bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High glucose changes extracellular adenosine triphosphate levels in rat retinal cultures
Authors: Costa G. , Pereira T. , Neto A.M. , Cristóvão A.J. , Ambrósio A.F. , Santos P.F.
Published: December 2008

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in adults. In diabetes, there is activation of microglial cells and a concomitant release of inflammatory mediators. However, it remains unclear how diabetes triggers an inflammatory response in the retina. Activation of P2 purinergic receptors by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) may contribute to the inflammatory response in the retina, insofar as it has been shown to be associated with microglial activation and cytokine release. In this work, we evaluated how high glucose, used as a model of hyperglycemia, considered the main factor in the development of DR, affects the extracellular levels of ATP in retinal cell cultures. We found that basal extracellular ATP levels were not affected by high glucose or mannitol, but the extracellular elevation of ATP, after a depolarizing stimulus, was significantly higher in retinal cells cultured in high glucose compared with control or mannitol‐treated cells. The increase in the extracellular ATP was prevented by application of botulinum neurotoxin A or by removal of extracellular calcium. In addition, degradation of exogenously added ATP was significantly lower in high‐glucose‐treated cells. It was also observed that, in retinal cells cultured under high‐glucose conditions, the changes in the intracellular calcium concentrations were greater than those in control or mannitol‐treated cells. In conclusion, in this work we have shown that high glucose alters the purinergic signaling system in the retina, by increasing the exocytotic release of ATP and decreasing its extracellular degradation. The resulting high levels of extracellular ATP may lead to inflammation involved in the pathogenesis of DR. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of delayed treatment with combined GDNF and continuous electrical stimulation on spiral ganglion cell survival in deafened guinea pigs
Authors: Scheper Verena , Paasche Gerrit , Miller Josef M. , Warnecke Athanasia , Berkingali Nurdanat , Lenarz Thomas , Stöver Timo
Published: December 2008

Electrical stimulation (ES) of spiral ganglion cells (SGC) via a cochlear implant is the standard treatment for profound sensor neural hearing loss. However, loss of hair cells as the morphological correlate of sensor neural hearing loss leads to deafferentation and death of SGC. Although immediate treatment with ES or glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) can prevent degeneration of SGC, only few studies address the effectiveness of delayed treatment. We hypothesize that both interventions have a synergistic effect and that even delayed treatment would protect SGC. Therefore, an electrode connected to a pump was implanted into the left cochlea of guinea pigs 3 weeks after deafening. The contralateral untreated cochleae served as deafened intraindividual controls. Four groups were set up. Control animals received intracochlear infusion of artificial perilymph (AP/−). The experimental groups consisted of animals treated with AP in addition to continuous ES (AP/ES) or treated with GDNF alone (GDNF/−) or GDNF combined with continuous ES (GDNF/ES). Acoustically and electrically evoked auditory brain stem responses were recorded. All animals were killed 48 days after deafening; their cochleae were histologically evaluated. Survival of SGC increased significantly in the GDNF/− and AP/ES group compared with the AP/− group. A highly significant increase in SGC density was observed in the GDNF/ES group compared with the control group. Additionally, animals in the GDNF/ES group showed reduced EABR thresholds. Thus, delayed treatment with GDNF and ES can protect SGC from degeneration and may improve the benefits of cochlear implants. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unconstrained shoulder joint position sense does not change with body orientation
Authors: Chapman Jason , Suprak David N. , Karduna Andrew R.
Published: December 2008

Our knowledge of the role of muscle activation on proprioception is incomplete. Previous work has either focused on comparing active and passive motions or manipulated both muscle activation and joint angles simultaneously. We conducted an experiment at the shoulder in which subjects' trunks were tilted backwards to decouple joint angle from joint torque. Twenty three healthy subjects underwent testing in an unconstrained joint position sense task. Kinematics were measured with a magnetic tracking device. The joint position sense task consisted of subjects moving their arms to a predetermined orientation in space with the help of visual feedback from the magnetic tracking device presented to the subjects through a head‐mounted display. Subjects were then asked to reproduce the presented joint position in the absence of visual feedback. The protocol was performed under two tilts: upright and trunk tilted back 45°. This allowed for a comparison of joint position sense at different joint angles (at the same resistive torque) and at different resistive torques (at the same joint angles). When comparing these two tilts, we found that matching based on elevation angle demonstrated no significant difference, while matching based on torques did find differences. These results implicate elevation angle at the shoulder as playing a more important role in modulating joint position sense than joint torque. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 885–890, 2009
Solutions out of context: Examining the transfer of business concepts to nonprofit organizations
Authors: Beck Tammy E. , Lengnick‐Hall Cynthia A. , Lengnick‐Hall Mark L.
Published: December 2008

Small nonprofit organizations face a dilemma when applying management theories and techniques developed for large, private businesses. Research evidence suggests both benefits and problems associated with application of these techniques. To avoid potential problems, nonprofit managers commonly limit the selection and transfer of business techniques to those that solve specific problems or appear consistent with nonprofit orientations. One consequence is that business solutions often create unintended negative outcomes that are due to contextual differences between the two types of organizations. One possible solution to this dilemma is adoption of bundles, or configurations, of practices that introduce important contextual checks and balances along with the specific tools and techniques. We explore this option through a critical, participatory ethnographic analysis of a small nonprofit service organization.
Best practices in board governance: Evidence from South Carolina
Authors: Zimmermann Jo An M. , Stevens Bonnie W.
Published: December 2008

In June 2003, a large‐scale survey was conducted among South Carolina nonprofit agencies to gather information on a range of board governance issues. Some of the survey questions dealt with how each agency's board contributes to the organization. More than 80 percent of the responding agencies were registered as 501(c)(3), with the largest number of respondents in the human services category. Statistical analysis reveals where actual roles differ from “best practices” as prescribed in the literature. Discussion then focuses on how these trends in governance affect management and operations. In particular, we look at best practice regarding the separation of board and staff duties.
New solitary wave solutions for the bad Boussinesq and good Boussinesq equations
Authors: Jafari H. , Borhanifar A. , Karimi S.A.
Published: December 2008

In this article, the sine–cosine, the standard tanh and the extended tanh methods has been used to obtain solutions of the bad Boussinesq and good Boussinesq equations. New solitions and periodic solutions are formally derived. The change of parameters, that will drastically change characteristics of the equation, is examined. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2009
Trends and changes in the clinical use of lamotrigine
Authors: Reimers Arne
Published: December 2008

Purpose

To investigate long‐term trends and changes in the pattern of use of lamotrigine (LTG).

Methods

Retrospective survey of a large, routine therapeutic drug monitoring database.

Results

Twelve thousand one hundred and seven samples from 4123 subjects were analysed from October 1999 to May 2007. Within this period, the mean daily dose rose from 183 to 253 mg, whereas the median dose remained unchanged at 200 mg. Females became the majority of LTG users, and they had a higher proportion of psychiatric diagnoses than male patients. The mean patient age increased from 34 to 41 years. The proportion of samples from psychiatric patients became larger than that of neurologic patients. A total of 130 different diagnoses were stated, most of them psychiatric off‐label. The mean serum concentration was 3.8 mg/L and it remained quite stable during the whole observation period. Neurologic patients had a higher mean serum concentration than psychiatric patients. 30% of the neurologic and 41% of the psychiatric patients had serum concentrations below the reference range. Sixty‐eight per cent of the patients used additional drugs. Females used a higher number of additional medications than males. The 10 most frequent co‐medications consisted of seven psychotropic drugs, two anticonvulsants, and thyroxine.

Conclusions

Significant changes in the pattern of use of LTG have taken place during the observation period and some significant trends could be identified. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation on morphology and mechanical properties of polyamide 6/maleated ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber/organoclay composites
Authors: Zhang Lingyan , Wan Chaoying , Zhang Yong
Published: December 2008

Maleated ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM‐g‐MA) toughened polyamide 6 (PA6)/organoclay (OMMT) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending. The role of OMMT in the morphology of the ternary composites and the relationship between the morphology and mechanical properties were investigated by varying the blending sequence. The PA6/EPDM‐g‐MA/OMMT (80/20/4) composites prepared by four different blending sequences presented distinct morphology and mechanical properties. The addition of OMMT could obviously decrease viscosity of the matrix and weaken the interfacial interactions between PA6 and EPDM‐g‐MA when blending EPDM‐g‐MA with a premixed PA6/OMMT nacocomposite, resulting in the increase of rubber particle size. The final mechanical properties are not only determined by the location of OMMT, but also by the interfacial adhesion between PA6 and EPDM‐g‐MA. Having maximum percentage of OMMT platelets in the PA6 matrix and keeping good interfacial adhesion between PA6 and EPDM‐g‐MA are beneficial to impact strength. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of clay and POSS nanoparticles on the quiescent and shear‐induced crystallization behavior of high molecular weight poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Lee S.J. , Hahm W.G. , Kikutani T. , Kim B.C.
Published: December 2008

The effects of organoclay and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) nanoparticles on the crystallization behavior of high molecular weight poly(ethylene terephthalate) (HMWPET; inherent viscosity of 1.05) were investigated in terms of nanoparticle content and shear rate. Both nanoparticles played a role of nucleating agent for PET and increased the cold crystallization temperature by about 24°C. The half‐time of crystallization was also decreased with increasing the nanoparticle content. Clay proved to be more effective than POSS; a notable nucleating effect was observed at 0.3 wt% for clay and 2 wt% for POSS. Introducing 1 wt% of clay gave the highest crystallization rate among all PET nanocomposite samples examined. Isothermal crystallization of the nanocomposites under dynamic shear exhibited similar crystallization behavior. As in the DSC measurement, clay appeared to be more effective to promote the crystallization of PET under shear. The nucleating effects were more noticeable at higher shear rate. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Visual perception and measurements of texture and gloss of injection‐molded plastics
Authors: Ignell Sofie , Kleist Ulf , Rigdahl Mikael
Published: December 2008

The effect of an imposed texture on the gloss of injection‐molded polymeric surfaces was evaluated as well as the way in which these properties are visually perceived. Specimens having small differences in surface topography were produced using two mold cavities with slight differences in texture and three different polymers. The texture and gloss were characterized using laser profilometry, gloss measurements, and by means of psychometric evaluations. The measured surface topography parameters and gloss were determined mainly by the texture of the mold surface and the gloss also by the processing conditions. Variations in surface topography due to differences in the rheological properties of the polymer melts were, in most cases, too small to be reflected in the measurements. The visual assessments of the texture and the gloss of specimens from the same cavity were in fair agreement with the measurements, although the observers could discern differences between some specimens not revealed by the measurements. When the specimens molded in the two cavities differing significantly both in gloss and texture were compared, the agreement between the measured topography parameters and the perceived roughness was poorer. It is suggested that higher gloss of a textured surface enhances the perception of a higher roughness. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Design of optimal extrusion die for a range of different materials
Authors: Lebaal Nadhir , Schmidt Fabrice , Puissant Stephan , Schläfli Daniel
Published: December 2008

THE coat‐hanger melt distributor is a device commonly used in the wire coating process. Its task is to distribute the melt around the conductor uniformly. It is quite common that materials and flow rates differ from what had been specified during the design procedure. This may lead to bad performance with materials of very different rheological properties from the design material. In this article, we present an optimal design approach to avoid this loss of performances. This approach involves coupling a three‐dimensional finite element simulation software with an optimization strategy based on a response surface method. The objective is to determine a coat‐hanger melt distributor geometry that ensures a homogeneous exit velocity distribution that will best accommodate for a different range of materials. A coat‐hanger melt distributor with a manifold of constant width is designed, and a set of flow distribution measurements is established for two different materials. The results of numerical simulation are then validated by comparison with experimental measurements. The effect of material change is also investigated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Monitoring trends and accuracy of self‐efficacy beliefs during interventions: Advantages and potential applications to school‐based settings
Authors: Cleary Timothy J.
Published: December 2008

Self‐efficacy measures are context‐specific assessment tools designed to evaluate students' perceptions of capability to attain specific outcomes on particular tasks. These measures are important because they possess several desirable features typical of progress‐monitoring tools (i.e., context specific, free of reactive effects, strong psychometric properties), have been shown to be strong predictors of motivated and self‐regulatory behaviors, and possess many advantages relative to more global self‐report scales of motivation. In this article, a general framework for using these scales as a supplemental assessment tool to behavioral or skill‐based assessments will be presented and discussed. The key focus of this article involves illustrating how practitioners can evaluate and interpret the trends in students' self‐efficacy judgments as well as the accuracy of these judgments during the implementation and evaluation of academic interventions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Whose socialisation? Exploring the social interaction between migrants and communities‐of‐place in rural areas
Authors: Vergunst Petra J. B.
Published: December 2008

Migration implies that migrants meet with the communities‐of‐place they have moved to. Such social interaction is frequently troubled by differences in institutions for social conduct. This paper defines such institutions as habitualised practices. Drawing on Berger and Luckmann's (1967) ideas on institutions and socialisation, the analysis focuses on what happens to such institutions when migrants meet with people belonging to the community‐of‐place to which they have moved. The empirical base consists of a comparison between two studies carried out by the author: one of everyday life social interaction between in‐migrants and communities‐of‐place in Dutch rural neighbourhoods, the other of the work ethic of migrant and domestic workers in Scottish agriculture. Interaction between migrants and people belonging to the communities‐of‐place to which they have moved can produce different relationships between their respective institutions. People belonging to the communities‐of‐place in the Dutch study do not hold rigidly to some elements of their institutions while they hold on more rigidly to others. The Scottish study showed that farmer‐employers even prefer the work ethic of migrants, and at the same time there has been some evidence that the work ethic of domestic workers evolves in the direction of that of migrants. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smart encryption channels for securing virtual machine‐based networked applications
Authors: Itani Wassim , Kayssi Ayman , Chehab Ali
Published: December 2008

We present PARAGON, a novel security protocol for efficiently securing the network communications of web‐deployed enterprise applications. PARAGON relies on an application tag set, which is a collection of metadata entries that specify the backend servers with which the client application is expected to communicate during its lifetime. The application tag set controls the quality of the security mechanisms established on each backend server connection, and allows the security protocol to utilize the trust relationship present between the deployed application and its source server to create a set of public‐key security associations between the source server and the enterprise backend servers on behalf of the client. PARAGON is a multi‐phase security protocol that matures with time. Incrementally, PARAGON approaches a fully symmetric‐key encryption system. The performance advantage becomes evident when the client application communicates with a relatively large set of remote servers. Examples of such clients include web browsers, email clients, file torrent clients, stock exchange applications, etc. A prototype implementing PARAGON's specifications and showing its performance advantages is shown for SUN's J2SE 1.6/J2EE 1.5 platforms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor deletion on emotional stress‐induced neuronal activation in mice
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Khoi , Sartori Simone B. , Herzog Herbert , Tasan Ramon , Sperk Günther , Singewald Nicolas
Published: December 2008

In different behavioral paradigms including the elevated plus maze (EPM), it was observed previously that deletion of the neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor subtype results in potent suppression of anxiety‐related and stress‐related behaviors. To identify neurobiological correlates underlying this behavioral reactivtiy, expression of c‐Fos, an established early marker of neuronal activation, was examined in Y2 receptor knockout (Y2−/−) vs. wildtype (WT) mice. Mice were placed on the open arm (OA) or closed arm (CA) of the EPM for 10 min and the effect on regional c‐Fos expression in the brain was investigated. The number of c‐Fos positive neurons was significantly increased in both WT and Y2−/−lines after OA and CA exposure in 51 of 54 regions quantified. These regions included various cortical, limbic, thalamic, hypothalamic, and hindbrain regions. Genotype influenced c‐Fos responses to arm exposures in 6 of the 51 activated regions: the cingulate cortex, barrel field of the primary somatosensory cortex, nucleus accumbens, dorsal lateral septum, amygdala and lateral periaqueductal gray. These differences in neuronal activity responses to the novel environments were more pronounced after OA than after CA exposure. Mice lacking Y2 receptors exhibited reduced neuronal activation when compared to WT animals in response to the emotional stressors. Reduced neuronal excitability in the identified brain areas relevant to the processing of motivated, explorative as well as anxiety‐related behaviors is suggested to contribute to the reduced anxiety‐related behavior observed in Y2−/−mice. Synapse 63:236–246, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphorylation of GluR1, ERK, and CREB during spontaneous withdrawal from chronic heroin self‐administration
Authors: Edwards Scott , Graham Danielle L. , Whisler Kimberly N. , Self David W.
Published: December 2008

Negative motivational symptoms are observed soon after withdrawal from chronic opiate administration, and are thought to mediate dependence. Examination of brain region‐specific signaling changes that accompany early withdrawal may shed light on neural mechanisms underlying negative reinforcement and dependence. Thus, we measured alterations in protein phosphorylation in multiple limbic brain regions in rats undergoing 24 h spontaneous or naltrexone‐precipitated withdrawal from chronic (6 h/day) i.v. heroin self‐administration. Region‐specific increases in cyclic AMP‐dependent GluR1S845phosphorylation were found in the nucleus accumbens shell, basolateral amygdala, hippocampal CA1 and CA3 subregions, and premotor cortex from 12 to 24 h of spontaneous withdrawal, and there were no changes in prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens core or caudate‐putamen. Increased GluR1S845phosphorylation was detected earlier (12 h withdrawal) in the central amygdala and ventral tegmental area. In contrast, prominent increases in extracellular signal‐regulated kinase phosphorylation were found in both prefrontal and premotor cortex, and CA1 and CA3 between 12 and 24 h withdrawal. Phosphorylation of striatal cyclic AMP response element binding protein increased in the caudate‐putamen but not in the nucleus accumbens. Naltrexone administration after 24 h withdrawal increased extracellular signal‐regulated kinase phosphorylation in the central amygdala, and nucleus accumbens core and shell. Thus, spontaneous withdrawal from heroin self‐administration produces region‐ and time‐dependent changes in cyclic AMP and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activity that could contribute to the behavioral manifestation of opiate dependence. Synapse 63:224–235, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Giant Lipoma of the Thenar—Case Study and Contemporary Approach to its Aetiopathogenicity
Authors: Grivas T. B. , Psarakis S. A. , Kaspiris A. , Liapi G.
Published: December 2008

Giant lipomas of the thenar are rare tumours of the adipose tissue of the hand, with a benign prognosis. Apart from the cosmetic problems they may cause, their most frequent complications include a compromise in functionality and pressure upon the nerves, mainly on the radial nerve. The first step in their management is their differential diagnosis from well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLPS), as they require a different therapeutic approach. This step is completed with the aid of MRIs, biopsies and modern immunohistochemical methods, which offer high specificity and sensitivity. Our paper presents a case of giant lipoma of the thenar, with a review of the relevant literature, focusing on the disease's molecular genetics, which is a very important field of research today.
Conversion of Extracted Oil Cake Fibers into Bioethanol Including DDGS, Canola, Sunflower, Sesame, Soy, and Peanut for Integrated Biodiesel Processing
Authors: Balan Venkatesh , Rogers Chad A. , Chundawat Shishir P. S. , da Costa Sousa Leonardo , Slininger Patricia J. , Gupta Rajesh , Dale Bruce E.
Published: December 2008

We have come up with a novel, integrated approach for making biodiesel by in‐house producion of ethanol after fermentation of hexane extracted edible oil cake fiber. In addition, we have demonstrated how ethanol could be manufactured from commonly available oil cakes (such as canola, sunflower, sesame, soy, peanut) and dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS). The edible oil cakes and DDGS were hexane extracted, ammonia fiber expansion pretreated, enzymatically hydrolysed and fermented to produce ethanol. From all the oil cakes tested in this work, DDGS and peanut oil cake showed the most promising results giving more than 180 g of glucose/kg of oil cake. These two feedstock’s were hydrolyzed at 15% solids loading and fermented by a native strain of Pichia stipitis. Most sugars were consumed during the first 24 h, with no pronounced inhibition of P. stipitis by the degradation products in the hydrolysate. Xylose consumption was more effective for peanut cake hydrolyzate compared to DDGS.
Trends in opioid consumption in the Nordic countries 2002–2006
Authors: Hamunen Katri , Paakkari Pirkko , Kalso Eija
Published: December 2008

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine the trends in opioid consumption in the five Nordic countries between 2002 and 2006 and to explore possible explanations for changes in the quality and quantity of opioids consumed.

Methods: Data on opioid consumption were extracted from the databases of the respective national authorities. Six strong and four weak opioids were included in the analysis. Data were presented as DDDs/1000 inhabitants/day. In addition, information on the reimbursement system and opioid prescription regulations in respective countries was obtained. Also, the cost of analgesic medication in the Nordic countries was compared as equipotent doses of CR morphine, CR oxycodone and transdermal fentanyl.

Results: During the five year period examined the total use of opioids showed some increase in all countries except Sweden. In Finland and Norway the increase in the total consumption was mainly due to an increase in the consumption of strong opioids while in Denmark the rise was due to increased consumption of weak opioids. The consumption of morphine was stabile or decreased slightly in all countries while the use of transdermal fentanyl increased in Denmark, Finland and Sweden and oxycodone in all countries except Iceland. The consumption of dextropropoxyphene decreased in all countries. Reimbursement policies or prescription regulations do not seem to explain the kind/type of opioids consumed or changes in their consumption.

Conclusions: Consumption of opioid analgesics in the Nordic countries showed changes over the five year period that cannot be explained by pharmacology, price, reimbursement or prescription regulations. Marketing has most likely significantly influenced the type and amount of opioids consumed.
Risk factors for feline immunodeficiency virus antibody test status in Cats Protection adoption centres (2004)
Authors: Murray Jane K. , Roberts Margaret A. , Skillings Elizabeth , Morrow Lisa D. , Gruffydd-Jones Timothy J.
Published: December 2008

A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) within a population of cats entering 10 UK adoption centres run by Cats Protection. All cats entering the adoption centres during 2004 were tested for FIV using a rapid enzyme immunoassay antibody test. The overall prevalence of positive test results was 3.1% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.7–3.5%), whilst the prevalence at different adoption centres varied from 0.8% (95% CI 0.1–1.5%) to 6.7% (95% CI 4.9–8.5%). Results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that male cats, stray/feral cats and cats in poor health were at a greater risk of testing positive for FIV than female cats, cats that were relinquished by an owner and cats that were in good/fair health, respectively. No evidence was found for an association between neuter status and FIV test results. This study may help to identify cats that are relinquished to rescue centres with an increased risk of FIV for routine FIV testing.
Social Capital and Political Participation of Canadians
Authors: Nakhaie M. Reza
Published: December 2008

Abstract.This paper evaluates the importance of social capital for political participation of native-born Canadians and immigrants. The Survey of Social Engagement in Canada, a large survey of Canadians conducted by Statistics Canada in 2003, is used in order to test the role of social relations and connections in accounting for political participation. Analyses show that although the “usual suspects” play important roles in explaining political activities, the main culprit is social capital. Among social capital measures, though all are important, associational involvement and social networks, followed by trust and volunteering, are the best predictors of political participation. Moreover, the effect of social capital varies by period of immigration. Theoretical and policy implications of findings are discussed.

Résumé.Cet article évalue l'importance du capital social pour la participation politique des Canadiens de naissance et des immigrés. L'Enquête sociale générale, cycle 17 : L'Engagement social, une grande enquête menée par Statistique Canada en 2003, sert de toile de fond pour estimer le rôle des rapports et liens sociaux dans la participation politique. Les analyses montrent que, bien que d'autres facteurs connus jouent un rôle dans le choix d'activités politiques, le plus important est le capital social. Parmi les mesures de ce facteur, qui sont toutes importantes, l'activité au sein d'une association et les réseaux sociaux, suivis de la confiance et du travail bénévole, sont les meilleurs prédicteurs de la participation politique. Suit une discussion des conséquences théoriques de ces résultats et de leur incidence sur la politique générale.
Quebec Labour and the Referendums
Authors: Savage Larry
Published: December 2008

Abstract.The Quebec labour movement's decision to withdraw its support for Canada's federal system in the 1970s and instead embrace the sovereignist option was unquestionably linked to the intersection of class and nation in Quebec. In this period, unions saw the sovereignist project as part of a larger socialist or social democratic societal project. Because the economic inequalities related to ethnic class, which fuelled the labour movement's support for sovereignty in the 1970s, were no longer as prevalent by the time of Quebec's 1995 referendum, organized labour's continued support for the sovereignist option in the post-referendum period cannot adequately be explained using the traditional lens of class and nation. This paper employs an institutional comparative analysis of Quebec's three largest trade union centrals with a view to demonstrating that organized labour's primary basis for supporting sovereignty has changed considerably over time. While unions have not completely abandoned a class-based approach to the national question, they have tended to downplay class division in favour of an emphasis on Quebec's uniqueness and the importance of preserving the collective francophone identity of the nation. Party–union relations, the changing cultural, political and economic basis of the sovereignist project and the emergence of neoliberalism in Quebec are offered as key explanatory factors for the labour movement's shift in focus.

Résumé.La décision du mouvement syndical québécois de retirer son soutien du système fédéral, dans les années 1970, et d'embrasser l'option souverainiste, a été liée incontestablement à l'intersection de classe et nation au Québec. Dans cette période, les syndicats ont vu le projet souverainiste en tant qu'élément d'un plus grand projet de société à caractère social démocratique ou socialiste. Toutefois, puisque les inégalités économiques associées à la classe ethnique qui avaient poussé le mouvement syndical dans le camp de la souveraineté n'étaient plus aussi prononcées lors du référendum de 1995, l'analyse traditionnelle de classe et nation ne peut plus expliquer le maintien de sa position souverainiste durant la période postréférendaire. Cet article se fonde sur une analyse comparative et institutionnelle des trois plus grandes centrales syndicales québécoises en vue de démontrer que les motifs premiers de l'appui syndical au projet souverainiste ont changé considérablement avec le temps. Même si les syndicats n'ont pas complètement abandonné l'approche militante surla question nationale, ils ont relégué les divisions de classes au second plan et plutôt mis l'accent sur le caractère distinct du Québec et sur l'importance de préserver l'identité francophone collective de la nation. Les relations entre les syndicats et les partis politiques, la base culturelle, politique et économique du projet souverainiste, et l'introduction du néolibéralisme au Québec sont présentées en tant que facteurs principaux expliquant l'évolution de la position syndicale à l'égard de la question nationale.
Adapting to Changing Contexts of Choice: The Nation-Building Strategies of Unrecognized Silesians and Rusyns
Authors: Dembinska Magdalena
Published: December 2008

Abstract.The article explores the relationship between institutional constraints and nation-building. Non-recognized Rusyns in Ukraine and Silesians in Poland respond instrumentally to state definitions of “minority.” Moreover, both groups adjust their strategies to European structures and discourses which provide new ways to frame their identity claims. Institutions determine the constraints and incentives of group action. Identity is not only constructed, but is reconstructed in a rational way. Contrary, however, to the rational choice instrumental perspective which would predict an assimilation process, state policies encourage the Rusyns and Silesians to re-imagine and reinforce their distinctiveness.

Résumé.L'article examine le lien qui existe entre les contraintes institutionnelles et l'édification de la nation. Non reconnus, les Ruthènes en Ukraine et les Silésiens en Pologne réagissent instrumentalement aux définitions du terme «minorité» établies par ces États. De plus, les deux groupes adaptent leurs stratégies aux structures et aux discours de l'Europe, qui leur permet de formuler leurs revendications identitaires d'une nouvelle manière. Les institutions établissent les contraintes et les incitatifs à l'action collective. L'identité n'est pas seulement construite, elle est reconstruite de façon rationnelle. Contrairement, toutefois, à la perspective instrumentale du choix rationnel qui aurait prédit un processus d'assimilation, les politiques étatiques incitent les Ruthènes et les Silésiens à ré-imaginer et à renforcer leur identité distincte.
Les lieux d'activisme : le «mariage gai» en Belgique, en France et en Espagne
Authors: Paternotte David
Published: December 2008

Résumé.Cet article étudie les lieux investis par les activistes LGBT durant les mobilisations en faveur de l'ouverture du mariage civil aux couples de même sexe en France, en Espagne et en Belgique. Il montre que l'articulation entre les niveaux étatique et infraétatiques ne résulte pas uniquement des variations institutionnelles de la structure des opportunités politiques ou, à l'image duscale-jumping, de considérations stratégiques. Elle s'inscrit aussi dans des phénomènes plus vastes : la culture politique, l'histoire et l'organisation des mouvements LGBT dans chacun des pays analysés. Ce texte discute ainsi certaines observations de Miriam Smith (et de John Grundy) sur la déconnexion des niveaux d'action au sein du mouvement LGBT canadien.

Abstract.This article examines the places invested by LGBT activists while advocating the opening-up of civil marriage to same-sex couples in France, Spain and Belgium. It shows how the articulation between state and sub-state levels does not only result from institutional variations of the political opportunities structure or, as for scale-jumping, from strategic concerns. It also ensues from broader phenomena: political culture, as well as the history and organisation of LGBT movements in each of the countries under study. This text also discusses some of Miriam Smith (and John Grundy)'s observations on the disconnections of action levels within the Canadian LGBT movement.
Polarized Pluralism in the Canadian Party System: Presidential Address to the Canadian Political Science Association, June 5, 2008
Authors: Johnston Richard
Published: December 2008

Abstract.The Canadian party system is an example “polarized pluralism,” whose key feature is domination by a party of the centre. Centrist domination induces centrifugal tendencies elsewhere in the system. Polarized pluralism accounts for several of the system's peculiar features: three-party competition in individual ridings, contrary to the predictions of Duverger's Law; the existence and episodic dynamics of sectional parties; boom and bust cycles in Conservative party electoral history; and the large gaps between federal and provincial outcomes within many provinces. But domination by a centrist party itself demands explanation.

Résumé.Le système canadien des partis politiques exemplifie le «pluralisme polarisé», dont l'élément clé est la force dominante d'un parti du centre. Une telle domination induit des tendances centrifuges ailleurs dans le système. Pour sa part, le pluralisme polarisé explique plusieurs éléments du système canadien : la présence de trois partis compétitifs au niveau de la circonscription, malgré les prédictions du Duverger; l'existence même et la dynamique des partis sectionalistes; l'alternance entre force et faiblesse dans l'histoire du Parti conservateur; et les grands écarts qui se présentent dans plusieurs provinces entre les élections fédérales et les élections provinciales. Dans ce contexte, la force d'un parti centriste se doit d'être expliquée.
Functional role of cholinergic drugs on spontaneous muscular activity in the amphistomeGastrothylax crumeniferfrom ruminants
Authors: Verma P.K. , Kumar D. , Tandan S.K.
Published: December 2008

Acetylcholine is the major endogenous classical neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system of trematodes and mammals. This study investigates the effects of cholinergic drugs on muscle activity in the amphistome,Gastrothylax crumenifer. In the present investigation, acetylcholine (10− 7–10− 3 m) did not produce any marked effect, whereas carbachol (10− 7–10− 3 m) elicited a concentration-dependent decrease in amplitude, baseline tension and frequency of contractions as compared to the control. Nicotine (10− 7–10− 3 m) produced a significant decrease in the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous muscular activity in a concentration-dependent manner, as compared to control amplitude (0.5 ± 0.01 g) and frequency (58.5 ± 3.45 per 5 min). However, the baseline tension was also reduced significantly by 10− 3 mnicotine. Atropine (10− 7–10− 3 m) elicited a concentration-dependent increase in amplitude and baseline tension, whereas there was no significant effect on the frequency of the spontaneous contractions of rumen flukes. These observations indicate thatG. crumeniferhas an inhibitory cholinergic system and that the inhibitory activity of nicotine is more pronounced than that of carbachol or acetylcholine.
Biochemical and haematological parameters in owl monkeys infected and uninfected withTrypanoxyurissp.
Authors: Barros Monteiro F.O. , Coutinho L.N. , de Araújo K.F. , Barros Monteiro M.V. , de Castro P.H.G. , da Silva K.S.M. , Benigno R.N.M. , Vicente W.R.R.
Published: December 2008

The objective of the present study was to report the occurrence ofTrypanoxyurisin owl monkeys, using data from clinical and haematological examinations, as well as clinical chemistry (blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) of infected and uninfected animals. Twenty animals in apparently good clinical health were studied. The coproparasitological examinations showed eggs compatible withTrypanoxyurissp. in 50% of animals. The number of red blood cells, haematocrit and haemoglobin levels were significantly higher in the males, compared to the females, irrespective of parasitism. However, comparing segmented neutrophils in infected males and females, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed. All blood chemistry values were considered normal for the species pattern, even though significant differences were observed for BUN and ALT in infected males. The infection byTrypanoxyurissp. did not appear to interfere with the clinical condition of animals.
Nutrition labels: a survey of use, understanding and preferences among ethnically diverse shoppers in New Zealand
Authors: Gorton Delvina , Ni Mhurchu Cliona , Chen Mei-hua , Dixon Robyn
Published: December 2008

Objective

Effective nutrition labels are part of a supportive environment that encourages healthier food choices. The present study examined the use, understanding and preferences regarding nutrition labels among ethnically diverse shoppers in New Zealand.

Design and setting

A survey was carried out at twenty-five supermarkets in Auckland, New Zealand, between February and April 2007. Recruitment was stratified by ethnicity. Questions assessed nutrition label use, understanding of the mandatory Nutrition Information Panel (NIP), and preference for and understanding of four nutrition label formats: multiple traffic light (MTL), simple traffic light (STL), NIP and percentage of daily intake (%DI).

Subjects

In total 1525 shoppers completed the survey: 401 Maori, 347 Pacific, 372 Asian and 395 New Zealand European and Other ethnicities (ten did not state ethnicity).

Results

Reported use of nutrition labels (always, regularly, sometimes) ranged from 66 % to 87 % by ethnicity. There was little difference in ability to obtain information from the NIP according to ethnicity or income. However, there were marked ethnic differences in ability to use the NIP to determine if a food was healthy, with lesser differences by income. Of the four label formats tested, STL and MTL labels were best understood across all ethnic and income groups, and MTL labels were most frequently preferred.

Conclusions

There are clear ethnic and income disparities in ability to use the current mandatory food labels in New Zealand (NIP) to determine if foods are healthy. Conversely, MTL and STL label formats demonstrated high levels of understanding and acceptance across ethnic and income groups.
Evaluation of the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) in children and adolescents in Southern Spain
Authors: Mariscal-Arcas Miguel , Rivas Ana , Velasco Javier , Ortega Maria , Caballero Ascension Maria , Olea-Serrano Fatima
Published: December 2008

Objective

The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest dietary models. Recent changes in the actual Mediterranean diet include a reduction in energy intake and a higher consumption of foods with low nutrient density (e.g. soft drinks, candy, sweets, etc.). In Spain, in association with cultural and lifestyle changes, there has been a reduction in the intake of antioxidants and vitamins, an increase in the proportion of SFA and a decrease in the consumption of fibre, among other changes. Children and adolescents may be the age groups with the most deteriorated Mediterranean diet. The current paper presents the results of applying the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents (KIDMED) to a large sample of Spanish schoolchildren.

Design

Data from questionnaires were used to calculate the KIDMED index.

Setting

Granada, Southern Spain.

Subjects

Schoolchildren (n3190) aged 8–16 years.

Results

Among the 8–10-year-olds, the KIDMED index classification was ‘good’ in 48·6% of the population, ‘average’ in 49·5% and ‘poor’ in 1·6%. Among the 10–16-year-olds, the KIDMED index classification was good in 46·9% of the population, average in 51·1% and poor in 2·0%.

Conclusions

The nutritional behaviour of the present population of schoolchildren is similar to that found in the earlier KIDMED study.
CORES OF SYMMETRIC GRAPHS
Authors: CAMERON PETER J. , KAZANIDIS PRISCILA A.
Published: December 2008

The core of a graph Γ is the smallest graph Δ that is homomorphically equivalent to Γ (that is, there exist homomorphisms in both directions). The core of Γ is unique up to isomorphism and is an induced subgraph of Γ. We give a construction in some sense dual to the core. Thehullof a graph Γ is a graph containing Γ as a spanning subgraph, admitting all the endomorphisms of Γ, and having as core a complete graph of the same order as the core of Γ. This construction is related to the notion of a synchronizing permutation group, which arises in semigroup theory; we provide some more insight by characterizing these permutation groups in terms of graphs. It is known that the core of a vertex-transitive graph is vertex-transitive. In some cases we can make stronger statements: for example, if Γ is a non-edge-transitive graph, we show that either the core of Γ is complete, or Γ is its own core. Rank-three graphs are non-edge-transitive. We examine some families of these to decide which of the two alternatives for the core actually holds. We will see that this question is very difficult, being equivalent in some cases to unsolved questions in finite geometry (for example, about spreads, ovoids and partitions into ovoids in polar spaces).
REGULAR HYPERMAPS OVER PROJECTIVE LINEAR GROUPS
Authors: CONDER MARSTON , POTOČNIK PRIMOŽ , ŠIRÁŇ JOZEF
Published: December 2008

An enumeration result for orientably regular hypermaps of a given type with automorphism groups isomorphic to PSL(2,q) or PGL(2,q) can be extracted from a 1969 paper by Sah. We extend the investigation to orientable reflexible hypermaps and to nonorientable regular hypermaps, providing many more details about the associated computations and explicit generating sets for the associated groups.
THE DENSITY OF SUBGROUP INDICES
Authors: SHALEV ANER
Published: December 2008

For a groupGand a real numberx≥1 we letsG(x) denote the number of indices ≤xof subgroups ofG. We call the functionsGthesubgroup densityofG, and initiate a study of its asymptotics and its relation to the algebraic structure ofG. We also count indices ≤xof maximal subgroups ofG, and relate it to symmetric and alternating quotients ofG.
Three‐dimensional test simulations of the outer radiation belt electron dynamics including electron‐chorus resonant interactions
Authors: Varotsou Athina , Boscher Daniel , Bourdarie Sebastien , Horne Richard B. , Meredith Nigel P. , Glauert Sarah A. , Friedel Reiner H.
Published: December 2008

We present results from our three‐dimensional (3‐D) simulations using the Salammbô electron radiation belt physical model. We have run steady state and dynamic storm test case simulations to study the effect of electron‐chorus resonant interactions on the radiation belt electron dynamics. When electron‐chorus interactions are introduced in the code outside the plasmasphere, results show that a seed population with a kappa distribution and a characteristic energy of 2 keV is accelerated up to a few MeV in the outer radiation belt. MeV electron fluxes increase by an order of magnitude during high magnetic activity conditions especially near L* ∼ 5 and for equatorial mirroring particles. We have also performed a parametric study of various important parameters to investigate how our results could be influenced by the uncertainty that characterizes their values. Results of this study show that if we consider higher values of the radial diffusion coefficients, different initial states, and different boundary conditions, we always observe a peak in the L* profile of the MeV electrons when electron‐chorus interactions are included.