bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The development of self-assembled liquid crystal display alignment layers
Authors: Hoogboom Johan , Elemans Johannes A.A.W , Rowan Alan E , Rasing Theo H.M , Nolte Roeland J.M
Published: April 2007

From simple pocket calculators to mobile telephones and liquid crystal display (LCD)-TV, over the past few decades, devices based on LCD technology have proliferated and can now be found in all conceivable aspects of everyday life. Although used in cutting-edge technology, it is surprising that a vital part in the construction of such displays, namely the alignment layer, relies essentially on a mechanical rubbing process, invented almost 100 years ago.

In this paper efforts to develop alignment layers (also called command layers) by processes other than rubbing, namely self-assembly of molecular and macromolecular components will be discussed. Two topics will be presented: (i) tuneable command layers formed by stepwise assembling of siloxane oligomers and phthalocyanine dyes on indium tin oxide surfaces and (ii) command layers formed by self-assembly of porphyrin trimers. The potential use of these layers in sensor devices will also be mentioned.
Understanding decision-making deficits in neurological conditions: insights from models of natural action selection
Authors: Frank Michael J , Scheres Anouk , Sherman Scott J
Published: April 2007

Models of natural action selection implicate fronto-striatal circuits in both motor and cognitive ‘actions’. Dysfunction of these circuits leads to decision-making deficits in various populations. We review how computational models provide insights into the mechanistic basis for these deficits in Parkinson's patients and those with ventromedial frontal damage. We then consider implications of the models for understanding behaviour and cognition in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Incorporation of cortical noradrenaline function into the model improves action selection in noisy environments and accounts for response variability in ADHD. We close with more general clinical implications.
Expression and DNA methylation patterns of Tslc1 and Dal‐1 genes in hepatocellular carcinomas induced by N‐nitrosodiethylamine in rats
Authors: Tsujiuchi Toshifumi , Sugata Eriko , Masaoka Tomomi , Onishi Mariko , Fujii Hiromasa , Shimizu Kyoko , Honoki Kanya
Published: April 2007

To assess the involvement of the TSLC cascade in hepatocarcinogenesis, we investigated the expression and DNA methylation patterns of the genes Tslc1 and Dal‐1 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) induced using N‐nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) in rats. Six‐week‐old male F344 rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of DEN at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight, followed by combined treatment with partial hepatectomy and colchicine to induce cell‐cycle disturbance and a selection procedure consisting of 2‐acetylaminofluorene and carbon tetrachloride. Total RNA was extracted from 10 HCC, and the expression levels of Tslc1 and Dal‐1 were measured using semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. Three of 10 HCC showed reduced expression of Tslc1, compared with normal liver tissues, but no changes in the expression level of Dal‐1 were found. For DNA methylation analysis, bisulfite sequencing was performed. The 5′ upstream region of Tslc1 was methylated in the three HCC in which its expression was reduced, but was unmethylated in normal liver tissue. Western blot analysis also revealed reduced expression of Tslc1 protein in the three HCC. These results suggest that alterations to the TSLC cascade might have a role in hepatocarcinogenesis using DEN in rats. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 943–948)
Immunological research using RNA interference technology
Authors: Mao Chih‐Ping , Lin Yen‐Yu , Hung Chien‐Fu , Wu T‐C.
Published: April 2007

RNA interference (RNAi) is a potent method of gene silencing that has developed rapidly over the past few years as a result of its extensive importance in the study of genetics, molecular biology and physiology. RNAi technology has also recently yielded significant insight into the innate and adaptive immune systems by helping to elucidate numerous mechanisms that regulate the development, activation and function of cells that mediate immunity. In addition, because of its ability to suppress gene expression effectively, this technique may be used to regulate the immune response for clinical purposes. Nonetheless, before RNAi can be successfully administered into human patients as a medical treatment, it is necessary to overcome several major limitations of this technology, such as inefficient in vivo delivery, incomplete silencing of target genes, non‐specific immune responses, and off‐target effects. As novel developments and discoveries in molecular biology swiftly continue to unfold, it is likely that RNAi may soon translate into a potent form of in vivo gene silencing with profound applications to vaccination and immunotherapy. In the present review, we examine the current progress of immunological studies employing RNAi and discuss the prospects for the implementation of this technique in the clinical arena.
Tolerogenic dendritic cells pulsed with enterobacterial extract suppress development of colitis in the severe combined immunodeficiency transfer model
Authors: Pedersen A. E. , Gad M. , Kristensen N. N. , Haase C. , Nielsen C. H. , Claesson M. H.
Published: April 2007

Immunomodulatory dendritic cells (DCs) that induce antigen‐specific T‐cell tolerance upon in vivo adoptive transfer are promising candidates for immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases. The feasibility of such a strategy has recently proved its efficacy in animal models of allotransplantation and experimental allergic encephalitis, but the effect in inflammatory bowel disease has not yet been demonstrated. In severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, adoptively transferred CD4+ CD25– T cells repopulate the lymphoid tissues and lead to development of chronic colitis characterized by CD4+ T‐cell proliferation against enterobacterial extract in vitro. In this model, we adoptively transferred in‐vitro‐generated bone‐marrow‐derived DCs exposed to interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and an enterobacterial extract. We show that these cells are CD11c positive with intermediate expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 and have a diminished secretion of IL‐6, IL‐12 p40/70, tumour necrosis factor‐α and keratinocyte‐derived chemokine (KC) compared to DCs treated with enterobacterial extract alone. In vivo, these cells prevented weight loss in SCID mice adoptively transferred with CD4+ CD25– T cells, resulted in a lower histopathology colitis score and tended to result in higher serum levels of IL‐1α, IL‐10, IL‐12, IL‐13, IL‐17, KC and monokine induced by interferon‐gamma (MIG). These data underscore the potential of using immunomodulatory DCs to control inflammatory bowel disease and demonstrate its potential use in future human therapeutic settings.
CD45‐associated protein promotes the response of primary CD4 T cells to low‐potency T‐cell receptor (TCR) stimulation and facilitates CD45 association with CD3/TCR and Lck
Authors: Leitenberg David , Falahati Rustom , Lu Dan Dan , Takeda Akiko
Published: April 2007

Although it is clear that the CD45 tyrosine phosphatase is required for efficient T‐cell activation and T‐cell development, the factors that regulate CD45 function remain uncertain. Previous data have indicated that there is an association of CD45 with CD4 and the T‐cell receptor (TCR) complex controlled by the variable ectodomain of CD45 and, following activation, by high‐ and low‐potency peptides. This suggests that controlling substrate access to CD45 may be an important regulatory mechanism during T‐cell activation. In the present study we have examined the role of the transmembrane adapter‐like molecule CD45‐associated protein (CD45‐AP) in regulating the association of CD45 with CD3/TCR and lck, and in regulating primary CD4+ T‐lymphocyte activation. In CD4+ T cells from CD45‐AP‐deficient mice, coimmunoprecipitation of CD45 with the CD3/TCR complex, in addition to lck, is significantly reduced compared with wild‐type T cells. Functionally, this correlates with a decreased proliferative response, a decrease in interleukin (IL)‐2 production, and a decrease in calcium flux upon stimulation with a low‐potency altered peptide ligand. However, the response of CD45‐AP‐deficient T cells to stimulation with a high‐avidity agonist peptide was largely intact, except for a modest decrease in IL‐2 production. These data suggest that CD45‐AP promotes or stabilizes the association of CD45 with substrates and regulates the threshold of T‐cell activation.
An automated feedback system with the hybrid model of scoring and classification for solving over‐segmentation problems in RNAi high content screening
Authors: LI F. , ZHOU X. , MA J. , WONG STEPHEN T. C.
Published: April 2007

Background: High content screening (HCS) via automated fluorescence microscopy is a powerful technology for generating cellular images that are rich in phenotypic information. RNA interference is a revolutionary approach for silencing gene expression and has become an important method for studying genes through RNA interference‐induced cellular phenotype analysis. The convergence of the two technologies has led to large‐scale, image‐based studies of cellular phenotypes under systematic perturbations of RNA interference. However, existing high content screening image analysis tools are inadequate to extract content regarding cell morphology from the complex images, thus they limit the potential of genome‐wide RNA interference high content screening screening for simple marker readouts. In particular, over‐segmentation is one of the persistent problems of cell segmentation; this paper describes a new method to alleviate this problem.

Methods: To solve the issue of over‐segmentation, we propose a novel feedback system with a hybrid model for automated cell segmentation of images from high content screening. A Hybrid learning model is developed based on three scoring models to capture specific characteristics of over‐segmented cells. Dead nuclei are also removed through a statistical model.

Results: Experimental validation showed that the proposed method had 93.7% sensitivity and 94.23% specificity. When applied to a set of images of F‐actin‐stained Drosophila cells, 91.3% of over‐segmented cells were detected and only 2.8% were under‐segmented.

Conclusions: The proposed feedback system significantly reduces over‐segmentation of cell bodies caused by over‐segmented nuclei, dead nuclei, and dividing cells. This system can be used in the automated analysis system of high content screening images.
Rapid freeze‐substitution preserves membranes in high‐pressure frozen tissue culture cells
Authors: HAWES P. , NETHERTON C. L. , MUELLER M. , WILEMAN T. , MONAGHAN P.
Published: April 2007

We describe a method for high‐pressure freezing and rapid freeze‐substitution of cells in tissue culture which provides excellent preservation of membrane detail with negligible ice segregation artefacts. Cells grown on sapphire discs were placed ‘face to face’ without removal of tissue culture medium and frozen without the protection of aluminium planchettes. This reduction in thermal load of the sample/holder combination resulted in freezing of cells without visible ice‐crystal artefact. Freeze‐substitution at −90°C for 60 min in acetone containing 2% uranyl acetate, followed by warming to −50°C and embedding in Lowicryl HM20 gave consistent and clear membrane detail even when imaged without section contrasting. Preliminary data indicates that the high intrinsic contrast of samples prepared in this way will be valuable for tomographic studies. Immunolabelling sensitivity of sections of samples prepared by this rapid substitution technique was poor; however, reducing the uranyl acetate concentration in the substitution medium to 0.2% resulted in improved labelling. Samples substituted in this lower concentration of uranyl acetate also gave good membrane detail when imaged after section contrasting.
Psychosocial factors and incident asthma hospital admissions in the EPIC‐Norfolk cohort study
Authors: Wainwright N. W. J. , Surtees P. G. , Wareham N. J. , Harrison B. D. W.
Published: April 2007

Background:  Case series and case‐control studies have shown high rates of psychosocial and behavioural risk factors amongst patients admitted to hospital with severe asthma. General population studies have shown associations between psychosocial factors and prevalent asthma but few have investigated incident asthma outcomes.

Methods:  Data on psychosocial factors and asthma hospital admissions were available for 20 854 participants, aged 41–80 years, in the Norfolk cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer study. Postal assessments included details of physical functioning, mood disorder history, social adversity and social support.

Results:  A total of 686 asthma hospital admissions were recorded. Psychosocial factors present at baseline, including current mood disorders, adverse circumstances in childhood, the impact of life events experienced during adulthood and negative perceived support from a close confidant, were associated with increased rates of hospital admission independent of age, sex, indicators of socio‐economic status, physical functional health, and obesity. Restricted to those participants who reported lifetime doctor‐diagnosed asthma at baseline, the reported impact of adverse life events experienced in adulthood, and both confiding and negative aspects of support quality, were associated with asthma hospital admission. The magnitude of these associations was comparable to those involving indicators of socio‐economic status and physical health.

Conclusions:  These results show that psychosocial factors are associated with incident asthma hospital admissions and highlight the potential importance of taking account of psychosocial factors, including availability and quality of support networks, in guiding long‐term asthma management.
A nonsynonymous substitution of cystatin A, a cysteine protease inhibitor of house dust mite protease, leads to decreased mRNA stability and shows a significant association with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Vasilopoulos Y. , Cork M. J. , Teare D. , Marinou I. , Ward S. J. , Duff G. W. , Tazi‐Ahnini R.
Published: April 2007

Background:  Cystatin A (CSTA) is a strong candidate for atopic dermatitis (AD) because it maps to AD susceptibility locus on chromosome 3q21 and it does inhibit Der p 1 and Der f 1, major house dust mite cysteine proteases and environmental triggers for AD and asthma.

Objective:  To examine any association between polymorphisms in CSTA and AD and study the effect on the CSTA mRNA expression level.

Methods:  We identified three polymorphisms and characterized the linkage disequilibrium mapping of the CSTA gene. All three CSTA polymorphisms were genotyped in 100 AD patients and 203 matched controls. Subsequently, we performed transfection‐based RNA stability assays.

Results:  We found a significant association between the CSTA +344C variant and AD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.91; P = 0.024]. When further 61 control samples were genotyped. The association with CSTA +344C allele was enhanced OR = 2.13; P = 0.006. To test whether the CSTA +344 affected the CSTA transcriptional activity, the decay rates of RNAs transcribed from the CSTA +344C and CSTA +344T variants were investigated. COS‐7 cells were transfected with a pcDNA3.1−CSTA+344C or a pcDNA3.1−CSTA+344T construct and cultured in the presence or absence of actinomycin D. Real‐time RT‐PCR revealed that CSTA +344C mRNA is more than two times less stable than the CSTA +344T mRNA (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  These results suggest that the CSTA +344C allele associated with unstable mRNA could result in failing to protect the skin barrier in AD patients from both exogenous and endogenous proteases
Internet‐based mental health programs: A powerful tool in the rural medical kit
Authors: Griffiths Kathleen M. , Christensen Helen
Published: April 2007

Objective:  To discuss, using two case examples, the potential utility of Internet‐based depression information and automated therapy programs in rural regions.

Design:  Systematic review of evaluations of two Australian web‐based mental health programs: MoodGYM and BluePages Depression Information.

Setting:  Community, school, university.

Participants:  A total of 12 papers and reports derived from nine separate studies of MoodGYM and BluePages involving sample sizes ranging from 78 to 19 607 people.

Outcome measures:  Depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, dysfunctional thoughts, depression literacy, stigma, help seeking and cost‐effectiveness.

Results:  Internet‐based applications were effective in reducing depressive symptoms and stigmatising attitudes to depression and in improving depression literacy. School‐based programs also showed promise in decreasing depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:  Depression self‐help and information programs can be delivered effectively by means of the Internet. As accessibility of face‐to‐face mental health services in rural areas is poor and as there is a strong culture of self‐reliance and preference for self‐managing health problems among rural residents, the Internet might offer an important platform for the delivery of help for depression in rural regions. Consideration should be given to developing programs tailored to rural settings and future research should evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of such programs in rural settings.
Disadvantage and discontent: A review of issues relevant to the mental health of rural and remote Indigenous Australians
Authors: Hunter Ernest
Published: April 2007

Objective: To provide an overview of the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of rural and remote Australia and to identify associated factors.

Findings: Indigenous Australians have higher rates of serious mental disorders and of mental health problems associated with social disadvantage. This disadvantage is greater for Indigenous Australians living outside metropolitan centres. Contrary to romanticised constructions of remote Aboriginal Australia, those living in such settings are not immune to such hardship – which is often unrelenting. The psychological and behavioural problems that emerge as a result are compounded by narrowly focused and inadequate mental health services, with children being particularly vulnerable.

Conclusion: Indigenous residents of rural and remote Australia experience high levels of mental disorder. Although addressing the predisposing social disadvantage will demand significant whole‐of‐government investment, ensuring equitable access to effective mental health services is an immediate priority.
TOTAL ANTI‐OXIDANT CAPACITY OF CELL CULTURE MEDIA
Authors: Lewinska Anna , Wnuk Maciej , Slota Ewa , Bartosz Grzegorz
Published: April 2007

The composition of synthetic cell culture media is important for the behaviour of cultured cells in vitro and may affect the results of many in vitro experiments. The total anti‐oxidant capacity (TAC) of an extracellular medium may be an important factor in cell redox homeostasis.

In the present study, the TAC of cell culture media used for the cultivation of mammalian, yeast and bacterial cells (RPMI1640, Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, minimum essential medium Eagle's 1959 with Earle's salts, Parker medium 199 with Hanks salts, bacterial Luria‐Bertani medium, yeast extract‐peptone‐glucose and yeast nitrogen base media) was estimated using the 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS·+) decolourization assay and the ferric ion reducing anti‐oxidant power assay.

 We found that components of the media such as cysteine, tyrosine, tryptophan and Phenol Red are important contributors to the TAC of cell culture media.
New branches on the Tree of Knowledge. Challenges for systemic family therapists
Authors: Johnsen Astri
Published: April 2007

Faced with today's challenges, I question whether the framework for family therapy provided by systemic thinking is sufficient when working with children and teenagers. The aim of this paper is not to argue for an eclectic model for therapy, but rather to encourage a critical dialogue between various bodies of knowledge. The paper raises the discussion of how family therapists relate to knowledge external to the therapy field. Contemporary developmental psychology, neurobiology, behavioural genetics and group socialization theory are highlighted as useful bodies of knowledge for family therapists. Examples from clinical practice are used to illustrate this.
Honouring our great grandparents: towards a rhetorical analysis of family therapy
Authors: Klaushofer Matthew
Published: April 2007

This paper argues that family therapy is an inherently and inescapably rhetorical activity, although its connections with rhetoric have remained largely ignored and the implications for practice unexplored. An uncritical acceptance of a range of postmodern ideas has led many family therapists to ignore the power of their therapeutic rhetoric. The paper offers rhetorical analysis as a tool to help family therapists to reflect on the rhetorical power of their practice and thereby to exercise this power more responsibly.
Bayes nets and babies: infants’ developing statistical reasoning abilities and their representation of causal knowledge
Authors: Sobel David M. , Kirkham Natasha Z.
Published: April 2007

A fundamental assumption of the causal graphical model framework is the Markov assumption, which posits that learners can discriminate between two events that are dependent because of a direct causal relation between them and two events that are independent conditional on the value of another event(s). Sobel and Kirkham (2006) demonstrated that 8‐month‐old infants registered conditional independence information among a sequence of events; infants responded according to the Markov assumption in such a way that was inconsistent with models that rely on simple calculations of associative strength. The present experiment extends these findings to younger infants, and demonstrates that such responses potentially develop during the second half of the first year of life. These data are discussed in terms of a developmental trajectory between associative mechanisms and causal graphical models as representations of infants’ causal and statistical learning.
Sexing the Economy in a Neo-Liberal World Order: Neo-Liberal Discourse and the (Re)Production of Heteronormative Heterosexuality
Authors: Griffin Penny
Published: April 2007

Sex and gender are not merely incidental to the formation and perpetuation of neo-liberal discourse, they are absolutely central to it. In this article I explore how neo-liberal discourse is predicated on a politics of heteronormativity that (re)produces the dominance of normative heterosexuality. The World Bank is an excellent example of this, reproducing a heteronormative discourse of economic viability through policy interventions that are intrinsically sexualised, that is, predicated on a politics of normative heterosexuality. Bank discourse, although articulated as value neutral, ‘straightens’ development by creating and sustaining policies and practices that are tacitly, but not explicitly, formulated according to gendered hierarchies of meaning, representation and identity. Thus, one effect of contemporary neo-liberalism's inherent heteronormativity is to associate successful human behaviour almost exclusively with a gender identity embodied in dominant forms of heterosexual masculinity.
‘Victims, Perpetrators and Actors’ Revisited: Exploring the Potential for a Feminist Reconceptualisation of (International) Security and (Gender) Violence
Authors: Shepherd Laura J.
Published: April 2007

In the discipline of International Relations (IR), which takes seriously issues of war and peace, there has been a lack of attention paid to theorising security in relation to violence. In this article, I explore the potential for a feminist reworking of these concepts. With reference to a range of literature addressing security and violence, I offer some insights into the relevance of such a reconceptualisation. I draw attention to the ways in which work on issues of violence and security function to reproduce understandings of these concepts that delimit the value of both academic theorising and policy prescription. In the study of security, because of the discursive power of the concept, and of violence, these considerations are particularly important, as they can literally be issues of life and death.
The Gendered Violence of Development: Imaginative Geographies of Exclusion in the Imposition of Neo-Liberal Capitalism
Authors: Coleman Lara
Published: April 2007

In this article I consider how gendered hierarchies are constitutive of neo-liberal development and the violence attendant upon it. Building on Arturo Escobar's observation that violence is constitutive of development, I explore how the violent imposition of neo-liberal development is legitimised through the inscription of gendered imaginative geographies, which define ‘savage’ spaces of exclusion in need of ‘civilising’ development interventions. Drawing on the example of contemporary Colombia, I trace how the development discourse produces space in this way by normalising certain identities and political rationalities—those associated with competition and rational economic behaviour—while representing others as errant, as hyper-masculine subjects prone to violence or ‘pre-rational’ feminised subjects.
The Environment: A Winner for the Liberal Democrats?
Authors: BURALL PAUL
Published: April 2007

While the Liberal Democrats have a long‐standing commitment to environmental sustainability and have over the years developed a range of policies acclaimed by the green NGOs, there remain doubts about the depth of that commitment. In particular, the party's local government environmental record is not notably better than its rivals. With the Conservatives and others now heavily promoting their green credentials, the Liberal Democrats face the dilemma of either being outflanked on the green reputation front or having to adopt much tougher policies that some in the party believe will lose votes. The author argues that one course of action would be to seek cross‐party support for achieving agreed environmental targets supported by a menu of tough policies to be introduced if those targets are missed.
Grass‐roots Influence: Pressure Groups within the Liberal Democrats
Authors: EVANS ELIZABETH
Published: April 2007

This article examines the self‐perceived influence of the specified associated organisations and associated organisations within the Liberal Democrats. The analysis is set within the wider theoretical context of political party construction and the dichotomy between the elite and grassroots activists. The article tests the thesis that there is a hierarchical structure of ancillary organisations within the party and that this determines which organisations feel that they have any real influence. It takes a fresh look at the role of the Liberal Democrat ancillary organisations and questions whether or not their party‐sanctioned status restricts their ability and willingness to influence the party.
From ‘My Vote’ to ‘The Real Alternative’: Selling the Liberal Democrats
Authors: GRENDER OLLY , PARMINTER KATE
Published: April 2007

As the third party in British politics, a compelling message is crucial for the Liberal Democrats. Overcoming a prevailing sense of a wasted vote is key—achieved by, we argue, demonstrating political potency. This article explores the synergy between the Liberal Democrat leader and the message; the relationship of each election message to the political reality in which the party finds itself; and the role of polling in messaging. We explore what is—and is not—a message, and the role of negative messaging by the Liberal Democrats since 1992. We consider the limitations of messaging and the lack of control that a third party has over its message. In conclusion, we reflect on what the lessons learnt by the Liberal Democrats over the last four elections may mean for the messaging at the next general election.
Social Learning in LEADER: Exogenous, Endogenous and Hybrid Evaluation in Rural Development
Authors: High Chris , Nemes Gusztáv
Published: April 2007

This article considers the relationship between centralised, exogenous institutions and the embedded, endogenous institutions of rural governance in Europe through an examination the evaluation procedures of the European LEADER programme. LEADER is presented in the literature as progressive in terms of innovation and stakeholder engagement. Yet, while the planning and management of LEADER embraces heterogeneity and participation, programmatic evaluation is centralised and is held at arms length from the delivery organisations. The article reviews previous efforts to improve evaluation in LEADER and considers alternative strategies for evaluation, contrasting LEADER practice with participatory evaluation methodologies in the wider international context. Can evaluation in itself be valuable as a mode of social learning and hence a driver for endogenous development in rural communities in Europe? The article concludes by examining the challenges in producing a hybrid form of evaluation that accommodates both endogenous and exogenous values.
‘I'm Mexican, remember?’ Constructing ethnic identities via authenticating discourse1
Authors: Shenk Petra Scott
Published: April 2007

This paper examines how an ideology of cultural authenticity emerges in the casual but playful conversations of a bilingual Mexican American friendship group. Authenticating discourse, as illustrated here, is part of an ongoing, ordinary interactional routine through which speakers take overt (authentication) stances, which I callauthenticating moves, to display, impugn, vie for, and enact forms of ethnic identity. In the data, issues of authenticity in relation to Mexicanness emerge as a result of the interactional exploitation of three ideological constructs: purity of bloodline, purity of nationality, and Spanish linguistic fluency.
‘Talkin' Jockney’? Variation and change in Glaswegian accent1
Authors: Stuart‐Smith Jane , Timmins Claire , Tweedie Fiona
Published: April 2007

This paper presents an analysis of language variation and change in a socially stratified corpus of Glaswegian collected in 1997. Eight consonantal variables in read and spontaneous speech from 32 speakers were analysed separately and then together using multivariate analysis. Our results show that middle‐class speakers, with weaker network ties and more opportunities for mobility and contact with English English speakers, are maintaining traditional Scottish features. Working‐class adolescents, with more limited mobility and belonging to close‐knit networks, are changing their vernacular by using ‘non‐local’ features such as TH‐fronting and reducing expected Scottish features such as postvocalic /r/. We argue that local context is the key to understanding the findings. Mobility and network structures are involved, but must be taken in conjunction with the recent history of structural changes to Glasgow and the resulting construction of local class‐based language ideologies which continue to be relevant in the city today.
Enhancing Statistical Education by Using Role-Plays of Consultations
Authors: Taplin Ross
Published: April 2007

Role-plays in which students act as clients and statistical consultants to each other in pairs have proved to be an effective class exercise. As well as helping to teach statistical methodology, they are effective at encouraging statistical thinking, problem solving, the use of context in applied statistical problems and improving attitudes towards statistics and the statistics profession. Furthermore, they are fun. This paper explores the advantages of using role-plays and provides some empirical evidence supporting their success. The paper argues that there is a place for teaching statistical consulting skills well before the traditional post-graduate qualification in statistics, including to school students with no knowledge of techniques in statistical inference.
Ghettos of the Mind: The Empirical Behaviour of Indices of Segregation and Diversity
Authors: Simpson Ludi
Published: April 2007

The effect of immigration on social cohesion is a political issue, expressed as a fear that racially skewed residential patterns represent ghettos which prevent integration. Residential patterns have been measured by indices of segregation. The range of indices is reviewed in the paper and measured empirically for England and Wales by using census data for 1991 and 2001, including a new index of migration dispersal. There has been an increase in residential mixing as a result of growing minority populations and their more even spread across localities. These two trends are identified by two commonly used indices of segregation which are moving in opposite directions for the most recent immigrant groups. The sensitivity of each index to modifiable area boundaries makes them unsuitable for evaluation of cities’ relative performance. The residential patterns of cities after immigration are more clearly understood by using demographic measures of migration and age structure.
A Modification of Honoré’S Triple-Link Model in the Synoptic Problem
Authors: Abakuks Andris
Published: April 2007

In New Testament studies, the synoptic problem is concerned with the relationships between the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. In an earlier paper a careful specification in probabilistic terms was set up of Honoré’s triple-link model. In the present paper, a modification of Honoré’s model is proposed. As previously, counts of the numbers of verbal agreements between the gospels are examined to investigate which of the possible triple-link models appears to give the best fit to the data, but now using the modified version of the model and additional sets of data.
Application of an adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system for classification of Behcet disease using the fast Fourier transform method
Authors: Barişçi Necaattin , Hardalaç Firat
Published: April 2007

Abstract: In this study, ophthalmic arterial Doppler signals were obtained from 200 subjects, 100 of whom suffered from ocular Behcet disease while the rest were healthy subjects. An adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was used to detect the presence of ocular Behcet disease. Spectral analysis of the ophthalmic arterial Doppler signals was performed by the fast Fourier transform method for determining the ANFIS inputs. The ANFIS was trained with a training set and tested with a testing set. All these data sets were obtained from ophthalmic arteries of healthy subjects and subjects suffering from ocular Behcet disease. Performance indicators and statistical measures were used for evaluating the ANFIS. The correct classification rate was 94% for healthy subjects and 90% for unhealthy subjects suffering from ocular Behcet disease. The classification results showed that the ANFIS was effective at detecting ophthalmic arterial Doppler signals from subjects with Behcet disease.
Remanding Women in Custody: Concerns for Human Rights
Authors: Player Elaine
Published: April 2007

Concern about the increasing population of women in prison has tended to focus on the sentencing of female offenders. It is often overlooked that about one in five women held in custody is there on remand, awaiting trial or sentence, and that most of them will not receive a prison sentence at the end of the process. This article examines the legal grounds for a custodial remand and explores the extent to which individual rights guaranteed under the European Convention are adequately protected. It is argued that women are particularly disadvantaged by the laws governing bail and by their practical application in the criminal justice system; and that the pre‐trial detention of so many women routinely violates the spirit of the Convention by allowing questionable claims to social utility to prevail over the right to liberty and to a fair trial.
The Treatment of Foreign Terror Suspects
Authors: Walker Clive
Published: April 2007

Following the bombings in London of July 2005, the Prime Minister, Tony Blair warned that ‘the rules of the game are changing’. The proposed changes have primarily related to foreign suspects of terrorism and engage rules relating to asylum, deportation and nationality. The Terrorism Act 2006 and the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, which give effect to the proposals, are examined and analysed with reference to the policy choices in regard to counter‐terrorism strategy, to the weighting of rights against policy, and to choices between rights, including the treatment of absolute rights.
Accounting for site characteristics in DEA: leveling the playing field
Authors: Norton Ronald N. , Sexton Thomas R. , Silkman Richard H.
Published: April 2007

Many decision‐making units (DMUs) operate under site characteristics that differ significantly from those experienced by other DMUs and these differences may affect their efficiency rating. Often, these characteristics are beyond the control of a DMU and may involve environmental and demographic factors, such as topography, population density, and economic welfare. Comparing efficiency ratings absent appropriate attention to variations in these factors across DMUs is unfair. This paper presents a new procedure for removing the influence of site characteristics, which is a vital step in performing efficiency analysis when DMUs operate under significantly different conditions.
Two‐stage inference using data envelopment analysis efficiency measurements in univariate production models
Authors: Da Silva e Souza Geraldo , Staub Roberta Blass
Published: April 2007

This article addresses the problem of modeling data envelopment analysis (DEA) inefficiencies as dependent on contextual variables. For this purpose we use a statistical model similar in appearance to inefficiency component specifications in stochastic frontier models. The underlying production response is univariate. The approach is asymptotic and is based on a two‐stage statistical inference procedure. In the first stage inefficiencies are estimated using DEA. In the second stage these estimates are modeled as if they were the true inefficiencies by means of a statistical model dependent on the contextual variables. To define this data generating process one could use a flexible family of distributions like the truncated normal. Theoretical inefficiencies are assumed to be independent but not identically distributed. Some of the asymptotic results implied by the two‐stage inference procedure are inspected in finite samples by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The procedure is illustrated with an example where a deterministic production model is fitted to research data generated by the major state company responsible for agricultural research in Brazil.
Selection strategies for improved biocatalysts
Authors: Boersma Ykelien L. , Dröge Melloney J. , Quax Wim J.
Published: April 2007

Enzymes have become an attractive alternative to conventional catalysts in numerous industrial processes. However, their properties do not always meet the criteria of the application of interest. Directed evolution is a powerful tool for adapting the characteristics of an enzyme. However, selection of the evolved variants is a critical step, and therefore new strategies to enable selection of the desired enzymatic activity have been developed. This review focuses on these novel strategies for selecting enzymes from large libraries, in particular those that are used in the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates and pharmaceuticals.
Does Foreign Direct Investment Provide Desirable Development Finance? The Case of China
Authors: Liang Yan
Published: April 2007

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is often considered as a cost‐effective and risk‐reducing source for development finance. This paper, however, shows that FDI finance often entails underestimated risks and costs. FDI might react sensitively to business cycles and might not be as “permanent” as conventionally believed. FDI might also accelerate other forms of capital flow in times of financial difficulties and, hence, destabilize financial order. In addition to the risks, compensations to FDI and the high import‐dependency of FDI‐related trade lead to a considerable drain on the balance of payments. Moreover, the reliance on foreign capital for development finance is equivalent to building a Ponzi financing scheme and, therefore, is unsustainable. Given the fact that FDI financing is risky and costly and China does not lack savings, it is suggested in the present paper that China's efforts in attracting FDI should not aim at external capital provisioning.
Hepatitis C virus infection among HIV‐1 infected individuals from northern Mexico
Authors: Rivas‐Estilla Ana M. , Ramírez‐Valles Eda , Martinez‐Hernández Ramón , Charles‐Niño Claudia , Ramírez‐Camacho Ericka , Rositas‐Noriega Felix , Garza‐Rodriguez Maria L. , Barrera‐Saldaña Hugo A. , Trujillo‐Murillo Karina , Ramos‐Jimenez Javier
Published: April 2007

Aims:  The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, risk factors and HCV genotypes in 140 HIV‐1 infected individuals from northern Mexico was determined.

Methods:  Hepatitis C infection was confirmed by the detection of anti‐HCV antibodies and HCV‐RNA in sera, and genotyping was performed by the InnoLiPA‐HCV genotype assay.

Results:  Seventeen (12.1%) out of 140 HIV‐infected individuals were found to be HCV‐positive. Coinfected individuals were more likely to be male (87%). The most frequent genotype was 1a (41%), followed by 1b (29.4%), 2a/c (17.6%), 2b (5.9%) and 3 (5.9%). Serum transaminase concentrations (AST and ALT) were higher in coinfected patients. Among the risk factors for coinfection: sexual transmission was the most frequently observed (men who have sex with men (MSM); 64.7% and bisexual behavior; 64.7%) followed by intravenous drug users (IVDU) (53%). There was no association of the HCV genotypes with the age and risk factors for HIV‐1 and HCV infection observed in the studied patients.

Conclusion:  The results suggest that the prevalence of HIV‐1/HCV coinfection in Mexico is lower than in other American countries.
Triple therapy of initial high‐dose interferon with ribavirin and amantadine for patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Uyama Hirokazu , Nakamura Hideji , Hayashi Eijiro , Ogawa Hiroyuki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Yoshida Kenya , Okuda Yorihide , Yamamoto Mitsunari , Hada Toshikazu , Hayashi Norio
Published: April 2007

Aims:  We previously reported the potential effect of combination therapy of an initial high‐dose interferon (IFN) and amantadine on the eradication of HCV‐RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The additive effects of amantadine on interferon and ribavirin combination therapy remain controversial. In this study we investigated the efficacy of initial high‐dose IFN with ribavirin and amantadine on the virological response in patients with chronic hepatitis C with a high viral load of genotype 1b.

Methods:  Twenty‐two patients with high viral loads of genotype 1b hepatitis C virus were enrolled in this pilot study. Patients were administered IFN‐beta for four weeks and then IFN‐alpha2b for 22 weeks with daily oral administration of ribavirin and amantadine.

Results:  A sustained virological response (SVR) was shown in 31.8% (seven of 22 patients). With the naïve patients, the SVR rate was 21.4% (three of 14 patients). In patients who could not eradicate HCV‐RNA by previous IFN monotherapy, the SVR rate was 50% (four of eight patients).

Conclusion:  Triple therapy with an initial high dose of IFN with ribavirin and amantadine may be effective, especially for chronic hepatitis C IFN‐retreatment patients with a high viral load of genotype 1b.
Plastic and Moldable Metals by Self-Assembly of Sticky Nanoparticle Aggregates
Authors: Klajn Rafal , Bishop Kyle J. M. , Fialkowski Marcin , Paszewski Maciej , Campbell Christopher J. , Gray Timothy P. , Grzybowski Bartosz A.
Published: April 2007

Deformable, spherical aggregates of metal nanoparticles connected by long-chain dithiol ligands self-assemble into nanostructured materials of macroscopic dimensions. These materials are plastic and moldable against arbitrarily shaped masters and can be thermally hardened into polycrystalline metal structures of controllable porosity. In addition, in both plastic and hardened states, the assemblies are electrically conductive and exhibit Ohmic characteristics down to ∼20 volts per meter. The self-assembly method leading to such materials is applicable both to pure metals and to bimetallic structures of various elemental compositions.
Structural Insight into Pre-B Cell Receptor Function
Authors: Bankovich Alexander J. , Raunser Stefan , Juo Z. Sean , Walz Thomas , Davis Mark M. , Garcia K. Christopher
Published: April 2007

The pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR) serves as a checkpoint in B cell development. In the 2.7 angstrom structure of a human pre-BCR Fab-like fragment, consisting of an antibody heavy chain (HC) paired with the surrogate light chain, the “unique regions” of VpreB and λ5 replace the complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) loop of an antibody light chain and appear to “probe” the HC CDR3, potentially influencing the selection of the antibody repertoire. Biochemical analysis indicates that the pre-BCR is impaired in its ability to recognize antigen, which, together with electron microscopic visualization of a pre-BCR dimer, suggests ligand-independent oligomerization as the likely signaling mechanism.
Human-Specific Changes of Genome Structure Detected by Genomic Triangulation
Authors: Harris R. A. , Rogers J. , Milosavljevic A.
Published: April 2007

Knowledge of the rhesus macaque genome sequence enables reconstruction of the ancestral state of the human genome before the divergence of chimpanzees. However, the draft quality of nonhuman primate genome assemblies challenges the ability of current methods to detect insertions, deletions, and copy-number variations between humans, chimpanzees, and rhesus macaques and hinders the identification of evolutionary changes between these species. Because of the abundance of segmental duplications, genome comparisons require the integration of genomic assemblies and data from large-insert clones, linkage maps, and radiation hybrid maps. With genomic triangulation, an integrative method that reconstructs ancestral states and the structural evolution of genomes, we identified 130 human-specific breakpoints in genome structure due to rearrangements at an intermediate scale (10 kilobases to 4 megabases), including 64 insertions affecting 58 genes. Comparison with a human structural polymorphism database indicates that many of the rearrangements are polymorphic.
Designed Synthesis of 3D Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: El-Kaderi Hani M. , Hunt Joseph R. , Mendoza-Cortés José L. , Côté Adrien P. , Taylor Robert E. , O'Keeffe Michael , Yaghi Omar M.
Published: April 2007

Three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (3D COFs) were synthesized by targeting two nets based on triangular and tetrahedral nodes:
ctn
and
bor
. The respective 3D COFs were synthesized as crystalline solids by condensation reactions of tetrahedral
tetra
(4-dihydroxyborylphenyl) methane or
tetra
(4-dihydroxyborylphenyl)silane and by co-condensation of triangular 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene. Because these materials are entirely constructed from strong covalent bonds (C-C, C-O, C-B, and B-O), they have high thermal stabilities (400° to 500°C), and they also have high surface areas (3472 and 4210 square meters per gram for COF-102 and COF-103, respectively) and extremely low densities (0.17 grams per cubic centimeter).