bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social networks in political campaigns: Facebook and the congressional elections of 2006 and 2008
Authors: Williams Christine B. , Gulati Girish J. ‘Jeff’
Published: September 2012

This study examines the early adoption and dissemination of emerging technology tools in campaigns by analyzing which candidates were the most likely to adopt and use Facebook in the 2006 and 2008 elections to the US House of Representatives. The research hypotheses draw primarily from the diffusion of innovation literature. Our analysis of 802 candidates in 2006 and 816 candidates in 2008 indicates that Facebook adoption diffused rapidly between 2006 and 2008, with party (Democrats), competition, money and the level of education in the district explaining both adoption and implementation. Challengers and candidates for open seats were more likely to be early adopters, but incumbents used Facebook more extensively. Both higher adoption rates by peers or competitors in the candidate’s own state and a propensity to adopt earlier campaign technologies are strong positive motivators for early adoption, but irrelevant to usage.
Two virtue ethics and the anthropology of morality
Authors: Mattingly Cheryl
Published: September 2012

There has been a recent call for an anthropology of morality and a challenge to anthropologists that they have been insufficiently attentive to moral aspects of social life. The new anthropology of morality involves an attempt to modify the legacy associated with Durkheim and the idea of the moral as confined to unreflective norm following. Out of this has emerged a new interest in virtue ethics. In this paper, I examine points of convergence and crucial differences between a ‘first-person’ or ‘humanist’ virtue ethics and a postructural one inspired largely by Foucault. Despite their many convergences, poststructural and first-person versions of virtue ethics make not only distinct but in some cases irreconcilable claims. Instead of rushing to merge these positions, I would urge that we pause to look at how they differ and see why this debate might matter to our own ethnographic enterprises.
Durability of high performance concrete composites containing silica fume
Authors: Zhang Peng , Li Qing-Fu
Published: September 2012

A parametric experimental study has been conducted to investigate the effect of silica fume on the durability of the concrete composites. Four different silica fume contents (3%, 6%, 9% and 12%) were used. The durability of concrete composites includes water impermeability, dry shrinkage property, the carbonation resistance and the freeze–thaw resistance. The results indicate that the addition of silica fume has a little adverse effect on the dry shrinkage property of concrete composites. With the increase of silica fume content, the dry shrinkage strain is increasing gradually. However, the addition of silica fume has greatly improved the water impermeability, the carbonation resistance and the freeze–thaw resistance of concrete composites. With the increase of silica fume content, the length of water permeability and the carbonation depth of the specimens are decreasing gradually, and the relative dynamic elastic modulus of the specimens has a tendency of increase with the increase of silica fume content.
The effectiveness of classroom capture technology
Authors: Ford Máire B , Burns Colleen E , Mitch Nathan , Gomez Melissa M
Published: September 2012

The use of classroom capture systems (systems that capture audio and video footage of a lecture and attempt to replicate a classroom experience) is becoming increasingly popular at the university level. However, research on the effectiveness of classroom capture systems in the university classroom has been limited due to the recent development and utilization of the technology. In our study, a quasi-experimental methodology was used to examine the possible benefits of utilizing classroom capture technology as a supplementary resource in a traditional lecture-based course. Across four classes, two were exposed to classroom capture technology and the other two were not. The results suggest that exposure to classroom capture technology is associated with improved study strategies and positive student perceptions of a course. However, this investigation revealed no association between exposure to classroom capture technology and course grade.
Geovisual analytics to support crisis management: Information foraging for geo-historical context
Authors: Tomaszewski Brian , MacEachren Alan M
Published: September 2012

Information foraging and sense-making with heterogeneous information are context-dependent activities. Thus visual analytics tools to support these activities must incorporate context. But, context is a difficult concept to define, model, and represent. Creating and representing context in support of visually-enabled reasoning about complex problems with complex information is a complementary but different challenge than that addressed in context-aware computing. In the latter, the goal is automated system adaptation to meet user application needs such as location-based services where information about the location, the user, and user goals filters what gets presented on a small mobile device. In contrast, for visual analytics-enabled information foraging and sense-making, the user generally takes an active role in foraging for the contextual information needed to support sense-making in relation to some multifaceted problem. In this paper, we address the challenges of constructing and representing context within visual interfaces that support analytic reasoning in crisis management and humanitarian relief. The challenges stem from the diverse forms of information that can provide context and difficulty in defining and operationalizing context itself. Here, we focus on document foraging to support construction of geographic and historical context for facilitating monitoring and sense-making. Specifically, we present the concept of geo-historical context and outline an empirical assessment of both the concept and its implementation in the Context Discovery Application (CDA), a web-based tool that supports document foraging and sense-making. We also discuss the CDA’s transition into applied use for the United Nations to demonstrate the generality of underlying CDA concepts.
Diabetes therapies in renal impairment
Authors: Bailey Clifford J , Day Caroline
Published: September 2012

Depending on age, duration of diabetes and glycaemic control, 20–40% of patients with type 2 diabetes will incur a moderate or severe deterioration of renal function. This will impact the choice of blood glucose-lowering therapy and require more frequent monitoring of both renal function and glycaemic control. Moderate renal impairment (glomerular filtration rate 30 – < 60 ml/min) requires consideration of dose reduction or treatment cessation for metformin, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, some sulphonylureas and some dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. At lower rates of glomerular filtration down to about 15 ml/min it may be appropriate to use a meglitinide, pioglitazone or certain sulphonylureas with careful consideration of dose and co-morbidities. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors can be used at reduced dose in patients with very low rates of glomerular filtration, and linagliptin can be used without dose reduction, and has been used in patients on dialysis. Insulin can be used at any stage of renal impairment, but the regimen and the dose must be suitably adjusted and accompanied by adequate monitoring.
Prevalence of diabetes in patients admitted to a cancer hospital
Authors: Morganstein DL , Tan S , Gore M , Feher MD
Published: September 2012

Cancer rates are increased in people with diabetes. There is also recent evidence that outcomes from cancer treatment are worse in those with diabetes. There is a need to assess the prevalence of diabetes in cancer patients in order to tailor resources and improve clinical outcomes. This study examined the prevalence of diabetes and hyperglycaemia and specific referrals amongst hospitalised patients in a specialist cancer hospital.

In a cancer hospital 11% of in-patients had either identified diabetes or hyperglycaemia (random blood glucose >11mmol/l.) Consecutive referrals to a diabetes consultant confirmed that over half of patients had gastro-intestinal tract primary cancers, over 20% had poor glycaemic control whilst on steroids, and 18% had poor glycaemic control during artificial nutrition. Referrals came from both medical and surgical teams.

Thus diabetes and hyperglycaemia are common problems amongst in-patients with cancer, and these patients have complex diabetes requirement. Patients with cancer and diabetes need access to specialist diabetes care.
A Toolkit to Promote Fidelity to Health Promotion Interventions in Afterschool Programs
Authors: Wiecha Jean L. , Hannon Cynthia , Meyer Kimberly
Published: September 2012

Community-based obesity prevention efforts are an essential component of a public health approach to obesity and chronic disease risk reduction. Afterschool programs can participate by providing healthy snacks and regular physical activity. Although efficacious obesity prevention strategies have been identified, they have not been widely implemented. The authors describe the development of A+, a quality improvement (QI) toolkit designed to help YMCA afterschool programs implement healthy eating and physical activity guidelines. YMCA of the USA Health Promotion Standards for afterschool sites specify eliminating sugar-sweetened beverages and trans fats; providing fruits, vegetables, and water; and ensuring at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily. Field tests of A+ indicated that a QI toolkit for community-based afterschool programs can be implemented by a program director across multiple program sites, responds to programmatic needs, appropriately identifies barriers to improvement, and permits development of locally appropriate improvement plans. The QI approach holds promise for public health efforts and for field research to evaluate promising interventions by helping ensure full implementation of health promotion strategies.
Aging, Society, & the Life Course
Authors: Hou Su-I
Published: September 2012

Aging, Society, & the Life Course is a comprehensive textbook and timely edition with updates on a number of contemporary issues affecting our aging society including an increased focus on baby boomers as they approach retirement and critical issues on global aging. The authors provide in-depth discussions on how societal forces influence the aging process and examine these from personal, familial, community, societal, and global perspectives. The book also integrates theories with context to help readers better understand the diversity of the older population, and aging and the life course as social phenomena. This text is ideal not only for both undergraduate and graduate courses but also for practitioners to better understand how aging is much more than an individual journey through time, and is also a complex social process that will affect our field. The life course perspective also helps inform new research and theoretical developments in the field of gerontology.
“Harsh Realism”
Authors: Gilligan Paula
Published: September 2012

In the aftermath of the 2011 UK riots, two main themes emerged in public discourse: (a) that the riots were criminal and materialistic in intent and linked to the reality television driven “miswanting” of poor youth and (b) that the riots were a manifestation of a national crisis generated by the absence of public and civic responsibility among (female) denizens of public housing estates. The author argues that, far from telling us about the cultures of poor youth, reality television programs, notably those produced by the BBC, elucidate the agenda of political elites driving “Austerity Britain” to “harden” the views of British citizens against the poor and marginalized. She explores the new harsh realism of Neighbourhood Watched identifying a shift from the earlier left-wing concerns of the British social-realist movement, toward a right-wing sensibility, which has coincided with significant changes to state policy toward the most vulnerable segments of Britain’s population.
A Taguchi approach for investigation of solid particle erosion response of needle-punched nonwoven reinforced polymer composites: Part II
Authors: Patnaik Amar , Tejyan Sachin
Published: September 2012

In the present work, the effect of fabric mat loading at different impingement angle and impact velocity were reported through solid particle erosion test rig on viscose fiber based needle-punched nonwoven fabric mat reinforced polymer composites. Three types of viscose fiber based fabric mats (VS200, VS400 and VS600 g/m2) were used as reinforcing material. The solid particle erosion wear behavior of viscose fiber based needle-punched nonwoven reinforced composites were evaluated using irregular shape silica sand particles of the size of 250, 350 and 450 µm with a varying stand-off distance (65, 75 and 85 mm), impingement angle (30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90°) and impact velocity (45, 54 and 65 m/s). Taguchi analysis was also carried out on the basis of design of experiments approach to establish the inter-dependence of operating parameters on erosion rate of the composites. Analysis of variance and signal-to-noise ratio have been performed on the measured data. The eroded surfaces of these composite samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy to examine the wear modes of the composites. However, Part I discussed the physical, mechanical and thermo-mechanical characterization of the same series of composites and concluded that all the mechanical properties were improving with the increase in fabric mat weight percentages. Furthermore in thermo-mechanical analysis, in the temperature range of 50–60℃ the damping factor (tan δ) values was found to increase and the peak values of tan δ was observed in the temperature range of 70–90℃ for all the composites.
Caring for a Loved One With Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Liew Charles Van , Cronan Terry A.
Published: September 2012

Objective:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with considerable caregiver and social burden. It is important to examine ways to minimize the negative effects of AD. Health care advocates (HCAs) may be one means of limiting the aversive effects of AD.

Method:

Participants completed a short survey that assessed their perceptions of the impact of comorbid AD on health status and their likelihood of hiring an HCA to assist in managing it. A mediational model was proposed: cognitive status (AD vs cognitively healthy) was the independent variable, perception of severity was the mediator, and the probability of hiring an HCA was the dependent variable.

Results:

The results indicated that the relationship between cognitive status and probability of hiring an HCA was fully mediated by perceptions of severity.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that participants appreciated the impact of AD on health status, and this translated into a greater probability of hiring an HCA.
Prediction of Breast Resection Weight in Reduction Mammaplasty Based on 3-Dimensional Surface Imaging
Authors: Eder Maximilian , Grabhorn Ariane , Waldenfels Fee v. , Schuster Tibor , Papadopulos Nikolaos A. , Machens Hans-Günther , Kovacs Laszlo
Published: September 2012

Prediction of resection weight (RW) in reduction mammaplasty is helpful in achieving breast symmetry and in fulfilling the stringent reimbursement requirements of health insurance companies. Current breast volume estimations are largely based on surgeon’s experience, which are partially unreliable and often cumbersome to obtain. Therefore, this study aims to develop a formula to predict RW based on 3D surface imaging. A total of 68 breasts were treated with bilateral T-scar, and 40 breasts were treated with bilateral or unilateral vertical-scar reduction mammaplasty. Linear distances and volume measurements were assessed 3-dimensionally preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Significant correlations between the RW and the calculated preoperative breast volume (ρ = 0.804) and the sternal notch to nipple distance (ρ = 0.839) were found in both techniques ( P < .001). Regression equations with the RW were performed to derive prediction formulas. Surgeons may benefit from the formulas in terms of improvement in preoperative planning, dealing with insurance coverage questions, and optimizing patient consultation.
Edging your bets: Advantage play, gambling, crime and victimisation
Authors: Banks James
Published: September 2012

Consumerism, industrial development and regulatory liberalisation have underpinned the ascendance of gambling to a mainstream consumption practice. In particular, the online gambling environment has been marketed as a site of ‘safe risks’ where citizens can engage in a multitude of different forms of aleatory consumption. This paper offers a virtual ethnography of an online ‘advantage play’ subculture. It demonstrates how advantage players have reinterpreted the online gambling landscape as an environment saturated with crime and victimisation. In this virtual world, advantage play is no longer simply an instrumental act concerned with profit accumulation to finance consumer desires. Rather, it acts as an opportunity for individuals to engage in a unique form of edgework, whereby the threat to one’s well-being is tested through an ability to avoid crime and victimisation. This paper demonstrates how mediated environments may act as sites for edgeworking and how the potential for victimisation can be something that is actively engaged with.
Worries and possibilities in active citizenship: Three Swedish educational contexts
Authors: Aldenmyr Sara Irisdotter , Wigg Ulrika Jepson , Olson Maria
Published: September 2012

This article examines how the concept of active citizenship has been given a neo-liberal character by examining practice in three different educational contexts in Sweden. The concept of active citizenship has become influential in educational policy and practice throughout the European Union. The aim of this article is to highlight concerns at how this concept has come to be re-shaped by neo-liberal principles in Swedish education. The analysis highlights three themes, based on voice, ethical awareness and complexity and mutuality of lived experience, and argues that they provide the basis for a shift away from the present neo-liberal colouring of the concept.
Disparities in the Conduct of the Medical Encounter
Authors: Peck B. Mitchell , Denney Meredith
Published: September 2012

The U.S. health care system continues to struggle to meet the needs of all members of society. Health disparities are a major concern of the health care system. There are differences in health outcomes related to gender, race, ethnicity, age, and other social indicators. Previous research has focused on differences in access to health care and differences in the delivery of specific medical services. More recently, researchers have examined the way doctors and patients interact to understand health disparities. The current study examines differences in the way doctors and patients interact in terms of information gathering, communicating information, and relationship building, as well as general conduct of the interaction and patient’s satisfaction with the encounter. The study uses data coded from audiotapes of 221 doctor–patient encounters. The results suggest medical encounters differ in important ways depending on patient and physician characteristics. These differences can create and contribute to health disparities.
Genome sequencing and genetic breeding of a bioethanol Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain YJS329
Authors: Zheng Dao-Qiong , Wang Pin-Mei , Chen Jie , Zhang Ke , Liu Tian-Zhe , Wu Xue-Chang , Li Yu-Dong , Zhao Yu-Hua
Published: September 2012

Background

Environmental stresses and inhibitors encountered by Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains are the main limiting factors in bioethanol fermentation. Strains with different genetic backgrounds usually show diverse stress tolerance responses. An understanding of the mechanisms underlying these phenotypic diversities within S. cerevisiae populations could guide the construction of strains with desired traits.

Results

We explored the genetic characteristics of the bioethanol S. cerevisiae strain YJS329 and elucidated how genetic variations in its genome were correlated with specified traits compared to similar traits in the S288c-derived strain, BYZ1. Karyotypic electrophoresis combined with array-comparative genomic hybridization indicated that YJS329 was a diploid strain with a relatively constant genome as a result of the fewer Ty elements and lack of structural polymorphisms between homologous chromosomes that it contained. By comparing the sequence with the S288c genome, a total of 64,998 SNPs, 7,093 indels and 11 unique genes were identified in the genome of YJS329-derived haploid strain YJSH1 through whole-genome sequencing. Transcription comparison using RNA-Seq identified which of the differentially expressed genes were the main contributors to the phenotypic differences between YJS329 and BYZ1. By combining the results obtained from the genome sequences and the transcriptions, we predicted how the SNPs, indels and chromosomal copy number variations may affect the mRNA expression profiles and phenotypes of the yeast strains. Furthermore, some genetic breeding strategies to improve the adaptabilities of YJS329 were designed and experimentally verified.

Conclusions

Through comparative functional genomic analysis, we have provided some insights into the mechanisms underlying the specific traits of the bioenthanol strain YJS329. The work reported here has not only enriched the available genetic resources of yeast but has also indicated how functional genomic studies can be used to improve genetic breeding in yeast.
Genome-wide association study for T lymphocyte subpopulations in swine
Authors: Lu Xin , Fu Wei-Xuan , Luo Yan-Ru , Ding Xiang-Dong , Zhou Jia-Peng , Liu Yang , Liu Jian-Feng , Zhang Qin
Published: September 2012

Background

Lymphocytes act as a major component of the adaptive immune system, taking very crucial responsibility for immunity. Differences in proportions of T-cell subpopulations in peripheral blood among individuals under same conditions provide evidence of genetic control on these traits, but little is known about the genetic mechanism of them, especially in swine. Identification of the genetic control on these variants may help the genetic improvement of immune capacity through selection.

Results

To identify genomic regions responsible for these immune traits in swine, a genome-wide association study was conducted. A total of 675 pigs of three breeds were involved in the study. At 21 days of age, all individuals were vaccinated with modified live classical swine fever vaccine. Blood samples were collected when the piglets were 20 and 35 days of age, respectively. Seven traits, including the proportions of CD4+, CD8+, CD4+CD8+, CD4+CD8−, CD4−CD8+, CD4−CD8− and the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells were measured at the two ages. All the samples were genotyped for 62,163 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) using the Illumina porcineSNP60k BeadChip. 40833 SNPs were selected after quality control for association tests between SNPs and each immune trait considered based on a single-locus regression model. To tackle the issue of multiple testing in GWAS, 10,000 permutations were performed to determine the chromosome-wise and genome-wise significance levels of association tests. In total, 61 SNPs with chromosome-wise significance level and 3 SNPs with genome-wise significance level were identified. 27 significant SNPs were located within the immune-related QTL regions reported in previous studies. Furthermore, several significant SNPs fell into the regions harboring known immunity-related genes, 14 of them fell into the regions which harbor some known T cell-related genes.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that genome-wide association studies would be a feasible way for revealing the potential genetics variants affecting T-cell subpopulations. Results herein lay a preliminary foundation for further identifying the causal mutations underlying swine immune capacity in follow-up studies.
Prevalence and factors associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in shanghai work-units
Authors: Hu Xiaona , Huang Yiqin , Bao Zhijun , Wang Yiqian , Shi Dongmei , Liu Fang , Gao Zhanjuan , Yu Xiaofeng
Published: September 2012

Backgrounds

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease in Asians. However, data on prevalence and factors associated with NAFLD in Asians are lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD in Shanghai employees to assess the relationship between NAFLD and age, gender, metabolic risk factors in this studied population.

Methods

We selected 7152 employees of Shanghai work-units. Each of them underwent detailed medical history-taking, physical examination, laboratory assessments and abdominal ultrasonography. The diagnosis of NAFLD was done according to established criteria. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were applied to detect areas under the ROC curves for each index. Nominal logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio for risk factors of NAFLD.

Results

About 38.17% employees had NAFLD, more in men than in women. The prevalence of NAFLD increased with increasing age. In both genders, the prevalence of metabolic factors was higher in the NAFLD group. Body max index, waist circumference, weight-to-height ratio, blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and uric acid were found to have a diagnostic value for NAFLD. Body max index is a better index for diagnosing NAFLD. Uric acid is a new diagnosing index not inferior to lipid metabolic factors. Metabolic factors can increase the risk of NAFLD up to 1.5 ~ 3.8 times.

Conclusions

Older age, male gender, metabolic factors such as obesity, abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension or type 2 diabetes are risk factors for NAFLD. Prevalence of NAFLD in Shanghai employees is high. Prevention is extremely important. Those achieve the critical point should have early intervention.
Alterations of leptin in the course of inflammation and severe sepsis
Authors: Behnes Michael , Brueckmann Martina , Lang Siegfried , Putensen Christian , Saur Joachim , Borggrefe Martin , Hoffmann Ursula
Published: September 2012

Background

The adipokine leptin regulates energy expenditure, vascular function, bone and cartilage growth as well as the immune system and systemic inflammatory response. Several activating effects towards T cells, monocytes, endothelium cells and cytokine production have been reported suggesting a protective role of leptin in the setting of an acute systemic inflammation. However, the pathophysiological role of leptin during severe sepsis is currently not elucidated in detail. This study aims to investigate leptin expression in cultured human adipocytes within an inflammatory model and in patients suffering from severe sepsis and evaluates treatment effects of drotrecogin alpha (activated) (DAA), the recombinant form of human activated protein C.

Methods

In an in-vitro inflammatory model of adipocyte cell-culture the effect of DAA on leptin mRNA expression was evaluated. Synthesis of mRNA was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, supernatants of these adipocytes as well as serum levels of adiponectin were measured in blood of 104 severe septic patients by ELISA-method. 26 patients were treated with DAA (DAA+), 78 patients were not treated with DAA (DAA-).

Results

Stimulation of human adipocytes with TNF alpha over 6 and 24 hours resulted in a significant decrease by 46% and 59% of leptin mRNA transcripts compared to un-stimulated controls (p < 0.05). Leptin levels of supernatants of adipocyte culture decreased by 25% and 23% (p < 0.05) after incubation with TNF alpha after 6 and 24 hours. Incubation with DAA at 50 ng/ml DAA and 5 μg/ml doubled mRNA expression significantly at 24 hours (p < 0.05) but not at 6 hours. From day 1 to day 3 of sepsis, leptin levels increased in DAA+ compared to DAA- patients (p<0.10).

Conclusions

Leptin appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of a systemic inflammatory response during sepsis. Administration of DAA significantly increased leptin expression. The specific mechanism or even benefit of DAA towards leptin needs further ongoing research.
Social and economic burden of walking and mobility problems in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Pike James , Jones Edward , Rajagopalan Krithika , Piercy James , Anderson Peter
Published: September 2012

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive neurological disease and the majority of patients will experience some degree of impaired mobility. We evaluated the prevalence, severity and burden of walking and mobility problems (WMPs) in 5 European countries.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional, patient record-based study involving 340 neurologists who completed detailed patient record forms (PRF) for patients (>18 years) attending their clinic with MS. Patients were also invited to complete a questionnaire (PSC). Information collected included demographics, disease characteristics, work productivity, quality of life (QoL; EuroQol-5D and Hamburg Quality of Life Questionnaire Multiple Sclerosis [HAQUAMS]) and mobility (subjective patient-reported and objectively measured using the timed 25 foot walk test [T25FW]). Relationships between WMPs and disease and other characteristics were examined using Chi square tests. Analysis of variance was used to examine relationships between mobility measures and work productivity.

Results

Records were available for 3572 patients of whom 2171 also completed a PSC. WMPs were regarded as the most bothersome symptom by almost half of patients who responded (43%; 291/683). There was a clear, independent and strong directional relationship between severity of WMPs (subjective and objective) and healthcare resource utilisation. Patients with longer T25FW times (indicating greater walking impairment) were significantly more likely to require additional caregiver support (p < 0.0001), visit a variety of healthcare professionals including their primary care physicians (p = 0.0044) and require more long-term non-disease modifying drugs (p = 0.0001). A similar pattern was observed when subjective reporting of the severity of WMPs was considered. Work productivity was also markedly impacted by the presence of WMPs with fewer patients working full time and a reduction in weekly working hours as T25FW times and the subjective severity of WMPs increased.

Conclusions

In Europe, WMPs in MS represent a considerable personal and social burden both financially and in terms of quality of life. Interventions to improve mobility could have significant benefits for patients and society as a whole.
Barriers, facilitators and preferences for the physical activity of school children. Rationale and methods of a mixed study
Authors: Martínez-Andrés María , García-López Úrsula , Gutiérrez-Zornoza Myriam , Rodríguez-Martín Beatriz , Pardo-Guijarro María Jesús , Sánchez-López Mairena , Cortés-Ramírez Eugenio , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente
Published: September 2012

Background

Physical activity interventions in schools environment seem to have shown some effectiveness in the control of the current obesity epidemic in children. However the complexity of behaviors and the diversity of influences related to this problem suggest that we urgently need new lines of insight about how to support comprehensive population strategies of intervention. The aim of this study was to know the perceptions of the children from Cuenca, about their environmental barriers, facilitators and preferences for physical activity.

Methods/Design

We used a mixed-method design by combining two qualitative methods (analysis of individual drawings and focus groups) together with the quantitative measurement of physical activity through accelerometers, in a theoretical sample of 121 children aged 9 and 11 years of schools in the province of Cuenca, Spain.

Conclusions

Mixed-method study is an appropriate strategy to know the perceptions of children about barriers and facilitators for physical activity, using both qualitative methods for a deeply understanding of their points of view, and quantitative methods for triangulate the discourse of participants with empirical data. We consider that this is an innovative approach that could provide knowledges for the development of more effective interventions to prevent childhood overweight.
An efficient strategy for cell-based antibody library selection using an integrated vector system
Authors: Yoon Hyerim , Song Jin Myung , Ryu Chun Jeih , Kim Yeon-Gu , Lee Eun Kyo , Kang Sunghyun , Kim Sang Jick
Published: September 2012

Background

Cell panning of phage-displayed antibody library is a powerful tool for the development of therapeutic and imaging agents since disease-related cell surface proteins in native complex conformation can be directly targeted. Here, we employed a strategy taking advantage of an integrated vector system which allows rapid conversion of scFv-displaying phage into scFv-Fc format for efficient cell-based scFv library selection on a tetraspanin protein, CD9.

Results

A mouse scFv library constructed by using a phagemid vector, pDR-D1 was subjected to cell panning against stable CD9 transfectant, and the scFv repertoire from the enriched phage pool was directly transferred to a mammalian cassette vector, pDR-OriP-Fc1. The resulting constructs enabled transient expression of enough amounts of scFv-Fcs in HEK293E cells, and flow cytometric screening of binders for CD9 transfectant could be performed simply by using the culture supernatants. All three clones selected from the screening showed correct CD9-specificity. They could immunoprecipitate CD9 molecules out of the transfectant cell lysate and correctly stain endogenous CD9 expression on cancer cell membrane. Furthermore, competition assay with a known anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody (mAb) suggested that the binding epitopes of some of them overlap with that of the mAb which resides within the large extracellular loop of CD9.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that scFv-Fc from mammalian transient expression can be chosen as a reliable format for rapid screening and validation in cell-based scFv library selection, and the strategy described here will be applicable to efficient discovery of antibodies to diverse cell-surface targets.
Social support for women of reproductive age and its predictors: a population-based study
Authors: Baheiraei Azam , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Mohammadi Eesa , Charandabi Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh , Nedjat Saharnaz
Published: September 2012

Background

Social support is an exchange of resources between at least two individuals perceived by the provider or recipient to be intended to promote the health of the recipient. Social support is a major determinant of health. The objective of this study was to determine the perceived social support and its associated sociodemographic factors among women of reproductive age.

Methods

This was a population-based cross-sectional study with multistage random cluster sampling of 1359 women of reproductive age. Data were collected using questionnaires on sociodemographic factors and perceived social support (PRQ85-Part 2). The relationship between the dependent variable (perceived social support) and the independent variables (sociodemographic characteristics) was analyzed using the multivariable linear regression model.

Results

The mean score of social support was 134.3 ± 17.9. Women scored highest in the “worth” dimension and lowest in the “social integration” dimension. Multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that the variables of education, spouse’s occupation, Sufficiency of income for expenses and primary support source were significantly related to the perceived social support.

Conclusion

Sociodemographic factors affect social support and could be considered in planning interventions to improve social support for Iranian women.
Entomologic investigation of Plasmodium knowlesi vectors in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia
Authors: Jiram Adela I , Vythilingam Indra , NoorAzian Yusuf M , Yusof Yusri M , Azahari Abdul H , Fong Mun-Yik
Published: September 2012

Background

The first natural infection of Plasmodium knowlesi in humans was recorded in 1965 in peninsular Malaysia. Extensive research was then conducted and it was postulated that it was a rare incident and that simian malaria will not be easily transmitted to humans. However, at the turn of the 21st century, knowlesi malaria was prevalent throughout Southeast Asia and is life threatening. Thus, a longitudinal study was initiated to determine the vectors, their seasonal variation and preference to humans and macaques.

Methods

Monthly mosquito collections were carried out in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, peninsular Malaysia, using human-landing collection and monkey-baited traps at ground and canopy levels. All mosquitoes were identified and all anopheline mosquitoes were dissected and the gut and gland examined for oocysts and sporozoites. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on positive samples, followed by sequencing of the csp gene.

Results and discussion

Anopheles cracens was the predominant mosquito biting humans as well as the macaques. It comprised 63.2% of the total collection and was the only species positive for sporozoites of P. knowlesi. It was exophagic and did not enter houses. Besides An. cracens, Anopheles kochi was also found in the monkey-bait trap. Both species preferred to bite monkeys at ground level compared to canopy.

Conclusion

Anopheles cracens, which belongs to the Dirus complex, Leucosphyrus subgroup, Leucosphyrus group of mosquitoes, has been confirmed to be the only vector for this site from Pahang during this study. It was the predominant mosquito at the study sites and with deforestation humans and villages are entering deeper in the forests, and nearer to the mosquitoes and macacques. The close association of humans with macaques and mosquitoes has led to zoonotic transmission of malaria.
Synthesis and antifungal activity of novel pyrazolecarboxamide derivatives containing a hydrazone moiety
Authors: Wu Jian , Wang Jian , Hu Deyu , He Ming , Jin Linhong , Song Baoan
Published: September 2012

Background

The plant pathogenic fungus (such as Gibberella zeae, Fusarium oxysporum and Cytospora mandshurica) causes devastating disease in agriculture. The pathogenic fungus is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. In order to discover new fungicidal molecule with good fungicidal activity against G. zeae, F. oxysporum, and C. mandshurica, we sought to combine the active sub-structure of hydrazone and pyrazole amide derivatives together to design and synthesize novel pyrazole amide derivatives containing a hydrazone moiety.

Results

A series of novel pyrazole amide derivatives bearing hydrazone moiety were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. The preliminary biological assays revealed that most of the synthesized compounds exhibit favorable antifungal activities against G. zeae. The activity of compounds 7a, 7f, 7g, 7h, 7i, 7j, 7l and 7q were 40.82%, 47.78%, 50.32%, 40.82%, 49.05%, 48.73%, 40.19% and 45.89%, respectively, and the synthesized compounds showed certain antifungal activities against F. oxysporum and C.mandshurica.

Conclusion

A practical synthetic route to pyrazole amide derivatives containing a hydrazone moiety were synthesized by the condensation of intermediates 5-chloro-N-(4-subsititued-2-(hydrazinecarbonyl)-6-methylphenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide with different aldehydes or ketones in ethanol at room temperature is presented, the results of the study suggested that the pyrazole amide derivatives containing hydrazone moieties could inhibit the growth of G. zeae, F. oxysporium and C. mandshurica to a certain extent.
HDM2 antagonist MI-219 (spiro-oxindole), but not Nutlin-3 (cis-imidazoline), regulates p53 through enhanced HDM2 autoubiquitination and degradation in human malignant B-cell lymphomas
Authors: Sosin Angela M , Burger Angelika M , Siddiqi Aisha , Abrams Judith , Mohammad Ramzi M , Al-Katib Ayad M
Published: September 2012

Background

Lymphomas frequently retain wild-type (wt) p53 function but overexpress HDM2, thereby compromising p53 activity. Therefore, lymphoma is a suitable model for studying the therapeutic value of disrupting the HDM2-p53 interaction by small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs). HDM2 have been developed and are under various stages of preclinical and clinical investigation. Previously, we examined the anti-lymphoma activity of MI-319, the laboratory grade of a new class of HDM2 SMI, the spiro-oxindole, in follicular lymphoma. Since then, MI-219, the clinical grade has become readily available. This study further examines the preclinical effects and mechanisms of MI-219 in a panel of human lymphoma cell lines as well as a cohort of patient-derived B-lymphcytes for its potential clinical use.

Results

Preclinical assessment of MI-219 was evaluated by means of an in vitro and ex vivo approach and compared to Nutlin-3, the gold standard. Characterization of p53 activity and stability were assessed by quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunoprecipitation. Biological outcome was measured using Trypan blue exclusion assay, Annexin V/PI, PARP and caspase-3 cleavage. Surprisingly, the overall biological effects of Nutlin-3 were more delayed (48 h) while MI-219 triggered an earlier response (12-24 h), predominantly in the form of apoptotic cell death. Using a cell free autoubiquitination assay, neither agent interfered with HDM2 E3 ligase function. MI-219 was more effective in upregulating wt-p53 stabilization compared to Nutlin-3. MI-219, but not Nutlin-3, enhanced the autoubiquitination and degradation of HDM2.

Conclusions

Our data reveals unexpected differences between MI-219 and the well-studied Nutlin-3 in lymphoma cell lines and patient samples. We suggest a novel mechanism for MI-219 that alters the functional activity of HDM2 through enhanced autoubiquitination and degradation. Additionally, this mechanism appears to correspond to biological outcome. Our results provide evidence that different classes of HDM2 SMIs elicit molecular events that extend beyond HDM2-p53 dissociation which may be of biological and potentially therapeutic importance.
Mean-field description and propagation of chaos in networks of Hodgkin-Huxley and FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons
Authors: Baladron Javier , Fasoli Diego , Faugeras Olivier , Touboul Jonathan
Published: September 2012

We derive the mean-field equations arising as the limit of a network of interacting spiking neurons, as the number of neurons goes to infinity. The neurons belong to a fixed number of populations and are represented either by the Hodgkin-Huxley model or by one of its simplified version, the FitzHugh-Nagumo model. The synapses between neurons are either electrical or chemical. The network is assumed to be fully connected. The maximum conductances vary randomly. Under the condition that all neurons’ initial conditions are drawn independently from the same law that depends only on the population they belong to, we prove that a propagation of chaos phenomenon takes place, namely that in the mean-field limit, any finite number of neurons become independent and, within each population, have the same probability distribution. This probability distribution is a solution of a set of implicit equations, either nonlinear stochastic differential equations resembling the McKean-Vlasov equations or non-local partial differential equations resembling the McKean-Vlasov-Fokker-Planck equations. We prove the well-posedness of the McKean-Vlasov equations, i.e. the existence and uniqueness of a solution. We also show the results of some numerical experiments that indicate that the mean-field equations are a good representation of the mean activity of a finite size network, even for modest sizes. These experiments also indicate that the McKean-Vlasov-Fokker-Planck equations may be a good way to understand the mean-field dynamics through, e.g. a bifurcation analysis.

Mathematics Subject Classification (2000):60F99, 60B10, 92B20, 82C32, 82C80, 35Q80.
Effects of Ground Failure on Buildings, Ports, and Industrial Facilities
Authors: Bray Jonathan , Rollins Kyle , Hutchinson Tara , Verdugo Ramon , Ledezma Christian , Mylonakis George , Assimaki Dominic , Montalva Gonzalo , Arduino Pedro , Olson Scott M. , Kayen Robert , Hashash Youssef M.A. , Candia Gabriel
Published: September 2012

Soil liquefaction occurred at many sites during the 2010 Maule, Chile, earthquake, often leading to ground failure and lateral spreading. Of particular interest are the effects of liquefaction on built infrastructure. Several buildings were damaged significantly due to foundation movements resulting from liquefaction. Liquefaction-induced ground failure also displaced and distorted waterfront structures, which adversely impacted the operation of some of Chile's key port facilities. Important case histories that document the effects of ground failure on buildings, ports, and industrial facilities are presented in this paper.
Seismic Performance of Earth Structures during the February 2010 Maule, Chile, Earthquake: Dams, Levees, Tailings Dams, and Retaining Walls
Authors: Verdugo Ramon , Sitar Nicholas , Frost J. David , Bray Jonathan D. , Candia Gabriel , Eldridge Terry , Hashash Youssef , Olson Scott M. , Urzua Alfredo
Published: September 2012

The 27 February 2010 Maule, Chile, earthquake occurred during the driest time of the year, which implied that most of the soils in the slopes were not saturated and that the dams had extra freeboard. This may explain the small number of slope failures caused by the earthquake. However, two important earth dams suffered seismically induced permanent ground movements, but no catastrophic damage was reported because the reservoirs levels were low. Five medium-sized mine tailings dams failed due to liquefaction; one of them tragically caused four casualties. Retaining structures of all types performed well and no failures were observed.
A Functional Loss Assessment of a Hospital System in the Bío-Bío Province
Authors: Mitrani-Reiser Judith , Mahoney Michael , Holmes William T. , de la Llera Juan Carlos , Bissell Rick , Kirsch Thomas
Published: September 2012

The objectives of this study were to introduce a damage and loss-of-function survey tool that can be used to standardize future assessment of hospital performance, to assess the impact of the 2010 Chilean earthquake on the functions of the public hospital system in the Bío-Bío Province, and to translate these results as lessons that can be applied to U.S. hospitals. This study focused on damage to structural and nonstructural components, utility services, and equipment, as well as loss of supplies and personnel. Structural engineers completed a visual inspection of facilities, and hospital administrators were surveyed to assess the overall impact on operations. All hospitals lost communications, electrical power, and water for several days. All hospitals reported some physical damage although only one suffered significant structural damage. The lessons learned from Chile are applied to U.S. practice of hospital seismic mitigation.
Plant developmental biologists meet on stairways in Matera
Authors: Beeckman Tom , Friml Jiri
Published: September 2012

The third EMBO Conference on Plant Molecular Biology, which focused on ‘Plant development and environmental interactions’, was held in May 2012 in Matera, Italy. Here, we review some of the topics and themes that emerged from the various contributions; namely, steering technologies, transcriptional networks and hormonal regulation, small RNAs, cell and tissue polarity, environmental control and natural variation. We intend to provide the reader who might have missed this remarkable event with a glimpse of the recent progress made in this blossoming research field.