Report Of Group Research Articles

Examining User-Created Description in the Archival Profession

Interest in user-created metadata has increased in recent years. In 2009–2010 the RLG Partner Social Metadata Working Group examined the social metadata practices of libraries, archives, and museums worldwide. They found that more than half of studied institutions improve metadata with user-created description. This article presents the results of a survey conducted in January and February 2013 on the social metadata practices of North American archival and special collections repositories. To what extent are archives allowing users to provide descriptive metadata using Web 2.0 technologies? Is user-generated content integrated into finding aids, catalog records, or other authoritative metadata record? How do archives solicit such user engagement? Are archivists satisfied with the level of interaction their digitized content receives? This article reviews case studies on archival Web 2.0 initiatives and compares the findings of the Working Group's reports with the 2013 survey regarding user-created descriptive metadata.

The neuropharmacology of the age-old sedative/hypnotic, ethanol

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is produced by the process of fermentation whereby plant sugars are converted to ethanol by yeast. Products of fermentation include mead from honey, wine from grapes, sake from rice, and beer from grains. Fermented products can also be distilled, for example when whisky is distilled from grains (Herbst and Herbst, 2003). The history of voluntary ethanol use by humans dates as far back as 8000 years ago for wine and possibly earlier for beer, as barley may have been the oldest cultivated grain (Pendell, 2010). It is also documented that ethanol was an extremely important staple to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and the Maya (Johnson, 1994), as well as more modern societies such as the original American colonies (Pendell, 2010). It seems that modern society's interest in alcohol has certainly not waned, and from the standpoint of neuropharmacology, has probably increased. During the past several decades, there has been a concerted effort to determine the neuropharmacological mechanism of action(s) of ethanol. Ethanol has been reported to produce its effects via modulation of neural cell membrane fluidity as well as modulation of several neurotransmitter systems, including γ-amino butyric acid (GABA), glutamate, dopamine, and opioid systems (for reviews, see Koob et al., 1998; Kumar et al., 2009). GABA is an inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter that is ubiquitously distributed in the mammalian brain, and ethanol's effects on the GABA system are thought to be mediated primarily by activating the GABAA receptor, a 5-subunit receptor that gates Cl− ions (for a review, see Kumar et al., 2009). Thus, GABA receptor activation produces CNS inhibition via Cl− influx. It has also been reported that specific GABAA receptor subunits mediate specific effects. For example, the α1 subunit is associated with sedation, whereas the α2 and α3 subunits are associated with anti-anxiety effects (Licata and Rowlett, 2008; Ator et al., 2010). Many types of sedative-hypnotic compounds (drugs producing dose-dependent sedation and ultimately sleep), including the benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and ethanol, bind to and activate the GABAA receptor, and it is reasonable to assume that the sedative effects of these agents are mediated, at least in part, by the α1 subunit. It is known that neurotransmitters, including GABA, bind to their receptors as “first messengers,” and initiate a complex cascade of intra-cellular events. In the case of GABA, part of this cellular cascade includes modulation of the “second messenger” systems Ca++ and cAMP that ultimately modulate two protein kinases, PKC and PKA, resulting in myriad effects in the cell, including changes to gene expression (Moss et al., 1992; Diamond and Gordon, 1997; Brandon et al., 2000 for a review, see Kumar et al., 2009). Leslie Morrow and colleagues have been exploring the complex cascade of downstream cellular events mediated by ethanol-induced GABAA receptor activation. In their recent Frontiers in Neuroscience report (Kumar et al., 2012), this research team determined the effects of acute ethanol exposure on PKA-mediated GABAA receptor expression. Although chronic ethanol exposure has been reported to produce down-regulation and/or desensitization of GABAA receptors, Morrow and colleagues reported an interesting finding of acute ethanol exposure. Specifically, acute intracerebroventricular administration of ethanol produced dose-dependent increases in expression of PKA and GABAA receptor α1 subunits. In addition, antagonism studies revealed that blockade of PKA blocked the ethanol-induced increases in GABAA receptor α1 subunit expression, providing further evidence for a PKA-GABAA receptor network communication. An additional manipulation showed that enhancing PKA activity actually enhanced ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex. Together with earlier reports from this research group, these data indicate that PKA (Kumar et al., 2012) and PKC (Kumar et al., 2006) may have antagonistic effects on GABAA receptor α1 subunit expression, thus delineating specific potential pathway(s) for mediation of ethanol effects on cell function and overt organismal behavior. This group's current report represents a comprehensive analysis of the specific effects of ethanol on kinase activity and receptor subunit expression levels, and adds another layer of knowledge about the neuropharmacological mechanisms of ethanol. It is quite possible that further elucidation of the complex molecular “systems level” analysis of ethanol's actions in nerve cells may yield important “systems level” approaches and advances for the treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence.

Allegations Lost and Found: the afterlife of Dominican sugar slavery

In 2007 visual media reports revived allegations that sugar was being produced in the Dominican Republic using the labour of Haitian slaves. Beyond raising the general public's awareness of the plight of migrant sugarcane workers, the films and their surrounding publicity have led to the Dominican sugar slavery allegation being adopted in yearly global overview reports produced by agencies of the US Departments of Labor and State. The Dominican Republic has as a result been put back on an aid-and-trade-sanctionable track, more than 15 years after sugar slavery last featured as an allegation in any leading monitor group's reports. All this, plus evidence that one videographer knew central aspects of the allegation to be false at the moment of its public release, mark the revival of the Dominican sugar slavery allegation as a precursor to the media furor triggered by the Kony 2012 ‘viral video’. Analysis of the visual media afterlife of Dominican sugar slavery suggests that the ‘Kony effect’ may be less new than meets the eye, for Kony 2012 is not the first video campaign to promote yesterday's human rights crisis as today's imperative for action.

Interprofessional Education in U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools: An ADEA Team Study Group Report

The state of interprofessional education (IPE) in U.S. and Canadian dental schools was studied by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Team Study Group on Interprofessional Education. The study group reviewed the pertinent IPE literature, examined IPE competencies for dental students, surveyed U.S. and Canadian dental schools to determine the current and planned status of IPE activities, and identified best practices. Members of the study group prepared case studies of the exemplary IPE programs of six dental schools, based on information provided by those schools; representatives from each school then reviewed and approved its case study. Six reviewers critiqued a draft of the study group's report, and study group members and reviewers met together to prepare recommendations for schools. This report identifies four domains of competence for student achievement in IPE and summarizes responses to the survey (which had an 86 percent response rate). It also includes the case descriptions of six schools' IPE programs and the study group's recommendations for dental schools. The report concludes that there is general recognition of the goals of IPE across U.S. and Canadian dental schools, but a wide range of progress in IPE on the various campuses. Challenges to the further development of IPE are discussed.

Changing of SYNTAX score performing fractional flow reserve in multivessel coronary artery disease

To investigate the relationship between classic SYNTAX and functional SYNTAX score guided by fractional flow reserve (FFR). SYNTAX score predicts clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), based on data from angiography alone. However, in the clinical setting, decision-making on myocardial revascularization should be guided by reliable demonstration of inducible ischemia, as detected by FFR. FFR was collected in all 50-90% angiographic stenoses of 39 consecutive patients with stable multivessel CAD. SYNTAX score was calculated as usually described in SYNTAX group's reports. A functional SYNTAX (F-SYNTAX) score was determined by only considering ischemia-producing lesions (FFR ≤ 0.80). The two scores were compared with correlation, Bland-Altman and agreement tests. FFR was measured in 97 lesions, with a median value of 0.82±0.10. In the 50-70% and 70-90% category stenoses, FFR was greater than 0.80 in 68 and 16% of cases, respectively. F-SYNTAX was systematically inferior to SYNTAX score, with a median difference of 8.4±7.4 (P<0.05). The correlation between the two methods was globally weak (r=0.621, rho=0.563; P<0.001). After determining F-SYNTAX score, more than 30% of the patients moved to a lower-risk tertile group (P=0.003). No clinical and angiographic differences were found between patients whether or not reclassified in lower-risk tertiles with F-SYNTAX score. In patients with multivessel CAD, implementation of SYNTAX score with FFR seems to be a more rational approach for revascularization. F-SYNTAX score reclassifies a significant proportion of patients to a lower-risk profile, thus leading to a possible change of therapeutic strategy.

Double-edged sword: a p53 regulator mediates both harmful and beneficial effects in experimental acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury triggers activation of innate immune responses and of proapoptotic programs such as the p53 pathway. Mulay et al. examine the effects of blocking murine double minute-2 (mdm2), a negative regulator of p53, using a novel chemotherapeutic agent, nutlin-3a, in mouse ischemia-reperfusion injury. Their results indicate that mdm2 promotes renal regeneration by limiting p53-mediated apoptosis but also enhances early inflammation by facilitating DNA binding of nuclear factor-κB independently of p53.

Genetic advances in medicine: has the promise been fulfilled in general practice?

Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, remarkable advances have been made in understanding the human genome's contribution to health and disease; the wealth of scientific discovery generated over the past 10 years is unparalleled in the history of biomedicine, and the rate of discovery is accelerating.1 The traditional study of single gene disorders (genetic medicine) has developed into an understanding of how multiple genes interact with environmental factors: genomics. As these advances were initially greeted with high hopes of early clinical benefit, it is timely to reflect on how much of this promise has filtered through to general practice, particularly in light of The Human Genomics Strategy Group's recent report and policy recommendations about the adoption of genomic technology in the NHS.2 The majority of genetic tests in the UK are still for single gene disorders. Of most relevance to general practice are the common autosomal recessive conditions for which carrier and neonatal disease screening are offered. The adoption of new tests and testing strategies in the NHS has followed careful consideration of research evidence, much of which occurred in general practice.3 With advances in technology, particularly tandem mass spectrometry, the range of conditions included within the neonatal blood spot screening test has expanded (see NHS screening website http://www.screening.nhs.uk/bloodspot-england …

Dangerous Politics and Sex Research: The Example of "Penis-gate 2011".

In summer 2011, a conservative lobby group released an inaccurate statement decrying the National Institutes for Health for allegedly funding four research studies the group deemed "bizarre." Two of these studies explicitly involved sexuality research. This paper responds to the allegations around one of the studies and describes the subsequent media firestorm generated as a result of the lobby group's report. This paper concludes by illustrating some of the dangers these types of allegations pose for science and researchers, and offers advice for how to navigate negative media attention.

Live and Let Die: A New Suicide Gene Therapy Moves to the Clinic

The concept of suicide gene therapy dates from the beginning of the field of gene therapy and was one of the first clinical applications. Initially described as an anticancer therapy, it quickly found a specific application in the practice of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A recent publication by Di Stasi et al. presents the first clinical data on a relatively new suicide gene system that targets caspase 9–mediated apoptosis in an inducible fashion.1 Specifically, five children undergoing haplo-identical stem cell transplantation for leukemia received donor T lymphocytes that had been genetically engineered with the inducible caspase 9 (iCasp9) gene. Four of the five patients developed graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) caused by the donor lymphocytes that was quickly reversed by induction of the iCasp9 suicide gene. These results further validate the findings of others that suicide gene therapy for the control of GVHD is a valuable clinical procedure and, in the broader context, may have implications for a variety of other gene therapy applications in which a suicide safety switch may be useful.

A randomized trial of 4-aminopyridine in EA2 and related familial episodic ataxias

# {#article-title-2} “A randomized trial of 4-aminopyridine in EA2 and related familial episodic ataxias”1 follows this group's preliminary report on how 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) is one of few compounds that effectively blocks attacks in EA2 patients.1,2 The authors convincingly demonstrate that 4-AP reduces the frequency of attacks, but it would be interesting to know if it modified the severity or duration of the attacks. A …

Alteration of LV end-diastolic volume by controlling the power of the continuous-flow LVAD, so it is synchronized with cardiac beat: development of a native heart load control system (NHLCS)

There are many reports comparing pulsatile and continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). But continuous-flow LVAD with the pulsatile driving technique had not been tried or discussed before our group's report. We have previously developed and introduced a power-control unit for a centrifugal LVAD (EVAHEART®; Sun Medical), which can change the speed of rotation so it is synchronized with the heart beat. By use of this unit we analyzed the end-diastolic volume (EDV) to determine whether it is possible to change the native heart load. We studied 5 goats with normal hearts and 5 goats with acute LV dysfunction because of micro-embolization of the coronary artery. We used 4 modes, "circuit-clamp", "continuous", "counter-pulse", and "co-pulse", with the bypass rate (BR) 100%. We raised the speed of rotation of the LVAD in the diastolic phase with the counter-pulse mode, and raised it in the systolic phase with the co-pulse mode. As a result, the EDV decreased in the counter-pulse mode and increased in the co-pulse mode, compared with the continuous mode (p<0.05), in both the normal and acute-heart-failure models. This result means it may be possible to achieve favorable EDV and native heart load by controlling the rotation of continuous-flow LVAD, so it is synchronized with the cardiac beat. This novel driving system may be of great benefit to patients with end-stage heart failure, especially those with ischemic etiology.

Moving Forward on Human Resources for Health: Next Steps for Scaling Up Toward Universal Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment, and Care

In 2008, the Global Health Workforce Alliance commissioned a technical working group to examine the human resources for health implications of scaling up to reach the Millennium Development Goal 6 of universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support by 2010. The analysis and interventions recommended in the working group report, which was launched at the Second Global Forum on Human Resources for Health in Bangkok, Thailand, in January 2011, are based on two research methods: literature reviews covering the period from 2000 to 2008 and a rapid situational analysis produced by teams working in 5 countries (Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Thailand, and Zambia). The authors' intent in this article is to assist the Alliance in maintaining the momentum of the forum and the enthusiasm generated by the working group's report to make a difference at the country level by moving from recommendation to action.

Glioma Stem Cell Proliferation and Tumor Growth Are Promoted by Nitric Oxide Synthase-2

Malignant gliomas are aggressive brain tumors with limited therapeutic options, and improvements in treatment require a deeper molecular understanding of this disease. As in other cancers, recent studies have identified highly tumorigenic subpopulations within malignant gliomas, known generally as cancer stem cells. Here, we demonstrate that glioma stem cells (GSCs) produce nitric oxide via elevated nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2) expression. GSCs depend on NOS2 activity for growth and tumorigenicity, distinguishing them from non-GSCs and normal neural progenitors. Gene expression profiling identified many NOS2-regulated genes, including the cell-cycle inhibitor cell division autoantigen-1 (CDA1). Further, high NOS2 expression correlates with decreased survival in human glioma patients, and NOS2 inhibition slows glioma growth in a murine intracranial model. These data provide insight into how GSCs are mechanistically distinct from their less tumorigenic counterparts and suggest that NOS2 inhibition may be an efficacious approach to treating this devastating disease.

Can conditioned reinforcers and Variable-Ratio Schedules make food- and fluid control redundant? A comment on the NC3Rs Working Group's report

This commentary challenges the conclusions of the NC3Rs Working Group's recent special report that food- or fluid control is sometimes necessary to conduct modern neuroscientific investigations in macaque monkeys (Prescott et al., 2010). Given the potential suffering of animals subjected to food- or fluid control, the decision to subject an animal to such practices should be taken hesitantly. That decision hinges on to which extent the animal is willing to be involved in the task. The authors have done a scientific literature search and express expert opinion, but fail to mention two techniques that may greatly influence the animals’ motivation to participate in the task and thus reduce the need for food- or fluid control, namely (1) the use of conditioned reinforcers in addition to primary reinforcers; and (2) the use of Variable-Ratio Schedules rather than continuous reinforcement. An ethical and humane approach to animal experimentation suggests that all options should be explored and thoroughly investigated before resorting to methods potentially challenging the animals’ welfare.

A meta‐analysis of parent and teacher reports of depression among students with learning disabilities: Evidence for the importance of multi‐informant assessment

AbstractWe conducted a meta‐analysis to examine depressive symptomatology among students with learning disabilities (LD), as reported by their parents and teachers. A 2006 meta‐analysis by Maag &amp; Reid of the self‐reports of students with LD indicated that this group's higher report of depressive symptoms compared to non‐LD students was small in magnitude (d = .35). In our meta‐analysis, 31 studies in which depressive symptomatology among school‐age (K–12) students with LD was examined were included. The overall effect size was statistically significant and medium in magnitude (d = .75) and indicated that parents and teachers reported students with LD to experience significantly more depressive symptoms than non‐LD students experience. When integrated with Maag and Reid's findings, these results suggest that parents and teachers appear to report greater depressive symptomatology for students with LD than these students report for themselves. Due to the observed discrepancy, multi‐informant assessment practices and the need for clinical judgment are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Incident Hepatitis E Virus Infections in Rural Bangladesh

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in the world. Most of South Asia is HEV endemic, with frequent seasonal epidemics of hepatitis E and continuous sporadic cases. This author group's epidemiologic work and clinical reports suggest that Bangladesh is HEV endemic, but there have been few population-based studies of this country's HEV burden. The authors calculated HEV infection rates, over an 18-month interval between 2003 and 2005, by following a randomly selected cohort of 1,134 subjects between the ages of 1 and 88 years, representative of rural communities in southern Bangladesh. Baseline prevalence of antibody to hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) was 22.5%. Seroincidence was 60.3 per 1,000 person-years during the first 12 months and 72.4 per 1,000 person-years from >12 to 18 months (during the monsoon season), peaking by age 50 years and with low rates during childhood. Few of the seroconverting subjects reported hepatitis-like illness. Overall incidence was calculated to be 64 per 1,000 person-years, with 1,172 person-years followed. No significant associations were found between anti-HEV incidence and demographic or socioeconomic factors for which data were available. This is the first study to document annual HEV infection rates among "healthy" and very young to elderly subjects in a rural Bangladeshi population.

Europe contemplates cognitive radio policies

Discusses the European Commission's Radio Spectrum Policy Group's recent report on cognitive radio.

A Truth Commission for Northern Ireland?

1 A report published by the Consultative Group on the Past (Consultative Group) in January 2009 recommended that a ‘Legacy Commission’ be established for Northern Ireland that would fulfil a reconciliation, truth-recovery and justice mandate. The work of the Consultative Group highlights how international justice norms are interpreted at a local level in a way that takes account of local histories and priorities. This article critically examines the proposed Legacy Commission and finds that the framework outlined by the Consultative Group does not sufficiently challenge discourses of violence that hinder the bedding down of positive peace in Northern Ireland. Universal human rights and justice concepts remain peripheral to this framework, which avoids the type of profound conflict analysis that might advance societal stability and harmony. Instead of challenging the structural and institutional inequalities that underpinned the violence of the conflict in Northern Ireland and opening up new pathways to accessing truth and justice, the Consultative Group's report advocates a truth-recovery process that is not open to public scrutiny and is couched in the language of forgetting, which begs the question whether this is a genuine attempt to explore sidelined or dissenting narratives of conflict, or merely another forum in which to contain them.

Innovation strategies for the downturn

PurposeAs indicated by Boston Consulting Group's (BCG's) sixth annual global survey and report, economic concerns are weighing on many companies' innovation plans. However, while many companies might be starting to focus on cost cutting, the BCG report suggests that instead companies should adopt a more opportunistic and aggressive stance; leveraging offensive strategies to fundamentally change their long term competitive position. Alternatively, or in combination, there is always the option of increasing innovation partnerships and expanding open innovation practice. And, according to a new study by NineSigma, this is clearly seen by a growing number of companies as a key way of driving innovation forward over the near future.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsFrom the results of the study, NineSigma report that the practice of open innovation is clearly expanding and is becoming a critical enabler of a firm's ability to innovate. Moreover, while historically open innovation has been a key strategy for R&amp;D departments in large companies, it firmly believes that open innovation will become embedded in all development areas as a natural component of the innovation process for companies of all sizes.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.

Balancing the Rights of the Child and the Rights of Parents in the Convention on the Rights of the Child

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the relation between parents' rights and children's rights took shape in the drafting of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, with a special interest for this relation in the matter of education. By means of the perspective elaborated by T. H. Marshall of citizenship rights as composed of civil, political, and social rights, questions about what kind of right education is and who owns the right to education is addressed. The main empirical source used in the analysis is the UN working group's annual reports, which account for the process in which the different articles were formed. The analysis shows that the main challenge to emerge during the drafting process with regard to the relation between the rights of parents and their children seems to be that of a balancing of the civil and political rights of the child and the civil rights of the parents. In the working group's discussions about education the social right of the child to education was confronted with, and stood against, the civil right of the parents. The wording of Article 28 on the right to education changed several times during the drafting, and in the final version the contradictions that had been present in the elaboration process concerning the rights of the child and the rights of parents in the matter of education became invisible, since the article only expresses the social right of the child to education.