that age-dependent declines in chromatin histone acetylation and the resulting changes in BDNF expression and signaling are key mechanisms underlying the deterioration of synaptic function and structure in the aging brain. Furthermore, epigenetic or pharmacological enhancement of BDNF–trkB signaling could be a promising strategy for reversing cognitive aging.
State-Dependent Function of Neocortical Chandelier Cells
Authors: Woodruff Alan R. , McGarry Laura M. , Vogels Tim P. , Inan Melis , Anderson Stewart A. , Yuste Rafael
Published: December 2011

Chandelier (axoaxonic) cells (ChCs) are a distinct group of GABAergic interneurons that innervate the axon initial segments of pyramidal cells. However, their circuit role and the function of their clearly defined anatomical specificity remain unclear. Recent work has demonstrated that chandelier cells can produce depolarizing GABAergic PSPs, occasionally driving postsynaptic targets to spike. On the other hand, other work suggests that ChCs are hyperpolarizing and may have an inhibitory role. These disparate functional effects may reflect heterogeneity among ChCs. Here, using brain slices from transgenic mouse strains, we first demonstrate that, across different neocortical areas and genetic backgrounds, upper Layer 2/3 ChCs belong to a single electrophysiologically and morphologically defined population, extensively sampling Layer 1 inputs with asymmetric dendrites. Consistent with being a single cell type, we find electrical coupling between ChCs. We then investigate the effect of chandelier cell activation on pyramidal neuron spiking in several conditions, ranging from the resting membrane potential to stimuli designed to approximatein vivomembrane potential dynamics. We find that under quiescent conditions, chandelier cells are capable of both promoting and inhibiting spike generation, depending on the postsynaptic membrane potential. However, duringin vivo-like membrane potential fluctuations, the dominant postsynaptic effect was a strong inhibition. Thus, neocortical chandelier cells, even from within a homogeneous population, appear to play a dual role in the circuit, helping to activate quiescent pyramidal neurons, while at the same time inhibiting active ones.
Regional and Temporal Specificity of Intrinsic Plasticity Mechanisms in Rodent Primary Visual Cortex
Authors: Nataraj Kiran , Turrigiano Gina
Published: December 2011

Different neocortical regions are functionally specialized, but whether this specialization is reflected in the forms of plasticity present during developmental critical periods (CPs) is largely unknown. In rodent visual cortex, we recently showed that a form of intrinsic plasticity [LTP of intrinsic excitability (LTP-IE)] in the monocular region of the primary visual cortex (V1M) plays an important role in modulating cortical responsiveness following visual deprivation. Here we ask whether LTP-IE is present and similarly regulated by visual experience in the binocular region of the primary visual cortex (V1B), where inputs from the two eyes compete during the CP. In contrast to V1M, where LTP-IE is present throughout the CP, in V1B LTP-IE was only transiently expressed at the onset of the CP. Also distinct from V1M, brief monocular deprivation (MD) was unable to modulate LTP-IE magnitude in V1B, and even binocular deprivation (the equivalent of MD in V1M) could only influence LTP-IE expression during a narrow time window at the peak of the CP. Finally, we asked whether these differences depend on differences in sensory activation of the two areas during development. MD of ipsilateral inputs from before eye opening (to reduce competitive interactions) did not affect the pattern of LTP-IE expression in V1B. Further, the differences in plasticity in the two cortical areas persisted when animals were reared in the dark to remove all patterned visual input. Thus neocortical LTP-IE expression shows dramatic regional and temporal differentiation, and these differences are not driven by differences in sensory experience.
Stimulus-Specific Adaptation: Can It Be a Neural Correlate of Behavioral Habituation?
Authors: Netser Shai , Zahar Yael , Gutfreund Yoram
Published: December 2011

Habituation is the most basic form of learning, yet many gaps remain in our understanding of its underlying neural mechanisms. We demonstrate that in the owl's optic tectum (OT), a single, low-level, relatively short auditory stimulus is sufficient to induce a significant reduction in the neural response to a stimulus presented up to 60 s later. This type of neural adaptation was absent in neurons from the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus and from the auditory thalamus; however, it was apparent in the OT and the forebrain entopallium. By presenting sequences that alternate between two different auditory stimuli, we show that this long-lasting adaptation is stimulus specific. The response to an odd stimulus in the sequence was not smaller than the response to the same stimulus when it was first in the sequence. Finally, we measured the habituation of reflexive eye movements and show that the behavioral habituation is correlated with the neural adaptation. The finding of a long-lasting specific adaptation in areas related to the gaze control system and not elsewhere suggests its involvement in habituation processes and opens new directions for research on mechanisms of habituation.
New Factories in the Fields
Authors: Winter Ray
Published: December 2011

Often advertised and imaginatively located as a pastoral paradise, California's Central Valley is in fact an industrialized agricultural juggernaut unmatched in the world. Such an environmentally invasive infrastructure inherently creates social and environmental injustices that refute the ever valuable idea of the California Dream, though these counter-narratives often go unpublicized and thus unaddressed. Among the greatest of these, intimately connected to farm labor and chemical farming, is the methamphetamine (meth) epidemic in the Valley. The social and ecological toll of its manufacture and use is immeasurable, and deserves a place in the mainstream consciousness in the name of justice for this land and its people. This region exists as much imaginatively as it does literally, yet it also sustains one of the deadliest realities in the nation. A new understanding of this land, inclusive of these social and environmental violations, must be pursued.
A força das coisas: "etapas do desenvolvimento histórico" - notas de pesquisa
Authors: Moraes Reginaldo Carmello Corrêa de
Published: December 2011

Este texto veio a constituir, modificado, o primeiro capítulo de nossa tese de mestrado - A Fênix tropical: nota crítica sobre o dualismo e a teoria da dependência, Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas, Universidade de São Paulo. Trata dos seguintes temas: I - A "filosofia da história", o marxismo e a "objetividade"; II - O pensamento social brasileiro: as teorias do/sobre o desenvolvimento e o marxismo apologético: 1.º Werner Baer: a "objetividade" conservadora contra as "paixões" reformistas; 2.º Carlos Lessa: Industrialização como "decisão"; 3.º ISEB: objetividade reformista contra paixões socialistas; 4.º Maturidade política contra aventuras socialistas; III - Os pressupostos comuns.
Della Volpe crítico de Lukács
Authors: Pereira Wilcon Jóia
Published: December 2011

São apresentadas algumas críticas de Della Volpe à estética lukacsiana. Segundo o filósofo italiano, uma filosofia da arte materialista não poderia estar fundamentada no conceito de intuição. As categorias básicas seriam a de "plenitude cognoscitiva" e de "linguagens específicas". Assim, propõe-se que o sistema dellavolpiano seja levado em consideração, como verdadeiro ponto de partida para as reflexões sobre arte, sobre as relações entre a obra e a sociedade e sobre o grau de saber que o universo artístico produz.
Aprender versus ensinar: Charles Sanders Peirce e a universidade americana do final do século XIX
Authors: Silveira Lauro Frederico Barbosa da
Published: December 2011

A produção científica e filosófica de Charles Sanders PEIRCE (1839-1914), exigindo como critério para o trabalho intelectual e para a conduta da vida do pensador o absoluto rigor na construção dos conceitos e a estrita verificação experimental, teve por conseqüência desvincular o trabalho científico e filosófico de qualquer função apologética. A afirmação de que todo conhecimento do mundo da experiência e mesmo daquele elaborado pela matemática é intrinsecamente provável e falível se opôs a todo e qualquer dogmatismo e mesmo ao "a priori" de tradição Kantiana. O interesse pela teoria evolucionista e a coerência inabalável da filosofia e das atitudes de PEIRCE, como professor e pesquisador, encontraram profunda resistência no meio universitário e editorial de seu tempo. Num momento de grave crise na Universidade norte-americana, decorrente das transformações econômicas e políticas ocorridas com a guerra da Secessão (1861-1865), o posicionamento de PEIRCE contribuiu muito provavelmente para sua demissão como professor das Universidades de Harvard e de John Hopkins; para dificultar a publicação de seus escritos e para seu total isolamento nos últimos anos de vida.
Sobre o problema da demarcação
Authors: Oliveira Marcos Barbosa de
Published: December 2011

Desde sua publicação, não têm faltado ataques ao critério da refutabilidade - a solução proposta por Popper para seu problema da demarcação. A crítica do presente artigo é mais fundamental: seu alvo é o próprio problema da demarcação. Como preliminar, mostra-se haver na obra de Popper não apenas um, mas dois problemas da demarcação, distintos e incompatíveis. Uma análise do antiessencialismo de Popper é o ponto de partida para a demonstração da tese central do artigo, a saber, a tese de que o problema da demarcação deve ser abandonado, por ser parte de uma abordagem cientificista da questão do valor das ciências.
Corpo e novidade puberal
Authors: Ouvry Olivier
Published: December 2011

As transformações corporais na adolescência causam efração na criança, além de suas simples manifestações formais. A novidade puberal se impõe, de fato, como real puberal (real no sentido lacaniano), qualificada de Feminino ou de advento do Outro sexo. Esta perspectiva teórica se inscreve na pura continuidade dos textos de Freud, como é revelado por uma releitura permitida pelas contribuições do estruturalismo e de Lacan. Duas situações clínicas (de fato, dois personagens de filme) ilustram este relato.
A relação transferencial para além da interpretação: reflexões a partir da teoria de Winnicott
Authors: Januário Lívia Milhomem , Tafuri Maria Izabel
Published: December 2011

Este artigo reflete sobre a importância de pensar a relação transferencial na clínica psicanalítica para além da interpretação. Para isso, utiliza-se a concepção de Winnicott como referencial teórico, sendo ressaltadas a noção de holding, a regressão à dependência e a questão do uso de objetos e sua influência sobre a técnica da interpretação. Winnicott revela que na clínica com alguns pacientes, em especial os autistas e psicóticos, o objetivo da análise, antes de fornecer interpretações, é proporcionar um ambiente suficientemente bom a partir do qual o sujeito pode retomar o processo de constituição de si mesmo e da externalidade do mundo.
O patinho feio no imaginário parental
Authors: Lipp Laura Kolberg , Mello Ana Beatriz Guerra , Ribeiro Marianne M. Stolzmann Mendes
Published: December 2011

O presente artigo propõe-se a discutir o tema da adoção, partindo de um caso clínico atendido através da Psicoterapia Breve Dinâmica no Centro Integrado de Psicologia - Feevale. Frente ao caso trabalhado, objetiva-se compreender o lugar que a criança adotada é convocada a ocupar no contexto familiar. O estudo aponta para diversas respostas à questão, que dizem respeito à adoção enquanto construção de um imaginário parental e as possíveis implicações no sujeito adotado quando a mesma não é revelada.
Perfil mastigatório de obesos mórbidos submetidos à gastroplastia
Authors: Gonçalves Rosa de Fátima Marques , Chehter Ethel Zimberg
Published: December 2011

OBJETIVO: traçar o perfil mastigatório do obeso mórbido. MÉTODO: estudo pareado por idade e sexo avaliou motricidade orofacial e mastigação de 40 obesos mórbidos submetidos à gastroplastia e 40 eutróficos sem queixas de mastigação e/ou deglutição. RESULTADOS: obesos mórbidos apresentaram: alteração de práxis e variáveis de lábios, língua, além de alteração no tamanho de mandíbula; na avaliação de mastigação habitual - ritmo rápido, movimentação vertical de mandíbula, tamanho grande do bolo, escassez de mastigação e necessidade de líquido durante a mastigação; nas avaliações de mastigações lateralizadas - ausência de corte do alimento, ritmo rápido, movimentação vertical de mandíbula, tamanho grande do bolo e escassez de mastigação. CONCLUSÃO: pacientes obesos mórbidos apresentam alterações de mastigação.
Do texto à obra
Authors: Durão Fabio Akcelrud
Published: December 2011

O presente artigo é dividido em três partes. Na primeira, argumenta-se que a oposição de Roland Barthes entre texto e obra gera não objetos. Na segunda, esse modo de ser é conectado à proliferação contemporânea de fluxos, o modelo mais avançado de produtividade social. Finalmente, defende-se uma reelaboração do conceito de obra como uma paleonomia, segundo a qual forma e rompimento do fluxo se determinem mutuamente.
O acalanto e o clarim (Literatura, tirania, expressão): ensaio sobre a multidão literária
Authors: Beck Philippe
Published: December 2011

O artigo introduz o problema da multidão literária de maneira conceitual-polêmica, esboçando uma análise do individualismo expressivo e do elã expressivo que o funda. Sua questão mais importante certamente está ligada ao sentido de nossa ambivalência em relação à escrita. O problema da expressão é o problema do movimento pelo qual cada um se autoriza a formular publicamente o que traz em si, que o atravessa ou trabalha.
Rotatividade na força de trabalho da rede municipal de saúde de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais: um estudo de caso
Authors: Sancho Leyla Gomes , Carmo Juliana Martins do , Sancho Rafael Gomes , Bahia Ligia
Published: December 2011

Diante da escassa elaboração de pesquisas sobre a rotatividade da força de trabalho no setor público de saúde no Brasil, este estudo objetivou avaliar o índice dessa rotatividade na rede municipal de saúde de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. A partir de reconhecida inscrição na literatura de um parâmetro para o índice de rotatividade na área hospitalar e com base na distribuição da frequência observada neste estudo, formalizou-se um novo parâmetro para a rede ambulatorial, bem como valores para os pontos de corte no que concerne à classificação dos seus níveis qualiquantitativos. Tais valores subsidiaram a análise do comportamento do índice de rotatividade em relação às seguintes variáveis: vínculos empregatícios, distritos sanitários, serviços de atenção à saúde, categorias profissionais e atenção primária e secundária à saúde. O índice geral de rotatividade na rede municipal no período estudado (julho de 2008 a junho de 2009) foi de 8,35%, que, mesmo diante da dificuldade de construção da base de dados, a qual adveio da existência de distintas fontes de informação, apresenta, em termos estatísticos, validade interna.
Making Investments in Medical Technology: Time to Get Real About Real Options
Authors: Dreyfuss Philip D. , Roberts Thomas G.
Published: December 2011

The article by Grutters et al. on using real options analysis to investigate the adoption of medical technology in The Netherlands, published in this issue of The Oncologist, is reviewed.
A comparison of hardened properties of fly-ash-based self-compacting concrete and normally compacted concrete under different curing conditions
Authors: Das Debashis , Chatterjee Abhijit
Published: December 2011

In this paper a comparative approach was adopted to study the mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete and normally compacted concrete. The test programme included study of compressive strength in different curing conditions, split tensile strength, modulus of rupture, stress–strain characteristics and Poisson ratio of both the concretes. Microstructure of self-compacting concrete was found to be different from that of normally compacted concrete. This explains the considerable difference observed in some properties of the concretes. New correlations were developed for the properties of self-compacting concrete. The correlations indicated a difference in the pattern of strength development and stress–strain behaviour of the concretes. The results are discussed with reference to the existing literature, guidelines and codes of practice.
Species phylogenetic relatedness, priority effects, and ecosystem functioning
Authors: Tan Jiaqi , Pu Zhichao , Ryberg Wade A. , Jiang Lin
Published: December 2011

Species immigration history can structure ecological communities through priority effects, which are often mediated by competition. As competition tends to be stronger between species with more similar niches, we hypothesize that species phylogenetic relatedness, under niche conservatism, may be a reasonable surrogate of niche similarity between species, and thus influence the strength of priority effects. We tested this hypothesis using a laboratory microcosm experiment in which we established bacterial species pools with different levels of phylogenetic relatedness and manipulated the immigration history of species from each pool into microcosms. Our results showed that strong priority effects, and hence multiple community states, only emerged for the species pool with the greatest phylogenetic relatedness. Community assembly also resulted in a significant positive relationship between bacterial phylogenetic diversity and ecosystem functions. Interestingly, these results emerged despite a lack of phylogenetic conservatism for most of the bacterial functional traits considered. Our results highlight the utility of phylogenetic information for understanding the structure and functioning of ecological communities, even when phylogenetically conserved functional traits are not identified or measured.
Housing Stability and Recovery Among Chronically Homeless Persons With Co-Occuring Disorders in Washington, DC
Authors: Tsemberis Sam , Kent Douglas , Respress Christy
Published: December 2011

Pathways Housing First provides access to housing, support, and treatment services to clients having the most complex needs—persons who have been homeless for at least 5 years and have both a psychiatric disability and substance dependency. In a 2-year Housing and Urban Development-funded demonstration project in Washington, DC, in 2007 and 2008, we observed promising outcomes in housing retention and reductions in psychiatric symptoms, alcohol use, and demand for intensive support services. The program is designed to be fiscally self-sustaining through extant public disability benefits for housing, treatment, and support services. This approach shows strong support for first providing a permanently supported housing solution for chronically homeless and severely disabled individuals in need of housing and treatment of co-occurring disorders.
A Rare Chondrosarcoma of the Larynx Presenting as Difficult Intubation: Report of a Case and Literature Review
Authors: Sarma Jaydev , M. Susarla Srinivas , C. Faquin William , C. Song Phillip
Published: December 2011

Chondrosarcomas of the larynx are rare tumors, representing less than 0.2% of all head and neck malignancies
[1]. In this report, we present an unusual case of an undiagnosed chrondrosarcoma of the larynx presenting as difficult
intubation in an otherwise asymptomatic patient. Difficult intubation in an otherwise asymptomatic patient has not
been reported as an initial presentation of this tumor. Men are more commonly affected than women (3.6: 1), and the
tumors typically present in the fifth or sixth decade of life. Patients may present with dyspnea, dysphagia, hoarseness
of the voice, airway obstruction and some may have pain as a result of expansion of this tumor. The tumors almost always
arise from hyaline cartilage, with the most common site of involvement the cricoid cartilage (75%), specifically the
posterior lamina, with the thyroid cartilage and arytenoid cartilage less frequently involved. Though locally invasive,
these tumors are characterized by a low tendency for distant metastasis and the overall prognosis following excision is
excellent [2].
Market Efficiency in the Non-Genetically Modified Soybean Futures Market
Authors: Aruga Kentaka
Published: December 2011

The world's first non-genetically modified (non-GM) soybean futures market opened in May 2000 but no studies have tested whether this market transmits price information efficiently. This study investigates the market efficiency of the non-GM and conventional soybean futures markets and their information flow between the futures and spot prices. The Johansen cointegration test is used for this purpose. The results suggest that both the non-GM and conventional soybean futures markets are efficient, but the non-GM soybean futures market is relatively inefficient compared to the conventional soybean futures market. In both soybean futures markets long-run information flow was found from the spot market to the futures market and existence of such causality supports that these futures markets function efficiently.
Association of AKI with Adverse Outcomes in Burned Military Casualties
Authors: Stewart Ian J. , Tilley Molly A. , Cotant Casey L. , Aden James K. , Gisler Christopher , Kwan Hana K. , McCorcle Jeffery , Renz Evan M. , Chung Kevin K.
Published: December 2011

Background and objectives

Although associated with increased morbidity and mortality, AKI has not been systematically examined in military personnel injured from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Design, settings, participants, & measurements

Patients evacuated from Iraq and Afghanistan to a burn unit were examined. AKI was classified by the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) and Risk-Injury-Failure-Loss-End Stage (RIFLE) schemas. Age, sex, percentage of total body surface area burned (TBSA), percentage of full-thickness burn, inhalation injury, and injury severity score were recorded. Additional data that could be associated with poor outcomes were recorded for patients with TBSA ≥20%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with morbidity and mortality.

Results

AKI prevalence rates by the RIFLE and AKIN criteria were 23.8% and 29.9%, respectively. After logistic regression, RIFLE categories of risk (odds ratio [OR], 15.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75–134; P=0.01), injury (OR, 46.28; 95% CI, 5.02–427; P<0.001), and failure (OR, 126; 95% CI, 13.39–>999; P<0.001); AKIN-2 (OR, 23.70; 95% CI, 2.32–242; P=0.008); and AKIN-3 (OR, 130; 95% CI, 13.38–>999; P<0.001) were significantly associated with death. AKIN-3, injury, and failure remained significant in the subset of patients with ≥20% TBSA. There was also a strong interaction between TBSA and the stage of AKI with respect to ventilator and intensive care unit days.

Conclusions

AKI is prevalent in military casualties with burn injury and is independently associated with morbidity and mortality after adjustment for factors associated with injury severity.
Impact of Structure of Early Practice on Student Performance in Transaction Analysis
Authors: Johnson Benny G. , Slayter Erik
Published: December 2011

In introductory accounting textbooks, virtually all end-of-chapter problems on transaction analysis follow the same familiar format: a collection of transactions performed by a given business during a specified time period. Modern research-based models of human cognitive architecture suggest, however, that this format is suboptimal for beginning students. An approach better aligned with this learning research would give students practice with one transaction type at a time before proceeding to problems involving a mixture of transaction types. An experiment was conducted to test this hypothesis by randomly assigning students in an introductory financial accounting course to one of two practice conditions: conventional textbook problems and “targeted practice” in which the same transactions were grouped by type. All students were then given a conventional textbook problem as a post-test. During the practice phase, students in the targeted practice group analyzed transactions in less time and with greater accuracy than students who worked conventional problems. On the post-test, the total scores of the two groups were statistically equivalent; thus, the targeted practice group achieved the same level of performance more efficiently. However, on transactions requiring transfer of learning, the targeted practice group performed notably better, indicating these students were better able to apply knowledge gained during practice to a broad variety of transaction scenarios. The implications of this study are straightforward and practical: by making a very simple modification to the format of transaction analysis problems given to students early in the learning process, better learning outcomes can be obtained.
The Financial Statement Interview: Intentional Learning in the First Accounting Course
Authors: Killian Larita J. , Huber Marsha M. , Brandon Christopher D.
Published: December 2011

The first accounting course should do more than equip students with technical knowledge and skills. It should also engender respect for the accounting profession and help students explore accounting-related careers. Above all, it should help students develop intentional learning skills and become life-long learners. To help students achieve these goals, we developed an exercise that incorporates the five-part intentional learning model created by Francis et al. (1995). Students identify a professional to interview about the uses and limitations of financial statements, conduct the interview, and then reflect on the experience using an instrument with reflective prompts.

In this paper we discuss our motivation for the exercise, review the literature that guided our use of the exercise, and use qualitative research techniques to assess its effectiveness for achieving objectives of the first course. We conclude that the exercise is highly effective in helping students achieve intentional learning in the first accounting course and in promoting respect for the profession. It is effective in helping students identify accounting-related careers, but less effective in prompting them to consider the suitability of such careers for themselves. We provide recommendations to improve the exercise and address potential concerns that instructors may face as they implement this effective learning strategy.
Industry Perspective Workshop Program: An Instructional Case Used to Integrate Transferable Skills in Introductory Accounting
Authors: McGuigan Nicholas , Weil Sidney H. , Kern Thomas , Hu Baiding
Published: December 2011

The professional environment in which accountants operate has, in recent years, become increasingly complex, leading to significant changes within the profession. Intensifying the need for this change are the pressures associated with the recent global financial crisis, changes in information and communication technology, and the continuous introduction of new accounting standards. Employers are calling for the increased development of “non-technical” skills, such as critical thinking and the ability to communicate and engage with clients, within current graduates in order to meet the needs of the evolving and dynamic profession (Kavanagh and Drennan 2008; Hancock et al. 2010). In order for this to occur, real integration of non-technical skills' development into the accounting curriculum needs to take place. This instructional case tries to achieve this, providing students with an opportunity to apply theoretical accounting concepts to the creation of their own business, while actively developing their group processing skills. The primary objective of the case is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire technical accounting skills concurrently with group processing skills and other non-technical skills. A secondary objective of the case is to encourage students to engage with the technical learning material in the introductory accounting curriculum. This paper describes the design of an Industry Perspective Workshop Program that incorporates the comprehensive integration of group processing skills and accounting-related content within an introductory accounting decision-making course.
Hyperglycemia Enhances IGF-I–Stimulated Src Activation via Increasing Nox4-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species in a PKCζ-Dependent Manner in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Xi Gang , Shen Xinchun , Maile Laura A. , Wai Christine , Gollahon Katherine , Clemmons David R.
Published: December 2011

IGF-I–stimulated sarcoma viral oncogene (Src) activation during hyperglycemia is required for propagating downstream signaling. The aim of the current study was to determine the mechanism by which hyperglycemia enhances IGF-I–stimulated Src activation and the role of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) and protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ) in mediating this response in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Nox4 expression was analyzed in VSMCs exposed to hyperglycemia. The role of Nox4-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) in IGF-I–stimulated Src activation was investigated via knockdown of Nox4. Different isoforms of PKC were screened to investigate their role in hyperglycemia-induced Nox4. The oxidation of Src was shown to be a prerequisite for its activation in response to IGF-I during hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia induced Nox4, but not Nox1, and p22 phagocyte oxidase (p22phox) expression and IGF-I stimulated Nox4/p22phox complex formation, leading to increased ROS generation. Knockdown of Nox4 prevented ROS generation and impaired the oxidation and activation of Src in response to IGF-I, whereas knockdown of Nox1 had no effect. PKCζ was shown to mediate the hyperglycemia-induced increase in Nox4 expression. The key observations in cultured VSMCs were confirmed in the diabetic mice. Nox4-derived ROS is responsible for the enhancing effect of hyperglycemia on IGF-I–stimulated Src activation, which in turn amplifies IGF-I–linked downstream signaling and biological actions.
Schreier type theorems for bicrossed products
Authors: Agore Ana , Militaru Gigel
Published: December 2011

We prove that the bicrossed product of two groups is a quotient of the pushout of two semidirect products. A matched pair of groups (H;G; α; β) is deformed using a combinatorial datum (σ; v; r) consisting of an automorphism σ of H, a permutation v of the set G and a transition map r: G → H in order to obtain a new matched pair (H; (G; *); α′, β′) such that there exists a σ-invariant isomorphism of groups H
α⋈β
G ≅H
α′⋈β′ (G, *). Moreover, if we fix the group H and the automorphism σ ∈ Aut H then any σ-invariant isomorphism H
α⋈β
G ≅ H
α′⋈β′
G′ between two arbitrary bicrossed product of groups is obtained in a unique way by the above deformation method. As applications two Schreier type classification theorems for bicrossed products of groups are given.
Validation of a Romanian scale to detect antenatal depression
Authors: Wallis Anne , Fernandez Roberto , Oprescu Florin , Cherecheş Răzvan , Zlati Alina , Dungy Claibourne
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a linguistically and culturally appropriate version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for use with women attending antenatal care in Romania. We translated and tested a Romanian version of the EPDS (EPDS-R) in four hospitals in three Romanian cities: Cluj-Napoca, Satu Mare, and Sighetu-Marmatiei. The study population included third-trimester women attending antenatal clinics (n=418); 364 subjects were included in the analytic sample. We used the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) as a “gold standard”. We assessed reliability, validity, and conducted sensitivity analysis to establish an EPDS-R cutpoint. We found that reliability was robust (α=0.89) and there was a significant linear relationship between EPDS-R and CES-D scores (r=0.77; p<0.001). We established an EPDS-R cutpoint of >12 to balance sensitivity and specificity. Principal component analysis revealed a two-factor solution. We detected antenatal depressive symptoms prevalence rates of 32% (CES-D) and 38% (EPDS-R). This is the first study to report exclusively on antenatal depression and the use of the EPDS in Central and Eastern Europe. The EPDS-R is easy to administer, reliable, and valid for screening depression among antenatal women in Romania.
Assessment of immunization Status of Children between 12-23 months in Bareilly District
Authors: Joshi Hari S , Gupta Rakesh , Singh Arun , Mahajan Vipul
Published: December 2011

Objectives: To assess the immunization status of children in the age group 12-23 months and to know the reasons for non-immunization of children. Method: -  A cross-sectional survey was conducted using WHO’s thirty cluster sampling technique in rural and urban areas of Bareilly district from August 2008 to January 2009. Rural areas were divided into blocks and blocks were divided into villages. Urban areas were divided into wards. Villages and wards were taken as clusters. During the house-to-house survey, a total of 240 children of age 12-23 months were included in the present study. Result:  only around 50% of children were fully immunized while 27.5% were partially and 22.5 % were not immunized at all. Immunization coverage was highest for BCG (62.5%) and lowest for measles (39.2%). Dropout rates were 37.3%, 19.7% and 18.2% for BCG to measles, DPT1 to DPT3 and OPV1 to OPV3 respectively. Vitamin A prophylaxis showed a decline from 38.3 % to 16.7%. Amongst the various reasons for not immunizing the child, the most common in both rural (78.7%) and urban areas (28.6%) was lack of awareness for the need of vaccination. However in rural areas lack of availability of services (87.2%) was the major cause for not immunizing the child. Conclusion: The present study shows a low coverage of immunization and Vitamin A prophylaxis in both rural and urban areas. Important reasons for non-immunization were lack of awareness about vaccination and availability of immunization services in rural areas and urban areas.Key Words: Immunization coverage; Children between 12-23 months; Vitamin A Prophylaxis.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v1i2.5091 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2011;1 (2):47-50
Diagnostic Accuracy of Serological Markers in Viral Hepatitis and Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. A Comparative Study in Tertiary Care Hospital of Western Nepal
Authors: Mittal Ankush , Sathian Brijesh , Chandrasekharan Nishida , Lekhi Akshay , Farooqui Shamim Mohammad , Pandey Naresh
Published: December 2011

Background: Liver diseases is apparently increasing and emerging as a major public health problem. Worldwide,  chronic hepatitis B has  become  the tenth leading cause of death  and  persons infected with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), are about 350 million and  125 million respectively. The aim of current retrospective comparative study was concerned primarily to evaluate the significance of non invasive serological markers for diagnosing liver diseases and their predictive implications in Pokhara valley. Materials and Methods: It was a hospital based retrospective study carried out using the data maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of the Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal between 1st June 2009 and 31st   October 2010.  The variables collected were total protein, albumin, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin.  Descriptive statistics and testing of hypothesis were used for the analysis. Data was analyzed using EPI INFO and SPSS 16 software. Results: Of 515 subjects, 120 were suffering from viral hepatitis and 88 had non alcoholic fatty liver disease. In cases of viral hepatitis, mean values of AST (CI 730.65 to 902.68) and ALT (CI 648.14 to 847.59) were markedly increased as compared to controls. Mild to moderate elevations in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (CI 43.42 to 49.49), alanine aminotransferase (CI 43.90 to 53.92) were the most common laboratory abnormalities found in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusion: Non invasive tests have demonstrated a reasonable ability to identify significant fibrosis, cirrhosis in particular, nor is it surprising that liver disease specialists and patients favour a non invasive approach.Key words: Viral hepatitis; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Nepal.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v1i2.5137 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2011;1 (2):60-63
An Assessment of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria among Women with Vesico-Vaginal Fistula in South-Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Adeoye Ileogben Sunday , Oladeinde Oladapo , Uneke Jesse , Adeoye Julie
Published: December 2011

Objective: Vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF) involves the pathological communication between the urinary bladder and vagina, possible complications arising from urinary tract infection merits consideration. This study seeks to evaluate significant bacteriuria among VVF clients. Setting: The setting was the South east Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Population: This was a total population study of all consenting HIV negative VVF clients. Method: This cross-sectional study assessing asymptomatic bacteriuria was conducted among 109 HIV negative VVF clients using standard microbiological technique. Haematological and anthropometric parameters were also assessed. Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 76.1% and the highest prevalence was among clients aged 21-30years (90.3%), those who have had more than seven deliveries (85.0%) and those whose labour duration lasted above 48hours (76.7%). The prevalence of bacteriuria was least among women with VVF for less than a year. The prevalence was highest among patients with intra cervical fistula (83.3%). Bacteriuria prevalence was highest among women of blood group AB (100%). The rate was higher among women whose heights were > 1.53metres and whose weights were < 51kilogram. Six different bacterial species isolated  include E. coli (41.0%), Proteus species (21.7%), and Klebsiella species (18.1%). Though the bacterial isolates were resistance to many of the antibiotics assessed, the highest level of resistance was observed with perfloxacin, cotrimoxazole, while the highest level of susceptibility was with Ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: The prevalence of bacteriuria in this study is rather high and should not be neglected in the management of VVF clients.Key Words: Assessment; Asymptomatic Bacteriuria; VVF; Southeast Nigeria.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v1i2.5141 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2011;1 (2):64-69
Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy in the Management of a Large Proximal Ureteric Stone: A Case Report
Authors: Freeg Mohammad A H Aly , Ranade Anu V , Muttappallymyalil Jayakumary , Ghaffar Tarek F A
Published: December 2011

Urinary stone disease still persists as a major health care problem due to its high prevalence. The management of patients with ureteral stones still remains under debate in several areas. There are different therapeutic approaches for ureteral stones depending on stone size, location, anatomical variations of the urogenital tract and patient performance. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) being the main stay of treatment of choice for the stones, the management of large stone remains a point of discussion. With the latest advance in technology coupled with knowledge, there have been recent changes in therapeutic options for ureteric stones. Therefore, the treatment approaches may be individualized in order to achieve optimum outcomes. This article reports on a case of a large proximal ureteric stone with acute flank pain and hematuria managed by ESWL. Key words: Urinary stone; Ureteric stone; ESWL.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v1i2.5144 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2011;1 (2):70-73
Statistical Modelling of HIV/AIDS in Nepal: A Necessary Enquiry
Authors: Sathian Brijesh
Published: December 2011

HIV/AIDS surveillance methods evolve over time, so data from the same source may not be directly comparable year to year. The type of data available and the lag-time in availability, may pose challenges to assessing recent impact. Epidemiological measures of HIV/AIDS are numerous and each has important and distinct definitions. Much of the data are estimates only. Focusing on the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in Nepal, some studies have been published, but nothing has been done in the area of modelling the course of the infection overtime. Given the observed limitations in the current estimation procedures in Nepal, it is better to examine other modelling approaches for HIV/AIDS epidemic (Curve fitting Method) that could be more suitable and give more accurate estimates for the Nepal epidemic scenario.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v1i3.5568 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2011;1(3):74-76
Understanding the Socio-Economic and Hygienic Status of Child Labourers in Nepal
Authors: Joshi Sunil Kumar , Shrestha S , Shrestha R , Vaidya S
Published: December 2011

Background The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labour as “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. The ILO has estimated that in 2004, almost 218 million children (almost 1 in 7) aged 5-17 were involved in child labour worldwide, about 126 million under hazardous conditions. In Asian-Pacific region, 122 million children aged 5-14 were working as child labourers. It is imperative to know why the children are engaged in labour and what kind of effect child labour has in their health, education as well as the economy of their family. Methods This is a descriptive study which interviewed 313 child labourers working in different industries. It specially tried to assess the reasons why children joined the labour force, their family demographics, education and their general hygienic condition. Results 83.4% of child labourers joined labour because of poverty, 36.1% of them earned less than thousand rupees a month. 23.6% of them come from a big family with more than eight members. 30% (94) of them have not received even the primary level of education. Their overall hygienic condition is not satisfactory. Conclusion In Nepal, poverty is the most common cause of child labour and child labourers do not have a good hygienic condition.Key words: Child labour; Poverty; Earnings; Hygiene pressure DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v1i3.5573 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2011;1(3) 90-94
The Effect of Previous Loading Cycles on the Reliability of a Clinical Measure of Hamstring Flexibility
Authors: Woznowski-Vu Arthur , Preuss Richard
Published: December 2011

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of successive repetitions of a measure of hamstring flexibility—the passive unilateral straight leg raise (SLR)—on the reliability of this measure. Method: Ten repetitions of the SLR were performed on nine healthy adults. Measures were quantified using an electromagnetic tracking system and standardized using a handheld dynamometer by stopping the SLR at a set end-point force. The 10 repetitions were analyzed as two blocks of five, and intra-class correlation coefficients—models (2,1) and (3,k)—were calculated for each block of data. Results: ICC values for both models were comparable between the two blocks of data. Conclusion: Previous loading cycles, to a set end-point force, are unlikely to improve the reliability of muscle flexibility assessment in a clinical setting.
Evaluation of Factors Affecting Long-Term Performance of Cold In-Place Recycled Pavements in New York State
Authors: Chesner Warren H. , Stein Christopher W. , Justus Henry G. , Kearney Edward R. , Cross Stephen A.
Published: December 2011

In New York State, cold in-place recycling (CIPR) is one of a series of asphalt pavement rehabilitation options designed to extend the pavement service life. Recycling pavements with CIPR can decrease energy consumption and can reduce the environmental burden and cost associated with asphalt pavement rehabilitation. However, one drawback to increased use of CIPR has been uncertainty about expected service life and factors that affect long-term CIPR performance. These uncertainties generally limit the use of CIPR to low-volume pavements to minimize the exposure of CIPR-rehabilitated pavements to aggressive traffic conditions. A study examined the effect on service life of CIPR pavements in New York State of daily traffic, truck traffic, base thickness, base-plus-subbase thickness (total pavement thickness), geographical pavement location (environment and climate), and the condition of the pavement before CIPR rehabilitation. Data used in the analysis were compiled from the 2008 New York State Department of Transportation Pavement Management Group Highway Sufficiency Ratings Database, which represented 163 CIPR projects covering a pavement distance of 756 mi. CIPR rehabilitation can be expected to increase the service life of pavements, on average, by approximately 11 years. When CIPR is used on higher-trafficked (better-designed) pavements that have thicker supporting bases and subbases, its performance will benefit from thicker bases and the service life of the pavement will be extended.