bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphoglucose Isomerase/Autocrine Motility Factor Mediates Epithelial and Mesenchymal Phenotype Conversions in Breast Cancer
Authors: Funasaka Tatsuyoshi , Hogan Victor , Raz Avraham
Published: June 2009

Phosphoglucose isomerase/autocrine motility factor (PGI/AMF) is a housekeeping gene product/cytokine that catalyzes a step in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, and acts as a multifunctional cytokine associated with aggressive tumors. PGI/AMF has been correlated significantly with breast cancer progression and poor prognosis in breast cancer. We show here that ectopic expression of PGI/AMF induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in MCF10A normal human breast epithelial cells, and inhibition of PGI/AMF expression triggered mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in aggressive mesenchymal-type human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. EMT in MCF10A cells was shown by morphologic changes and loss of E-cadherin/β-catenin–mediated cell-cell adhesion, which is concomitant with the induction of the E-cadherin transcriptional repressor Snail and proteosome-dependent degradation of β-catenin protein. Molecular analysis showed that PGI/AMF suppressed epithelial marker expressions and enhanced mesenchymal marker expressions. Silencing of PGI/AMF expression by RNA interference in MDA-MB-231 cells induced the reverse processes of EMT including altered cell shape, gain of epithelial marker, and reduction of mesenchymal marker, e.g., MET. Taken together, the results show the involvement of PGI/AMF in both EMT and MET: overexpression of PGI/AMF induces EMT in normal breast epithelial cells and reduction of PGI/AMF expression led to MET in aggressive breast cancer cells. These results suggest for the first time that PGI/AMF is a key gene to both EMT in the initiating step of cancer metastasis and MET in the later stage of metastasis during breast cancer progression. [Cancer Res 2009;69(13):5349–56]
Expression of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase EphA2 Is Increased in Smokers and Predicts Poor Survival in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Brannan Jennifer M. , Dong Wenli , Prudkin Ludmila , Behrens Carmen , Lotan Reuben , Bekele B. Nebiyou , Wistuba Ignacio , Johnson Faye M.
Published: June 2009

Purpose: Up-regulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA2 has been shown in several epithelial cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and K-Ras have been reported to regulate EphA2 in several in vitro models, but this regulation has never been examined in tumors from patients. Because of the established importance of EGFR and K-Ras mutations in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we investigated the relationship between these mutations and EphA2 in this cancer type. The significance of EphA2 expression was further examined by testing for correlation with other clinical parameters.

Experimental Design: EphA2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray format using surgically resected NSCLC specimens (n = 279). EGFR and K-Ras mutation status was determined for most specimens. The correlation between EphA2 expression and EGFR or K-Ras mutation status was examined, along with several clinicopathologic variables of the tumors. The effects of increasing EGFR and K-Ras activity on EphA2 expression and activity were examined in two cell lines.

Results: EphA2 expression was detected in >90% of tumor samples. Expression of EphA2 was positively correlated with activated EGFR but not with EGFR mutations. EphA2 expression was increased in patients harboring K-Ras mutations. EphA2 expression was positively correlated with a history of smoking, and high EphA2 scores predicted poorer progression-free and overall survivals.

Conclusions: EphA2 expression in NSCLC is associated with K-Ras mutations, EGFR activation, smoking history, and poor prognosis. EphA2 expression is up-regulated in the context of EGFR or K-Ras activation. The potential of EphA2 as a therapeutic target for NSCLC should be further investigated.
Time and Time Again: The Search for Meaning/fulness Through Popular Discourse on the Time and Timing of Work
Authors: Webster Sunshine , Ballard Dawna
Published: June 2009

Many working individuals struggle with the time and timing of work, and often turn to books, web sites, magazines, seminars, and workshops to assist in their struggle to find meaning/fulness in work. In the present article, we first adopt Hassard's (2002) pluri-paradigmatic perspective on organizational temporality to consider the limitations of popular discourse that organizational members draw on in their day-to-day interaction. We consider themes in this discourse along three tropes—commodification, construction, and compression—intended to help members address widely held concerns associated with the time and timing of work. Our analysis highlights problematic issues arising from the focus of one trope over the others. We conclude by considering Adam's (2004) macro-level framework of temporal control to suggest broad implications of popular discourse on the time and timing of work.
Time Constraints in New Mobile Communication: Practices among Senior Managers
Authors: Edenius Mats , Rämö Hans
Published: June 2009

Based on extensive studies on the new working conditions for senior managers in a leading telecommunication company, and a previously unstudied form of mobile management practice by the use of mobile handheld smartphones (handling calls, data, emails, sms), this paper focuses on unexpected time-saving limitations and other constraints that result from the implementation and internalization of the mobile devices. Aspects of independence that were initially anticipated from the use of mobile smartphones are increasingly offset, not only by the well-known time pressure of swiftly filtering, replying and being online, but also by some less known and unexpected limiting and constraining factors of temporal freedom.
Local Mixing Events in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere. Part I: Detection with the Lyapunov Diffusivity
Authors: d’Ovidio Francesco , Shuckburgh Emily , Legras Bernard
Published: June 2009

A new diagnostic (the “Lyapunov diffusivity”) is presented that has the ability to quantify isentropic mixing in diffusion units and detects local mixing events by describing latitude–longitude variability. It is a hybrid diagnostic, combining the tracer-based effective diffusivity with the particle-based Lyapunov exponent calculation. Isentropic mixing on the 350-K surface shows that there is significant longitudinal variation to the strength of mixing at the northern subtropical jet, with a strong mixing barrier over Asia and the western Pacific, a weaker mixing barrier over the western Atlantic, and active mixing regions at the jet exits over the eastern Pacific and Atlantic.
Interpretation of Tropical Cyclone Forecast Sensitivity from the Singular Vector Perspective
Authors: Chen Jan-Huey , Peng Melinda S. , Reynolds Carolyn A. , Wu Chun-Chieh
Published: June 2009

In this study, the leading singular vectors (SVs), which are the fastest-growing perturbations (in a linear sense) to a given forecast, are used to examine and classify the dynamic relationship between tropical cyclones (TCs) and synoptic-scale environmental features that influence their evolution. Based on the 72 two-day forecasts of the 18 western North Pacific TCs in 2006, the SVs are constructed to optimize perturbation energy within a 20° × 20° latitude–longitude box centered on the 48-h forecast position of the TCs using the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) forecast and adjoint systems. Composite techniques are employed to explore these relationships and highlight how the dominant synoptic-scale features that impact TC forecasts evolve on seasonal time scales.

The NOGAPS initial SVs show several different patterns that highlight the relationship between the TC forecast sensitivity and the environment during the western North Pacific typhoon season in 2006. In addition to the relation of the SV maximum to the inward flow region of the TC, there are three patterns identified where the local SV maxima collocate with low-radial-wind-speed regions. These regions are likely caused by the confluence of the flow associated with the TC itself and the flow from other synoptic systems, such as the subtropical high and the midlatitude jet. This is the new finding beyond the previous NOGAPS SV results on TCs. The subseasonal variations of these patterns corresponding to the dynamic characteristics are discussed. The SV total energy vertical structures for the different composites are used to demonstrate the contributions from kinetic and potential energy components of different vertical levels at initial and final times.
An Anomalous Recent Acceleration of Global Sea Level Rise
Authors: Merrifield M. A. , Merrifield S. T. , Mitchum G. T.
Published: June 2009

Tide gauge data are used to estimate trends in global sea level for the period from 1955 to 2007. Linear trends over 15-yr segments are computed for each tide gauge record, averaged over latitude bands, and combined to form an area-weighted global mean trend. The uncertainty of the global trend is specified as a sampling error plus a random vertical land motion component, but land motion corrections do not change the results. The average global sea level trend for the time segments centered on 1962–90 is 1.5 ± 0.5 mm yr−1 (standard error), in agreement with previous estimates of late twentieth-century sea level rise. After 1990, the global trend increases to the most recent rate of 3.2 ± 0.4 mm yr−1, matching estimates obtained from satellite altimetry. The acceleration is distinct from decadal variations in global sea level that have been reported in previous studies. Increased rates in the tropical and southern oceans primarily account for the acceleration. The timing of the global acceleration corresponds to similar sea level trend changes associated with upper ocean heat content and ice melt.
Univariate and Multivariate Assimilation of AIRS Humidity Retrievals with the Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter
Authors: Liu Junjie , Li Hong , Kalnay Eugenia , Kostelich Eric J. , Szunyogh Istvan
Published: June 2009

This study uses the local ensemble transform Kalman filter to assimilate Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) specific humidity retrievals with pseudo relative humidity (pseudo-RH) as the observation variable. Three approaches are tested: (i) updating specific humidity with observations other than specific humidity (“passive q”), (ii) updating specific humidity only with humidity observations (“univariate q”), and (iii) assimilating the humidity and the other observations together (“multivariate q”). This is the first time that the performance of the univariate and multivariate assimilation of q is compared within an ensemble Kalman filter framework. The results show that updating the humidity analyses by either AIRS specific humidity retrievals or nonhumidity observations improves both the humidity and wind analyses. The improvement with the multivariate-q experiment is by far the largest for all dynamical variables at both analysis and forecast time, indicating that the interaction between the specific humidity and the other dynamical variables through the background error covariance during data assimilation process yields more balanced analysis fields. In the univariate assimilation of q, the humidity interacts with the other dynamical variables only through the forecast process. The univariate assimilation produces more accurate humidity analyses than those obtained when no humidity observations are assimilated, but it does not improve the accuracy of the zonal wind analyses. The 6-h total column precipitable water forecast also benefits from the improved humidity analyses, with the multivariate q experiment having the largest improvement.
Structure and Evolution of a Possible U.S. Landfalling Tropical Storm in 2006
Authors: Gruskin Zachary
Published: June 2009

A tropical disturbance made landfall near Morehead City, North Carolina, on 27 June 2006. Surface observations, Air Force reconnaissance, and Doppler velocity data suggest that the disturbance had a closed surface circulation at landfall, with maximum 1-min surface winds >18 m s−1, the threshold of tropical storm strength. A cyclostrophic wind calculation using Doppler velocity data and surface observations indicates that the circulation of the disturbance likely caused the tropical storm force winds observed, rather than an environmental pressure gradient or short-lived convective process. Doppler velocity cross sections of the disturbance further suggest that the disturbance was warm core, and an analysis of the disturbance’s environment reveals that latent heat of condensation was likely a large source of energy for the disturbance, though there was some baroclinic forcing. These observations and analyses make a compelling case for the upgrade of the disturbance to a tropical storm in the best-track database.
Statistical Analysis of Forecasting Models across the North Slope of Alaska during the Mixed-Phase Arctic Clouds Experiment
Authors: Yannuzzi Victor T. , Clothiaux Eugene E. , Harrington Jerry Y. , Verlinde Johannes
Published: June 2009

The National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s (NCEP) Eta Model, the models of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) models, and the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) model are all examined during the Mixed-Phase Arctic Clouds Experiment (MPACE) that took place from 27 September through 22 October 2004. During two intensive observation periods, soundings were launched every 6 h from four sites across the North Slope of Alaska (NSA): Barrow, Atqasuk, Oliktok Point, and Toolik Lake. Measurements of temperature, moisture, and winds, along with surface measurements of radiation and cloud cover, were compared to model outputs from the Eta, ECMWF, GMAO, and RAMS models using the bootstrap statistical technique to ascertain if differences in model performance were statistically significant. Ultimately, three synoptic regimes controlled NSA weather during the MPACE period for varying amounts of time. Each posed a unique challenge to the forecasting models during the study period.

Temperature forecasts for all models were good at the MPACE sites with mean bias errors generally under 2 K, and the models had the fewest significant errors predicting temperature. Forecasting moisture and wind proved to be more difficult for the models, especially aloft in the 500–300-hPa layer. The largest errors occurred in the GMAO model, with significant moist biases of 40% and wind errors of 10 m s−1 or more. The RAMS, Eta, and ECMWF models had smaller moist biases in this layer. Both the Eta and RAMS models overestimated the surface incident shortwave radiation, underestimated longwave radiation, and underestimated cloud cover fraction. Overall, the bootstrapping results coincided with findings from conventional statistical comparisons as model outputs with the largest errors were most likely to be captured and declared statistically significant in the bootstrapping process.

The significant model errors during MPACE were predominantly traced to the inability of the models to simulate disturbances in synoptic regime I, warm or cold biases over higher inland terrain, a warm bias along the NSA coastal waters in the Beaufort Sea, and difficulty in forecasting the intensity of the explosive cyclone in synoptic regime III.
Evaluation of Alberta Hail Growth Model Using Severe Hail Proximity Soundings from the United States
Authors: Jewell Ryan , Brimelow Julian
Published: June 2009

A one-dimensional, coupled hail and cloud model (HAILCAST) is tested to assess its ability to predict hail size. The model employs an ensemble approach when forecasting maximum hail size, uses a sounding as input, and can be run in seconds on an operational workstation. The model was originally developed in South Africa and then improved upon in Canada, using high quality hail verification data for calibration. In this study, the model was run on a spatially and seasonally diverse set of 914 modified severe hail proximity soundings collected within the contiguous United States between 1989 and 2004. Model output was then compared to the maximum observed hail size for each proximity sounding. Basic verification statistics are presented, showing that the HAILCAST model exhibits considerable skill that can be of use to the operational severe weather forecaster.
Mortality of Patients With Renal Dysfunction After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Bevc Sebastjan , Penko Meta , Kanic Vojko , Hojs Radovan
Published: June 2009

Aim: To determine the impact of stages of renal dysfunction on mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients and Methods: A total of 449 patients (mean age 63 ± 11.9 years) with ACS after PCI were included. Serum creatinine was determined and creatinine clearance was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Results: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 was 26.3%. After up to 787 days of follow-up, 40 patients had died. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed progressively higher risk for cardiovascular death from stage 1 to stage 4 of renal dysfunction. In an adjusted Cox model, gender (P < .009), age (P < .0001), total cholesterol level (P < .01), and stage of renal dysfunction (P < .04) were predictors of mortality. Conclusions: In patients with ACS after PCI, a higher stage of renal dysfunction was directly associated with higher mortality of these patients.
A Content and Methodological Analysis of 35 Years of Latino/a-Focused Research
Authors: Liang Christopher T. H. , Salcedo Jime , Rivera Amanda L. Y. , Lopez Mayra J.
Published: June 2009

Two separate studies were conducted to examine the contents and methodology of Latino/a-focused articles published during a period of 35 years in seven major journals used by counseling psychologists as well as the Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences. Together, the two studies suggest that acculturation, academic achievement, assessment, and alcohol, drugs, and tobacco use were the most common topics of inquiry. The results of these two studies also suggest that descriptive field methodologies were most commonly used and that convenience sampling procedures were used most frequently. Trends in the coverage of published research provide some evidence of the increased attention to Latino/a-focused research literature. However, results also indicate that Latino/a-focused articles represented only 2% of the total number of articles published in non—ethnic-specific journals. These two studies also illuminate potentially worthwhile areas for future inquiry.
How Teachers Would Spend Their Time Teaching Language Arts
Authors: Cunningham Anne E. , Zibulsky Jamie , Stanovich Keith E. , Stanovich Paula J.
Published: June 2009

As teacher quality becomes a central issue in discussions of children’s literacy, both researchers and policy makers alike express increasing concern with how teachers structure and allocate their lesson time for literacy-related activities as well as with what they know about reading development, processes, and pedagogy. The authors examined the beliefs, literacy knowledge, and proposed instructional practices of 121 first-grade teachers. Through teacher self-reports concerning the amount of instructional time they would prefer to devote to a variety of language arts activities, the authors investigated the structure of teachers’ implicit beliefs about reading instruction and explored relationships between those beliefs, expertise with general or special education students, years of experience, disciplinary knowledge, and self-reported distribution of an array of instructional practices. They found that teachers’ implicit beliefs were not significantly associated with their status as a regular or special education teacher, the number of years they had been teaching, or their disciplinary knowledge. However, it was observed that subgroups of teachers who highly valued particular approaches to reading instruction allocated their time to instructional activities associated with other approaches in vastly different ways. It is notable that the practices of teachers who privileged reading literature over other activities were not in keeping with current research and policy recommendations. Implications and considerations for further research are discussed.
Manufacturing and Properties of Fire-Retardant and Thermal Insulation Nonwoven Fabrics with FR-Polyester Hollow Fibers
Authors: Lin Chin-Mei , Lou Ching-Wen , Lin Jia-Horng
Published: June 2009

Abstract In this study, nonwoven fabrics were manufactured using flame-retardant polyester (PET) hollow fibers (FR-PET fibers) and low-melting-temperature PET fibers (low- Tm fibers) for use as thermal insulation. Four nonwoven fabrics with different process routes were utilized to manufacture loose nonwoven fabric (LNF), thermal pressed nonwoven fabric (PNF), needle-punched and thermal pressed nonwoven fabric (NPNF), and needle-punched and through-air thermal bonded nonwoven fabric (NTNF). Thermal conductivity of these four nonwoven fabrics was assessed. Furthermore, LNFs were created using various thermal pressing temperatures (100, 120, 140, 160, 180, and 200°C), low- Tm fiber contents (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%), and number of layers of nonwoven fabrics (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 layer) to assess tensile strength, thermal conductivity, and the limiting oxygen index (LOI). Experimental results demonstrate that LNF had a low thermal conductivity of 0.5962 W/mK and the LOI of LNF was 35%.
The In Silico Child: Using Simulation to Guide Pediatric Drug Development and Manage Pediatric Pharmacotherapy
Authors: Läer Stephanie , Barrett Jeffrey S. , Meibohm Bernd
Published: June 2009

Significant gains have been made in the appreciation of pediatrics as an important population in which rationale pharmacotherapy guidance is warranted but often currently lacking. Although the regulatory framework for major improvements in pediatric drug development was implemented in Europe a decade later than the United States, recent efforts, including the 2007 “Better Medicines for Children” initiative, indicate that the awareness of this problem is indeed a global phenomenon. Nevertheless, there still remains a gap between the awareness and the implementation of rationale and scientifically based drug development and applied pharmacotherapy in children. Specifically, a vision of how best to move from empiricism toward a plan that incorporates biologic knowledge about the maturation of physiologic processes as well as the drug‐ and disease‐specific knowledge generated from drug development and applied pharmacotherapy in adults must evolve from the present intentions. Modeling and simulation approaches can facilitate such a vision that ultimately should provide benefit to pediatric patients. Although recent examples of pediatric in silico approaches are compelling, their ultimate value may be in the identification of data and studies that better guide drug therapy and in the education of pediatric caregivers to the principles of clinical pharmacology that underlie optimal pharmacotherapeutic decisions in children.
Social Capital and Urban Growth
Authors: Glaeser Edward L. , Redlick Charles
Published: June 2009

Social capital is often place-specific while schooling is portable, so the prospect of migration may reduce the returns to social capital and increase the returns to schooling. If social capital matters for urban success, it is possible that an area can get caught in a bad equilibrium where the prospect of out-migration reduces social capital investment and a lack of social capital investment makes out-migration more appealing. We present a simple model of that process and then test its implications. We find little evidence to suggest that social capital is correlated with either area growth or rates of out-migration. We do, however, find significant differences in the returns to human capital across space, and a significant pattern of skilled people disproportionately leaving declining areas. For people in declining areas, the prospect of out-migration may increase the returns to investment in human capital, but it does not seem to impact investment in social capital.
Korean mothers’ attention regulation and referential speech: Associations with language and play in 1-year-olds
Authors: Jihyun Sung  , Hui-Chin Hsu
Published: June 2009

The present study investigated the associations of Korean mothers’ attention regulation and referential speech during play with their toddlers’ language and play development. The play interaction between mothers ( n = 42) and their toddlers aged between 13 and 23 months was videotaped during home visits. Maternal behavior in regulating their toddlers’ attention was coded from videos as introducing, redirecting, or following. Mothers’ referential speech during joint attention with their toddlers was transcribed and classified as simple, elaborative, or prompting. Toddlers’ expressive and receptive vocabulary sizes were reported by mothers. Their exploratory, functional, and symbolic play was coded from videos. Results showed that mothers’ attention following and elaborative referential speech were associated with larger expressive vocabulary sizes and frequent symbolic and functional play in 1-year-olds. By contrast, mothers’ attention redirection as well as simple and prompting referential speech were associated with toddlers’ smaller expressive vocabulary sizes and less frequent functional play. After controlling for child age, maternal elaborative referential speech made an additional contribution to toddlers’ decreased functional and increased symbolic play that was above and beyond the effect of maternal attention regulation. These findings replicated and extended previous research in Western cultures and underscored the role of maternal attention regulation and referential speech in toddlers’ language and play development.
Typology of Intimate Partner Homicide
Authors: Elisha Ety , Idisis Yael , Timor Uri , Addad Moshe
Published: June 2009

Fifteen inmates from Ayalon prison, a maximum-security prison in Israel, who were convicted of murder, attempted murder, or manslaughter of their female intimate partner, have participated in a study designed to examine integrated variables—personal, interpersonal, and environmental—familial—connected with this phenomenon. Analyses of the in-depth interviews demonstrate that despite the different motivations the perpetrators displayed with regard to the murder, they share some common themes. On the basis of these themes, three primary types of female intimate partner murderers have been identified; each of them represents a personal narrative as follows: the betrayed, the abandoned, and the tyrant. The proposed typology might be used for establishing a common language among researchers, scholars, and workers in this field. It can also contribute to the existing clinical tools in terms of prediction, prevention, and treatment initiatives that currently focus on violence.
University Faculty Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices in Providing Reasonable Accommodations to Students With Disabilities
Authors: Dalun Zhang  , Landmark Leena , Reber Anne , HsienYuan Hsu  , Kwok Oi-man , Benz Michael
Published: June 2009

University faculty members play an essential role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive a quality postsecondary education. Many factors influence the willingness of faculty to provide quality services. The purpose of this survey study was to identify these influential factors through a structural equation modeling model. Findings indicate that faculty personal beliefs have the most direct influence on provision of reasonable accommodations; knowledge of legal responsibilities and perceived institutional support directly influence personal beliefs. Suggestions for training programs and interventions are made to improve faculty personal beliefs and enhance their provision of accommodations and support to students with disabilities.
Compression of Superficial Temporal Arteries by a Handmade Device: A Simple Way to Block or Attenuate Migraine Attacks in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Cianchetti Carlo , Serci Maria Celeste , Pisano Tiziana , Ledda Maria Giuseppina
Published: June 2009

Because a prolonged compression of the major scalp arteries blocks migraine attacks in a substantial number of patients, we studied the effect of the use of a simple handmade device in blocking an incoming headache attack in children and adolescents. Thirty-seven consecutive ambulatory patients were instructed to apply, at the onset of each migraine attack, a handmade device firmly compressing both temporal arteries. Thirteen patients interrupted treatment because of intolerance of the local pain provoked by compression of the device. Of the remaining 24 patients, 17 reported benefit from using the device and 7 no effect. In these 17 patients, the percentage of attacks aborted or attenuated by early use of the device was 90.5% in the first month and 95.7% in the second month; the consumption of antipain drugs dropped from the mean 4.4 ± 2.6 in the pre-device month to 1.3 ± 1.6 in the first and 0.6 ± 0.9 in the second month.
Tonic Immobility in Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors and Its Relationship to Posttraumatic Stress Symptomatology
Authors: Humphreys Kathryn L. , Sauder Colin L. , Martin Elaine K. , Marx Brian P.
Published: June 2009

Past research has shown that 37% to 52% of sexual assault survivors report experiencing a set of peritraumatic responses, which include gross motor inhibition, analgesia, and fixed or unfocused staring. This response set closely resembles a set of unconditioned responses, collectively known as Tonic Immobility (TI). This study examined TI among childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors and its relation to PTSD symptomatology. Participants were 131 female college undergraduates who completed questionnaires assessing sexual abuse history, TI, and PTSD symptom severity. Results showed that TI partially mediated the relation between peritraumatic fear and overall PTSD symptom severity and completely mediated the relation between fear and the PTSD reexperiencing symptoms. Although peritraumatic fear is associated with TI, the mediation findings provide evidence for the notion that these responses are separate from one another. These results suggest that TI during CSA may play an important role in the subsequent PTSD symptomatology in adulthood.
MyFaceTube Politics
Authors: Baumgartner Jody C. , Morris Jonathan S.
Published: June 2009

This article examines the political uses of social networking (SN) Web sites by young adults in context of the early stages of the 2008 presidential primary season. Using a survey of over 3,500 18- to 24-year-olds contacted immediately prior to the Iowa caucuses, we illustrate that although SN Web sites are recognized by youth as a possible source of news and that many receive some of their news from these sites, the types of news gathered probably do little to inform them or add to democratic discourse. Moreover, the study shows that in spite of the promise SN sites hold for increasing political interest and participation among a chronically disengaged cohort, users are no more inclined to participate in politics than are users of other media.
The Revolution Will be Networked
Authors: Zhang Weiwu , Johnson Thomas J. , Seltzer Trent , Bichard Shannon L.
Published: June 2009

Social networking is a phenomenon of interest to many scholars. While most of the recent research on social networking sites has focused on user characteristics, very few studies have examined their roles in engaging people in the democratic process. This paper relies on a telephone survey of Southwest residents to examine the extent to which reliance on social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and YouTube has engaged citizens in civic and political activities. More specifically, this study looks at the extent to which social networking sites influence political attitudes and democratic participation after controlling for demographic variables and the role of interpersonal political discussion in stimulating citizen participation. The findings indicate that reliance on social networking sites is significantly related to increased civic participation, but not political participation. Interpersonal discussion fosters both civic participation and political activity. Implications of the results for democratic governance will be discussed.
Are Private Government, the Nonprofit Sector, and Civil Society the Same Thing?
Authors: Mendel Stuart C.
Published: June 2009

This article argues that the concept of private government contributes to an elegant framework for understanding the public and private nature of American civil society. Private government has two distinct elements comprised of the interests of businesses and nonprofit organizations that exercise power to interact with government to achieve their specific goals and objectives. This new, yet familiar, lens on which to consider the role of the nonprofit sector in the United States and the manner in which it interacts with government policy makers and business decision makers adds clarity to the muddle of terminology scholars have assembled to classify and characterize one of American society’s most distinguishing features. The article will be of interest to domestic and international scholars seeking yet another tool to compare nongovernmental organizations and the particular character of civil society in countries that do not have the same political traditions as the United States.
Partnership agreement adoption and survival in the British private and public sectors
Authors: Bacon Nicolas , Samuel Peter
Published: June 2009

This article assesses the adoption and survival of labour-management partnership agreements in Britain. In contrast to predictions that British employers will avoid partnership agreements, significantly more agreements have been signed than expected with 248 partnership agreements signed between 1990 and 2007. Partnership agreements covered almost ten percent of all British employees in 2007 and one-third of public sector employees. The majority of agreements are now in the public sector as part of government plans to reform the delivery of public services and in the devolved health services of Scotland and Wales as part of the potentially distinctive social democratic approach adopted by the devolved Governments. In contrast to predictions that, once signed, partnership agreements are unlikely to survive, four-fifths (80 percent) of all agreements survived to the close of 2007. Public sector agreements appear particularly robust.
Microbuckling Solution of Elastic Memory Laminates under Bending
Authors: Wang Z.D. , Li Z.F. , Wang Y.S.
Published: June 2009

Elastic memory composite (EMC) can endure a much higher nominal bending strain than the ultimate strain of reinforced fibers. Experimental studies have confirmed that microbuckling and post-microbuckling response for compressively loaded fibers in the soft matrix are the primary deformation mechanism for EMC to realize a large bending deformation. However, classical buckling solutions developed for hard-matrix composites cannot effectively predict the microbuckling onset and post-microbuckling response of soft-matrix composites under bending. In this study, a simplified 1D solution is proposed by combining matrix shear energy with Timoshenko’s elastic foundation energy. Based on the experiment results of carbon-fiber/resin EMC laminates under bending, the new solution exhibits to be effective in predicting the microbuckling wavelength and the onset of critical compressive stress and strain. In addition, the location of neutral-strain surface and failure modes are also discussed.
Non-linear Vibration and Dynamic Characteristic of Fish-like Robot Controlled by GMM Actuator
Authors: Sun F.M. , Xu X.S. , Qi Z.H.
Published: June 2009

The swimming mechanism of the underwater fish-like robot, which is controlled by the giant magnetostrictive material actuator, is studied with the aid of the non-linear vibration method. A mechanics model of the robot is presented based on the relationship between the driving force and frequencies, which is controlled by external magnetic fields. The numerical results show that steady and unsteady solution of the project accord with the dynamic characteristics of tuna and pike fish, respectively.
Testing the Suitability of Mediation of Child Support Orders in Title IV-D Cases
Authors: Schraufnagel Scot , Quan Li
Published: June 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to test mediation versus a traditional court process for the establishment or modification of child support orders. The intention is to determine which dispute resolution process is associated with greater client satisfaction and compliance. An auxiliary objective is to test the type of cases which are most successfully mediated. Results: The analyses suggest that client satisfaction is greater with mediation, but there is no corresponding increase in compliance. Regarding the type of cases where mediation was most fruitful, the research finds that voluntary mediation and mediator experience are both positively associated with more successful mediation. Conclusions: There is no evidence that mediation will necessarily lead to increased compliance with child support orders.
Supporting Relationships Between Family and Staff in Continuing Care Settings
Authors: Austin Wendy , Goble Erika , Strang Vicki , Mitchell Agnes , Thompson Elizabeth , Lantz Helen , Balt Linda , Lemermeyer Gillian , Vass Kelly
Published: June 2009

In this Canadian study, a participatory action research approach was used to examine the relationships between families of residents of traditional continuing care facilities and the health care team. The objectives were to (a) explore the formation and maintenance of family—staff relationships, with attention paid to the relational elements of engagement and mutual respect; (b) explore family and staff perspectives of environmental supports and constraints; and (c) identify practical ways to support and enhance these relationships. Results indicate that the resource-constrained context of continuing care has directly impacted family and staff relationships. The nature of these relationships are discussed using the themes of “Everybody Knows Your Name,” “Loss and Laundry,” “It's the Little Things That Count,” and “The Chasm of Us Versus Them.” Families' and staff's ideas of behaviors that support or undermine relationships are identified, as are concrete suggestions for improving family— staff relationships in traditional continuing care settings in Canada.
Effect of Ketamine on Cocaine-Induced Immunotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Rofael H. Z. , Turkall R. M. , Abdel-Rahman M. S.
Published: June 2009

The abuse of cocaine (COC) with ketamine (KET) is currently popular among young drug abusers and has been associated with increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The effect of subacute exposure to COC and KET alone and in combination on the immune system was assessed in adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. To simulate the route and mode of human exposure, rats were treated with COC alone (5 mg/kg, IV), KET alone (100 mg/kg, PO) or KET followed immediately by COC (same doses and routes of administration) once-a-day for 7 consecutive days. Rats were sacrified 30 minutes following the last treatment. Total circulating leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were decreased with relative neutrophilia, whereas immunoglobulin M (Ig M) antibody response to sheep erythrocytes (SRBCs) was increased in animals treated with COC. Moreover, treatment with COC alone increased serum interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentration; however, it did not affect serum interferon gamma (INF-γ) concentration. Spleen histology showed hyperplasia of white pulp whereas thymus gland demonstrated mild cortical degeneration. On the other hand, KET treatment did not produce any significant change of any of these parameters. However, when coadministered with COC, significant reduction of bodyweight, spleen/bodyweight, and thymus/bodyweight ratios with degeneration of splenic white pulp and thymic cortex occurred. Moreover, the primary immunoglobulin response to SRBC and serum IL-10 concentration were decreased without significant change in serum IFN-γ or circulating leukocytic counts. COC caused a significant increase in serum corticosterone concentration that KET effectively prevented. On the other hand, a significant increase in plasma and tissue concentrations of norcocaine (NC) resulted following KET and COC administration in combination. Daily SKF-525A pretreatment at a dose of 30 mg/kg, IP, for 7 days 1 hour prior to KET and COC in combination effectively reversed the effects of this combination on body weight, organ/bodyweight ratios, histopathology, and serum Ig M and IL-10 concentrations without affecting leukocytic counts. On the other hand, SKF-525A pretreatment did not change the immunomodulatory effects of COC compared to non-pretreated animals. The results suggest that COC-induced immunomodulation most likely occurred through neuroendocrinal mechanisms. On the other hand, enhanced oxidative metabolism of COC in the presence of KET-induced immunosuppression.
Are Dietary Supplements Safe as Currently Regulated? The Great Debate
Authors: Gad Shayne C. , Gad Samantha E.
Published: June 2009

At its 2002 annual meeting, the American College of Toxicology hosted in its series of issue sessions a symposium entitled “The Great Debate: Are Dietary Supplements Adequately Regulated to Enhance the Safety of Consumers.” There were five participants in the debate, of whom three (the moderator and one advocate from either side) contributed papers. This article, reflecting the author's talk as the moderator, presents the applicable regulations, an overview, and history of the marketplaces and the range of perceived consumer safety problems.
A Functional Observational Battery for Use in Canine Toxicity Studies: Development and Validation
Authors: Gad S. C. , Gad S. E.
Published: June 2009

The most commonly used nonrodent species in regulatory toxicity and safety assessment studies has been and remains the dog, with the beagle being the standard breed employed. Although a standard functional observational battery (FOB) or neurobehavioral screen for use in rodents (primarily rats) has been incorporated into rodent studies since the late 1980s, this is not the case in nonrodents. In the pharmaceutical area (where repeat exposure nonrodent studies are generally required to develop a drug for humans), some work has been previously conducted towards developing a similar screen in the dog but progress has been limited. Given both the differential metabolism and sensitivity of the dog compared to rodents and the extreme desirability of having as complete a set of toxicity and/or functionality measures in the same species (to simplify and improve the accuracy of dose/response metrics) as possible, the need for such a standardized and validated methodology is clear. Study data from prior work establish the susceptibility of dogs to a wide variety of neurotoxic agents, including 6-aminonicotinamide (ANA), methanol, lasalocid, metron-idazole, acrylamide, clinoquinol, organo tins, and mercury. Additionally, the dog is likewise well established as a sensitive model for a wide range of peripheral and central nervous system–active pharmacologic agents, as required by recent regulatory requirements for safety pharmacology evaluations. Here we report on a robust and yet sensitive noninvasive screening methodology for detecting and providing initial quantitation and characterization of such direct and indirect neurotoxic and neuropharmacologic effects that has been developed. Additionally, an analysis and interpretation component that allows differentiation of neurotoxic from neuropharmacologic activities has also been adapted from prior work by one of the authors. Comparative species difference in sensitivity to neuroactive agents are also discussed, as well as means for integrating this evaluation screen into existing standard design. Particularly, with the recent promulgation of safety pharmacology testing requirements (the in vivo cardiovascular component of which is performed in the dog), the availability of such an evaluation paradigm presents a valuable potential addition to existing study designs without increasing animal usage.
Oxidative Stress in Rats After 60 Days of Hypergalactosemia or Hyperglycemia
Authors: Otsyula Mary , King Matthew S. , Ketcham Tonya G. , Sanders Ruth A. , Watkins John B.
Published: June 2009

Two of the models used in current diabetes research include the hypergalactosemic rat and the hyperglucosemic, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Few studies, however, have examined the concurrence of these two models regarding the effects of elevated hexoses on biomarkers of oxidative stress. This study compared the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase and the concentrations of glutathione, glutathione disulfide, and thiobarbituric acid reactants (as a measure of lipid peroxidation) in liver, kidney, and heart of Sprague-Dawley rats after 60 days of either a 50% galactose diet or insulin deficiency caused by streptozotocin injection. Most rats from both models developed bilateral cataracts. Blood glucose and glycosy-lated hemoglobin A1c concentrations were elevated in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Streptozotocin diabetic rats exhibited elevated activities of renal superoxide dismutase, cardiac catalase, and renal and cardiac glutathione peroxidase, as well as elevated hepatic lipid peroxidation. Insulin treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats normalized altered markers. In galactosemic rats, hepatic lipid peroxidation was increased whereas glutathione reductase activity was diminished. Glutathione levels in liver were decreased in diabetic rats but elevated in the galactosemic rats, whereas hepatic glutathione disulfide concentrations were decreased much more in diabetes than in galactosemia. Insulin treatment reversed/prevented all changes caused by streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Lack of concomitance in these data indicate that the 60-day galactose-fed rat is not experiencing the same oxidative stress as the streptozotocin diabetic rat, and that investigators must be cautious drawing conclusions regarding the concurrence of the effects of the two animal models on oxidative stress biomarkers.