bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The legacy of altruism in health care: the promotion of empathy, prosociality and humanism
Authors: Burks Derek J , Kobus Amy M 
Published: February 2012

Medical Education 2012: 46: 317–325Objectives  This study aimed to examine concepts of altruism and empathy among medical students and professionals in conjunction with health care initiatives designed to support the maintenance of these qualities.Methods  We searched for the terms ‘altruism’, ‘altruistic’, ‘helping’, ‘prosocial behaviour’ and ‘empathy’ in the English‐language literature published from 1980 to the present within the Ovid MEDLINE, PsycInfo and PubMed databases. We used conceptual analysis to examine the relationships among altruism, empathy and related prosocial concepts in health care in order to understand how such factors may relate to emotional and career burnout, cynicism, decreased helping and decreased patient‐centredness in care.Results  Altruistic ideals and qualities of empathy appear to decrease among some medical students as they progress through their education. During this process, students face increasingly heavy workloads, deal with strenuous demands and become more acquainted with non‐humanistic informal practices inherent in the culture of medicine. In combination, these factors increase the likelihood that emotional suppression, detachment from patients, burnout and other negative consequences may result, perhaps as a means of self‐preservation. Alternatively, by making a mindful and intentional choice to endeavour for self‐care and a healthy work–life balance, medical students can uphold humanistic and prosocial attitudes and behaviours.Conclusions  Promoting altruism in the context of a compensated health care career is contradictory and misguided. Instead, an approach to clinical care that is prosocial and empathic is recommended. Training in mindfulness, self‐reflection and emotion skills may help medical students and professionals to recognise, regulate and behaviourally demonstrate empathy within clinical and professional encounters. However, health care initiatives to increase empathy and other humanistic qualities will be limited unless more practical and feasible emotion skills training is offered to and accepted by medical students. Success will be further moderated by the culture of medicine’s full acceptance of empathy and humanism into its customs, beliefs, values, interactions and daily practices.
Learning during simulation training is prone to retroactive interference
Authors: Fraser Kristin , Ma Irene , Teteris Elise , Lee Murray , Wright Bruce , McLaughlin Kevin 
Published: February 2012

Medical Education 2012: 46: 299–305Context  Retroactive interference occurs when newly acquired information inhibits recall of previously learned information. This has been shown to influence recall of sounds, tastes and word associations, and is typically seen when learners receive training on one area of content and are then exposed to new content before being evaluated on the original content. Thus far, retroactive interference has received little attention in medical education and has not been studied during simulation training. Our objective was to evaluate whether retroactive interference occurs during simulation training.Methods  We randomised 167 Year 1 medical students to one of two training protocols. After training on a cardiac murmur, participants were tested either on the same cardiac murmur followed by a novel murmur (the non‐interference protocol), or on the novel murmur followed by the training murmur (the interference protocol). We evaluated performance on both murmurs at 1 hour and 6 weeks post‐training.Results  We found a significant interaction between training protocol and diagnostic performance on training versus novel murmurs at both testing time‐points. Students in the non‐interference protocol had increased odds of achieving success on the training murmur relative to the novel murmur at 1 hour (odds ratio [OR] 4.96; p < 0.001) and at 6 weeks (OR 4.23; p = 0.001) after training. By comparison, students in the interference protocol did not demonstrate improved performance on the training murmur relative to the novel murmur at either evaluation (1 hour post‐training: OR 0.56 [p = 0.08]; 6 weeks post‐training: OR 0.66 [p = 0.23]).Conclusions  Consistent with the theory of retroactive interference, students who encountered a novel murmur between training and evaluation on the murmur on which they had been trained showed no improvement in diagnostic performance following simulation training. These findings should serve to warn educators to consider retroactive interference when designing simulation training sessions.
The RS domain of Arabidopsis splicing factor RRC1 is required for phytochrome B signal transduction
Authors: Shikata Hiromasa , Shibata Mami , Ushijima Tomokazu , Nakashima Moeko , Kong Sam‐Geun , Matsuoka Ken , Lin Chentao , Matsushita Tomonao 
Published: February 2012

SummaryPlants monitor the light environment through informational photoreceptors that include phytochromes. In seedling de‐etiolation, phytochrome B (phyB), which is the most important member of the phytochrome family, interacts with transcription factors to regulate gene expression and transduce light signals. In this study, we identified rrc1 (reduced red‐light responses in cry1cry2 background 1), an Arabidopsis mutant that is impaired in phyB‐mediated light responses. A genetic analysis demonstrated that RRC1 affected light signaling in a phyB‐dependent manner. RRC1 encodes an ortholog of the human potential splicing factor SR140. The RRC1 polypeptide contains a C‐terminal arginine/serine‐rich (RS) domain that is important for the regulation of alternative splicing. Although the complete loss of RRC1 caused pleiotropic developmental abnormalities, the deletion of the RS domain specifically reduced phyB signaling and caused aberrant alternative splicing of several SR protein genes. Moreover, semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR analysis revealed that the alternative splicing patterns of some of the SR protein genes were altered in a red‐light‐dependent manner, and that these responses were reduced in both phyB and rrc1 mutants. These findings suggest that the regulation of alternative splicing by the RS domain of RRC1 plays an important role in phyB signal transduction.
Transcriptome analysis and gene expression atlas for Panicum hallii var. filipes, a diploid model for biofuel research
Authors: Meyer Eli , Logan Tierney L. , Juenger Thomas E. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryPanicum hallii is an emerging model for genetic studies of agronomic traits in Panicum, presenting a tractable diploid alternative study system to the tetra‐ or octaploid biofuel crop switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). To characterize the gene complement in P. hallii var. filipes and enable gene expression analysis in this system we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the transcriptome. Over 300 Mb of normalized cDNA prepared from multiple tissues and treatments was sequenced using 454‐Titanium, producing an annotated assembly including 15 422 unique gene names. Comparison with other grass genomes identified putative P. hallii homologs for >14 000 previously characterized genes. We also developed an atlas of gene expression across tissues and stages using RNA‐Seq (the quantitative analysis of short cDNA reads). SOLiD sequencing and quantitative analysis of more than 40 million cDNA tags identified substantial variation in expression profiles among tissues, consistent with known functional differences. Putative homologs were found for all enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway leading to lignin biosynthesis, including genes with known effects on biomass conversion efficiency. The resources developed here will enable studies of the genes underlying variation in cell wall composition, drought tolerance, and biomass production in Panicum.
Influence of additional language learning on first language learning in children with language disorders
Authors: To Carol K. S. , Law Thomas , Li Xin‐xin 
Published: February 2012

Abstract  Background: Multilingualism can bring about various positive outcomes to typically developing children. Its effect on children with language difficulties is not yet clear.Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of multilingual learning as a medium of instruction (MOI) on first language (L1) acquisition of children with language disorders (LD).Methods & Procedures: Nineteen Cantonese‐speaking students aged 5;8–6;8 who were diagnosed with LD were recruited from a school that used Putonghua (an alternative Chinese dialect) as the MOI when learning Chinese language and were compared with 18 age‐and‐gender‐matched Cantonese‐speaking students with LD from a school that used Cantonese as the MOI when learning Chinese language. All the students also learned English (L2) as a subject at school. Proficiency in Cantonese was tested at the beginning and the end of the semester in Grade One in terms of: (1) grammar, (2) expressive vocabulary, (3) auditory textual comprehension, (4) word definition and (5) narration.Outcomes & Results: Mixed‐model ANOVAs revealed an effect of time on language proficiency indicating positive gains in both groups. Interaction effects between time and group were not significant. There was a trend that children learning Putonghua showed slightly more improvement in auditory textual comprehension.Conclusions & Implications: Proficiency gains were similar across groups. The study found no evidence that a multilingual learning environment hinders the language proficiency in L1 in students who have LD.
Dynamic Assessment of Sentence Structure (DASS): design and evaluation of a novel procedure for the assessment of syntax in children with language impairments
Authors: Hasson Natalie , Dodd Barbara , Botting Nicola 
Published: February 2012

Abstract  Background: Sentence construction and syntactic organization are known to be poor in children with specific language impairments (SLI), but little is known about the way in which children with SLI approach language tasks, and static standardized tests contribute little to the differentiation of skills within the population of children with language impairments (LI). Information about the nature and intensity of prompts that facilitate sentence construction for a particular child may be useful in planning effective intervention.Aims: This paper describes the development of a dynamic assessment (DA) task which requires implicit knowledge of syntactic structure. The aim was to formulate a valid and reliable procedure for the DA of sentence formulation that could yield useful information for planning intervention for children with LI.Methods & Procedures: The Dynamic Assessment of Sentence Structure (DASS) was employed on 24 children aged 8–10 years, with identified language impairments, who were tested four times, at 4 monthly intervals.Outcomes & Results: A range of scores was elicited with no limiting ceiling or floor effects, and the test showed high internal reliability of α= 0.833. Inter‐rater reliability was high. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by significant correlation with scores obtained on the CELF‐3(UK) and predictive validity of the measure was also found to exceed that of the standardized test measure. Information about the ability of the children to use strategies and less directive prompts, and to transfer learning between items was elicited, and the information was thought to be useful by speech and language therapists involved in their management.Conclusions & Implications: The application of DA principles to the assessment of children previously diagnosed with LI, for the purposes of finding out more information about their potential to benefit from language intervention, was found to be effective. The tool developed was shown to be valid and reliable, and it has potentially important applications for the planning of individual intervention programmes and service delivery.
Characterization of cerebral glucose dynamics in vivo with a four‐state conformational model of transport at the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Duarte João M. N. , Gruetter Rolf 
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 396–406.AbstractDetermination of brain glucose transport kinetics in vivo at steady‐state typically does not allow distinguishing apparent maximum transport rate (Tmax) from cerebral consumption rate. Using a four‐state conformational model of glucose transport, we show that simultaneous dynamic measurement of brain and plasma glucose concentrations provide enough information for independent and reliable determination of the two rates. In addition, although dynamic glucose homeostasis can be described with a reversible Michaelis–Menten model, which is implicit to the large iso‐inhibition constant (Kii) relative to physiological brain glucose content, we found that the apparent affinity constant (Kt) was better determined with the four‐state conformational model of glucose transport than with any of the other models tested. Furthermore, we confirmed the utility of the present method to determine glucose transport and consumption by analysing the modulation of both glucose transport and consumption by anaesthesia conditions that modify cerebral activity. In particular, deep thiopental anaesthesia caused a significant reduction of both Tmax and cerebral metabolic rate for glucose consumption. In conclusion, dynamic measurement of brain glucose in vivo in function of plasma glucose allows robust determination of both glucose uptake and consumption kinetics.
Which plant traits predict species loss in calcareous grasslands with extinction debt?
Authors: Saar Liina , Takkis Krista , Pärtel Meelis , Helm Aveliina 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAim  Habitat loss and degradation pose a major threat to biodiversity, which can result in the extinction of habitat characteristic species. However, many species exhibit a delayed response to environmental changes because of the slow intrinsic dynamics of populations, resulting in extinction debt. We assess directly the changes in habitat characteristic species composition by comparing historical (1923) and current inventories in highly fragmented grasslands. We aim to characterize the species that constitute extinction debt in European calcareous grasslands.Location  Europe, Estonia, 59–60° N, 24–25° E.Methods  We related eleven life‐history traits and selected habitat preferences to local extinctions of populations in grasslands where extinction debt has been largely paid. Traits were chosen to describe species dispersal and persistence abilities and were quantified from databases.Results  The studied grasslands have lost 90% of their area and 30% of their characteristic plant populations in 90 years. Species more prone to local population extinction were characterized by shorter life span, self‐pollination, a lack of clonal growth, fewer seeds per shoot, lower average height, lower soil nitrogen preference and higher requirements for light, indicating a limited ability to tolerate the range of changes in biotic and abiotic conditions of the sites. Locally extinct populations were also characterized by wind‐dispersed seeds, lower seed weight and lower terminal velocity of seeds, suggesting that species strategies for long‐distance dispersal are not favoured in highly fragmented landscapes. Thus, both increased habitat isolation and decreased habitat quality are important in determining local population extinction.Main conclusions  Populations more prone to local extinction were characterized by a number of life‐history traits, demonstrating a greater extinction risk for species with poorer abilities for local persistence and competition. Our results can be applied to less degraded grasslands where the extinction debt is not yet paid to determine those species most susceptible to future extinction.
Predicting to new environments: tools for visualizing model behaviour and impacts on mapped distributions
Authors: Zurell Damaris , Elith Jane , Schröder Boris 
Published: February 2012

AbstractData limitations can lead to unrealistic fits of predictive species distribution models (SDMs) and spurious extrapolation to novel environments. Here, we want to draw attention to novel combinations of environmental predictors that are within the sampled range of individual predictors but are nevertheless outside the sample space. These tend to be overlooked when visualizing model behaviour. They may be a cause of differing model transferability and environmental change predictions between methods, a problem described in some studies but generally not well understood. We here use a simple simulated data example to illustrate the problem and provide new and complementary visualization techniques to explore model behaviour and predictions to novel environments. We then apply these in a more complex real‐world example. Our results underscore the necessity of scrutinizing model fits, ecological theory and environmental novelty.
Contrasting patterns in species richness of birds, butterflies and plants along riparian corridors in an urban landscape
Authors: Dallimer Martin , Rouquette James R. , Skinner Andrew M. J. , Armsworth Paul R. , Maltby Lorraine M. , Warren Philip H. , Gaston Kevin J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAim  Urbanization is a major driver of global land‐use change, substantially modifying patterns of biodiversity. Managing these impacts has become a conservation priority. The creation and maintenance of greenways, such as river corridors, is frequently promoted as a strategy for mitigating habitat fragmentation in urban areas by bringing semi‐natural habitat cover into city centres. However, there is little evidence to support this assertion. Here, we examine whether riparian zones maintain semi‐natural habitat cover in urban areas and how species richness varies along such zones.Location  Sheffield, Northern England.Methods  Multiple taxonomic groups (birds, butterflies, plants) were surveyed at 105 sites spanning seven riparian corridors that transect the study system. For all groups, we model the relationships between species richness and environmental variables pertinent to an urban system. To test whether riparian zones can act to maintain semi‐natural habitats within a city, we modelled the proportion of semi‐natural land cover within 250 m grid squares that do, and do not, contain a river.Results  Species richness varied markedly in relation to distance from the urban core. Trends differed both between taxonomic groups and between rivers, reflecting the complex patterns of environmental variation associated with cities. This suggests that biodiversity surveys that focus on a single group or transect cannot reliably be used as surrogates even within the same city. Nonetheless, there were common environmental predictors of species richness. Plant, avian and butterfly richness all responded positively to Habitat Diversity and the latter two declined with increases in sealed surface.Main conclusions  Multiple transects and taxonomic groups are required to describe species richness responses to urbanization as no single pattern is evident. Although riparian zones are an important component of the mosaic of urban habitats, we find that river corridors do not disproportionately support tree and Natural Surface Cover when compared to non‐riverine urban areas.
Acetaldehyde Oral Self‐Administration: Evidence from the Operant‐Conflict Paradigm
Authors: Cacace Silvana , Plescia Fulvio , Barberi Ignazio , Cannizzaro Carla 
Published: February 2012

Background:Acetaldehyde (ACD), ethanol's first metabolite, has been reported to interact with the dopaminergic reward system, and with the neural circuits involved in stress response. Rats self‐administer ACD directly into cerebral ventricles, and multiple intracerebroventricular infusions of ACD produce conditioned place preference. Self‐administration has been largely employed to assess the reinforcing and addictive properties of most drugs of abuse. In particular, operant conditioning is a valid model to investigate drug‐seeking and drug‐taking behavior in rats.Methods:This study was aimed at the evaluation of (i) the motivational properties of oral ACD in the induction and maintenance of an operant‐drinking behavior; (ii) ACD effect in a conflict situation employing the punishment‐based Geller–Seifter procedure; and (iii) the onset of a relapse drinking behavior, following ACD deprivation. The lever‐pressing procedure in a sound‐attenuated operant‐conditioning chamber was scheduled into 3 different periods: (i) training—rewarded responses with a fixed ratio 1; (ii) conflict—rewarded responses periodically associated with a 0.2 mA foot‐shock; and (iii) relapse—rewarded lever presses following 1‐week ACD abstinence.Results:Our results show that oral self‐administrated ACD induced: a higher rate of punished responses in Geller–Seifter procedures; and the establishment of a relapse behavior following ACD deprivation.Conclusions:In conclusion, our results indicate that ACD is able to induce an operant‐drinking behavior, which is also maintained besides the conflict procedure and enhanced by the deprivation effect, supporting the hypothesis that ACD itself possesses motivational properties, such as alcohol and other substances of abuse.
3D Reconstruction of the Glycocalyx Structure in Mammalian Capillaries using Electron Tomography
Authors: ARKILL KENTON P. , NEAL CHRIS R. , MANTELL JUDITH M. , MICHEL CHARLES C. , QVORTRUP KLAUS , ROSTGAARD JØRGEN , BATES DAVE O. , KNUPP CARLO , SQUIRE JOHN M. 
Published: February 2012

Please cite this paper as: Arkill KP, Neal CR, Mantell JM, Michel CC, Qvortrup K, Rostgaard J, Bates DO, Knupp C, Squire JM. 3D reconstruction of the glycocalyx structure in mammalian capillaries using electron tomography. Microcirculation 19: 343–351, 2012.AbstractObjective:  Visualising the molecular strands making up the glycocalyx in the lumen of small blood vessels has proved to be difficult using conventional transmission electron microscopy techniques. Images obtained from tissue stained in a variety of ways have revealed a regularity in the organisation of the proteoglycan components of the glycocalyx layer (fundamental spacing about 20 nm), but require a large sample number. Attempts to visualise the glycocalyx face‐on (i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the endothelial cell layer in the lumen and directly applicable for permeability modelling) has had limited success (e.g. freeze fracture). A new approach is therefore needed.Methods:  Here we demonstrate the effectiveness of using the relatively novel electron microscopy technique of 3D electron tomography on two differently stained glycocalyx preparations. A tannic acid staining method and a novel staining technique using Lanthanum Dysprosium Glycosamino Glycan adhesion (the LaDy GAGa method).Results:  3D electron tomography reveals details of the architecture of the glycocalyx just above the endothelial cell layer. The LaDy GAGa method visually appears to show more complete coverage and more depth than the Tannic Acid staining method.Conclusion:  The tomographic reconstructions show a potentially significant improvement in determining glycocalyx structure over standard transmission electron microscopy.