bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accessing, Waiting, Plunging in, Wondering, and Writing: Retrospective Sense-Making of Fieldwork
Authors: Magolda Peter M.
Published: April 2009

This article presents five personal narratives about a field-worker's experience during an eighteen-month study of a residential college. The narratives focus on five distinct aspects of fieldwork: gaining access, waiting for action, establishing relationships, respondents' perceptions of the field-worker, and writing up fieldwork accounts. These stories illuminate the unanticipated struggles associated with fieldwork.
ArcView 3.2a, MapInfo 6.0, and Manifold 4.5:A Comparative Review of Geographical Information System Software
Authors: Lewis R. Barry
Published: April 2009

This review compares the main features of recent releases of three geographical information system (GIS) products: ArcView 3.2a, MapInfo 6.0, and Manifold 4.5. ArcView and MapInfo are both good choices of well-established GIS software packages. ArcView hand-holds the user through many tasks and it is easy to remember how it works. MapInfo's interface is not as nice as that of ArcView or Manifold, but it has good raster image registration tools and includes an excellent 3D mapping tool. Manifold 4.5 has many more features than ArcView and MapInfo, but it needs an undo key and raster image support. While admitting its shortcomings, the reviewer concludes that Manifold is the most promising of the three products.
Behavior Sampling and Ethnography: Complementary Methods for Understanding Home-School Connections among Latino Immigrant Families
Authors: Weisner Thomas , Ryan Gery W. , Reese Leslie , Kroesen Kendall , Bernheimer Lucinda , Gallimore Ronald
Published: April 2009

Both ethnography and experience-sampling methods (ESMs) are effective for assessing children's home activities. The authors combined them to examine home activities that were school-like, complementary to school, or unrelated to school. The activities were then related to children's school achievement in a sample of low-income Latino immigrant families and their tento eleven-year-old children at risk for low school achievement. Children reported a wide variety of types of activities in their evening routines. Children with higher school achievement were engaged in chores; homework; monitored outside activities; family social activities and hobbies; and self-directed, goal-oriented activities. Children with lower levels of school achievement tended to be engaged in more television, video games, peer and solitary play, and resting. ESMs are a valuable and effective complement to ethnographic and school achievement data in the study of home activities and home-school relationships.
A Methodological Model for Rapid Assessment, Response, and Evaluation: The RARE Program in Public Health
Authors: Trotter Robert T. , Needle Richard H. , Goosby Eric , Bates Christopher , Singer Merrill
Published: April 2009

Rapid assessment projects are expanding in the arenas of public health policy, planning, and program development in both developing and developed nations. This article reviews the methodological advances that have changed rapid assessment from a primarily “quick and dirty” approach for data collection into a public health tool for time-sensitive development of changes in intervention strategies, community-based organizational structure, program evaluation, and policy decisions. The methodological design of the Rapid Assessment, Response, and Evaluation Project, adopted by the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) in 1999, is presented as a model for using revised rapid assessment approaches within the context of public health policy development.
Using Consensus Analysis to Measure Cultural Diversity in Organizations and Social Movements
Authors: Caulkins Douglas , Hyatt Susan B.
Published: April 2009

Consensus analysis, a technique developed in cognitive anthropology for analyzing structured interview data, produces three useful results: (1) a measure of the degree of agreement among informants about a domain of knowledge, belief, or practice; (2) the “culturally correct” information about that domain according to the pooled answers of the informants; and (3) a score for each informant representing that person’s knowledge of the domain. Consensus analysis is not just for high-agreement domains, however. This article explores a typology for conceptualizing diversity in low-consensus domains, including (1) weak agreement, (2) turbulent, (3) subcultural, and (4) contested domains, using case study examples from an English social movement, a Scottish high-technology firm, and a Scottish business support and training organization. The typology helps measure and interpret diversity and change within organizations and social movements.
Assessing Object Mastery in the Home
Authors: Weinberger Nanci
Published: April 2009

In this study, the causal relationship between introduced noise and object clutter on infant performance was tested empirically. The infants were studied in their own homes and they actively engaged with the test materials, demonstrating object mastery. Surprisingly, however, the noise and object clutter did not interfere with the quality of object mastery for these twelve month olds. The differences between home and laboratory testing, as well as the implications of such testing, are discussed in-depth.
Testing Contrarian Strategies in the National Football League
Authors: Woodland Bill M. , Woodland Linda M.
Published: April 2009

There is evidence that stock market investors overreact to stocks that have been identified as winners and losers. This article examines whether contrarian strategies of selling (betting against) winners and buying (betting on) losers are successful in the gambling market for professional football. Contrary to the stock market, National Football League betting is found to be highly efficient. Because risk is constant for all football wagers, results support the argument that abnormal returns paid to contrarian stock market investors may be attributed to the higher risk incurred.
Gender, Skill, and Earnings in Professional Golf
Authors: Shmanske Stephen
Published: April 2009

This article compares the PGA Tour to the LPGA by examining the relationship between skills and earnings on the two tours. Men on the PGA Tour play for bigger purses than do the women in the LPGA tournaments. But the men also play more rounds of golf over longer golf courses in front of more spectators and exhibit greater levels of skill than the women. The statistical results show which golf skills are the most valuable by estimating the effect of the skill on earnings. Furthermore, the results show that once skill levels are accounted for, women are not underpaid compared to men. Even though the tournament form of compensation rewards the relative skill levels within each tournament, the professional golf industry appears to reward the absolute level of skill with no gender bias.
Fan Loyalty in Professional Sports
Authors: Depken Craig A.
Published: April 2009

Using the stochastic frontier framework, estimates of relative fan loyalty in professional football for 1990 to 1997 are estimated. The traditional inefficiency score is reinterpreted as a measure of relative fan loyalty, and the results conform to anecdotal evidence as to which teams have the best fans in the National Football League. The decision of whether to relocate a professional football franchise is related to fan loyalty and other explanatory variables. It is found that a relatively low level of fan loyalty is a motivating factor in the decision to relocate a franchise to a new host city.
Pitfalls to Measuring Competitive Balance With Gini Coefficients
Authors: Utt Joshua , Fort Rodney
Published: April 2009

League-winning percentage Gini coefficients have seen recent use as measurements of within-season competitive balance in Major League Baseball. The authors demonstrate that the zero-sum nature of league play renders past estimates inappropriate. Adjusted for league play, Gini coefficients reveal a much larger competitive balance problem than shown in previous estimates. However, additional complexities involving unbalanced schedules, interdivisional play, and now interleague play must be overcome before winning percentage Gini coefficients can give precise estimates of competitive balance. The authors suggest using the traditional measures of winning percentage standard deviations and their idealized values to analyze within-season competitive balance over time until these issues are overcome.
Early Predictors for Lower Extremity Amputation in a Diabetic Population: Results of a Case-Controlled Study
Authors: Smith Stacey R. , Reed James F. , Greenberg Gary
Published: April 2009

Lower extremity amputation is devastating to any person and is a very real complication for a diabetic. Identifying early risk factors is tantamount to saving a limb. This study used the national hospital discharge survey to identify 2206 control patients and 2098 diabetic patients with a lower extremity amputation. These patients were not limited based on gender or race as in previous studies. The results show that nephropathy and retinopathy are early predictors.
`Don't Worry, Clinton Is Megawati's Brother'
Authors: Hidayat Dedy N.
Published: April 2009

This study explores the political significance of rumours — as public resistance to a repressive authoritarian communication structure — in the changing structure of the global economy, which is characterized by a high degree of capital mobility and an increasing separation of the entire financial sector from underlying, real economic activity. This study proposes that rumours — within a specific time period — may gain political significance in contributing to the delegitimization of a ruling regime. In Indonesia's case, rumours played a part at a specific historical juncture of the development of global capitalism — into which Indonesia became integrated in the 1970s — where human agencies' perceptions, fear, greed and sudden changes of heart are fundamental for capital mobility and the ruling regime's structural stability or change.
Framing Suharto
Authors: Jakubowicz Andrew , Palmer Rod
Published: April 2009

This study examines the complex, long-term relationship of Australia with Indonesia through the framing process in the Australian media. The authors describe a mature relationship in which the partners no longer have any illusions about each other, but where feelings of antipathy and hostility can have no place either in the longer-term relationship. In the events around the replacement of Suharto in May 1998 clear examples could be found of the framing process in which Australian media sought to make an Australian sense out of the Indonesian tragedies of the end of the century.
The Asian Financial Crisis and the Tribulations of the South Korean Media
Authors: Lee Jae-kyoung
Published: April 2009

Over 4000 media workers in South Korea have lost their jobs since the advent of the Asian financial crisis in late 1997. A number of newspapers and television stations have experienced unprecedented downsizing and restructuration. As a matter of fact, the whole media industry has gone through a process of profound transformation. This article attempts to document the difficulties of the Korean media and newsworkers as they experience the unexpected economic crisis. It presents observations about some notable changes in the practice of news making, describing, for example, whether newsroom organizations have changed and if journalistic independence has been weakened. The article also discusses some fundamental implications of these changes for Korean journalism and its future.
Corporate Hegemony
Authors: Klaehn Jeffery
Published: April 2009

The study asks whether the news coverage accorded the near-genocide in East Timor by the Globe and Mail( G&M) followed the predictions of the ‘propaganda model’ (PM) of media operations laid out and applied by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky in Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.The research asks whether the G&M's news coverage of the near-genocide in East Timor and of Canada's ‘aiding and abetting’ of ‘war crimes’ and ‘crimes against humanity’ in occupied East Timor was hegemonic or ideologically serviceable given Canada's (geo)political-economic interests in Indonesia throughout the invasion and occupation periods. Did the news coverage provide a political and historical benchmark by which to inform the Canadian public (or not) and influence (or not) Canadian government policy on Indonesia and East Timor?
Television, The Middle Classes and the Transformation of Cultural Identities in West Bengal, India
Authors: Scrase Timothy J.
Published: April 2009

This article analyses whether an increasingly globalized television culture has led to a transformation of middle-class Bengali cultural identities. The analysis is based on ethnographic fieldwork carried out with middle-class households in West Bengal, India during 1998–2000. A number of specific themes are explored. These include: television and rampant consumerism; the impact of ‘Bollywood’ film cultures; television and the portrayal of women; and the way satellite and cable television programmes, especially popular cultural programmes (e.g. music videos) and advertisements, impact on established cultural patterns and activities. The research shows that while a public, more liberal tolerant culture prevails in Bengal, the private world of the family nevertheless retains many aspects of traditional moral and hierarchical principles. Divisions of opinion about the social impact of television among the middle classes are explained in terms of the nature of middle-class cultural formation in Bengal since the time of British colonization of India. In light of the examples and research findings presented, this article broadly considers the trajectory of Indian modernity, considers the debates over high culture vs low culture in the Bengali context, and more generally explores the localized impact of cultural globalization.
The European Information Society: Much Ado About Nothing?
Authors: Servaes Jan
Published: April 2009

This article addresses some of the complex issues related to the so-called `European information society' from at least three interrelated perspectives: from theory (on the basis of a brief literature review), from practice (referring to a number of available surveys and research data) and from a policy perspective. It points at major contradictions in and between both European policy statements and the data collected as part of the ongoing Measuring Information Society (MIS) surveys. The article concludes by formulating a number of recommendations for both policy-makers and researchers.
The Internet, Journalism and Public Communication Policies
Authors: Bardoel Jo
Published: April 2009

The use of news and journalistic information on the Internet is still modest, although much higher among the young, but it raises the question — after the hype — how relevant the network is as a vehicle for journalism and public communication. Drawing mainly from the Dutch experience, the author first looks at the actual journalistic practices on the Internet and notices that network media begin to overcome the stage of `shovelware'. A fourth form of journalism is taking shape: `network' or `online journalism'. In the second part the author tackles the question of what relevance the Internet has in relation to public communication as a whole and which communication policies are and should be developed in order to stimulate journalistic production on the Internet.
Hypertrophic Tuberculosis of the Uterine Cervix
Authors: Ech-Cherif el Kettani Najwa , Dafiri Rachida
Published: April 2009

Tuberculosis of the uterine cervix is extremely rare. An awareness of sonographic findings is necessary when evaluating for cervical lesions because it can mimic other masses, especially cervical cancer. This is a case of hypertrophic tuberculosis of the uterine cervix presented with chronic leucorrhea. Initial diagnosis was made by endovaginal sonography and confirmed after biopsy.
Ligand-induced EpoR internalization is mediated by JAK2 and p85 and is impaired by mutations responsible for primary familial and congenital polycythemia
Authors: Sulahian Rita , Cleaver Ondine , Huang Lily Jun-shen
Published: April 2009

Epo-induced endocytosis of EpoR plays important roles in the down-regulation of EpoR signaling and is the primary means that regulates circulating Epo concentrations. Here we show that cell-surface EpoR is internalized via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Both JAK2 kinase activity and EpoR cytoplasmic tyrosines are important for ligand-dependent EpoR internalization. Phosphorylated Y429, Y431, and Y479 in the EpoR cytoplasmic domain bind p85 subunit of PI3 kinase on Epo stimulation and individually are sufficient to mediate Epo-dependent EpoR internalization. Knockdown of p85α and p85β or expression of their dominant-negative forms, but not inhibition of PI3 kinase activity, dramatically impaired EpoR internalization, indicating that p85α and p85β may recruit proteins in the endocytic machinery on Epo stimulation. Furthermore, mutated EpoRs from primary familial and congenital polycythemia (PFCP) patients lacking the 3 important tyrosines do not bind p85 or internalize on stimulation. Addition of residues encompassing Y429 and Y431 to these truncated receptors restored p85β binding and Epo sensitivity. Our results identify a novel PI3 kinase activity-independent function of p85 in EpoR internalization and support a model that defects of internalization in truncated EpoRs from PFCP patients contribute to Epo hypersensitivity and prolonged signaling.
Sustained high-level polyclonal hematopoietic marking and transgene expression 4 years after autologous transplantation of rhesus macaques with SIV lentiviral vector–transduced CD34+ cells
Authors: Kim Yoo-Jin , Kim Yoon-Sang , Larochelle Andre , Renaud Gabriel , Wolfsberg Tyra G. , Adler Rima , Donahue Robert E. , Hematti Peiman , Hong Bum-Kee , Roayaei Jean , Akagi Keiko , Riberdy Janice M. , Nienhuis Arthur W. , Dunbar Cynthia E. , Persons Derek A.
Published: April 2009

We previously reported that lentiviral vectors derived from the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) were efficient at transducing rhesus hematopoietic repopulating cells. To evaluate the persistence of vector-containing and -expressing cells long term, and the safety implications of SIV lentiviral vector–mediated gene transfer, we followed 3 rhesus macaques for more than 4 years after transplantation with transduced CD34+ cells. All 3 animals demonstrated significant vector marking and expression of the GFP transgene in T cells, B cells, and granulocytes, with mean GFP+ levels of 6.7% (range, 3.3%-13.0%), 7.4% (4.2%-13.4%), and 5.6% (3.1%-10.5%), respectively. There was no vector silencing in hematopoietic cells over time. Vector insertion site analysis of granulocytes demonstrated sustained highly polyclonal reconstitution, with no evidence for progression to oligoclonality. A significant number of clones were found to contribute at both 1-year and 3- or 4-year time points. No vector integrations were detected in the MDS1/EVI1 region, in contrast to our previous findings with a γ-retroviral vector. These data show that lentiviral vectors can mediate stable and efficient long-term expression in the progeny of transduced hematopoietic stem cells, with an integration profile that may be safer than that of standard Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV)–derived retroviral vectors.
On the Almost Sure Central Limit Theorem for Vector Martingales: Convergence of Moments and Statistical Applications
Authors: Bercu Bernard , Cénac Peggy , Fayolle Guy
Published: April 2009

We investigate the almost sure asymptotic properties of vector martingale transforms. Assuming some appropriate regularity conditions both on the increasing process and on the moments of the martingale, we prove that normalized moments of any even order converge in the almost sure central limit theorem for martingales. A conjecture about almost sure upper bounds under wider hypotheses is formulated. The theoretical results are supported by examples borrowed from statistical applications, including linear autoregressive models and branching processes with immigration, for which new asymptotic properties are established on estimation and prediction errors.
Fatal Intracranial Bleed Potentially Due to a Warfarin and Influenza Vaccine Interaction
Authors: Carroll Douglas N , Carroll Dana G
Published: April 2009

Objective:

To report a case of fatal intracranial bleeding possibly due to an interaction between warfarin and inactivated influenza vaccination.

Case Summary:

A 64-year-old white male was admitted to the hospital after becoming unresponsive. The family reported a 2-day history of bleeding from the patient's rectum prior to admission. He had no recent changes in medical conditions or medication regimen, which included warfarin for stroke prophylaxis secondary to atrial fibrillation. The patient had received an inactivated influenza vaccine 4½ weeks prior to presentation, at which time his international normalized ratio (INR) was 2.0. Upon admission, the patient's INR was greater than 15: INR values over the previous 6 months had been relatively stable {range 1.4–4.7). A noncontrast computed tomography scan of the head showed a large parenchymal hemorrhagic infarction involving the left temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. In the emergency department, the patient received a nitroglycerin infusion to maintain systolic blood pressure In the range of 140–160 mm Hg as well as an infusion of 4 units of fresh frozen plasma and 10 mg of vitamin K. Following a neurosurgery evaluation, it was determined that nothing meaningful could be done to alter the patient's outcome positivefy, and he died approximately 17 hours after admission.

Discussion:

To date, most reports of concomitant warfarin therapy and influenza vaccination indicate no significant change in average anticoagulation parameters. However, there are reports of individuals who may have experienced increased anticoagulation following influenza vaccination. The reason for these increases is unknown, but may involve only certain components of the vaccine, which is altered almost annually. Our patient's significant INR elevation, after being relatively stable for at least 6 months, was thought to be due to an interaction between warfarin and the influenza vaccination. The Horn Drug Interaction Probability Scale indicated a possible interaction between warfarin and the influenza vaccination.

Conclusions:

Considering the outcome in our patient, as well as outcomes in other individuals who have experienced an increased INR in a similar scenario, it appears justified to implement more frequent INR evaluations during the 4–6 weeks following influenza vaccination.
Quality Patient Care and Pharmacists' Role in Its Continuity—A Systematic Review
Authors: Ellitt Glena R , Brien Jo-anne E , Asiani Parisa , Chen Timothy F
Published: April 2009

Background:

Continuity of care is important for the delivery of quality health care. Despite the abundance of research on this concept in the medical and nursing literature, there is a lack of consensus on its definition. As pharmacists have moved beyond their historical product-centered practice, a source of patient-centered research on continuity of care for practice application is required.

Objective:

To determine the scope of research in which pharmacists were directly involved in patients' continuity of care and to examine how the phrase continuity of care was defined and applied in practice.

Methods:

A working definition of continuity of care and a tool for relevance quality assessment of search articles were developed. MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Collaboration evidence-based medicine reviews and bibliographies were searched (1996–March 2008). Reporting clarity was assessed by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials checklist and outcomes were grouped by economic, clinical, and/or humanistic classification.

Results:

The search yielded 21 clinical and randomized controlled trials, including 11 pharmacist-only and 10 multidisciplinary studies. A broad range of research topics was identified and detailed analysis provided ready reference for considerations of research replication or practice application. Studies revealed a range of research aims, settings, subject characteristics, attrition rates and group sizes, interventions, measurement tools, outcomes, and definitions of continuity of care. Research focused on patients with depression (n = 4), cardiovascular disease {n = 4), diabetes (n = 2), and dyslipidemia (n = 1); specific drugs included non–tricyclic antidepressants, cardiovascular drugs, and benzodiazepines. From the proposed endpoints of economic cost (n = 6) and clinical (n = 14) and humanistic (n = 16) outcomes, 15 studies reported statistically significant results.

Conclusions:

Medication management at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care indicated an expanded role and collaboration of pharmacists in continuity of care. However, the exclusion of disadvantaged patients in 19 studies is at odds with continuity of care for these patients, who may have been the most in need for the same reason that they were excluded.
Once-Daily Dasatinib for Treatment of Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Tyler Timothy
Published: April 2009

Objective

To discuss the new dasatinib dosing regimen for the treatment of chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CP CML) in patients who failed or were intolerant to imatinib therapy.

Data Sources

Literature published between July 2008 and December 2008 was accessed via MEDLINE, the Proceedings of the American Society of Hematology, and the Proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology using the key words chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, dasatinib, imatinib, nilotinib, pharmacokinetics, and regimen.

Study Selection And Data Extraction

Meeting abstracts and reports of major Phase 1–3 studies published in English are included.

Data Synthesis

Imatinib is the standard first-line therapy for CML; however, some patients develop resistance or are intolerant to the drug. Dasatinib was approved for the treatment of imatinib-resistant/intolerant patients with CML or Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the dosage of 70 mg twice daily. A Phase 3 dose-optimization study was performed to compare this regimen with others, including dasatinib 100 mg once daily, in patients with CP CML. Results of this study showed that there was no significant difference in efficacy between these 2 regimens. The safety profile was improved in the 100-mg once-daily dasatinib arm with significantly reduced frequencies of grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia and all-grade pleural effusions. The number of patients who had to discontinue, reduce, or interrupt their dosage was also less among patients taking dasatinib 100 mg once daily.

Conclusions

Dasatinib 100 mg once daily has a more favorable risk to benefit assessment compared with the previous 70 mg twice-daily regimen and is now the recommended schedule for patients with CP CML.
Book Reviews
Authors: Acquah Daniel
Published: April 2009

Theory of mind: How children understand other's thoughts and feelings By Martin J. Doherty New York: Psychology Press. 2008. Hardcover $71.95. ISBN‐978‐1‐84169‐570‐9. Paperback $31.95. ISBN‐978‐1‐84169‐571‐6
Fast Adaptation and Ca2+Sensitivity of the Mechanotransducer Require Myosin-XVa in Inner But Not Outer Cochlear Hair Cells
Authors: Stepanyan Ruben , Frolenkov Gregory I.
Published: April 2009

In inner ear hair cells, activation of mechanotransduction channels is followed by extremely rapid deactivation that depends on the influx of Ca2+through these channels. Although the molecular mechanisms of this “fast” adaptation are largely unknown, the predominant models assume Ca2+sensitivity as an intrinsic property of yet unidentified mechanotransduction channels. Here, we examined mechanotransduction in the hair cells of young postnatal shaker 2 mice (Myo15sh2/sh2). These mice have no functional myosin-XVa, which is critical for normal growth of mechanosensory stereocilia of hair cells. Although stereocilia of both inner and outer hair cells ofMyo15sh2/sh2mice lack myosin-XVa and are abnormally short, these cells have dramatically different hair bundle morphology.Myo15sh2/sh2outer hair cells retain a staircase arrangement of the abnormally short stereocilia and prominent tip links.Myo15sh2/sh2inner hair cells do not have obliquely oriented tip links, and their mechanosensitivity is mediated exclusively by “top-to-top” links between equally short stereocilia. In both inner and outer hair cells ofMyo15sh2/sh2mice, we found mechanotransduction responses with a normal “wild-type” amplitude and speed of activation. Surprisingly, only outer hair cells exhibit fast adaptation and sensitivity to extracellular Ca2+. InMyo15sh2/sh2inner hair cells, fast adaptation is disrupted and the transduction current is insensitive to extracellular Ca2+. We conclude that the Ca2+sensitivity of the mechanotransduction channels and the fast adaptation require a structural environment that is dependent on myosin-XVa and is disrupted inMyo15sh2/sh2inner hair cells, but not inMyo15sh2/sh2outer hair cells.
Septal Neurons in Barrel Cortex Derive Their Receptive Field Input from the Lemniscal Pathway
Authors: Furuta Takahiro , Kaneko Takeshi , Deschênes Martin
Published: April 2009

Barrel-related circuits in the somatosensory cortex of rodents process vibrissal information conveyed through the lemniscal pathway. Yet, the origin of vibrissal input to interbarrrel regions (septa) remains an unsettled issue. A recurring proposal that never received conclusive experimental support is that septa-related circuits process paralemniscal inputs conveyed through the posterior group of the thalamus. Here we show that the receptive field of septal cells is independent of paralemniscal inputs, and that septal cells derive their receptive field input from neurons in the dorsal part of the thalamic barreloids. This result provides the missing piece of evidence for a separate pathway of vibrissal information that projects to septal columns of the barrel cortex.
Mandibular Molar Root Resection Versus Implant Therapy: A Retrospective Nonrandomized Study
Authors: Zafiropoulos Gregory-George , Hoffmann Oliver , Kasaj Adrian , Willershausen Brita , Deli Giorgio , Tatakis Dimitris N.
Published: April 2009

Success rates for both periodontal and implant therapy are often dependent on site and tooth type. For periodontally involved mandibular molars, the decision to hemisect or to extract and place an implant is often complicated. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of the aforementioned treatment modalities for mandibular molars in a private practice setting. A retrospective chart review was performed. In one group of patients (n = 32), 56 mandibular first or first and second molars were treated by hemisection (Group H). A second group (n = 28) received 36 implants in the mandible to replace periodontally involved first or first and second molars (Group I). All patients had been in maintenance for at least 4 years after treatment. The occurrence and timing of posttreatment complications were evaluated. Data were analyzed by parametric and nonparametric statistics, as indicated. The majority of hemisected teeth (68% of Group H) and implants (89% of Group I) remained free of complications for the entire observation period. Group H had a greater incidence of overall complications (P = .027) and nonsalvageable complications (P = .013) than Group I. For both groups, the percent CAL loss per year was greater for the teeth/implants that experienced complications than in the those that remained complication free (p<0.015). Within the limitations of this study, the results indicated that, in periodontitis patients, hemisected mandibular molars were more prone to complications than implants.
Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Elderly Twins
Authors: Poulsen Pernille , Grunnet Louise G. , Pilgaard Kasper , Storgaard Heidi , Alibegovic Amra , Sonne Mette P. , Carstensen Bendix , Beck-Nielsen Henning , Vaag Allan
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVE

Genetic susceptibility, low birth weight (LBW), and aging are key etiological factors in the development of type 2 diabetes. LBW is common among twins. It is unknown whether twin status per se is associated with risk of type 2 diabetes, and valid concordance rates of type 2 diabetes in twins on a lifetime perspective are lacking.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A clinical study was done on a population-based cohort of same-sex elderly monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins (n = 297) and singleton control subjects (C) (n = 71) including measures of anthropometry and glucose tolerance. In addition, type 2 diabetes incidence cases in twins (n = 626) and singletons (n = 553) were identified through the National Diabetes Register.

RESULTS

Twins were more abdominally obese, insulin resistant, and glucose intolerant, as evidenced by a higher A1C (%) (means ± SD) (MZ: 6.0 ± 1.0, DZ: 5.8 ± 0.7, C: 5.6 ± 0.3, P = 0.004) and 120-min post–oral glucose tolerance test plasma glucose levels (in mmol/l) (MZ: 8.6 ± 4.6, DZ: 8.4 ± 3.9, C: 6.8 ± 2.4, P = 0.003) compared with singletons. Importantly, twins had a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes (MZ: 17.5% [95% CI 14.4–20.6], DZ: 15.7% [13.1–18.3], C: 5.6% [3.0–8.2], P = 0.03) together with a 60% higher incidence rate of type 2 diabetes compared with singletons. Cumulative concordance rates of type 2 diabetes to the age of 84 years were similar among elderly MZ (0.76 [0.68–0.84]) and DZ (0.71 [0.63–0.78]) twins.

CONCLUSIONS

Twin status per se is associated with abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes in elderly twins. The data support a quantitatively significant impact of the fetal environment as opposed to genetics on risk of type 2 diabetes.
Simulation Appraisal of the Adequacy of Number of Background Markers for Relationship Estimation in Association Mapping
Authors: Yu Jianming , Zhang Zhiwu , Zhu Chengsong , Tabanao Dindo A. , Pressoir Gael , Tuinstra Mitchell R. , Kresovich Stephen , Todhunter Rory J. , Buckler Edward S.
Published: April 2009

Complex trait dissection through association mapping provides a powerful complement to traditional linkage analysis. The genetic structure of an association mapping panel can be estimated by genomewide background markers and subsequently accounted for in association analysis. Deciding the number of background markers is a common issue that needs to be addressed in many association mapping studies. We first showed that the adequacy of markers in relationship estimation influences the maximum likelihood of the model explaining phenotypic variation and demonstrated this influence with a series of computer simulations with different trait architectures. Analyses and computer simulations were then conducted using two different data sets: one from a diverse set of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines with a complex population structure and familial relatedness, and the other from a group of crossbred dogs. Our results showed that the likelihood‐based model‐fitting approach can be used to quantify the robustness of genetic relationships derived from molecular marker data. We also found that kinship estimation was more sensitive to the number of markers used than population structure estimation in terms of model fitting, and a robust estimate of kinship for association mapping with diverse germplasm requires a certain amount of background markers (e.g., 300–600 biallelic markers for the simulated pedigree materials, >1000 single nucleotide polymorphisms or 100 simple sequence repeats [SSRs] for the diverse maize panel, and about 100 SSRs for the canine panel). Kinship construction with subsets of the whole marker panel and subsequent model testing with multiple phenotypic traits could provide ad hoc information on whether the number of markers is sufficient to quantify genetic relationships among individuals.
FLEXIBLE WORKING IN SCOTTISH LOCAL AUTHORITY PROPERTY: MOVING ON TO THE HIGHEST FLEXIBILITY LEVEL
Authors: Khamkanya Thadsin , Sloan Brian
Published: April 2009

Flexible working has emerged as a modern concept for managing office resources more effectively, efficiently, and economically. The highest level of flexible working environment, a non‐territorial working environment, can provide the best opportunity to an organization managing its office area more effectively. Moreover, staff can work in the most suitable place and time. However, in the context of public offices like Scottish Local Authorities, the most flexible working concept is not particularly welcomed at present. Cultural change, inadequate support services, including information and communication technology, working schemes, and alternative working policies are the main barriers. To overcome these barriers, the Authorities need to strategically provide adequate support to staff. Moreover, promoting a good perception towards flexible working culture at appropriate levels within an organisation could be the right strategy for preventing cultural change problems.

Santruka

Lankstus darbas atsirado kaip modernus, veiksmingas ir ekonomiškas biuro ištekliu valdymo būdas. Aukščiausio lygio lankstaus darbo aplinka, ne teritorine darbo aplinka, gali suteikti geriausiu galimybiu organizacijoms valdyti savo biurus daug efektyviau. Dar daugiau, biuro darbuotojai gali dirbti tinkamiausiu laiku ir tinkamiausiose jiems vietose. Tačiau valstybines istaigos, pavyzdžiui, Škotijos vietos valdžia, nelabai noriai priima lankstaus darbo koncepcija. Kultūros pokyčiai, neadekvačios aptarnavimo paslaugos, taip pat informacines ir komunikacines technologijos, darbo organizavimo schemos bei alternatyvaus darbo politika yra pagrindiniai lankstaus darbo koncepcijos taikymo barjerai. Norint iveikti šiuos barjerus, valstybines institucijos turi strategiškai adekvačiai remti darbuotojus. Dar daugiau, lankstaus darbo kultūros remimas atitinkamais organizacijos lygmenimis gali būti gera kultūros pokyčiu problemu prevencijos strategija.
Nitrogen‐Enriched Nonporous Carbon Electrodes with Extraordinary Supercapacitance
Authors: Hulicova‐Jurcakova Denisa , Kodama Masaya , Shiraishi Soshi , Hatori Hiroaki , Zhu Zong Hua , Lu Gao Qing
Published: April 2009

Nitrogen‐enriched nonporous carbon materials derived from melamine–mica composites are subjected to ammonia treatment to further increase the nitrogen content. For samples preoxidized prior to the ammonia treatment, the nitrogen content is doubled and is mainly incorporated in pyrrol‐like groups. The materials are tested as electrodes for supercapacitors, and in acidic or basic electrolytes, the gravimetric capacitance of treated samples is three times higher than that of untreated samples. This represents a tenfold increase of the capacitance per surface area (3300 µF cm−2) in basic electrolyte. Due to the small volume of the carbon materials, high volumetric capacitances are achieved in various electrolytic systems: 280 F cm−3 in KOH, 152 F cm−3 in H2SO4, and 92 F cm−3 in tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate/propylene carbonate.
Protected geographical indications and integration into the agribusiness system
Authors: Bardají Isabel , Iráizoz Belén , Rapún Manuel
Published: April 2009

The aim of this article is to analyze beef retailers' behavior with respect to the sale of beef under a protected geographical indication (PGI). The study was based on a survey of a representative sample of beef retailers in the Spanish region of Navarra, where there is a well‐established PGI. The data were then evaluated by means of logistic regression, in which the decision whether or not to sell PGI meat was explained by the set of variables drawn from the survey. The results show that the guarantee of quality provided by the PGI, the importance given by consumers to “origin” as a quality attribute, and the quality and conditions offered by the regular supplier, to be the main motivating factors behind the retailer's decision to join the PGI beef supply chain. [JEL Codes: Q01, Q12, Q13]. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Studies on Synthesis and Pharmacological Activities of 1,2,4‐Triazolo[3,4‐b]1,3,4‐thiadiazoles and their Dihydro Analogues
Authors: Mathew Vinod , Giles Devasahayam , Keshavayya Jathi , Vaidya Vijaya P.
Published: April 2009

4‐Amino‐5‐substituted aryl‐3‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazoles are versatile synthons for constructing various biologically active heterocycles. Starting from 4‐amino‐5‐substituted aryl‐3‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazole3a–c, a series of new 3,5‐disubstituted‐1,2,4‐triazolo‐[3,4‐b]1,3,4‐thiadiazoles and their 5,6‐dihydrotriazolothiadiazoles were prepared. The structures of all the newly synthesized compounds have been confirmed by elemental analysis, IR,1H‐NMR,13C‐NMR, and mass spectra. The antimicrobial effects of the synthesized compounds were investigated using the paper disc method. Anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities of the synthesized compounds were assessed by carrageenan‐induced rat paw oedema method and by Eddy's hot plate method, respectively. Some of the compounds exhibited promising antimicrobial activities as well as moderate to good anti‐inflammatory activity and analgesic activity.
Design and Synthesis of a Gossypol Derivative with Improved Antitumor Activities
Authors: Zhan Yonghua , Jia Guangfeng , Wu Daocheng , Xu Yiqing , Xu Liang
Published: April 2009

A novel chemical process has been devised for the synthesis of a new derivative of gossypol, 6,7,6′,7′‐tetrahydroxy‐5,5′‐diisopropyl‐3,3′‐dimethyl‐[2,2']binaphthalenyl‐1,4,1′,4′‐tetraone (Apogossypolone). This new process has only four steps, with a shorter synthesis span, a simple purification process, and improved yield and quality. The structure of apogossypolone was characterized by 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance, 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Cell‐cytotoxicity assay demonstrates that apogossypolone is three‐ to six‐fold more potent than the parent compound, (–)‐gossypol, in inhibiting the human prostate tumor cell lines PC‐3 and DU‐145 as well as the human breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231. The colony‐formation assay with DU‐145 cells showed that apogossypolone inhibited more than 70% of colony formation at 1 μM, whereas (–)‐gossypol at 10 μM only inhibited less than 50% of colony formation. The results indicate that apogossypolone exerts strong antitumor activities in human prostate and breast cancer cells, and thus represents a promising cancer therapeutic.
Rapid depletion of dissolved oxygen in 96‐well microtiter plate Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm assays promotes biofilm development and is influenced by inoculum cell concentration
Authors: Cotter John J. , O'Gara James P. , Casey Eoin
Published: April 2009

Biofilm‐related research using 96‐well microtiter plates involves static incubation of plates indiscriminate of environmental conditions, making oxygen availability an important variable which has not been considered to date. By directly measuring dissolved oxygen concentration over time we report here that dissolved oxygen is rapidly consumed in Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm cultures grown in 96‐well plates irrespective of the oxygen concentration in the gaseous environment in which the plates are incubated. These data indicate that depletion of dissolved oxygen during growth of bacterial biofilm cultures in 96‐well plates may significantly influence biofilm production. Furthermore higher inoculum cell concentrations are associated with more rapid consumption of dissolved oxygen and higher levels of S. epidermidis biofilm production. Our data reveal that oxygen depletion during bacterial growth in 96‐well plates may significantly influence biofilm production and should be considered in the interpretation of experimental data using this biofilm model. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 1042–1047. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The integration of mindfulness and psychology
Authors: Shapiro Shauna L.
Published: April 2009

As the field of psychology continues to expand and evolve, one fruitful avenue of exploration has been the integration of mindfulness into psychological theory and practice. Mindfulness is defined as the awareness that arises out of intentionally attending in an open and discerning way to whatever is arising in the present moment. Two decades of empirical research have generated considerable evidence supporting the efficacy of mindfulness‐based interventions across a wide range of clinical and nonclinical populations, and these interventions have been incorporated into a variety of health care settings. Still, there are many unanswered questions and potential horizons to be investigated. This special issue endeavors to assist in this exploration. It presents a combination of articles concerning aspects of clinical and scientific integration of mindfulness within psychotherapy and psychoeducational settings. This commentary attempts to highlight the main findings of the featured articles as well as elucidate areas for future inquiry. Taken as a whole, the volume supports the importance and viability of the integration of mindfulness into psychology, and offers interesting and meaningful directions for future research. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 65: 1–6, 2009.
Theoretische Chemie 2008
Authors: Rappoport Dmitrij , Furche Filipp
Published: April 2009

Die Entwicklung von Austausch‐Korrelationsfunktionalen bleibt zentrales Thema der Dichtefunktionaltheorie. Mit Car‐Parrinello‐Molekulardynamiksimulationen können realistische Bewegungsprofile in chemischen Reaktionen in silico modelliert werden. Die relativistische Quantenchemie hat große konzeptionelle und methodische Fortschritte erzielt.
Elemental content of aerosol particles in an underground tram station
Authors: Boman Johan , de Carvalho Maria Luisa , Alizadeh Mina B. , Rezaievar Parisa , Wagner Annemarie
Published: April 2009

Particulate matter is an important air pollutant, especially in closed environments like a tunnel. The aim of this study was to determine the mass, black carbon, and elemental concentrations of particulate matter of two size fractions at an underground tram station in Hammarkullen, Gothenburg, Sweden. Samples were collected during June 2007 using a dichotomous virtual impactor separating the sampled aerosol particles into coarse (PM(2.5–10)) and fine (PM2.5) fractions. To minimize the possible influence of waiting passengers, the platform for trams going towards the suburb Angered was chosen. The elemental analysis of the samples, collected on Teflon filters, was carried out using energy dispersive x‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry, resulting in concentrations of 14 elements in most of the samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to identify possible sources for the elements in the particles. Owing to the tunnel environment, the elemental difference between the fine and coarse particle fractions was not as large as that in similar particles collected under normal outdoor ambient conditions. Likewise, the influence of the local weather situation was not significant. Particle content from the tram traffic was identified by PCA, with Fe being the major element in both coarse and fine particles. The particle mass concentration was higher in the tunnel compared to the ambient concentration at the monitoring station Femman in downtown Gothenburg. In some days, the mass concentration exceeded the Swedish daily ambient air quality standard of 50 µg m−3, but it was lower than the limits in the environmental work act, 5 mg m−3. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.