bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidental pheochromocytoma presenting with sublaboratory findings in asymptomatic surrenal masses: a case report
Authors: Ozkaya Mesut , Yuzbasioglu Mehmet Fatih , Bulbuloglu Ertan , Bakaris Sevgi , Oksuz Hafize , Gisi Kadir , Onder Ahmet
Published: May 2008

Introduction

Adrenal incidentaloma can be described as adrenal lesions that are incidentally diagnosed during abdominal laparotomy or any abdominal screening without prior suspicion of adrenal disease. It is important to diagnose adrenal lesions to learn if they are hormonally active or malignant. The most common clinical sign of pheochromocytoma is sustained or paroxysmal hypertension, and the most common symptoms are headache, excessive truncal sweating, and palpitation. In some cases, the clinical symptoms are not clear. Roughly 70% of adrenal incidentalomas are non-functional. A small group of 5–7% of the functional ones (30%) may exist as pheochromocytoma. Ten percent of pheochromocytoma cases are diagnosed incidentally during computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screenings for other reasons. The most frequent symptom of the pheochromocytoma is hypertension, and 90–100% of cases exhibit it. The literature indicates that incidental pheochromocytoma cases that are smaller than 1 cm have no clinical symptoms. Rarely, some large pheochromocytoma cases do not show any clinical symptoms, and it is difficult to diagnose very small ones.

Case presentation

A 45-year-old male patient experienced an epigastric ache and distended stomach for 7 years. The serum cortisol level was 19.2 ng/dL (normal range: 5–20 ng/dL), and urinary free cortisol excretion was 25.00 μg/24 h (normal range:10.00–100.00 μg/24 h). The serum basal level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was 21 pg/mL (normal range: 9 to 52 pg/mL). Plasma cortisol was under 1.00 μg/dL after low dose (1 mg) overnight dexamethasone suppression test. 24 hours urinary catecholamines level were vanil mandilic acid (VMA) 8.90 mg/day (normal range, 3 to 90 mg/day), metanefrin 330 μg/day (normal range, 52 to 341 μg/day), epinefrin 13 μg/day (normal range, 2 to 24 μg/day), norepinefrin 41 μg/day (normal range; 15 to 100 μg/day). During abdominal ultrasonography (USG), a tumor was diagnosed in the right perirenal space. A regular-shaped mass (dimension 36 × 35 × 35 mm) with a homogeneous and solid structure was diagnosed in CT. The density of the mass was 80 Hounsfield units (HU) in postcontrast CT. The patient was given a diagnosis of a non-functional adrenal incidental lesion, underwent a right adrenalectomy. Histopathological data correlated with pheochromocytoma as well

Conclusion

Pheochromocytoma can be diagnosed by establishing an increase in catecholamines and metabolites in the plasma and urine. The level of catecholamines and metabolites in the plasma and urine provide 95% of the evidence of the disease. Because the dimensions of the lesion were large and the HU was very clear, the patient was underwent surrenalectomy. During laboratory investigation, there was no evidence of abnormality; we, therefore, think that these cases can be named sublaboratory pheochromocytoma.
Finishing the finished human chromosome 22 sequence
Authors: Cole Charlotte G , McCann Owen T , Collins John E , Oliver Karen , Willey David , Gribble Susan M , Yang Fengtang , McLaren Karen , Rogers Jane , Ning Zemin , Beare David M , Dunham Ian
Published: May 2008

Background

Although the human genome sequence was declared complete in 2004, the sequence was interrupted by 341 gaps of which 308 lay in an estimated approximately 28 Mb of euchromatin. While these gaps constitute only approximately 1% of the sequence, knowledge of the full complement of human genes and regulatory elements is incomplete without their sequences.

Results

We have used a combination of conventional chromosome walking (aided by the availability of end sequences) in fosmid and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries, whole chromosome shotgun sequencing, comparative genome analysis and long PCR to finish 8 of the 11 gaps in the initial chromosome 22 sequence. In addition, we have patched four regions of the initial sequence where the original clones were found to be deleted, or contained a deletion allele of a known gene, with a further 126 kb of new sequence. Over 1.018 Mb of new sequence has been generated to extend into and close the gaps, and we have annotated 16 new or extended gene structures and one pseudogene.

Conclusion

Thus, we have made significant progress to completing the sequence of the euchromatic regions of human chromosome 22 using a combination of detailed approaches. Our experience suggests that substantial work remains to close the outstanding gaps in the human genome sequence.
A computational model of gene expression reveals early transcriptional events at the subtelomeric regions of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Scholz Matthias , Fraunholz Martin J
Published: May 2008

Background

The malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, replicates asexually in a well-defined infection cycle within human erythrocytes (red blood cells). The intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC) proceeds with a 48 hour periodicity.

Results

Based on available malaria microarray data, which monitored gene expression over one complete IDC in one-hour time intervals, we built a mathematical model of the IDC using a circular variant of non-linear principal component analysis. This model enables us to identify rates of expression change within the data and reveals early transcriptional events at the subtelomeres of the parasite's nuclear chromosomes.

Conclusion

A delay between subtelomeric and central gene activities suggests that key events of the IDC are initiated at the subtelomeric regions of the P. falciparum nuclear chromosomes.
Cobalt-catalyzed Coupling of Alkenyl Triflates with Aryl and Alkenyl Grignard Reagents
Authors: Shirakawa Eiji , Imazaki Yusuke , Hayashi Tamio
Published: May 2008

Co(acac)3–PPh3 was found to effectively catalyze the C(sp2)–C(sp2) coupling of Grignard reagents to give alkenylarenes and conjugated dienes, utilizing close affinity towards alkenyl triflates.
A Bidirectional Tunnel-like Structure with a Rigid, Thick, and Chiral Aromatic Macrocycle Prepared by Self-complementary 6,6′-Substituted Binaphthyl Monomer
Authors: Kumeda Kazuhiro , Ono Munetosi , Kawai Atsushi , Oike Hideaki , Noguchi Keiichi , Yonezawa Noriyuki
Published: May 2008

A rigid, thick, and optically active aromatic macrocycle having 6,6′-binaphthylylene moieties was successfully obtained in a moderate yield by synthesis and SNAr of 6-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-6′-hydroxy-2,2′-dimethoxy-1,1′-binaphthyl. The X-ray crystal structural analysis of the obtained macrocycle reveals rigid concavo–concave shape of the molecule and the bidirectional tunnel-like structure assembly consisting of two types of channels along a axis and c axis originated by intra- and intermolecular cavities, respectively.
Cardiac surgeons lead the way in UK outcomes data
Authors: Towell Elaine
Published: May 2008

When the New York State health department decided to publish the death rates of its heart surgeons the elite world of US cardiac surgery was sent into turmoil. Surgeons had to adapt quickly to new rules which saw the introduction of performance league tables in the form of 'report cards' ranking each surgeon by name, from numbers 1–87. While life was rosy for those at the top of the list, others we re not so fortunate. Surgeons at the bottom found themselves vilified by the media and, if anecdotal re ports are to be believed, a number were forced to practise out of the state or quit surgery altogether.
Cutlers' Surgical Prize
Authors: Duncan Craig
Published: May 2008

The Worshipful Company of Cutlers, in association with The Royal College of Surgeons of England, each year awards the Cutlers' Surgical Prize, comprising the silver gilt Clarke medal and a sum of £1,000, for the entry judged to be the most outstanding advance in design of a surgical instrument or technique. The award is presented at a dinner held in the spring at Cutlers' Hall in the City of London.
Patient outcomes in orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Cannon Stephen
Published: May 2008

Until a short time ago an orthopaedic surgeon could be forgiven for thinking that a PROM was an attractive stretch of land found in many a seaside resort or perhaps an over-hyped end-of-term event at an American high school. However, the day of the patient-reported outcome measure is now with us – and justifiably so. I think that it is only by truly measuring outcomes that we can receive an informed 360-degree appraisal of our efforts.
Patient-reportedoutcome measurement: recent research by the CEU
Authors: Browne John
Published: May 2008

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are measures of health status or health-related quality of life (HRQOL) that come directly from patients. PROMs not only measure the outcome of a health intervention but can also assess health status or HRQOL before treatment. The impact of a healthcare intervention can be determined by comparing pre- and post-treatment measures.
Ne'er cast a clout 'til May be out
Authors: Ribeiro Bernard
Published: May 2008

This old saying is usually applied to the coming of summer. Many assume it means don't throw away your winter clothes until the month of May is over. Old wives' tales suggest it refers to the appearance of the new hawthorn blossom (or 'May' flower) the appearance of which is the true mark of the beginning of summer. This year has seen butterflies out early and plants recovering from April frost and snow. I was delighted to receive an invitation to fish on the River Test but soon realised that in April this would prove a challenge. And so it proved to be. This was no 'duffer's fortnight,' when the mayfly (Ephemeroptera) turn trout in the river into kamikaze pilots attacking every fly on the water, whether real or imitation, until they are sated or dispatched.
Public reporting: accountability or witch-hunt?
Authors: Towell Elaine
Published: May 2008

As demand for greater public accountability and transparency in the UK health care system continues to grow, surgeons of all specialties are in discussion on how best to produce outcome data specific to individual clinicians. In the US individual outcomes for cardiac surgery have been published in some states for almost 20 years, yet surgeons here and abroad remain sceptical as to whether the benefits of public reporting outweigh the negatives.
How good are your data?
Authors: Kelsey Tim
Published: May 2008

The new NHS has one key question for its doctors: how good are your data? In July, we expect Lord Darzi to publish the Next Steps Review. This will describe ways in which the 21st-century NHS can guarantee quality outcomes to its patients and carers. One way or another I expect the minister to issue a warning to all his fellow clinical professionals: if your data are no good then you won't be able to practice in the new NHS. That sounds extreme but it's real and it's the right thing to do: the prerequisite of treating an NHS-funded patient will in future be that a clinician can objectively demonstrate they are good at what they do .
Bone Disease in Thalassemia: A Frequent and Still Unresolved Problem
Authors: Vogiatzi Maria G , Macklin Eric A , Fung Ellen B , Cheung Angela M , Vichinsky Elliot , Olivieri Nancy , Kirby Melanie , Kwiatkowski Janet L , Cunningham Melody , Holm Ingrid A , Lane Joseph , Schneider Robert , Fleisher Martin , Grady Robert W , Peterson Charles C , Giardina Patricia J
Published: May 2008

Adults with β thalassemia major frequently have low BMD, fractures, and bone pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of low BMD, fractures, and bone pain in all thalassemia syndromes in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, associations of BMD with fractures and bone pain, and etiology of bone disease in thalassemia. Patients of all thalassemia syndromes in the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network, ≥6 yr of age, with no preexisting medical condition affecting bone mass or requiring steroids, participated. We measured spine and femur BMD and whole body BMC by DXA and assessed vertebral abnormalities by morphometric X-ray absorptiometry (MXA). Medical history by interview and review of medical records, physical examinations, and blood and urine collections were performed. Three hundred sixty-one subjects, 49% male, with a mean age of 23.2 yr (range, 6.1–75 yr), were studied. Spine and femur BMD Z-scores < −2 occurred in 46% and 25% of participants, respectively. Greater age, lower weight, hypogonadism, and increased bone turnover were strong independent predictors of low bone mass regardless of thalassemia syndrome. Peak bone mass was suboptimal. Thirty-six percent of patients had a history of fractures, and 34% reported bone pain. BMD was negatively associated with fractures but not with bone pain. Nine percent of participants had uniformly decreased height of several vertebrae by MXA, which was associated with the use of iron chelator deferoxamine before 6 yr of age. In patients with thalassemia, low BMD and fractures occur frequently and independently of the particular syndrome. Peak bone mass is suboptimal. Low BMD is associated with hypogonadism, increased bone turnover, and an increased risk for fractures.
Impact of Genetics on Low Bone Mass in Adults
Authors: Sigurdsson Gunnar , Halldorsson Bjarni V , Styrkarsdottir Unnur , Kristjansson Kristleifur , Stefansson Kari
Published: May 2008

Low bone mass in adults is a major risk factor for low-impact fractures and is considered of complex origin because of interaction of environmental and genetic factors, each with modest effect. The objective was to assess the relative impact of genetics and environment and quantify the risk in relatives of osteopenic individuals. We studied 440 Icelandic nuclear families with 869 first-degree relatives of both sexes. Index cases (male or female) had BMD in the lumbar spine or hip >1.5 SD less than sex-matched controls. Heritability of BMD was estimated by maximum likelihood method, and variance component analysis was used to partition the genetic and environmental effects. Relative risk of low BMD (< −1 SD) in first-degree relatives was estimated, and heritable decrement in BMD was calculated compared with controls. Heritability was estimated as 0.61–0.66. Relative risk among first-degree relatives was 2.28, and the yield of screening was as high as 36%. The genetic influence was consistent with one or a few genes with considerable effect in addition to multiple genes each with a small effect. The genetic deficit in BMD was already present before 35 yr of age and equaled bone loss during 8–30 yr after menopause. We confirmed that genetics are more important than environment to low bone mass in adults. Our results are consistent with a few underlying genes with considerable effect. The prevalence among first-degree relatives of both sexes is common, suggesting that screening them should be cost effective and informative to elucidate the underlying genetics.
B-Cell Infiltrates Induce Endosteal Bone Formation in Inflammatory Arthritis
Authors: Hayer Silvia , Polzer Karin , Brandl Andreas , Zwerina Jochen , Kireva Trayana , Smolen Josef S , Schett Georg
Published: May 2008

The objective of this study was to investigate the function of inflammatory bone marrow infiltrates found in vicinity to joints affected by inflammatory arthritis. These bone marrow infiltrates are rich in B cells and emerge at the interphase between bone marrow and synovial inflammatory tissue, where cortical bone has been broken. We deleted an essential molecule of B-cell development, Brutońans tyrosine kinase (Btk), in arthritic TNF-transgenic mice and studied its effect on bone marrow inflammation. Although antigen responses, immunoglobulin levels, and autoantibody production were diminished in Btk−/−hTNFtg mice, synovial inflammation developed normally. However, bone marrow infiltrates were significantly diminished in Btk−/−hTNFtg mice, which lead to impaired bone formation at endosteal sites underneath bone erosions and an increased invasion of synovial inflammatory cells into the bone marrow. Expression of bone morphogenic protein-7 was dramatically decreased in Btk−/−hTNFtg mice. These results do not only indicate that bone formation at endosteal regions next to bone marrow infiltrates is driven by B cells but also show that bone marrow aggregates in the vicinity of inflamed joint appear as an attempt to counter the invasion of inflammatory tissue into the bone marrow.
Lrp6 Hypomorphic Mutation Affects Bone Mass Through Bone Resorption in Mice and Impairs Interaction With Mesd
Authors: Kubota Takuo , Michigami Toshimi , Sakaguchi Naoko , Kokubu Chikara , Suzuki Akira , Namba Noriyuki , Sakai Norio , Nakajima Shigeo , Imai Kenji , Ozono Keiichi
Published: May 2008

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) regulates bone acquisition by controlling bone formation. Because roles of LRP6, another co-receptor for Wnts, in postnatal bone metabolism have not been fully elucidated, we studied bone phenotype in mice harboring an Lrp6 hypomorphic mutation, ringelschwanz (rs), and characterized the mutant protein. First, we performed pQCT, bone histomorphometry, and immunohistochemistry on tibias of Lrp6rs/rs and Lrp6+/+ mice and determined biochemical parameters for bone turnover. Lrp6rs/rs mice exhibited reduced trabecular BMD in pQCT. Bone histomorphometry showed low bone volume and decreased trabecular number, which were associated with increased eroded surface. Urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion was increased in Lrp6rs/rs mice, whereas levels of serum osteocalcin were comparable between Lrp6rs/rs mice and wildtype littermates. Increase in cell number and mineralization of calvariae-derived osteoblasts were not impaired in Lrp6rs/rs osteoblasts. Rankl expression was increased in Lrp6rs/rs osteoblasts both in vivo and in vitro, and osteoclastogenesis and bone-resorbing activity in vitro were accelerated in Lrp6rs/rs cells. Treatment with canonical Wnt suppressed Rankl expression in both in primary osteoblasts and ST2 cells. Overexpression of Lrp6 also suppressed Rankl expression, whereas the Lrp6 rs mutant protein did not. Functional analyses of the Lrp6 rs mutant showed decreased targeting to plasma membrane because of reduced interaction with Mesoderm development (Mesd), a chaperone for Lrp6, leading to impaired Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These results indicate that Lrp6-mediated signaling controls postnatal bone mass, at least partly through the regulation of bone resorption. It is also suggested that the interaction with Mesd is critical for Lrp6 to function.
Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) With a Densitometer Predicts Future Fractures in Elderly Women Unselected for Osteoporosis
Authors: McCloskey Eugene V , Vasireddy Sreekanth , Threlkeld Jane , Eastaugh Joanne , Parry Ailsa , Bonnet Nicolas , Beneton Monique , Kanis John A , Charlesworth Diane
Published: May 2008

Low radiation dose imaging of the lateral spine acquired with a bone densitometer for vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) has great potential for clinical use. We have undertaken an evaluation of VFA in a prospective population cohort of elderly women to examine the prevalence of vertebral fractures, their ability to predict incident fractures, and their use in targeting therapy. Women (n = 5157) ≥75 yr of age living in the general community in the United Kingdom underwent posteroanterior and lateral imaging of the spine (T4–L4) with a densitometer (Hologic QDR4500A) at entry to a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of 800 mg oral clodronate (Bonefos) or matching placebo daily over 3 yr. The women were identified from general practice registers and recruited by letter of invitation regardless of skeletal status. The proportion of vertebrae interpretable varied from 98.2% at T12 to 57.1% at T4, with >92% interpretable at levels between T8 and L3. As judged by BMD at the total hip, 19.6% of the women had osteoporosis, and the prevalence of vertebral fracture was 14.5%. Women with one or more vertebral fractures had a relative risk (RR) for incident osteoporotic fractures of 2.01 (95% CI, 1.64–2.47). The RR for hip fractures was 2.29 (95% CI, 1.63–3.21). After adjustment for age, femoral neck BMD, weight, and treatment, the RR was 1.50 (95% CI, 1.21–1.86) for osteoporotic fractures, with similar results for hip fractures (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.99–2.02). For women with two or more vertebral fractures, the adjusted RRs were 1.97 (95% CI, 1.24–2.72) and 1.86 (95% CI, 1.14–3.03) for osteoporotic and hip fractures, respectively. We conclude that VFA can frequently detect vertebral fractures in a population cohort of elderly women. These fractures, like radiographic fractures, predict future clinical fractures independent of age, weight, and BMD. Having multiple vertebral fractures was associated with greater risk of incident osteoporotic fractures and hip fractures.
Review of Nonprimate, Large Animal Models for Osteoporosis Research
Authors: Reinwald Susan , Burr David
Published: May 2008

Large animal models are required for preclinical prevention and intervention studies related to osteoporosis research. The challenging aspect of this requirement is that no single animal model exactly mimics the progression of this human-specific chronic condition. There are pros and cons associated with the skeletal, hormonal, and metabolic conditions of each species that influence their relevance and applicability to human physiology. Of all larger mammalian species, nonhuman primates (NHPs) are preeminent in terms of replicating important aspects of human physiology. However, NHPs are very expensive, putting them out of reach of the vast majority of researchers. Practical, cost-effective alternatives to NHPs are sought after among ungulate (porcine, caprine, and ovine) and canine species that are the focus of this review. The overriding caveat to using large lower-order species is to take the time in advance to understand and appreciate the limitations and strengths of each animal model. Under these circumstances, experiments can be strategically designed to optimize the potential of an animal to develop the cardinal features of postmenopausal bone loss and/or yield information of relevance to treatment.
Producing fact, affect and identity in architecture critiques a discourse analysis of student and faculty discourse interaction
Authors: Melles Gavin
Published: May 2008

Among the academic genres that architecture students must learn to produce, the architecture critique or crit is a significant moment in student enculturation to disciplinary norms. Students must simultaneously re-present the visuals representing the conceptual design of a built environment
space and negotiate the social and affective dimensions of peer critique. Academic skills textbooks emphasize the informational structuring and staging of presentations while paying little attention to the social and affective dimension of the group social interaction. Building on recent linguistic
critique of the separation of cognition and affect (including emotion), this study focuses on the affective and factual nature of the discourse of architecture critique and its constitutive role in student and faculty identities. I examine extracts from four architecture critique presentations
recorded during a two hour session (123 minutes) at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Corpus of Academic Spoken English (MICASE). This discourse analysis demonstrates how fact and affect (including emotion) and identity is produced in the turns of student presenters. The paper concludes
with how a discursive focus may contribute to more transparent student and faculty approaches to managing emotion.
Playgrounds, studios and hiding places: emotional exchange in creative learning spaces
Authors: Sagan Olivia
Published: May 2008

This paper explores notions of space in learning, specifically that of the creative learning space. It maintains that space, far from being neutral, is both socially and psychologically constructed, and reproductive of inequality.

The paper draws directly on the psychoanalytic, Winnicottian
concept of transitional space, and supports its use and value as a tool via which to explore and deepen our understanding of the learning and creative space. The paper looks too at how the very language through which we discuss learning and its spaces is riddled with hierarchical beliefs.
Finally it argues that moves towards greater democratization of learning through widening participation must include a more nuanced understanding of the structural inequalities which are embedded in our thinking about learning and its spaces.

The present epoch will perhaps be above all
the epoch of space.

(Foucault 1986)

I wonder where you're reading this now. Did you choose to read it in a particular place? How do you feel about that space, and how is that space impacting on your reading of this paper, your enjoyment or not, empathizing or not, boredom or not?
Is space really that important, that it can affect the way we read, understand, learn, express ourselves? Maybe not. But this paper discusses the possibility that for some, spaces are that important, that alive, that dynamic because they are filled with emotion, or residual emotion.
Determinants of the adoption of technological innovations by logistics service providers in China
Authors: Lin Chieh-Yu
Published: May 2008

The growth of China's economy hinges to a large extent on the ability of the logistics industry to operate more efficiently and effectively in the global supply chain system. China's logistics service providers should pay attention to adopt more efficient logistics technologies to provide
better services for their customers. This article studies the factors influencing the adoption of technological innovations by logistics service providers in China and investigates the influences of adopting new technologies on supply chain performance. A questionnaire survey is conducted
to study the adoption of technological innovations by China's logistics industry. Technological innovations are classified into data acquisition technologies, information technologies, warehousing technologies, and transportation technologies. The influencing factors include technological,
organizational, and environmental characteristics. We find that the adoption of technological innovations is significantly influenced by technological, organizational and environmental characteristics and that adopting new technologies will increase supply chain performance for the logistics
industry in China.
Innovation and entrepreneurship in Brazilian universities
Authors: Almeida Mariza
Published: May 2008

This article is concerned with the analysis of university-based initiatives in Brazil, emphasising activities directed at enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship. The Triple Helix thesis is utilised here to probe the nature of the changes taking place in Brazilian universities, reflecting
the characteristics of the changes taking place in the wider economy. The article begins by reviewing some of the modifications introduced in the Brazilian innovation system and by explaining how universities have been incorporating entrepreneurial activities. Three university case studies
are presented in order to identify different models of entrepreneurship and innovation activities. The article shows that different structures have arisen in universities in order to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurial activities. Government support for these initiatives has been increasing
at the federal, regional and local levels.
Partenariat public-priv en Tunisie: Les conditions de succs et d'chec
Authors: Bouhamed Amira , Chaabouni Jamil
Published: May 2008

Les changements qu'a subi le contexte politique, conomique et social ont suscit le dveloppement des accords de partenariat public-priv. La prsente recherche a mis l'accent sur les diffrentes conditions favorables et dfavorables susceptibles d'influencer la russite de la relation de sous-traitance des services publics. La recherche empirique mene auprs de dix-huit tablissements universitaires en Tunisie (Sfax) ainsi qu'auprs de leurs fournisseurs a permis de relever que: les valuations pr et post contractuelles et le climat de confiance reprsentent des voies porteuses pour le succs de la relation de sous-traitance. Les conflits d'intrts et l'asymtrie d'information entre les partenaires constituent des conditions qui entravent la russite d'une telle relation.
Book Reviews
Authors: Smith James , Mugwagwa Julius
Published: May 2008

Science and Citizens: Globalization and the Challenge of Engagement, Melissa Leach, Ian Scoones and Brian Wynne (eds.) (2005)

London: Zed Books, 295 pp., ISBN 1 84277 550 2 (hbk); 1 84277 550 0 (pbk), 19.99.

Biotechnology Policy in Africa, Clark, N.G.,
Mugabe, J. and Smith, J. (2007).

Nairobi: African Centre for Technology Studies, 137 pp., ISBN 9966-41-148-8.
e-Humanities – eine virtuelle Forschungsumgebung für die Geistes-, Kultur- und Sozialwissenschaften
Authors: Neuroth Heike , Aschenbrenner Andreas , Lohmeier Felix
Published: May 2008

Forschung und Lehre in den Humanities (Geistes-, Kultur und Sozialwissenschaften) macht zunehmend Gebrauch von digitalen Werkzeugen. Die technologische Unterstützung wird kontinuierlich ausgebaut und steht gerade heute vor einem weiteren großen Entwicklungsschritt. Ein enormes Potenzial liegt – gerade für die Humanities – in der Anwendung moderner Internet-Technologien, dem Einsatz von „Social Software“ und der konsequenten Vernetzung von Informationen und Werkzeugen. Umfangreicher Zugriff auf wissenschaftliche Daten, generische Werkzeuge zur Analyse und zur Unterstützung der Arbeitsprozesse, verbesserte Zusammenarbeit zwischen Forschergruppen und über Disziplinen hinweg – diese Stichwörter zählen zu den Triebfedern auf dem Weg in die vernetzten „e-Humanities“. Der Aufbau einer virtuellen Forschungsumgebung für die Humanities lässt sich in drei Schichten unterteilen: die Forschung, eine Forschungsinfrastruktur und die Basisinfrastruktur. Die Ausdifferenzierung dieser Bereiche und die Beschreibung möglicher Aufgaben einer Forschungsinfrastruktur für die „e-Humanities“ sind Kernthemen dieses Artikels.
Die Universitätsbibliothek Regensburg – Innovative und kooperative Konzepte für die moderne Informationsgesellschaft
Authors: Geißelmann Friedrich , Gerber Gabriele
Published: May 2008

Die Universitätsbibliothek Regensburg nimmt für die nach 1960 gegründeten neuen Hochschulbibliotheken die Funktion eines Leitbilds ein. Kontinuierlich hat die Bibliothek seit ihrer Gründung an der Einführung und Umsetzung neuer bibliothekarischer Arbeitsmodelle mitgewirkt und kooperative Konzepte für den gesamten Bibliotheksbereich entwickelt und zur Verfügung gestellt. Modelle wie die Regensburger Verbundklassifikation oder die Elektronische Zeitschriftenbibliothek haben die moderne Informationsgesellschaft nachhaltig beeinflusst.
Aufbau und Betrieb einer Virtuellen Fachbibliothek am Beispiel des Geo- und Montanwissenschaftlichen Portals GEO-LEO
Authors: Quast Andres , Pfurr Norbert
Published: May 2008

Die Virtuelle Fachbibliothek GEO-LEO bietet Geo- und Montanwissenschaftlern eine integrierte Suche über Bibliothekskataloge, Literatur-Datenbanken und Volltextserver. Die Sondersammelgebietsbibliotheken in Freiberg und Göttingen machen damit ihre – im Auftrag der DFG erworbenen – Ressourcen für alle Wissenschaftler im deutschsprachigen Raum sichtbar und zugänglich. Viele weitere Services, wie die Publikationsplattform, erhöhen den Nutzwert für die Wissenschaftler und tragen zur Attraktivität des Portals bei. Die im Projekt erworbenen Erfahrungen und die dort entwickelte Software stehen anderen Suchportalen zur Verfügung.
Open Learning Centres in Public Libraries. Experiences from the PuLLS project
Authors: Schmidt Anne-Marie
Published: May 2008

This article presents the results and findings of the PuLLS (Public Libraries in the Learning Society) project, funded by the EU's Socrates programme. The article describes the aim of the project, target groups, courses, products and results achieved. Furthermore the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences between the partners throughout Europe will be described. Finally the article discusses the future roles of library staff and the libraries' shift from places where users will be actively supported in their learning and information seeking activities by library-generated content.
Lesesaal virtuell. Möglichkeiten der nutzerfreundlichen Sammlungspräsentation im Internet
Authors: Maier Susanne
Published: May 2008

Im Fokus stehen drei Strategien: Erstens die Repräsentation der Bücherregale am Beispiel des DeweyBrowsers von OCLC, zweitens die Repräsentation der Räumlichkeiten am Beispiel des Infosystems der Philologischen Bibliothek der Freien Universität Berlin und drittens die kommunikative Facette am Beispiel der Plattform LibraryThing. Eine angemessene Seitenarchitektur, Informationsvisualisierungen und Bibliothek-2.0-Elemente tragen dazu bei, Räume virtuell zu erkunden, und bringen reale Lesesäle zur Geltung.
Managementinstrumente in deutschen Bibliotheken – Eine bundesweite Untersuchung zu Einsatz und Verbreitung
Authors: Mundt Sebastian , Vonhof Cornelia
Published: May 2008

Reformansätze der öffentlichen Verwaltung einerseits und die zunehmende Ressourcenknappheit der Unterhaltsträger andererseits werden in Wissenschaftlichen und Öffentlichen Bibliotheken bislang als die wesentlichen Triebfedern des Einsatzes betriebswirtschaftlicher Instrumente und Methoden angesehen. Bisher liegen jedoch nur vereinzelte Erfahrungsberichte zu bestimmten Managementinstrumenten vor. Im Forschungsschwerpunkt „Bibliotheksmanagement, Evaluation und Organisationsentwicklung“ an der Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart wurde deshalb von Oktober 2006 bis Februar 2007 mit Beteiligung von Diplomandinnen des Studiengangs Bibliotheks- und Medienmanagement eine bundesweite Studie zu Einsatz und Verbreitung von Managementinstrumenten in Bibliotheken durchgeführt. Dazu wurden Leitungspersonen von 99 Bibliotheken telefonisch zu ihrem Umgang mit und ihren Einstellungen zu Managementinstrumenten befragt.
Erwartungsmanagement. Ein Instrument im Kunden(bindungs)management der Bibliothek?
Authors: Becker Tom
Published: May 2008

Die intensive Beschäftigung mit Qualitätsentwicklung und Qualitätssicherung der bibliothekarischen Serviceleistungen gebietet, sich im Sinne eines effizienten Kunden(bindungs)managements verstärkt mit dem Erwartungsbegriff auseinander zu setzen und Erwartungsmanagement auf eine mögliche Relevanz für Bibliotheken zu untersuchen. Nach einer Terminologie des Erwartungsbegriffes werden Facetten von Erwartungen beschrieben. Daran anschließend werden Grundlagen des Erwartungsmanagements für Bibliotheken betrachtet.
Zeitungen in Bibliotheken. Aufsätze, Monographien und Rezensionen aus dem Jahr 2006. Mit Nachträgen aus den Jahren 2003-2005
Authors: Albers Christoph
Published: May 2008

Die von Wilbert Ubbens und Dr. Willi Höfig im Jahr 1982 begründete und bis zum Jahr 2002 jeweils in Heft 3 dieser Zeitschrift veröffentlichte Bibliographie wird mit der vorliegenden Übersicht fortgesetzt. Die Gliederung nach Schlagwörtern und die Zitierweise wurden weitgehend beibehalten, um sowohl die Orientierung zu erleichtern als auch spätere Hinweise auf diese Bibliographie zu vereinfachen. Wo nötig, wurden wieder erläuternde Hinweise in englischer Sprache hinzugefügt.

Für diese Übersicht wurden auch wieder Nachweise aus den verwandten Bereichen der Archive, Dokumentationsstellen und Museen aufgenommen, um die für Zeitungen wünschenswerte spartenübergreifende Zusammenarbeit zu fördern.
Emotional responses to ridicule and teasing: Should gelotophobes react differently?
Authors: Platt Tracey
Published: May 2008

The present study examined the hypothesis that gelotophobia blurs the emotional responses between ridicule and good-natured teasing. Ridicule should induce negative feelings and teasing happiness and surprise in individuals not suffering gelotophobia. Gelotophobes will discriminate less between the two. Their responses to teasing will be similar to ridicule. A sample of adults (N = 105) specified which emotions they would experience in nine scenarios of social interactions pre-selected to represent bullying ridicule or good-natured teasing. Ridicule elicited strong responses of shame, fear and anger, and other negative emotions but low happiness and surprise. Responses of gelotophobes and non-gelotophobes were highly parallel, with the exception that among extreme gelotophobes stronger shame and fear were displayed than among non-gelotophobes. Good-natured teasing seemed to elicit happiness and surprise and low levels of negative emotions among the non-gelotophobes. Among the gelotophobes, however, it was the negative emotions; primarily shame, fear, and anger that were exhibited as the emotional response pattern. In fact, the emotion profile to good-humored teasing was highly similar to the profile in response to the bullying-ridiculing situations. Gelotophobes' perceptions do not discriminate between playful teasing and good-natured teasing. They do not identify the safe and non-threatening quality of the teasing situations. Treatment of gelotophobes should, therefore, involve helping them to identify the play-signals, i.e., the meta-message that the interaction is playful, for fun and that no harm is intended.
Measuring responses to humor: How the testing context affects individuals' reaction to comedy
Authors: Martin G. Neil , Sadler Sharon J. , Barrett Clare E. , Beaven Alison
Published: May 2008

Psychological studies of responses to humor employ a variety of different recording methods and modes of presentation, but few have addressed whether these methodological differences affect people's responses to comedy. In the present study, participants' expressive (laughter and smiling) and cognitive (ratings of funniness and enjoyment) responses to a popular British comedy program presented via videotape, audiotape, or in script form were measured. Behavioral response was recorded either covertly or overtly by a video camera. Mode of presentation significantly affected behavioral response: the videotape and the audiotape conditions generated significantly greater laughter and smiling than did the script condition. Although the presence of the camera was not regarded as obtrusive, its presence did inhibit laughter and depressed enjoyment (but not amusement). The paper suggests that research using humorous material should carefully consider the mode of presentation and the behavioral recording conditions employed.
Remembering and anticipating stressors: Positive personality mediates the relationship with sense of humor
Authors: Cann Arnie , Etzel Katherine C.
Published: May 2008

Participants' reports of recent stressors and anticipated stressors were predicted using a measure of sense of humor that assessed positive and negative uses of humor and measures of positive personality characteristics: optimism, hope, and happiness. The prediction was the tendency to use positive humor and/or avoid negative humor would be associated with higher levels of positive personality qualities, and that the positive personality qualities would mediate the relationship between sense of humor styles and perceptions of stress. The mediator model was supported for both past and future measures of perceived stress. Sense of humor differences explained variance in perceived stressors, but the inclusion of the positive personality qualities in the model virtually eliminated the contributions of sense of humor. It appears that appropriate uses of humor may support the selected positive personality qualities, which contribute to less extreme construal of stressors.
Humor styles and personality-vulnerability to depression
Authors: Frewen Paul A. , Brinker Jaylene , Martin Rod A. , Dozois David J. A.
Published: May 2008

Sociotropy and autonomy are personality dimensions that represent vulnerabilities for depression, although relatively little is known about the social-psychological mechanisms underlying this association. The present research tested associations between personality-vulnerability dimensions, depressive symptoms, and positive and negative styles of humor in undergraduates as one means of characterizing the social interaction patterns of sociotropic and autonomous individuals. Sociotropy was associated with a self-defeating humor style, whereas Need for Control (an autonomy dimension) was related to the use of an aggressive humor style. Increased use of a self-defeating humor style and decreased use of self-enhancing and affliative humor styles, were associated with increased depressive symptoms. The results are discussed relative to personality-vulnerability theories of depression.
National Bioethics Committees in selected States of North Africa and the Middle East
Authors: Fischer Nils
Published: May 2008

It didn't take the decision of the Islamic states at the 59th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2004 to follow Iran's proposal to adjourn the consideration of the “International convention on cloning” to the 60th General Assembly to make clear that Islamic states have their own approach to bioethical questions – an Islamic approach. That became obvious when the “Cairo declaration on human rights in Islam” was adopted in 1990. This is also underlined by the “First regional meeting of national bioethics committees” in Cairo in 2007. As Islamic states established national bioethics committees for the purpose of communicating bioethical issues and ethical perspectives, these committees are the main liaison agencies for bioethical issues on the international level. This paper discusses Islamic states' national bioethics committees and their work. It poses the question how and where Islamic values are reflected.
The Progress of Chinese Legal Protection in Genetic Resources
Authors: Xuezhong Zhu , Yongtao Zhou , Jie Tang
Published: May 2008

The Chinese legal protection and its development in genetic resources are subject to this paper. Since China is one of the countries with rich genetic resources, it is important to apply current legal systems and enact laws or regulations for the protection of intellectual property right in the field of genetic resources. This paper describes the present situation of the Chinese law system including laws and regulations issued by the State Council, Government Office and local governments on protection of intellectual property right in genetic resources and other suggestions being made. At the same time, this paper also discusses the trend of relevant laws and regulations of protection on Chinese genetic resources.
From Bench to Bedside: New Technologies for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Schweiger Michal-Ruth , Lehrach Hans
Published: May 2008

According to the centre for disease control (CDC) malignant neoplasms are the second most common cause of death in the US in 2004 (1). One of the major problems is that most of the cancers are diagnosed in an advanced stage, which prohibits curative treatment. In order to circumvent these problems, we need to develop strategies that allow identification of risk patients and tumors at an early stage. In addition, it is necessary to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers that guide patient treatment at different stages of the disease.
The Brain on the Stand? Interactions between Neuroscience, Ethics and Law
Authors: Schleim Stephan
Published: May 2008

On October 4 and 5 2007, experts from the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany met at the University of Delft to hold a workshop on “The Ethics of Neuroimaging”. According to the organizer, Aldus Lokhorst, this was the first Dutch event on “neuroethics”, to use the new term that has become familiar since the early 2000s. The agenda comprised several issues including the state of the art of neuroimaging, legal and ethical issues related to that research as well as philosophical questions concerning the prospects and limitations of investigating the human brain. Even though the participants came from various disciplines, including philosophy, law, and psychology, it was surprising that no Dutch neuroscientist participated in the workshop. Because the organizers had tried persistently to get these researchers involved, they inferred that at the current stage their empirical colleagues' interest in ethical, legal and social aspects of the investigation of the brain must be low. Considering that the recent boom of neuroethics in the United States was strongly sustained by neuroscientists, the Dutch researchers' apparent lack of interest is surprising.
Multidimensional inverse problem for isotropic elasticity system in a sphere
Authors: Bugueva T. V.
Published: May 2008

We consider an inverse problem for a system of isotropic elasticity equations in a sphere domain. The linearized problem of identification of three characteristics of elastic isotropic medium is investigated. It is supposed that the medium density ρ(r) depends on the radial variable only and the propagation velocity of longitudinal c(r, θ ϕ) and transverse a(r, θ, ϕ) waves can be represented as a
2(r; θ, ϕ) = a
2
0 + a
1(r, θ, ϕ), c
2(r, θ, ϕ) = c
2
0 + c
1(r, θ, ϕ), where a
2
0, c
2
0 are some known constants, and unknown functions a
1(r, θ, ϕ), c
1(r, θ, ϕ) are small in comparison with the constants a
2
0 and c
2
0 correspondingly. The uniqueness theorem is proved and estimates of conditional stability of the inverse problem solution are obtained.
Identification of the hydraulic conductivities in a saltwater intrusion problem
Authors: Talibi M. El Alaoui , Ouazar D. , Tber M. H.
Published: May 2008

In this paper, the identification of the hydraulic conductivities in a seawater intrusion problem is investigated. The system of two coupled quasilinear partial differential equations describing the direct problem are solved on the basis of an established maximum principle using a fixed point theorem. The existence of an optimal control is proved, even if the conductivities are discontinuous functions, and the necessary conditions for optimality are obtained. Finally, some numerical results are presented for the sake of illustration.
We are you: The plural and the dual in “we” fictional narratives
Authors: Marcus Amit
Published: May 2008

The essay discusses grammatical and narratological issues of first-person plural (“we”) narratives. It elaborates on the repercussions of Uri Margolin's argument (1996, 2000) regarding the semantic instability of the pronoun “we”, a feature that remains general and abstract in his formulation. Everyday language tends to conceal this instability, whereas some fictional narratives accentuate it, thereby actualizing the subversive potential of the first-person-plural pronoun and highlighting the relationship of the individual “I” to the “we” group and the relationship of this group to “others”. Like second-person narratives, first-person-plural narratives may transgress the boundary between the virtual and the actual and point to the absence of necessary connection between the grammatical form and its deictic function. The essay also proposes a distinction between plural and dual fictional narratives: due to their deictic properties, plural “we” narratives are frequently more destabilizing than dual “we” narratives, which are not characterized by semantic fluidity.
“Unweaving the rainbow”: The semantic organization of the lyric
Authors: Carney James
Published: May 2008

This article develops a semantic model of lyric poetry using the mathematical resources of René Thom's catastrophe theory. In doing this, its central aim is to show that the semantic organization of the lyric can be understood as an embryonic articulation of the basic actional competencies that underwrite narrative expression. In terms of detail, the model shows that any lyric can be conceived as a system involving three macro-structural components (the speaker's consciousness, an indifferent or hostile environment and a desired object) whose reciprocal interactions define what Thom identifies as a cusp catastrophe. In turn, this catastrophist system is shown to correspond with A. J. Greimas' notion of a narrative program, and thus narrative is identified as the superimposition of numerically different lyrical trajectories upon one another. The end result of this is a revised understanding of lyrical semantics that postulates a commonality in how both lyric and narrative refer to world.