Web 2.0 and folksonomies in a library context

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2011 ElsevierLibraries have a societal purpose and this role has become increasingly important as new technologies enable organizations to support, enable and enhance the participation of users in assuming an active role in the creation and communication of information. Folksonomies, a Web 2.0 technology, represent such an example. Folksonomies result from individuals freely tagging resources available to them on a computer network. In a library environment folksonomies have the potential of overcoming certain limitations of traditional classification systems such as the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). Typical limitations of this type of classification systems include, for example, the rigidity of the underlying taxonomical structures and the difficulty of introducing change in the categories. Folksonomies represent a supporting technology to existing classification systems helping to describe library resources more flexibly, dynamically and openly. As a review of the current literature shows, the adoption of folksonomies in libraries is novel and limited research has been carried out in the area. This paper presents research into the adoption of folksonomies for a University library. A Web 2.0 system was developed, based on the requirements collected from library stakeholders, and integrated with the existing library computer system. An evaluation of the work was carried out in the form of a survey in order to understand the possible reactions of users to folksonomies as well as the effects on their behavior. The broad conclusion of this work is that folksonomies seem to have a beneficial effect on users’ involvement as active library participants as well as encourage users to browse the catalogue in more depth

Variant Musculo-tendinous Slip between Teres major and Triceps brachii

A variation of the muscles of the scapular region is a very rare finding. During the routine dissection for the undergraduates, a variant short musculo-tendinous slip in between the teres major and the long head of triceps brachii muscles was seen. This slip could cause compression of the underlying brachial vessels and the cords of brachial plexus. Therefore this type of variation is worthy of being noted by the surgeons

Statistical analysis plan for the ‘Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke’ (ENOS) trial

High blood pressure is common during the acute phase of stroke and is associated with a poor outcome. However, the management of high blood pressure remains unclear. The ‘Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke’ trial tested whether transdermal glyceryl trinitrate, a nitric oxide donor that lowers blood pressure, is safe and effective in improving outcome after acute stroke. Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke is an international multicenter, prospective, randomized, single-blind, blinded endpoint trial, with funding from the UK Medical Research Council. Patients with acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage and systolic blood pressure 140–220 mmHg were randomized to glyceryl trinitrate or no glyceryl trinitrate and, where relevant, to continue or stop prestrike antihypertensive therapy. The primary outcome is shift in modified Rankin Scale at three-months. Patients or relatives gave written informed (proxy) consent, and all sites had research ethics approval. Analyses will be done by intention to treat. This paper and attachment describe the trial’s statistical analysis plan, developed prior to unblinding of date. The statistical analysis plan contains design and methods for analyses, and unpopulated tables and figures for the two primary publications and some secondary publications. The database will be locked in late February 2014 in preparation for presentation of the results in May 2014. The data from the trial will improve the precision of the estimates of the overall treatment effects (efficacy and safety) of results from completed trials of blood pressure management in acute stroke, and provide the first large-scale randomized evidence on transdermal glyceryl trinitrate, and of continuing (vs. stopping) prestroke antihypertensive medications, in acute stroke

Towards a Semantic Web of Community, Content and Interactions

The Web plays a critical role in hosting Web communities, such as open source software (OSS) communities, their con-tent in the form of software code and interactions around code design and bug resolution processes. However, due to the highly distributed and interdependent nature of their work as well as the high turnover rate of its members, OSS communities face significant challenges. Community mem-bers must peruse large quantities of information in order to stay aware of each other’s activities and to participate mean-ingfully in community activities such as bug resolution. This work explores the use of Semantic Web software agents to facilitate bug resolution by enabling developers to navigate the vast information base of a project more meaningfully and by identifying people with the right expertise to assist in the resolution of a bug

Lithium Exposure Induced Changes At Glutamatergic Synapses In Hippocampal Neurons- Insights From In Vitro Electrophysiology And Imaging Studies

Lithium is a drug used to treat mood disorders and also has many side effects, including central nervous system (CNS) complications (such as cognitive dulling), associated with its use. The mechanism of its action still remains unknown. Over the years, many leads have started emerging. It has been shown to inhibit several enzymes in the cell and has been implicated in altering many neurotransmitter systems and signal transduction pathways (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmissions). Effect of exposure to therapeutic levels of lithium on mature glutamatergic synapses is being studied and several changes in glutamate receptor subtypes have already been reported. Effects of lithium on developing glutamatergic synapses have not been studied. The thesis tries to document and understand the changes brought about by long term lithium treatment on developing glutamatergic synapses in vitro in hippocampal neuronal cultures. In the present work, patch clamp technique was used to monitor the changes in the postsynapse and fluorescence imaging to study the presynaptic changes. The hippocampal neuronal cultures were treated with 1 mM lithium for 6 days during the synaptogenesis stage (DIV 4-10) and termed as chronic Li treatment (CLi). Following CLi treatment the changes occurring in amplitude and rectification property of the AMPA receptor (AMPAR), a subtype of glutamate ionotropic receptor, mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) have been reported (Chapter III). Lithium inhibits protein kinase A (PKA), glycogen synthase kinase–3β (GSK-3β) and glutamate reuptake. Effect of inhibiting PKA, GSK-3β and glutamate reuptake was also studied with a view to understand the molecular basis of lithium action on AMPAR mEPSCs (Chapter IV). It was found that chronic lithium treatment (CLi) caused a reduction in the mean amplitude of mEPSCs mediated by AMPARs and also changed the rectification property of these receptors from being more outwardly rectifying to being more inwardly rectifying, an indication probably of increase in contribution of Ca2+-permeable AMPARs to the synaptic events. AMPAR events in chronic lithium treated cultures were more sensitive to both N-acetyl spermine (NASPM) application and di-fluoro-methyl-ornithine (DFMO) treatment, both specific to Ca2+-permeable AMPARs, indicating that there was an increase in the contribution from Ca2+-permeable AMPARs to the synaptic events. PKA inhibition with H-89 treatment (starting from DIV 4 (for 6 days)) reduced the mean amplitude of AMPAR mEPSCs and increased the mean rectification index (RI). GSK-3β inhibition with SB415286 (starting from DIV 4 (for 6 days)) did not alter the mean mEPSC amplitude but reduced the mean RI. Transient (24 hrs) glutamate reuptake inhibition with threo-β-Hydroxy-Aspartic-Acid (THA) at DIV 4 followed by a period of recovery led to smaller amplitudes but no change in RI. The 24 hr glutamate reuptake block on DIV 4 had long term effects. It led to an increase in AMPAR mEPSC frequency while AMPAR mEPSC amplitudes were reduced. The mean RI decrease seen when glutamate reuptake was blocked for 24 hrs on DIV 10, was absent in DIV 4 THA treated neurons. However, when the neuronal cultures were maintained in the presence of PKA and GSK-3β inhibitors, the DIV 4 THA treated neurons showed AMPAR mEPSC characteristics similar to CLi neurons. Thus, it was seen that individual inhibition of PKA, GSK-3β and glutamate reuptake did not lead to changes in AMPAR mEPSCs similar to that seen in lithium treated neurons. The effect of lithium exposure during synapse development on AMPARs could be reproduced closely by co-inhibiting PKA, GSK-3β and glutamate reuptake. Using the styryl dye FM1-43, the changes induced in presynaptic release by a similar chronic lithium treatment was studied (Chapter V). It was found that lithium exposure (1 mM, DIV 4-10) brought down the extent of dye loading, destaining and also slowed down the rate of dye loss in response to high KCl stimulation (the τfast component of destaining was significantly slower). Minimum loading experiments did not reveal any difference in mode of exocytosis (kiss and run/full-collapse) in control and lithium treated cultures. Chlorpromazine treatment (that inhibits clathrin-mediated endocytosis) affected dye loading to a lesser extent in lithium treated cultures as compared to control. Surprisingly, exposure to hyperosmotic solution 10 minutes after dye wash out boosted the extent of dye loading and destaining in lithium treated cultures (a phenomenon not seen in control). This could happen if the FM1-43 is trapped away from the wash solution during the wash period. This would be possible if endocytosis in CLi takes place, differently from control, through a process involving membrane infoldings similar to bulk endocytosis albeit a slower/compromised one. Taken together, the data presented here indicates that lithium treatment during synaptogenesis affects vesicular recycling mostly at the endocytosis and docking/priming steps (mobilization of vesicles for release). Lithium treated cultures also did not show the high KCl associated presynaptic potentiation observed in control which is a significant finding. In conclusion, chronic lithium treatment affected both the presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments of the glutamatergic synapse. The effect of lithium on AMPAR mEPSC could not be reproduced by individual inhibitions of biochemical effectors but by multiple inhibitions. Thus, the study done here underscores the need to look at the manifold effect of lithium in an integrated way. The study also might have implications in understanding the CNS complications seen in patients taking lithium treatment and in babies perinatally exposed to lithium

Nitric oxide donors (nitrates), L-arginine, or nitric oxide synthase inhibitors for acute stroke

Background:Nitric oxide (NO) has multiple effects that may be beneficial in acute stroke, including lowering blood pressure, and promoting reperfusion and cytoprotection. Some forms of nitric oxide synthase inhibition (NOS-I) may also be beneficial. However, high concentrations of NO are likely to be toxic to brain tissue. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 1998, and last updated in 2002. Objectives:To assess the safety and efficacy of NO donors, L-arginine, and NOS-I in people with acute stroke. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched 6 February 2017), MEDLINE (1966 to June 2016), Embase (1980 to June 2016), ISI Science Citation Indexes (1981 to June 2016), Stroke Trials Registry (searched June 2016), International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) (searched June 2016), Clinical Trials registry (searched June 2016), and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (searched June 2016). Previously, we had contacted drug companies and researchers in the field. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials comparing nitric oxide donors, L-arginine, or NOS-I versus placebo or open control in people within one week of onset of confirmed stroke. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently applied the inclusion criteria, assessed trial quality and risk of bias, and extracted data. The review authors cross-checked data and resolved issues through discussion. We obtained published and unpublished data, as available. Data were reported as mean difference (MD) or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Main results: We included five completed trials, involving 4197 participants; all tested transdermal glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), an NO donor. The assessed risk of bias was low across the included studies; one study was double-blind, one open-label and three were single-blind. All included studies had blinded outcome assessment. Overall, GTN did not improve the primary outcome of death or dependency at the end of trial (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) > 2, OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.10, 4195 participants, high-quality evidence). GTN did not improve secondary outcomes, including death (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.50) and quality of life (MD -0.01, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.15) at the end of trial overall (high-quality evidence). Systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP) was lower in people treated with GTN (MD -7.2 mmHg (95% CI -8.6 to -5.9) and MD -3.3 (95% CI -4.2 to -2.5) respectively) and heart rate was higher (MD 2.0 beats per minute (95% CI 1.1 to 2.9)). Headache was more common in those randomised to GTN (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.55 to 3.62). We did not find any trials assessing other nitrates, L-arginine, or NOS-I. Authors' conclusions: There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend the use of NO donors, L-arginine or NOS-I in acute stroke, and only one drug (GTN) has been assessed. In people with acute stroke, GTN reduces blood pressure, increases heart rate and headache, but does not alter clinical outcome (all based on high-quality evidence)