bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GOLDSTONE FIELDS IN THE SUPERSTRING THEORY
Authors: POLLOCK M. D.
Published: March 2008

If global supersymmetry is broken by gaugino condensation in the hidden sector of the [Formula: see text] heterotic superstring theory after compactification, then the auxiliary field FBof the modulus B ≡ (Br, Bi) attains a finite value, while that of the dilaton A ≡ (Ar, Ai) vanishes, FA= 0, the Goldstone fermion being the modulino [Formula: see text], the spin-½ component of the complex chiral supermultiplet [Formula: see text]. The Goldstone boson of the scale symmetry that is broken when the radius of the internal space is fixed at a constant value is Br, which is determined from the goldstino Lagrangian, compared term by term with the superstring Lagrangian, including higher-derivative gravitational terms [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], after linking the space–time curvature to the energy–momentum tensor of the goldstino via the Einstein equations. This non-linear formulation of supersymmetry, due to Volkov and Akulov, is expressed in terms of the goldstino alone, whose Lagrangian contains a negative cosmological constant, which can be cancelled by the super-Higgs mechanism of Deser and Zumino to make the gravitino massive and break supersymmetry at the level [Formula: see text] GeV, while [Formula: see text]. Here, the modulus has been scaled to the Hagedorn value for the heterotic superstring theory, [Formula: see text], and Ar, identified with the inverse square of the tree-level gauge coupling, has been scaled to the calculation in the minimal supersymmetric standard model due to Weinberg, that g-2= 1.39 at the unification mass MX= 2.2 × 1016GeV, assuming three generations of elementary particles and two Higgs doublets. In the presence of gravitino condensation in the internal space, however, there is an arbitrary additional contribution to the cosmological constant, facilitating reduction of msto ~ 100 TeV, say, and m3/2to ~ 1 eV.
Teaching the interrelationship between stress, emotions, and cardiovascular risk using a classic paper by Walter Cannon
Authors: Gwirtz Patricia A.
Published: March 2008

Classroom discussion of the classic article by Walter B. Cannon in 1914, entitled “The emergency function of the adrenal medulla in pain and the major emotions,” is an excellent tool to teach graduate students the interaction between stress, emotions, and cardiovascular function. Using this article, we are able to review important early research by Dr. Cannon, including discussion of his scientific methods and results and how they hold true today. This article outlines how this classic paper is used to allow students to explore basics principles of cardiovascular control during stress. The teaching points that are presented illustrate how students can be directed to understand the interrelationship between chronic stress and cardiovascular disease.
Hospitalizations for Incident Stroke in Shunde District, Foshan, South China
Authors: Liang Wenbin , Huang Rongsheng , Lee Andy H. , Hu Delong , Binns Colin W.
Published: March 2008

Background/Aim: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in China. Accurate diagnosis of stroke type requires advanced imaging techniques. However, CT scan and MRI were not widely used in China until the middle 1990s. We estimate the stroke incidence based on stroke hospitalizations in Shunde District, Foshan, south China. Methods: Stroke hospitalization rates were calculated for different age strata using the number of cases observed and the population size of Shunde in 2005 and 2006. Results: The age-adjusted hospitalization rates (per 100,000 person-years) for all strokes were 57.4 overall, 65.1 for males and 50.0 for females, standardized according to Segi’s world population. Conclusion: The stroke incidence appeared to be lower in Shunde than those reported for other parts of China.
Towards Unconventional Computing through Simulated Evolution: Control of Nonlinear Media by a Learning Classifier System
Authors: Bull Larry , Budd Adam , Stone Christopher , Uroukov Ivan , Costello Ben de Lacy , Adamatzky Andrew
Published: March 2008

We propose that the behavior of nonlinear media can be controlled automatically through evolutionary learning. By extension, forms of unconventional computing (viz., massively parallel nonlinear computers) can be realized by such an approach. In this initial study a light-sensitive subexcitable Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction in which a checkerboard image, composed of cells of varying light intensity projected onto the surface of a thin silica gel impregnated with a catalyst and indicator, is controlled using a learning classifier system. Pulses of wave fragments are injected into the checkerboard grid, resulting in rich spatiotemporal behavior, and a learning classifier system is shown to be able to direct the fragments to an arbitrary position through dynamic control of the light intensity within each cell in both simulated and real chemical systems. Similarly, a learning classifier system is shown to be able to control the electrical stimulation of cultured neuronal networks so that they display elementary learning. Results indicate that the learned stimulation protocols identify seemingly fundamental properties of in vitro neuronal networks. Use of another learning scheme presented in the literature confirms that such fundamental behavioral characteristics of a given network must be considered in training experiments.
As a Matter of Feeling: Emotions and the Choice of Mediator Tactics in International Mediation
Authors: Smilovitz Joshua , Capelos Tereza
Published: March 2008

This article examines the role of negative emotions in the process of international mediation. In particular, it investigates how perceptions of disputant negative emotions influence the tactics that mediators employ. Using the classification of mediator tactics into communicator, formulator or manipulator, the article argues that communicator- or formulator-oriented tactics are adopted more frequently when a mediator perceives negative emotions, such as anger or fear. The results of a web survey of North American mediators that classified mediation tactics are presented. The authors also interviewed international mediators and diplomats who have formally or informally, officially or unofficially, mediated intra-state and inter-state conflicts. Mediators are found to be more inclined to assume communicator- or formulator-oriented tactics when confronted with negative emotions. Our empirical analysis of negative emotions sheds light on the choice of mediation tactics in the field of international mediation, and offers valuable insights to scholars and practitioners of negotiation, diplomacy, international relations and political science.
On the Differences in Storm Rainfall from Hurricanes Isidore and Lili. Part II: Water Budget
Authors: Jiang Haiyan , Halverson Jeffrey B. , Simpson Joanne , Zipser Edward J.
Published: March 2008

Part I of this two-part paper examined the satellite-derived rainfall accumulation and rain potential history of Hurricanes Isidore and Lili (2002). This paper (Part II) uses analyses from the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) to examine the water budget and environmental parameters and their relationship to the precipitation for these two storms. Factors other than storm size are found to account for large volumetric differences in storm total rainfall between Lili and Isidore. It is found that the horizontal moisture convergence was crucial to the initiation and maintenance of Isidore’s intense rainfall before and during its landfall. When the storm was over the ocean, the ocean moisture flux (evaporation) was the second dominant term among the moisture sources that contribute to precipitation. During Isidore’s life history, the strong horizontal moisture flux convergence corresponded to the large storm total precipitable water. The large difference in budget-derived stored cloud ice and liquid water between Isidore and Lili is corroborated from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) measurements. During Isidore’s landfall, the decrease in environmental water vapor contributed to rainfall in a very small amount. These results indicate the importance of the environmental precipitable water and moisture convergence and ocean surface moisture flux in generating Isidore’s large rainfall volume and inland flooding as compared with Lili’s water budget history. Both the moisture convergence and ocean flux were small for Lili.
Application of Oceanic Heat Content Estimation to Operational Forecasting of Recent Atlantic Category 5 Hurricanes
Authors: Mainelli Michelle , DeMaria Mark , Shay Lynn K. , Goni Gustavo
Published: March 2008

Research investigating the importance of the subsurface ocean structure on tropical cyclone intensity change has been ongoing for several decades. While the emergence of altimetry-derived sea height observations from satellites dates back to the 1980s, it was difficult and uncertain as to how to utilize these measurements in operations as a result of the limited coverage. As the in situ measurement coverage expanded, it became possible to estimate the upper oceanic heat content (OHC) over most ocean regions. Beginning in 2002, daily OHC analyses have been generated at the National Hurricane Center (NHC). These analyses are used qualitatively for the official NHC intensity forecast, and quantitatively to adjust the Statistical Hurricane Intensity Prediction Scheme (SHIPS) forecasts. The primary purpose of this paper is to describe how upper-ocean structure information was transitioned from research to operations, and how it is being used to generate NHC’s hurricane intensity forecasts. Examples of the utility of this information for recent category 5 hurricanes (Isabel, Ivan, Emily, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma from the 2003–05 hurricane seasons) are also presented. Results show that for a large sample of Atlantic storms, the OHC variations have a small but positive impact on the intensity forecasts. However, for intense storms, the effect of the OHC is much more significant, suggestive of its importance on rapid intensification. The OHC input improved the average intensity errors of the SHIPS forecasts by up to 5% for all cases from the category 5 storms, and up to 20% for individual storms, with the maximum improvement for the 72–96-h forecasts. The qualitative use of the OHC information on the NHC intensity forecasts is also described. These results show that knowledge of the upper-ocean thermal structure is fundamental to accurately forecasting intensity changes of tropical cyclones, and that this knowledge is making its way into operations. The statistical results obtained here indicate that the OHC only becomes important when it has values much larger than that required to support a tropical cyclone. This result suggests that the OHC is providing a measure of the upper ocean’s influence on the storm and improving the forecast.
The Impact of Aircraft Dropsonde and Satellite Wind Data on Numerical Simulations of Two Landfalling Tropical Storms during the Tropical Cloud Systems and Processes Experiment
Authors: Pu Zhaoxia , Li Xuanli , Velden Christopher S. , Aberson Sim D. , Liu W. Timothy
Published: March 2008

Dropwindsonde, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-11 (GOES-11) rapid-scan atmospheric motion vectors, and NASA Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) near-surface wind data collected during NASA’s Tropical Cloud Systems and Processes (TCSP) field experiment in July 2005 were assimilated into an advanced research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model using its three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) system. The impacts of the mesoscale data assimilation on WRF numerical simulation of Tropical Storms Cindy and Gert (2005) near landfall are examined. Sensitivity of the forecasts to the assimilation of each single data type is investigated. Specifically, different 3DVAR strategies with different analysis update cycles and resolutions are compared in order to identify the better methodology for assimilating the data from research aircraft and satellite for tropical cyclone study.

The results presented herein indicate the following. 1) Assimilation of dropwindsonde and satellite wind data into the WRF model improves the forecasts of the two tropical storms up to the landfall time. The QuikSCAT wind information is very important for improving the storm track forecast, whereas the dropwindsonde and GOES-11 wind data are also necessary for improved forecasts of intensity and precipitation. 2) Data assimilation also improves the quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) near landfall of the tropical storms. 3) A 1-h rapid-update analysis cycle at high resolution (9 km) provides more accurate tropical cyclone forecasts than a regular 6-h analysis cycle at coarse (27 km) resolution. The high-resolution rapidly updated 3DVAR analysis cycle might be a practical way to assimilate the data collected from tropical cyclone field experiments.
Computing the Low-Elevation Variant of the Haines Index for Fire Weather Forecasts
Authors: Potter Brian E. , Winkler Julie A. , Wilhelm Dwight F. , Shadbolt Ryan P. , Bian Xindi
Published: March 2008

The Haines index is used in wildfire forecasting and monitoring to evaluate the potential contributions of atmospheric stability and humidity to the behavior of plume-dominated wildfires. The index has three variants (“low,” “mid,” and “high”) that accommodate differences in surface elevation. As originally formulated, the low variant is calculated from temperature observations at the 950- and 850-hPa levels and humidity observations at 850 hPa. In the early 1990s the National Weather Service implemented a new mandatory level for radiosonde observations at 925 hPa. Following this change, measurements at 950 hPa became less frequent. An informal survey of several forecast offices found no formalized adjustment to the calculation of the low Haines index to take into account the nonavailability of 950-hPa measurements. Some sources continue to use 950-hPa temperature, usually interpolated from 925-hPa and surface temperatures, to calculate the low Haines index. Others directly substitute the 925-hPa temperature for the originally specified 950-hPa value. This study employs soundings from the central United States when both 950- and 925-hPa levels were available to investigate the impact of different calculation approaches on the resulting values of the low variant of the Haines index. Results show that direct substitution of 925-hPa temperature for the 950-hPa temperature can dramatically underestimate the potential wildfire severity compared with the original formulation of the Haines index. On the other hand, a low-elevation variant of the Haines index calculated from the interpolated 950-hPa temperature is usually in close agreement with the original formulation of the index.
The Operational Impact of QuikSCAT Winds in Perth, Australia: Examples and Limitations
Authors: Leslie Lance M. , Buckley Bruce W. , Leplastrier Mark
Published: March 2008

The preparation of accurate operational weather forecasts and the timely issuance of severe marine weather and ocean warnings and advisories for major oceanic weather systems impacting both coastal areas and the open ocean are major forecasting problems facing the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s Regional Forecast Centre (RFC) and its collocated Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) in Perth, Western Australia. The region of responsibility for the Perth RFC is vast, covering a large portion of the southeast Indian and Southern Oceans, both of which are extremely data sparse, especially for near-surface marine wind data. Given that these coastline and open-ocean areas are subject to some of the world’s most intense tropical cyclones, rapidly intensifying midlatitude cyclones, and powerful cold fronts, there is now a heavy reliance upon NASA Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) data for both routine and severe weather warning forecasts.

The focus of this note is on the role of QuikSCAT data in the Perth RFC for the accurate and early detection of maritime severe weather systems, both tropical and extratropical. First, the role of QuikSCAT data is described, and then three cases are presented in which the QuikSCAT data were pivotal in providing forecast guidance. The cases are a severe tropical cyclone in its development phase off the northwest coast of Australia, a strong southeast Indian Ocean cold front, and an explosively developing midlatitude Southern Ocean cyclone. In each case, the Perth RFC would have been unable to provide early and high-quality operational forecast and warning guidance without the timely availability of the QuikSCAT surface wind data.
A Statistical Study on Rain Characteristics of Tropical Cyclones Using TRMM Satellite Data
Authors: Yokoyama Chie , Takayabu Yukari N.
Published: March 2008

Three-dimensional rain characteristics of tropical cyclones (TCs) are statistically quantified, using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data from December 1997 to December 2003. Tropical cyclones are classified into four maximum intensity classes (<34, 34–64, 64–128, and ≥128 kt) and three stages (developing, mature, and decaying). First, rain characteristics of TCs are compared with those of the equatorial (10°N–10°S) mean. A notable finding here is that the average stratiform rain ratio (SRR), which is the contribution from stratiform rain in the total rainfall, of TCs is 52%, while it is 44% for the equatorial oceanic mean and 46% for the Madden–Julian oscillation in its mature phase. Stronger rain is observed in TCs both for convective and stratiform rain. Second, radial rain characteristics of TCs suggest that the region 0–60 km can be classified as “the inner core,” and 60–500 km as “the rainband.” The inner core is characterized with small SRR, very high rain-top height, and a large flash rate, indicating the vigor of convective activity. In contrast, the rainband is characterized with large SRR and relatively large rain yield per flash, indicating a large rainfall amount with a moderate convective activity. An important implication of this study is that TCs are listed in the high end of tropical oceanic organized rain systems, in terms of the organization levels of rain. Last, we use the above composite results to calculate the rainfall contribution of TCs to total annual rainfall between 35°N and 35°S as 3.3% ± 0.1%.
Examining Culturally Structured Learning Environments With Different Types of Music-Linked Movement Opportunity
Authors: Cole Juanita M. , Boykin A. Wade
Published: March 2008

This study describes two experiments that extended earlier work on the Afrocultural theme Movement Expression. The impact of various learning conditions characterized by different types of music-linked movement on story recall performance was examined. African American children were randomly assigned to a learning condition, presented a story, and tested on story recall. In Experiment 1 (N = 48), the authors confirmed the basic finding of Boykin and colleagues that learning conditions with polyrhythmic-percussive music type and high movement opportunity enhanced story recall better than other types of music-linked movement. In Experiment 2 (N = 128), the authors compared story recall in different music-linked movement conditions across grade levels and established improvement only for fourth graders in the learning condition with polyrhythmic-percussive music and high movement. Both fourth and sixth graders' lowest performance was in the condition devoid of any music or movement. Finally, a positive relationship was observed between performance and children's mood state in each learning condition. Movement Expression as a powerful tool for classroom learning for African American children is discussed.
Benchmarks and Barriers
Authors: Harper-Anderson Elsie L.
Published: March 2008

Macroeconomic transformations of the late 1990s resulted in a new economy full of employment opportunities and financial rewards leading many to assume that race was less significant and anyone with adequate skills and knowledge could prosper. This research uses interviews with new economy employees in the San Francisco region to understand why during the economic boom period, rewards between highly qualified blacks and whites remained differentiated particularly in the most promising economic sectors. I argue that structural economic changes have resulted in new rules for achievement that intersect with traditional pipeline barriers in a way that produces unequal outcomes for African Americans. This article highlights the importance of understanding the social implications of regional growth patterns.
Distinguishing Nursing Art: Patient, Researcher, and Student Views: Nurse: Technician and Artist
Authors: Marques Nancy Tavares
Published: March 2008

In this response to research reported by Dr. Gramling, the author of this response likens the art of nursing to a masterpiece drawn with the inner talents and gifts of nurses. Frances, a patient interviewed by Dr. Gramling, explains her experience of being carefully watched and feeling safe when a nurse pays close attention to her. The author has learned to define the art of nursing through the abstract concepts of the fine arts and asserts that the line between technician and artist is blurred. The poem written by Dr. Gramling in response to Frances reinforces the author's reading of how nursing becomes art.
Carving out a space to act – acquired impairment and contested identity
Authors: Hogan Anthony
Published: March 2008

Historically, rehabilitation clinics concerned with assisting those who have acquired a profound hearing loss have worked to promote practices that legitimate a culture centred on hearing and speech. Their practice of rehabilitation indicates a lack of appreciation of the social and identity issues confronting deafened adults. In consequence, deafened people have to carve out a sense of identity by developing associations and communicative strategies that validate their own way of engaging the social. Such practice encompasses the development of a dual or multiple identity centred on differing forms of communicative practice.
Assessment of Temperature and Relative Humidity Conditioning Behavior of Interior Decorative Materials in Container Under Ventilation Condition
Authors: Tsai Ming-Jer , Wang Song-Yung , Yan Miao-Fen , Lin Lang-Dong
Published: March 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine how temperature and relative humidity (RH) were affected by wood panels used as interior decorative materials in a container simulation under ventilation conditions. Hourly temperature and RH values were recorded in a residence and cross checked against data of average values from 1974 to 1990 for the Taipei area. Samples of 36 interior finishing materials were attached to one inside surface of a 35-cm3 simulation aluminum container with a controllable ventilation opening (10.5 x 8.5 cm). During the daily experimental period, programmable ventilation was performed from the 5th to 8th hour for exposure to a high humidity. The results revealed that a significantly lower average RH (when compared to a control chamber under the same climate conditions) occurred in the container lined with various wood species and some wood-based materials, while a significantly higher average RH was observed when the container was lined with inorganic materials after ventilation under humid conditions. The hygroscopic nature of the decorative materials could be classified into three types, in accordance with b values (humidity conditioning behavior index). The RH decreased curvilinearly with increasing panel thickness and A/V values (surface area of interior decorative materials attached to container/inside air volume of container), whereas b values increased with increasing panel thickness and A/V values.
Assessment of Bioaerosol Concentrations in Different Indoor Environments
Authors: Zorman Tina , Jeršek Barbara
Published: March 2008

The aim of this study was the assessment of bioaerosols in different indoor environments. The study was performed using volumetric culture plate air sampling to determine the concentration of viable bioaerosols. The results revealed that 60.9% of air samples from public places and all air samples collected in food processing plants had unacceptable levels of micro-organisms. This was based on a suggested standard which proposes that concentrations of viable micro-organisms should be no higher than 300 CFU · m-3. More detailed study of the bioaerosols collected showed that the main parameters of interest for indoor air quality were fungi and further characterization allowed identification of the genera present in a particular place. Acceptable indoor air quality, by the above standard, was found at a university faculty, in a fast food restaurant, a cultural centre, a health centre and a hospital, while it was not acceptable in meat-, mustard-, olive- and infant food-processing plants because the concentrations of moulds were higher than 150 CFU· m -3 and the predominant genus identified was Penicillium.
Transgenic expression of JAK2V617F causes myeloproliferative disorders in mice
Authors: Xing Shu , Wanting Tina Ho , Zhao Wanming , Ma Junfeng , Wang Shaofeng , Xu Xuesong , Li Qingshan , Fu Xueqi , Xu Mingjiang , Zhao Zhizhuang Joe
Published: March 2008

The JAK2V617F mutation was found in most patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs), including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis. We have generated transgenic mice expressing the mutated enzyme in the hematopoietic system driven by a vav gene promoter. The mice are viable and fertile. One line of the transgenic mice, which expressed a lower level of JAK2V617F, showed moderate elevations of blood cell counts, whereas another line with a higher level of JAK2V617F expression displayed marked increases in blood counts and developed phenotypes that closely resembled human essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera. The latter line of mice also developed primary myelofibrosis-like symptoms as they aged. The transgenic mice showed erythroid, megakaryocytic, and granulocytic hyperplasia in the bone marrow and spleen, displayed splenomegaly, and had reduced levels of plasma erythropoietin and thrombopoietin. They possessed an increased number of hematopoietic progenitor cells in peripheral blood, spleen, and bone marrow, and these cells formed autonomous colonies in the absence of growth factors and cytokines. The data show that JAK2V617F can cause MPDs in mice. Our study thus provides a mouse model to study the pathologic role of JAK2V617F and to develop treatment for MPDs.
The comparative analysis of statistics, based on the likelihood ratio criterion, in the automated annotation problem
Authors: Leontovich Andrey M , Tokmachev Konstantin Y , van Houwelingen Hans C
Published: March 2008

Background

This paper discusses the problem of automated annotation. It is a continuation of the previous work on the A4-algorithm (Adaptive algorithm of automated annotation) developed by Leontovich and others.

Results

A number of new statistics for the automated annotation of biological sequences is introduced. All these statistics are based on the likelihood ratio criterion.

Conclusion

Some of the statistics yield a prediction quality that is significantly higher (up to 1.5 times higher) in comparison with the results obtained with the A4-procedure.
Crucial role of zebrafish prox1in hypothalamic catecholaminergic neurons development
Authors: Pistocchi Anna , Gaudenzi Germano , Carra Silvia , Bresciani Erica , Del Giacco Luca , Cotelli Franco
Published: March 2008

Background

Prox1, the vertebrate homolog of prospero in Drosophila melanogaster, is a divergent homeogene that regulates cell proliferation, fate determination and differentiation during vertebrate embryonic development.

Results

Here we report that, in zebrafish, prox1 is widely expressed in several districts of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Specifically, we evidenced prox1 expression in a group of neurons, already positive for otp1, located in the hypothalamus at the level of the posterior tuberculum (PT). Prox1 knock-down determines the severe loss of hypothalamic catecholaminergic (CA) neurons, identified by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, and the synergistic prox1/otp1 overexpression induces the appearance of hypothalamic supernumerary TH-positive neurons and ectopic TH-positive cells on the yolk epitelium.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that prox1 activity is crucial for the proper development of the otp1-positive hypothalamic neuronal precursors to their terminal CA phenotype.
The Involvement of Bax in Zinc-Induced Mitochondrial Apoptogenesis in Malignant Prostate Cells
Authors: Feng Pei , Li Tieluo , Guan Zhixin , Franklin Renty B , Costello Leslie C
Published: March 2008

Background

The development and progression of prostate cancer requires the transformation of normal zinc-accumulating epithelial cells to malignant cells that have lost the ability to accumulate zinc. This metabolic transformation is essential so that the tumor suppressive effects of zinc can be eliminated and the malignant process can proceed. One of the major effects of zinc is its prevention of prostate cell growth by its induction of apoptosis. The accumulation of cellular zinc has a direct effect on the mitochondria that results in the release of cytochrome c, which initiates the caspase cascade that leads to apoptosis. This effect is associated with the mitochondrial pore-forming process, but the mechanism by which zinc induces the release of cytochrome c and induces mitochondrial apoptogenesis has not been resolved. The present report provides for the first time information that implicates Bax in the zinc induction of mitochondrial apoptogenesis.

Results

The effects of zinc treatment on the Bax levels of PC-3 cells and on the mitochondria were determined. The exposure of isolated mitochondria to zinc results in an increase in membrane bound Bax, which is due to the mitochondrial insertion of endogenous resident Bax. The mitochondrial Bax/Bcl-2 ratio is increased by zinc treatment. Zinc treatment of PC-3 cells also increases the mitochondrial level of Bax. In addition, zinc treatment increases the cellular level of Bax and the cellular Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Down regulation of Bax in PC-3 cells eliminates the zinc induction of apoptosis. The increase in cellular Bax level appears to involve zinc induction of Bax gene expression.

Conclusion

This report extends and confirms that physiological levels of zinc induce apoptosis in prostate cells. The study provides evidence that zinc is directly involved in facilitating a Bax-associated pore formation process that initiates mitochondrial apoptogenesis. This is enhanced by an additional effect of zinc on increasing the cellular level of Bax. To avoid the anti-tumor apoptogenic effects of zinc, the malignant cells in prostate cancer posses genetic/metabolic adaptations that prevent the cellular accumulation of zinc.
Intratracheal dopamine attenuates pulmonary edema and improves survival after ventilator-induced lung injury in rats
Authors: Chamorro-Marín Virginia , García-Delgado Manuel , Touma-Fernández Angel , Aguilar-Alonso Eduardo , Fernández-Mondejar Enrique
Published: March 2008

Intoduction

Clearance of alveolar oedema depends on active transport of sodium across the alveolar-epithelial barrier. β-Adrenergic agonists increase clearance of pulmonary oedema, but it has not been established whether β-agonist stimulation achieves sufficient oedema clearance to improve survival in animals. The objective of this study was to determine whether the increased pulmonary oedema clearance produced by intratracheal dopamine improves the survival of rats after mechanical ventilation with high tidal volume (HVT).

Methods

This was a randomized, controlled, experimental study. One hundred and thirty-two Wistar-Kyoto rats, weighing 250 to 300 g, were anaesthetized and cannulated via endotracheal tube. Pulmonary oedema was induced by endotracheal instillation of saline solution and mechanical ventilation with HVT. Two types of experiment were carried out. The first was an analysis of pulmonary oedema conducted in six groups of 10 rats ventilated with low (8 ml/kg) or high (25 ml/kg) tidal volume for 30 or 60 minutes with or without intratracheally instilled dopamine. At the end of the experiment the animals were exsanguinated and pulmonary oedema analysis performed. The second experiment was a survival analysis, which was conducted in two groups of 36 animals ventilated with HVT for 60 minutes with or without intratracheal dopamine; survival of the animals was monitored for up to 7 days after extubation.

Results

In animals ventilated at HVT with or without intratracheal dopamine, oxygen saturation deteriorated over time and was significantly higher at 30 minutes than at 60 minutes. After 60 minutes, a lower wet weight/dry weight ratio was observed in rats ventilated with HVT and instilled with dopamine than in rats ventilated with HVT without dopamine (3.9 ± 0.27 versus 4.9 ± 0.29; P = 0.014). Survival was significantly (P = 0.013) higher in animals receiving intratracheal dopamine and ventilated with HVT, especially at 15 minutes after extubation, when 11 of the 36 animals in the HVT group had died as compared with only one out of the 36 animals in the HVT plus dopamine group.

Conclusion

Intratracheal dopamine instillation increased pulmonary oedema clearance in rats ventilated with HVT, and this greater clearance was associated with improved survival.
Occult Axillary Node Metastases in Breast Cancer Are Prognostically Significant: Results in 368 Node-Negative Patients With 20-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Tan Lee K. , Giri Dilip , Hummer Amanda J. , Panageas Katherine S. , Brogi Edi , Norton Larry , Hudis Clifford , Borgen Patrick I. , Cody Hiram S.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

In breast cancer, sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy allows the routine performance of serial sections and/or immunohistochemical (IHC) staining to detect occult metastases missed by conventional techniques. However, there is no consensus regarding the optimal method for pathologic examination of SLN, or the prognostic significance of SLN micrometastases.

Patients and Methods

In 368 patients with axillary node-negative invasive breast cancer, treated between 1976 and 1978 by mastectomy, axillary dissection, and no systemic therapy, we reexamined the axillary tissue blocks following our current pathologic protocol for SLN. Occult lymph node metastases were categorized by pattern of staining (immunohistochemically positive or negative [IHC±], hematoxylin-eosin staining positive or negative [H & E ±]), number of positive nodes (0, 1, > 1), number of metastatic cells (0, 1 to 20, 21 to 100, > 100), and largest cluster size (≤ 0.2 mm [pN0i+], 0.3 to 2.0 mm [pN1mi], > 2.0 mm [pN1a]). We report 20-year results as overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and disease-specific death (DSD).

Results

A total of 23% of patients (83 of 368) were converted to node-positive. Of these, 73% were ≤ 0.2 mm in size (pN0i+), 20% were 0.3 to 2.0 mm (pN1mi), and 6% were more than 2 mm (pN1a). On univariate and multivariate analysis, pattern of staining, number of positive nodes, number of metastatic cells, and cluster size were all significantly related to both DFS and DSD. On multivariate analysis, each of these measures had significance comparable to, or greater than, tumor size, grade or lymphovascular invasion.

Conclusion

In breast cancer patients staged node-negative by conventional single-section pathology, occult axillary node metastases detected by our current pathologic protocol for SLN are prognostically significant.
Dose- and Schedule-Dependent Inhibition of the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway With Everolimus: A Phase I Tumor Pharmacodynamic Study in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Tabernero Josep , Rojo Federico , Calvo Emiliano , Burris Howard , Judson Ian , Hazell Katharine , Martinelli Erika , Cajal Santiago Ramon y , Jones Suzanne , Vidal Laura , Shand Nicholas , Macarulla Teresa , Ramos Francisco Javier , Dimitrijevic Sasa , Zoellner Ulrike , Tang Pui , Stumm Michael , Lane Heidi A. , Lebwohl David , Baselga José
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Everolimus is a selective mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor with promising anticancer activity. In order to identify a rationally based dose and schedule for cancer treatment, we have conducted a tumor pharmacodynamic phase I study in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Patients and Methods

Fifty-five patients were treated with everolimus in cohorts of 20, 50, and 70 mg weekly or 5 and 10 mg daily. Dose escalation depended on dose limiting toxicity (DLT) rate during the first 4-week period. Pre- and on-treatment steady-state tumor and skin biopsies were evaluated for total and phosphorylated (p) protein S6 kinase 1, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (elF-4E) binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (eIF-4G), AKT, and Ki-67 expression. Plasma trough levels of everolimus were determined on a weekly basis before dosing during the first 4 weeks.

Results

We observed a dose- and schedule-dependent inhibition of the mTOR pathway with a near complete inhibition of pS6 and peIF-4G at 10 mg/d and ≥ 50 mg/wk. In addition, pAKT was upregulated in 50% of the treated tumors. In the daily schedule, there was a correlation between everolimus plasma trough concentrations and inhibition of peIF4G and p4E-BP1. There was good concordance of mTOR pathway inhibition between skin and tumor. Clinical benefit was observed in four patients including one patient with advanced colorectal cancer achieving a partial response. DLTs occurred in five patients: one patient at 10 mg/d (grade 3 stomatitis) and four patients at 70 mg/wk (two with grade 3 stomatitis, one with grade 3 neutropenia, and one with grade 3 hyperglycemia).

Conclusion

Everolimus achieved mTOR signaling inhibition at doses below the DLT. A dosage of 10 mg/d or 50 mg/wk is recommended for further development.
Frequency response calculation of non-linear torsional vibration in gear systems
Authors: Farshidianfar A , Moeenfard H , Rafsanjani A
Published: March 2008

The current paper focuses on the non-linear torsional vibration of a one-stage transmission gear system. Four different methods have been applied for solution of the equation of motion; the discretization method, the perturbation method, the Ritz method, and the step-wise time integration of the equation of motion. The time and frequency results from these analyses have been compared with each other, as well as those reported in literatures. Although all of these methods are accurate and computationally effective for finding the main spectral contribution, however, only the discretization method and the step-wise time-integration model are able to identify the other frequency components.
Study of crankshaft torsional deformation under steady-state and transient operation of turbocharged diesel engines
Authors: Giakoumis E G , Rakopoulos C D , Dimaratos A M
Published: March 2008

The modelling of transient operation of turbocharged diesel engines appeared in the early 1970s, and continues to be in the focal point of research due to the importance of transient response in the everyday operating conditions of engines. The majority of studies have focused so far on thermodynamics, as this directly affects heat release predictions and consequently performance and pollutants emissions. On the other hand, issues concerning the dynamics of engine operation are often disregarded or over-simplified. In the present work, an experimentally validated diesel engine simulation code is used to study and evaluate the importance of a notable engine dynamic issue, i.e. the crankshaft torsional (angular) deformations during turbocharged diesel engine operation owing to the difference between instantaneous engine and load (resistance) torques. The analysis aims ultimately in studying the phenomena under the very demanding, and often critical, transient operating conditions. Detailed crankshaft angular momentum equilibrium is formulated that takes into account instantaneous gas, inertia, friction, load as well as stiffness, and damping torque contributions. Details are provided concerning the underlying mechanism of the crankshaft torsional deformations during steady-state and transient operation. This deformation can assume significant values depending on the engine-load configuration (load change, crankshaft stiffness, kind of aspiration of the engine), and as such it is of great importance for safe engine operation.
Excited State Relaxation Processes of Naphthalocyanatovanadium(IV) oxide in Polymer Films for Ultrafast All-optical Modulation in the Near-infrared Region
Authors: Tomita Daisuke , Ito Fuyuki , Nagamura Toshihiko
Published: March 2008

Excited state relaxation process of naphthalocyanatovanadium(IV) oxide (VONc) in solutions and in polymer films was studied by transient absorption measurements. The transient absorption decay of VONc in polymer films is faster than that in toluene solution. The excitation power dependence and weight fraction dependence of the excited state dynamics and absorption spectrum suggests that the aggregation of VONcs contributes to faster decay from singlet excited state. The aggregation of VONc is concluded to be useful to ultrafast all-optical light modulation in the near-infrared region.
Learning orthography in adulthood: A magnetoencephalographic study
Authors: Castro‐Caldas A. , Nunes M. V. , Maestu F. , Ortiz T. , Simoes R. , Fernandes R. , de La Guia E. , Garcia E. , Goncalves M.
Published: March 2008

Previous work demonstrated that there were differences between literate and comparable illiterate adult subjects. These differences were found in the performance on several tests and on patterns of activation on PET and fMRI. In the present study subjects that learned to read and to write in adulthood (being previously completely illiterate) were compared to controls, that is subjects that learned at school at the proper age. Magnetoencephalography was done while subjects were reading words. Results showed that, although the reading performance was the same in both groups while performing the task, the pattern of source distribution was different between groups. There were more late sources in right temporo‐parietal areas of late literates compared to controls and more late sources in left inferior frontal cortex in control subjects. It is concluded that learning to read in adulthood is a process supported by different brain structures from the ones used when learning occurs at the proper age. This may suggest that the same task can be similarly performed by relying on diverse functional brain anatomic networks.
Integrierte Homiletik Die Einheit der Predigtlehre im Begriff des Handelns
Authors: Haizmann Albrecht
Published: March 2008

The re-orientation of Protestant homiletics during the last thirty years – moving away from Barthian dogmatics of preaching towards practical questions and empirical issues – has enriched this discipline with a vast diversity of new and valuable perspectives. At the same time, it has given rise to dangers of disintegration among the diverse interests and tendencies. Because of these dangers, both preaching and teaching about preaching are challenged more than ever to combine empirical with theological perspectives. Practical preaching needs a theoretical foundation, moreover, an integrating category for both the theoretical foundation and the practical action of preaching. This competence, Haizmann argues, can be found in the category of “acting” in the special sense of speech acts (Searle), for which ethics is also necessary. As the German preacher and theologian Franz Theremin (1780-1846) claimed in his major work “Die Beredsamkeit eine Tugend oder Grundlinien einer systematischen Rhetorik” (Berlin 1814), this is made possible by defi ning “eloquence” (the art of speech) as a virtue and describing the theory and practice of preaching in the context of an ethically founded systematic rhetoric.
Are You a Man or a Mouse?
Authors: Herrmann Janne Rothmar
Published: March 2008

Are you a man or a mouse? This expression is used to encourage someone to be brave when they are frightened of doing something. It is also an expression which bears associations to John Steinbeck's novella Of Mice and Men, the title of which is taken from Robert Burns' poem to a Mouse, which is often quoted as “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. Thus, the title's ambiguity sketches not only the issue at stake in the current debate on the creation of chimera, hybrids and cybrids (cytoplasmic hybrids) for research, but also provocatively encourages us to regard this new possibility as an important step towards fulfilling the golden promises of stem cell research while simultaneously summarizing the worry that the creation of interspecies organisms is a slippery slope towards “the apocalyptic end of humanity”.
Patent Protection for Biotechnology in China: the Current Legislation and the Proposed Third Amendment
Authors: Zhan Ying
Published: March 2008

This article addresses the Chinese legislation on patent protection for biotechnology. Section I presents a brief overview of China's intellectual property right protection regime for biotechnology; Section II describes the China's current patent legislation on biotechnology. Since April 2005, China has lunched the third amendment to its Patent Law. The related information of the third amendment to Chinese biotechnology patent policy is provided in the final section.
Accounting for moral judgments in academic talk: The case of a conversation analysis data session
Authors: Antaki Charles , Biazzi Michela , Nissen Anette , Wagner Johannes
Published: March 2008

This article explores one aspect of scholarly work as a situated practice: the way that, in a conversation analysis group data session, scholars juggle their technical talk with personal value judgments ostensibly inappropriate to the practices of this particular branch of the social sciences. We see how value judgments are handled, and what visible part they play in proceeding with the formal, institutionally provided for, technical analysis. In the case we explore, some members of a routine data session (the authors) expressed negative evaluative views of the actions of a participant in the video they were analyzing, which at various points they characterized as ‘cynical’, ‘begging’, and ‘a shocker’. We show the data-session participants' orientation to these moral judgments, and their search for resolution in safely technical terms. Our interest is in bringing to light the workings of a routine piece of scholarly teamwork, not often subject to scrutiny; and to reveal how accountability plays its part in scholars' management of competing institutional, and personal, identities.
Concessive constructions in English business letter discourse
Authors: Vergaro Carla
Published: March 2008

This paper presents an analysis of the pragmatic use of concessive constructions in business letter discourse. In linguistics, concession has been analyzed primarily within concessive clauses, which have been widely studied, either alone or compared with other syntactic categories such as adversative, causal, or conditional clauses. The term ‘concessive’ itself belongs to the terminology developed within traditional grammar to classify adverbials and adverbial clauses. Heretofore, less attention has been paid to the pragmatic use of concession, i.e., the way in which concessive constructions strategically function within a specific context. The context under analysis in this paper is that of the ‘business letter’ genre. Analysis of a corpus of English business letters shows that concessive constructions are used in this genre both for propositional (or ideational) and procedural (or interpersonal) reasons. This paper considers only the second to be truly pragmatic. Preference for the first or second strategy depends on the text types belonging to the genre. When procedural reasons prevail, concession is mostly introduced for politeness reasons, politeness being one of the factors constantly at play in business exchanges.