bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning a Novel Myoelectric-Controlled Interface Task
Authors: Radhakrishnan Saritha M. , Baker Stuart N. , Jackson Andrew
Published: July 2008

Control of myoelectric prostheses and brain–machine interfaces requires learning abstract neuromotor transformations. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this ability, we trained subjects to move a two-dimensional cursor using a myoelectric-controlled interface. With the upper limb immobilized, an electromyogram from multiple hand and arm muscles moved the cursor in directions that were either intuitive or nonintuitive and with high or low variability. We found that subjects could learn even nonintuitive arrangements to a high level of performance. Muscle-tuning functions were cosine shaped and modulated so as to reduce cursor variability. Subjects exhibited an additional preference for using hand muscles over arm muscles, which resulted from a greater capacity of these to form novel, task-specific synergies. In a second experiment, nonvisual feedback from the hand was degraded with amplitude- and frequency-modulated vibration. Although vibration impaired task performance, it did not affect the rate at which learning occurred. We therefore conclude that the motor system can acquire internal models of novel, abstract neuromotor mappings even in the absence of overt movements or accurate proprioceptive signals, but that the distal motor system may be better suited to provide flexible control signals for neuromotor prostheses than structures related to the arm.
Microstructured Reactors Designed by Stereolithography and Characterized by Fluorescent Probes
Authors: Corbel S. , Evenou F. , Baros F. , Martinet N. , Donner M. , Carré M. C.
Published: July 2008

The main objective of this research was to define a structured and functionalized support for future biomedical applications (model of “low‐density bioarray”). The experiments were carried out by using stereolithography process with a special SU‐8 photoresist and the reproducibility of the method was studied by analyzing the surface profile of the support. Finally, a matrix of regular controlled sized wells was fabricated. Chemical reactions leading to covalent grafting were run to demonstrate that the inner surface of the wells remains still reactive after polymerization. The grafting of fluorophores with carboxylic functions activated by N‐hydroxysuccinimide was studied as function of time, in order to determine the best reactions, conditions. Then, the grafting of two distinct fluorescent probes was led simultaneously inside the wells, showing the possibility of spatial localization of diverse reactions on the same support. The covalent and localized bindings were confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy analyses.
Stage-Specific Alterations of DNA Methyltransferase Expression, DNA Hypermethylation, and DNA Hypomethylation during Prostate Cancer Progression in the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate Model
Authors: Morey Kinney Shannon R. , Smiraglia Dominic J. , James Smitha R. , Moser Michael T. , Foster Barbara A. , Karpf Adam R.
Published: July 2008

We analyzed DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) protein expression and DNA methylation patterns during four progressive stages of prostate cancer in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) model, including prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, well-differentiated tumors, early poorly differentiated tumors, and late poorly differentiated tumors. Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b protein expression were increased in all stages; however, after normalization to cyclin A to account for cell cycle regulation, Dnmt proteins remained overexpressed in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and well-differentiated tumors, but not in poorly differentiated tumors. Restriction landmark genomic scanning analysis of locus-specific methylation revealed a high incidence of hypermethylation only in poorly differentiated (early and late) tumors. Several genes identified by restriction landmark genomic scanning showed hypermethylation of downstream regions correlating with mRNA overexpression, including p16INK4a, p19ARF, and Cacna1a. Parallel gene expression and DNA methylation analyses suggests that gene overexpression precedes downstream hypermethylation during prostate tumor progression. In contrast to gene hypermethylation, genomic DNA hypomethylation, including hypomethylation of repetitive elements and loss of genomic 5-methyldeoxycytidine, occurred in both early and late stages of prostate cancer. DNA hypermethylation and DNA hypomethylation did not correlate in TRAMP, and Dnmt protein expression did not correlate with either variable, with the exception of a borderline significant association between Dnmt1 expression and DNA hypermethylation. In summary, our data reveal the relative timing of and relationship between key alterations of the DNA methylation pathway occurring during prostate tumor progression in an in vivo model system. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(8):1365–74)
Mechanical Control of Tissue Morphogenesis
Authors: Patwari Parth , Lee Richard T.
Published: July 2008

Mechanical forces participate in morphogenesis from the level of individual cells to whole organism patterning. This article reviews recent research that has identified specific roles for mechanical forces in important developmental events. One well defined example is that dynein-driven cilia create fluid flow that determines left-right patterning in the early mammalian embryo. Fluid flow is also important for vasculogenesis, and evidence suggests that fluid shear stress rather than fluid transport is primarily required for remodeling the early vasculature. Contraction of the actin cytoskeleton, driven by nonmuscle myosins and regulated by the Rho family GTPases, is a recurring mechanism for controlling morphogenesis throughout development, from gastrulation to cardiogenesis. Finally, novel experimental approaches suggest critical roles for the actin cytoskeleton and the mechanical environment in determining differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Insights into the mechanisms linking mechanical forces to cell and tissue differentiation pathways are important for understanding many congenital diseases and for developing regenerative medicine strategies.
'He Is He, and I Am I': Individual and Collective among China's Rural Elderly
Authors: Thøgersen Stig , Anru Ni
Published: July 2008

China's rural elderly strongly feel the tension between the life patterns they had expected to follow and the risks and possibilities presented by a more dynamic and individualised society. This paper discusses how the elderly react to the rapid changes in intergenerational relations. The focus is on their strategies towards the two most common types of living arrangements during old age: maintaining an independent household, and living with a son's family. Earlier generations of elderly perceived cohabitation with a son as the only natural arrangement, but interviews indicate that living in an independent household has become an accepted alternative. This illustrates how China's rural elderly are able to create and accept changes in family relations and new life patterns. Their problems are generated by the lack of social services in rural areas rather than by any culturally determined resistance to change. The last part of the paper discusses recent social engineering projects aimed at reintegrating the elderly into society. By looking at how the elderly adapt to changing family relations and how others imagine their reintegration, the paper highlights the complicated patterns of social change that have emerged in China's villages in the wake of decollectivisation.
Individualisation and Politics in China: The Political Identity and Agency of Private Business People
Authors: Yin Xiaoqing , Delman Jørgen
Published: July 2008

The article considers the dynamics in the nexus between the Chinese party-state and private entrepreneurs. It develops in response to both globalization and market reforms which promote accelerated individualisation and disembedding of citizens anchored in the new capitalist economy, such as private business people. It is argued that informal political agency is part of the political dynamics of the nexus and that it develops through critical tension between private business people and the autocratic party-state. This is illustrated through the case of Sun Dawu, a Hebei businessman turned political activist. Referring to both Bech and Bech-Gersheim's and Baumann's discussions about the effects of the twin processes of globalisation and individualisation, one of the main conclusions is that Sun Dawu has engaged in 'self-politics' through creating a sub-political or 'peg' community where he and others can exert informal political agency. The construction of such a community is an example of how assertive private business people may exploit the dynamics of the state-private business nexus through critical tension.
Me and My Family: Perceptions of Individual and Collective among Young Rural Chinese
Authors: Hansen Mette Halskov , Pang Cuiming
Published: July 2008

This article discusses how young people born and raised in rural areas of China perceive and account for individual choice and responsibility in relation to their family and the state. Based on personal narratives of more than 100 young people, the article shows how concepts of freedom, independence, free love and personal development are widespread among young villagers who are searching, not merely for economic prosperity, but for a self-fulfilling life. They express a remarkably strong sense of individual responsibility for success or failure, and even tend to idealise individual choice. The article argues that in spite of young people's growing demands for individual space and the rapid changes in the relations between the generations, the family remains the most important collective for these young people, emotionally and as their only source of social security and support.
A Collective of Their Own: Young Volunteers at the Fringes of the Party Realm
Authors: Rolandsen Unn Målfrid
Published: July 2008

Based on fieldwork in an urban branch of the China Youth Volunteers' Association this article discusses how individual motivation for volunteering among young middle-class students plays a role in the internal reforming of one of the few officially authorised associations available for young people. Whereas Chinese volunteering was once a Party-driven effort supported by Maoist calls to 'Serve the people', contemporary Chinese volunteering is promoted with a focus on the volunteer's own experience and commitment. Interviews and participant observation demonstrate how young volunteers use the Party-linked Volunteers' Association not merely instrumentally to support their own personal ambitions, but also as a social space where the individual may find room to 'give and share beyond the family'. The analysis shows that volunteering is perceived differently by volunteers' families, the local media, the local community and the volunteers themselves. The article concludes that what attracts youth to the volunteer movement is the opportunity to be part of a collective where they can contribute to society while at the same time being recognised as individuals.
Critiquing the Idea of Japanese Exceptionalism: Japan and the Coordination of North Korea Policy
Authors: Hagström Linus
Published: July 2008

The idea that Japan is playing an 'alternative role' in its foreign policy—that it is keeping a 'conspicuously low profile' and that its stance is in some sense 'unique'—has been a recurring theme of analysis of Japanese foreign policy. This article aims to critique this idea of Japanese exceptionalism, epitomised for instance in the 'aikido state' metaphor. By analysing Japan's role in the Six-Party Talks—arguably a suitable case for testing this metaphor—the article concludes that, far from keeping a low profile, Tokyo has exercised obstructive power over other actors involved in the talks. This conclusion is substantiated by comparison with Tokyo's role in other important instances of North Korea policy coordination over the period 1993–2002. By comparing Japanese behaviour with that of the USA, China, Russia and North Korea, the article concludes, furthermore, that the concepts of 'obstructionism' and 'power' facilitate understanding of their behaviour as well—with the implication that Japan's foreign policy is not so unique.
The Continuous Present in Ozu Yasujiro's Late Spring
Authors: Pigott Michael
Published: July 2008

Ozu Yasujiro's Late Spring uses time in a very distinct and compelling way. It effectively tenses the image as the 'continuous present'. Through the use of unconventional (by Western standards) editing strategies and cinematography, the characteristic durations of objects, places and people are foregrounded, and a peculiarly affecting sense of time is created. This paper constitutes an attempt to understand the way in which this specific sense of time is constructed in the film, by analyzing the editing, mise-en-scène, and sound of two scenes in very close detail.
Is the Multiracial Congregation an Answer to the Problem of Race? Comparative Perspectives from South Africa and the USA
Authors: Ganiel Gladys
Published: July 2008

This paper uses a comparative perspective to analyze how multiracial congregations may contribute to racial reconciliation in South Africa. Drawing on the large-scale study of multiracial congregations in the USA by Emerson et al., it examines how they help transform antagonistic identities and make religious contributions to wider reconciliation processes. It compares the American research to an ethnographic study of a congregation in Cape Town, identifying cross-national patterns and South African distinctives, such as discourses about restitution, AIDS, inequality and women. The extent that multiracial congregations can contribute to reconciliation in South Africa is linked to the content of their worship and discourses, but especially to their ability to dismantle racially aligned power structures.
A New Christianity for a New South Africa: Charismatic Christians and the Post-Apartheid Order
Authors: Czeglédy André
Published: July 2008

The international growth of Pentecostalism has seen a rush of congregations in Africa, many of which have tapped into a range of both local and global trends ranging from neo-liberal capitalism to tele-evangelism to youth music. Based on ethnographic fieldwork, this discussion focuses on the main Johannesburg congregation of a grouping of churches that have successfully engaged with aspects of socio-economic transformation in post-apartheid South Africa. Such engagement has involved conspicuous alignment with aspects of contemporary South African society, including an acceptance of broader policy projects of the nation state. I argue that the use of a variety of symbolic and thematic elements of a secular nature in the Sunday services of this church reminds and inspires congregants to consider wider social perspectives without challenging the sacred realm of faith.
A Sun that Lost its Shine: The Reformation in Dutch Protestant Memory Culture, 1817-1917
Authors: Wallet Bart , Paul Herman
Published: July 2008

This essay is a first exploration of nineteenth-century Dutch Protestant memory culture. Using Reformation commemorations as our case study, we show that the appropriation of Luther and Calvin for group identity purposes underwent a twofold transition in the century between 1817 and 1917. Whereas the unity of Dutch Protestantism was a dominant theme during the first decades of the nineteenth century, the Reformation became increasingly used as an instrument for justifying subgroup identities. Simultaneously, a past-oriented discourse (the Reformation as “origin”) was gradually abandoned in favour of a future-oriented discourse (Reformation “principles” that ought to be obeyed and applied). This, we argue, distinguished Dutch Protestant memory culture both from national commemorative discourse and from Protestant memory cultures abroad.
Origin of Convectively Coupled Kelvin Waves over South America
Authors: Liebmann Brant , Kiladis George N. , Carvalho Leila M. V. , Jones Charles , Vera Carolina S. , Bladé Ileana , Allured Dave
Published: July 2008

Convectively coupled Kelvin waves over the South American continent are examined through the use of temporal and spatial filtering of reanalysis, satellite, and gridded rainfall data. They are most prominent from November to April, the season analyzed herein. The following two types of events are isolated: those that result from preexisting Kelvin waves over the eastern Pacific Ocean propagating into the continent, and those that apparently originate over Amazonia, forced by disturbances propagating equatorward from central and southern South America.

The events with precursors in the Pacific are mainly upper-level disturbances, with almost no signal at the surface. Those events with precursors over South America, on the other hand, originate as upper-level synoptic wave trains that pass over the continent and resemble the “cold surges” documented by Garreaud and Wallace. As the wave train propagates over the Andes, it induces a southerly low-level wind that advects cold air to the north. Precipitation associated with a cold front reaches the equator a few days later and subsequently propagates eastward with the characteristics of a Kelvin wave. The structures of those waves originating over the Pacific are quite similar to those originating over South America as they propagate to eastern South America and into the Atlantic.

South America Kelvin waves that originate over neither the Pacific nor the midlatitudes of South America can also be identified. In a composite sense, these form over the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains, close to the equator. There are also cases of cold surges that reach the equator yet do not form Kelvin waves.

The interannual variability of the Pacific-originating events is related to sea surface temperatures in the central–eastern Pacific Ocean. When equatorial oceanic conditions are warm, there tends to be an increase in the number of disturbances that reach South America from the Pacific.
Gravity Waves in a Horizontal Shear Flow. Part II: Interaction between Gravity Waves and Potential Vorticity Perturbations
Authors: Bakas Nikolaos A. , Farrell Brian F.
Published: July 2008

Interaction among potential vorticity perturbations and propagating internal gravity waves in a horizontally sheared zonal flow is investigated. In the strong stratification limit, an initial vorticity perturbation weakly excites two propagating gravity waves while the density component of the potential vorticity perturbation is significantly amplified, potentially leading to convective collapse. If stratification is sufficiently weak, a strong coupling between vorticity perturbations and gravity waves is found and spontaneous gravity wave generation occurs. This coupling can be traced to the nonnormal interaction between the potential vorticity and gravity wave manifolds in the weak stratification limit. Vorticity perturbations amplify in energy due to downgradient Reynolds stress when their phase lines tilt against the shear and the large growth attained is transferred to propagating gravity waves. When the flow geometry is such that the excited gravity waves are confined in the vicinity of the vorticity perturbation by their trapping levels, an overall convective collapse of this region can be anticipated. On the other hand, when the flow geometry permits wave propagation, significant gravity wave emission occurs.
Source of the 70-Day Mesoscale Eddy Variability in the Coral Sea and the North Fiji Basin*
Authors: Qiu Bo , Chen Shuiming , Kessler William S.
Published: July 2008

Large-amplitude sea surface height (SSH) variations with a wave period of 70 days and a wavelength of about 700 km are detected in the Coral Sea centered along ∼16°S and in the North Fiji Basin along ∼18°S. These mesoscale eddy signals have a well-defined annual cycle with a maximum in December/January and a minimum in May/June. As the southeasterly trades intercept the island mountains of Vanuatu and Fiji, they generate localized wind stress curl dipoles, which in turn induce the eastward-flowing Coral Sea Countercurrent (CSCC) and Fiji Basin Countercurrent (FBCC) in the Coral Sea and the North Fiji Basin, respectively. The high eddy variability band along 16°S is hypothesized in this study as resulting from barotropic instability due to the lateral shear between the eastward-flowing CSCC and its neighboring westward-flowing North Caledonian and North Vanuatu jets (NCJ and NVJ). Based on stability analyses on the background NCJ–CSCC–NVJ system, it is found that the most unstable mode of the system has an equivalent barotropic structure and is insensitive to the specification of the background flow’s vertical shear. This barotropic instability hypothesis is also supported by observations; specifically, the Reynolds stresses inferred from the observed SSH data are tilted against the meridional shear of the background NCJ–CSCC–NVJ flow. As the intensity of the NCJ–CSCC–NVJ shear fluctuates with the season, the growth rate of instability changes, resulting in seasonal amplitude modulations in the observed 70-day eddy signals.
Evaluation of the Flow Distortion around the Campbell Scientific CSAT3 Sonic Anemometer Relative to Incident Wind Direction
Authors: Friebel Harry C. , Herrington Thomas O. , Benilov Alexander Y.
Published: July 2008

In June 2002, a high-frequency air–sea momentum system was deployed in the surf zone for 3 days as part of an experiment to quantify air–sea momentum transfer when the wind and wave direction were at angles. The system obtained measurements in the nearshore via a high-resolution Campbell Scientific CSAT3 3D sonic anemometer and five high-frequency saltwater wave staffs. An advantage of the air–sea momentum system is that direct measurements of the atmospheric turbulent fluctuations can be obtained and applied to the calculation of momentum transfer at the air–sea interface. The Campbell Scientific CSAT3 sonic anemometer was postcalibrated under turbulent wind conditions to determine incident wind direction measurements influenced by the geometry of the instrument. Measurement results are compared to a pre-established benchmark, constant tow speed; and the mean wind speed, incident wind direction, and spectral density characteristics are evaluated to resolve specific instrument orientations in which the measurements are corrupted by the head and probe supports of the sonic anemometer.

Calibration testing of the sonic anemometer determined that the mean wind speeds are reduced by 16% over a 40° range for incident wind angles of 160°–200° relative to the head of the anemometer. Tilting the anemometer is found to decrease mean wind speed reduction influenced by the geometry of the anemometer. Variations in the measured wind directions were found to be greater than 1° for incident wind angles between 160° and 200° for 0° and 10° of tilt. Spectral characteristics were highly repeatable for all wind angles except for incident wind angles of 180° for 0° and 10° of tilt.
A Return to Traditional Health Care Practices
Authors: Dove Nah
Published: July 2008

Policy on implementing Western medical practices throughout Africa has led a sustained attack on the relevance of traditional medical practices. The findings of the study on child upbringing practices in some Ghanaian communities emphasize the importance of increasing traditional practices and ethics. The majority of rural people in the study had little or no access to Western health care, nor did they have the finances to use it. Findings showed that a high percentage of children could not have survived without traditional medicines.
Do People With Diabetes Need Statins?
Authors: White John R.
Published: July 2008

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus continues to increase rapidly. Persons with diabetes face a 2-fold greater absolute risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than those without diabetes. Many diabetic patients die before reaching the hospital after a cardiovascular event. Use of statin therapy for intensive control of diabetic dyslipidemia has produced relative reductions in CVD risk of about 25% in randomized, controlled clinical trials. This is true even though low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the primary target of statin therapy, might not be markedly elevated in diabetic patients. Most patients with diabetes or diabetes plus established CVD warrant intensive statin therapy. Statin therapy has the ability to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals recommended in treatment guidelines. Alone or in combination with an additional lipid-lowering drug, statins may also improve triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol abnormalities in patients with diabetes.
Diabetes and Disabilities
Authors: Bartos Bonnie J. , Cleary Margaret E. , Kleinbeck Connie , Petzinger Ruth Ann , Sokol-McKay Debra A. , Whittington Anne , Williams Ann S.
Published: July 2008

The purpose of this guide is to provide diabetes educators with a comprehensive list of assistive tools, services, and information for diabetes self-management for people with visual, manual, and hearing disabilities. A list of tools and products has been compiled by members of the Disabilities Specialty Practice Group (DSPG) and is updated periodically. The original list was assembled in 1988 with the support of a grant from the Diabetes Research and Education Foundation, Bridgewater, New Jersey. The last revised list was titled “Diabetes Aids and Products for People With Visual or Physical Impairment” and was published in Diabetes Educ. 1992;18:121-138. In addition to tools and products, organizations that provide services and information for people with disabilities are provided to diabetes educators.
Parental Divorce and Sibling Relationships
Authors: Poortman Anne-Rigt , Voorpostel Marieke
Published: July 2008

This study examines long-term effects of parental divorce on sibling relationships in adulthood and the role of predivorce parental conflict. It used large-scale retrospective data from the Netherlands that contain reports from both siblings of the sibling dyad. Results show limited effects of parental divorce on sibling contact and relationship quality in adulthood but strong effects on sibling conflict. The greater conflict among siblings from divorced families is explained by the greater parental conflict in these families. Parental conflict is a far more important predictor than parental divorce per se. Siblings from high-conflict families have less contact, lower relationship quality, and more conflict than do siblings from low-conflict families. Finally, when it comes to sibling relationship quality, the effect of parental divorce depends on the amount of parental conflict. Parental divorce has little effect on the quality of the relationship in low-conflict families, but it improves the relationship in high-conflict families.
Can State Databases Be Used to Develop a National, Standardized Hospital Nurse Staffing Database?
Authors: Unruh Lynn , Russo C. Allison , Jiang H. Joanna , Stocks Carol
Published: July 2008

This study evaluates the feasibility of building a national, standardized hospital nurse staffing database from state data collections in order to improve the availability of valid, reliable nursing staffing measures and to allow linkage to other databases. A state-by-state review of public and private reporting systems reveals that 25 states collect some form of nurse staffing data. Out of those, 12 states make complete, usable data available, and 5 additionally meet data quality and specificity criteria. Our review finds that there is little consistency in the content of the RN measure, which makes it difficult to conduct multistate research on nurse staffing topics. We recommend the long-term development of two types of nurse staffing databases: a state-by-state collection, and a standardized, multistate database with uniform data elements across states. This mixed approach will provide a comprehensive source of nurse staffing data to researchers with diverse analytic needs.
Hidden Mountain
Authors: de Coverly Edd , McDonagh Pierre , O'Malley Lisa , Patterson Maurice
Published: July 2008

This article considers the neglected area of disposition, the nature of our relationship with waste. Marketing tactics are complicit in a throwaway culture, so how can we better theorize our relationship to waste? The authors submit that to maintain control, we are encouraged to keep waste in its place—out of sight and out of mind. This is achieved through systemic smoothing mechanisms such as our socialization against waste, the role of trash cans, and the work of garbage collectors. By exposing the detritus of consumption, the “waste mountain,” a macromarketing analysis helps us confront the systemic avoidance of waste. As such, this constitutes an initial contribution to marketing as social engagement and also to future policy development. We connect the rendering invisible or hidden aspect of waste to what Bauman has termed the economics of deception prevalent within consumer society.
Frankincense, Myrrh, and Spices
Authors: Hull Bradley Z.
Published: July 2008

Frankincense, myrrh, and spices were highly coveted and highly expensive necessities of life in the ancient world. They were transported from distant corners of the world to their Mediterranean customers, and their routes crossed the Arabian Peninsula by camel caravan. An Arabian tribe, the Nabataeans, monopolized this trade nearly two thousand years ago. Their supply chain, with a hub-and-spoke structure, partnerships, value-added services, innovative packaging, and early adoption of technology, bears striking resemblance to those of today. It differed though, in its elaborate and painstaking security precautions. This tight security was mandated by the lawlessness of the era and the high value of the merchandise. The Nabataean supply chain maintained its competitive advantage for more than five centuries. This article compares it with those of today and examines the Nabataeans, a nomadic tribe that shaped the basic concepts of supply chain management.
Rethinking Macro-level Theories of Consumption
Authors: Klein Jill Gabrielle , Hill Ronald Paul
Published: July 2008

This research seeks to inform the developing macromarketing theme of restricted consumer behavior. Nazi concentration camps were selected because they provide an extreme example of external control and constraint. Multidisciplinary scholarship is reviewed, with an emphasis on relevance to the understanding of consumer restrictions. A brief description of the qualitative methodology follows, and the results as thematic categories come next. The thematic categories of forced dispossession, survival strategies, reconfiguration of the self, and reemerging into society are used to provide implications for the majority of world citizens who face significant limitations in their lived experiences as consumers. Closing remarks discuss the opportunities such a shift in emphasis may have on the viability of theoretical constructions about consumption.
Measuring and modelling biodiversity from space
Authors: Gillespie Thomas W. , Foody Giles M. , Rocchini Duccio , Giorgi Ana Paula , Saatchi Sassan
Published: July 2008

The Earth is undergoing an accelerated rate of native ecosystem conversion and degradation and there is increased interest in measuring and modelling biodiversity from space. Biogeographers have a long-standing interest in measuring patterns of species occurrence and distributional movements and an interest in modelling species distributions and patterns of diversity. Much progress has been made in identifying plant species from space using high-resolution satellites (QuickBird, IKONOS), while the measurement of species movements has become commonplace with the ARGOS satellite tracking system which has been used to track the movements of thousands of individual animals. There have been significant advances in land-cover classifications by combining data from multi-passive and active sensors, and new classification techniques. Species distribution modelling has been growing at a striking rate and the incorporation of spaceborne data on climate, topography, land cover, and vegetation structure has great potential to improve models. There have been significant advances in modelling species richness, alpha diversity, and beta diversity using multisensors to quantify land-cover classifications and landscape metrics, measures of productivity, and measures of heterogeneity. Remote sensing of nature reserves can provide natural resources managers with near real-time data within and around reserves that can be used to support conservation efforts anywhere in the world. Future research should focus on incorporating recent spaceborne sensors, more extensive integration of available spaceborne imagery, and the collection and dissemination of high-quality field data. This will improve our understanding of the distribution of life on earth.
The role of molecular genetics in sculpting the future of integrative biogeography
Authors: Riddle Brett R. , Dawson Michael N. , Hadly Elizabeth A. , Hafner David J. , Hickerson Michael J. , Mantooth Stacy J. , Yoder Anne D.
Published: July 2008

We review the expanding role of molecular genetics in the emergence of a vibrant and vital integrative biogeography. The enormous growth over the past several decades in the number and variety of molecular-based phylogenetic and population genetics studies has become the core information used by biogeographers to reconstruct the causal connections between historical evolutionary and ecological attributes of taxa and biotas, and the landscapes and seascapes that contain them. A proliferation of different approaches, sequences, and genomes have provided for the integration of a `biogeography of the Late Neogene' with other Earth and biological sciences under the rubrics of phylogeography, landscape genetics, and phylochronology. Approaches designed explicitly to take advantage of unique properties of molecular genetic information have led to the re-emergence of dispersal as an analytically tractable process that historical biogeographers can now use, along with vicariance, to reconstruct the geographical context of diversification. Concomitant with the expanding amount of information available, molecular data sets often provide for estimates of lineage divergence dates, and analytical tools for doing so continue to improve. The comparability of molecular-based estimates of phylogenetic and population genetic histories across non-related taxa has stimulated deployment of new methods to test for spatial and temporal congruence across co-distributed taxa and ecosystems, and thus increased rigour in hypothesis-testing. We illustrate how a molecular genetics framework has provided robust and novel reconstructions of historical biogeographical pattern and process in three different systems, and finish with some thoughts on the role a molecular genetic-based biogeography will play in predicting alternative futures of biodiversity.
Impacts of climate change on species, populations and communities: palaeobiogeographical insights and frontiers
Authors: MacDonald G.M. , Bennett K.D. , Jackson S.T. , Parducci L. , Smith F.A. , Smol J.P. , Willis K.J.
Published: July 2008

Understanding climate change and its potential impact on species, populations and communities is one of the most pressing questions of twenty-first-century conservation planning. Palaeobiogeographers working on Cenozoic fossil records and other lines of evidence are producing important insights into the dynamic nature of climate and the equally dynamic response of species, populations and communities. Climatic variations ranging in length from multimillennia to decades run throughout the palaeo-records of the Quaternary and earlier Cenozoic and have been shown to have had impacts ranging from changes in the genetic structure and morphology of individual species, population sizes and distributions, community composition to large-scale bio-diversity gradients. The biogeographical impacts of climate change may be due directly to the effects of alterations in temperature and moisture on species, or they may arise due to changes in factors such as disturbance regimes. Much of the recent progress in the application of palaeobiogegraphy to issues of climate change and its impacts can be attributed to developments along a number of still advancing methodological frontiers. These include increasingly finely resolved chronological resolution, more refined atmosphere-biosphere modelling, new biological and chemical techniques in reconstructing past species distributions and past climates, the development of large and readily accessible geo-referenced databases of biogeographical and climatic information, and new approaches in fossil morphological analysis and new molecular DNA techniques.
Macroecology: more than the division of food and space among species on continents
Authors: Smith Felisa A. , Lyons S. Kathleen , Morgan Ernest S.K. , Brown James H.
Published: July 2008

Macroecology is a big-picture, statistical approach to the study of ecology. By focusing on broadly occurring patterns and processes operating at large spatial and temporal scales and ignoring localized and fine-scaled details, macroecology aims to uncover general mechanisms operating at organism, population and ecosystem levels of organization. Although such an approach is evident in writings dating from the mid- to late 1800s, not until 1989 was the domain of macroecology clearly articulated. Since then there has been an exponential growth in publications employing a macroecological perspective. Here we (1) briefly review the history of macroecology, with emphasis on cultural, scientific and technological innovations that made this approach possible, (2) highlight current developments in the field, including its increasing linkages with biogeography and other disciplines, and (3) point to likely future directions. We also touch upon methodological, statistical and institutional challenges faced by this and other highly interdisciplinary approaches. Our review of macroecology is especially timely, since it has been 20 years since the term was coined and the seminal paper published.
Effect of Sodium Carbonate Solution on Self-setting Properties of Tricalcium Silicate Bone Cement
Authors: Zhiguang Huan  , Jiang Chang
Published: July 2008

In this study, the effects of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3 ) solution with different concentrations (10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%) as liquid phase on the setting time and compressive strength of tricalcium silicate bone cements are investigated. The in vitro bioactivity and degradability of the resultant Ca3SiO5-Na2CO3 solution paste was also studied. The results indicate that as the concentration of Na2CO3 solution varies from 0 to 25 wt%, the initial and final setting time of the cement decrease significantly from 90 to 20 min and from 180 to 45min, respectively. After setting for 24 h, the compressive strength of Ca3SiO5-Na2CO3 solution paste reaches 5.1MPa, which is significantly higher than that of Ca 3SiO5-water cement system. The in vitro bioactivity of the cements is investigated by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 7 days. The results show that the Ca3SiO5-Na2CO 3 solution bone cement has a good bioactivity and can degrade in Ringer's solution. The results indicate that Na2CO3 solution as a liquid phase significantly improves the self-setting properties of Ca 3SiO5 cement as compared to water. The Ca3SiO 5 cement paste prepared using Na2CO3 solution shows good bioactivity and moderate degradability, and the Ca3SiO 5-Na2CO3 solution system may be used as degradable and bioactive bone defect filling materials.
Water Transport in Resin-modified Glass-ionomer Dental Cement
Authors: Percq Audrey , Dubois Denis , Nicholson J.W.
Published: July 2008

Water uptake and water loss have been studied in a commercial resin-modified glass-ionomer cement, Fuji II LC, under a variety of conditions. Uptake was generally non-Fickian, but affected by temperature. At room temperature, the equilibrium water uptake values varied from 2.47 to 2.78% whereas at low temperature (12°C), it varied from 0.85 to 1.18%. Cure time affected uptake values significantly. Water uptake was much lower than in conventional glass-ionomer restorative cements exposed to water vapor. Loss of water under desiccating conditions was found to be Fickian for the first 5 h loss at both 22 and 12°C. Diffusion coefficients were between 0.45 and 0.76 × 10 -7 cm2/s, with low temperature diffusion coefficients slightly greater than those at room temperature. Plotting water loss as percentage versus s-½ allowed activation energies to be determined from the Arrhenius equation and these were found to be 65.6, 79.8, and 7.7 kJ/mol respectively for 30, 20, and 10 s cure times. The overall conclusion is that the main advantage of incorporating HEMA into resin-modified-glass-ionomers is to alter water loss behavior. Rate of water loss and total amount lost are both reduced. Hence, resin-modified glass-ionomers are less sensitive to water loss than conventional glass-ionomers.
Electrohydrodynamic Jetting Behaviour of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Nanocomposite
Authors: Bakhshi R. , Edirisinghe M.J. , Darbyshire A. , Ahmad Z. , Seifalian A.M.
Published: July 2008

In this paper, we investigate in detail the electrohydrodynamic spraying of a nonbiodegradable nanocomposite polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane polymer developed in our laboratories and currently being explored for coating metallic stent materials. Different concentrations of the polymer have been dissolved to prepare, characterise, and electrohydrodynamically deposit the polymer on stainless steel. From the experiments, the solution containing 15 wt% polymer was selected for further investigation. The variation of film/ coating thickness as a function of spraying time was studied and the structural features of the film were assessed using microscopy. Films were also tensile tested. This study has identified a process and conditions which can be used in our stent coating research.
Guar Gum as Potential Film Coating Material for Colon-specific Delivery of Fluorouracil
Authors: Ji C.M. , Xu H.N. , Wu W.
Published: July 2008

The potential of guar gum as a film coating material for colon-specific delivery of 5-fluorouracil is evaluated in this study. The guar gum-based multi-unit pellet system is prepared by coating guar gum and pH-sensitive polymer Eudragit FS30D sequentially around drug-loaded non-pareil cores in a fluid-bed coater. The outer Eudragit FS coating protects the system against gastrointestinal environment and dissolves rapidly in distal small intestine, where a lumen pH of over 7 triggers the dissolution of the enteric polymer. The inner guar gum coating works as a time-controlled retardant and offers additional protection of the pellets until it is degraded by microbial enzymes at the proximal colon. In vitro results indicate that guar gum is a feasible coating material to achieve timed and enzyme-triggered fluorouracil release. Pharmacokinetic study in beagle dogs shows delayed absorption of about 5 h and limited absorption fraction as a result of guar gum and Eudragit FS coating.
RhBMP-2 Microspheres-Loaded Chitosan/Collagen Scaffold Enhanced Osseointegration: An Experiment in Dog
Authors: Shanshan Shi  , Xiangrong Cheng  , Jiawei Wang  , Wei Zhang  , Lin Peng  , Yufeng Zhang
Published: July 2008

The purpose of this study is to develop a novel recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) sustained release scaffold for dental implant osseointegration, and to evaluate the effect of this scaffold on promoting bone formation. RhBMP-2 was encapsulated in the poly-D,L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) biodegradable microspheres, which were subsequently dispersed in a chitosan/collagen composite scaffold. This rhBMP-2 microspheres-loaded scaffold (S-MB) was compared with a chitosan/collagen scaffold without microspheres that directly encapsulated rhBMP-2 (S-B) in vitro and in vivo. The microstructure of the new scaffold was examined with scanning electron microscopy. The release profile of rhBMP-2 in vitro was measured at interval periods. The effect of rhBMP-2 encapsulated scaffolds on enhancing bone formation through implantation in dogs' mandibles was identified by histological examination of the regenerated bone after 4 weeks of implantation. Due to PLGA microspheres being loaded, the S-MB exhibited lower values at porosity and swelling rate, as well as a higher effective release dose than that of the S-B. Bone density, bone-implant contact, and bone-fill values measured from dog experiments demonstrated that the S-MB induced bone regeneration more quickly and was timely substituted by new bone. It was concluded that this sustained carrier scaffold based on microspheres was more effective to induce implant osseointegration.
Detection of Intimate Partner Violence in a General Medicine Practice
Authors: Soglin Lenore F. , Bauchat Jeanette , Soglin David F. , Martin Gary J.
Published: July 2008

In this study, an assessment phase is undertaken to determine intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence. An anonymous survey is followed by a chart review documenting identification of IPV. Two methods are attempted to increase assessment/documentation of IPV: a physician educational intervention and a nursing routine inquiry intervention in one quadrant of the practice. The IPV physician educational intervention includes didactic sessions, an IPV counselor, and resource information. The routine inquiry intervention involves nurses screening female patients for IPV at check-in. IPV is found to be prevalent in a general medicine clinic. An enhanced educational intervention does not increase IPV documentation. A routine inquiry intervention significantly increases documentation of lifetime IPV but does not impact current IPV identification.
The Danger Assessment
Authors: Campbell Jacquelyn C. , Webster Daniel W. , Glass Nancy
Published: July 2008

The Danger Assessment (DA) is an instrument designed to assess the likelihood of lethality or near lethality occurring in a case of intimate partner violence. This article describes the development, psychometric validation, and suggestions for use of the DA. An 11-city study of intimate partner femicide used multivariate analysis to test the predictive validity of the risk factors on the DA from intimate partner femicide cases ( N = 310) compared with 324 abused women in the same cities (controls). The results were used to revise the DA (four items added; one “double-barreled” item divided into two), and the calculated weights (adjusted odds ratios) used to develop a scoring algorithm with levels of risk. These levels of risk were then tested with an independent sample of attempted femicides ( N = 194) with a final outcome of .90 of the cases included in the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Interprefactions: Freud's legendary science
Authors: Borch-Jacobsen Mikkel , Shamdasani Sonu
Published: July 2008

In this article we introduce an argument developed in Borch-Jacobsen and Shamdasani (2006). We attempt to draw some consequences from several decades of work in Freud history. We argue that such work has had the cumulative effect of showing up the legendary nature of Freud's epistemology, and has demonstrated the direct linkages between his interpretive procedures and rewriting of history. The Freud legend was by no means a supplementary accessory which accompanied substantive advances, akin to the legend of Newton's apple: rather, it was constitutive of the very identity of psychoanalysis, and enabled its differentiation from rival psychologies and psychotherapies, and promoted the claim that it formed the only viable science of mind and the most advanced form of psychotherapy. Historical research enables one to grasp the legendary nature of Freud's achievement.