bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of the regulation of the endocannabinoid system in a virus model of multiple sclerosis reveals a therapeutic effect of palmitoylethanolamide
Authors: Loría Frida , Petrosino Stefania , Mestre Leyre , Spagnolo Alessandra , Correa Fernando , Hernangómez Miriam , Guaza Carmen , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Docagne Fabian 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCannabinoids have recently been approved as a treatment for pain in multiple sclerosis (MS). Increasing evidence from animal studies suggests that this class of compounds could also prove efficient to fight neurodegeneration, demyelination, inflammation and autoimmune processes occurring in this pathology. However, the use of cannabinoids is limited by their psychoactive effects. In this context, potentiation of the endogenous cannabinoid signalling could represent a substitute to the use of exogenously administrated cannabinoid ligands. Here, we studied the expression of different elements of the endocannabinoid system in a chronic model of MS in mice. We first studied the expression of the two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, as well as the putative intracellular cannabinoid receptor peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α. We observed an upregulation of CB2, correlated to the production of proinflammatory cytokines, at 60 days after the onset of the MS model. At this time, the levels of the endocannabinoid, 2‐arachidonoylglycerol, and of the anti‐inflammatory anandamide congener, palmithoylethanolamide, were enhanced, without changes in the levels of anandamide. These changes were not due to differences in the expression of the degradation enzymes, fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase, or of biosynthetic enzymes, diacylglycerol lipase‐α and N‐acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase‐D at this time (60 days). Finally, the exogenous administration of palmitoylethanolamide resulted in a reduction of motor disability in the animals subjected to this model of MS, accompanied by an anti‐inflammatory effect. This study overall highlights the potential therapeutic effects of endocannabinoids in MS.
Effects of multimedia on cognitive load, self‐efficacy, and multiple rule‐based problem solving
Authors: Zheng Robert , McAlack Matthew , Wilmes Barbara , Kohler‐Evans Patty , Williamson Jacquee 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study investigates effects of multimedia on cognitive load, self‐efficacy and learners’ ability to solve multiple rule‐based problems. Two hundred twenty‐two college students were randomly assigned to interactive and non‐interactive multimedia groups. Based on Engelkamp's multimodal theory, the present study investigates the role of multimedia in multiple rule‐based problem solving. The findings indicate that providing learners with manipulative function in multimedia would facilitate their problem solving through reduced cognitive load and improved self‐efficacy. The study identifies a significant mediator effect for self‐efficacy that mediates between multimedia and learners’ problem solving. Discussion focuses on the effects of multimedia and self‐efficacy on learners’ performance in multiple rule‐based problem solving. Suggestions are made with regard to the design of problem solving in future studies.
Evaluating the quality of e‐learning at the degree level in the student experience of blended learning
Authors: Ginns Paul , Ellis Rob A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper reports on the development of a scale for determining the quality of the student e‐learning experience at the degree level when the student learning context is predominately a campus‐based experience. Rapid developments in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in higher education require methods for evaluating the contribution of such tools to student learning, especially when they are complementing a face‐to‐face experience. We examine the psychometric functioning of a proposed e‐learning scale in relation to a well‐validated degree‐level teaching evaluation instrument, the Student Course Experience Questionnaire. The e‐learning scale has suitable reliability and validity in the present sample of undergraduate students for quality assurance activities around ICT.
The Legitimacy of Pay and Performance Comparisons: An Analysis of UK University Vice Chancellors Pay Awards
Authors: Tarbert Heather , Tee Kaihong , Watson Robert 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis article examines UK University Vice Chancellors (VC) pay awards. The empirical analysis, covering the period 1997–2002, evaluates the impact upon VC pay awards of university performance measures, internal pay comparisons and two external pay comparisons, that is, the pay of other VCs and the pay of chief executive officers (CEOs) leading comparable‐sized UK firms. For the total sample, we find no evidence that VC pay awards are related to any of the performance measures, although for the pre‐ and post‐1992 subsamples there is some evidence that pay awards are related to some ‘mission‐relevant’ performance measures. All the analyses show a positive relationship between changes in the proportion of other highly paid employees and VC pay awards, which suggests that internal pay comparisons play an important role in remuneration committee decision making. As anticipated, the two external pay benchmarks have very different effects upon VC pay awards; the pay received by other VCs produces a marked ‘mean reversion’ in pay levels while the pay of CEOs running comparable‐sized UK firms had a highly significant positive impact upon VC pay awards. Following the insights of institutional theory, we interpret this conservatism by university remuneration committees as stemming primarily from legitimation concerns rather than financial constraints.
Understanding the dynamics between preterm infants and their families
Authors: CHESNEY ANNA R. , CHAMPION PATRICIA R. 
Published: July 2008

The high‐tech environment of the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) may seem a million miles away from the classroom, but the baby who has been born prematurely, wired up in an incubator in the former, will in five years' time be a learner in the other. The journeys through our education system of children who have survived premature birth to become learners are causing teachers, psychologists, therapists and carers to explore innovative learning pathways, new psychological and therapeutic interventions, and creative care approaches to meet their needs.While much is known about the serious physical and sensory problems of preterm babies, less is known about their psychological, educational and socio‐emotional difficulties. This article attempts to identify key targets for holistic intervention with families of premature infants. An approach used at the Champion Early Intervention Centre (Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand) is described, from which practitioners of school‐aged children can draw teaching and learning implications.
A Re-Evaluation of Random-Effects Meta-Analysis
Authors: Higgins Julian P. T. , Thompson Simon G. , Spiegelhalter David J. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryMeta-analysis in the presence of unexplained heterogeneity is frequently undertaken by using a random-effects model, in which the effects underlying different studies are assumed to be drawn from a normal distribution. Here we discuss the justification and interpretation of such models, by addressing in turn the aims of estimation, prediction and hypothesis testing. A particular issue that we consider is the distinction between inference on the mean of the random-effects distribution and inference on the whole distribution. We suggest that random-effects meta-analyses as currently conducted often fail to provide the key results, and we investigate the extent to which distribution-free, classical and Bayesian approaches can provide satisfactory methods. We conclude that the Bayesian approach has the advantage of naturally allowing for full uncertainty, especially for prediction. However, it is not without problems, including computational intensity and sensitivity to a priori judgements. We propose a simple prediction interval for classical meta-analysis and offer extensions to standard practice of Bayesian meta-analysis, making use of an example of studies of ‘set shifting’ ability in people with eating disorders.
A Family of Measures to Evaluate Scale Reliability in a Longitudinal Setting
Authors: Laenen Annouschka , Alonso Ariel , Molenberghs Geert , Vangeneugden Tony 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe concept of reliability denotes one of the most important psychometric properties of a measurement scale. Reliability refers to the capacity of the scale to discriminate between subjects in a given population. In classical test theory, it is often estimated by using the intraclass correlation coefficient based on two replicate measurements. However, the modelling framework that is used in this theory is often too narrow when applied in practical situations. Generalizability theory has extended reliability theory to a much broader framework but is confronted with some limitations when applied in a longitudinal setting. We explore how the definition of reliability can be generalized to a setting where subjects are measured repeatedly over time. On the basis of four defining properties for the concept of reliability, we propose a family of reliability measures which circumscribes the area in which reliability measures should be sought. It is shown how different members assess different aspects of the problem and that the reliability of the instrument can depend on the way that it is used. The methodology is motivated by and illustrated on data from a clinical study on schizophrenia. On the basis of this study, we estimate and compare the reliabilities of two different rating scales to evaluate the severity of the disorder.
Forecasting Murder Within a Population of Probationers and Parolees: A High Stakes Application of Statistical Learning
Authors: Berk Richard , Sherman Lawrence , Barnes Geoffrey , Kurtz Ellen , Ahlman Lindsay 
Published: July 2008

SummaryForecasts of future dangerousness are often used to inform the sentencing decisions of convicted offenders. For individuals who are sentenced to probation or paroled to community supervision, such forecasts affect the conditions under which they are to be supervised. The statistical criterion for these forecasts is commonly called recidivism, which is defined as a charge or conviction for any new offence, no matter how minor. Only rarely do such forecasts make distinctions on the basis of the seriousness of offences. Yet seriousness may be central to public concerns, and judges are increasingly required by law and sentencing guidelines to make assessments of seriousness. At the very least, information about seriousness is essential for allocating scarce resources for community supervision of convicted offenders. The paper focuses only on murderous conduct by individuals on probation or parole. Using data on a population of over 60000 cases from Philadelphia’s Adult Probation and Parole Department, we forecast whether each offender will be charged with a homicide or attempted homicide within 2 years of beginning community supervision. We use a statistical learning approach that makes no assumptions about how predictors are related to the outcome. We also build in the costs of false negative and false positive charges and use half of the data to build the forecasting model, and the other half of the data to evaluate the quality of the forecasts. Forecasts that are based on this approach offer the possibility of concentrating rehabilitation, treatment and surveillance resources on a small subset of convicted offenders who may be in greatest need, and who pose the greatest risk to society.
Natural‐gradient tracer experiments in epikarst: a test study in the Acqua dei Faggi experimental site, southern Italy
Authors: PETRELLA E. , FALASCA A. , CELICO F. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTwo natural‐gradient tracer experiments were carried out using borehole fluorometers in order to characterize the internal structure of epikarstic horizons and analyze subsurface flow within these high‐conductivity layers. The experiments were carried out in a test site in southern Italy where the epikarst is made up of an upper part with pervasive karstification and a lower part without pervasive karstification. Injection and observation boreholes were 6.9 m apart. An initial experiment demonstrated that wider (conduits) and narrower (fractures and bedding planes) openings coexist in a well‐connected network within the lower epikarst. The adjusted aperture of the opening network (105 μm) suggests that conduits are subordinately developed. The lower epikarstic horizon is hydraulically similar to granular porous media and Darcy’s law can be applied to describe groundwater flow. A small value of longitudinal dispersivity (0.13 m) shows that variations in the velocity field in the direction of flow are less significant than those typical of carbonate systems at the same experiment scale. A second experiment demonstrated that longitudinal dispersivity (2.42 m) in the upper epikarst is in agreement with findings in other carbonates at the same experiment scale. However, despite the higher dispersivity and more pervasive karstification, the mean tracer velocity (3.7 m day−1) in the upper epikarst is slightly lower than the velocity in the lower epikarst (13.6 m day−1).
Intrinsic ruminal innervation in ruminants of different feeding types
Authors: Münnich Juliane , Gäbel Gotthold , Pfannkuche Helga 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAccording to their feeding habits, ruminants can be classified as grazers, concentrate selectors and those of intermediate type. The different feeding types are reflected in distinct anatomical properties of the forestomachs. The present study was designed to investigate whether the intrinsic innervation patterns of the rumen (the main part of the forestomach) differ between intermediate types and grazers. Myenteric plexus preparations from the rumen of goats (intermediate type), fallow deer (intermediate type), cattle (grazer) and sheep (grazer) were analysed by immunohistochemical detection of the following antigens: Hu‐protein (HuC/D), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), calbindin (CALB) and somatostatin (SOM). Myenteric ganglia of cattle contained 73 ± 6 neurons per ganglion, whereas the ganglia of sheep were significantly smaller (45 ± 18 neurons per ganglion). The ganglion density of the myenteric plexus was highest in fallow deer (15 ± 3 ganglia per cm2) and lowest in cattle (6 ± 1 ganglia per cm2). All myenteric neurons were either ChAT or NOS positive. The proportion of NOS‐positive neurons was significantly lower in sheep (29.5 ± 8.2% of all neurons) than in goats (44.2 ± 9.8%). In all species, additional analysis of the different neuropeptides revealed the following subpopulations in descending order of percentile appearance: ChAT/SP > NOS/VIP/NPY > ChAT/– > NOS/NPY. Expression of CALB was detected in a minority of the ChAT‐positive neurons in all species. Somatostatin immunoreactive somata were found only in preparations obtained from fallow deer and sheep. These data suggest that the rumen of grazers is under stronger cholinergic control than the rumen of species belonging to the intermediate type, although most subpopulations of neurons are present in all species. However, whether the strong mixing patterns of low quality roughage during digestion are enabled by the prominent excitatory input of the rumen of grazers requires elucidation in further studies.
Functional anatomy and muscle moment arms of the pelvic limb of an elite sprinting athlete: the racing greyhound (Canis familiaris)
Authors: Williams S. B. , Wilson A. M. , Rhodes L. , Andrews J. , Payne R. C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe provide quantitative anatomical data on the muscle–tendon architecture and geometry of the pelvic limb of an elite sprint athlete, the racing greyhound. Specifically, muscle masses, muscle lengths, fascicle lengths, pennation angles and muscle moment arms were measured. Maximum isometric force and power of muscles, the maximum muscle torque at joints and tendon stress and strain were estimated. We compare data with that published for a generalized breed of canid, and other cursorial mammals such as the horse and hare. The pelvic limb of the racing greyhound had a relatively large volume of hip extensor muscle, which is likely to be required for power production. Per unit body mass, some pelvic limb muscles were relatively larger than those in less specialized canines, and many hip extensor muscles had longer fascicle lengths. It was estimated that substantial extensor moments could be created about the tarsus and hip of the greyhound allowing high power output and potential for rapid acceleration. The racing greyhound hence possesses substantial specializations for enhanced sprint performance.
Functional anatomy and muscle moment arms of the thoracic limb of an elite sprinting athlete: the racing greyhound (Canis familiaris)
Authors: Williams S. B. , Wilson A. M. , Daynes J. , Peckham K. , Payne R. C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe provide quantitative muscle–tendon architecture and geometry data for the racing greyhound thoracic limb. Muscle mass, belly length, fascicle lengths, pennation angles and moment arms were measured, as were tendon masses and lengths. Maximum isometric force and maximum power were estimated for muscles, and maximum stress and strain were estimated for tendons. Results are compared with other fast quadrupedal runners, and to previously published data in mixed‐breed dogs. The implications of the functional adaptations of the greyhound thoracic limb for sprinting performance are discussed. The thoracic limb was found to benefit from a similar proportion of locomotor muscle mass to the pelvic limb, suggesting that it may be used to some extent in propulsion, or alternatively that stabilisation is very important in this animal. Extrinsic muscles, especially latissimus dorsi and pectoralis profundus, were predicted to be powerful and important for generating net positive work during accelerations. Proximal biarticular muscles show specialisation toward preventing collapse of the shoulder and elbow joints to enable strut‐like limb function, or some form of dynamic control. Distal muscles did not appear specialised for elastic energy storage, a functional difference to pelvic limb muscles, and the equivalents in horse thoracic limbs. The greyhound thoracic limb appears to possess substantial differences from both that of more ‘sub‐maximal specialist’ quadrupeds, and from the greyhound pelvic limb.
Electrophysiological evidence of feature‐based inhibition of focused attention across consecutive trials
Authors: Shin Eunsam , Wan Xiaoang I. , Fabiani Monica , Gratton Gabriele , Lleras Alejandro 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMonitoring the visual environment for targets has evolutionary and ecological significance. Exploration of the visual scene can be hypothesized to use “saliency maps” representing the priorities allocated to different locations and features, which change dynamically based on previous experience. This is supported by the observation that sequential effects influence the speed and accuracy of visual search tasks. Yet, the mechanisms underlying these effects are not well understood. Here we used electrophysiological methods to identify some of the mechanisms underlying a specific sequential effect—the distractor previewing effect (DPE). We found that the DPE is correlated with electrophysiological indices of attention allocation but not with sensory or motor components, suggesting that the DPE is related to attentional phenomena, rather than perceptual or motor levels of processing.
Detection of deception about multiple, concealed, mock crime items, based on a spatial‐temporal analysis of ERP amplitude and scalp distribution
Authors: Lui Ming , Rosenfeld J. Peter 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThree groups, two‐probe (2PG), three‐probe (3PG), and control (CG), performed a mock crime. 2PG and 3PG stole two and three items, respectively, after a baseline “truth block”; the CG stole nothing. Subjects all completed a second “lie block” after the mock crime. There were four stimuli in truth and lie blocks: truth probe (TP), truth irrelevant (TI), lie probe (LP), and lie irrelevant (LI). Stolen items were probes; other items were irrelevants. Spatial‐temporal PCA was applied. For the 2PG, subjects' frontal‐central component amplitudes in the 520–644‐ms temporal component were significantly more positive for LP than for LI stimulus. Individually, 12 of 14 subjects (far better detection than results [72% hits] with non‐PCA analyses methods) in the 2PG were detected, with a false positive rate of 4 of 14 in the CG. No difference between LP and LI was found in 3PG data. In summary, spatial‐temporal PCA improves detection of concealed information.
D1 and D4 dopaminergic receptor interplay mediates coincident G protein‐independent and dependent regulation of glutamate NMDA receptors in the lateral amygdala
Authors: Martina Marzia , Bergeron Richard 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDopamine (DA) receptor and NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation in the lateral (LA) nucleus of the amygdala plays a critical role in emotional processing. Several distinct mechanisms regulate the molecular cross‐talk between DA receptors and NMDARs in different brain regions; however, the cellular mechanism through which DA modulates NMDARs in LA projection neurons has not been studied. Here, we investigated the effect of DA receptor activation on NMDAR currents in LA projection neurons recorded in amygdala slices obtained from young rats. We found that DA reduces NMDAR current amplitudes in an additive manner through the activation of both D1‐like and D2‐like receptors. The reduction of NMDAR current amplitudes by D1‐like receptor activation is mediated by a protein–protein interaction between the D1R and the NMDAR, while the regulation of NMDAR activity by D2‐like receptors is elicited through a G protein‐dependent pathway controlled by D4R. The results of our investigation show for the first time a functional interplay between D1R and D4R that mediates coincident G protein‐independent and dependent regulation of NMDARs.
Characterization of a multidomain adaptor protein, p140Cap, as part of a pre‐synaptic complex
Authors: Ito Hidenori , Atsuzawa Kimie , Sudo Kaori , Di Stefano Paola , Iwamoto Ikuko , Morishita Rika , Takei Shiro , Semba Reiji , Defilippi Paola , Asano Tomiko , Usuda Nobuteru , Nagata Koh‐ichi 
Published: July 2008

Abstractp140Cap (Cas‐associated protein) is an adaptor protein considered to play pivotal roles in cell adhesion, growth and Src tyrosine kinase‐related signaling in non‐neuronal cells. It is also reported to interact with a pre‐synaptic membrane protein, synaptosome‐associated protein of 25 kDa, and may participate in neuronal secretion. However, properties and precise functions of p140Cap in neuronal cells are almost unknown. Here we show, using biochemical analyses, that p140Cap is expressed in rat brain in a developmental stage‐dependent manner, and is relatively abundant in the synaptic plasma membrane fraction in adults. Immunohistochemistry showed localization of p140Cap in the neuropil in rat brain and immunofluorescent analyses detected p140Cap at synapses of primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Electron microscopy further revealed localization at pre‐ and post‐synapses. Screening of p140Cap‐binding proteins identified a multidomain adaptor protein, vinexin, whose third Src‐homology 3 domain interacts with the C‐terminal Pro‐rich motif of p140Cap. Immunocomplexes between the two proteins were confirmed in COS7 and rat brain. We also clarified that a pre‐synaptic protein, synaptophysin, interacts with p140Cap. These results suggest that p140Cap is involved in neurotransmitter release, synapse formation/maintenance, and signaling.