bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catholic Theology in the Thirteenth Century and the Origins of Secularism
Authors: Van Nieuwenhove Rik
Published: October 2010

This article examines two distinct responses to the reception of Aristotle in the thirteenth century: the Bonaventurean and the Thomist.The outcome of this debate (and the Condemnations of 1277) led to the modern separation of faith and reason. Rather than seeing voluntarism and nominalism as the cause of the modern separation of faith and reason, and theology and philosophy, it will be suggested that it is actually the other way around: the Bonaventurean response indirectly resulted in the growing separation of faith and reason, which led, in turn, to voluntarism. It is important not to confuse the Thomist and Franciscan responses, as sometimes happens in recent scholarship, including in the work of Gavin D’Costa, as will be shown. Both the Thomist and the Bonaventurean approaches are legitimate resources to respond to the (post)-secular context in which we find ourselves, and the former should not be reduced to the latter.
Pannenberg on Divine Personhood
Authors: Whapham Theodore James
Published: October 2010

Does the notion of ‘Trinitarian persons’ have any practical value for the lives of Christians today? While theologians such as Karl Barth and Karl Rahner have famously argued that ‘person’ is an outdated term that can no longer adequately speak to contemporary Christians because of shifts in the term’s meaning, others like Wolfhart Pannenberg are convinced that these shifts are the precise reason that the term ‘person’ is more valuable than ever for trying to understand God and the divine/world relation. This article seeks to set out a clearer definition of Pannenberg’s use of the term ‘person’ in contrast to the definitions set out by Barth and Rahner and will use this definition to demonstrate the significance of Trinitarian personhood for theology.
Potential of the Tannerella forsythia S-layer to Delay the Immune Response
Authors: Sekot G. , Posch G. , Messner P. , Matejka M. , Rausch-Fan X. , Andrukhov O. , Schäffer C.
Published: October 2010

The periodontal pathogen Tannerella forsythia possesses a glycosylated S-layer as an outermost cell decoration. While the S-layer provides a selection advantage to the bacterium in the natural habitat, its virulence potential remains to be investigated. In the present study, the immune responses of human macrophages and gingival fibroblasts upon stimulation with wild-type T. forsythia and an S-layer-deficient mutant were investigated. The mRNA expression levels of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8 were analyzed by qPCR, and the production of the corresponding cytokines was investigated by ELISA. The S-layer-deficient T. forsythia mutant induced significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory mediators compared with wild-type T. forsythia, especially at the early phase of response. Analysis of these data suggests that the S-layer of T. forsythia is an important virulence factor that attenuates the host immune response to this pathogen by evading the bacterium’s recognition by the innate immune system. Abbreviations: DMSO, dimethylsulfoxide; FBS, fetal bovine serum; GAPDH, glycerinaldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase; HGFs, human gingival fibroblasts; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; MEM, minimal essential medium; MTT, 3,4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide; OD, optical density; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; qPCR, quantitative polymerase chain-reaction; SD, standard deviation; Tannerella forsythia ATCC 43037, Tf wt; Tannerella forsythia ATCC 43037 S-layer mutant, Tf ΔtfsAB.
Differentiating Dental Pulp Cells via RGD-Dendrimer Conjugates
Authors: Kim J.K. , Shukla R. , Casagrande L. , Sedgley C. , Nör J.E. , Baker J.R. , Hill E.E.
Published: October 2010

Traumatic dental injuries are often irreversible, underscoring the need for therapies that protect dental pulp cells and enhance their regeneration. We hypothesized that generation 5 poly amido amine (PAMAM) dendrimers (G5), functionalized with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FL) and αVβ3-specific, cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptides, will bind to dental pulp cells (DPCs) and modulate their differentiation. Dental pulp cells and mouse odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23) (±) treated with G5-FL-RGD were analyzed via Western blot, RT-PCR, and quantitative PCR. Transcription of dental differentiation markers was as follows: Dentin matrix protein (DMP-1), dentin sialoprotein (DSPP), and matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE) as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) all increased via the JNK pathway. Long-term G5-RGD treatment of dental pulp cells resulted in enhanced mineralization as examined via Von Kossa assay, suggesting that PAMAM dendrimers conjugated to cyclic RGD peptides can increase the odontogenic potential of these cells.
Proportional Reduction of Prediction Error in Cross-Classified Random Effects Models
Authors: Luo Wen , Kwok Oi-Man
Published: October 2010

As an extension of hierarchical linear models (HLMs), cross-classified random effects models (CCREMs) are used for analyzing multilevel data that do not have strictly hierarchical structures. Proportional reduction in prediction error, a multilevel version of the R2 in ordinary multiple regression, measures the predictive ability of a model and is useful in model selection. However, such a measure is not yet available for CCREMs. Using a two-level random-intercept CCREM, the authors have investigated how the estimated variance components change when predictors are added and have extended the measures of proportional reduction in prediction error from HLMs to CCREMs. The extended measures are generally unbiased for both balanced and unbalanced designs. An example is provided to illustrate the computation and interpretation of these measures in CCREMs.
Assessing Group Differences in Estimated Baseline Survivor Functions From Cox Proportional Hazards Models
Authors: Powers Daniel A.
Published: October 2010

The author discusses the general problem of evaluating differences in adjusted survivor functions and develops a heuristic approach to generate the expected events that would occur under a Cox proportional hazards model. Differences in the resulting expected survivor distributions can be tested using generalized log rank tests. This method should prove useful for making other kinds of comparisons and generating adjusted life tables. The author also discusses alternative specifications of the classical Cox model that allow time-varying effects and thus permit a more direct assessment of group differences at various points in time. He implements recently developed semiparametric approaches for estimating time-varying effects, which permit statistical tests of group difference in effects as well as tests of time-invariant effects. He shows that these approaches can provide insight into the nature of time-varying effects and can help reveal the temporal dynamic of group differences.
Citizen Chávez
Authors: Spanakos Anthony Peter
Published: October 2010

Scholars are divided over whether the emancipatory politics promised by new social movements can be attained within civil society or whether seizure of the state apparatus is necessary. The Bolivarian Revolution led by President Hugo Chávez presents a crucial case for examining this question. Chávez’s use of the state apparatus has been fundamental in broadening the concept of citizenship, but this extension of citizenship has occurred alongside the deliberate exclusion of others. This has not only limited its appeal as a citizenship project but created counterpublics that challenge the functioning of the government and its very legitimacy. Analysis of Bolivarianism in terms of micropublics shows both how otherwise disparate micropublics fuse together and why their union remains contingent and dependent on the figure of Chávez, its most significant producer.
Populism’s Achilles’ Heel
Authors: Motta Sara C.
Published: October 2010

Minimalist definitions of populism, which are dominant in “Western” analysis, conceptualize Chavismo as a form of illiberal populism A methodological, theoretical, and empirical critique of the applicability of the term “populism” to contemporary Venezuelan politics, focused on the lived experiences of the popular classes in communal councils and urban land committees, reveals that its use masks an innovative and contradictory political process aimed at creating popular democratic subjects and a popular democracy beyond the liberal state and the market economy.
Correa, Indigenous Movements, and the Writing of a New Constitution in Ecuador
Authors: Becker Marc
Published: October 2010

In 2008, voters in Ecuador approved a new and progressive constitution. Indigenous leaders questioned whether the new document would benefit social movements or strengthen the hand of President Rafael Correa, who appeared to be occupying political spaces that they had previously held. Correa’s relations with indigenous movements point to the complications, limitations, and deep tensions inherent in pursuing revolutionary changes within a constitutional framework. Although the indigenous movements, as well as most social movements, shared Correa’s stated desire to curtail neoliberal policies and implement social and economic strategies that would benefit the majority of the country’s people, they increasingly clashed over how to realize those objectives. The political outcome of the new constitution depended not on the actions of the constituent assembly but on whether organized civil society could force the government to implement the ideals that the assembly had drafted.
What’s New in Brazil’s “New Social Movements”?
Authors: Reiter Bernd
Published: October 2010

The concept of “new social movements,” characterized by a focus on identity, cannot readily be transferred to a Latin American context. Latin America never experienced the postmaterialist turn that led some to call certain European social movements “new.” In addition, as the case of black organizing in Brazil demonstrates, identity-based Latin American social movements are much older than the literature suggests. What was indeed a Latin American novelty of the 1980s was the massive emergence of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). In the case of Brazil, these organizations emerged in response to new financial opportunities provided by international donors and the coercive and paternalistic actions of states, a reality that the concept of new social movements is unable to capture. Both the long history of identity-based organizing and the emergence of NGOs can be explained by focusing on political opportunities and changing protest repertoires.
Use of Tissue Cross-reactivity Studies in the Development of Antibody-based Biopharmaceuticals
Authors: Leach Michael W. , Halpern Wendy G. , Johnson Carol W. , Rojko Jennifer L. , MacLachlan Tim K. , Chan Curtis M. , Galbreath Elizabeth J. , Ndifor Anthony M. , Blanset Diann L. , Polack Evelyne , Cavagnaro Joy A.
Published: October 2010

Tissue cross-reactivity (TCR) studies are screening assays recommended for antibody and antibody-like molecules that contain a complementarity-determining region (CDR), primarily to identify off-target binding and, secondarily, to identify sites of on-target binding that were not previously identified. At the present time, TCR studies involve the ex vivo immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of a panel of frozen tissues from humans and animals, are conducted prior to dosing humans, and results are filed with the initial IND/CTA to support first-in-human clinical trials. In some cases, a robust TCR assay cannot be developed, and in these cases the lack of a TCR assay should not prevent a program from moving forward. The TCR assay by itself has variable correlation with toxicity or efficacy. Therefore, any findings of interest should be further evaluated and interpreted in the context of the overall pharmacology and safety assessment data package. TCR studies are generally not recommended for surrogate molecules or for comparability assessments in the context of manufacturing/cell line changes. Overall, the design, implementation, and interpretation of TCR studies should follow a case-by-case approach.
Multiclass Multimodal Detection and Tracking in Urban Environments
Authors: Spinello Luciano , Triebel Rudolph , Siegwart Roland
Published: October 2010

This paper presents a novel approach to detect and track people and cars based on the combined information retrieved from a camera and a laser range scanner. Laser data points are classified by using boosted Conditional Random Fields, while the image based detector uses an extension of the Implicit Shape Model (ISM), which learns a codebook of local descriptors from a set of hand-labeled images and uses them to vote for centers of detected objects. Our extensions to ISM include the learning of object parts and template masks to obtain more distinctive votes for the particular object classes. The detections from both sensors are then fused and the objects are tracked using a Kalman Filter with multiple motion models. Experiments conducted in real-world urban scenarios demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Intestinal Atresia and Ectopia in a Bovine Fetus
Authors: Lejeune B. , Miclard J. , Stoffel M. H. , Meylan M.
Published: October 2010

A 2-year-old Red Holstein cow was presented with uterine torsion at 235 days of pregnancy. The fetus extracted by cesarean section had weak vital signs and marked abdominal distention. An edematous pouch that contained tubular structures with peristaltic activity was associated with the umbilical cord. Because of poor prognosis, both dam and fetus were euthanized. At necropsy, the fetus had severe distention of the forestomachs, abomasum, and proximal small intestine; absence of distal small intestine, cecum, and proximal colon; atresia of the 2 blind ends of the intestine; and atrophy of distal colon and rectum. The tubular structures associated with the umbilical cord were identified as the segments of intestine that were absent in the fetus. Intestinal atresia combined with ectopia may be caused by local ischemia during temporary herniation and rotation of the fetal gut into the extraembryonic coelom. The close connection between ectopic intestine and amniotic sheath of the umbilical cord in this case may have facilitated vascularization and allowed development and viability of the ectopic intestine.
The Politics of Mourning and the Crisis of Poland’s Symbolic Language after April 10
Authors: Niżyńska Joanna
Published: October 2010

This article analyzes the deep political and cultural impact of the plane crash on April 10, 2010. The tragedy that cost the life of a president, Lech Kaczyński, his wife, and a group of leading parliamentarians across political divides took place near the traumatically laden site of the Katyń forest and has led to a crisis of communal symbolic language. The crisis has been apparent in the radical polarization of Polish society over the rhetoric of the main political parties and their interpretations of the crash. However, the crisis transcends the political arena and indicates that Polish society no longer shares a unifying meta-narrative to form its sense of national identity. The author analyzes this process of societal polarization by looking at the stages of mourning—shock of the symbolic absurd, communitas, and the Wawel controversy—and the utilization of the communal affect in the presidential campaign led by the president’s twin brother, Jarosław Kaczyński. The campaign is characterized by the appropriation of the crash as Law and Justice’s “foundational myth” coupled with the language of indeterminacy and deferral to define a political program. At the same time, the crisis is fueled by the utilization of a reductive version of the Romantic paradigm, in which the late president is sacralized (as in Rymkiewicz’s poem) and by the proliferation of conspiracy theories that antagonize the society towards the current government and Russia.
Curvature- and displacement-based finite element analyses of flexible four-bar mechanisms
Authors: Kuo Y-L. , Cleghorn WL
Published: October 2010

The paper presents the applications of the curvature- and displacement-based finite element methods to flexible four-bar mechanisms for the consideration of small strain with large rigid body motion. The displacement-based method usually needs more elements or high-degree polynomials to obtain highly accurate solutions. The curvature-based method assumes a polynomial to approximate a curvature distribution, and the expressions are investigated to obtain the displacement and rotation distributions. During the process, the boundary conditions associated with displacement, rotation, and curvature are imposed, which leads to the great reduction of the number of degrees-of-freedom that are required. The numerical results demonstrate that the errors obtained by applying the curvature-based method are much smaller than those obtained by applying the displacement-based method, based on the comparison of the same number of degrees-of-freedom.
Simulation and experimental investigation on dissipative properties of particle dampers
Authors: Duan Y. , Chen Q.
Published: October 2010

To understand the mechanical properties of Particle Dampers (PD) in depth, this work studies the characteristics of energy dissipation of PDs by computer simulation and vibration experiment. The average loss power is defined to describe the capacity of the energy dissipation of a PD. 3-D Discrete Element Method is employed to evaluate the loss power in the simulation and the steady state power technique is used to measure the loss power in the vibration experiment where the PD is under harmonic excitation and the excitation level and frequency are under control. The restitution coefficient is a major factor in energy dissipation, and modelled with a velocity-dependent function to improve the accuracy of the simulation. Then the dependence of the loss power on excitation level and frequency is verified and the contours of 3-D surface of loss power are obtained. Through the results, it appears that the parameter Aω is the dominant factor of the capacity of energy dissipation for PD, not the dimensionless acceleration Γ = Aω2/g which usually used in the granular study. The comparison between the simulation and experiment results shows that a velocity-dependent restitution coefficient can better model the energy dissipation due to particle motions.
Dynamic modeling and analysis of an elastic mechanism with a nonlinear damping model
Authors: Yuan Da-Ning
Published: October 2010

Dynamic modeling and simulation of a mechanical system with nonlinear strain-frequency-dependent damping are carried out in this paper. First, methods of nonlinear strain-frequency-dependent damping are described, which extracts nonlinear damping information of a damping alloy specimen from the free decay signal by means of the moving autoregressive model method. Second, the viscoelastic theory is introduced to describe the strain-frequency-dependent characteristics of damping more accurately, a viscoelastic three parameter structural damping constitution model is developed whose parameters are identified from the test data by means of an optimization algorithm. The finite element dynamic equations for strain-frequency-dependent damping are derived through the established three parameters constitution. Thirdly, the established element dynamic equations are assembled into the system dynamic equations of an elastic linkage mechanism by means of the kineto-elastodynamic theory, and a closed-form numerical algorithm is constructed in order to solve the high-order differential equations with time-varying coefficients. Lastly, a dynamic simulation example of a four-bar elastic linkage mechanism with damping alloy components is given. It is shown that the elastic vibration can be significantly reduced with the components replaced by damping alloy parts.
Auxiliary state variables for rotor crack detection
Authors: Kulesza Zbigniew , Sawicki Jerzy T
Published: October 2010

In the present study, a new model-based method for rotor crack detection and crack location is proposed. The finite-element model of the rotor-bearing system accounts for the breathing mechanism of the crack. The model of the rotor system is augmented with an auxiliary single-degree-of-freedom oscillator. The observer is designed and the estimates of its two auxiliary state variables are proposed as crack indicators. The crack location along the shaft is determined by designing a set of observers, which calculate the values of these indicators for different possible crack locations along the shaft. The proposed method is validated numerically and the results prove its capability to detect and locate the crack. Further study will include experimental and numerical investigations to make the approach more robust.
Distributed-parameters modeling and control of rod-type solid-state actuators
Authors: Bashash Saeid , Vora Kushan , Jalili Nader
Published: October 2010

While most of the present modeling and control schemes adopt lumped-parameter models for the rod-type solid-state actuators, in this article we develop a distributed-parameters modeling and control approach for the multiple-mode tracking control of such systems. Using the extended Hamilton’s principle, the system’s equations of motion are derived and truncated to finite-mode state-space representation through standard vibration analysis techniques. A novel asymptotic feedback control law is then developed for the high-bandwidth tracking control of the system. Numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller over a wide frequency range. It is shown that the closed-loop system bandwidth can be improved by incorporating the system’s higher modes in the control law. To improve the tracking performance against uncertainties and disturbances, we upgrade the controller to a robust variable structure form, and show that desirable results can be obtained in the presence of perturbations.
Child Maltreatment and Women’s Adult Sexual Risk Behavior: Childhood Sexual Abuse as a Unique Risk Factor
Authors: Senn Theresa E. , Carey Michael P.
Published: October 2010

This study investigated (a) whether childhood sexual abuse (CSA) was uniquely associated with adult sexual risk behavior, after controlling for other types of childhood maltreatment and (b) whether there were additive or interactive effects of different types of maltreatment on adult sexual risk behavior. Participants were 414 women (M age = 28 years) attending a publicly funded STD clinic. All women completed a computerized survey assessing childhood maltreatment (sexual, physical, psychological abuse, and neglect) and sexual risk behavior. Analyses showed that sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect were associated with adult sexual risk behavior. Multivariate analyses that controlled for all other forms of child maltreatment showed that only CSA was uniquely associated with adult sexual risk behavior (i.e., percentage of episodes of unprotected sex in the past 3 months and number of lifetime partners). The authors found little support for an additive or an interactive model of the effects of different types of childhood maltreatment on adult sexual risk behavior; CSA alone was the best predictor of adult sexual risk behavior. Sexual risk reduction interventions are needed for women who were sexually abused as children. Continued research on the effects of multitype maltreatment on adult sexual risk behavior is needed.
Toxic encephalopathy in elderly patients during treatment with capecitabine: literature review and a case report
Authors: Fantini Manuela , Gianni Lorenzo , Tassinari Davide , Nicoletti Stefania , Possenti Cinzia , Drudi Fabrizio , Sintini Michele , Bagli Laura , Tamburini Emiliano , Ravaioli Alberto
Published: October 2010

Capecitabine is now-a-days rapidly replacing 5-Fluorouracil in daily clinical practice. Neurologic toxicity during a treatment with fluoropyrimidines, as 5-fluorouracil, represents a well-known side-effect, largely described in literature. Central nervous system (CNS) toxicity, mainly encephalopathy with or without seizures, occurs occasionally even when conventional doses are used. CNS toxicity incidence increases markedly when the blood-brain barrier is either overwhelmed or bypassed (Hildebrand J. Neurological complications of cancer chemotherapy. Curr Opin Oncol 2006; 18: 321—324). Peripheral nervous system (PNS) toxicity is more common because proximal and distal extremities of the peripheral nerves are not protected by a blood-brain like barrier and peripheral neuropathy remains a major limiting factor for the administration of conventional doses of several agents (Saif W, Wood TE, McGee PJ and Diasio RB. Peripheral neuropathy associated with capecitabine, Anticancer Drugs 2004;15: 767—771). Capecitabine is a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, more easily administered by mouth; its transformation in 5-fluorouracil is performed in the liver. There are only a few reports on the toxic neurological side-effects of capecitabine. We describe in our report a rare case of toxic encephalopathy in a 82-year-old female, with a brief review of literature.

In the literature reviewed, we found 12 neurologic episodes due to capecitabine lasting between a few days till some months. All clinical symptoms of the cases described in literature, obtained a complete regression with the discontinuation of capecitabine. A relation was not found with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) mutation, also if pharmacologic and pharmacogenetic assessment should be done for this drug, especially in old patients.

Toxic encephalopathy represents a rare event during capecitabine treatment and on the bases of the data found, is fairly managed in the clinical setting. The knowledge of the natural history of the toxic effect allows the use of the drug also in old patients.
Stability of unused reconstituted bortezomib in original manufacturer vials
Authors: Vanderloo Joshua P , Pomplun Marcia L , Vermeulen Lee C , Kolesar Jill M
Published: October 2010

Background. Bortezomib is a modified dipeptidyl boronic acid analogue used to treat multiple myeloma, mantle cell lymphoma, and, more recently, renal transplantation graft rejection. As per manufacturer recommendations, bortezomib is to be administered within 8 h of preparation or may be stored for up to 8 h in the vial or a syringe following reconstitution. Preserving unused reconstituted bortezomib beyond these 8 h may allow for cost savings. This study aims to examine the stability of unused reconstituted bortezomib when stored at 4°C for up to 15 days.

Methods. Using an LC-MS/MS assay, the concentration of reconstituted bortezomib was measured at predetermined time points following storage at 4°C in the manufacturer vial. Percent bortezomib remaining at a time point was calculated versus initial bortezomib concentration.

Results. The concentrations of bortezomib were found to be 51.93 ng/mL ± 4.60 after 1 day of storage, 57.40 ng/mL ± 4.77 after 8 days of storage, and 49.43 ng/mL ± 2.85 after 15 days of storage. The percent of bortezomib remaining was 110.53% and 95.19% after 8 days and 15 days, respectively.

Conclusion. Unused reconstituted bortezomib is stable for up to 15 days stored at 4°C in the original manufacturer vial. Such use of bortezomib may improve cost efficiency by reducing bortezomib waste.
Cross-Cultural Validation of the Preventive Health Model for Colorectal Cancer Screening: An Australian Study
Authors: Flight Ingrid H. , Wilson Carlene J. , McGillivray Jane , Myers Ronald E.
Published: October 2010

We investigated whether the five-factor structure of the Preventive Health Model for colorectal cancer screening, developed in the United States, has validity in Australia. We also tested extending the model with the addition of the factor Self-Efficacy to Screen using Fecal Occult Blood Test (SESFOBT). Randomly selected men and women aged between 50 and 76 years ( n = 414) responded to a survey. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the U.S. model provided adequate fit for the group as a whole and for men and women separately, thereby demonstrating cross-cultural validity for measuring factors influencing the decision to screen. The inclusion of SESFOBT in the model resulted in a comparable, but less parsimonious, fit. However, self-efficacy is a demonstrated mediator of intention and action, and it is argued that the addition of SESFOBT as a sixth factor may have utility for the design of strategies to increase actual uptake of FOBT.
The Role of Leadership and Management in Six Southern Public Health Partnerships: A Study of Member Involvement and Satisfaction
Authors: Weiss Elisa S. , Taber Shahnaz K. , Breslau Erica S. , Lillie Sarah E. , Li Yuelin
Published: October 2010

Research has led to greater understanding of what is needed to create and sustain well-functioning public health partnerships. However, a partnership’s ability to foster an environment that encourages broad member involvement in discussions, decision making, and activities has received scant empirical attention. This study examined the relationship between partnership members’ perceptions of how well leadership and management facilitated their involvement, and their satisfaction with their role and influence within the partnership. Data came from 60 individuals who participated in two waves of a quantitative process evaluation of six southern interorganizational partnerships, formed as part of a national pilot project to increase cervical and breast cancer screening rates. Results suggested that environments fostering broad partner involvement were associated with measures of member satisfaction, controlling for other partnership characteristics. Findings indicated that facilitation of member involvement deserves increased consideration from researchers and practitioners as an indicator of the quality of partnership functioning.
Developmental Toxicity Testing of Biopharmaceuticals in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Martin Pauline L. , Weinbauer Gerhard F.
Published: October 2010

Developmental toxicity studies for pharmaceutical safety testing are designed to evaluate potential adverse effects of drug treatment on pregnancy and on the developing embryo/fetus. Biopharmaceuticals present specific challenges for developmental toxicity testing because the pharmacology of these molecules, which are frequently human-specific proteins, is often restricted to humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs). For those species-restricted molecules, the only option for the evaluation of potential effects on development of the human biopharmaceutical is to use NHPs. This article reviews each of the stages of development in cynomolgus macaques (the most frequently used NHP) and the potential exposure of the embryo, fetus, and infant following administration of a biopharmaceutical during pregnancy and lactation. Because the purpose of the NHP developmental studies is to identify potential human risks, a comparison between macaque and human development and potential exposure has been made when possible. Understanding the potential exposure of the conceptus relative to critical periods in development is essential to designing a scientifically based study that adequately addresses human risks. Some options for NHP study designs, including the option of combining end points into a single study, and the pros and cons of each of the study options have been reviewed. Developmental studies for biopharmaceuticals in NHPs need to be optimally designed on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the pharmacology of the molecule, the type of molecule (antibody or non-antibody), the potential exposure relative to the development of potential target organs, the clinical use, and the ethical considerations associated with the use of NHPs.
Collaborative and individual output tasks and their effects on learning English phrasal verbs
Authors: Nassaji Hossein , Jun Tian
Published: October 2010

Current second language (L2) instruction research has encouraged the use of collaborative output tasks in L2 classrooms. This study examined and compared the effectiveness of two types of output tasks (reconstruction cloze tasks and reconstruction editing tasks) for learning English phrasal verbs. Of interest was whether doing the tasks collaboratively led to greater gains of knowledge of the target verbs than doing the tasks individually, and also whether the type of task made a difference. The study was conducted in two intact low-intermediate adult English-as-a-second-language (ESL) classrooms. The effectiveness of the tasks was determined by how successfully learners completed the tasks and also by means of a vocabulary knowledge test administered before and after the treatment. The results showed that completing the tasks collaboratively (in pairs) led to a greater accuracy of task completion than completing them individually. However, collaborative tasks did not lead to significantly greater gains of vocabulary knowledge than individual tasks. The results, however, showed an effect of task type, with the editing tasks being more effective than the cloze tasks in promoting negotiation and learning. The findings contribute to the research that has examined the effectiveness of pedagogical tasks in L2 classrooms.
Raising teachers’ awareness about corrective feedback through research replication
Authors: Vásquez Camilla , Harvey Jane
Published: October 2010

This article reports on a case study that examined the evolving thoughts and beliefs about corrective feedback of graduate students in applied linguistics, who were enrolled in a semester-long second language acquisition (SLA) course. Working in groups, the graduate students (students in an MA-TESL program, and doctoral students in a related program; a combination of practicing and prospective language teachers), conducted a partial replication of Lyster and Ranta’s (1997) study of corrective feedback in some of their own ESL classes. The present study was designed to discover the extent to which graduate students’ participation in this classroom-based research replication would contribute to a re-examination of their ideas, thoughts, or beliefs about corrective feedback. The replication project was conceptualized by the researchers as serving as a bridge between formal research and practical inquiry (Richardson, 1994). Analysis of multiple data sources (e.g. questionnaires, journal entries, a group interview) indicated that a number of students’ ideas about error correction shifted throughout the semester. In particular, after participating in the research replication project, many students’ comments revealed a decreased emphasis on the affective dimension of error correction, and a more sophisticated understanding of corrective feedback, as well as an appreciation for the relationship between corrective feedback, student uptake, and error type. In addition to themes of shifts in awareness about the complex nature of corrective feedback, the analysis further identified possible changes in future teaching practice, different attitudes toward research, and the appropriation of terminology pertaining to teaching.
Exploring the role of reformulations and a model text in EFL students’ writing performance
Authors: Luxin Yang  , Ling Zhang
Published: October 2010

This study examined the effectiveness of reformulation and model text in a three-stage writing task (composing—comparison—revising) in an EFL writing class in a Beijing university. The study documented 10 university students’ writing performance from the composing (Stage 1) and comparing (Stage 2, where students compare their own text to a reformulated version of it and a model text) to the improvement of the written product in the posttest (Stage 3). The findings suggest that the students made more effort in finding the proper language to express their ideas at Stage 1 and were able to notice most differences between their original text and the reformulated one at Stage 2. The students also showed their appreciation of having access to a native model text for a broad range of language input. Unlike most previous studies that examined the role of reformulations, pair discussions, or model texts independently, the present study integrated pair discussions, reformulations and a model text at the comparison stage, which allowed the participants to notice their improper language uses, be exposed to richer language input, and appropriate the noticed native-like language use, resulting in better performance in their revised writings at the posttest.
Imagery and verbal coding approaches in Chinese vocabulary instruction
Authors: Shen Helen H.
Published: October 2010

This study consists of two instructional experiments. Within the framework of dual coding theory, the study compares the learning effects of two instructional encoding methods used in Chinese vocabulary instruction among students learning beginning Chinese as a foreign language. One method uses verbal encoding only, and the other method uses verbal encoding plus imagery encoding. Learning concrete words and abstract words is examined under these two encoding methods. The result shows that, compared with the verbal encoding method, the verbal plus imagery encoding method does not show a superior effect in retention of the sound, shape, and meaning of concrete words, but statistically significant differences are present in retention of the shape and meaning of abstract words. The study supports dual coding theory and confirms the importance of visual learning in Chinese vocabulary acquisition.
The Generation Effect in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: González-Nosti María , Arango-Lasprilla Juan Carlos , Cuetos Fernando
Published: October 2010

The generation effect (GE) has been proven as an effective technique to improve learning and memory in healthy and clinical populations. However, it has not been found with meaningless materials such as pseudowords. Several hypotheses postulate the participation of semantic memory in the information-generating process. There is indeed a clear decrease in the effect in patients with serious semantic memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but, if this is correct, other patients whose memory disorders are not so serious, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), should show GE to some extent. To test this hypothesis, we examined 54 participants (18 healthy adults, 18 patients with AD, and 18 with MCI) in a task involving reading and completion of phrases. Results show a decreased (although obvious) GE in patients with MCI. Likewise, results indicate that greater semantic damage will lead to poorer performance with less familiar stimuli or low-frequency words.
Proteomic and Functional Analyses Reveal the Potential Involvement of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and α-CP1 in the Anticancer Activities of Oridonin in HepG2 Cells
Authors: Hui Wang  , Yan Ye  , Chu Jian-Hong , Zhu Guo-Yuan , Fong Wang-Fun , Yu Zhi-Ling
Published: October 2010

Oridonin has been shown to exhibit therapeutic effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to identify the anti-HCC mechanisms of oridonin in HepG2 cells using proteomic and functional analyses. MTT assay showed that oridonin treatment for 24 hours dose-dependently inhibited cell growth with an IC50 value of 40.4 μM. Treatment with 40 μM oridonin for 24 hours induced apoptosis determined by nuclear morphologic changes of DAPI-stained cells and flow cytometric analysis of annexin V-FITC/PI-stained cells, which was accompanied by Grp78 upregulation and α-CP1 downregulation identified by proteomic analysis. Immunoblot analysis for the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress— related proteins demonstrated that the expression levels of phosphorylated PERK (p-PERK) and CHOP were increased, whereas PERK, ATF-6, and IRE-1 expression levels were decreased. Knockdown of α-CP1 expression with siRNA significantly increased cell death and apoptosis in control and oridonin-treated HepG2 cells. Together, these data provide proteomic and functional evidence for the potential involvement of ER stress and α-CP1 in the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of oridonin in HepG2 cells, which shed new light on the action mechanisms of oridonin in HCC management.
Guidance Counselors’ Ratings of Important Attributes for Registered Nurses and Prospective Nursing Students: A Comparison of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Career Counselors
Authors: Robbins Leslie K. , Hoke Mary M.
Published: October 2010

Perceptions of counselors from Hispanic serving high schools regarding professional nursing as a career have received limited study. A cross-sectional descriptive study of a convenience sample of 55 guidance counselors from Hispanic serving institutions identified the number of requests/referrals to nursing programs and perceptions of prospective nursing student and registered nurse attributes. Hispanic counselors rated caring and professional leadership skills higher than did White non-Hispanic counselors. Recommendations for academic nursing and counselor partnerships are provided.
A Culturally Responsive Literacy Program for Hispanic Fathers and Their Children
Authors: Saracho Olivia N.
Published: October 2010

This study examined a language and cultural literacy program for Hispanic fathers to promote their children’s literacy development. This study had two phases: (a) training the teachers and (b) educating the fathers. The results indicated that the fathers learned how to promote their Hispanic children’s literacy development using their family’s language, culture, interests, and experiences. Fathers differed in their use of language, culture, literacy strategies, literacy experiences, and responses to the literacy program.
Assessing Diversity Awareness in University Business Students at a Hispanic Serving Liberal Arts Institution
Authors: Kiser Angelina I. T. , Scobey Barbara
Published: October 2010

Globalization and shifts in demographics are creating highly diverse workplaces, and managers must understand the importance of managing a diverse workforce. Students taking business management courses at a 4-year private Hispanic serving institution were asked to voluntarily participate in a study in which the researchers sought to explore the diversity awareness attitudes of business management students at a university where the students are exposed to a culturally diverse environment.
The Good Daughter Dilemma: Latinas Managing Family and School Demands
Authors: Espinoza Roberta
Published: October 2010

This study documents strategies employed by Latina doctoral graduate students to balance family relationships with the demands of school to maintain their status of a “good daughter.” In-depth interviews reveal some women integrate family and school by explaining the demands placed on them to enlist support while others keep their two social spheres separate by switching between them to minimize conflict. The patterns are discussed in the context of Latinas academic success in higher education.
Good Help Is Hard to Find: A Study in Retention and Motivation
Authors: Norman Scott W.
Published: October 2010

This case study confronts the issues of staff motivation and teacher retention that face administrators in low-paying and/or low-performing small school settings when teacher pay is low and morale is lower, especially in communities having a lower economic base. It will present not only opportunities to try to keep good teachers but also opportunities to motivate and inspire them to a level of success that will turn school performance around and raise student achievement scores. It may be used in an introductory course in critical issues in leadership, especially in the areas of distributed leadership and team building methods.
Jeb Stewart’s Dilemma
Authors: Cedo Kelli M. , Dickerson William E.
Published: October 2010

This case study creates a dilemma that many school districts face. Public education is under-funded. Principals are expected to be the instructional leaders and are held accountable for student achievement. Is it appropriate then for public schools to have local businesses as benefactors when teaching personnel are involved? The conflict between teacher quality and a local benefactor sometimes present ethical dilemmas. To what lengths should educational leaders go in order to secure school donations? As a principal you must be prepared to handle political and ethical situations, but foremost in your decision making must be, “What is best for the students.”
Zero Tolerance: Don’t Be a Square!
Authors: Warren Thomas P. , Rich Wesley D. , Townsend Megan , Mohrbutter Trent L. , Brinson Kenneth H.
Published: October 2010

At Wentworth, rule violations are normally minor in nature and handled at the private school administration‘s discretion. A recent event involving the possession and use of alcohol during an off-campus school overnight activity leads to the development of a zero tolerance substance abuse policy. The zero tolerance policy is tested by one of the school’s top students and her influential parents. This case study examines the possible impact zero tolerance policies can have on behavior management in a niche, private, secondary education institution. Related educational leadership issues include: zero-tolerance education policies; school organizational culture; punitive and restorative mechanisms of social justice; moral and ethical school leader decision-making; and the politics of education.
Assessing motivation for work in people with developmental disabilities
Authors: Rose John , Perks Jane , Fidan Merih , Hurst Maddie
Published: October 2010

Factors that might influence motivation for work have been neglected in previous investigations in the process of people with intellectual disabilities finding employment. This article describes the development of The Work Readiness Scale which was largely adapted from The Readiness to Change Questionnaire.

A structured interview was conducted with 69 participants who had developmental and intellectual disabilities while at the supported employment agency or vocational training centre in a large city in England. A subgroup of 43 individuals completed the questionnaire again about two weeks later. A member of staff who knew the person well was asked to independently rate the motivational level of the individual. The questionnaire seems to have reasonable psychometric properties and may have utility in assessing individuals for work and designing appropriate training to find work.
Inhibition of cell adhesion by anti–P-selectin aptamer: a new potential therapeutic agent for sickle cell disease
Authors: Gutsaeva Diana R. , Parkerson James B. , Yerigenahally Shobha D. , Kurz Jeffrey C. , Schaub Robert G. , Ikuta Tohru , Head C. Alvin
Published: October 2010

Adhesive interactions between circulating sickle red blood cells (RBCs), leukocytes, and endothelial cells are major pathophysiologic events in sickle cell disease (SCD). To develop new therapeutics that efficiently inhibit adhesive interactions, we generated an anti–P-selectin aptamer and examined its effects on cell adhesion using knockout-transgenic SCD model mice. Aptamers, single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind molecular targets with high affinity and specificity, are emerging as new therapeutics for cardiovascular and hematologic disorders. In vitro studies found that the anti–P-selectin aptamer exhibits high specificity to mouse P-selectin but not other selectins. SCD mice were injected with the anti–P-selectin aptamer, and cell adhesion was observed under hypoxia. The anti–P-selectin aptamer inhibited the adhesion of sickle RBCs and leukocytes to endothelial cells by 90% and 80%, respectively. The anti–P-selectin aptamer also increased microvascular flow velocities and reduced the leukocyte rolling flux. SCD mice treated with the anti–P-selectin aptamer demonstrated a reduced mortality rate associated with the experimental procedures compared with control mice. These results demonstrate that anti–P-selectin aptamer efficiently inhibits the adhesion of both sickle RBCs and leukocytes to endothelial cells in SCD model mice, suggesting a critical role for P-selectin in cell adhesion. Anti–P-selectin aptamer may be useful as a novel therapeutic agent for SCD.