bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Differences in Psychological Outcomes for Men with Erectile Dysfunction: Results from ExCEED™
Authors: Latini David M. , Penson David F. , Wallace Katrine L. , Lubeck Deborah P. , Lue Tom F.
Published: October 2006

Introduction

The direction of the relationship between psychological adjustment and erectile dysfunction (ED) is unclear and may differ for different men, and few studies have examined psychological outcomes for men receiving ED treatment.

Aim

This study assessed the impact of ED therapy at baseline and 12-month follow-up, using standard psychological measures.

Methods

Using an observational ED registry, we collected clinical and psychosocial data at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Participants had (i) a patient-reported outcomes questionnaire at baseline and at least one follow-up; and (ii) data about ED treatments received during the study. Treated men were classified as responders based on improvements in International Index of Erectile Function scores from baseline to 12 months.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measures were changes in psychological outcomes in relation to treatment status and baseline ED severity.

Results

Of 153 patients, 40 responded to treatment, 49 did not respond to treatment, and 64 did not receive treatment. Treatment responders reported significant improvements in 12-month sexual self-efficacy but only small improvements or no change across five other psychological domains, whereas nonresponders reported small decrements. There was a trend for differences in sexual self-efficacy to vary by baseline ED severity, as well as by treatment response.

Conclusions

Diagnosing and successfully treating ED significantly affects patient psychological adjustment, so providers should actively diagnose and treat ED.
Hormonal breast cancer agents: Implications for the primary care provider
Authors: Lyon Debra E. , Roux Gayle , Voll Sandra
Published: October 2006

Purpose: Over 2 million breast cancer survivors are in the United States, making women with breast cancer the largest group of cancer survivors. The purpose of this article is to review the current knowledge regarding survivorship issues in women with early‐stage, estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer, focusing on advances in hormonal therapies for reducing risk of recurrence.

Data sources: Published research studies, clinical treatment guidelines, and ongoing clinical trials.

Conclusions: Innovations in antiestrogenic and estrogen modulator therapies are an important aspect of ongoing care after primary breast cancer treatment. Primary care providers may play an important role in monitoring potential complications of antiestrogenic treatment.

Implications for practice: This article reviews the current state of the science in hormonal breast cancer agents for breast cancer survivors. With the high incidence and prevalence of breast cancer, primary care providers need to be aware of the potential short‐ and long‐term health risks and benefits of hormonal therapies for breast cancer survivors.
Reducing cardiovascular disease risk in patients with diabetes: A message from the National Diabetes Education Program
Authors: Blonde Lawrence , Dempster Judith , Gallivan Joanne M. , Warren‐Boulton Elizabeth
Published: October 2006

Purpose: To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) a review of current practice guidelines that help clinicians’ efforts to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes and its major macrovascular complications.

Data sources: This paper presents data from major evidence‐based studies and clinical trials that define the scope of the problem, the rationale for risk reduction, and a patient‐centered action plan for NPs to effectively manage cardiovascular risk factors in people with diabetes.

Conclusions: NPs are active partners with the National Diabetes Education Program and play a key role in efforts to effectively manage cardiovascular risk factors in people with diabetes and improve their awareness of the link between diabetes and heart disease and stroke.

Implications for practice: The action plan to reduce cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes will help NPs to implement the most effective management strategies for medical nutrition therapy, physical activity, and pharmacological therapy required for patient‐centered proactive management of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and lipid abnormalities.
Time Travel: Double Your Fun
Authors: Arntzenius Frank
Published: October 2006

I start off by relating the standard philosophical account of what time travel is to models of time travel that have recently been discussed by physicists. I then discuss some puzzles associated with time travel. I conclude that philosophers’ arguments against time travel are relevant when assessing the likelihood of the occurrence time travel in our world, and are relevant to the assessment whether time travel is physically possible.
Socrates and the Laws of Athens
Authors: Brickhouse Thomas C. , Smith Nicholas D.
Published: October 2006

The claim that the citizen's duty is to “persuade or obey” the laws, expressed by the personified Laws of Athens in Plato's Crito, continues to receive intense scholarly attention. In this article, we provide a general review of the debates over this doctrine, and how the various positions taken may or may not fit with the rest of what we know about Socratic philosophy. We ultimately argue that the problems scholars have found in attributing the doctrine to Socrates derive from an anachronistic and erroneous understanding of Socrates as a kind of libertarian.
Hepatic pre‐sinusoidal vessels contract in anaphylactic hypotension in rabbits
Authors: Karasawa N. , Shibamoto T. , Cui S. , Takano H. , Kurata Y. , Tsuchida H.
Published: October 2006

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to determine whether anaphylactic hypotension in rabbits is accompanied by hepatic venoconstriction, and the effects of anaphylaxis on hepatic segmental vascular resistances and liver weight in isolated perfused rabbit livers.

Methods:  The rabbits were sensitized by subcutaneous injection of antigen of 2.5 mg ovalbumin with complete Freund's adjuvant three times at 1 week interval. One week after sensitization, anaphylaxis was induced by an injection of 2.5 mg ovalbumin into the jugular vein of pentobarbital anaesthetized rabbits or the perfusate of rabbit livers perfused via the portal vein at a constant flow. Using the double occlusion technique to estimate the hepatic sinusoidal pressure, pre‐ (Rpre) and post‐sinusoidal (Rpost) resistances were calculated for the isolated perfused livers.

Results:  An antigen injection into the sensitized rabbits caused not only a decrease in systemic arterial pressure from 79 ± 2 to 40 ± 4 mmHg, but also an increase in portal venous pressure (Ppv) from 9.5 ± 2.2 to 24.1 ± 3.9 cmH2O. Portal hypertension persisted for 8 min after the antigen injection. An injection of antigen into the perfusate caused a marked increase in Ppv from 5.4 ± 0.1 to 28.6 ± 2.4 cmH2O at 6 min, but only a slight increase in double occlusion pressure from 2.2 ± 0.2 to 3.8 ± 0.2 cmH2O, resulting in a selective increase in Rpret rather than Rpost. Concomitant with the hepatic pre‐sinusoidal constriction, liver weight loss occurred.

Conclusion:  Anaphylactic hypotension in rabbits is accompanied by hepatic venoconstriction which is characterized by pre‐sinusoidal contraction.
New antithrombotics – pharmacologic profile and implications for anesthesia and surgery
Authors: VON HEYMANN CHRISTIAN , SCHOENFELD HELGE , SANDER MICHAEL , SPIES CLAUDIA
Published: October 2006

In recent years some new antithrombotics have been studied or in part licensed, which have proven to be highly effective and, therefore, may replace the well‐known anticoagulants such as unfractionated heparin, low‐molecular‐weight heparin and warfarin in the future. The purpose of this review is to provide an introduction to the pharmacologic profile and clinical indications of the new direct thrombin inhibitors bivalirudin, argatroban, ximelagatran as well as the indirect factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors fondaparinux and idraparinux. In particular, this article focuses on implications for the safe use of these new agents in surgery and anesthesia, and discusses therapeutic options for drug‐induced bleeding.
The Humanistic and Religious Foundations of Deep Time
Authors: Oreskes Naomi
Published: October 2006

Bursting the Limits of Time
. The Reconstruction of Geohistory in the Age of Revolution.
By Martin J. S. Rudwick
. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2005. 732 pp. $35, £28.50. ISBN 0-226-73111-1.

The author offers a comprehensive and engaging account of the emergence of the recognition of Earth's long history during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Comment on "Preindustrial to Modern Interdecadal Variability in Coral Reef pH"
Authors: Matear Richard J. , McNeil Ben I.
Published: October 2006

Based on the boron isotopic composition of coral from the southwestern Pacific, Pelejero
et al
. (Reports, 30 September 2005, p. 2204) suggested that natural variations in pH can modulate the impact of ocean acidification on coral reef ecosystems. We show that this claim cannot be reconciled with other marine carbon chemistry constraints and highlight problems with the authors' interpretation of the paleontologic data.
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate Uptake by Marine Phytoplankton
Authors: Vila-Costa Maria , Simó Rafel , Harada Hyakubun , Gasol Josep M. , Slezak Doris , Kiene Ronald P.
Published: October 2006

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) accounts for most of the organic sulfur fluxes from primary to secondary producers in marine microbial food webs. Incubations of natural communities and axenic cultures with radio-labeled DMSP showed that dominant phytoplankton groups of the ocean, the unicellular cyanobacteria
Prochlorococcus
and
Synechococcus
and diatoms, as well as heterotrophic bacteria take up and assimilate DMSP sulfur, thus diverting a proportion of plankton-produced organic sulfur from emission into the atmosphere.
A Centrosome-Independent Role for γ-TuRC Proteins in the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
Authors: Müller Hannah , Fogeron Marie-Laure , Lehmann Verena , Lehrach Hans , Lange Bodo M. H.
Published: October 2006

The spindle assembly checkpoint guards the fidelity of chromosome segregation. It requires the close cooperation of cell cycle regulatory proteins and cytoskeletal elements to sense spindle integrity. The role of the centrosome, the organizing center of the microtubule cytoskeleton, in the spindle checkpoint is unclear. We found that the molecular requirements for a functional spindle checkpoint included components of the large γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC). However, their localization at the centrosome and centrosome integrity were not essential for this function. Thus, the spindle checkpoint can be activated at the level of microtubule nucleation.
X-rayInduced Dissociation of H
2
O and Formation of an O
2
H
2
Alloy at High Pressure
Authors: Mao Wendy L. , Mao Ho-kwang , Meng Yue , Eng Peter J. , Hu Michael Y. , Chow Paul , Cai Yong Q. , Shu Jinfu , Hemley Russell J.
Published: October 2006

When subjected to high pressure and extensive x-radiation, water (H
2
O) molecules cleaved, forming O–O and H–H bonds. The oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) framework in ice VII was converted into a molecular alloy of O
2
and H
2
. X-ray diffraction, x-ray Raman scattering, and optical Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that this crystalline solid differs from previously known phases. It remained stable with respect to variations in pressure, temperature, and further x-ray and laser exposure, thus opening new possibilities for studying molecular interactions in the hydrogen-oxygen binary system.
Coeliac disease and oats: a systematic review
Authors: Haboubi N Y , Taylor S , Jones S
Published: October 2006

A systematic review of the literature related to the inclusion of oats in the gluten-free diet for patients with coeliac disease to assess whether oats can be recommended. A computerised literature review of multiple databases was carried out, identifying 17 primary studies, 6 of which met the criteria for inclusion in this review. None of the six studies found any significant difference in the serology between the oats and control groups. Two studies, however, identified a significant difference (p<0.001; p = 0.039) in intraepithelial lymphocyte counts between the oats and control groups. Oats can be symptomatically tolerated by most patients with coeliac disease; however, the long-term effects of a diet containing oats remain unknown. Patients with coeliac disease wishing to consume a diet containing oats should therefore receive regular follow-up, including small bowel biopsy at a specialist clinic for life.
How to avoid a misdiagnosis in patients presenting with transient loss of consciousness
Authors: Petkar Sanjiv , Cooper Paul , Fitzpatrick Adam P
Published: October 2006

Daily in the UK, frontline medical and paramedical staff are required to manage patients with “collapse?cause”. This universal colloquialism refers to patients who have had an abrupt loss of postural tone. Some of these patients would have had a “blackout” or a transient loss of consciousness (T-LOC). The three most important causes of T-LOC are syncope, epilepsy and psychogenic blackouts. Determining the correct cause is an important challenge; if the initial clinical diagnosis is wrong, investigations may be misdirected, and the final diagnosis and treatment incorrect. Syncope is much more common than epilepsy and may present with symptoms akin to the latter. This fact is not well appreciated and often leads to misdiagnosis. This article deals with the clinical features of the three main causes of blackouts, the value of investigations in arriving at a diagnosis and the problem of misdiagnosis. Pathways for managing patients presenting with blackouts are suggested.
Venous thromboembolic disease and cancer
Authors: Fennerty A
Published: October 2006

Venous thromboembolic disease is a common cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with cancer. Patients have a 5–6-fold increase in the risk for a venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with the general population, increasing to 6–7-fold for some cancers. Prophylaxis for VTE should be considered whenever additional risk factors intervene. About 10% of patients with an idiopathic VTE will harbour an occult cancer. Half of these can probably be detected after a focused history, examination, routine blood tests and a chest x ray. The remaining cases may be diagnosed with an intensive screening protocol. About 60% of patients diagnosed on screening will have early disease, but we do not know whether screening improves the outcome. Evidence suggests that patients with cancer and a VTE should be treated with low-molecular-weight heparin, and treatment continued until the cancer is cured.
Massive haemorrhage after a low-energy pubic ramus fracture in a 71-year-old woman
Authors: Macdonald D J M , Tollan C J , Robertson I , Rana B S
Published: October 2006

We describe a case of a patient receiving warfarin who presented with a superior pubic ramus fracture after a trivial fall at home. She developed a massive retroperitoneal haematoma as a result of vascular injury and subsequently died. This case emphasises the importance of admitting and observing patients with pubic rami fractures who are receiving antithrombotic treatment, and haemorrhage should be considered if they become haemodynamically compromised.
A MECHANICAL DARLINGTON MODEL FOR MEMS APPLICATIONS
Authors: ELIAHOU-NIV S.
Published: October 2006

This paper presents the design and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) realization of a Darlington-pair circuit used in power electronics engineering. MEMS are integrated micro devices or systems combining electrical and mechanical components fabricated using integrated circuits processing techniques. The size range of the components is from micrometers up to a couple of millimeters. Current MEMS applications include almost all engineering fields. Since MEMS is a newly developed technology, very few studies have been carried out directly on knowledge transferring from different engineering disciplines. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate a mechanical model developing of a power electronic circuit, to characterize and to analyze its performance and its suitability to MEMS application.
OPTIMIZATION OF MICROSTRIP INTERCONNECTS CONTAINING ADDITIONAL CAPACITIVE COUPLING USING LEAST MEAN SQUARE METHOD
Authors: KHALAJ-AMIRHOSSEINI MOHAMMAD
Published: October 2006

A suitable way to decrease far-end crosstalks in microstrip interconnects is to increase the capacitive coupling between two adjacent strip lines. In this paper a method is proposed to optimal design of microstrip interconnects containing additional discrete coupling capacitors. A suitable error function along with some constrained conditions is defined to determine optimal values of both interconnect parameters and the additional coupling capacitors. The method is verified using a comprehensive example.
THE OPERATIONAL FLOATING CURRENT CONVEYOR AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Authors: GHALLAB YEHYA H. , BADAWY WAEL , EL-ELA MOHAMED ABOU , EL-SAID MOHAMED H.
Published: October 2006

A five-port general-purpose analog building block, termed as an Operational Floating Current Conveyor (OFCC), is described. The OFCC combines the features of current feedback operational amplifier, second-generation current conveyor and operational floating conveyor. An implementation scheme of the OFCC is described and its terminal operational characteristics are used to yield a working device. The OFCC is then used as a single block to realize the current conveyors (CCII+ and CCII-) as well as the four basic amplifiers (i.e., voltage, current, transconductance, and transresistance amplifiers). The applications of the OFCC are presented and discussed. In the field of the analog filter synthesis, we proposed a new active universal second order filter using OFCC. It has three inputs and one output employing two OFCC, two capacitors and three resistors and can realize lowpass, bandpass, highpass, notch, and all pass filters from the same configuration. The proposed universal filters offer the following advantageous features: using active elements for the same type (OFCC). No requirement for component matching or cancellation constraints, which makes the filter easier to design, orthogonal adjustment of ω0 and Q and the circuits have low sensitivity. The simulation and experimental results are obtained and discussed.
AN OPTIMIZATION APPROACH TO THE DESIGN OF CONSTRAINED REGULATORS FOR UNCERTAIN DISCRETE-TIME SYSTEMS
Authors: VASSILAKI M. , BITSORIS G.
Published: October 2006

In this paper the regulation problem of linear discrete-time systems with uncertain parameters under state and control constraints is studied. In the first part of the paper, two theorems concerning necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a solution to this problem are presented. Due to the constructive form of the proof of these theorems, these results can be used to the development of techniques for the derivation of a control law transferring to the origin any state belonging to a given set of initial states while respecting the state and control constraints.
USE OF RECURRENCE PLOT ANALYSIS FOR DETECTING CHAOS AND NOISE IN NONLINEAR SWITCHING CIRCUITS
Authors: PREMALATHA L. , VANAJARANJAN P.
Published: October 2006

DC–DC converters controlled by naturally sampled, constant frequency pulse width modulation give rise to a wide range of bifurcation and chaos depending on the change in the system parameter values. Knowledge of transitions from regular to chaotic behavior is essential to understand the underlying dynamics of nonlinear switching circuits. While linear approaches are often insufficient to describe such processes, there are nonlinear methods available but requires long time observations. To overcome these difficulties, a newly developed pattern recognition method of nonlinear dynamics called Recurrence plot analysis method is proposed to detect transitions between periodic and chaotic states. The recurrence plot is a two-dimensional representation technique that brings out distance correlations in a time series and make it instantly apparent whether a system is periodic or chaotic. In this paper, the proposed method is applied to a nonlinear switching Buck converter, Boost converter, and Buck–Boost converters to analyze their period doubling route to chaos behavior and to distinguish chaos from noisy behavior. This may lead to a better understanding of the nonlinear switching systems, that may allow us to design stable, chaotic free switching circuits.
GALOIS AND BIGALOIS OBJECTS OVER MONOMIAL NON-SEMISIMPLE HOPF ALGEBRAS
Authors: BICHON JULIEN
Published: October 2006

We describe the Hopf–Galois extensions of the base field and the biGalois groups of non-semisimple monomial Hopf algebras. The main feature of our description is the use of modified versions of the second cohomology group of the grouplike elements. Our computations generalize the previous ones of Masuoka and Schauenburg for the Taft algebras.
ON DELTA SETS OF NUMERICAL MONOIDS
Authors: BOWLES CRAIG , CHAPMAN SCOTT T. , KAPLAN NATHAN , REISER DANIEL
Published: October 2006

Let S be a numerical monoid (i.e. an additive submonoid of ℕ0) with minimal generating set 〈n1,…,nt〉. For m ∈ S, if [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is called a factorization length of m. We denote by [Formula: see text] (where mi < mi+1 for each 1 ≤ i < k) the set of all possible factorization lengths of m. The Delta set of m is defined by Δ(m) = {mi+1 - mi|1 ≤ i < k} and the Delta set of S by Δ(S) = ∪m∈SΔ(m). In this paper, we address some basic questions concerning the structure of the set Δ(S). In Sec. 2, we find upper and lower bounds on Δ(S) by finding such bounds on the Delta set of any monoid S where the associated reduced monoid S red is finitely generated. We prove in Sec. 3 that if S = 〈n, n + k, n + 2k,…,n + bk〉, then Δ(S) = {k}. In Sec. 4 we offer some specific constructions which yield for any k and v in ℕ a numerical monoid S with Δ(S) = {k, 2k,…,vk}. Moreover, we show that Delta sets of numerical monoids may contain natural "gaps" by arguing that Δ(〈n, n + 1, n2 - n - 1〉) = {1,2,…,n - 2, 2n - 5}.
Phototropin Blue-Light Receptors
Authors: Christie John M.
Published: October 2006

Phototropins are blue-light receptors controlling a range of responses that serve to optimize the photosynthetic efficiency of plants. These include phototropism, light-induced stomatal opening, and chloroplast movements in response to changes in light intensity. Since the isolation of the Arabidopsis PHOT1 gene in 1997, phototropins have been identified in ferns and mosses where their physiological functions appear to be conserved. Arabidopsis contains two phototropins, phot1 and phot2, that exhibit overlapping functions in addition to having unique physiological roles. Phototropins are light-activated serine/threonine protein kinases. Light sensing by the phototropins is mediated by a repeated motif at the N-terminal region of the protein known as the LOV domain. Photoexcitation of the LOV domain results in receptor autophosphorylation and an initiation of phototropin signaling. Here we summarize the photochemical and biochemical events underlying phototropin activation in addition to the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms associated with photoreceptor signaling.
From Analysis of Mutants to Genetic Engineering
Authors: von Wettstein Diter
Published: October 2006

This chapter describes the research of developing transgenic barley for synthesis of recombinant proteins with practical significance and of metabolic engineering of proanthocyanidin-free barley. The results were obtained by graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scientists at the Carlsberg Laboratory from 1972–1996 and during the past ten years at Washington State University. It is written in appreciation of their enthusiasm, skill, and perseverance.
Mechanism-Based Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling: Biophase Distribution, Receptor Theory, and Dynamical Systems Analysis
Authors: Danhof Meindert , de Jongh Joost , De Lange Elizabeth C.M. , Della Pasqua Oscar , Ploeger Bart A. , Voskuyl Rob A.
Published: October 2006

Mechanism-based PK-PD models differ from conventional PK-PD models in that they contain specific expressions to characterize, in a quantitative manner, processes on the causal path between drug administration and effect. This includes target site distribution, target binding and activation, pharmacodynamic interactions, transduction, and homeostatic feedback mechanisms. As the final step, the effects on disease processes and disease progression are considered. Particularly through the incorporation of concepts from receptor theory and dynamical systems analysis, important progress has been made in the field of mechanism-based PK-PD modeling. This has yielded models with much-improved properties for extrapolation and prediction. These models constitute a theoretical basis for rational drug discovery and development.
Ca2+ sparks and T tubule reorganization in dedifferentiating adult mouse skeletal muscle fibers
Authors: Brown Lisa D. , Rodney George G. , Hernández-Ochoa Erick , Ward Chris W. , Schneider Martin F.
Published: October 2006

Ca+ sparks are rare in healthy adult mammalian skeletal muscle but may appear when adult fiber integrity is compromised, and occur in embryonic muscle but decline as the animal develops. Here we used cultured adult mouse flexor digitorum brevis muscle fibers to monitor occurrence of Ca2+ sparks during maintenance of adult fiber morphology and during eventual fiber morphological dedifferentiation after various times in culture. Fibers cultured for up to 3 days retain normal morphology and striated appearance. Ca2+ sparks were rare in these fibers. At 5–7 days in culture, many of the original muscle fibers exhibit sprouting and loss of striations, as well as the occurrence of spontaneous Ca2+ sparks. The average rate of occurrence of Ca2+ sparks is >10-fold higher after 5–7 days in culture than in days 1–3. With the use of fibers cultured for 7 days, application of the Ca2+ channel blockers Co2+ or nifedipine almost completely suppressed the occurrence of Ca2+ sparks, as previously shown in embryonic fibers, suggesting that Ca2+ sparks may be generated by similar mechanisms in dedifferentiating cultured adult fibers and in embryonic fibers before final differentiation. The sarcomeric disruption observed under transmitted light microscopy in dedifferentiating fibers was accompanied by morphological changes in the transverse (T) tubular system, as observed by fluorescence confocal imaging of both an extracellular marker dye and membrane staining dyes. Changes in T tubule morphology coincided with the appearance of Ca2+ sparks, suggesting that Ca2+ sparks may either be a signal for, or the result of, disruption of DHPR-ryanodine receptor 1 coupling.
Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase overexpression in kidney epithelial cells disrupts polyamine homeostasis, leads to DNA damage, and causes G2 arrest
Authors: Zahedi Kamyar , Bissler John J. , Wang Zhaohui , Josyula Anuradha , Lu Lu , Diegelman Paula , Kisiel Nick , Porter Carl W. , Soleimani Manoocher
Published: October 2006

Expression of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) increases in kidneys subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Increased expression of SSAT in vitro leads to alterations in cellular polyamine content, depletion of cofactors and precursors of polyamine synthesis, and reduced cell proliferation. In our model system, a >28-fold increase in SSAT levels in HEK-293 cells leads to depletion of polyamines and elevation in the enzymatic activities of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, suggestive of a compensatory reaction to increased polyamine catabolism. Increased expression of SSAT also led to DNA damage and G2 arrest. The increased DNA damage was primarily due to the depletion of polyamines. Other factors such as increased production of H2O2 due to polyamine oxidase activity may play a secondary role in the induction of DNA lesions. In response to DNA damage the ATM/ATR → Chk1/2 DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint pathways were activated, mediating the G2 arrest in SSAT-expressing cells. In addition, the activation of ERK1 and ERK2, which play integral roles in the G2/M transition, is impaired in cells expressing SSAT. These results indicate that the disruption of polyamine homeostasis due to enhanced SSAT activity leads to DNA damage and reduced cell proliferation via activation of DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoint and disruption of Raf → MEK → ERK pathways. We propose that in kidneys subjected to IRI, one mechanism through which increased expression of SSAT may cause cellular injury and organ damage is through induction of DNA damage and the disruption of cell cycle.
Calcium influx through If channels in rat ventricular myocytes
Authors: Yu Xiao , Chen Xiao-Wei , Zhou Peng , Yao Lijun , Liu Tao , Zhang Bo , Li Ying , Zheng Hui , Zheng Liang-Hong , Zhang Claire Xi , Bruce Iain , Ge Jun-Bo , Wang Shi-Qiang , Hu Zhi-An , Yu Han-Gang , Zhou Zhuan
Published: October 2006

The hyperpolarization-activated, cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, or cardiac ( If)/neuronal ( Ih) time- and voltage-dependent inward cation current channels, are conventionally considered as monovalent-selective channels. Recently we discovered that calcium ions can permeate through HCN4 and Ih channels in neurons. This raises the possibility of Ca2+ permeation in If, the Ih counterpart in cardiac myocytes, because of their structural homology. We performed simultaneous measurement of fura-2 Ca2+ signals and whole cell currents produced by HCN2 and HCN4 channels (the 2 cardiac isoforms present in ventricles) expressed in HEK293 cells and by If in rat ventricular myocytes. We observed Ca2+ influx when HCN/ If channels were activated. Ca2+ influx was increased with stronger hyperpolarization or longer pulse duration. Cesium, an If channel blocker, inhibited If and Ca2+ influx at the same time. Quantitative analysis revealed that Ca2+ flux contributed to ∼0.5% of current produced by the HCN2 channel or If. The associated increase in Ca2+ influx was also observed in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) myocytes in which If current density is higher than that of normotensive rat ventricle. In the absence of EGTA (a Ca2+ chelator), preactivation of If channels significantly reduced the action potential duration, and the effect was blocked by another selective If channel blocker, ZD-7288. In the presence of EGTA, however, preactivation of If channels had no effects on action potential duration. Our data extend our previous discovery of Ca2+ influx in Ih channels in neurons to If channels in cardiac myocytes.
Sound Localization Under Perturbed Binaural Hearing
Authors: Van Wanrooij Marc M. , Van Opstal A. John
Published: October 2006

This paper reports on the acute effects of a monaural plug on directional hearing in the horizontal (azimuth) and vertical (elevation) planes of human listeners. Sound localization behavior was tested with rapid head-orienting responses toward brief high-pass filtered (>3 kHz; HP) and broadband (0.5–20 kHz; BB) noises, with sound levels between 30 and 60 dB, A-weighted (dBA). To deny listeners any consistent azimuth-related head-shadow cues, stimuli were randomly interleaved. A plug immediately degraded azimuth performance, as evidenced by a sound level–dependent shift (“bias”) of responses contralateral to the plug, and a level-dependent change in the slope of the stimulus–response relation (“gain”). Although the azimuth bias and gain were highly correlated, they could not be predicted from the plug's acoustic attenuation. Interestingly, listeners performed best for low-intensity stimuli at their normal-hearing side. These data demonstrate that listeners rely on monaural spectral cues for sound-source azimuth localization as soon as the binaural difference cues break down. Also the elevation response components were affected by the plug: elevation gain depended on both stimulus azimuth and on sound level and, as for azimuth, localization was best for low-intensity stimuli at the hearing side. Our results show that the neural computation of elevation incorporates a binaural weighting process that relies on the perceived, rather than the actual, sound-source azimuth. It is our conjecture that sound localization ensues from a weighting of all acoustic cues for both azimuth and elevation, in which the weights may be partially determined, and rapidly updated, by the reliability of the particular cue.
Developmental Changes in Two Voltage-Dependent Sodium Currents in Utricular Hair Cells
Authors: Wooltorton Julian R. A. , Gaboyard Sophie , Hurley Karen M. , Price Steven D. , Garcia Jasmine L. , Zhong Meng , Lysakowski Anna , Eatock Ruth Anne
Published: October 2006

Two kinds of sodium current ( INa) have been separately reported in hair cells of the immature rodent utricle, a vestibular organ. We show that rat utricular hair cells express one or the other current depending on age (between postnatal days 0 and 22, P0—P22), hair cell type (I, II, or immature), and epithelial zone (striola vs. extrastriola). The properties of these two currents, or a mix, can account for descriptions of INa in hair cells from other reports. The patterns of Na channel expression during development suggest a role in establishing the distinct synapses of vestibular hair cells of different type and epithelial zone. All type I hair cells expressed INa,1, a TTX-insensitive current with a very negative voltage range of inactivation (midpoint: −94 mV). INa,2 was TTX sensitive and had less negative voltage ranges of activation and inactivation (inactivation midpoint: −72 mV). INa,1 dominated in the striola at all ages, but current density fell by two-thirds after the first postnatal week. INa,2 was expressed by 60% of hair cells in the extrastriola in the first week, then disappeared. In the third week, all type I cells and about half of type II cells had INa,1; the remaining cells lacked sodium current. INa,1 is probably carried by NaV1.5 subunits based on biophysical and pharmacological properties, mRNA expression, and immunoreactivity. NaV1.5 was also localized to calyx endings on type I hair cells. Several TTX-sensitive subunits are candidates for INa,2.
TRPV1 Receptor Mediates Glutamatergic Synaptic Input to Dorsolateral Periaqueductal Gray (dl-PAG) Neurons
Authors: Xing Jihong , Li Jianhua
Published: October 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) receptor in modulating neuronal activity of the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (dl-PAG) through excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. First, whole cell voltage-clamp recording was performed to obtain the spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) of the dl-PAG neurons. As 1 μM of capsaicin was applied into the perfusion chamber, the frequency of mEPSCs was increased from 3.21 ± 0.49 to 5.64 ± 0.64 Hz ( P < 0.05, n = 12) without altering the amplitude and the decay time constant of mEPSCs. In contrast, capsaicin had no distinct effect on mIPSCs. A specific TRPV1 receptor antagonist, iodo-resiniferatoxin (i-RTX, 300 nM), decreased the frequency of mEPSCs from 3.51 ± 0.29 to 2.01 ± 0.2 Hz ( P < 0.05, n = 8) but did not alter the amplitude and decay time. In addition, i-RTX applied into the chamber abolished the effect of capsaicin on mEPSC of the dl-PAG. In another experiment, spontaneous action potential of the dl-PAG neurons was recorded using whole cell current-clamp methods. Capsaicin significantly elevated the discharge rate of the dl-PAG neurons from 3.03 ± 0.38 to 5.96 ± 0.87 Hz ( n = 8). The increased firing activity was abolished in the presence of glutamate N-methy-d-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA antagonists, 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. The results from this study provide the first evidence indicating that activation of TRPV1 receptors increases the neuronal activity of the dl-PAG through selective potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic inputs.
Free Radicals, Mitochondria, and Oxidized Lipids
Authors: Gutierrez Jessica , Ballinger Scott W. , Darley-Usmar Victor M. , Landar Aimee
Published: October 2006

Mitochondria have long been known to play a critical role in maintaining the bioenergetic status of cells under physiological conditions. It was also recognized early in mitochondrial research that the reduction of oxygen to generate the free radical superoxide occurs at various sites in the respiratory chain and was postulated that this could lead to mitochondrial dysfunction in a variety of disease states. Over recent years, this view has broadened substantially with the discovery that reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and lipid species can also modulate physiological cell function through a process known as redox cell signaling. These redox active second messengers are formed through regulated enzymatic pathways, including those in the mitochondrion, and result in the posttranslational modification of mitochondrial proteins and DNA. In some cases, the signaling pathways lead to cytotoxicity. Under physiological conditions, the same mediators at low concentrations activate the cytoprotective signaling pathways that increase cellular antioxidants. Thus, it is critical to understand the mechanisms by which these pathways are distinguished to develop strategies that will lead to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In this review, we describe recent evidence that supports the hypothesis that mitochondria have an important role in cell signaling, and so contribute to both the adaptation to oxidative stress and the development of vascular diseases.
Control in Icelandic and Theories of Control
Authors: Boeckx Cedric , Hornstein Norbert
Published: October 2006

This article examines a pervasive argument against a movement approach to control based on Icelandic concord facts. We show that the argument does not undermine the movement approach when the facts are considered in their entirety. The facts divide into two basic groups: instances of quirky Case assignment and instances of structural Case sharing. The former require some theoretical adjustments regarding multiply Case-marked NPs in order to be incorporated into a movement approach. We show that the adjustments needed may be independently required, and may be even more problematic for alternative views on control.
On the “Undoing” Property of Scrambling: A Response to Bošković
Authors: Miyagawa Shigeru
Published: October 2006

Bošković (2004) argues that what defines scrambling in languages such as Japanese is its ‘‘undoing’’ property (Saito 1989). Bošković (2004) and Bošković and Takahashi (1998) argue that this ‘‘undoing’’ property shows the way for scrambling to count as a last-resort operation, instead of being purely optional as is widely believed. In this article, I give empirical evidence that ‘‘undoing’’ does not occur and that the reconstruction effect simply reflects a normal property of Ā-movements like wh-movement in English. I further show that the condition that governs optional scrambling is Fox’s (2000) Scope Economy.
The Subject-Predicate Theory of There
Authors: Williams Edwin
Published: October 2006

The “associate” NP in the English existential there-construction is a predicative NP, and there is its subject.
Transition to Caregiving, Marital Disagreement, and Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Choi Heejeong , Marks Nadine F.
Published: October 2006

Guided by a life course perspective, this study investigated whether the psychological consequences of transitioning into a caregiver role for a biological parent, parent-in-law, spouse, other kin, or nonkin among married adults might be moderated by marital role quality. Using longitudinal data from a national sample of 1,842 married adults aged 35 years and older, this study estimated regression models examining whether marital disagreement prior to the transition to caregiving predicted differences in change in global happiness and depressive symptoms because of a transition into caregiving. Results indicated that, compared to noncaregivers, new caregivers for a biological parent or spouse experienced both a greater decline in happiness and a greater increase in depressive symptoms when they reported a higher level of marital disagreement. These findings suggest that the psychological effects of becoming a caregiver for a biological parent or spouse among married adults are contingent on marital role quality.
The Relationship Between Intelligence and Divorce
Authors: Holley Paul , Yabiku Scott , Benin Mary
Published: October 2006

Intelligence has long been a topic of special interest to social scientists, but research that involves intelligence as a predictor of behavior usually focuses on domains such as crime and delinquency, academic achievement, and socioeconomic status. In this article, the authors address this gap in the literature and develop a theoretical framework to hypothesize why intelligence may be related to an important family behavior: divorce. The authors propose three hypotheses in terms of ascribed statuses, achieved statuses, and direct mechanisms, each of which could potentially explain the relationship between intelligence and divorce. The results are consistent with a direct influence of intelligence on divorce, net of ascribed and achieved statuses. The authors conclude by explaining the observed effect on divorce rates through three distinct but interrelated aspects of intelligence: direction, adaptation, and criticism.
Time of One’s Own
Authors: Nomaguchi Kei M.
Published: October 2006

Recent theoretical work suggests that the increase in women’s sense of entitlement to leisure has become a key to understanding delay in childbearing in industrialized countries. Using data from the Japanese Panel Study of Consumer Life, the author examines the relationship between leisure time and childbearing among Japanese married women in a recent cohort who delayed childbearing beyond age 25. Results suggest that employment is a strong predictor of nonchildbearing. Controlling for work hours and other sociodemographic variables, married women who spend more leisure time are less likely than their counterparts who spend less leisure time to become a mother 2 years later. Among those who are employed, leisure time, but neither work hours nor occupation, is related to nonchildbearing. These results indicate that Japanese married women who have greater interests in leisure postpone childbearing. Many of them participate in the labor force perhaps because of the leisure opportunities employment provides.
A Dual-Process Model of Cheating Intentions
Authors: Sierra Jeremy J. , Hyman Michael R.
Published: October 2006

Although prior pedagogy research indicates significant relationships between several student characteristics and cheating intentions, no research has examined the simultaneous effect of cognition and anticipated emotions on such intentions. To explore the possibility that imagined outcomes—prompted by anticipated emotions—and select cognitive factors antecede cheating intentions, the authors developed and tested a model that relates anticipated regret, anticipated elation, locus of control, and personal expertise to willingness to cheat. The empirical results, which rely on five extant scales and a new multiitem vignette measure of cheating intentions, validate this dual-process model. Also, the results show that anticipated elation is a source of value for students, which positively affects their willingness to cheat.
Teaching Written Communication Skills in Professional Selling: The Cover Letter
Authors: West Vicki L.
Published: October 2006

The selling process steps have been an integral part of professional selling courses and textbooks for years. Although slight changes have been made in their wording and format, most textbooks are consistent in the recommended process for an effective sales interaction. In an effort to combine teaching the selling process with the increased demand from employers and accrediting institutions to improve written communication skills, this article introduces the cover (sales) letter as an assignment for marketing instructors. This cover letter assignment has been very well received by students and employers, highlighting how universities can engage students in an active learning environment, teaching both theory and specific skills.
Teaching the Visual Learner: The Use of Visual Summaries in Marketing Education
Authors: Clarke Irvine , Flaherty Theresa B. , Yankey Michael
Published: October 2006

Approximately 40% of college students are visual learners, preferring to be taught through pictures, diagrams, flow charts, timelines, films, and demonstrations. Yet marketing instruction remains heavily reliant on presenting content primarily through verbal cues such as written or spoken words. Without visual instruction, some students may be underperforming because of the inconsistency between teachers’ teaching styles and students’ learning styles. Because it has been suggested that some college students learn better from visual stimuli, an improved balance between verbal and visual techniques could offer significant learning benefits. This study investigates the use of visual summaries as an instructional technique for visual learners. Findings reveal that student performance on specific marketing topics and overall course satisfaction can be enhanced by combining visual summaries with more traditional instructional approaches. Pedagogical ideas are provided to help instructors use visual summaries in marketing education.
Development of a Computerized In-Basket Exercise for the Classroom: A Sales Management Example
Authors: Pearson Michael M. , Barnes John W. , Onken Marina H.
Published: October 2006

This article follows the development of a sales management in-basket exercise for use in the classroom. The authors have computerized the exercise and added features to allow for additional and more quantitative input from the students. The exercise has evolved and been tested in numerous classroom situations. The computerized in-basket exercise is shown to provide significant benefits over regular in-baskets when measured against the objectives of the exercise. These benefits include quantitative, immediate, and consistent feedback to students as well as spirited discussions in the classroom as to the role and actions of sales managers.
Photoessays in the Teaching of Marketing
Authors: Ng Irene C. L.
Published: October 2006

A photoessay is a group of photographs with a common theme, used as instruction through its presentation, accompanied by narration. Through a qualitative study embedded within an action research process, photoessays have been found to aid knowledge construction through a reinforcement of understanding, feedback, cognitive efficiency, reflection, creativity, motivation, and emotional resonance. These learning dimensions also serve to aid students’ transfer abilities. The study also shows how photoessays should be constructed and instructed to facilitate such learning. To achieve this, photoessays must reflect theory, capture emotions, provide perspectives, allow for students to abstract theory, and participate in the discovery of information. Although presenting the photoessay may help students learn and apply knowledge, its construction also helps educators integrate their practice, knowledge, and teaching while fostering creativity.