bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nature and plausibility of Cognitivism
Authors: Haugeland John
Published: February 2010

Cognitivism in psychology and philosophy is roughly the position that intelligent behavior can (only) be explained by appeal to internal “cognitive processes,” that is, rational thought in a very broad sense. Sections 1 to 5 attempt to explicate in detail the nature of the scientific enterprise that this intuition has inspired. That enterprise is distinctive in at least three ways: It relies on a style of explanation which is different from that of mathematical physics, in such a way that it is not basically concerned with quantitative equational laws; the states and processes with which it deals are “interpreted,” in the sense that they are regarded as meaningful or representational; and it is not committed to reductionism, but is open to reduction in a form different from that encountered in other sciences. Spelling these points out makes it clear that the Cognitivist study of the mind can be rigorous and empirical, despite its unprecedented theoretical form. The philosophical explication has another advantage as well: It provides a much needed framework for articulating questions about whether the Cognitivist approach is right or wrong. The last three sections take that advantage of the account, and address several such questions, pro and con.
On the biological basis of human laterality: II. The mechanisms of inheritance
Authors: Morgan Michael J. , Corballis Michael C.
Published: February 2010

This paper focuses on the inheritance of human handedness and cerebral lateralization within the more general context of structural biological asymmetries. The morphogenesis of asymmetrical structures, such as the heart in vertebrates, depends upon a complex interaction between information coded in the cytoplasm and in the genes, but the polarity of asymmetry seems to depend on the cytoplasmic rather than the genetic code. Indeed it is extremely difficult to find clear-cut examples in which thedirectionof an asymmetry is under genetic control. As one possible case, there is some evidence that the direction, clockwise or counterclockwise, of rotation of the abdomen in certain mutant strains ofDrosophilais controlled by a particular gene locus, although there appears to be some degree of confusion on this point. By contrast, it is much easier to find examples in which thedegreebut not the direction of asymmetry is under genetic control. For instance, there is a mutant strain of mice in which half of the animals displaysitus inversusof the viscera. The proportion has remained at one half despite many years of inbreeding, suggesting that the mutant allele effectively cancels the normalsitusand allows the asymmetry to be specified in random fashion.

Although this account does not deny that the right hemisphere of humans may be the more specialized for certain functions, it does attribute a leading or dominant role to the left hemisphere (at least in most individuals). We suggest that so-called “right-hemisphere” functions are essentially acquired by default, due to the left hemisphere's prior involvement with speech and skilled motor acts; we note, for instance, that these right-hemisphere functions include rather elementary perceptual processes. But perhaps the more critical prediction from our account is that the phenomenon of equipotentiality should be unidirectional: the right (lagging) hemisphere should be more disposed to take over left-hemisphere functions following early lesions than is the left (leading) hemisphere to take over right-hemisphere functions. We note preliminary evidence that this may be so.
Piecing Together the Lady Chatterley Puzzle: an Uncensored Investigation
Authors: Ganglani Poonam M.
Published: February 2010

In this article, Poonam M. Ganglani investigates how the preserved manuscripts in the Lord Chamberlain's archives of John Hart's stage version of Lady Chatterley's Lover in 1961 reflect the social and theatrical landscape of the times. The notion of the Lord Chamberlain as a custodian of morals, the dangerous power attributed to stage semiotics, and the response to sexual impropriety on stage are among the areas discussed. The Lord Chamberlain's correspondence files offer the only significant glimpse into this theatrical adaptation of Lawrence's novel, as into other unpublished plays of the time; this article also investigates the ways in which the Lord Chamberlain's archives in the British Library, London, serve as a unique and valuable tool for the post-war British theatre historiographer in research related to such unpublished plays. Poonam M. Ganglani is a postgraduate under the Mundus Masters ‘Crossways in European Humanities’ international study programme, having studied in three European universities over two years: the Université de Perpignan Via Domitia in France, the University of Sheffield in England, and the Università degli studi di Bergamo in Italy.
The East/West Dialectic in German Actor Training
Authors: Earnest Steve
Published: February 2010

In this article Steve Earnest discusses contemporary approaches to performance training in Germany, comparing the content and methods of selected programmes from the former Federal Republic of Germany to those of the former German Democratic Republic. The Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock and the University of the Arts in Berlin are here utilized as primary sources, while reference is also made to the Bayerische Theater-akademie ‘August Everding’ Prinzregententheater in Munich, the Hochschule für Musik und Theater ‘Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy’ in Leipzig, and Justus Leibig Universität in Giessen. The aim is to provide insight into theatre-training processes in Germany and to explore how these relate to the national characteristics that have emerged since reunification. Steve Earnest is Associate Professor of Theatre at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. His publications include The State Acting Academy of East Berlin (Mellen Press, 1999) and articles in Performer Training (Harwood Publishers, 2001), New Theatre Quarterly, Theatre Journal, and Western European Stages.
VARIABLES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ATTRITION
Authors: Bardovi-Harlig Kathleen , Stringer David
Published: February 2010

This article provides a comprehensive synthesis of research on language attrition to date, with a view to establishing a theoretically sound basis for future research in the domain of second language (L2) attrition. We identify the variables that must be tracked in populations who experience language loss, and we develop a general model for the assessment of the processes involved. This critical review suggests that future research in this domain should establish baselines for attainment against which to measure attrition, and that learners must be compared to themselves in longitudinal designs that involve periodic assessment of both linguistic and extralinguistic factors. In the proposed model, populations are defined as sets of variables, which are subject to change following shifts in discrete time periods in the general process of acquisition and attrition. A working model is elaborated for the assessment of L2 attrition and retention, which, we hope, might encourage additional work in this area.
PROCESSING OF THE REDUCED RELATIVE CLAUSE VERSUS MAIN VERB AMBIGUITY IN L2 LEARNERS AT DIFFERENT PROFICIENCY LEVELS
Authors: Rah Anne , Adone Dany
Published: February 2010

This article presents new evidence from offline and online processing of garden-path sentences that are ambiguous between reduced relative clause resolution and main verb resolution. The participants of this study are intermediate and advanced German learners of English who have learned the language in a nonimmersed context. The results show that for second language (L2) learners, there is a dissociation between parsing mechanisms and grammatical knowledge: The learners successfully process the structures in question offline, but the online self-paced reading task shows different patterns for the L2 learners and the native-speaker control group. The results are discussed with regard to shallow processing in L2 learners (Clahsen & Felser, 2006). Because the structures in question differ in English and German, first language (L1) influence is also discussed as an explanation for the findings. The comparison of the three participant groups’ results points to a gradual rather than a fundamental difference between L1 and L2 processing.
Abscisic acid and the control of seed dormancy and germination
Authors: Nambara Eiji , Okamoto Masanori , Tatematsu Kiyoshi , Yano Ryoichi , Seo Mitsunori , Kamiya Yuji
Published: February 2010

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone that regulates seed dormancy and germination. Seeds undergo changes in both ABA content and sensitivity during seed development and germination in response to internal and external cues. Recent advances in functional genomics have revealed the integral components involved in ABA metabolism (biosynthesis and catabolism) and perception, the core signalling pathway, as well as the factors that trigger ABA-mediated transcription. These allow for comparative studies to be conducted on seeds under different environmental conditions and from different genetic backgrounds. This review summarizes our understanding of the control of ABA content and the responsiveness of seeds to afterripening, light, high temperature and nitrate, with a focus on which tissues are involved in its metabolism and signalling. Also described are the regulators of ABA metabolism and signalling, which potentially act as the node for hormone crosstalk. Integration of such knowledge into the complex and diverse events occurring during seed germination will be the next challenge, which will allow for a clearer understanding of the role of ABA.
Experimental Actions, the Outcomes of WhichAreForeseen: Experiment and Tradition in Conlon Nancarrow's Studies nos 21 and 36 for Player Piano
Authors: BERKOWITZ AARON
Published: February 2010

Conlon Nancarrow is often classified as an ‘experimental’ composer. Definitions of experimentalism in twentieth-century music, however, vary widely, from general ones simply requiring the invention of new compositional techniques to some of John Cage's more specific definitions, which advocate indeterminacy. Nancarrow's music, pioneering in its use of the player piano and its exploration of rhythm and tempo, easily fulfils the criteria for experimentalism in a general sense, yet is by no means indeterminate. Nancarrow does not set up experiments and let them take their course, but rather carefully crafts his compositions, drawing on more traditional techniques of motivic development, counterpoint, and formal planning. Through analyses of Nancarrow's Studies nos 21 and 36 for player piano, I shall suggest that it is through the interaction of experiment and tradition that Nancarrow highlights the perceptibility of what is most experimental in his music: the highly novel approaches to the structuring of musical time.
The importance of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to National Societies: fundamental in theory and in practice
Authors: Meyer Michael
Published: February 2010

The International Conference is based in particular on the long-established National Society auxiliary role and partnership with States. The importance of the Conference is clear from the Movement's Statutes. In practice, not all National Societies have taken full advantage of the opportunities provided by the International Conference for interaction and relationship-building with their own authorities. Practical ways are suggested to help National Societies participate more actively in the Conference and to use it to good benefit before and afterwards. The International Conference itself could increase its relevance by making more of its specific function with respect to international humanitarian law.
Annual cycle of landfast sea ice in Prydz Bay, east Antarctica
Authors: Lei Ruibo , Li Zhijun , Cheng Bin , Zhang Zhanhai , Heil Petra
Published: February 2010

Under the Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition program in 2006, the annual thermal mass balance of landfast ice in the vicinity of Zhongshan Station, Prydz Bay, east Antarctica, was investigated. Sea ice formed from mid‐February onward, and maximum ice thickness occurred in late November. Snow cover remained thin, and blowing snow caused frequent redistribution of the snow. The vertical ice salinity showed a “question‐mark‐shaped” profile for most of the ice growth season, which only turned into an “I‐shaped” profile after the onset of ice melt. The oceanic heat flux as estimated from a flux balance at ice‐ocean interface using internal ice temperatures decreased from 11.8 (±3.5) W m−2 in April to an annual minimum of 1.9 (±2.4) W m−2 in September. It remained low through late November, in mid‐December it increased sharply to about 20.0 W m−2. Simulations applying the modified versions of Stefan's law, taking account the oceanic heat flux and ice‐atmosphere coupling, compare well with observed ice growth. There was no obvious seasonal cycle for the thermal conductivity of snow cover, which was also derived from internal ice temperatures. Its annual mean was 0.20 (±0.04) W m‐1 °C−1.
Streamflow prediction in ungauged catchments using copula‐based dissimilarity measures
Authors: Samaniego Luis , Bárdossy András , Kumar Rohini
Published: February 2010

There are many procedures in the available literature to perform prediction in ungauged basins. Commonly, the Euclidean metric is used as a proxy of the hydrologic dissimilarity. Here we propose a procedure to find a metric on the basis of dissimilarity measures that are estimated from pairwise empirical copula densities of runoff. A metric is then defined in an transformed space of basin descriptors, whose parameterization is obtained with a variance reducing technique. A hydrologic model was run in an ungauged basin with sets of global parameters obtained from the k nearest neighboring donor basins using various metrics to take into account the uncertainty of its parameterization. Hydrologic model parameters were regionalized with a multiscale parameter regionalization technique whose transfer function parameters were found via calibration. The streamflow in an ungauged basin was found as an ensemble streamflow prediction to account for the uncertainties of the transfer function parameters as well as those to define the metric. This technique was applied in 38 German basins ranging in size from 70 to 4000 km2. For each basin, a number of catchment descriptors and several climatic indices were quantified, e.g., mean slope, aspect, shape factor, mean elevation, and mean monthly temperature in January, among others. Daily streamflow time series correspond to the period from 1961 to 2000. Simulated daily discharge was validated with a Jackknife cross‐validation technique. Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiencies obtained in this way ranged between 0.76 and 0.86. These results suggested that the proposed technique would produce reasonable results in ungauged basins.
Cluster observations of outflowing electron distributions and broadband electrostatic emissions above the polar cap
Authors: Teste A. , Fontaine D. , Canu P. , Belmont G.
Published: February 2010

We investigate the excellent correlation between ionospheric upgoing electron beams and broadband electrostatic emissions (0–6 kHz) observed by Cluster, at ∼5 to 9 Earth's radii above the polar cap. In the absence of detailed, high time resolution waveform data in that region, we precisely analyzed several electron beams to obtain information concerning wave‐particle interactions. Our results indicate that these beams are extremely variable and occasionally show multiple components. The processes involved might then occur on very short time scales, of the order of or shorter than sampling rates, typically 100 ms. We suggest that non linearities are at the origin of the spread of the frequency range of the waves simultaneously observed, as well as of the beam variability. We conclude that these electron beams are likely to destabilize Langmuir waves and, by the non‐linear evolution of the electron bump‐on‐tail instability, could be responsible for the appearance of electrostatic solitary waves above the polar cap.
Detectability of subsurface interfaces in lunar maria by the LRS/SELENE sounding radar: Influence of mineralogical composition
Authors: Pommerol A. , Kofman W. , Audouard J. , Grima C. , Beck P. , Mouginot J. , Herique A. , Kumamoto A. , Kobayashi T. , Ono T.
Published: February 2010

The Lunar Radar Sounder (LRS) of the SELENE mission has detected horizontal subsurface features at depths of a few hundreds of meters within all major lunar maria. We have mapped these features at global scale and found a heterogeneous geographical distribution, which correlates negatively with the maps of TiO2 and FeO obtained from UV‐VIS measurements by the Clementine probe. High concentration of ilmenite (FeTiO3) in the basaltic mare lava can explain this correlation, this mineral being a strong absorber for low frequency electromagnetic waves. Thus, absence of detection of subsurface interfaces by LRS on a large portion of lunar maria does not necessarily imply that these interfaces are actually absent.
Impact of Aleutian Low activity on the STMW formation in the Kuroshio recirculation gyre region
Authors: Sugimoto Shusaku , Hanawa Kimio
Published: February 2010

To understand the formation of North Pacific subtropical mode water (STMW) in the Kuroshio recirculation gyre region, the cause of STMW thickness variation is investigated using temperature profiles in a historically archived data set. The thickness variation is predominantly controlled by the main thermocline depth (MTD). When the main thermocline deepens (shoals), the wintertime mixed layer depth can develop (not develop), and consequently, thicker (thinner) STMW is observed in summer. The large‐scale atmospheric forcing controlling the MTD is explored using a wind‐driven hindcast ocean model. The MTD variation stems primarily from a baroclinic response in the ocean to the Aleutian Low (AL) activity; especially, the meridional movement of the AL exerts a remarkable influence.
Relationships between tropical sea surface temperature and top‐of‐atmosphere radiation
Authors: Trenberth Kevin E. , Fasullo John T. , O'Dell Chris , Wong Takmeng
Published: February 2010

To assess climate sensitivity from Earth radiation observations of limited duration and observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs) requires a closed and therefore global domain, equilibrium between the fields, and robust methods of dealing with noise. Noise arises from natural variability in the atmosphere and observational noise in precessing satellite observations. This paper explores the meaning of results that use only the tropical region. We compute correlations and regressions between tropical SSTs and top‐of‐atmosphere (TOA) longwave, shortwave and net radiation using a variety of methods to test robustness of results. The main changes in SSTs throughout the tropics are associated with El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events in which the dominant changes in energy into an atmospheric column come from ocean heat exchange through evaporation, latent heat release in precipitation, and redistribution of that heat through atmospheric winds. These changes can be an order of magnitude larger than the net TOA radiation changes, and their effects are teleconnected globally, and especially into the subtropics. Atmospheric model results are explored and found to be consistent with observations. From 1985 to 1999 the largest perturbation in TOA radiative fluxes was from the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and clearly models which do not include that forcing will not simulate the effects. Consequently, regressions of radiation with SSTs in the tropics may have nothing to say about climate sensitivity.
Hydrological and oceanic effects on polar motion from GRACE and models
Authors: Jin Shuanggen , Chambers Don P. , Tapley Byron D.
Published: February 2010

Terrestrial water storage (TWS) and ocean bottom pressure (OBP) are major contributors to the observed polar motion excitations, second only to atmospheric mass movement. However, quantitative assessment of the hydrological and oceanic effects on polar motion remains unclear because of the lack of global observations. In this paper, hydrological and oceanic mass excitations to polar motion are investigated using monthly TWS and OBP derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) for January 2003 until December 2008. The results from this analysis are compared with hydrological model excitations from the European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and oceanic model excitations obtained from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) using Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO). Results show that the GRACE‐derived OBP and TWS better explain the geodetic residual polar motion excitations for the Px component at the annual period, while the GRACE OBP and ECMWF hydrological angular momentum agree better with the geodetic residuals for the annual Py excitation. GRACE ocean and hydrology excitations better explain the geodetic residuals for the semiannual Py excitation. However, the JPL ECCO and ECMWF models better explain the intraseasonal geodetic residual of polar motion excitation in the Px and Py components. The GRACE data demonstrate much higher intraseasonal variability than either the models or the geodetic observations.
Persistence of organic carbon in heated aerosol residuals measured during Tropical Composition Cloud and Climate Coupling (TC4)
Authors: Thornberry T. , Froyd K. D. , Murphy D. M. , Thomson D. S. , Anderson B. E. , Thornhill K. L. , Winstead E. L.
Published: February 2010

The Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry (PALMS) single particle mass spectrometer was used to analyze the composition of the nonvolatile fraction of atmospheric aerosol in a number of different environments. The mass spectra of individual particles sampled through an inlet section heated to 300°C were compared to unheated particles during flights of the NASA DC‐8 aircraft during the Tropical Composition Cloud and Climate Coupling (TC4) mission. Comparisons are presented of measurements made in the marine boundary layer, the free troposphere, and the continental boundary layer over the Colombian jungle. The heated section completely removed sulfate from the aerosols except for sodium sulfate and related compounds in sea salt particles. Organic material in sea salt particles was observed to be less volatile than chlorine. Biomass burning particles were more likely to survive heating than other mixed sulfate‐organic particles. For all particle types, there was a significant contribution to the residues from carbonaceous material other than elemental carbon. These results demonstrate the remaining compositional complexity of aerosol residuals that survive heating in a thermal denuder.
Meteorological controls on observed peroxyacetyl nitrate at Mount Bachelor during the spring of 2008
Authors: Fischer E. V. , Jaffe D. A. , Reidmiller D. R. , Jaeglé L.
Published: February 2010

A suite of gas phase and aerosol measurements were made during spring 2008 at the summit of Mount Bachelor (2763 m asl), located in central Oregon. Here we focus on observations of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) for the period of 3 April to 18 June 2008. During this period, PAN mixing ratios ranged from below detection limit to 527 pptv, with a campaign mean of 119 pptv. Our analysis indicates that the variability in PAN was predominantly a function of synoptic scale processes. Three plumes containing elevated PAN were analyzed in detail. Two of these plumes were of Asian origin, and one was associated with North American sources. The Asian plumes were observed on 17–18 April and 12–13 May. Both were associated with elevated PAN, CO, O3, and aerosol scattering (σsp). The relationship between PAN and O3 varied with air mass temperature within the 17–18 April plume, and we exploited this to derive an O3 production efficiency per unit of PAN decomposed of 51–73 mol mol−1. The second Asian plume (12–13 May) was more dilute, characterized by lower CO and σsp. This event had a larger PAN/CO slope, consistent with relatively colder subsidence as calculated by trajectories. We traced the pathways of the plumes using a global chemical transport model (GEOS‐Chem) alongside trajectories to show that the plumes crossed the Pacific at different rates and following different routes. The plume observed on April 17–18 traveled over the great circle, while the later plume took a slower more southern path across the Pacific.
Relationships between spectroscopic properties of high‐altitude organic aerosols and Sun photometry from ground‐based remote sensing
Authors: Mladenov Natalie , Reche Isabel , Olmo Francisco J. , Lyamani Hassan , Alados‐Arboledas Lucas
Published: February 2010

Organic aerosols are important light‐absorbing compounds in the atmosphere that influence climate by filtering solar radiation and interact with the biosphere via deposition to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. There is a limited understanding of their chemical properties and even less is known about the relationships between fluorescent properties and widely used optical properties of aerosols in the vertical air column, such as aerosol optical depth (δAλ), aerosol size distribution, and single scattering albedo (ω0Aλ). In this study, we examined relationships between spectroscopic (fluorescence and absorbance) properties of the water‐soluble organic compounds (WSOC) in aerosol deposition and ground‐based remote sensing measurements of aerosols in the atmospheric column. With both techniques, we found important differences between Saharan‐ and marine‐dominated organic aerosols. Saharan‐dominated WSOC had more intense fluorescence and higher content of reduced quinone‐like fluorescent components than marine‐dominated WSOC, and amino acid‐like fluorescence was substantial in both types of deposition. Both particulate matter loading and molar absorption in the UV range were significantly related to iron content and may reflect a contribution from iron to light absorption. Saharan‐dominated aerosols generally had higher δAλ and volume concentration of coarse mode particles (>0.5 μm; Vc2) than marine‐dominated aerosols. Using fluorescence spectroscopy and PARAFAC modeling, we found that reduced quinone‐like compounds were significantly and positively related to δAλ and Vc2. The relationships that emerged from this study provide a basis for relating WSOC and columnar measurements in the future.
Impacts of atmospheric nutrient inputs on marine biogeochemistry
Authors: Krishnamurthy Aparna , Moore J. Keith , Mahowald Natalie , Luo Chao , Zender Charles S.
Published: February 2010

The primary nutrients that limit marine phytoplankton growth rates include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and silicon (Si). Atmospheric transport and deposition provides a source for each of these nutrients to the oceans. We utilize an ocean biogeochemical model to examine the relative importance of these atmospheric inputs for ocean biogeochemistry and export production. In the current era, simulations with the biogeochemical elemental cycling ocean model suggest that globally, atmospheric Fe inputs could support roughly 50% of the Fe exported from the euphotic zone by sinking organic and inorganic particles. Variations in atmospheric iron inputs strongly impact spatial patterns of phytoplankton growth limitation and the areal extent of the high‐nutrient, low‐chlorophyll regions. Atmospheric inputs of N, Si, and P have smaller impacts, potentially accounting for 5.1%, 0.21%, and 0.12% of the biogenic export of these elements from the euphotic zone, respectively. Soluble Fe input from the atmosphere is sufficient to support most of the export production in many ocean regions, whether we use a spatially variable aerosol Fe solubility, or a globally constant 2% solubility. Regionally atmospheric N inputs can have significant impacts on marine biogeochemistry, potentially supporting >25% of the export production, an impact that is increasing due to human activities. Atmospheric Si and P inputs have only minimal impacts on marine ecosystem productivity and biogeochemistry, as these inputs are typically quite small relative to the flux of these nutrients from below the euphotic zone.
The role of RANTES as a crucial downstream cytokine in calcineurin‐dependent VSMC apoptosis stimulated by INFγ and CD40L
Authors: Peng Yu‐dong , Cheng Long‐xian , Zeng Qiu‐tang , Shi Ying , Bao Xia‐xi , Mao Xiao‐bo , Ji Qing‐wei , Li Song‐nan , Guo Min , Liang Zhi‐shan , Wu Tang‐chun
Published: February 2010

Many studies have suggested that VSMC (vascular smooth muscle cell) apoptosis plays a key role in destabilization and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore protection for VSMCs from apoptosis is a promising approach to stabilize ‘vulnerable’ lesions. However, the mechanisms as to why VSMCs in the fibrous cap often appear as profilerated in early stages, but turn apoptotic in advanced stages, are still unknown. In the present study, using RNAi (RNA interference) technology and a CaN (calcineurin) antagonist, the correlation between CaN and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T‐cell expressed and secreted) in cultured rat apoptotic VSMCs stimulated by IFNγ (interferon γ; 20 ng/ml) and CD40L (CD40 ligand; 100 ng/ml) was investigated. RANTES released from VSMCs in each group was measured by ELISA and its mRNA in VSMCs was determined by RT (reverse transcription)–PCR. The total activity and expression of CaN in VSMCs were detected by the zymochemistry method and Western blot analysis respectively. From the results of the present study it can be hypothesized that an elevated CaN concentration in endochylema, by the CD40–CD40L signal pathway, induces VSMC apoptosis accomplished by the overexpression of RANTES. Therefore RANTES is a potential target for treating vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques owing to its crucial downstream regulating role in CaN‐dependent VSMC apoptosis.
Oestrogen regulates proliferation and differentiation of human islet‐derived precursor cells through oestrogen receptor alpha
Authors: Ren Zhenhua , Zou Chunlin , Ji Huijun , Zhang Y Alex
Published: February 2010

E2 (oestradiol‐17β) is an important hormone that regulates various cell functions including insulin production. hIPCs (human islet‐derived precursor cells) are capable of proliferating and differentiating into cells that secrete insulin in response to glucosein vivoandin vitro.However, the effect of E2 on hIPCs is currently unclear. In this study, we found that ERα (oestrogen receptor alpha), but not ERβ, was expressed on hIPCs, and E2 promoted the proliferation and inhibited the differentiation of adult hIPCs. Although fetal hIPCs also express ERα, no effect of E2 on the fetal hIPCs was observed, suggesting differing roles of E2 at different stages of pancreatic development. This study indicates that E2 may be one of the key factors that control the turnover of adult pancreatic β cells by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of adult hIPCs through ERα.
Z‐FA.FMK activates duodenal epithelial cell proliferation through oxidative stress, NF‐κB and IL‐1β in d‐GalN/TNF‐α‐administered mice
Authors: Gezginci‐Oktayoglu Selda , Bolkent Sehnaz , Bayrak Boran Bertan , Yanardag Refiye
Published: February 2010

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Z‐FA.FMK (benzyloxycarbonyl‐l‐phenylalanyl‐alanine‐fluoromethylketone), a pharmacological inhibitor of cathepsin B, on the proliferation of duodenal mucosal epithelial cells and the cellular system that controls this mechanism in these cells in vivo. For this investigation, BALB/c male mice were divided into four groups. The first group received physiological saline, the second group was administered Z‐FA.FMK, the third group received d‐GalN (d‐galactosamine) and TNF‐α (tumour necrosis factor‐α) and the fourth group was given both d‐GalN/TNF‐α and Z‐FA.FMK. When d‐GalN/TNF‐α was administered alone, we observed an increase in IL‐1β‐positive and active NF‐κB‐positive duodenal epithelial cells, a decrease in PCNA (proliferative cell nuclear antigen)‐positive duodenal epithelial cells and an increase in degenerative changes in duodenum. On the other hand, Z‐FA.FMK pretreatment inhibited all of these changes. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl and collagen levels were increased, glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity were decreased, while there was no change in catalase activity by d‐GalN/TNF‐α injection. On the contrary, the Z‐FA.FMK pretreatment before d‐GalN/TNF‐α blocked these effects. Based on these findings, we suggest that Z‐FA.FMK might act as a proliferative mediator which is controlled by IL‐1β through NF‐κB and oxidative stress in duodenal epithelial cells of d‐GalN/TNF‐α‐administered mice.
Impact of Personal Relevance and Contextualization on Word-Picture Matching by People With Aphasia
Authors: McKelvey Miechelle L. , Hux Karen , Dietz Aimee , Beukelman David R.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

To determine the effect of personal relevance and contextualization of images on the preferences and word-picture matching accuracy of people with severe aphasia.

Method

Eight adults with aphasia performed 2 experimental tasks to reveal their preferences and accuracy during word-picture matching. The researchers used 3 types of visual stimuli—personally relevant, contextualized photographs; non-personally relevant, contextualized photographs; and noncontextualized, iconic images—paired with 3 types of target words—labels of people or objects, actions, and socially relevant events—as the stimulus materials.

Results

Data analysis showed that participants (a) preferred using personally relevant, contextualized photographs rather than other types of photographs/images to represent target words and (b) performed more accurate word-picture matching when presented with target words associated with personally relevant, contextualized photographs than target words associated with noncontextualized or nonpersonalized photographs/images.

Conclusions

Clinically, the findings highlight the importance of using personally relevant, contextualized photographs rather than generic contextualized photographs or noncontextualized, iconic images to support the communication attempts of people with aphasia who cannot communicate effectively using natural speech alone.
Early-, Middle-, and Late-Developing Sounds in Monolingual and Bilingual Children: An Exploratory Investigation
Authors: Fabiano-Smith Leah , Goldstein Brian A.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

To examine the accuracy of early-, middle-, and late-developing (EML) sounds in Spanish-English bilingual children and their monolingual peers.

Method

Twenty-four typically developing children, age 3–4 years, were included in this study: 8 bilingual Spanish-English-speaking children, 8 monolingual Spanish speakers, and 8 monolingual English speakers. Single-word speech samples were obtained to examine (a) differences on the accuracy of EML sounds between Spanish-English bilingual children and monolingual Spanish and monolingual English children and (b) the developmental trend on the accuracy of EML sounds within languages for Spanish-English bilingual children and monolingual Spanish and monolingual English children.

Results

Findings support those of Shriberg (1993) for English-speaking children and suggest possible EML categories for monolingual Spanish-speaking children and bilingual Spanish-English-speaking children.

Conclusions

These exploratory findings indicate the need for longitudinal examination of EML categories with a larger cohort of children to observe similarities and differences between monolingual and bilingual development.
Clinical Implications of Dynamic Systems Theory for Phonological Development
Authors: Rvachew Susan , Bernhardt Barbara May
Published: February 2010

Purpose

To examine treatment outcomes in relation to the complexity of treatment goals for children with speech sound disorders.

Method

The clinical implications of dynamic systems theory in contrast with learnability theory are discussed, especially in the context of target selection decisions for children with speech sound disorders. Detailed phonological analyses of pre-and posttreatment speech samples are provided for 6 children who received treatment in a previously published randomized controlled trial of contrasting approaches to target selection (Rvachew & Nowak, 2001). Three children received treatment for simple target phonemes that did not introduce any new feature contrasts into the children’s phonological systems. Three children received treatment for complex targets that represented feature contrasts that were absent from the children’s phonological systems.

Results

Children who received treatment for simple targets made more progress toward the acquisition of the target sounds and demonstrated emergence of complex untreated segments and feature contrasts. Children who received treatment for complex targets made little measurable gain in phonological development.

Conclusions

Treatment outcomes will be enhanced if the clinician selects treatment targets at the segmental and prosodic levels of the phonological system in such a way as to stabilize the child’s knowledge of subcomponents that form the foundation for the emergence of more complex phoneme contrasts.
Twenty-Year Follow-Up of Children With and Without Speech-Language Impairments: Family, Educational, Occupational, and Quality of Life Outcomes
Authors: Johnson Carla J. , Beitchman Joseph H. , Brownlie E. B.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Parents, professionals, and policy makers need information on the long-term prognosis for children with communication disorders. Our primary purpose in this report was to help fill this gap by profiling the family, educational, occupational, and quality of life outcomes of young adults at 25 years of age (
N
= 244) from the Ottawa Language Study, a 20-year, prospective, longitudinal study of a community sample of individuals with (
n
= 112) and without (
n
= 132) a history of early speech and/or language impairments. A secondary purpose of this report was to use data from earlier phases of the study to predict important, real-life outcomes at age 25.

Method

Participants were initially identified at age 5 and subsequently followed at 12, 19, and 25 years of age. Direct assessments were conducted at all 4 time periods in multiple domains (demographic, communicative, cognitive, academic, behavioral, and psychosocial).

Results

At age 25, young adults with a history of language impairments showed poorer outcomes in multiple objective domains (communication, cognitive/academic, educational attainment, and occupational status) than their peers without early communication impairments and those with early speech-only impairments. However, those with language impairments did not differ in subjective perceptions of their quality of life from those in the other 2 groups. Objective outcomes at age 25 were predicted differentially by various combinations of multiple, interrelated risk factors, including poor language and reading skills, low family socioeconomic status, low performance IQ, and child behavior problems. Subjective well-being, however, was primarily associated with strong social networks of family, friends, and others.

Conclusion

This information on the natural history of communication disorders may be useful in answering parents' questions, anticipating challenges that children with language disorders might encounter, and planning services to address those issues.
Working Memory and Specific Language Impairment: An Update on the Relation and Perspectives on Assessment and Treatment
Authors: Montgomery James W. , Magimairaj Beula M. , Finney Mianisha C.
Published: February 2010

Purpose

Children with specific language impairment (SLI) demonstrate significant language impairments despite normal-range hearing and nonverbal IQ. Many of these children also show marked deficits in working memory (WM) abilities. However, the theoretical and clinical characterization of the association between WM and language limitations in SLI is still sparse. Our understanding of this association would benefit greatly from an updated and thorough review of the literature.

Method

We review the newest developments in these areas from both a theoretical and clinical perspective. Our intent is to provide researchers and practicing clinicians (a) a conceptual framework within which the association between WM and language limitations of children with SLI can be understood and (b) potentially helpful suggestions for assessing and treating the memory-language difficulties of children with SLI.

Conclusions

In the past 10 years, important new theoretical insights into the range and nature of WM deficits and relation between these limitations and the language difficulties in SLI have occurred. New, robust diagnostic assessment tools and computerized treatment methods designed to enhance children’s WM functioning have also been developed. The assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the language difficulties in SLI should consider the potential influence of WM.
Magnetic cellular automata coplanar cross wire systems
Authors: Pulecio Javier F. , Bhanja Sanjukta
Published: February 2010

Quantum cellular automata has proposed an exclusive architecture where two coplanar perpendicular wires have the ability to intersect one another without signal degradation. The physical realization of cross wire architectures has yet to be implemented and researchers share concerns over the reliability of such a system. Here we have designed a coplanar cross wire layout for magnetic cellular automata (MCA) and have fabricated two different systems. The first system was implemented via two ferromagnetic coupled coplanar crossing wires and demonstrated all possible logic combinations. The second more complex cross wire system consisted of nine junctions and one hundred and twenty single domain nanomagnets. The complex system’s ability to reach an energy minimum combined with the demonstration of all combinations of the smaller system leads us to conclude that a cross wire system is physically feasible and reliable in MCA.
The role of seed electrons on the plasma breakdown and preglow of electron cyclotron resonance ion source
Authors: Tarvainen O. , Ropponen T. , Thuillier T. , Noland J. , Toivanen V. , Kalvas T. , Koivisto H.
Published: February 2010

The 14 GHz Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source at University of Jyväskylä, Department of Physics (JYFL) has been operated in pulsed mode in order to study the plasma breakdown and preglow effect. It was observed that the plasma breakdown time and preglow characteristics are affected by seed electrons provided by a continuous low power microwave signal at secondary frequency. Sustaining low density plasma during the off-period of high power microwave pulses at the primary frequency shifts the charge state distribution of the preglow transient toward higher charge states. This could be exploited for applications requiring fast and efficient ionization of radioactive elements as proposed for the Beta Beam project within the EURISOL design study, for example. In this article we present results measured with helium and neon.
A tandem-based compact dual-energy gamma generator
Authors: Persaud A. , Kwan J. W. , Leitner M. , Leung K.-N. , Ludewigt B. , Tanaka N. , Waldron W. , Wilde S. , Antolak A. J. , Morse D. H. , Raber T.
Published: February 2010

A dual-energy tandem-type gamma generator has been developed at E. O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. The tandem accelerator geometry allows higher energy nuclear reactions to be reached, thereby allowing more flexible generation of MeV-energy gammas for active interrogation applications. Both positively charged ions and atoms of hydrogen are created from negative ions via a gas stripper. In this paper, we show first results of the working tandem-based gamma generator and that a gas stripper can be utilized in a compact source design. Preliminary results of monoenergetic gamma production are shown.
Broad-beam high-current dc ion source based on a two-stage glow discharge plasma
Authors: Vizir A. V. , Oks E. M. , Yushkov G. Yu.
Published: February 2010

We have designed, made, and demonstrated a broad-beam, dc, ion source based on a two-stage, hollow-cathode, and glow discharges plasma. The first-stage discharge (auxiliary discharge) produces electrons that are injected into the cathode cavity of a second-stage discharge (main discharge). The electron injection causes a decrease in the required operating pressure of the main discharge down to 0.05 mTorr and a decrease in required operating voltage down to about 50 V. The decrease in operating voltage of the main discharge leads to a decrease in the fraction of impurity ions in the ion beam extracted from the main gas discharge plasma to less than 0.2 %. Another feature of the source is a single-grid accelerating system in which the ion accelerating voltage is applied between the plasma itself and the grid electrode. The source has produced steady-state Ar, O, and N ion beams of about 14 cm diameter and current of more than 2 A at an accelerating voltage of up to 2 kV.
Self-heated hollow cathode discharge system for charged particle sources and plasma generators
Authors: Gushenets V. I. , Bugaev A. S. , Oks E. M. , Schanin P. M. , Goncharov A. A.
Published: February 2010

This paper presents the results of experimental studies of a new design of discharge system using a self-heated hollow cathode. The discharge system offers certain advantages that are attractive for use in high-dose ion implantation, plasma generators, and plasma electron sources.
Sources of polyatomic ions of organic liquids
Authors: Takaoka G. H. , Takeuchi M. , Ryuto H.
Published: February 2010

We have developed two types of liquid ion sources, one of which was a polyatomic ion source using liquid organic materials with a high-vapor pressure. Liquid materials such as octane and ethanol could be heated up to a maximum temperature of 100 °C, and the vapors were introduced into an ion source. They were ionized by an electron bombardment method and extracted from the ionizer. The ion current obtained at an extraction voltage of 2 kV was 230 μA for octane and several fragment ions such as alkyl ions were produced. On the other hand, another type of polyatomic ion source using alkyl naphthalene mixed with ionic liquid such as imidazolium dicyanamide has been developed. Instead of the electron bombardment method, a high-electric field method was used for the ion-emission from a sharp tip, because the vapor pressure of the liquid materials was relatively low. The threshold voltage was approximately 4.5 kV and the ion current of approximately 250 nA was obtained at an extraction voltage of 9.5 kV.