bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural Demarcation of Hausa Song and Poetry Tradition
Authors: Jang Taesang
Published: January 2012

The aim of this article is to discuss the ethnic criteria for the classification of the Hausa literary genres of song and poetry. In terms of texts, no remarkable difference is noticed between song and poetry. In fact, Hausa has a single term, wak'a (plural wak'ok'i) for both types of literary expression. All wak'ok'i share certain things in common such as sung oral presentation (not spoken recitation) and strict metrical (or rhythmic) patterns. Nevertheless, one can draw a distinction between these two types of traditions: song is orally composed, whereas poetry is composed in written form, then sung or performed on the basis of a written text. In addition to these differences in modes of composition, one can discern other differences in types of meters, verse structure, performance style, rhyme pattern, themes and origin.

This article will discuss these features and arrange them into three main categories: cognitive features, expressive features and social features. The primary emphasis of the discussion will be placed on how song and poetry can be culturally conceived as distinct literary entities. An analytical model proposed by Dan Ben-Amos in his study ‘Folklore in African society’ will be the methodological framework of this article, which arguably suggests that some theories developed in the field of folklore studies may also be efficiently employed in the field of literature studies.
Poverty and Vulnerability: An Examination of Chronic and Transient Poverty in Cambodia
Authors: Kruy Narin , Kim Donghun , Kakinaka Makoto
Published: January 2012

This paper estimates household vulnerability to poverty using the data of households in Cambodia. In particular, we classify the poor into two main groups, the chronic poor and the transient poor, based on two measures, poverty incidence and vulnerability. The results suggest that, at the national level, among currently poor households (which comprise 24.8% of all households), the chronic poor and the transient poor amount to 6.3 percent and 18.5 percent, respectively. Additionally, 3.4 percent of all households appear to be subject to high risk of falling into poverty, although their current rate of consumption is above the poverty line.
Comparative Studies on Current Situations of Anti-Corruption and Human Rights in Southern Europe, East Asia and Latin America in Perspective of Soft Power
Authors: Lee Sang-Hwan
Published: January 2012

Today's international society is concerned with anti-bribery exchanges rather than universal issues of anti-corruption in dealing with anti-corruption round under the guidance of advanced countries. This trend is related to national competitiveness, and it is useful for the effective anti-bribery exchanges rather than the solution of universal corruption problems. This study tests the correlation between democratization and transparency in Southern Europe, East Asia, and Latin America. It shows the validity of argument that democratization brings about anti-corruption. Today, developing countries are facing serious corruption problems which prevent politico-economic development and social consensus in the long run. Their success and failure of fighting against corruption will hinge on economic development and political democratization. Specially, transparent society based on politico-economic development will eliminate corruption problems in the future of Southern Europe, East Asia, and Latin America.
East Asian Regional Architecture in the Network Society and the Role of Korea
Authors: Jung Giwoong
Published: January 2012

The East Asian regional architecture has evolved rapidly for the past decade since the 1997 East Asian economic crisis, but forming any type of East Asian regional architecture was not fully successful. This article seeks to find the role of Korea regarding the East Asian regional architecture in the network society and raises three questions: Does East Asia need regional integration? What kind of regional integration should East Asia pursue? What can be the role of Korea?

This article suggests the open regionalism as an answer and asserts that Korea as a middle power might take the role of a mediator and a vision provider. The whole and perfect integration of a region is not possible. Then pursuing openness and allowing the joining of new actors might be much profitable. Korea's strategic choice should be taking the role of a mediator and a vision provider emphasizing the power of openness and culture. Openness and culture are soft, but they can make the user punch beyond his/her weight.
Does Tactical Voting Matter? The Political Impact of Tactical Voting in Canadian Elections
Authors: Kim HeeMin , Kostadinova Tatiana
Published: January 2012

Tactical voting primarily takes place under single-member district plurality electoral institutions and takes the form of third-party supporters voting for one of the major parties. Although much has been written about tactical voting, few studies have attempted to show its impact on seat distribution within the parliament or on the makeup of the subsequent government, in countries with single-member plurality systems. In this article, we assess the magnitude and impact of tactical voting in0 the Canadian general elections between 1988 and 2000. We build a model of tactical voting by identifying factors that are known to affect the level of tactical voting that we can measure using available data. Based on this model, we generate predicted levels of tactical voting for all parties within each district, and then use these predicted values to adjust the actual election data to produce a new set of data containing a would-be election outcome in the absence of tactical voting. By comparing actual election data, adjusted election data, and the seat share of political parties in the parliament after these elections, we discuss the political impact of tactical voting in Canada. The results of our study affirm that, in some cases, tactical voting does lead to election outcomes different from those in its absence and that arguments based on voter rationality are to some degree valid in the real world. At the same time, our results demonstrate that the impact of tactical voting on election outcomes, and thus on the actual distribution of seats within the parliament, has been minimal in Canada. It had no impact on the partisan composition of the government in any of the four elections studied.
Promoting International Humanitarian Law: Strong States and the Ratification of the ICC Treaty
Authors: Meernik James , Shairick Jamie
Published: January 2012

The establishment of the International Criminal Court presents nation-states with a fairly novel opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to international humanitarian law, or to signal their displeasure with its development and the risks it poses to their sovereignty and foreign policies. The aim of this paper is to analyze the incentive structure of states to ratify the ICC treaty—the Treaty of Rome—in order to better understand the means by which some states promote the principles of international humanitarian law. We argue that economically powerful states with a normative commitment to and foreign policy interests in the advancement of international humanitarian law in general, and the ICC in particular, are their chief advocates and through their economic influence are able to persuade other nations to ratify the Treaty of Rome. We find that states with exemplary human rights records are the most supportive of the ICC, and that the more susceptible a nation is to economic pressure from stronger supporters of the ICC, the more likely it is to ratify the treaty.
Does China Love Hollywood? An Empirical Study on the Determinants of the Box-Office Performance of the Foreign Films in China
Authors: Kwak Jooyoung , Zhang Liyue
Published: January 2012

Although the sales of the motion-picture industry in China have grown incomparably to any other country during the past decade, most research related to it has focused on discourse of the political or social contexts. Using the resource-based view, our study empirically examines the determinants that encourage the audience to pay for a movie at China's box offices.

The resource-based view posits that a firm or product's competitiveness arises from valuable resources that appeal to consumers. In line with this, we hypothesized that box-office performance is affected by marketing-related resources and by a certain set of strategic variables embedded in individual films. We constructed our dataset based on the foreign films imported to and released in China from 2007 to 2009, and conducted a regression analysis. The statistical results suggest that actor reputation, China-related contents and Chinese crew participation in the movie production, and release timing are significantly related to the box-office performance of foreign films in China. We present an interpretation of our statistical results, linking to the characteristics of the current Chinese audience as a consumer for foreign films.
Area Studies and Desire: Towards a Genealogy
Authors: Yoon Hye-Joon
Published: January 2012

Area studies, as a newly fashionable field of academic research, needs to recognize its less likely precedents if it is going to secure for itself a fresh start. The question of “desire” is relevant here because it indicates the less value-free aspects in its genealogy. As shown in Emma Bovary's embellished representation of Paris at her provincial home, an understanding of an area often reflects the particular needs and desires of the one who understands that area. Such restricted and restricting views of an area repeats itself outside the world of literary fictions, as is shown by the example of Guizot's picture of Europe in which his own country is given a privileged place as the very center of Western civilization itself. An instructive case showing the thin line between the projected desire of one who strives to know a geographical area and the scientific purity of the labor itself is further offered by Napoleon Bonaparte's heavy reliance on Orientalist scholarship in his invasion of Egypt. Moving further east from Egypt to China, we witness the denigrating remarks on China made by the great German thinkers of the past century, Hegel and Weber. Although their characterization of Chinese culture could find echoes in unbiased empirical research, they reveal all the same the trace of Europeans' desire to affirm their superiority over the supposedly inferior and false civilization of the East. Similarly, the Americans who divided the Korean peninsular at the 38th Parallel, with unquestioning confidence in their knowledge of the area and in the justice of their action, rightfully deserve their place in the tradition of Western area studies of serving the needs to dominate, control and exploit an objectified overseas territory.

He assumed that words had kept their meaning, that desires still pointed in a single direction, and that ideas retained their logic; and he ignored the fact that the world of speech and desires has known invasions, struggles, plundering, disguises, ploys. From these elements, however, genealogy retrieves an indispensable restraint: it must record the singularity of events outside of any monotonous finality; it must seek them in the most unpromising places, in what we tend to feel is without history—in sentiments, love, conscience, instincts; it must be sensitive to their recurrence, not in order to trace the gradual curve of their evolution, but to isolate the different scenes where they engaged in different roles.

— Michel Foucault, “Nietzsche, Genealogy, History” (Foucault 139–40).
A Game-Theoretic Analysis of Class Relationships and Economic Growth with Applications to Spain and Sweden
Authors: Kim HeeMin
Published: January 2012

In this paper, I try to answer two important and unsettled questions in contemporary political economy: (1) Is economic growth through cooperation between capital and labor possible without third party enforcement?; and (2) What are the effects of strong labor power on obtaining cooperation and thus economic growth? I adopt a game-theoretic framework to address these questions in this paper. The theoretical findings suggest the following: (1) Under certain political, economic, and social conditions, capitalists will find it in their interest to invest at a maximum possible level and the labor will find it in their interest to claim as small a proportion of national output as possible. Under these circumstances, high level of investment, coupled with low worker claim over the national output, will create conditions favorable to economic growth; (2) In countries where political and economic conditions are such that workers feel pretty certain about their future, the strong labor can actually initiate economic growth by voluntarily lowering their claim over the national output. I show actual examples of class war, unstable class cooperation, and a sustained class cooperation in the last section of this paper.
Evolutionary Environmental Policy: An Analysis of the U.S. Air pollution Control Policy
Authors: Cha Yong-Jin
Published: January 2012

The purposes of this study are to examine the nature of air pollution control and available policy instruments in the United States. Focusing on command-and-control (CAC), emission tax, bubble policy and emission offset policy, this study analyzes their theoretical frameworks and limitations. The analysis of this study suggests that the U.S. air pollution control policies have been evolved to deal with economic inefficiencies from the CAC approach. Reforming the pollution policy to market incentive systems could achieve the efficiency of pollution control. Possible policy implications are also discussed.
A Simple Monetary Model of the Chinese Ecdonomy, 1958–1978
Authors: Lee Chang-kyu
Published: January 2012

In this paper, I construct a simple monetary model of the Chinese economy in the period of 1958–78. While, in previous researches, the demand for currency and a reaction function of monetary policy in China are generally investigated separately, in this paper both equations are combined so that the interactions between the household behavior of holding currency and the reaction of monetary policy makers can be investigated simultaneously. In constructing the model, I acknowledge some limitations that a few restricted assumptions are made and that I do not provide the rigorous theoretical proof. Despite these limitations, this simple monetary model exhibits relatively good performance from the ex-post historical simulation with the published data from Statistical Yearbook of China.
The English Romantic Poets
Authors: Hurtado Rosa Eugenia Rivas
Published: January 2012

The period dating from 1789 to about 1830 is the epoch of the Romanticism, who first exponens among others were Blake, Coleridge, Southey, Wordsworth and in a second generation Byron, Shelley, and Keats who all died at young age.

Many values and interest of the Romantic period remained alive through the nineteen century with poets such as Yeats and Stevens.

Imagination, Nature, the Self, and Eternity are among the elements that the period named “Romantic”. Indeed imagination and insight are in fact inseparable and form for all practical purposes a single faculty. “For Coleridge imagination is the primary instrument of all spiritual and creative activities.”

At the ages of about 33 Wordsworth passed a crisis and this dealt to experience two different ideas about nature; the first one when he wrote Tintern Abbey in 1798, he distinguished the blessed of nature. Some years later, the other came when this all-absorbing wision was lost.

Kubla Khan written by Coleridge after three hours in a profound sleep, during which time he had the most vivid confidence of the external senses.

Rebellion specially ideas on favour of The French Revolution, political points of view idealist as Shelly had and never lost his enthusiasm for revolutionary politics.
The Circumstances of Early Modern Indonesian Literature: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Wahyudi Ibnu
Published: January 2012

The focus this paper is the circumstances of early Modern Indonesian Literature. Literary works in Indonesia in that colonial period - as in the world literature in general - are not spontaneous but rather entail the creative process of the writer whose relationship with society is an ongoing one. Early Modern Indonesian Literature is a treasury of literature that appears from the certain socio-political situations. To understand early Modern Indonesian Literature proportionally, it is necessary to consider various matters which related to each other: between literary works, writer, and society. By understanding the interrelation between those three elements, we will attain a proper understanding to the general tendencies which in turn directs us to the understanding of the characteristics of such literature. In this short-essay, then, I try to explain the representation of the interrelation between those number of social facts; the beginning of the production and consumption of early Modern Indonesian Literature, the role of the writer and its relationship with journalism, the writers and the reading public, and the education and literacy situation in Indonesia.
Some Questions about the Impact of Japanese Occupation(1942–45) on the Development of Malay Nationalism: With Special Reference to the Kesatuan Melayu Muda
Authors: Soh Byungkuk
Published: January 2012

Most studies of the Japanese occupation of Southeast Asia have largely been concerned with its impact on the development of nationalism of the region. In general, their historiographical wind is divided into two interpretations “interruption” and “transformation” arguments. This paper attempts to reexamine the “interruption” argument, focusing on the impact of Japanese occupation on the development of Malay nationalism with special reference to the Kesatuan Melayu Muda or KMM (Young Malay Union). Based upon this investigation, this paper makes a conclusion that the “interruption” argument which the Japanese occupation did really have a catalytic effect on the development of Malay nationalism is not so convincing a point of view.
Economic Liberalization in North Africa
Authors: Han Deck-Kyu
Published: January 2012

North African countries have been trying to reform and liberalize their economies. In spite of its dramatic start in the mid-1980s with the help of IMF, however, privatization and rationalization of public sector enterprises, which is considered as the core of economic liberalization, have faced significant obstacles. Many of these obstacles derived from the nature of politics. Public enterprises also has an important role to play as a tool to generate improved equity in this region. Therefore, political reform is a necessary condition of change if economic liberalization is to contribute to economic development in North African Arab countries.
Compliance Scheme as a Dispute Prevention Mechanism in Multilateral Environmental Treaties
Authors: Lee Jae-Hyup
Published: January 2012

Global environmental issues require continuous monitoring, ongoing management, and the periodic recalibration of policies and responses. The recent trend in international environmental law is toward the use of non-adversarial conciliation and non-compliance mechanisms in addition to the right to go to arbitration and to international tribunals. By examining the mechanisms currently existing to enforce multilateral international environmental treaties this paper discusses a variety of considerations and consequences these compliance systems entail and presents several suggestions to enhance the current system.
Cognigraphic Analysis of Headline Impact on Advertising Recall
Authors: Kim Yoo-Kyung
Published: January 2012

Cognigraphics analysis is designed to break down ideas (e.g. sentences, pictures, messages or ads) into their elemental components. These components are operationalized as objects, attributes and relationships (spatial or temporal) among objects and elements. Findings indicate that (a) ads with headlines focusing on either the consumer or the brand obtain higher recall than those focusing on both the consumer and the brand, and (b) headlines with either spatial or temporal elements obtained higher recall than those with both spatial and temporal elements.
Thai-Malay Conflicts in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
Authors: Cho Hung-Guk
Published: January 2012

The southernmost provinces of Thailand, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Satun, can be seen, ethnically and culturally, as a part of the Malay world. The fact that this region now belongs to Buddhist Thailand is above all the consequence of a long conflict between the Thais and the Malays. The conflict can be summarized as the efforts of Thai governments to take hold of the Malay region and dominate Malay society and the resistance of the Malay Muslims against these efforts. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the roots of this conflict. Some scholars date the conflict since the end of the eighteenth century. However, origins of the conflict can be traced back at the latest to the sixteenth century when the conflict began to concretely emerge. The conflict eventually became very serious in the seventeenth century. This study will focus attention on this period.
Ngugi Wa Thiong'o's Postcolonial Orality: Towards a New Poetics of Drama
Authors: Lee Seok-Ho
Published: January 2012

Ngugi Wa Thiong'o is one of the best known African writers who loves to use oral narrative in his plays (colonial or post-colonial plays). Emphasis is put here on his post-independence plays, called The Trial of Dedan Kimathi and I Will Marry When I Want which is an English translation from Gikuyu, his native language. These two plays are reputed to be localized both in form and content as Ngugi appropriates the traditional way of narration in composing a play, an imported genre. Both these works are postcolonial plays which protest against neo-colonial societies. It is observed here that Ngugi is greatly influenced by the Brechtian form of theatre which is transformed into African context. In this paper I will analyse Ngugi's two postcolonial plays from the perspective of third-world postcolonialism.
p38 MAPK inhibition suppresses the TLR-hypersensitive phenotype in FANCC- and FANCA-deficient mononuclear phagocytes
Authors: Anur Praveen , Yates Jane , Garbati Michael R. , Vanderwerf Scott , Keeble Winifred , Rathbun Keaney , Hays Laura E. , Tyner Jeffrey W. , Svahn Johanna , Cappelli Enrico , Dufour Carlo , Bagby Grover C.
Published: January 2012

Fanconi anemia, complementation group C (FANCC)–deficient hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are hypersensitive to a variety of inhibitory cytokines, one of which, TNFα, can induce BM failure and clonal evolution in Fancc-deficient mice. FANCC-deficient macrophages are also hypersensitive to TLR activation and produce TNFα in an unrestrained fashion. Reasoning that suppression of inhibitory cytokine production might enhance hematopoiesis, we screened small molecules using TLR agonist–stimulated FANCC- and Fanconi anemia, complementation group A (FANCA)–deficient macrophages containing an NF-κB/AP-1–responsive reporter gene (SEAP). Of the 75 small molecules screened, the p38 MAPK inhibitor BIRB 796 and dasatinib potently suppressed TLR8-dependent expression of the reporter gene. Fanconi anemia (FA) macrophages were hypersensitive to the TLR7/8 activator R848, overproducing SEAP and TNFα in response to all doses of the agonist. Low doses (50nM) of both agents inhibited p38 MAPK–dependent activation of MAPKAPK2 (MK2) and suppressed MK2-dependent TNFα production without substantially influencing TNFα gene transcription. Overproduction of TNFα by primary FA cells was likewise suppressed by these agents and involved inhibition of MK2 activation. Because MK2 is also known to influence production and/or sensitivity to 2 other suppressive factors (MIP-1α and IFNγ) to which FA hematopoietic progenitor cells are uniquely vulnerable, targeting of p38 MAPK in FA hematopoietic cells is a rational objective for preclinical evaluation.
Macrophage LRP1 contributes to the clearance of von Willebrand factor
Authors: Rastegarlari Ghasem , Pegon Julie N. , Casari Caterina , Odouard Soline , Navarrete Ana-Maria , Saint-Lu Nathalie , van Vlijmen Bart J. , Legendre Paulette , Christophe Olivier D. , Denis Cécile V. , Lenting Peter J.
Published: January 2012

The relationship between low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein-1 (LRP1) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) has remained elusive for years. Indeed, despite a reported absence of interaction between both proteins, liver-specific deletion of LRP1 results in increased VWF levels. To investigate this discrepancy, we used mice with a macrophage-specific deficiency of LRP1 (macLRP1−) because we previously found that macrophages dominate VWF clearance. Basal VWF levels were increased in macLRP1− mice compared with control mice (1.6 ± 0.4 vs 1.0 ± 0.4 U/mL). Clearance experiments revealed that half-life of human VWF was significantly increased in macLRP1− mice. Ubiquitous blocking of LRP1 or additional lipoprotein receptors by overexpressing receptor-associated protein in macLRP1− mice did not result in further rise of VWF levels (0.1 ± 0.2 U/mL), in contrast to macLRP1+ mice (rise in VWF, 0.8 ± 0.4 U/mL). This points to macLRP1 being the only lipoprotein receptor regulating VWF levels. When testing the mechanism(s) involved, we observed that VWF-coated beads adhered efficiently to LRP1 but only when exposed to shear forces exceeding 2.5 dyne/cm2, implying the existence of shear stress-dependent interactions. Furthermore, a mechanism involving β2-integrins that binds both VWF and LRP1 also is implicated because inhibition of β2-integrins led to increased VWF levels in control (rise, 0.19 ± 0.16 U/mL) but not in macLRP1− mice (0.08 ± 0.15 U/mL).
The IGHV1-69/IGHJ3 recombinations of unmutated CLL are distinct from those of normal B cells
Authors: Forconi Francesco , Potter Kathleen N. , Sozzi Elisa , Henderson Isla , Cencini Emanuele , Rossi Davide , Bomben Riccardo , Gattei Valter , Gaidano Gianluca , Packham Graham , Stevenson Freda K.
Published: January 2012

IGHV1-69/51p1 is expressed by ∼ 30% of unmutated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (U-CLL) and combines with selected IGHD and IGHJ genes generating stereotypes if HCDR3 amino acid homology is > 60%. We had previously revealed stereotypic IGHV1-69/IGHJ6 rearrangements in normal naive B cells, thereby identifying potential counterparts of U-CLL. A different stereotypic IGHV1-69/IGHD3-16(RF2)/IGHJ3 rearrangement carrying the CAR(GGx)YD motif in the N1-region, recurrent in 6% IGHV1-69+ve CLL, is exceptionally sequence restricted, strongly suggestive of shared antigen recognition. We have now analyzed IGHV1-69/IGHJ3 rearrangements in circulating B cells of healthy individuals using several PCR-based approaches with IGHV1-69/IGHJ3 CLL sequences for reference. Stereotypes were found, but all were distinct from CLL. Remarkably, even a highly sensitive semi-nested PCR, specific for the CLL-expressed IGHV1-69/IGHD3-16(RF2)/IGHJ3 stereotype, failed to identify the CAR(GGx)YD sequence, although similar motifs were found. These highly specific B cells are not apparent in the accessible normal repertoire and may expand in response to rarely expressed antigens important in the pathogenesis of CLL.
Essential role for Stat5a/b in myeloproliferative neoplasms induced by BCR-ABL1 and JAK2V617F in mice
Authors: Walz Christoph , Ahmed Wesam , Lazarides Katherine , Betancur Monica , Patel Nihal , Hennighausen Lothar , Zaleskas Virginia M. , Van Etten Richard A.
Published: January 2012

STAT5 proteins are constitutively activated in malignant cells from many patients with leukemia, including the myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and polycythemia vera (PV), but whether STAT5 is essential for the pathogenesis of these diseases is not known. In the present study, we used mice with a conditional null mutation in the Stat5a/b gene locus to determine the requirement for STAT5 in MPNs induced by BCR-ABL1 and JAK2V617F in retroviral transplantation models of CML and PV. Loss of one Stat5a/b allele resulted in a decrease in BCR-ABL1–induced CML-like MPN and the appearance of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, whereas complete deletion of Stat5a/b prevented the development of leukemia in primary recipients. However, BCR-ABL1 was expressed and active in Stat5-null leukemic stem cells, and Stat5 deletion did not prevent progression to lymphoid blast crisis or abolish established B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. JAK2V617F failed to induce polycythemia in recipients after deletion of Stat5a/b, although the loss of STAT5 did not prevent the development of myelofibrosis. These results demonstrate that STAT5a/b is essential for the induction of CML-like leukemia by BCR-ABL1 and of polycythemia by JAK2V617F, and validate STAT5a/b and the genes they regulate as targets for therapy in these MPNs.
Mathematical modelling and evaluation of the different routes of transmission of lumpy skin disease virus
Authors: Magori-Cohen Reuma , Louzoun Yoram , Herziger Yael , Oron Eldad , Arazi Alon , Tuppurainen Eeva , Shpigel Nahum Y , Klement Eyal
Published: January 2012

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a severe viral disease of cattle. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the virus is transmitted mechanically by blood-feeding arthropods. We compared the importance of transmission via direct and indirect contact in field conditions by using mathematical tools. We analyzed a dataset collected during the LSD outbreak in 2006 in a large dairy herd, which included ten separated cattle groups. Outbreak dynamics and risk factors for LSD were assessed by a transmission model. Transmission by three contact modes was modelled; indirect contact between the groups within a herd, direct contact or contact via common drinking water within the groups and transmission by contact during milking procedure. Indirect transmission was the only parameter that could solely explain the entire outbreak dynamics and was estimated to have an overall effect that was over 5 times larger than all other possible routes of transmission, combined. TheR0value induced by indirect transmission per the presence of an infectious cow for 1 day in the herd was 15.7, while theR0induced by direct transmission was 0.36. Sensitivity analysis showed that this result is robust to a wide range of assumptions regarding mean and standard deviation of incubation period and regarding the existence of sub-clinically infected cattle. These results indicate that LSD virus spread within the affected herd could hardly be attributed to direct contact between cattle or contact through the milking procedure. It is therefore concluded that transmission mostly occurs by indirect contact, probably by flying, blood-sucking insects. This has important implications for control of LSD.
Triacylglycerol synthesis by PDAT1 in the absence of DGAT1 activity is dependent on re-acylation of LPC by LPCAT2
Authors: Xu Jingyu , Carlsson Anders S , Francis Tammy , Zhang Meng , Hoffman Travis , Giblin Michael E , Taylor David C
Published: January 2012

Background

The Arabidopsis thaliana dgat1 mutant, AS11, has an oil content which is decreased by 30%, and a strongly increased ratio of 18:3/20:1, compared to wild type. Despite lacking a functional DGAT1, AS11 still manages to make 70% of WT seed oil levels. Recently, it was demonstrated that in the absence of DGAT1, PDAT1 was essential for normal seed development, and is a dominant determinant in Arabidopsis TAG biosynthesis.

Methods

Biochemical, metabolic and gene expression studies combined with genetic crossing of selected Arabidopsis mutants have been carried out to demonstrate the contribution of Arabidopsis PDAT1 and LPCAT2 in the absence of DGAT1 activity.

Results

Through microarray and RT-PCR gene expression analyses of AS11 vs. WT mid-developing siliques, we observed consistent trends between the two methods. FAD2 and FAD3 were up-regulated and FAE1 down-regulated, consistent with the AS11 acyl phenotype. PDAT1 expression was up-regulated by ca 65% while PDAT2 expression was up-regulated only 15%, reinforcing the dominant role of PDAT1 in AS11 TAG biosynthesis. The expression of LPCAT2 was up-regulated by 50-75%, while LPCAT1 expression was not significantly affected. In vitro LPCAT activity was enhanced by 75-125% in microsomal protein preparations from mid-developing AS11 seed vs WT. Co-incident homozygous knockout lines of dgat1/lpcat2 exhibited severe penalties on TAG biosynthesis, delayed plant development and seed set, even with a functional PDAT1; the double mutant dgat1/lpcat1 showed only marginally lower oil content than AS11.

Conclusions

Collectively, the data strongly support that in AS11 it is LPCAT2 up-regulation which is primarily responsible for assisting in PDAT1-catalyzed TAG biosynthesis, maintaining a supply of PC as co-substrate to transfer sn-2 moieties to the sn-3 position of the enlarged AS11 DAG pool.
The evil circle of poverty: a qualitative study of malaria and disability
Authors: Ingstad Benedicte , Munthali Alister C , Braathen Stine H , Grut Lisbet
Published: January 2012

Background

This article discusses the link between disability and malaria in a poor rural setting. Global malaria programmes and rehabilitation programmes are organized as vertical and separate programmes, and as such they focus on prevention, cure and control, and disability respectively. When looking at specific conditions and illnesses, the impairing long-term consequences of illness incidents during childhood are not questioned.

Methods

The study design was ethnographic with an open, exploratory approach. Data were collected in Mangochi District in Malawi through qualitative in-depth interviews and participant observation.

Results

Despite a local-based health service system, people living in poor rural areas are confronted with a multitude of barriers when accessing malaria prevention and treatment. Lack of skilled health personnel and equipment add to the general burden of poverty: insufficient knowledge about health care, problems connected to accessing the health facility in time, insufficient initiatives to prevent malaria attacks, and a general lack of attention to the long term disabling effects of a malaria attack.

Conclusions

This study points to the importance of building malaria programmes, research and statistics that take into consideration the consequences of permanent impairment after a malaria attack, as well as the context of poverty in which they often occur. In order to do so, one needs to develop methods for detecting people whose disabilities are a direct result of not having received health services after a malaria episode. This may be done through qualitative approaches in local communities and should also be supplemented by suitable surveys in order to estimate the problem on a larger scale.
Nutritional status and growth of indigenous Xavante children, Central Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Aline A , Welch James R , Santos Ricardo V , Gugelmin Silvia A , Coimbra Carlos EA
Published: January 2012

Background

The aim of this study was to characterize the nutritional status of Xavante Indian children less than 10 years of age in Central Brazil and to evaluate the hypothesis of an association between child nutrition and socioeconomic differentiation in this population.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2006 that included all children under the age of 10 from the Xavante village Pimentel Barbosa in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The data collected included weight, height, and sociodemographic information. Sociodemographic data were used to generate two indices ("income" and "wealth") and to determine the proportion of adults in each household. Descriptive analyses were performed for weight-for-age (W/A), height-for-age (H/A), and weight-for-height (W/H) using the NCHS and the WHO growth references. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using H/A and W/A as a response variables.

Results

Of a total of 246 children under the age of ten residing in the village, 232 (94.3%) were evaluated. Following the NCHS reference, 5.6% of children under the age of ten presented low W/A and 14.7% presented low H/A. Among children under the age of five, deficit percentages for weight and height were 4.5% and 29.9%, respectively, following the WHO curves. Among children < 2 years of age, H/A index variability was found to be directly related to child's age and inversely related to the proportion of adults in the household. Maternal BMI was positively associated with growth for children from 2 to 4 years of age, explaining 11.5% of the z-score variability for the H/A index. For children 5 years of age and older, the wealth index and maternal height were positively associated with H/A. No significant associations were found using W/A as the dependent variable.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that undernutrition, in particular linear growth deficit, is a notable health issue for Xavante children. These findings contrast with the nutritional profile observed among Brazilian children nationally, which is characterized by a sharp decline in child undernutrition in recent decades, even in the poorest regions of the country. This discrepancy calls attention to the persistent health disparities that exist between indigenous and non-indigenous people in Brazil.
A negative screen for mutations in calstabin 1 and 2 genes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Biagi Diogo G , Mill José G , Mansur Alfredo J , Krieger José E , Pereira Alexandre C
Published: January 2012

Background

Calstabins 1 and 2 bind to Ryanodine receptors regulating muscle excitation-contraction coupling. Mutations in Ryanodine receptors affecting their interaction with calstabins lead to different cardiac pathologies. Animal studies suggest the involvement of calstabins with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Results

We tested the hypothesis that calstabins mutations may cause dilated cardiomyopathy in humans screening 186 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy for genetic alterations in calstabins 1 and 2 genes (FKBP12 and FKBP12.6). No missense variant was found. Five no-coding variations were found but not related to the disease.

Conclusions

These data corroborate other studies suggesting that mutations in FKBP12 and FKBP12.6 genes are not commonly related to cardiac diseases.
Imiquimod Enhances Excitability of Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons by Inhibiting Background (K2P) and Voltage-Gated (Kv1.1 and Kv1.2) Potassium Channels
Authors: Lee Jaekwang , Kim Taekeun , Hong Jinpyo , Woo Junsung , Min Hyunjung , Hwang Eunmi , Lee Sung Joong , Lee C Justin
Published: January 2012

Background:

Imiquimod (IQ) is known as an agonist of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and is widely used to treat various infectious skin diseases. However, it causes severe itching sensation as its side effect. The precise mechanism of how IQ causes itching sensation is unknown. A recent report suggested a molecular target of IQ as TLR7 expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, we recently proposed a TLR7-independent mechanism, in which the activation of TLR7 is not required for the action of IQ in DRG neurons. To resolve this controversy regarding the involvement of TLR7 and to address the exact molecular identity of itching sensation by IQ, we investigated the possible molecular target of IQ in DRG neurons.

Findings:

When IQ was applied to DRG neurons, we observed an increase in action potential (AP) duration and membrane resistance both in wild type and TLR7-deficient mice. Based on these results, we tested whether the treatment of IQ has an effect on the activity of K+ channels, Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 (voltage-gated K+ channels) and TREK1 and TRAAK (K2P channels). IQ effectively reduced the currents mediated by both K+ channels in a dose-dependent manner, acting as an antagonist at TREK1 and TRAAK and as a partial antagonist at Kv1.1 and Kv1.2.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate that IQ blocks the voltage-gated K+ channels to increase AP duration and K2P channels to increase membrane resistance, which are critical for the membrane excitability of DRG neurons. Therefore, we propose that IQ enhances the excitability of DRG neurons by blocking multiple potassium channels and causing pruritus.
Acute post-cardiopulmonary bypass left atrial thrombosis after mitral valvuloplasty and left atrial thrombectomy
Authors: Lee Dong-Hyup , Jung Tae-Eun , Park Sang-Jin
Published: January 2012

A patient with mitral stenosis and multiple left atrial thrombi underwent valvuloplasty and thrombectomy. While closing the sternum after completing the cardiopulmonary bypass, a new left atrial thrombus was detected by transesophageal echocardiography. We used heparin for the prevention of new thrombus formation and closed the wound after meticulous bleeding control. Three months later, there was no residual thrombus in the left atrium according to the echocardiographic study.
Aqueductal developmental venous anomaly as an unusual cause of congenital hydrocephalus: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Paulson David , Hwang Steven W , Whitehead William E , Curry Daniel J , Luerssen Thomas G , Jea Andrew
Published: January 2012

Introduction

Aqueductal stenosis may be caused by a number of etiologies including congenital stenosis, tumor, inflammation, and, very rarely, vascular malformation. However, aqueductal stenosis caused by a developmental venous anomaly presenting as congenital hydrocephalus is even more rare, and, to the best of our knowledge, has not yet been reported in the literature. In this study, we review the literature and report the first case of congenital hydrocephalus associated with aqueductal stenosis from a developmental venous anomaly.

Case presentation

The patient is a three-day-old, African-American baby girl with a prenatal diagnosis of hydrocephalus. She presented with a full fontanelle, splayed sutures, and macrocephaly. Postnatal magnetic resonance imaging showed triventricular hydrocephalus, suggesting aqueductal stenosis. Examination of the T1-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance imaging enhanced with gadolinium revealed a developmental venous anomaly passing through the orifice of the aqueduct. We treated the patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Conclusions

Ten cases of aqueductal stenosis due to venous lesions have been reported and, although these venous angiomas and developmental venous anomalies are usually considered congenital lesions, all 10 cases became symptomatic as older children and adults. Our case is the first in which aqueductal stenosis caused by a developmental venous anomaly presents as congenital hydrocephalus. We hope adding to the literature will improve understanding of this very uncommon cause of hydrocephalus and, therefore, will aid in treatment.
A dysflagellar mutant of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis isolated from a cutaneous leishmaniasis patient
Authors: Zauli Rogéria C , Yokoyama-Yasunaka Jenicer KU , Miguel Danilo C , Moura Alexandre S , Pereira Ledice IA , da Silva Ildefonso A , Lemes Lucianna GN , Dorta Miriam L , de Oliveira Milton AP , Pitaluga André N , Ishikawa Edna AY , Rodrigues Juliany CF , Traub-Cseko Yara M , Bijovsky A Tania , Ribeiro-Dias Fátima , Uliana Silvia RB
Published: January 2012

Background

Parasites of theLeishmaniagenus alternate between the flagellated extracellular promastigote stage and intracellular amastigotes. Here we report the characterization of aLeishmaniaisolate, obtained from a cutaneous leishmaniasis patient, which presents peculiar morphological features.

Methods

The parasite was culturedin vitroand characterized morphologically using optical and electron microscopy. Identification was performed based on monoclonal antibodies and internal ribosomal spacer typing.In vitromacrophage cultures, murine experimental models and sand fly infections were used to evaluate infectivityin vitroandin vivo.

Results

The isolate was identified asLeishmania(Viannia)braziliensis. In the atypical promastigotes grown in culture, a short flagellum surrounded or interrupted by a protuberance of disorganized material was observed. A normal axoneme was present close to the basal body but without elongation much further outside the flagellar pocket. A disorganized swelling at the precocious end of the axoneme coincided with the lack of a paraflagellar rod structure. The isolate was able to infect macrophagesin vitro, induce lesions in BALB/c mice and infectLutzomyia longipalpis.

Conclusions

Notwithstanding the lack of an extracellular flagellum, this isolate infects macrophagesin vitroand produces lesions when inoculated into mice. Moreover, it is able to colonize phlebotomine sand flies. Considering the importance attributed to the flagellum in the successful infection and survival ofLeishmaniain the insect midgut and in the invasion of macrophages, these findings may bring new light into the infectious mechanisms ofL. (V.)braziliensis.
Application of super-virtual seismic refraction interferometry to enhance first arrivals: A case study from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alshuhail Abdulrahman , Aldawood Ali , Hanafy Sharif
Published: January 2012

Complex near-surface anomalies are one of the main onshore challenges facing seismic data processors. Refraction tomography is becoming a common technology to estimate an accurate near-surface velocity model. This process involves picking the first arrivals of refracted waves. One of the main challenges with refraction tomography is the low signal-to-noise ratio characterizing the first-break waveform arrivals, especially for the far-offset receivers. This is especially evident in data recorded using reflection acquisition geometry. This low signal-to-noise ratio is caused by signal attenuation due to geometrical spreading of the seismic wavefield, near-surface-generated noise, and amplitude absorption. Super-virtual refraction interferometry improves the quality of the first-break picks by enhancing the amplitude of the refracted waves and attenuating the amplitude of the random noise.
Near-surface imaging of a hydrogeothermal system at Mount Princeton, Colorado using 3D seismic, self-potential, and dc resistivity data
Authors: Lamb Andrew P. , Liberty Lee M. , van Wijk Kasper , Revil Andre , Diggins Chuck
Published: January 2012

The Upper Arkansas Valley in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado is the northernmost extensional basin of the Rio Grande Rift (Figure 1). The valley is a half graben bordered to the east and west by the Mosquito and Sawatch ranges, respectively. The Sawatch Range is home to the Collegiate Peaks, which include some of the highest summits in the Rocky Mountains. Some Collegiate Peaks over 4250 m (14,000 ft) from north to south include Mount Harvard, Mount Yale, Mount Princeton, and Mount Antero. The Sawatch range-front normal fault strikes north-northwest along the eastern margin of the Collegiate Peaks and is characterized by a right-lateral offset between the Mount Princeton batholith and Mount Antero. This offset in basin-bounding faults is accommodated by a northeast-southwest dextral strike-slip transfer fault (Richards et al., 2010) and coincides with an area of hydrogeothermal activity and Mount Princeton Hot Springs. This transfer fault is here termed the Chalk Creek fault due to it's alignment with the Chalk Creek valley. A 250-m high erosional scarp, called the Chalk Cliffs, lies along the northern boundary of this valley. The cliffs are geothermally altered quartz monzonite and not chalk. These cliffs coincide with the Chalk Creek fault, whose intersection with the Sawatch range-front normal fault results in a primary pathway for upwelling geothermal waters.