bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can there be a ‘cosmetic’ psychopharmacology? Prozac unplugged: the search for an ontologically distinct cosmetic psychopharmacology
Authors: Bjorklund Pamela
Published: March 2005

Abstract  ‘Cosmetic psychopharmacology’ is a term coined by Peter Kramer in his 1993 best‐seller, Listening to Prozac. It has come to refer to the use of psychoactive substances to effect changes in function for conditions that are either normal or subclinical variants. In this paper, I ask: What distinguishes an existential ailment from clinical depression, or either of those from normal depressed mood, melancholic temperament, dysthymia or other depressive disorders? Can we reliably distinguish one from the other? Are the boundaries of illness and disorder really so distinct? If not, how can we know that treatment of ‘depression’ with Prozac in any given instance constitutes a cosmetic as opposed to, say, a medical or clinical use of psychopharmacology – a distinction that seems to turn on our ability to clearly differentiate the clinical from the cosmetic. If we cannot reliably distinguish between such conditions, can we even have a cosmetic psychopharmacology that is not a form of malpractice, broadly speaking? What if we unplugged Prozac from all the amplitude and hype that resulted in Listening to Prozac becoming an instant best‐seller and simply asked whether or not we can clearly distinguish an appropriate cosmetic use of Prozac for ‘depression’ from an inappropriate cosmetic use of Prozac, and both of those from Prozac's appropriate clinical, that is, non‐cosmetic uses? If we cannot make these distinctions, perhaps it is too early to say there can be such a thing as a cosmetic psychopharmacology.
Corporate Governance and Corruption: A Cross‐Country Analysis
Authors: WU XUN
Published: March 2005

Because the empirical literature on the causes of corruption has focused primarily on the demand side of corruption, that is, the corrupt officials who receive bribe payments, the role of the private sector as the supply side of corruption has not been examined thoroughly in this literature. In this article, it is argued that corporate governance is among the important factors determining the level of corruption. Using a cross‐country data set, hypotheses  that  explicitly  link  various  measures  of  corporate  governance to the level of corruption are tested. The results show that corporate governance standards can have profound impacts on the effectiveness of the global anticorruption campaign.
Plasma Nociceptin Levels are Reduced in Migraine without Aura
Authors: Ertsey C , Hantos M , Bozsik G , Tekes K
Published: March 2005

It was demonstrated that both nociceptin, a novel opioid neuropeptide, and its receptor are present in trigeminovascular neurons. In an animal model nociceptin dose-dependently inhibited neurogenic dural vasodilatation. These results suggest that nociceptin may be involved in neurovascular headaches such as migraine. To test this hypothesis, we studied circulating nociceptin levels in 18 patients suffering from migraine without aura and in 24 controls. Headache-free migraineurs had significantly lower nociceptin levels than controls (5.79 ± 1.82 vs. 9.74 ± 2.43 pg/ml, P < 0.0001, Student's t-tests). Nociceptin levels were further reduced in six patients studied in the first 3 h of typical migraine attacks (1.04 ± 0.17 pg/ml). Nociceptin levels correlated with the frequency of attacks in this group of migraineurs. Lower interictal nociceptin levels may contribute to a defective regulation of trigeminovascular neurons in migraineurs which might be important in the pain process of migraine.
Maturation of Early Visual Processing Investigated by a Pattern-Reversal Habituation Paradigm is Altered in Migraine
Authors: Oelkers-Ax R , Parzer P , Resch F , Weisbrod M
Published: March 2005

Evidence for a disturbed maturation of information processing in migraine came recently from evoked and event-related potential studies during childhood. In adult migraineurs, deficient habituation is proposed as principal interictal abnormality and was found inter alia for Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs). This study investigated response and habituation to pattern-reversal VEPs and its maturation in 102 children with primary headache (migraine with and without aura, tension-type headache) and 79 healthy controls from 6 to 18 years. A reduction of N180 latency from pre- to postpubertal age reflects maturation and was clearly present in controls but lessened in migraineurs. N180 latency was prolonged in migraineurs without aura from 12 years onwards. Habituation did not differ between groups. In conclusion, diminished N180 latency reduction with age in migraineurs gives further evidence that maturation of visual information processing is altered in migraine. Deficient habituation to pattern-reversal VEPs could not be confirmed during childhood migraine.
Signal intensity of the liver parenchyma in microbubble contrast agent in the late liver phase reflects advanced fibrosis of the liver
Authors: Kaneko Tetsuya , Teshigawara Osamu , Sugimoto Hiroyuki , Hirota Masashi , Inoue Soichiro , Takeda Shin , Nakao Akimasa
Published: March 2005

Background: Microbubble of Levovist accumulates in liver parenchyma, and the phenomenon has been reported as late liver‐specific parenchymal. The aim of the present study was to compare the parenchymal enhancement effect of Levovist with the degree of liver dysfunction.

Patients and methods: Sixty consecutive patients who consented to be treated were enrolled in this study. Pulse‐inversion ultrasonography (US) in the liver parenchymal phase of enhancement with Levovist was performed in a preoperative examination. The mechanical index of pulse‐inversion US was set at 1.3. The gray‐scale intensity of the non‐tumor area of the liver parenchyma at the level of the focal zone was measured. The hepatic fibrosis index was measured in each liver by morphometric analysis. The correlation between the gray‐scale intensity of the non‐tumor area of the liver parenchyma and the hepatic fibrosis index was assessed.

Results: There was a significant inverse correlation between the gray scale of the liver parenchyma and the hepatic fibrosis index (r=−0.809, P<0.01). The average signal intensity of the liver parenchyma was 144.5 in a normal liver, 133.6 in chronic hepatitis, and 102.6 in liver cirrhosis, demonstrating a significant difference between a normal and cirrhotic liver (P<0.01).

Conclusions: The signal intensity of a microbubble disruption of the liver parenchyma in the late phase of enhancement with Levovist was considered to reflect the degree of hepatic fibrosis.
Does the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis or autoimmune cholangitis depend on the ‘phase’ of the disease?
Authors: Kadokawa Yoshiko , Omagari Katsuhisa , Ohba Kazuo , Masuda Jun‐ichi , Hazama Hiroaki , Kinoshita Hideki , Ohnita Ken , Mizuta Yohei , Tanioka Hajime , Imanishi Takeo , Kohno Shigeru
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Background: It is unclear whether autoimmune cholangitis (AIC) is a separate disease entity or primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) without antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) since fluctuation of AMA titres by immunofluorescence (IF) is often observed during the course of PBC. The aim of this study was to determine the serial changes in AMA profiles during the course of initially diagnosed PBC or AIC.

Methods: In this prospective study, 32 patients with PBC or AIC were followed‐up for at least 20 months and tested for AMA by IF, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunoblotting (IB).

Results: When positive AMA result was defined as ‘AMA by IF positive’, ‘AMA by IF and/or ELISA positive’, and ‘AMA by IB positive’, the diagnosis of PBC or AIC did not change in 78%, 91%, and 97%, respectively, throughout follow‐up. However, the diagnosis changed in one patient, and three patients were diagnosed as AIC throughout follow‐up, despite the use of all three assays.

Conclusions: Our results suggested that the diagnosis of PBC and AIC was dependent on the ‘phase’ of the respective disease in 22% of the patients when negative AMA result was defined as ‘AMA by IF negative’. This may result in recommending IB analysis before making the diagnosis of AIC.
A prospective clinical study of bone augmentation techniques at immediate implants
Authors: Chen Stephen T. , Darby Ivan B. , Adams Geoffrey G. , Reynolds Eric C.
Published: March 2005

Abstract: The efficacy of combinations of membranes and autogenous bone grafts at immediate implants were compared in a prospective study. Sixty‐two consecutively treated patients each received an immediate implant for a single tooth replacement at a maxillary anterior or premolar site. Dimensions of the peri‐implant defect at the implant collar were measured as follows: vertical defect height (VDH), horizontal defect depth (HDD) and horizontal defect width (HDW). Each implant randomly received one of five augmentation treatments and were submerged with connective tissue grafts: Group 1 (n=12) – expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane only, Group 2 (n=11) – resorbable polylactide/polyglycolide copolymer membrane only, Group 3 (n=13) – resorbable membrane and autogenous bone graft; Group 4 (n=14) – autogenous bone graft only, and Group 5 (n=12) – no membrane and no bone graft control. At re‐entry, all groups showed significant reduction in VDH, HDD and HDW. Comparisons between groups showed no significant differences for VDH (mean 75.4%) and HDD (mean 77%) reduction. Significant differences were observed between groups for HDW reduction (range, 34.1–67.3%), with membrane‐treated Groups 1, 2 and 3 showing the greatest reduction. In the presence of dehiscence defects of the labial plate, HDW reduction of 66.6% was achieved with membrane use compared with 37.7% without membranes. Over 50% more labial plate resorption occurred in the presence of a dehiscence defect irrespective of the augmentation treatment used. The results indicate that VDH and HDD reduction at defects adjacent to immediate implants may be achieved without the use of membranes and/or bone grafts.
Anabaena
sp. Strain PCC 7120 Gene
devH
Is Required for Synthesis of the Heterocyst Glycolipid Layer
Authors: Ramírez Martha E. , Hebbar Pratibha B. , Zhou Ruanbao , Wolk C. Peter , Curtis Stephanie E.
Published: March 2005

In response to deprivation for fixed nitrogen, the filamentous cyanobacterium
Anabaena
sp. strain PCC 7120 provides a microoxic intracellular environment for nitrogen fixation through the differentiation of semiregularly spaced vegetative cells into specialized cells called heterocysts. The
devH
gene is induced during heterocyst development and encodes a product with characteristics of a
trans
-acting regulatory protein. A
devH
mutant forms morphologically distinguishable heterocysts but is Fox
−
, incapable of nitrogen fixation in the presence of oxygen. We demonstrate that rearrangements of nitrogen fixation genes take place normally in the
devH
mutant and that it is Fix
+
, i.e., has nitrogenase activity under anoxic conditions. The Fox
−
phenotype was shown by ultrastructural studies to be associated with the absence of the glycolipid layer of the heterocyst envelope. The expression of glycolipid biosynthetic genes in the mutant is greatly reduced, and heterocyst glycolipids are undetectable.
Chloromethylmuconolactones as Critical Metabolites in the Degradation of Chloromethylcatechols: Recalcitrance of 2-Chlorotoluene
Authors: Pollmann Katrin , Wray Victor , Pieper Dietmar H.
Published: March 2005

To elucidate possible reasons for the recalcitrance of 2-chlorotoluene, the metabolism of chloromethylcatechols, formed after dioxygenation and dehydrogenation byRalstoniasp. strain PS12 tetrachlorobenzene dioxygenase and chlorobenzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, was monitored using chlorocatechol dioxygenases and chloromuconate cycloisomerases partly purified fromRalstoniasp. strain PS12 andWautersia eutrophaJMP134. Two chloromethylcatechols, 3-chloro-4-methylcatechol and 4-chloro-3-methylcatechol, were formed from 2-chlorotoluene. 3-Chloro-4-methylcatechol was transformed into 5-chloro-4-methylmuconolactone and 2-chloro-3-methylmuconolactone. For mechanistic reasons neither of these cycloisomerization products can be dehalogenated by chloromuconate cycloisomerases, with the result that 3-chloro-4-methylcatechol cannot be mineralized by reaction sequences related to catecholortho-cleavage pathways known thus far. 4-Chloro-3-methylcatechol is only poorly dehalogenated during enzymatic processing due to the kinetic properties of the chloromuconate cycloisomerases. Thus, degradation of 2-chlorotoluene via a dioxygenolytic pathway is evidently problematic. In contrast, 5-chloro-3-methylcatechol, the major dioxygenation product formed from 3-chlorotoluene, is subject to quantitative dehalogenation after successive transformation by chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase and chloromuconate cycloisomerase, resulting in the formation of 2-methyldienelactone. 3-Chloro-5-methylcatechol is transformed to 2-chloro-4-methylmuconolactone.
ThegusBCGenes ofEscherichia coliEncode a Glucuronide Transport System
Authors: Liang Wei-Jun , Wilson Kate J. , Xie Hao , Knol Jan , Suzuki Shun'ichi , Rutherford Nicholas G. , Henderson Peter J. F. , Jefferson Richard A.
Published: March 2005

Two genes,gusBandgusC, from a natural fecal isolate ofEscherichia coliare shown to encode proteins responsible for transport of β-glucuronides with synthetic [14C]phenyl-1-thio-β-d-glucuronide as the substrate. These genes are located in thegusoperon downstream of thegusAgene on theE. coligenome, and their expression is induced by a variety of β-d-glucuronides. Measurements of transport in right-side-out subcellular vesicles show the system has the characteristics of secondary active transport energized by the respiration-generated proton motive force. When the genes were cloned together downstream of thetacoperator-promoter in the plasmid pTTQ18 expression vector, transport activity was increased considerably with isopropylthiogalactopyranoside as the inducer. Amplified expression of the GusB and GusC proteins enabled visualization and identification by N-terminal sequencing of both proteins, which migrated at ca. 32 kDa and 44 kDa, respectively. Separate expression of the GusB protein showed that it is essential for glucuronide transport and is located in the inner membrane, while the GusC protein does not catalyze transport but assists in an as yet unknown manner and is located in the outer membrane. The output of glucuronides as waste by mammals and uptake for nutrition by gut bacteria or reabsorption by the mammalian host is discussed.
MgrA Is a Multiple Regulator of Two New Efflux Pumps inStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Truong-Bolduc Q. C. , Dunman P. M. , Strahilevitz J. , Projan S. J. , Hooper D. C.
Published: March 2005

In an analysis of the resistance mechanisms of anmgrAmutant, we identified two genes encoding previously undescribed transporters, NorB and Tet38.norBwas 1,392 bp and encoded a predicted 49-kDa protein. When overexpressed, NorB led to an increase in resistance to hydrophilic quinolones, ethidium bromide, and cetrimide and also to sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, and tetracycline, a resistance phenotype of themgrAmutant. NorA and NorB shared 30% similarity, and NorB shared 30 and 41% similarities with the Bmr and Blt transporters ofBacillus subtilis, respectively. The second efflux pump was a more selective transporter that we have called Tet38, which had 46% similarity with the plasmid-encoded TetK efflux transporter ofS. aureus. tet38was 1,353 bp and encoded a predicted 49-kDa protein. Overexpression oftet38produced resistance to tetracycline but not to minocycline and other drugs.norBandtet38transcription was negatively regulated by MgrA. Limited binding of MgrA to the promoter regions ofnorBandtet38was demonstrated by gel shift assays, suggesting that MgrA was an indirect regulator ofnorBandtet38expression. ThemgrA norBdouble mutant was reproducibly twofold more susceptible to the tested quinolones than themgrAmutant. ThemgrA tet38double mutant became more susceptible to tetracycline than the wild-type parent strain. These data demonstrate that overexpression of NorB and Tet38 contribute, respectively, to the hydrophobic quinolone resistance and the tetracycline resistance of themgrAmutant and that MgrA regulates expression ofnorBandtet38in addition to its role in regulation ofnorAexpression.
The Type III-Dependent Hrp Pilus Is Required for Productive Interaction of
Xanthomonas campestris
pv. vesicatoria with Pepper Host Plants
Authors: Weber Ernst , Ojanen-Reuhs Tuula , Huguet Elisabeth , Hause Gerd , Romantschuk Martin , Korhonen Timo K. , Bonas Ulla , Koebnik Ralf
Published: March 2005

The plant pathogenic bacterium
Xanthomonas campestris
pv. vesicatoria expresses a type III secretion system that is necessary for both pathogenicity in susceptible hosts and the induction of the hypersensitive response in resistant plants. This specialized protein transport system is encoded by a 23-kb
hrp
(hypersensitive response and pathogenicity) gene cluster. Here we show that
X. campestris
pv. vesicatoria produces filamentous structures, the Hrp pili, at the cell surface under
hrp
-inducing conditions. Analysis of purified Hrp pili and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the major component of the Hrp pilus is the HrpE protein which is encoded in the
hrp
gene cluster. Sequence homologues of
hrpE
are only found in other xanthomonads. However,
hrpE
is syntenic to the
hrpY
gene from another plant pathogen,
Ralstonia solanacearum
. Bioinformatic analyses suggest that all major Hrp pilus subunits from gram-negative plant pathogens may share the same structural organization, i.e., a predominant alpha-helical structure. Analysis of nonpolar mutants in
hrpE
demonstrated that the Hrp pilus is essential for the productive interaction of
X. campestris
pv. vesicatoria with pepper host plants. Furthermore, a functional Hrp pilus is required for type III-dependent protein secretion. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that type III-secreted proteins, such as HrpF and AvrBs3, are in close contact with the Hrp pilus during and/or after their secretion. By systematic analysis of nonpolar
hrp
/
hrc
(
hrp
conserved) and
hpa
(
hrp
associated) mutants, we found that Hpa proteins as well as the translocon protein HrpF are dispensable for pilus assembly, while all other Hrp and Hrc proteins are required. Hence, there are no other conserved Hrp or Hrc proteins that act downstream of HrpE during type III-dependent protein translocation.
Soj Antagonizes Spo0A Activation of Transcription in
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: McLeod Brett N. , Spiegelman George B.
Published: March 2005

The ParA family protein Soj appears to negatively regulate sporulation in
Bacillus subtilis
by inhibiting transcription from promoters that are activated by phosphorylated Spo0A. We tested in vitro Soj inhibition of Spo0A-independent variants of a promoter that Soj inhibited (P
spoIIG
). Transcription from the variants was less sensitive to Soj inhibition, suggesting that inhibition of wild-type P
spoIIG
was linked to transcription activation by Spo0A.
EXACT EIGENSTATES AND SPECTRUM OF FOUR-MODE MIXING SYSTEM WITH MULTIPHOTON PROCESSES
Authors: LI WEIBIN , YU JIALI , LI JIAHUA
Published: March 2005

The authors propose explicit analytical results for energy eigenstates and eigenvalues for a class of models describing four-mode mixing with multiphoton processes that can be described resorting to a single parameter. The value of such parameter is determined by the roots of a polynomial and can be determined either analytically or numerically.
INFLUENCE OF INTRINSIC DECOHERENCE ON NONCLASSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE OUTPUT OF A BOSE–EINSTEIN CONDENSATE
Authors: LI SHANG-BIN , XU JING-BO
Published: March 2005

We investigate nonclassical properties of the output of a Bose–Einstein condensate in Milburn's model of intrinsic decoherence. It is shown that the squeezing property of the atom laser is suppressed due to decoherence. Nevertheless, if some very special conditions were satisfied, the squeezing properties of atom laser could be robust against the decoherence.
TRANSDUCTIVE LEARNING FOR SHORT-TEXT CLASSIFICATION PROBLEMS USING LATENT SEMANTIC INDEXING
Authors: ZELIKOVITZ SARAH , MARQUEZ FINELLA
Published: March 2005

This paper presents work that uses Transductive Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) for text classification. In addition to relying on labeled training data, we improve classification accuracy by incorporating the set of test examples in the classification process. Rather than performing LSI's singular value decomposition (SVD) process solely on the training data, we instead use an expanded term-by-document matrix that includes both the labeled data as well as any available test examples. We report the performance of LSI on data sets both with and without the inclusion of the test examples, and we show that tailoring the SVD process to the test examples can be even more useful than adding additional training data. This method can be especially useful to combat possible inclusion of unrelated data in the original corpus, and to compensate for limited amounts of data. Additionally, we evaluate the vocabulary of the training and test sets and present the results of a series of experiments to illustrate how the test set is used in an advantageous way.
NONLINEAR DYNAMICS OF MOVING CURVES AND SURFACES: APPLICATIONS TO PHYSICAL SYSTEMS
Authors: MURUGESH S. , LAKSHMANAN M.
Published: March 2005

The subject of moving curves (and surfaces) in three-dimensional space (3-D) is a fascinating topic not only because it represents typical nonlinear dynamical systems in classical mechanics, but also finds important applications in a variety of physical problems in different disciplines. Making use of the underlying geometry, one can very often relate the associated evolution equations to many interesting nonlinear evolution equations, including soliton possessing nonlinear dynamical systems. Typical examples include dynamics of filament vortices in ordinary and superfluids, spin systems, phases in classical optics, various systems encountered in physics of soft matter, etc. Such interrelations between geometric evolution and physical systems have yielded considerable insight into the underlying dynamics. We present a succinct tutorial analysis of these developments in this article, and indicate further directions. We also point out how evolution equations for moving surfaces are often intimately related to soliton equations in higher dimensions.
EXPERIMENTALLY OBTAINED BIFURCATION PHENOMENON IN CHAOTIC TRACTOR VIBRATING IN TIME AND FREQUENCY DOMAIN
Authors: GARCIANO L. O. , SAKAI K. , TORISU R.
Published: March 2005

This paper investigates through experimental methods the dynamic characteristics of a farm tractor by changing the forward velocity from 0.63 m/s to 4.50 m/s. Nonlinear time series, frequency spectrum and continuous wavelet transform were used in the analysis.

From the nonlinear time series analysis, a nonlinear resonance of the tractor vibration occurred at forward velocity of 2.15 m/s. The existence of a subharmonic frequency at 4.32 m/s indicated chaotic dynamics that was confirmed by the trend of the Lyapunov exponent analysis with a positive exponent indicating chaos.

Continuous wavelet transform analysis results, presented graphically, called coefficient plots showed patterns composed of large and fine feature distribution in both time and scale. Quasi-periodic velocities of 1.95 m/s and 2.15 m/s were estimated by these coefficient plots. At forward velocity of 2.88 m/s, the coefficient plots showed dominant features that varied periodically and were estimated to be a period-doubling vibration. The coefficient plots during chaotic vibration at 3.52 m/s, 4.02 m/s and 4.32 m/s showed various feature distributions. At forward velocities of 0.95 m/s and 1.42 m/s, the existence of features with scale values of almost equal and half of the dominant feature was due to the influence of the gravel road surface and not to the artificial test track profile.

Experimentally obtained bifurcation was observed clearly from the coefficient plots that showed three different patterns from quasi-periodic vibration at 2.15 m/s, period-doubling at 2.88 m/s and chaos at 3.52 m/s.
FINITE-MONOTONICITY OF EIGENFUNCTIONS OF THE LAPLACIAN ON THE SIERPINSKI GASKET
Authors: DEMİR BÜNYAMİN , DZHAFAROV VAKIF , KOÇAK ŞAHİN , ÜREYEN MEHMET
Published: March 2005

We show that the restriction of an eigenfunction of the Laplacian on the Sierpinski Gasket (SG) to any segment inside the SG is monotone on finite pieces, i.e. there is a subdivision of the segment, such that the function is monotone on all subintervals.
MULTIFRACTAL COLLISION SPECTRUM OF BALLISTIC PARTICLES WITH FRACTAL SURFACES
Authors: SANTRA S. B. , SAPOVAL B.
Published: March 2005

Ballistic particles interacting with irregular surfaces are representative of many physical problems in the Knudsen diffusion regime. In this paper, the collisions of ballistic particles interacting with an irregular surface modeled by a quadratic Koch curve, are studied numerically. The q moments of the source spatial distribution of collision numbers μ(x) are characterized by a sequence of "collision exponent" τ(q). The measure μ(x) is found to be multifractal even when a random micro-roughness (or random re-emission) of the surface exists. The dimensions f(α), obtained by a Legendre transformation from τ(q), consist of two parabolas corresponding to a trinomial multifractal. This is demonstrated for a particular case by obtaining an exact f(α) for a multiplicative trinomial mass distribution. The trinomial nature of the multifractality is related to the type of surface macro-irregularity considered here and is independent of the micro-roughness of the surface which, however, influences the values of αmin and αmax. The information dimension DI increases significantly with the micro-roughness of the surface. Interestingly, in contrast with this point of view, the surface seems to work uniformly. This corresponds to an absence of screening effects in Knudsen diffusion.
Marked differences between prone and supine sheep in effect of PEEP on perfusion distribution in zone II lung
Authors: Walther Sten M. , Johansson Mats J. , Flatebø Torun , Nicolaysen Anne , Nicolaysen Gunnar
Published: March 2005

The classic four-zone model of lung blood flow distribution has been questioned. We asked whether the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is different between the prone and supine position for lung tissue in the same zonal condition. Anesthetized and mechanically ventilated prone ( n = 6) and supine ( n = 5) sheep were studied at 0, 10, and 20 cmH2O PEEP. Perfusion was measured with intravenous infusion of radiolabeled 15-μm microspheres. The right lung was dried at total lung capacity and diced into pieces (≈1.5 cm3), keeping track of the spatial location of each piece. Radioactivity per unit weight was determined and normalized to the mean value for each condition and animal. In the supine posture, perfusion to nondependent lung regions decreased with little relative perfusion in nondependent horizontal lung planes at 10 and 20 cmH2O PEEP. In the prone position, the effect of PEEP was markedly different with substantial perfusion remaining in nondependent lung regions and even increasing in these regions with 20 cmH2O PEEP. Vertical blood flow gradients in zone II lung were large in supine, but surprisingly absent in prone, animals. Isogravitational perfusion heterogeneity was smaller in prone than in supine animals at all PEEP levels. Redistribution of pulmonary perfusion by PEEP ventilation in supine was largely as predicted by the zonal model in marked contrast to the findings in prone. The differences between postures in blood flow distribution within zone II strongly indicate that factors in addition to pulmonary arterial, venous, and alveolar pressure play important roles in determining perfusion distribution in the in situ lung. We suggest that regional variation in lung volume through the effect on vascular resistance is one such factor and that chest wall conformation and thoracic contents determine regional lung volume.
Development of a Prototype Personal Cooling System for First Responders: User Feedback
Authors: Branson DH , Farr CA , Peksoz S , Nam J , Cao H
Published: March 2005

A series of six focus groups in five U.S. cities was conducted as a component in a 3-year project to develop a prototype personal cooling system for first responders. The target user was a HAZMAT worker wearing level A and B ensembles, with a 30-min mission and an average body heat dissipation of 180 W. The purpose of the focus groups was to determine user needs, wants, and concerns early and progressively throughout the development of the prototype system to serve as design input. The first two focus groups provided information on the use of HAZMAT ensembles and thermal comfort problems associated with wearing the ensembles while working an incident, and reaction to a mock-up cooler system. Focus groups 3-6 provided user feedback on an alpha prototype system. All groups confirmed the need for a cooling system and the problem with moisture build-up within level A and B encapsulated suits. Reaction to the liquid-cooled vest was positive. An exterior location for the cooler unit was acceptable if users' concerns were addressed adequately.
Trace Levels of Sulfur in the Fuels of the Future: Analytical Perspective
Authors: Nadkarni RAK
Published: March 2005

Sulfur levels in both gasoline and diesel fuels are being restricted because of environmental pollution concerns throughout the world. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has mandated the levels of sulfur which may be allowed in most road and off-road vehicles. Although there are many standard test methods available for determining sulfur in petroleum products, presently only about four can qualify for their usefulness at the expected low levels in the future fuels. A large interlaboratory study undertaken by ASTM to estimate the capabilities of these methods is described. Also, data from the ASTM interlaboratory crosscheck programs is reviewed to identify the trends that the industry laboratories are showing. Finally, a brief overview of some new methods being developed in the industry for such analyses is presented.
Return of the Yumbo: the indigenous Caminata from Amazonia to Andean Quito
Authors: Whitten Norman E. , Scott Whitten Dorothea , Chango Alfonso
Published: March 2005

The indigenous march in Ecuador in 1992 (the Caminata) from upper Amazonia to Andean Quito is one of many similar counterhegemonic events taking place over the past decade in Latin America. It began as a peaceful, pragmatic movement to gain land usufruct and soon became a veritable theater of symbolic action. In this article we portray, explicate, and analyze the symbolic dimensions of this march as they were externalized and dramatized in indigenous discourse during and after the Caminata. We also discuss the national audience reaction to this ritual drama by drawing from disseminated interpretations in the national media and discuss the political aftermath of indigenous movements in Ecuador through June 1996.
The predicament of dress: polyvalency and the ironies of cultural identity
Authors: Durham Deborah
Published: March 2005

To appreciate better the uncertain and unstable way that Herero women of Botswana understand their distinctive dress, I extend Bakhtin's notion of "sparkle" to include the disparate modalities through which meaning is constituted. An embodied subjectivity, or experiential sensibility, intrudes upon structured contrasts that also give the dress meaning in such registers as gender, ethnic relations, and the political economy of the liberal democratic state. I use Herero women's sense of the dress to question recent approaches to "culture" among scholars who look only at its differentiating function, since Herero women also see the dress as a means of building mutuality.
Office Ladies and Salaried Men: Power, Gender, and Work in Japanese Companies
Authors: Napier Susan J.
Published: March 2005

Office Ladies and Salaried Men: Power, Gender, and Work in Japanese Companies. YUKO OGASAWARA. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. xill. 221 pp., appendixes, notes, glossary, references, index.
Synthesis of novel copoly(ether ether ketones): Property evaluation and microstructure analysis by NMR
Authors: Salunke Arun Kashinath , Sharma Mamta , Kute Vijay , Banerjee Susanta
Published: March 2005

A series of copolymers were prepared by the reaction of various bisphenols with a 50:50 molar ratio of two bisfluoro compounds, 4,4′‐bis(1‐fluoro‐2‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) benzene and 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone. The synthesized polymers were well characterized for their thermal, mechanical, and electrical performances. The copolymers showed a better set of properties than their analogous homopolymers derived from 4,4′‐bis(1‐fluoro‐2‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) benzene and bisphenols. The microstructures of the copolymers were analyzed by 1H‐, 13C‐, 19F‐, distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer 90, two‐dimensional 1H–1H homonuclear correlation spectroscopy, and 13C–1H correlation spectroscopy NMR techniques. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1292–1305, 2005
Compliance, communication and competition: patterns of EU environmental policy making and their impact on policy convergence
Authors: Knill Christoph , Lenschow Andrea
Published: March 2005

Responsibility for environmental policy making in Europe has shifted to the EU level to a remarkable extent. Considering that many of the EU measures aim at levelling the playing field between member states and even achieving the harmonization of national policies, one might expect far‐reaching convergence of environmental policy in Europe, but there are a number of domestic and policy‐specific factors diverting the path from reaching convergence. In this contribution we are interested in the specific effects of different patterns of European governance on domestic environmental policies. In this respect, we are particularly interested in the scope of national institutional change and cross‐national convergence of regulatory institutions. We distinguish between three ideal–typical governance patterns: (1) prescriptive governance based on the compliance of national implementers with legally binding EU rules, (2) communicative governance based on information exchange between regulatory agents across national levels arranged in a EU legal or institutional framework and (3) competitive governance based on competition between national administrative systems to achieve EU requirements. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Analysis of N‐acylhomoserine lactones after alkaline hydrolysis and anion‐exchange solid‐phase extraction by capillary zone electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Frommberger Moritz , Hertkorn Norbert , Englmann Matthias , Jakoby Sarah , Hartmann Anton , Kettrup Antonius , Schmitt‐Kopplin Philippe
Published: March 2005

A quantitative, specific, and sensitive method for the determination of N‐acylhomoserine lactones (HSLs – a group of bacterial semiochemicals) in the form of their hydrolysis products (N‐acylhomoserines, HSs) is presented. Real samples were analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry (CZE‐MS) after alkaline lactonolysis and extraction by mixed‐mode anion‐exchange solid‐phase extraction. The presented cleanup significantly speeds up the HSL extraction procedure, strongly reduces sample consumption, and is more selective compared to the commonly used liquid/liquid extraction. Completeness of the hydrolysis reaction was examined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This CZE‐MS method complements recently published capillary separation techniques (nano liquid chromatography‐MS, partial‐filling micellar electrokinetic chromatography‐MS, gas chromatography‐MS) and provides a possibility to differentiate quantitatively between the homoserines (as naturally occurring degradation products) besides the intact homoserine lactones. The method was found to be quantitative down to a concentration of 0.05 µg/mL (limit of quantification), while the limit of detection was determined with 0.01 µg/mL – sufficient for the analysis of culture supernatants.
Arsenate remediation using nanosized modified zerovalent iron particles
Authors: Jegadeesan Gautham , Mondal Kanchan , Lalvani Shashi B.
Published: March 2005

Arsenate [As (V)] removal kinetics in aqueous solutions using modified nanosized zerovalent iron (Fe0) particles such as NiFe and PdFe was studied. NiFe and PdFe particles were synthesized by the borohydride reduction of nickel and palladium salts on Fe0 particles. Pseudo‐first‐order rate equations were found to satisfactorily describe arsenate removal kinetics using Fe0, NiFe, and PdFe particles (solids concentration of 2 g L−1) at low arsenate concentrations (1.35 mM). As compared to zerovalent iron (kobs of 0.037 min−1), the arsenate removal rate was up to 2.5 times faster (kobs of 0.091 min−1) using NiFe particles, whereas it was threefold lower in the case of PdFe particles (kobs of 0.011 min−1). With increasing contact times, deviation from first‐order kinetics was observed, presumably arising from the loss of available sites on the solid surface. The surface area normalized pseudo‐first‐order rate constant ksa was 0.0089 L m−2 min−1 for NiFe. Additional experiments were performed to study the influence of initial arsenate concentration (0.67 and 3.38 mM), temperature (25, 45, and 65° C) and competing inorganic anions (sulfate, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, and chromate) on arsenate removal using NiFe particles. Increasing temperatures (25–65° C) increased arsenate removal rates, whereas competing sorption of phosphate and sulfate inhibited arsenate removal. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2005
Hammerhead ribozymes targeted against cyclin E and E2F1 cooperate to down‐regulate coronary smooth muscle cell proliferation
Authors: Grassi G. , Schneider A. , Engel S. , Racchi G. , Kandolf R. , Kuhn A.
Published: March 2005

Background

Anti‐proliferative drugs released from endo‐vascular stents have substantially contributed to reduce in‐stent restenosis rates in coronary arteries bearing single primary lesions by down‐regulating coronary smooth muscle cell (CSMC) growth. However, the considerably lower drug efficacy shown in treatment of more complex coronary lesions suggests that alternative anti‐proliferative approaches can be beneficial. Thus, we explored the use of hammerhead ribozymes as tools to knock down cyclin E and E2F1, two potent activators of cell proliferation which cooperate to promote the G1 to S phase transition.

Methods

Two ribozymes, one directed against cyclin E and the other against E2F1 mRNAs, were delivered by liposomes to cultured human CSMCs. The influences on cell proliferation were measured evaluating BrdU incorporation into newly synthesised DNA. The effects on cell cycle phase distribution were determined by BrdU and 7‐aminoactinomycin D incorporation into DNA.

Results

Both ribozymes exhibited a sequence‐specific and dose‐dependent reduction in BrdU incorporation, which, at a concentration of 280 nM, persisted up to 4 days after transfection of CSMCs. A combined administration of the two ribozymes (210 + 210 nM) resulted in a more pronounced decrease in BrdU incorporation compared to the administration of an equimolar amount (420 nM) of each of them. Finally, both ribozymes induced a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in S phase cells with a concomitant increase of G1/G0 and G2‐M phase cells, compared to controls.

Conclusions

The ribozymes selected represent potent tools to prevent CSMC proliferation, especially when administered together, and thus are ideal candidates for in vivo application. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance‐based design sensitivity analysis of steel moment frames under earthquake loading
Authors: Gong Yanglin , Xu Lei , Grierson Don E.
Published: March 2005

A performance‐based design sensitivity analysis procedure for inelastic steel moment frameworks under equivalent static earthquake loading is presented in this paper. Analytical formulations defining the sensitivity of displacements to modifications in member sizes are derived based on a load‐control pushover analysis procedure. Material non‐linearity under bending moment is alone accounted. Although the formulations were derived based on continuous design variables, they are readily extended to the case of discrete design variables. A 3‐storey moment frame example illustrates the applicability and accuracy of the developed methodology. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Six Sigma: 20 Key Lessons Learned
Authors: Hahn G. J.
Published: March 2005

This paper discusses 20 key lessons learned about Six Sigma in the 20 years since its introduction. It was previously published in the May 2002 issue of Six Sigma Forum Magazine. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1 Reconfiguring the national constellation
Authors: ZÜRN MICHAEL , LEIBFRIED STEPHAN
Published: March 2005

The influence of the state on the trajectory of human lives is more comprehensive and sustained than that of any other organizational construct. We provide a definition of the modern nation-state in four intersecting dimensions – resources, law, legitimacy, and welfare – and review the history and status of each dimension, focusing on the fusion of nation and state in the 19th century, and the development of the ‘national constellation’ of institutions in the 20th. We then assess the fate of the nation-state after the Second World War and, with western OECD countries as our sample, track the rise and decline of its Golden Age through its prime in the 1960s and early 1970s. Finally, we identify the challenges confronting the nation-state of the 21st century, and use the analyses in the following eight essays to produce some working hypotheses about its current and future trajectory – namely, that the changes over the past 40 years are not merely creases in the fabric of the nation-state, but rather an unravelling of the finely woven national constellation of its Golden Age. Nor does there appear to be any standard, interwoven development of its four dimensions on the horizon. However, although an era of structural uncertainty awaits us, it is not uniformly chaotic. Rather, we see structured, but asymmetric change in the make-up of the state, with divergent transformations in each of its four dimensions. In general, nation-states are clinging to tax revenues and monopolies on the use of force, such that the resource dimension may change slowly if at all; the rule of law appears to be moving consistently into the international arena; the welfare dimension is headed in every direction, with privatization, internationalization, supra-nationalization, and defence of the national status quo, occurring at various rates for healthcare, pensions, public utilities, consumer protection, etc. in different countries. How, and whether, the democratic legitimacy of political processes will be ensured in such an incongruent, if not incoherent and paradoxical state is still unclear.
3 Globalization and the transformation of the tax state
Authors: GENSCHEL PHILLIP
Published: March 2005

How does globalization affect taxation? The academic wisdom is split on this question. Some argue that globalization spells the beginning of the end of the national tax state, while others maintain that it hardly constrains tax policy choices at all. This paper comes down in the middle. It finds no indication that globalization will fatally undermine the national tax state, but still maintains that national tax policy is affected in a major way. The effect is not so much to force change upon the tax state as to reduce its freedom for change. Comparing the first three decades of the 20th century to the last three decades, it is remarkable how much change and innovation there was then and how much incrementalism and stasis there is today.
Naked-Eye Bead Property Estimation Using a Red Safety-Catch Linker
Authors: Heidler Philipp , Link Andreas
Published: March 2005

The attachment of linker molecules to polymer beads used as insoluble supports for organic synthesis is a frequent requirement. Defined immobilization of these linker molecules before loading selected building blocks is crucial for subsequent transformations. Therefore, the control of the linker attachment is a central task. Because the molecular bodies of linkers are not incorporated in the final molecules, they can often be replaced or modified without affecting the structure of the products that are finally released. Consequently, it seems straightforward to look for coloured substitutes to established linker molecules. By using coloured linkers, visual inspection of the beads enables fast property estimation after attachment and monitoring of losses during synthesis. This very simple estimation does not have a validated loading determination, but is a useful element of straightforward and non-destructive reaction control that has general applicability. Here we present a red azo dye as an alternative to the Kenner safety-catch linker.
Preliminary Assessment of the Sorption of some Alkyl Imidazolium Cations as used in Ionic Liquids to Soils and Sediments
Authors: Stepnowski Piotr
Published: March 2005

The growing interest in the use of ionic liquids may soon result in their presence in the environment. In any evaluation of the environmental fate of these compounds, their sorption on soil is an essential parameter. This paper reports data on the sorption of ionic liquids on selected soils and marine sediments. Batch-equilibrium adsorption tests were conducted on a selection of imidazolium ionic liquid entities. All the compounds were strongly sorbed on all the soils under study. It seems that, regardless of the hydrophobic interaction with organic matter, non-hydrophobic interactions contribute to the sorption of these compounds to soils and sediments, which usually tends to occur with highly polar ionized groups such as quaternary moieties.
The Phosphoinositol-3-Kinase–Protein Kinase B/Akt Pathway Is Critical forPseudomonas aeruginosaStrain PAK Internalization
Authors: Kierbel A. , Gassama-Diagne A. , Mostov K. , Engel J. N.
Published: March 2005

Several Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are internalized by epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo, but the host pathways usurped by the bacteria to enter nonphagocytic cells are not clearly understood. Here, we report that internalization of strain PAK into epithelial cells triggers and requires activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B/Akt (Akt). Incubation of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) or HeLa cells with the PI3K inhibitors LY294002 (LY) or wortmannin abrogated PAK uptake. Addition of the PI3K product phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] to polarized MDCK cells was sufficient to increase PAK internalization. PtdIns(3,4,5)P3accumulated at the site of bacterial binding in an LY-dependent manner. Akt phosphorylation correlated with PAK invasion. The specific Akt phosphorylation inhibitor SH-5 inhibited PAK uptake; internalization also was inhibited by small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of Akt phosphorylation. Expression of constitutively active Akt was sufficient to restore invasion when PI3K signaling was inhibited. Together, these results demonstrate that the PI3K signaling pathway is necessary and sufficient for the P. aeruginosa entry and provide the first example of a bacterium that requires Akt for uptake into epithelial cells.
Incompatibilism
Authors: Clarke Randolph
Published: March 2005

A basic characterization of free will is offered, and common beliefs about the value of free will are reviewed. Two incompatibilist theses are distinguished: broad incompatibilism holds that both free will and moral responsibility are incompatible with determinism, while merely narrow incompatibilism holds that free will requires indeterminism but moral responsibility does not. Minimal versions of each of these theses are characterized.