bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lessons from the academy: actuating active mass‐class information literacy instruction
Authors: Chalmers Mardi 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to mitigate the dearth in the library literature of large‐class, active learning pedagogies, by providing examples of these instructional approaches used in mega‐classes within the science, humanities, and education fields, for application within the library environment, specifically in large information literacy instruction sessions.Design/methodology/approachThe author surveys both the library and science and education literatures, comparing coverage of active learning approaches in the professional literatures of each.FindingsAlthough the library literature enthusiastically supports active learning approaches to teaching information literacy in theory, there are statistically few librarians who employ these learning modalities in their teaching. There are hardly any examples in the library literature of librarians using large‐class, active‐learning pedagogies. This article discusses some of the reasons behind librarians' reluctance to use active learning techniques and offers pragmatic suggestions from the literature of the sciences and education to alleviate this reticence.Originality/valueThis paper helps fill in the gap in the library literature discussing large‐class, active pedagogies for information literacy instruction. It offers some practical solutions from within the non‐library literature to some of the pedagogical obstacles inherent in mass classes, making explicit applications to information literacy instruction.
Disasters: lessons from the past 105 years
Authors: Eshghi Kourosh , Larson Richard C. 
Published: February 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study and review some major impacts of the disasters during the past 105 years and develop a new theoretical classification of disasters.Design/methodology/approachA detailed study of disasters in the world during the period (1900‐2005) has been obtained from the recent published sources. In that period more than 40 lessons have been reported based on statistical data analysis of disasters. Furthermore, a two‐dimensional probability density function is developed to categorize the different types of disasters. This paper studies and reviews some major impacts of disasters during the past 105 years and summarizes some major lessons for the future. Furthermore, a new scaling system is presented to determine the actual damage of disasters to human life.FindingsThere is no doubt that the impacts of future disasters will not be the same as previous ones but lessons from the past can be very helpful for improving one's knowledge about disasters and providing better response programs for local and international organizations. A new scaling system will also be a useful guide for the development and evaluation of national and international disaster planning, mitigation, and hazard reduction efforts.Originality/valueImportant lessons have been reported based on statistical data analysis of disasters. Moreover, a new classification of disasters is presented to relate the vulnerability factors of a society to the magnitude of the natural disasters.
Unfolding the fold of cyclic cysteine‐rich peptides
Authors: Shehu Amarda , Kavraki Lydia E. , Clementi Cecilia 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe propose a method to extensively characterize the native state ensemble of cyclic cysteine‐rich peptides. The method uses minimal information, namely, amino acid sequence and cyclization, as a topological feature that characterizes the native state. The method does not assume a specific disulfide bond pairing for cysteines and allows the possibility of unpaired cysteines. A detailed view of the conformational space relevant for the native state is obtained through a hierarchic multi‐resolution exploration. A crucial feature of the exploration is a geometric approach that efficiently generates a large number of distinct cyclic conformations independently of one another. A spatial and energetic analysis of the generated conformations associates a free‐energy landscape to the explored conformational space. Application to three long cyclic peptides of different folds shows that the conformational ensembles and cysteine arrangements associated with free energy minima are fully consistent with available experimental data. The results provide a detailed analysis of the native state features of cyclic peptides that can be further tested in experiment.
Engineering and characterization of a single chain surrogate light chain variable domain
Authors: Morstadt Lucia , Bohm Andrew , Yüksel Deniz , Kumar Krishna , Stollar B. David , Baleja James D. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe surrogate light chain (SLC) is a key regulator of B cell development in the bone marrow, resulting in mature B cells that produce antibodies that are capable of interacting with antigens. The SLC comprises two noncovalently interacting proteins: VpreB and 14.1. We engineered a construct to represent the complete immunoglobulin‐like domain of the SLC variable domain in a single protein chain that could be bacterially expressed. In this construct, the incomplete immunoglobulin domain of VpreB (residues 1–102) was linked to the J‐segment of 14.1 (residues 40–53), which provided one β‐strand to complete the V‐like domain (VpreBJ). Because VpreBJ has the interface to VH chains, but lacks the unique region of 14.1, which is important for SLC signaling, we predict that a properly folded VpreBJ would have the potential to act as a dominant negative mutant of the surrogate light chain. X‐ray crystallography of VpreBJ at 2.0 Å resolution showed that the engineering was successful. With its two β‐pleated sheets, packed face‐to‐face, the single chain VpreBJ resembles a mature light chain immunoglobulin V‐domain (VL). The surface that would normally interact with the VH chain interacts with a crystallographically related VpreBJ molecule. The presence of dimeric species in solution was verified by analytical ultracentrifugation. VpreBJ is easily overexpressed in bacteria, while retaining the native conformation of an immunoglobulin domain, and thus may serve as an important reagent for future studies in B‐cell development.
Comparison of structural and functional stream assessment methods to detect changes in riparian vegetation and water pH
Authors: RIIPINEN MIIRA P. , DAVY‐BOWKER JOHN , DOBSON MICHAEL 
Published: February 2008

Summary1. Streams draining conifer plantations are often assumed to suffer from reduced ecosystem function due to acidity and diminished basal food resources. Evidence exists for the deleterious impacts of conifer plantations on stream ecosystem function and also of the negative impacts of acidification. This study compared the performance of a measure of ecosystem function (leaf litter decomposition) with structural measures (shredder species richness; shredder abundance; ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) and seven different acidity index scores) in determining the impacts of conifer plantations and acidification on streams.2. The study was conducted in the Derbyshire Peak District (U.K.) from January to April 2003. Five pairs of sites with broadleaved versus coniferous riparian vegetation were selected for comparison. Three of the broadleaved sites and two of the coniferous sites were also acid (mean pH < 6.1).3. Breakdown rates of alder and oak leaves as well as shredder species richness and abundance were determined from mesh bags. Benthic samples were also collected on the same sampling dates and these were used to calculate the various index scores for each site. Community composition was investigated using redundancy analysis.4. Clear differences in mesh bags were observed between the two riparian vegetation types: all parameters measured were higher in conifer sites than broadleaved sites. Leaf litter breakdown also differed between pH classes: mass loss was higher in neutral than acid sites. Structural index scores were unable to differentiate between the riparian vegetation types and with the exception of the species level Acid Water Indicator Community score, no structural index was able to differentiate between the two acidity classes.5. The results suggest that stream function (leaf litter breakdown) responds to differences in riparian land use and stream acidity more strongly overall than community structure (structural indices). This in turn suggests that stream structure and function may be only loosely coupled. Therefore, the use of water quality indices should ideally be combined with functional measures to obtain a complete assessment of stream ecosystems.
MG132 proteasome inhibitor modulates proinflammatory cytokines production and expression of their receptors in U937 cells: involvement of nuclear factor‐κB and activator protein‐1
Authors: Ortiz‐Lazareno Pablo C. , Hernandez‐Flores Georgina , Dominguez‐Rodriguez Jorge R. , Lerma‐Diaz Jose M. , Jave‐Suarez Luis F. , Aguilar‐Lemarroy Adriana , Gomez‐Contreras Piedad C. , Scott‐Algara Daniel , Bravo‐Cuellar Alejandro 
Published: February 2008

SummaryIn response to inflammatory stimuli, monocytes/macrophages secrete greater quantities of the proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐6. The inflammatory process and the innate immune response are related to the activation of several transcription factors, such as nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) and activator protein 1 (AP‐1). The proteasome is a multimeric protease complex, which plays a vital role in several cellular functions, including the regulation of transcription factors like NF‐κB. In this study, we used the human monocyte cell line U937 stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) as a model to investigate the in vitro effects of MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, on the release of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 and on the expression of their membrane and soluble receptors TNF‐R1, IL‐1R1 and IL‐6R. We also analysed the effects of MG132 on the activation of NF‐κB and AP‐1 and on the IκB molecule. MG132 significantly inhibited the secretion of those proinflammatory cytokines. MG132 increased the release of the soluble receptors TNF‐R1 and IL‐1R1 from U937 cells and decreased their cell‐surface expression. MG132 also increased IL‐6R cell‐surface expression and decreased its release. Proteasome inhibition also led to an increase in LPS+PMA‐induced AP‐1 activation and the attenuation of LPS+PMA‐induced IκB degradation, resulting in the abolition of NF‐κB activation. Our experiments strongly suggest that the proteasome is an important factor in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors.
Genomics and the immune system
Authors: Pipkin Matthew E. , Monticelli Silvia 
Published: February 2008

SummaryWhile the hereditary information encoded in the Watson–Crick base pairing of genomes is largely static within a given individual, access to this information is controlled by dynamic mechanisms. The human genome is pervasively transcribed, but the roles played by the majority of the non‐protein‐coding genome sequences are still largely unknown. In this review we focus on insights to gene transcriptional regulation by placing special emphasis on genome‐wide approaches, and on how non‐coding RNAs, which derive from global transcription of the genome, in turn control gene expression. We review recent progress in the field with highlights on the immune system.
Characterization of hydration products of mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Camilleri J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjective  To characterize the hydration products of white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).Methodology  Mineral trioxide aggregate, white Portland cement and bismuth oxide were evaluated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Rietveld XRD. The cements were tested un‐hydrated and after hydration and curing for 30 days at 37 °C. Analysis of hydrated cement leachate was performed weekly for five consecutive weeks from mixing using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy after which the cements were viewed under the scanning electron microscope to evaluate the cement microstructure. Quantitative energy dispersive analysis with X‐ray was performed and atomic ratios were plotted.Results  Both Portland cement and MTA produced calcium silicate hydrate (C‐S‐H) and calcium hydroxide (CH) on hydration. The tricalcium aluminate levels were low for MTA which resulted in reduced production of ettringite and monosulphate. On hydration the bismuth level in the hydrated MTA decreased; bismuth oxide replaced the silica in the C‐S‐H and was leached out once the C‐S‐H decomposed with time. Both MTA and Portland cement released a high amount of calcium ions which decreased in amount over the 5‐week period.Conclusions  The hydration mechanism of MTA is different to that of Portland cement. In MTA the bismuth oxide is bound to the C‐S‐H and is leached out from the cement with time as the C‐S‐H decomposes. MTA produces a high proportion of calcium ions from CH a by‐product of hydration and also by decomposition of C‐S‐H. The release of calcium ions reduces with time.
Decalcifying effect of 15% EDTA, 15% citric acid, 5% phosphoric acid and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite on root canal dentine
Authors: Pérez‐Heredia M. , Ferrer‐Luque C. M. , González‐Rodríguez M. P. , Martín‐Peinado F. J. , González‐López S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim  To evaluate and compare ex vivo the decalcifying effect of 15% EDTA, 15% citric acid, 5% phosphoric acid and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite on root canal dentine.Methodology  Two 2‐mm‐thick slices were cut from the coronal third of the root of 10 human incisors. Each slice was sectioned into two equal parts. Specimens were assigned to one of four groups (n = 10) for immersion in 20 mL of either 15% EDTA, or 15% citric acid, 5% phosphoric acid or 2.5% NaOCl, for three time periods (5, 10 and 15 min). The concentration of Ca2+ extracted from the dentine was measured by atomic absorption spectrophometry. The amount of calcium extracted was analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test for global comparisons and the Mann–Whitney U‐test for pairwise comparisons.Results  In the three time periods, 15% EDTA and 15% citric acid extracted the largest amount of calcium, with no significant differences between them. The 2.5% NaOCl solution extracted insignificant amounts of calcium, whereas 15% EDTA extracted 86.72% of the calcium in the first 5 min, and 15% citric acid and 5% phosphoric acid had a similar pattern of calcium removal (77.03% and 67.08% in first 5 min, respectively).Conclusions  Solutions of 15% EDTA, 15% citric acid and 5% phosphoric acid decalcify root dentine, with most calcium extracted during the first 5 min of action. The efficacy of 15% citric acid and 15% EDTA solutions was significantly greater than that of 5% phosphoric acid solution at each time period (5, 10 and 15 min).
Birthweight percentiles by gestational age and gender for children in the North of Mexico
Authors: Ríos Jesús Manuel , Tufiño‐Olivares Edith , Reza‐López Sandra , Sanín Luz Helena , Levario‐Carrillo Margarita 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles of birthweight, by gestational age and sex, for newborns covered by the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) in the State of Chihuahua. To generate the database, we used IMSS hospitals’ records in the State of Chihuahua, covering the period between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004. We included singleton live births only, and excluded babies with congenital malformations. The birthweights of 88 368 children born at 21–44 weeks of gestation comprised our data. From these data, we calculated the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles for each sex, at 32–44 weeks of gestation. The observed cutoffs for the 10th percentile in our population were 40–250 g higher than those reported in other references with Mexican populations. These results constitute an updated birthweight reference that will allow the identification of newborns in the North region of the country with low birthweight‐for‐gestational age. Such information can be a useful instrument for preventing or diminishing associated risks.
Intracluster correlation coefficients from the 2005 WHO Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health: implications for implementation research
Authors: Taljaard Monica , Donner Allan , Villar José , Wojdyla Daniel , Velazco Alejandro , Bataglia Vicente , Faundes Anibal , Langer Ana , Narváez Alberto , Valladares Eliette , Carroli Guillermo , Zavaleta Nelly , Shah Archana , Campodónico Liana , Romero Mariana , Reynoso Sofia , De Pádua Karla Simônia , Giordano Daniel , Kublickas Marius , Acosta Arnaldo ,   the World Health Organization 2005 Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health Research Group
Published: February 2008

SummaryCluster‐based studies involving aggregate units such as hospitals or medical practices are increasingly being used in healthcare evaluation. An important characteristic of such studies is the presence of intracluster correlation, typically quantified by the intracluster correlation coefficient (ICC). Sample size calculations for cluster‐based studies need to account for the ICC, or risk underestimating the sample size required to yield the desired levels of power and significance. In this article, we present values for ICCs that were obtained from data on 97 095 pregnancies and 98 072 births taking place in a representative sample of 120 hospitals in eight Latin American countries. We present ICCs for 86 variables measured on mothers and newborns from pregnancy to the time of hospital discharge, including ‘process variables’ representing actual medical care received for each mother and newborn. Process variables are of primary interest in the field of implementation research.We found that overall, ICCs ranged from a minimum of 0.0003 to a maximum of 0.563 (median 0.067). For maternal and newborn outcome variables, the median ICCs were 0.011 (interquartile range 0.007–0.037) and 0.054 (interquartile range 0.013–0.075) respectively; however, for process variables, the median was 0.161 (interquartile range 0.072–0.328). Thus, we confirm previous findings that process variables tend to have higher ICCs than outcome variables. We demonstrate that ICCs generally tend to increase with higher prevalences (close to 0.5). These results can help researcherscalculate the required sample size for future research studies in maternal and perinatal health.
Variation in season of birth in singleton and multiple births concordant for autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Lee Li‐Ching , Newschaffer Craig J. , Lessler Justin T. , Lee Brian K. , Shah Rashmi , Zimmerman Andrew W. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryPatterns of seasonal variation in births in some neuropsychiatric conditions have been found in previous research; however, no study to date has examined these disorders for seasonal variation in singletons and multiple births separately. This study aimed to determine whether the birth date distribution for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including singletons and multiple births, differed from the general population. Two ASD case groups were studied: 907 singletons and 161 multiple births concordant for ASD. Two control groups were obtained from registered births of singletons and multiples.Results of the non‐parametric time‐series analyses, where day of birth was used, suggested there were three peaks in ASD singletons and ASD concordant multiple births. Roughly, the peaks were in April, June and October for singletons and about 2–4 weeks earlier in multiples. Results from multivariable Poisson regression, where month of birth was used, indicated that ASD concordant multiple births in males tended to be higher than expected in March, May and September (with borderline statistical significance), but were 87% less in December (P < 0.05), as compared with January. Overall, the patterns of relative risk estimates from Poisson regression are similar to findings from the non‐parametric time‐series approach, but are not exactly congruent. It is important to note that indications of seasonality may be sensitive to the selection of time cut‐points and therefore an arbitrary binning of time can either mask existing trends or falsely indicate the presence of a trend. The presence of seasonal trends in ASD singletons and concordant multiple births suggests a role for non‐heritable factors operating during the pre‐ or perinatal period, even among cases with a genetic susceptibility.
Histological Changes of the Feline Cervix, Endometrium and Placenta after Mid‐gestational Termination of Pregnancy with Aglepristone
Authors: Georgiev P , Wehrend A , Penchev G , Vodenicharov A , Kauffold J , Leiser R 
Published: February 2008

ContentsThis study was conducted to investigate endometrial and placental structural changes that occurred in response to mid‐gestational termination of pregnancy in queens using aglepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist. Thirteen European Shorthair pregnant queens were either treated with aglepristone (10 mg/kg body weight; subcutaneously) twice on days 25 and 26 after first mating (am; group I; n = 9), or remained untreated and served as control (group II; n = 4). Queens of group I were ovariohysterectomized between days 30 and 41 am, either at the onset (n = 3) or during (n = 1) abortion and 12 h (n = 1), 24 h (n = 3) or 10 days after abortion (n = 1). Queens of group II were ovariohysterectomized on day 30 am. Tissue was collected from the cervix, and the interplacental zone as well as the paraplacenta/placental girdle of the uterus, subjected to standard histological procedures and evaluated using light microscopy. During abortion, gaps appeared within the paraplacenta and the placental girdle which were filled with blood, leading to an embryo‐maternal disconnection. Blood was also observed within the uterine lumen as well as the interstitial mucosal stroma of the cervix and the placental girdle zone and probably originated from damaged venules, whilst arterioles remained intact. As the interval between abortion and surgery increased, the interstitial and luminal haemorrhages became less pronounced and completely disappeared except interstitial remnants 10 days after abortion. The endometrial regeneration was not fully completed on day 10 after abortion and a few cystically dilated glands were evident. In conclusion, abortion of queens through aglepristone given during mid‐gestation is assumed to be the result of damage of uterine venules. This leads to an interstitial haemorrhages and bleeding into the uterine lumen, subsequently resulting in utero‐placental detachment.