bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chromosomal Polymorphisms in African Vlei Rats, Otomys irroratus (Muridae: Otomyini), Detected by Banding Techniques and Chromosome Painting: Inversions, Centromeric Shifts and Diploid Number Variation
Authors: Engelbrecht A. , Taylor P.J. , Daniels S.R. , Rambau R.V.
Published: March 2011

Pericentric inversions are important for evolutionary biology because of their potential role in speciation. They may result in reproductive isolation due to illegitimate pairing of homologues at meiosis which leads to the production of aneuploid gametes (containing deletions or duplications of chromosomal segments), and consequently mediate chromosomal divergence. In this study, we describe the prevalence of pericentric inversions in the African vlei rat, Otomys irroratus (OIR). The species is characterized by intraspecific chromosomal variation (2n = 23–32) across its distribution in southern Africa. Here, we analyzed 55 individuals collected from 7 localities in South Africa by G- and C-banding and chromosome painting with flow sorts of Myotomys unisulcatus. Of the 55 specimens that were analyzed, 47% contained inversions or centromeric shifts on 4 autosomes (OIR1, 4, 6 and 10) which were present singly in specimens (i.e. none of the specimens contained all 4 inversions concurrently). These inversions were found in both homozygous and heterozygous state over a wide geographic range suggesting that they are floating polymorphisms. Given the potential role of inversions in post-mating isolation (through production of aneuploid gametes), the prevalence of inversions as floating polymorphisms in the vlei rats suggests that they are probably retained in the population through suppression of recombination in the inverted regions of the chromosomes.
Insights into the Meiotic Behavior and Evolution of Multiple Sex Chromosome Systems in Spiders
Authors: Král J. , Kořínková T. , Forman M. , Krkavcová L.
Published: March 2011

A characteristic feature of spider karyotypes is the predominance of unusual multiple X chromosomes. To elucidate the evolution of spider sex chromosomes, their meiotic behavior was analyzed in 2 major clades of opisthothele spiders, namely, the entelegyne araneomorphs and the mygalomorphs. Our data support the predominance of X1X20 systems in entelegynes, while rare X1X2X3X40 systems were revealed in the tuberculote mygalomorphs. The spider species studied exhibited a considerable diversity of achiasmate sex chromosome pairing in male meiosis. The end-to-end pairing of sex chromosomes found in mygalomorphs was gradually replaced by the parallel attachment of sex chromosomes in entelegynes. The observed association of male X univalents with a centrosome at the first meiotic division may ensure the univalents’ segregation. Spider meiotic sex chromosomes also showed other unique traits, namely, association with a chromosome pair in males and inactivation in females. Analysis of these traits supports the hypothesis that the multiple X chromosomes of spiders originated by duplications. In contrast to the homogametic sex of other animals, the homologous sex chromosomes of spider females were already paired at premeiotic interphase and were inactivated until prophase I. Furthermore, the sex chromosome pairs exhibited an end-to-end association during these stages. We suggest that the specific behavior of the female sex chromosomes may have evolved to avoid the negative effects of duplicated X chromosomes on female meiosis. The chromosome ends that ensure the association of sex chromosome pairs during meiosis may contain information for discriminating between homologous and homeologous X chromosomes and thus act to promote homologous pairing. The meiotic behavior of 4 X chromosome pairs in mygalomorph females, namely, the formation of 2 associations, each composed of 2 pairs with similar structure, suggests that the mygalomorph X1X2X3X40 system originated by the duplication of the X1X20 system via nondisjunctions or polyploidization.
Composition and Epigenetic Markers of Heterochromatin in the Aphid Aphis nerii (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Mandrioli M. , Azzoni P. , Lombardo G. , Manicardi G.C.
Published: March 2011

A detailed karyotype analysis of the oleander aphid Aphis nerii focusing on the distribution, molecular composition and epigenetic modifications of heterochromatin was done in order to better understand the structure and evolution of holocentric/holokinetic chromosomes in aphids. The female karyotype (2n = 8) consisted of 3 pairs of autosomes and a pair of X chromosomes that were the longest elements in the karyotype and carried a single, terminally located nucleolar organizer region. Males showed 2n = 7 chromosomes due to the presence of a single X chromosome. Heterochromatin was located in the X chromosomes only and consisted of 4 satellite DNAs that have been identified. A. nerii constitutive heterochromatin was enriched in mono-, di- and tri-methylated H3 histones and HP1 proteins but, interestingly, it lacked DNA methylation that was widespread in euchromatic chromosomal regions. These results suggest that aphid heterochromatin is assembled and condensed without any involvement of DNA methylation.
Serum Levels of Chemokines in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Scalzo Paula , de Miranda Aline Silva , Guerra Amaral Débora Cristina , de Carvalho Vilela Márcia , Cardoso Francisco , Teixeira Antonio Lúcio
Published: March 2011

Objective: Neuroinflammatory processes seem to contribute to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Chemokines play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, acting mainly as mediators of leukocyte recruitment to inflammatory sites. The aim of the present study was to compare the serum levels of chemokines between healthy subjects and PD patients and to correlate these levels with the severity of PD. Methods: We used ELISA to measure the levels of CCL3, CCL11, CCL24, CXCL8 and CXCL10 chemokines in the serum of PD patients (n = 47) and age- and gender-matched controls (n = 23). Patients were also clinically evaluated with the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, the Modified Hoehn and Yahr Staging Scale and the Modified Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale. Results: There was no significant difference in serum levels of chemokines between controls and PD patients. There was no correlation between the serum levels of chemokines and the clinical measures of disease severity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that serum levels of chemokines may not be considered as potential biomarkers of PD.
Cardiac Tamponade following Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Authors: Gross Andreas , Diacon Andreas Henri
Published: March 2011

Bronchoscopic transbronchial fine needle aspiration of the mediastinum is generally known as a safe procedure. Complications such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, major bronchial haemorrhage and significant bleeding after a major vessel puncture are rare events. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of life-threatening cardiac tamponade following transbronchial fine needle aspiration in precarinal location.
Genomic Mapping of Human Chromosome Paints on the Threatened Masked Titi Monkey (Callicebus personatus)
Authors: Rodrigues L.R.R. , Pieczarka J.C. , Pissinati A. , de Oliveira E.H.C. , das Dores Rissino J. , Nagamachi C.Y.
Published: March 2011

Callicebus is a complex genus of neotropical primates thought to include 29 or more species. Currently, the genus is divided into 5 species groups: donacophilus, cupreus, moloch, torquatus and personatus. However, the phylogenetic relationships among the species are still poorly understood. This genus is karyotypically diverse and shows extensive variation in diploid number (2n = 16 to 50). To foster a better understanding of the chromosomal diversities and phylogenetic relationships among the species of Callicebus, we performed a chromosome-painting analysis on the Callicebus personatus genome using human probes, and compared the resulting hybridization map to those of previously mapped titi species. We detected 38 hybridization signals per haploid autosomal set of C. personatus. Few ancestral syntenies were conserved without rearrangement, but 4 human associations (HSA20/13, 3c/8b, 1b/1c and 21/3a/15a/14) were demonstrated to be apomorphic traits for C. persona tus. G-banding suggested that these associations are shared with C. nigrifrons and C. coimbrai (personatus group), while C. personatus is linked with C. pallescens (donacophilus group) by 2 synapomorphies: HSA10b/11 (submetacentric) and an inversion of HSA1a.
Treatment of Synchronous Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma with Bendamustine and Rituximab
Authors: Kourelis Taxiarchis V. , Kahl Brad S. , Benn Peter , Delach Judith A. , Bilgrami Syed F.
Published: March 2011

Herein, we describe a case of a female patient in whom B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were diagnosed simultaneously. She presented with anemia, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly. Flow cytometry demonstrated two immunophenotypically distinct CD5-positive monoclonal B cell populations. Peripheral blood fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was positive for IGH/CCND1, consistent with t(11;14) translocation. She received 6 cycles of bendamustine 70 mg/m2/day for 2 days and rituximab on the first day every 4 weeks along with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. She had an excellent response, and repeat computed tomography after her third cycle of chemotherapy revealed no organomegaly or lymphadenopathy. Her peripheral blood lymphocytosis also resolved. Bone marrow examination revealed no detectable flow-cytometric evidence of MCL or CLL. Repeat cytogenetic and FISH analysis were also normal. The patient remains in complete remission 20 months after her initial diagnosis and is receiving maintenance rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks every 6 months for 2 years.
Short Hospital Stay and Low Complication Rate Are Possible with a Fully Implemented Fast-Track Model after Elective Colonic Surgery
Authors: Christensen H.K. , Thaysen H.V. , Rodt S.Å. , Carlsson P. , Laurberg S.
Published: March 2011

Purpose: The aim was to implement a fast-track model in a colorectal unit. We evaluated its effects on hospital stay and complication rate after elective open colonic surgery. Methods: A fast-track programme was fully implemented, with a dedicated staff and a schedule for all perioperative procedures which included provision of information to patients, surgical guidelines, mobilisation and postoperative care. All previously existing procedures were modified according to previously published guidelines. Criteria for success with regard to the length of hospital stay and rates and types of complications were defined. Fast-tracked patients were compared with patients not included in the programmes that were operated during the same period. Results: 131 fast-tracked patients were compared with 39 control patients. The fast track significantly reduced the median hospital stay from 7 to 3 days (p < 0.0001). There was no difference in complication rates between the two groups, and no major complications were observed after early discharge from the hospital. The readmission rate was 15% in the fast-track group and 16% with the control patients. Conclusion: Implementation of a fast track after open elective colonic surgery is safe and reduces the length of hospital stay.
Serum Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone as a Predictor of Cognitive Impairment in an Elderly Cohort
Authors: Forti Paola , Olivelli Valentina , Rietti Elisa , Maltoni Benedetta , Pirazzoli Gianluca , Gatti Rita , Gioia Maria Grazia , Ravaglia Giovanni
Published: March 2011

Background: It is unclear whether in late life serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) predicts risk of developing cognitive impairment. Objective: This study investigated the prospective relationship of serum TSH with the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) in an elderly cohort with a 4-year follow-up. Methods: Data are for 660 subjects aged 65 years and older from an Italian population-based cohort who were cognitively normal at an extensive assessment in 1999/2000 and underwent follow-up assessment in 2003/2004. Serum TSH was measured at baseline. Multinomial logistic models adjusted for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors were used to investigate the association of serum TSH (both as a tertile and continuous log-transformed variable) with risk of incident MCI, AD and VaD diagnosed according to international criteria. Results: Over 3.8 ± 0.7 years of follow-up, there were 149 incident MCI cases (77 with impairment of memory and 72 with impairment of nonmemory domains) and 86 incident dementia cases (53 with AD, 28 with VaD). No association between baseline TSH and risk of developing any MCI subtype or AD was found. The highest TSH tertile had a threefold higher increased risk of VaD (OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.01–10.77, p = 0.048) compared to the lowest tertile. Risk of VaD increased about 60% for each 1 SD increase in log-transformed TSH (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.06–2.44, p = 0.025). Conclusions: In this elderly cohort, baseline TSH was not related to the risk of developing MCI or AD, but high TSH was associated with an increased risk of VaD. These results suggest further need for research using larger samples to examine the role of TSH as a predictor of VaD and the role of thyroid autoimmunity in vascular cognitive impairment.
Statins for the Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Tuo , Shen Ling-Hong , Hu Liu-Hua , He Ben
Published: March 2011

Background: Retrospective and prospective studies have demonstrated that statins have a protective effect in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), but there are currently no established guidelines for statin timing or dosage. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine whether statin administration is protective and the magnitude of their effect. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI and ISI Proceedings for cohort studies comparing the CIN incidence in a chronic statin pretreatment group and a statin-naïve group, as well as for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing short-term high-dose to short-term low-dose statin treatment or placebo. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine >25% or 0.5 mg/dl (44.2 µmol/l). Qualitative analysis of cohort studies and quantitative analysis of RCTs to estimate pooled risk ratios were performed. Results: Among 6 cohort studies, 4 showed chronic statin pretreatment had a preventive effect against CIN. From 6 RCTs, 1,194 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Under the fixed-effects model, a nonsignificant protective trend toward decreased incidence of CIN with periprocedural short-term high-dose statin treatment was seen (RR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.48–1.02). Conclusion: Current data are not conclusive to whether statins are protective for CIN due to the inherent limitations of the included studies. In the future, large well-designed studies are needed to address the effect of this drug and its longer-term clinical outcomes.
Cost-effectiveness of dabigatran etexilate for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation: A Canadian payer perspective
Authors: Kansal Anuraag , Connolly Stuart , Peng Siyang , Linnehan John , Bradley-Kennedy Carole , Plumb Jonathan , Sorensen Sonja
Published: March 2011

Oral dabigatran etexilate is indicated for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in whom anticoagulation is appropriate. Based on the RE-LY study we investigated the cost-effectiveness of Health Canada approved dabigatran etexilate dosing (150 mg bid for patients <80 years, 110 mg bid for patients ≥80 years) versus warfarin and “real-world” prescribing (i.e. warfarin, aspirin, or no treatment in a cohort of warfarin-eligible patients) from a Canadian payer perspective. A Markov model simulated AF patients at moderate to high risk of stroke while tracking clinical events [primary and recurrent ischaemic strokes, systemic embolism, transient ischaemic attack, haemorrhage (intracranial, extracranial, and minor), acute myocardial infarction and death] and resulting functional disability. Acute event costs and resulting long-term follow-up costs incurred by disabled stroke survivors were based on a Canadian prospective study, published literature, and national statistics. Clinical events, summarized as events per 100 patient-years, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), total costs, and incremental cost effectiveness ratios (ICER) were calculated. Over a lifetime, dabigatran etexilate treated patients experienced fewer intracranial haemorrhages (0.49 dabigatran etexilate vs. 1.13 warfarin vs. 1.05 “real-world” prescribing) and fewer ischaemic strokes (4.40 dabigatran etexilate vs. 4.66 warfarin vs. 5.16 “real-world” prescribing) per 100 patient-years. The ICER of dabigatran etexilate was $10,440/QALY versus warfarin and $3,962/QALY versus “real-world” prescribing. This study demonstrates that dabigatran etexilate is a highly cost-effective alternative to current care for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism among Canadian AF patients.
The Contribution of Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies on Australian Summer Rainfall during El Niño Events
Authors: Taschetto Andréa S. , Sen Gupta Alex , Hendon Harry H. , Ummenhofer Caroline C. , England Matthew H.
Published: March 2011

This study investigates the impact of Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies on the atmospheric circulation of the Southern Hemisphere during El Niño events, with a focus on Australian climate. During El Niño episodes, the tropical Indian Ocean exhibits two types of SST response: a uniform “basinwide warming” and a dipole mode—the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD). While the impacts of the IOD on climate have been extensively studied, the effects of the basinwide warming, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, have received less attention. The interannual basinwide warming response has important implications for Southern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation because 1) it accounts for a greater portion of the Indian Ocean monthly SST variance than the IOD pattern and 2) its maximum amplitude occurs during austral summer to early autumn, when large parts of Australia, South America, and Africa experience their monsoon. Using observations and numerical experiments with an atmospheric general circulation model forced with historical SST from 1949 to 2005 over different tropical domains, the authors show that the basinwide warming leads to a Gill–Matsuno-type response that reinforces the anomalies caused by changes in the Pacific as part of El Niño. In particular, the basinwide warming drives strong subsidence over Australia, prolonging the dry conditions during January–March, when El Niño–related SST starts to decay. In addition to the anomalous circulation in the tropics, the basinwide warming excites a pair of barotropic anomalies in the Indian Ocean extratropics that induces an anomalous anticyclone in the Great Australian Bight.
Adjoint Sensitivity of the Niño-3 Surface Temperature to Wind Forcing
Authors: Zhang Xuebin , Cornuelle Bruce , Roemmich Dean
Published: March 2011

The evolution of sea surface temperature (SST) over the eastern equatorial Pacific plays a significant role in the intense tropical air–sea interaction there and is of central importance to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Effects of atmospheric fields (especially wind stress) and ocean state on the eastern equatorial Pacific SST variations are investigated using the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model (MITgcm) and its adjoint model, which can calculate the sensitivities of a cost function (in this case the averaged 0–30-m temperature in the Niño-3 region during an ENSO event peak) to previous atmospheric forcing fields and ocean state going backward in time. The sensitivity of the Niño-3 surface temperature to monthly zonal wind stress in preceding months can be understood by invoking mixed layer heat balance, ocean dynamics, and especially linear equatorial wave dynamics. The maximum positive sensitivity of the Niño-3 surface temperature to local wind forcing usually happens ~1–2 months before the peak of the ENSO event and is hypothesized to be associated with the Ekman pumping mechanism. In model experiments, its magnitude is closely related to the subsurface vertical temperature gradient, exhibiting strong event-to-event differences with strong (weak) positive sensitivity during La Niña (strong El Niño) events. The adjoint sensitivity to remote wind forcing in the central and western equatorial Pacific is consistent with the standard hypothesis that the remote wind forcing affects the Niño-3 surface temperature indirectly by exciting equatorial Kelvin and Rossby waves and modulating thermocline depth in the Niño-3 region. The current adjoint sensitivity study is consistent with a previous regression-based sensitivity study derived from perturbation experiments. Finally, implication for ENSO monitoring and prediction is also discussed.
Physical Mechanisms Regulating Summertime Rainfall over Northwestern Australia
Authors: Berry Gareth , Reeder Michael J. , Jakob Christian
Published: March 2011

Summertime (December–February) rainfall over northwestern Australia has increased significantly since the middle of the twentieth century. As a prerequisite to understanding the observed trend, this investigation examines the broad characteristics of rainfall and identifies the physical mechanisms by which rainfall in the region is initiated. This is achieved using a combination of in situ, spaceborne, and numerical reanalysis datasets.

Hourly pluviograph data and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)-3B42 dataset show distinctly different diurnal cycles of rainfall in different geographical subregions; near the coast, rainfall rates peak in the midafternoon, whereas inland (near the maximum rainfall trend) the rainfall rate is largest overnight. These data also indicate that most of the summertime rain falls in events lasting 2–5 days. Analysis of the ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) demonstrates that convergence into the continental heat low controls the diurnal cycle of rainfall but cannot explain the synoptic variability.

Composites of wet and dry conditions from ERA-Interim expose synoptic-scale differences in the environmental flow. Prior to rain falling in the interior of northwestern Australia, there is a distinct shift in the origins of low-level air parcels, such that air with high convective available potential energy is advected from the tropical maritime regions, rather than from over the continent. Preliminary analysis suggests that these flow changes may be linked to transient synoptic disturbances such as midlatitude cyclones and monsoon lows. Rather than reflecting a large-scale change in the ocean state, these results imply that the observed increase in rainfall may be linked more closely to changes in the synoptic weather systems.
Bisphosphonates Induce Senescence in Normal Human Oral Keratinocytes
Authors: Kim R.H. , Lee R.S. , Williams D. , Bae S. , Woo J. , Lieberman M. , Oh J.-E. , Dong Q. , Shin K.-H. , Kang M.K. , Park N.-H.
Published: March 2011

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) commonly occurs in individuals receiving bisphosphonates (BPs) with clinical manifestations of the exposed necrotic bone. Although defective wound healing of soft tissue is frequently, if not always, observed in BRONJ, the effects of BPs on oral soft tissue or cells remain unknown. To investigate the effects of BPs on cells of oral mucosal tissue, we studied the effect of pamidronate (PAM), one of the BPs most commonly administered to cancer patients, on the phenotypes of normal human oral keratinocytes (NHOK) and fibroblasts (NHOF). When exposed to PAM at 10 µM, NHOK, not NHOF, underwent senescence: NHOK overexpressed senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal), p16INK4A, IL-6, and IL-8. When exposed to a higher level (50 µM) of PAM, NHOK maintained senescent phenotypes, but NHOF underwent apoptosis. PAM-induced senescence in NHOK is mediated, in part, via geranylgeranylation of the mevalonate pathway. Our in vitro 3D oral mucosal tissue construction studies further demonstrated that PAM induced senescence and impaired re-epithelialization of oral mucosa. Analysis of these data indicates that premature senescence of oral mucosal cells and subsequent defective soft-tissue wound healing might be partly responsible for the development of BRONJ in individuals receiving PAM or other BPs.
Getting into the Script of Adult Child Sex Offenders and Mapping out Situational Prevention Measures
Authors: Leclerc Benoit , Wortley Richard , Smallbone Stephen
Published: March 2011

The current study describes and examines the crime-commission process followed in child sex offending. There are two major aims in this study. The first aim is to propose a script model in child sex offending. The second aim is to show the relevance of completing crime scripts to identify situational crime prevention measures. One of the weaknesses in the current crime script literature is the absence of proposed prevention measures. Besides Cornish, only Clarke and Newman have used crime scripts for its main purpose, which is to offer a way to develop situational crime prevention techniques. In this study, situational prevention measures are mapped onto the crime-commission process in child sex offending.
Assessment and Case Law
Authors: Russell Joshua A.
Published: March 2011

Assessment continues to be a topic of discussion and concern for many music educators and music teacher educators. The discussion of assessment in music education can spark lively and passionate debate among music educators, music teacher educators, students, policy makers, and parents alike. This article offers a discussion of some of the litigation that has taken place in American courts that may significantly affect how many music educators assess their students now and in the future. Several steps are presented to help music educators create grading policies that meet legal guidelines as outlined by court rulings.
Preparing for Teaching through Reflection
Authors: Snyder David W.
Published: March 2011

University programs often require preservice music educators to complete some small- or large-group instruction before beginning student teaching. One of the tools used to deepen these preservice teaching experiences and consequently the pedagogical knowledge for these teachers is to have them reflect on their teaching episodes. Video reflection allows preservice teachers to examine their own teaching. This article presents excerpts of video reflections taken from preservice music teachers. Some of the areas where video reflection proved effective in improving instruction were (1) reducing the amount of teacher talking and increasing the amount of student playing, (2) structuring of the lesson, and (3) attention to student playing errors. Applications taken from this research are also presented.
Factors Associated With Low Achievement Among Students From Nairobi’s Urban Informal Neighborhoods
Authors: Ejakait Epari , Mutisya Maurice , Ezeh Alex , Oketch Moses , Ngware Moses
Published: March 2011

This article contributes new evidence on factors associated with low achievement among pupils in urban informal neighborhoods in Nairobi, Kenya. The authors use three different data sets to examine the effect of residence in particular neighborhoods, pupil gender, primary school type, and household socioeconomic status on pupil achievement in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination results for 2005 and 2006. Results suggest that residence in Nairobi’s informal neighborhoods of Korogocho and Viwandani, enrollment in a public school, and one’s gender, if female, are the strongest explanatory variables for low achievement. Policy implications from the study results are discussed.
Effects of Ethnicity and Gender on Teachers’ Evaluation of Students’ Spoken Responses
Authors: Shepherd Michael A.
Published: March 2011

To update and extend research on teachers’ expectations of students of different sociocultural groups, 57 Black, White, Asian, and Hispanic teachers were asked to evaluate responses spoken by Black, White, and Hispanic 2nd- and 3rd-grade boys and girls. The results show that responses perceived as spoken by minority boys, minority girls, and White boys were evaluated less favorably than identically worded responses perceived as spoken by White girls. This suggests that teachers hold relatively low expectations of minority students and of boys. Teachers of all sociocultural groups evidenced such expectations, but Black and Hispanic teachers more strongly.
Arendt and Bourdieu between Word and Deed
Authors: Topper Keith
Published: March 2011

This essay investigates questions about the relationship between language, speech, and democratic institutions by bringing into conversation Hannah Arendt’s and Pierre Bourdieu’s distinctive views of the politics of language and speech. First, I explicate Arendt’s account of the connection between speech, action, and identity disclosure, as well as its role in her broad conception of political institutions. Next, I complicate this outlook by examining Bourdieu’s political sociology of language, focusing on the ways that linguistic competences valorized in particular institutional settings operate as mechanisms of silencing, domination, and exclusion. Finally, I bring these approaches together by investigating political events—AIDS activism in the United States during the 1980s and early 1990s—that raise critical issues regarding the politics of language and speech within a specific institutional setting. By reading Arendt and Bourdieu together in the context of these events, one can develop a defensible account of the politics of speech in democratic theory and practice.
Effect of HMGCR Variant Alleles on Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol—Lowering Response to Atorvastatin in Healthy Korean Subjects
Authors: Chung Jae Yong , Cho Sung Kweon , Oh Eun Sil , Lee Dong Hwan , Lim Lay Ahyoung , Jang Seong Bok , Lee Yoon Jung , Park Kyungsoo , Park Min Soo
Published: March 2011

The investigators quantified the relationship between the genetic polymorphism of HMGCR (3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase) and the low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C)–lowering effects of atorvastatin in a prospective clinical study. Twenty‐four healthy participants were grouped into HMGCR rs3846662 GG (n = 13) and AA (n = 11) genotypes and given atorvastatin (20 mg/d) for 14 days. Serum levels of LDL‐C, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine kinase (CK) were measured before (day 1) and 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, and 28 days after dosing initiation. Blood samples for pharmacokinetics were taken on days 14 through 16. The levels of LDL‐C in the GG group were significantly higher than in the AA group at all observation times, with mean differences of 18% to 33% (P < .05). The area under the LDL‐C—time curve and the minimum value of LDL‐C in the GG group were 24% and 23% higher than in the AA group, respectively (P < .01). There was no significant difference in other lipids, CK, and pharmacokinetic parameters. The HMGCR rs3846662 GG genotype was quantitatively documented to be a significant determinant for higher LDL‐C level in basal state and possibly in response to atorvastatin.
Sacrifice No More
Authors: Dewey Joanna
Published: March 2011

This article argues against understanding Christ’s death as sacrifice. Using the work of Jay, Stowers, and others, it describes the work of sacrifice in establishing a male-dominated hierarchical social order and the marginalization of women. It then considers the uses of sacrifice in the Second Testament and the warning passages in Hebrews reflecting the logic of sacrifice. It concludes with a few observations on sacrifice today.
Paul’s Vision of the Risen Lord
Authors: Schmisek Brian
Published: March 2011

Paul, the one New Testament author who states clearly that Jesus appeared to him, has been cited as one who understood the resurrection of Jesus as fleshly, or physical. This article examines whether Paul himself understood the result of what happened to Jesus after his death to be a physical reality akin to the return of Jesus alive in the flesh. By investigating the three passages in which Paul refers to his own life-changing experience of the risen Christ (Gal 1:16; 1 Cor 9:1; 1 Cor 15:8), the article shows that there is just as much evidence to argue that Paul’s encounter with the risen Lord was a real, but interior, experience.
Policy process, policy learning, and the role of the provincial media in China
Authors: Yik Chan Chin
Published: March 2011

This article examines the multifaceted roles of provincial media and officials in China’s Guangdong province in the national policy process, and their patterns in articulating policy influence through policy implementation and learning. Key issues are (1) the role of the province in policy formulation, implementation and learning; (2) the mechanism whereby provincial media can influence national policy makers; and (3) the function of policy learning in the overseas television channels policy process. Analysis has found: (1) despite there being little space for provincial media to participate in national policy formulation, they have practised great discretion in policy implementation; (2) policy input is primarily through the policy learning process; and (3) the policy learning process in Guangdong not only functioned as a response mechanism to the legacies of previous policies, but also provided a legitimate platform for provincial media to negotiate with central government for both policy change and policy incentives.
The media and the literacies: media literacy, information literacy, digital literacy
Authors: Koltay Tibor
Published: March 2011

With the advent of digital technologies, awareness of media is acquiring crucial importance. Media literacy, information literacy and digital literacy are the three most prevailing concepts that focus on a critical approach towards media messages.This article gives an overview of the nature of these literacies, which show both similarities to and differences from each other. The various contexts of their functioning are outlined and additional literacies are mentioned. Especial attention is given to the question of the blurring line between media consumers and producers.
Inverting film policy: film as nation builder in post-Soviet Russia, 1991-2005
Authors: Van Gorp Jasmijn
Published: March 2011

The collapse of the Soviet Union marked the beginning of a search for a national identity in Russia. This article investigates whether the Russian State recognized cinema as a cultural good for nation-building purposes. On the basis of qualitative and quantitative methods, it is demonstrated that after 1994, films with a national claim became more likely than other films to obtain state support. This was not the result of a deliberate policy, but rather an expression of a prevailing common sense whereby filmmakers and other stakeholders were preoccupied with a national identity. From 2000 onwards, stimulating the construction of a national identity became one of the primary policy goals. Paradoxically, the communication of such policy goal provided no guarantee for an increased output of national films. The case of the post-Soviet Russian film policy shows that the creation of a common sense often has a greater impact than policy measures.
Parenting and Feeding Behaviors Associated With School-Aged African American and White Children
Authors: Polfuss Michele Lynn , Frenn Marilyn
Published: March 2011

Pediatric obesity is multifactorial and difficult to treat. Parenting and feeding behaviors have been shown to influence a child’s weight status. Most prior studies have focused on preschool-aged White children. Additional complicating factors include parents’ inability to accurately identify their child’s abnormal weight status. Parenting and feeding behaviors used by 176 African American and White parents of school-age children were examined. Assessment included (a) identifying what behaviors were reported when parent expressed concern with child’s weight and (b) the relationship of these behaviors on child’s body mass index percentile (BMI%), considering ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and parent’s body mass index (BMI). Findings included African American parents and parents concerned about their child’s weight exhibited increased controlling/authoritarian parenting and feeding behaviors. Parents were able to accurately identify their child’s weight status. Parenting and feeding behaviors played a significant role in the children’s BMI% even when controlling for ethnicity, SES, and parent’s BMI.
How should we teach everyday skills in dementia? A controlled study comparing implicit and explicit training methods
Authors: van Tilborg Ilse ADA , Kessels Roy PC , Hulstijn Wouter
Published: March 2011

Objective: To compare the immediate and delayed effects of implicit and explicit training methods for everyday skills in patients with dementia.

Design: Counterbalanced self-controlled cases series.

Subjects: Convenience sample of 10 patients with dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination score between 15 and 26) and 16 age- and education-matched controls.

Intervention: Two everyday tasks (using a microwave oven and a coffee machine) that were novel to all participants were trained in five 15-minute sessions. Each participant learned both tasks, one using an implicit learning method (modelling) and the other using an explicit learning method (providing verbal cues). Tasks and conditions were counterbalanced.

Measures: The participants’ performance was videotaped to assess how well the tasks were performed before training, after each training session, and 7–10 days after the final training session. A rater, who was blind to the training method used, scored the number of correctly executed steps by viewing the videotapes.

Results: The two training methods were effective in both the patient and healthy control groups, with there being a significant baseline-to-follow-up increase in the number of correctly completed steps (P < 0.001). There were no differences between the training methods (P = 0.16) and no significant interaction between training method and group (P = 0.31).

Conclusions: Older patients with mild dementia are able to acquire new skills that are relevant for daily life, showing a similar rate of learning regardless of whether implicit or explicit learning techniques are used.
An initial exploration of the perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation to measure arm sensation following stroke
Authors: Hedman Lois D , Sullivan Jane E
Published: March 2011

Objective: To explore the viability of the perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation to measure light touch sensation in the hands of stroke survivors.

Design: Descriptive study.

Setting: University research laboratory.

Subjects: Twenty-nine adult community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors.

Main measure(s): Perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation, stroke rehabilitation assessment of movement, Nottingham sensory assessment for stereognosis, action research arm test, Fugl-Meyer assessment of sensation and motor activity log 14.

Results: Perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation mean threshold values were 1.23 (0.6) milliamperes (range 0.5–3.5) for the uninvolved side and 1.68 (0.91) milliamperes (range 0.5–4.5) for the involved side. The perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation demonstrated excellent intra-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.896 – uninvolved; 0.829 – involved). There was a statistically significant difference between the perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation mean threshold values for the uninvolved and involved arms ( P = 0.003), but this significance did not hold for subjects who had normal sensation as measured by the Fugl-Meyer assessment of sensation ( P = 0.083). Low to nonexistent correlations were found between the perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation and other measures of sensation, arm movement, activity and participation.

Conclusions: The perceptual threshold test using electrical stimulation is a reliable and clinically feasible test with the potential to identify sensory capacity in stroke survivors with substantial sensory loss. Electrical sensory thresholds do not reflect overall sensory function or motor capabilities in stroke survivors.
A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of intermittent cervical traction for patients with chronic neck pain
Authors: Chiu Thomas TW , Ng Joseph Kim-Fai , Walther-Zhang Barbro , Lin Rex JH , Ortelli Luc , Chua Siew Kuan
Published: March 2011

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of intermittent cervical traction in the treatment of chronic neck pain over a 12-week follow-up.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Hospital-based outpatient practice.

Subjects: Seventy-nine patients with chronic neck pain.

Interventions: Subjects were randomly assigned to either experimental group ( n = 39, mean age = 50.5 ± 9.8) or control group ( n = 40, mean age = 48.8 ± 9.1). Experimental group received intermittent cervical traction and control group received infrared irradiation alone; twice a week over a period of six weeks.

Outcome measurements: The values of Chinese version of the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), verbal numerical pain scale (VNPS), and cervical active range of motion (AROM) were measured at baseline, six-week and 12-week follow-up.

Results: No significant differences were found between the two groups in the NPQ ( P > 0.05), VNPS ( P > 0.05) and AROM ( P > 0.05).
Efficacy of gait trainer as an adjunct to traditional physical therapy on walking performance in hemiparetic cerebral palsied children: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gharib Nevein MM , El-Maksoud Gehan M Abd , Rezk-Allah Soheir S
Published: March 2011

Objective: To assess the effects of additional gait trainer assisted walking exercises on walking performance in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.

Design: A randomized controlled study.

Setting: Paediatric physical therapy outpatient clinic.

Subjects: Thirty spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsied children of both sexes (10–13 years – 19 girls and 11 boys).

Methods: Children were randomly assigned into two equal groups; experimental and control groups. Participants in both groups received a traditional physical therapy exercise programme. Those in the experimental group received additional gait trainer based walking exercises which aimed to improve walking performance. Treatment was provided three times per week for three successive months.

Main measures: Children received baseline and post-treatment assessments using Biodex Gait Trainer 2 assessment device to evaluate gait parameters including: average step length, walking speed, time on each foot (% of gait cycle) and ambulation index.

Results: Children in the experimental group showed a significant improvement as compared with those in the control group. The ambulation index was 75.53±7.36 (11.93 ± 2.89 change score) for the experimental group and 66.06 ± 5.48 (2.13 ± 4.43 change score) for the control group ( t = 3.99 and P = 0.0001). Time of support for the affected side was 42.4 ± 3.37 (7 ± 2.20 change score) for the experimental group and 38.06 ± 4.63 (3.33 ± 6.25 change score) for the control group ( t = 2.92 and P = 0.007). Also, there was a significant improvement in step length and walking speed in both groups.

Conclusion: Gait trainer combined with traditional physiotherapy increase the chance of improving gait performance in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy.
The Trouble With Thinking Like Arena: Learning to Use Simulation Software
Authors: Rodgers Diane M. , Moraga Reinaldo J.
Published: March 2011

Simulation software used for modeling has become as ubiquitous as computers themselves. Despite growing reliance on simulation in educational and workplace settings, users encounter frustration in using simulation software programs. The authors conducted a study with 26 engineering students and interviewed them about their experience learning the simulation software Arena for optimization modeling. These students experienced frustration with the process of learning to “think” like the simulation software. Students explained their difficulty with learning the software in a way that implied human dialogue with a machine and negotiation with Arena in an attempt to overcome this frustration. Rather than being gender specific, frustrations were experienced by most male and female students equally, specifically those who held a perception of difference between human and machine “thinking.” The authors contend that communication difficulty with the embedded assumptions of the software is the source of frustration rather than deficiencies of users.
Global Public Leadership in a Technological Era
Authors: Masciulli Joseph
Published: March 2011

Good (ethical and effective) global public leadership—by national politicians, intergovernmental and nongovernmental international organizational leaders, multinational corporate leaders, and technoscientists—will make a significant positive difference in our global system’s capacity to solve contemporary and futuristic global problems. High levels of social, economic, political, and ethical vision; expert communication; strategic thinking; and contextual and emotional intelligence by leaders and followers will be needed to interpret global problematic situations and contexts, determine the probable causal mechanisms at work in bringing about global problems, and arrive at global, national, and local solutions. We live in dangerous times. For our globalizing—disseminating and converging—technologies present problems and system-destroying possibilities that challenge the common goods of all humanity, other species, and the biosphere. In these uncertain and complex times, the need for effective and ethical democratic leaders, advised by ethical and creative technoscientific leaders, is greater than ever. The contextual intelligence and other excellent (virtuous) qualities of these leaders, and the lack of bad leadership, will help our globalizing human societies avoid the greatest systemic dangers we face.
Scientific Method and the Regulation of Health and Nutritional Claims by the European Food Safety Authority
Authors: Hoad Darren
Published: March 2011

The protection of European consumers from the false or misleading scientific and nutritional claims of food manufacturers took a step forward with the recent opinions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). As a risk assessment agency, the EFSA recently assessed and rejected a vast number of food claim forcing the withdrawal of many claims from leading manufacturers. Focusing on the functional food sector, consumer protection issues, and market impacts, this article looks into the role of the EFSA and examines the rejection of claims based on bad and misleading science and outlines how the EFSA map claims and distinguishes between the good and bad scientific methods.