bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging the seismic structure and stress field in the source region of the 2004 mid‐Niigata prefecture earthquake: Structural zones of weakness and seismogenic stress concentration by ductile flow
Authors: Kato Aitaro , Sakai Shin'ichi , Hirata Naoshi , Kurashimo Eiji , Iidaka Takashi , Iwasaki Takaya , Kanazawa Toshihiko
Published: August 2006

We deployed a dense temporal seismic network in the source region of the 2004 mid‐Niigata prefecture earthquake (thrust fault), Japan. A detailed velocity structure and accurate aftershock distributions were elucidated by inverting aftershock arrival times using double‐difference tomography. A stress tensor inversion using the first‐motion data was also conducted in order to investigate the stress field. The seismic velocities in the hanging wall above the main shock fault are lower than those in the footwall, with the velocity contrast extending to a depth of approximately 10 km. The aftershocks along the main shock rupture zone are distributed around the sharp boundary between the low‐ and high‐velocity bodies. Furthermore, aftershocks associated with the largest aftershock appear to be aligned on a boundary between low‐ and high‐velocity zones, in the footwall. The orientation of maximum principal stress (σ1) is consistent with the regional compressional strain rate axis inferred from GPS data, except in the southwestern side of the main shock hypocenter where the azimuth of σ1 rotates approximately 20° counterclockwise. The main shock hypocenter was located roughly at the transition zone where the structure of the hanging wall changes laterally and the azimuth of σ1 rotates. Heterogeneous structures of the seismic velocity and the stress field, combined with the ductile deformation of the upper crust, may have concentrated seismogenic stress around the hypocenter area to cause the complex distributions of aftershock sequence on structural boundaries.
On the incidence of debris flows from the early Little Ice Age to a future greenhouse climate: A case study from the Swiss Alps
Authors: Stoffel Markus , Beniston Martin
Published: August 2006

Tree‐ring based reconstructions of 123 debris‐flow events in a case‐study area of the Swiss Alps since AD 1570 show enhanced activity during the wet periods (1864–1895) following the last LIA glacier advance and in the early decades of the 20th century. In contrast, comparably low activity can be observed since 1995, with only one event recorded. From the reconstructions and based on RCM simulations, there are indications that debris‐flow frequencies might continue to decrease in a future climate, as precipitation events are projected to occur less frequently in summer but become more common in spring or fall.
Acute Exposure to Normobaric Mild Hypoxia Alters Dynamic Relationships between Blood Pressure and Cerebral Blood Flow at Very Low Frequency
Authors: Iwasaki Ken-ichi , Ogawa Yojiro , Shibata Shigeki , Aoki Ken
Published: August 2006

Acute hypoxia directly causes cerebral arteriole vasodilation and also stimulates peripheral chemoreceptors to change autonomic neural activity. These changes may alter cerebral vascular modulation. We therefore hypothesized that dynamic cerebral autoregulation would be altered during acute exposure to hypoxia. Fifteen healthy men were examined under normoxic (21%) and hypoxic conditions. Oxygen concentrations were decreased in stepwise fashion to 19%, 17%, and 15%, for 10 mins at each level. Mean blood pressure (MBP) in the radial artery was measured via tonometry, and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in the middle cerebral artery was measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was assessed by spectral and transfer function analysis of beat-by-beat changes in MBP and CBFV. Arterial oxygen saturation decreased significantly during hypoxia, while end-tidal CO2 and respiratory rate were unchanged, as was steady-state CBFV. With 15% O2, very-low-frequency power of MBP and CBFV variability increased significantly by 185% and 282%, respectively. Moreover, transfer function coherence (21% O2, 0.46 ± 0.04; 15% O2, 0.64 ± 0.04; P = 0.028) and gain (21% O2, 0.61 ± 0.05 cm/secs/mm Hg; 15% O2, 0.86 ± 0.08 cm/secs/mm Hg; P = 0.035) in the very-low-frequency range increased significantly by 53% and 48% with 15% O2, respectively. However, these indices were unchanged in low- and high-frequency ranges. Acute hypoxia thus increases arterial pressure oscillations and dependence of cerebral blood flow (CBF) fluctuations on blood pressure oscillations, resulting in apparent increases in CBF fluctuations in the very-low-frequency range. Hypoxia may thus impair dynamic cerebral autoregulation in this range. However, these changes were significant only with hypoxia at 15% O2, suggesting a possible threshold for such changes.
Stroke-Induced Subventricular Zone Proliferation is Promoted by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Converting Enzyme Protease Activity
Authors: Katakowski Mark , Chen Jieli , Zhang Zheng Gang , Santra Manoranjan , Wang Ying , Chopp Michael
Published: August 2006

Cerebral stroke induces proliferation of subventricular zone (SVZ) neural progenitor cells in adult rodent brain. Tumor necrosis factor-α-converting enzyme (TACE) proteolysis sheds the nonamyloidogenic soluble ectodomain of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and is a convertase for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). The resulting soluble peptides of APP and TNFα are mitogenic for neural progenitor cells of the SVZ. Therefore, we hypothesized a role for TACE proteolysis in stroke-induced neurogenesis. Using laser-capture microdissection, we found TACE transcription was increased in SVZ cells of ischemic brain. Immunohistochemistry revealed TACE protein was upregulated in SVZ neuroblasts. Intraventricular infusion of tumor necrosis factor-α protease inhibitor-2 (TAPI-2) decreased bromodeoxyuridine incorporation in SVZ cells of rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion. Furthermore, primary culture SVZ neurospheres from ischemic brain overexpress TACE and its substrates APP and TNF-α. These cells proliferated more rapidly, possessed increased TACE protease-dependent α-secretase activity, and released more soluble APP and TNFα compared with nonischemic control. In addition, TAPI-2 reduced SVZ neuroblast migration out of SVZ explants in vitro. These findings indicate TACE proteolysis as a promoter of stroke-induced SVZ progenitor cell neurogenesis, and suggest this protease activity may represent an attractive therapeutic target for stroke recovery.
Analysis of kinetic isotope effects for nonadiabatic reactions
Authors: Kim Hyojoon , Hanna Gabriel , Kapral Raymond
Published: August 2006

Factors influencing the rates of quantum mechanical particle transfer reactions in many-body systems are discussed. The investigations are carried out on a simple model for a proton transfer reaction that captures generic features seen in more realistic models of condensed phase systems. The model involves a bistable quantum oscillator coupled to a one-dimensional double-well reaction coordinate, which is in turn coupled to a bath of harmonic oscillators. Reactive-flux correlation functions that involve quantum-classical Liouville dynamics for chemical species operators and quantum equilibrium sampling are used to estimate the reaction rates. Approximate analytical expressions for the quantum equilibrium structure are derived. Reaction rates are shown to be influenced significantly by both the quantum equilibrium structure and nonadiabatic dynamics. Nonadiabatic dynamical effects are found to play the major role in determining the magnitude of the kinetic isotope effect for the model transfer reaction.
Vibrational structures of methylamine isotopomers in the predissociative Ã states: CH3NHD, CD3NH2, CD3NHD, and CD3ND2
Authors: Park Min Hee , Choi Kyo-Won , Choi Sunyoung , Kim Sang Kyu , Choi Young S.
Published: August 2006

Mass-resolved two-photon (1+1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization spectra of the Ã-X transitions of various methylamine isotopomers (CH3NHD, CD3NH2, CD3NHD, and CD3ND2) cooled in the supersonic jet expansion have been measured and analyzed. The band analysis using the Hamiltonian for the internal and overall rotational motions provides the accurate vibrational band positions, allowing for unambiguous assignments for all observed vibrational bands of methylamine isotopomers in the Ã states. Amino wagging (ν9) and methyl rocking (ν7) modes are found to be Franck-Condon active, and associated anharmonicity constants are precisely determined to give the detailed shape of the potential energy surface in the vicinity of the minimum electronic molecular structure. The barrier height for the nearly free internal rotation about the C–N bond in the Ã state is calculated to be strongly dependent on the excitation of the other higher-frequency vibrational modes, and it is found that the trend is consistent with the experiment. Experimentally measured spectroscopic constants are compared with ab initio calculations, confirming all vibronic assignments. Experimental and theoretical results on all possible H∕D isotopomers of methylamine in this work, with the earlier report on CH3NH2 and CH3ND2 Baek et al., [J. Chem. Phys. 118, 11026 (2003)], provide the complete spectroscopic characterization of the Ã state of methylamine.
Junction characteristics of SrTiO3 or BaTiO3 on p-Si (100) heterostructures
Authors: Hunter D. , Lord K. , Williams T. M. , Zhang K. , Pradhan A. K. , Sahu D. R. , Huang J.-L.
Published: August 2006

The authors report the fabrication of p-n junctions, consisting of n-type SrTiO3 or BaTiO3 and p-type Si substrates, by the pulsed-laser deposition technique. The BaTiO3∕Si junction exhibits excellent rectifying behavior and significantly reduced leakage current at 300K exceeding breakdown voltage of −25V with leakage current <0.5μA, while SrTiO3∕Si with an interfacial layer shows moderate junction characteristics. It was demonstrated that the BaTiO3∕Si grown at an optimum growth temperature of 650°C displayed superior performance which is promising for electronic devices. Both junctions show photocurrent at 300K due to electron injection following the photoexcitation of n-type perovskite.
GaAs photodetectors prepared by high-energy and high-dose nitrogen implantation
Authors: Mikulics Martin , Marso Michel , Mantl Siegfried , Lüth Hans , Kordoš Peter
Published: August 2006

The authors report on the fabrication and characterization of photodetectors based on nitrogen-ion-implanted GaAs and the annealing dynamics in these devices. An energy of 400keV was used to implant N ions in a GaAs substrate at an ion concentration of ∼1×1016cm−2. Dark current measurements as well as measurements under illumination show that the material properties rapidly change during the annealing process. Photodetectors based on nitrogen-implanted GaAs materials with annealing temperatures up to 400°C exhibit a subpicosecond carrier lifetime up to 0.6ps. These properties make nitrogen-ion-implanted GaAs an ideal material for ultrafast photodetectors, as alternative to low-temperature-grown GaAs.
Molecular phylogenetics and the evolution of wing reduction in the Baeini (Hymenoptera:Scelionidae): parasitoids of spider eggs
Authors: Carey D. , Murphy N. P. , Austin A. D.
Published: August 2006

Members of the tribe Baeini are unique among the Scelonidae as endoparasitoids of the eggs of spiders, whereas all other scelionids parasitise insect eggs. The monophyly of the Baeini has previously been assumed based on this host association and several morphological characteristics, none of which are unequivocal. Here we present a phylogeny for the group using sequence data from two genes and 32 ingroup taxa, mostly from Australia. Combined analysis of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene and the mitochondrial CO1 gene showed that the tribe is not monophyletic, because two genera (Neobaeus Austin and Mirobaeoides Dodd) are resolved in a clade separate from the rest of the Baeini. The two most speciose genera, Idris Foerster and Ceratobaeus Ashmead, are not resolved as monophyletic, indicating that a metasomal horn, which acts as a recess for the internally retracted ovipositor, has evolved multiple times within the tribe. Mapping of wing reduction states that occur in the Baeini revealed multiple wing reduction events, possibly associated with adaptations for searching for host egg masses in crytobiotic habitats, and/or penetrating the silk egg sacs of spiders. The molecular phylogeny generated in this study differs significantly from previous morphological phylogenies, and has resolved relationships that have otherwise been intractable in morphological studies because of homoplasy associated with reduction in body size.
Can screening for domestic violence be introduced successfully in a sexual health clinic?
Authors: McNulty Anna , Andrews Paul , Bonner Michelle
Published: August 2006

Background: Domestic violence is reported frequently when Australian women are surveyed and is associated with poorer health outcomes on a variety of measures. Routine screening for domestic violence is a strategy designed to both prevent domestic violence and provide an opportunity for early intervention. Methods: Following staff consultation and training, a 1-month pilot of routine screening for domestic violence (RSDV) of all female patients was conducted in a large sexual health clinic. Results: Following the evaluation of this pilot, RSDV was introduced in 2003 for all new female patients. Of the 3244 women eligible for screening, 2893 (89%) were screened. Of these, 254 (8.8%) identified domestic violence. Conclusions: Routine screening for domestic violence is feasible in a sexual health clinic population. High screening rates were achieved and high rates of domestic violence were identified, providing an opportunity for intervention.
Two cases of group A streptococcal vulvovaginitis in premenopausal adults in a sexual health setting
Authors: Bray Susan , Morgan Jane
Published: August 2006

Two cases of group A streptococcus (GAS) causing vulvovaginitis in premenopausal adults are described. A review of the literature of genital GAS is made, as this is an uncommon cause of vulvovaginitis in premenopausal adults. Contrasts are made between anogenital carriage of GAS and group B streptococcus (GBS) to highlight the differences in anogenital carriage between these two organisms.
Experience of sexual intercourse and reported risk behaviour among an ethnically diverse sample of young people
Authors: Coleman Lester , Testa Adrienne
Published: August 2006

Background: Certain Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups have been identified as bearing a disproportionate burden of sexual ill health in the UK. There still exists a significant gap in the evidence-base concerning the sexual behaviours of BME youth. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 16 secondary schools in London, where the proportion of BME students exceeded two-thirds of the intake. The aim was to identify the factors associated with sexual intercourse and sexual risk behaviours. Results: 2801 students aged 15 to 18 completed questionnaires. Compared with White British males, Black males were significantly more likely to report sexual intercourse (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.92–4.81). Compared with White British females, Asian females were significantly less likely to report sexual intercourse (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.27–0.69). Both sexes reporting school as their main source of information, as opposed to their family, had a lower likelihood of intercourse (males OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.21–0.53, females OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.25–0.62). Compared with White British males, contraceptive use at first ever intercourse was significantly less likely among Black males (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16–0.98) and males of Mixed ethnicity (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.06–0.92). Among females, higher sexual health knowledge was associated with contraceptive use (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.76–12.49). Males reporting higher sexual health knowledge were more likely to be ‘sexually competent’ at first ever intercourse (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.10–4.69). Conclusions: Given the importance of sexual health knowledge, ensuring this is improved among all ethnic groups, especially the Black and Mixed male groups, is a key message to arise from this study. Delivering this information in a ‘culturally competent’ manner is an important goal.
Abnormal sex ratios in human populations: Causes and consequences
Authors: Hesketh Therese , Xing Zhu Wei
Published: August 2006

In the absence of manipulation, both the sex ratio at birth and the population sex ratio are remarkably constant in human populations. Small alterations do occur naturally; for example, a small excess of male births has been reported to occur during and after war. The tradition of son preference, however, has distorted these natural sex ratios in large parts of Asia and North Africa. This son preference is manifest in sex-selective abortion and in discrimination in care practices for girls, both of which lead to higher female mortality. Differential gender mortality has been a documented problem for decades and led to reports in the early 1990s of 100 million “missing women” across the developing world. Since that time, improved health care and conditions for women have resulted in reductions in female mortality, but these advances have now been offset by a huge increase in the use of sex-selective abortion, which became available in the mid-1980s. Largely as a result of this practice, there are now an estimated 80 million missing females in India and China alone. The large cohorts of “surplus” males now reaching adulthood are predominantly of low socioeconomic class, and concerns have been expressed that their lack of marriageability, and consequent marginalization in society, may lead to antisocial behavior and violence, threatening societal stability and security. Measures to reduce sex selection must include strict enforcement of existing legislation, the ensuring of equal rights for women, and public awareness campaigns about the dangers of gender imbalance.
Annually reoccurring bacterial communities are predictable from ocean conditions
Authors: Fuhrman Jed A. , Hewson Ian , Schwalbach Michael S. , Steele Joshua A. , Brown Mark V. , Naeem Shahid
Published: August 2006

Factors influencing patterns in the distribution and abundance of plant and animal taxa modulate ecosystem function and ecosystem response to environmental change, which is often taken to infer low functional redundancy among such species, but such relationships are poorly known for microbial communities. Using high-resolution molecular fingerprinting, we demonstrate the existence of extraordinarily repeatable temporal patterns in the community composition of 171 operational taxonomic units of marine bacterioplankton over 4.5 years at our Microbial Observatory site, 20 km off the southern California coast. These patterns in distribution and abundance of microbial taxa were highly predictable and significantly influenced by a broad range of both abiotic and biotic factors. These findings provide statistically robust demonstration of temporal patterning in marine bacterial distribution and abundance, which suggests that the distribution and abundance of bacterial taxa may modulate ecosystem function and response and that a significant subset of the bacteria exhibit low levels of functional redundancy as documented for many plant and animal communities.
Non-cell-autonomous rescue of anaphase-promoting complex function revealed by mosaic analysis of
HOBBIT
, an
Arabidopsis CDC27
homolog
Authors: Serralbo Olivier , Pérez-Pérez José Manuel , Heidstra Renze , Scheres Ben
Published: August 2006

The
Arabidopsis HOBBIT
(
HBT
) gene encodes a homolog of the CDC27 anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome subunit and is essential for postembryonic development. We induced loss-of-function clones by
Cre/lox
-mediated recombination of a single complementing
HBT
transgene in a background homozygous for the strong mutant allele

hbt
2311

. Defects in cell division and cell expansion are the primary consequences of ubiquitous postembryonic
HBT
excision. In roots, both cell division and cell expansion are rapidly affected. In contrast, in leaf primordia, cell division and cell expansion halt after a lag phase, which results in different severities of defects in the proximodistal and mediolateral axes. Surprisingly, small clones reveal non-cell-autonomous rescue of
hbt
mutant cells, indicating a previously unrecognized compensation mechanism for reduced activity of an anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome component critical for cell cycle progression.
Cryptic out-of-frame translational initiation of TBCE rescues tubulin formation in compound heterozygous HRD
Authors: Tian Guoling , Huang Melissa C. , Parvari Ruti , Diaz George A. , Cowan Nicholas J.
Published: August 2006

Microtubules are indispensable dynamic structures that contribute to many essential biological functions. Assembly of the native α/β tubulin heterodimer, the subunit that polymerizes to form microtubules, requires the participation of several molecular chaperones, namely prefoldin, the cytosolic chaperonin CCT, and a series of five tubulin-specific chaperones termed cofactors A–E (TBCA–E). Among these, TBCC, TBCD, and TBCE are essential in higher eukaryotes; they function together as a multimolecular machine that assembles quasinative CCT-generated α- and β-tubulin polypeptides into new heterodimers. Deletion and truncation mutations in the gene encoding TBCE have been shown to cause the rare autosomal recessive syndrome known as HRD, a devastating disorder characterized by congenital hypoparathyroidism, mental retardation, facial dysmorphism, and extreme growth failure. Here we identify cryptic translational initiation at each of three out-of-frame AUG codons upstream of the genetic lesion as a unique mechanism that rescues a mutant HRD allele by producing a functional TBCE protein. Our data explain how afflicted individuals, who would otherwise lack the capacity to make functional TBCE, can survive and point to a limiting capacity to fold tubulin heterodimers
de novo
as a contributing factor to disease pathogenesis.
Comparison of multiple vertebrate genomes reveals the birth and evolution of human exons
Authors: Zhang Xiang H.-F. , Chasin Lawrence A.
Published: August 2006

Orthologous gene structures in eight vertebrate species were compared on a genomic scale to detect the birth and maturation of new internal exons during the course of evolution. We found that 40% of new human exons are alternatively spliced, and most of these are cassette exons (exons that are either included or skipped in their entirety) with low inclusion rates. This proportion decreases steadily as older and older exons are examined, even as splicing efficiency increases. Remarkably, the great majority of new cassette exons are composed of highly repeated sequences, especially Alu. Many new cassette exons are 5′ untranslated exons; the proportion that code for protein increases steadily with age. New protein-coding exons evolve at a high rate, as evidenced by the initially high substitution rates (
K
s
and
K
a
), as well as the SNP density compared with older exons. This dynamic picture suggests that
de novo
recruitment rather than shuffling is the major route by which exons are added to genes, and that species-specific repeats could play a significant role in recent evolution.
RovA, a global regulator of
Yersinia pestis
, specifically required for bubonic plague
Authors: Cathelyn Jason S. , Crosby Seth D. , Lathem Wyndham W. , Goldman William E. , Miller Virginia L.
Published: August 2006

The pathogenic species of
Yersinia
contain the transcriptional regulator RovA. In
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
and
Yersinia enterocolitica
, RovA regulates expression of the invasion factor invasin (
inv
), which mediates translocation across the intestinal epithelium. A
Y
. enterocolitica rov
A
mutant has a significant decrease in virulence by LD
50
analysis and an altered rate of dissemination compared with either wild type or an
inv
mutant, suggesting that RovA regulates multiple virulence factors. Here, we show the involvement of RovA in the virulence of
Yersinia pestis
, which naturally lacks a functional
inv
gene. A
Y
. pestis Δrov
A
mutant is attenuated ≈80-fold by LD
50
and is defective in dissemination/colonization of spleens and lungs after s.c. inoculation. However, the Δrov
A
mutant is only slightly attenuated when given via an intranasal or i.p. route, indicating a more important role for RovA in bubonic plague than pneumonic plague or systemic infection. Microarray analysis was used to define the RovA regulon. The
psa
locus was among the most highly down-regulated loci in the Δrov
A
mutant. A Δ
psaA
mutant had a significant dissemination defect after s.c. infection but only slight attenuation by the pneumonic-disease model, closely mimicking the virulence defect seen with the Δrov
A
mutant. DNA-binding studies revealed that RovA specifically interacts with the
psaE
and
psaA
promoter regions, indicating a direct role for RovA in regulating this locus. Thus, RovA appears to be a global transcription factor in
Y
. pestis and, through its regulatory influence on genes such as
psaEFABC
, contributes to the virulence of
Y
. pestis.
Overdominant quantitative trait loci for yield and fitness in tomato
Authors: Semel Yaniv , Nissenbaum Jonathan , Menda Naama , Zinder Michael , Krieger Uri , Issman Noa , Pleban Tzili , Lippman Zachary , Gur Amit , Zamir Dani
Published: August 2006

Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, is a major genetic force that contributes to world food production. The genetic basis of heterosis is not clear, and the importance of loci with overdominant (ODO) effects is debated. One problem has been the use of whole-genome segregating populations, where interactions often mask the effects of individual loci. To assess the contribution of ODO to heterosis in the absence of epistasis, we carried out quantitative genetic and phenotypic analyses on a population of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) introgression lines (ILs), which carry single marker-defined chromosome segments from the distantly related wild speciesSolanum pennellii. The ILs revealed 841 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for 35 diverse traits measured in the field on homozygous and heterozygous plants. ILs showing greater reproductive fitness were characterized by the prevalence of ODO QTL, which were virtually absent for the nonreproductive traits. ODO can result from true ODO due to allelic interactions of a single gene or from pseudoODO that involves linked loci with dominant alleles in repulsion. The fact that we detected dominant and recessive QTL for all phenotypic categories but ODO only for the reproductive traits indicates that pseudoODO due to random linkage is unlikely to explain heterosis in the ILs. Thus, we favor the true ODO model involving a single functional Mendelian locus. We propose that the alliance of ODO QTL with higher reproductive fitness was selected for in evolution and was domesticated by man to improve yields of crop plants.
The Early Reception and Diffusion of Irving Fisher's work in Italy
Authors: Pavanelli Giovanni
Published: August 2006

Irving Fisher is widely regarded as one of the greatest economists of the twentieth century, and his achievements in neoclassical theory have had a profound influence on contemporary research. However, while there is no lack of research into the international diffusion of Keynes's thought, very little is known about how Fisher's ideas spread among scholars and policymakers throughout different countries. Yet, an understanding of when and how Fisher's writings influenced economic theorizing and policy debates worldwide could shed new light on the process of international transmission of economic ideas in general and on the evolution of the neoclassical paradigm in particular.
Urban education: confronting the contradictions: an analysis with special reference to London
Authors: Grace Gerald
Published: August 2006

This paper attempts to provide some answers to two questions: What are the distinctive challenges of urban education (especially in London) and how can schools help to meet them? Using theoretical frameworks derived from the writings of two leading scholars of the urban, Manuel Castells
and David Harvey, this paper argues that the challenges in urban education are especially manifest in inner-city communities and in inner-city schools and colleges. The challenges for urban education consist in trying to find effective, and above all, sustained ways of responding
to those contradictions.
Individualization in the widening participation debate
Authors: Baker Sally , Brown B. , Fazey J. A.
Published: August 2006

We provide an analysis of some recent widening participation literature concerning the barriers preventing non-traditional students accessing higher education. This literature criticizes higher education institutions and staff, opening up the academics' attitudes and skills to inquiry.
We follow the genesis of four themes in the literature and these are visited in turn to provide substantive arguments. Students' accounts of their experiences are taken as if they were a systematic analysis of higher education institutions and result in an individualistic analysis of the problems
related to access and progression. Beck described such assumptions and devices as individualization. We question the use of such pervasive individualism in the widening participation debate.
Vacuolar and plasma membrane stripping and autophagic elimination of Toxoplasma gondii in primed effector macrophages
Authors: Ling Yun M. , Shaw Michael H. , Ayala Carol , Coppens Isabelle , Taylor Gregory A. , Ferguson David J.P. , Yap George S.
Published: August 2006

Apicomplexan protozoan pathogens avoid destruction and establish a replicative niche within host cells by forming a nonfusogenic parasitophorous vacuole (PV). Here we present evidence for lysosome-mediated degradation of Toxoplasma gondii after invasion of macrophages activated in vivo. Pathogen elimination was dependent on the interferon γ inducible-p47 GTPase, IGTP, required PI3K activity, and was preceded by PV membrane indentation, vesiculation, disruption, and, surprisingly, stripping of the parasite plasma membrane. Denuded parasites were enveloped in autophagosome-like vacuoles, which ultimately fused with lysosomes. These observations outline a series of mechanisms used by effector cells to redirect the fate of a classically nonfusogenic intracellular pathogen toward a path of immune elimination.
Real-Time Monitoring of Calcineurin Activity in Living Cells: Evidence for Two Distinct Ca2+-dependent Pathways in Fission Yeast
Authors: Deng Lu , Sugiura Reiko , Takeuchi Mai , Suzuki Masahiro , Ebina Hidemine , Takami Tomonori , Koike Atsushi , Iba Shiori , Kuno Takayoshi
Published: August 2006

In fission yeast, calcineurin dephosphorylates and activates the Prz1 transcription factor. Here, we identified the calcineurin-dependent response element (CDRE) in the promoter region of prz1+ gene and monitored the calcineurin activity in living cells using a destabilized luciferase reporter gene fused to three tandem repeats of CDRE. Elevated extracellular CaCl2 caused an increase in calcineurin activity with an initial peak and then approached a sustained constant level in a concentration-dependent manner. In CaCl2-sensitive mutants such as Δpmc1, the response was markedly enhanced, reflecting its high intracellular Ca2+. Agents expected to induce Ca2+ influx showed distinct patterns of the CDRE-reporter activity, suggesting different mechanisms of calcineurin activation. Knockout of yam8+ or cch1+ encoding putative subunits of a Ca2+ channel abolished the activation of calcineurin upon exposure to various stimuli, including high extracellular NaCl and cell wall–damaging agents. However, knockout of yam8+ or cch1+ did not affect the activation of calcineurin upon stimulation by elevated extracellular Ca2+. The Pck2 protein kinase C-Pmk1 mitogen-activate protein kinase pathway was required for the stimulation of calcineurin via Yam8/Cch1-mediated Ca2+ influx, but it was not required for the stimulation by elevated extracellular Ca2+, suggesting two distinct pathways for calcineurin activation.
A social basis for the development of primary males in a sex-changing fish
Authors: Munday Philip L , Wilson White J , Warner Robert R
Published: August 2006

An example of alternative male strategies is seen in diandric protogynous (female first) hermaphrodites, where individuals either mature directly as male (primary males) or first reproduce as female and then change sex to male (secondary males). In some sex-changing fishes, the testes of primary males appear anatomically similar to those of non-sex-changing species, whereas the testes of secondary males have anatomical evidence of their former ovarian function. Here, we provide evidence that in the bluehead wrasse,
Thalassoma bifasciatum
, these strikingly different male phenotypes arise from differences in the ontogenetic timing of environmental sex determination, timing that can be experimentally altered through changes in the social circumstances. Juveniles differentiated almost exclusively as females when reared in isolation, regardless of whether they were collected from a reef with a high proportion of primary males or from a reef with a low proportion of primary males. In contrast, one individual usually differentiated as a primary male when reared in groups of three. Our results indicate that primary males of the bluehead wrasse are an environmentally sensitive developmental strategy that has probably evolved in response to variation in the reproductive success of primary males in populations of different sizes.
The Stock Market Reaction to the Enron‐Andersen Affair in Spain
Authors: Barbera Cristina de Fuentes , Martinez María Consuelo Pucheta
Published: August 2006

This paper investigates whether listed Spanish companies audited by Andersen have suffered any negative economic impact due to the scandal surrounding Andersen’s work in Enron Corporation. To that end, we have measured the economic consequences, if any, of Andersen’s loss of reputation by examining the reaction in terms of movements in the stock prices of its client companies using an event study methodology. We have analysed abnormal returns on the stock prices of all firms listed in the Spanish Interconnected Market around two event dates: the date of Andersen’s public admission that it had destroyed significant financial documents related to Enron Corp. and the date Dynegy Inc. announced the withdrawal of its takeover offer. The results of our empirical analysis do not support the hypothesis that companies audited by Andersen suffered any significant drop in stock price as a result of the scandal affecting their auditor.
Audit Programs and Audit Risk: A Study of Japanese Practice
Authors: Fukukawa Hironori , Mock Theodore J. , Wright Arnold
Published: August 2006

The current paradigm in audit practice for evidential planning is the Audit Risk Model. However, the notion of relevant risks has broadened with the adoption in recent years of holistic audit approaches encompassing business and process risks and an increased focus on fraud risks. This study examines whether audit planning is ‘risk adjusted’ using archival data from 235 clients from a well‐established audit firm in Japan. We address all four aspects of audit planning (nature, extent, timing and staffing) and examine a wider variety of client risks than prior archival studies in order to reflect the current holistic audit approaches of global auditing firms. The main results indicate that although audit planning is based on the level of and change in assessments of many audit risk variables, the associations between client risks and audit plans are rather modest. In this respect, our findings are consistent with those from prior research. We also find that client risks that comprise business risk and fraud risk affect audit planning to some extent. Finally, we report exploratory results suggesting a substitution effect between audit planning judgments in response to higher client risks such as increasing the extent of validity tests while decreasing the extent of confirmations.
Population density, structure and early growth characteristics of Tarchonanthus camphoratus in a woodland at Naivasha, Kenya
Authors: Kiruki Harun , Njung'e Joseph
Published: August 2006

A study on population density, structure, distribution and early growth characteristics of Tarchonanthus camphoratus was carried out on a Tarchonanthus‐dominated woodland. A line plot transect 4 km in length was laid out in a woodland along the altitudinal gradient capturing most of the observed vegetation variation. In total 34, 20 × 20 m plots were evaluated for their horizontal population structure and species composition. In addition, six more plots dominated by Tarchonanthus were monitored for coppice and shoot development for a period of 8 months. Understanding of growth and population characteristics of the dominant species in woodland is necessary for its effective management. Results indicate that the woodland can be delineated into three distinct stands by using cluster analysis based on location and composition. The diameter size class distribution of the woodland follows a reverse J curve, which indicate a normal uneven‐aged forest. Tarchonanthus camphoratus has a high regenerative power after cutting or burning, which indicates its high potential for sustainable management. It was concluded that the woodland could be stratified into distinct stands for management. Permanent sample plots should be established to determine the sustained yield, as size‐class distribution alone is insufficient. A management and utilization schedule based on distinct stands is recommended.
Overexpression of SOCS3 is associated with decreased survival in a cohort of patients with de novo follicular lymphoma
Authors: Krishnadasan Ravitharan , Bifulco Carlo , Kim Julie , Rodov Sofya , Zieske Arthur W. , Vanasse Gary J.
Published: August 2006

The prognostic significance of SOCS3 protein expression was determined in de novo follicular lymphomas (FL) with t(14;18) and bcl‐2 overexpression. Presentation lymph nodes from 82 FL patients for whom clinical information was available were immunohistochemically segregated into SOCS3‐positive (n = 42) or ‐negative (n = 40) cohorts, and overall survival (OS) was analysed. SOCS3‐positive FL patients had a median OS of 10 years compared with 22 years in SOCS3‐negative patients (P = 0·001, log rank test). After adjusting for Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index subgroups, SOCS3 overexpression remained an independent predictor of decreased OS (P < 0·001). These findings suggest that overexpression of SOCS3 may be an independent poor prognostic variable in patients with de novo FL.
JSI‐124 (cucurbitacin I) inhibits Janus kinase‐3/signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 signalling, downregulates nucleophosmin‐anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and induces apoptosis in ALK‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma cells
Authors: Shi Xinzhe , Franko Bevin , Frantz Christine , Amin Hesham M. , Lai Raymond
Published: August 2006

JSI‐124 (cucurbitacin I) has been recently described as a specific inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT3). As STAT3 activation is pathogenetically important in anaplastic lymphoma kinase‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL), we investigated whether JSI‐124 can mediate significant inhibitory effects in this cell type. In two ALK+ ALCL cell lines (Karpas 299 and SU‐DHL‐1), JSI‐124 significantly reduced the number of viable cells to 50% of that of negative controls at a dose of 5–10 μmol/l at 24 h and 1–1·25 μmol/l at 48 h. This decrease in viability was associated with apoptosis, as confirmed by the increase in the subG0/1 fraction, poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase cleavage and expression of active caspase 3. JSI‐124 decreased the phosphorylated‐STAT3 and ‐Janus kinase‐3 (JAK3) levels in a dose‐dependent fashion, and these changes were coupled with significant decreases in several STAT3 downstream targets, including mcl‐1, bcl‐2, bcl‐xL and cyclin D3. Interestingly, JSI‐124 also dramatically decreased the protein levels of JAK3 and nucleophosmin (NPM)‐ALK, and these effects were reversible by MG132. Our data support that JSI‐124 is a potentially useful therapeutic agent for ALK+ ALCL. In addition to its role as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, JSI‐124 appears to be involved in regulating proteosome degradation for proteins such as JAK3 and NPM‐ALK.
Impact of BCR/ABL gene expression on the proliferative rate of different subpopulations of haematopoietic cells in chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Primo Daniel , Flores Juan , Quijano Sandra , Sanchez María Luz , Sarasquete María Eugenia , Del Pino‐Montes Javier , Gaarder Per Ivar , Gonzalez Marcos , Orfao Alberto
Published: August 2006

Despite the effects of BCR ABL on cell proliferation, no study has compared the proliferative rate of different haematopoietic cell compartments from chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) with those of normal bone marrow (NBM). We comparatively analysed the cell cycle distribution and BCR/ABL expression in different compartments of BM cells from 15 CML and 11 NBM. Overall, our results showed similar proliferative indices in CML patients and NBM. However, CD34+ myeloid precursors from CML patients displayed an increased proportion of S + G2/M‐phase cells (P = 0·04), while no significant differences were found between CML and NBM for other BM cell subsets analysed. In BM cells separated by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, decreasing levels of BCR/ABL mRNA were found from CD34+/CD38+ myeloid precursors to myeloblasts; BCR/ABL expression increased afterwards with a peak at the myelocyte/metamyelocyte stage, decreasing in the more mature band/neutrophil compartment. Unexpectedly, BCR/ABL gene expression showed an inverse correlation with the proportion of S + G2/M‐phase cells (R = −0·33; P = 0·04). These results suggest that in CML, BCR/ABL expression is associated with an increased proliferation of CD34+ myeloid haematopoietic progenitor cells but not of other more mature myeloid precursors, as confirmed by the observation of an inverse correlation between the amount of BCR/ABL transcripts and the proportion of S + G2/M‐phase cells.
Pleiotropic role of histone deacetylases in the regulation of human adult erythropoiesis
Authors: Yamamura Kentaro , Ohishi Kohshi , Katayama Naoyuki , Yu Zhaocai , Kato Keizo , Masuya Masahiro , Fujieda Atsushi , Sugimoto Yuka , Miyata Eri , Shibasaki Tetsunori , Heike Yuji , Takaue Yoichi , Shiku Hiroshi
Published: August 2006

Histone acetylation and deacetylation play fundamental roles in transcriptional regulation. We investigated the role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in human adult haematopoiesis, using the structurally distinct HDAC inhibitors FK228 (depsipeptide) and Trichostatin A. When CD34+ cells were cultured with interleukin (IL)‐3 or stem cell factor (SCF) + IL‐3, FK228 (0·5 ng/ml) specifically enhanced the generation of immature erythroid cells with a CD36+ glycophorin A (GPA)low phenotype. In semisolid cultures, FK228 promoted the formation of erythroid colonies by CD34+ cells with IL‐3 and SCF + IL‐3. Furthermore, upon exposure to FK228, CD34+ cell‐derived CD36+GPA− cells were induced to form erythroid colonies with IL‐3 alone. Conversely, FK228 inhibited the generation of CD36+GPAhigh relatively mature erythroid cells from CD34+ cells in the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) and SCF + EPO. FK228 suppressed the EPO‐mediated survival of CD36+GPAlow/‐and CD36+GPAhigh cells and induced their apoptosis. Similar effects were observed for trichostatin A in the generation of erythroid cells in IL‐3‐ and EPO‐containing cultures. These data suggest that HDACs negatively regulate the IL‐3‐mediated growth of early erythroid precursors by suppressing their responsiveness to IL‐3, while playing an important role in EPO‐mediated differentiation and survival of erythroid precursors. Our data revealed that HDACs have diverse functions in human adult erythropoiesis.
O‐2 “ARTISTIC” TRIAL: BASELINE DATA
Authors: Desai M. S. , Kitchener H. C. , Bailey A. , Peto J. , Almonte M. , Gilham C. , Sargent A. ,   the Artistic Trial Study Group
Published: August 2006

Objectives:  A randomised trial in screening to improve cytology (ARTISTIC Trial) was set up to evaluate the effectiveness of human papilloma virus (HPV) testing in primary cervical screening.

Design:  Women attending the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in Greater Manchester were screened for HPV in addition to routine cytological testing with ThinPrep Liquid‐Based Cytology (LBC). 25 020 women aged 20–64 were screened at entry and 3 years later. Participants were randomised in a 3 : 1 ratio between those whose HPV test result was revealed and acted upon and those in whom it was concealed.

Results:  A total of 24 510 women (18 386 revealed and 6124 concealed) had adequate cytology and HPV results. Cytology results at entry were: 87% normal, 11% borderline or mild, 1.1% moderate and 0.6% severe dyskaryosis or worse. Prevalence of HPV decreased sharply with age, from 40% at age 20–24 to 12% at 35–39 and 7% or less above age 50, and increased with cytological grade, from 10% (normal cytology) to 31% (borderline), 70% (mild), 86% (moderate), and 96% (severe or worse). Only 60% of women with severe dyskaryosis showed HPV 16 and / or 18 infection.

Conclusion:  The ARTISTIC Trial has provided the largest collection of LBC samples with HPV typing in Greater Manchester population. It has shown that the HPV testing is practicable in routine screening in women aged over 30. HPV 16 and 18 are more predictive for underlying disease, but other HPV types account for 30% of high‐grade disease.
O‐4 CHARACTERISTICS OF FALSE NEGATIVE LBC SAMPLES
Authors: John D. , Ash A. , Dudding N.
Published: August 2006

Although the characteristics of false negative conventional smears have been well documented there is limited literature available for Liquid Based Cytology (LBC), especially with regard to SurePath ™ samples. We will present the results of a 16 month audit and describe the typical characteristics of false negative cases in a medium sized screening laboratory processing approximately 42 000 samples per annum. Cases were identified either from routine rapid screening or by review of negative samples from women with a known high grade CIN lesion. 153 cases were identified: 149 by rapid screening, the remainder by review of the negative samples from women with known CIN. Of those identified by rapid screening 123 were reported as borderline nuclear change, 11 as mild, 4 as moderate, 8 as severe and 3 as CGIN. Only those cases that were found to have a histological lesion were used in the study (n = 27): Twenty‐three were identified by rapid review and a 4 by review of previous negative samples. Six were found to have CIN 1, 7 CIN 2, 13 CIN 3 and 1 CGIN. Examples of the typical characteristics will be demonstrated. Features similar to those observed in conventional smears were identified; scanty abnormal cells (less than 30 per preparation), low contrast samples, pale cells and microbiopsies. In contrast to conventional smears, missed abnormal cells were almost always uniformly scattered throughout the sample.