bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paracrine effects of mesenchymal stem cells in cisplatin-induced renal injury require heme oxygenase-1
Authors: Zarjou Abolfazl , Kim Junghyun , Traylor Amie M. , Sanders Paul W. , Balla József , Agarwal Anupam , Curtis Lisa M.
Published: November 2010

Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have become a popular and promising therapeutic approach in many clinical conditions. MSC are beneficial in animal models of acute kidney injury (AKI), by mediating differentiation-independent paracrine properties, and have prompted ongoing clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MSC. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is induced in response to stress including AKI and has important anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and proangiogenic properties in these settings. We therefore examined whether HO-1 plays a role in the beneficial effects of MSC in AKI. We isolated MSC from bone marrow of age-matched HO-1+/+and HO-1−/−mice. Our studies indicate that while differentiation of MSC into osteo- and adipocytic lineages did not differ between cells isolated from HO-1+/+and HO-1−/−mice, MSC from HO-1−/−mice had significantly lower angiogenic potential. Moreover, HO-1−/−MSC demonstrated reduced expression and secretion of several important growth and proangiogenic factors (stromal cell-derived factor-1, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, and hepatocyte growth factor) compared with MSC derived from HO-1+/+mice. In addition, conditioned medium of HO-1+/+MSC rescued functional and morphological changes associated with cisplatin-induced AKI, while the HO-1−/−-conditioned medium was ineffectual. Our studies indicate that HO-1 plays an important role in MSC-mediated protection. The results expand understanding of the renoprotective effects of MSC and may provide novel strategies to better utilize MSC in various disease models.
Dynamic Output Feedback Stabilization of Controlled Positive Discrete‐Time Systems with Delays
Authors: Li Zhenbo , Zhu Shuqian
Published: November 2010

The problem of stabilization by means of dynamic output feedback is studied for discrete‐time delayed systems with possible interval uncertainties. The control is under positivity constraint, which means that the resultant closed‐loop system must be stable and positive. The robust resilient controller is respect to additive controller gain variation which also belongs to an interval. Necessary and sufficient/sufficient conditions are established for the existence of the dynamic output feedback controller. The desired controller gain matrices can be determined effectively via the cone complementarity linearization techniques.
Coherence and Disorder in Bilayer Quantum Hall Systems
Authors: Fertig H. A. , Murthy Ganpathy
Published: November 2010

The quantum Hall bilayer at total filling factor displays a number of properties akin to superfluidity, most clearly apparent in its very low dissipation in tunneling and counterflow transport. Theoretical descriptions in terms of quantum Hall ferromagnetism or thin-film superfluidity can be developed to explain these phenomena. In either case, merons can be identified as important low energy excitations. We demonstrate that a model in which puddles of merons induced by disorder, separated by narrow regions of interlayer coherence—a coherence network—can naturally explain many of the imperfect superfluid finite temperature properties that are observed in these systems. The periodic realization of this model shows that there can be low energy excitations beyond the superfluid mode. These are associated with transitions between states of different meron number in the puddles, where we argue that merons should be unbound atanytemperature, and which can have important implications for the effect of quantum fluctuations on the system.
Neuroprotection by the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tao‐Hong‐Si‐Wu‐Tang, against Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion‐Induced Cerebral Ischemia in Rats
Authors: Wu Chih-Jen , Chen Jui-Tai , Yen Ting-Lin , Jayakumar Thanasekaran , Chou Duen-Suey , Hsiao George , Sheu Joen-Rong
Published: November 2010

Tao‐Hong‐Si‐Wu‐Tang (THSWT) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TMC). In the present study, oral administration of THSWT (0.7 and 1.4 g kg−1day−1) for 14 days before MCAO dose‐dependently attenuated focal cerebral ischemia in rats. MCAO‐induced focal cerebral ischemia was associated with increases in hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and active caspase‐3 expressions in ischemic regions. These expressions were obviously inhibited by 0.7 g kg−1day−1 THSWT treatment. In addition, THSWT inhibited platelet aggregation stimulated by collagen in washed platelets. In an in vivo study, THSWT (16 g kg−1) significantly prolonged platelet plug formation in mice. However, THSWT (20 and 40 μg mL−1) did not significantly reduce the electron spin resonance (ESR) signal intensity of hydroxyl radical (OH•) formation. In conclusion, the most important findings of this study demonstrate for the first time that THSWT possesses potent neuroprotective activity against MCAO‐induced focal cerebral ischemia in vivo. This effect may be mediated, at least in part, by the inhibition of both HIF‐1α and TNF‐α activation, followed by the inhibition of inflammatory responses (i.e., iNOS expression), apoptosis formation (active caspase‐3), and platelet activation, resulting in a reduction in the infarct volume in ischemia‐reperfusion brain injury.
Maternal Hyperglycemia Modifies Extracellular Matrix Signaling Pathways in Neonatal Rat Lung
Authors: Koskinen Anna , Laiho Asta , Lukkarinen Heikki , Kääpä Pekka , Soukka Hanna
Published: November 2010

Background: Maternal diabetes is associated with numerous adverse effects in fetal and neonatal organs, including the lungs. Objective: To investigate the effects of intrauterine hyperglycemia on neonatal lung biological signaling, we performed a microarray analysis in the lungs of four 14-day-old rat pups born to a hyperglycemic dam and in four age mate control pup lungs. Methods: Total RNA was isolated and cDNA was hybridized to the Illumina Sentrix® RatRef-12 BeadChip. A total of 22,000 genes were analyzed for expression profiles and functional gene clustering. Ten selected genes differentially expressed in microarray were additionally analyzed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Two hundred twenty-seven genes were differentially expressed in neonatal rat lungs exposed to intrauterine hyperglycemia when compared to normoglycemic controls (fold change > 1.2, p < 0.001). Functional clustering analysis revealed increased expression in signaling pathways involved with extracellular matrix regulation. The most significantly downregulated functions were cell proliferation, extracellular region, cell adhesion and reactive oxygen species metabolism. Conclusion: We found significant hyperglycemia-induced gene expression alterations in neonatal rat pulmonary tissue which may interfere with lung growth and biological signaling pathways.
Abundance of tegu lizards (Tupinambis merianae) in a remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic forest
Authors: Chiarello Adriano , Srbek-Araujo Ana , Del-Duque Jr. Hermano , Coelho Eduardo de , Rocha Carlos
Published: November 2010

We investigated the abundance of the tegu lizard (Tupinambis merianae) in a 21 787 ha Brazilian Atlantic forest fragment (Reserva Natural Vale, RNV). This remnant has a highly irregular perimeter and an extensive network (126 km) of internal unpaved roads. We hypothesized that the high proportion of these edge habitats might benefit active heliothermic lizards like tegus due to greater incidence of sunlight. We estimated population density using the program DISTANCE, and compared sighting frequency of tegus along twelve 500 m long transects located at three distances (25, 200 and 400 m) from the nearest unpaved road or fragment edge. We found no significant differences in sighting frequency among the three distances (Chi-square; χ2 = 4.308; P = 0.116) and no significant association between edge distance and edge type (internal, external) (G test adjusted; G2 = 0.617; P = 0.734). However, as the test comparing distances had relatively low power we assumed that the experimental evidence was not strong enough to prove lack of an edge effect. The estimated density (0.63±0.13 lizard/ha) is within the range of densities found on Brazilian islands where tegus have proliferated to the point of becoming a threat to ground nesting birds and turtles. We caution, however, that the absence of published data on other non-island sites prevents us from concluding that the species has an abnormally high density in RNV.
Evolution of Case in Ossetic
Authors: Belyaev Oleg
Published: November 2010

Ossetic sets itself apart from the other New Iranian languages by having a relatively elaborate system of nine cases. Since most of them are relatively late innovations, and only four cases (Nom., Gen, Abl., and Iness.) can be traced back to Proto-Iranian, many scholars tend to ascribe the development of the case system to Caucasian influence. The exact nature of this influence, however, has never been demonstrated. The aim of this paper is, first, to not only reconstruct the etymologies of Ossetic cases, but also to provide a chronology of how the case system developed. The second aim pursued here is to give a systematic comparison of the case system of Ossetic with those of the neighbouring languages and to determine if there is any external influence on the case system and, if so, what languages this influence came from. I conclude that Ossetic developed from a case system identical to those of Khotanese and Sogdian towards the present state under the influence of contact with Georgian and, later, with Turkic and Vaynakh languages. In the process of the discussion, I also argue that two new cases, the Directive and Regressive, are undergoing grammaticalisation in contemporary Ossetic.
Photocatalytic self-cleaning textiles based on nanocrystalline titanium dioxide
Authors: Kaihong Qi  , Xiaowen Wang  , Xin John H
Published: November 2010

The anatase TiO2 in this study was prepared in an aqueous solution through a sol-gel process with a small amount of acid, which prevented the loss of the mechanical strength of the cotton fabrics when compared with previous methods. The application of the anatase TiO2 to textiles, which formed a transparent, thin film of nanocrystalline TiO2 on the fiber surface, was done via a simple dip-pad—dry-cure process. The adhesion between the TiO 2 thin film and the cotton substrates was high, indicated by good fastness at 20 home launderings. The bending rigidity was increased by 13% and the air permeability was reduced by 0.76% after TiO2 treatment, which indicated that the treatment did not significantly influence the fabric handling and the air permeability. The mechanical strengths of the treated cotton fabrics investigated indicated that the photocatalytic decomposition of the cellulosic chains of the cotton fibers is very limited after 20 h of irradiation.
A Stigma Identification Framework for Family Nurses Working With Parents Who Are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgendered and Their Families
Authors: Weber Scott
Published: November 2010

Parent relationships and family life provide important psychological and health benefits for growing children and adults. Social stigma experienced by parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered, and by their children, creates significant stress on families. Families headed by parents who are sexual orientation or gender identity minorities may require special guidance for navigating an unusually complicated terrain related to parenting and family life. The focus of this article is social stigma, its causes, and health impacts on these families. Approaches that family nurses can take to evaluate stigma when working with this population of families are identified and discussed. This article reviews practice and research literature to examine the impacts of stigma on the social security, lived experience, and health status of these families. The article then applies the Link and Phelan (2001) stigmatization model to work with LGBT parents to help family nurses improve practice effectiveness.
Book and Media Review: Asian American Communities and Health: Context, Research, Policy, and Action
Authors: Hou Su-I
Published: November 2010

This commentary provides an in-depth and comprehensive contextual understanding of key issues influencing health in Asian American communities. It is a valuable resource addressing health disparities through ecological lenses and multilevel analyses and is congruent with the current movement toward a better understanding of the social determinants of health. The chapters are groundbreaking work of more than 40 leading researchers and community advocates. The book’s emphasis on understanding the social, cultural, and political context of the health of Asian Americans is relevant for a wide range of health professionals, social scientists, community advocates, and policy makers. It is also an excellent resource for faculty members and students interested not only in Asian American—related issues but also broader issues in vulnerable populations, public health, and social justice.
Regulatory dendritic cells program generation of interleukin-4–producing alternative memory CD4 T cells with suppressive activity
Authors: Xu Xiongfei , Guo Zhenhong , Jiang Xueyu , Yao Yushi , Gao Qiangguo , Ding Yuanyuan , Cao Xuetao
Published: November 2010

The heterogeneity and mechanisms for the generation of CD4 memory T (CD4 Tm) cells remain elusive. Distinct subsets of dendritic cells (DCs) have been found to regulate a distinct T-helper (Th)–cell subset differentiation by influencing cytokine cues around CD4 T cells; however, whether and how the regulatory DC subset can regulate Tm-cell differentiation remains unknown. Further, there is no ideal in vitro experimental system with which to mimic the 3 phases of the CD4 T-cell immune response (expansion, contraction, memory generation) and/or to culture CD4 Tm cells for more than a month. By analyzing CD4 T cells programmed by long-term coculture with regulatory DCs, we identified a population of long-lived CD4 T cells with a CD44hiCD62L−CCR7− effector memory phenotype and rapid, preferential secretion of the Th2 cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 after antigenic stimulation. These regulatory DC-programmed Tm cells suppress CD4 T-cell activation and proliferation in vitro via IL-10 and inhibit the delayed-type hypersensitivity response once infused in vivo. We also identify their natural counterpart, which is up-regulated by regulatory DC transfusion and negatively regulates the recall response in vivo. Different from interferon-γ–producing conventional Tm cells, these IL-4–producing CD4 Tm cells act as alternative Tm cells with a regulatory function, suggesting a new way of negative immune regulation by memory T cells.
Recent thymic emigrants are biased against the T-helper type 1 and toward the T-helper type 2 effector lineage
Authors: Hendricks Deborah W. , Fink Pamela J.
Published: November 2010

After intrathymic development, T cells exit the thymus and join the peripheral T-cell pool. Such recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) undergo both phenotypic and functional maturation during the first 3 weeks they reside in the periphery. Using a well-controlled in vitro polarization scheme, we now show that CD4+ RTEs are defective in T-helper (Th) type 0 (Th0), Th1, Th17, and regulatory T-cell lineage commitment, with dampened cytokine production and transcription factor expression. In contrast, CD4+ RTES are biased toward the Th2 lineage both in vitro and in vivo, with more robust interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin-13 production than their mature naive counterparts. Coculture experiments demonstrate that mature naive T cells influence neighboring RTEs in their Th responses. In adoptive hosts, CD4+ RTEs drive production of the Th2-associated antibody isotype immunoglobulin G1 and mediate airway inflammatory disease. This bias in RTEs likely results from dampened negative regulation of the Th2 lineage by diminished levels of T-bet, a key Th1 transcription factor. CD4+ RTEs thus represent a transitional population with a distinct interpretation of, and response to, immunologic cues. These characteristics may be beneficial during the postthymic maturation period by leading to the avoidance of inappropriate immune responses, particularly in lymphopenic neonates and adults.
Integrative mapping analysis of chicken microchromosome 16 organization
Authors: Solinhac Romain , Leroux Sophie , Galkina Svetlana , Chazara Olympe , Feve Katia , Vignoles Florence , Morisson Mireille , Derjusheva Svetlana , Bed'hom Bertrand , Vignal Alain , Fillon Valérie , Pitel Frédérique
Published: November 2010

Background

The chicken karyotype is composed of 39 chromosome pairs, of which 9 still remain totally absent from the current genome sequence assembly, despite international efforts towards complete coverage. Some others are only very partially sequenced, amongst which microchromosome 16 (GGA16), particularly under-represented, with only 433 kb assembled for a full estimated size of 9 to 11 Mb. Besides the obvious need of full genome coverage with genetic markers for QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) mapping and major genes identification studies, there is a major interest in the detailed study of this chromosome because it carries the two genetically independent MHC complexes B and Y. In addition, GGA16 carries the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes cluster, also known as the NOR (nucleolus organizer region). The purpose of the present study is to construct and present high resolution integrated maps of GGA16 to refine its organization and improve its coverage with genetic markers.

Results

We developed 79 STS (Sequence Tagged Site) markers to build a physical RH (radiation hybrid) map and 34 genetic markers to extend the genetic map of GGA16. We screened a BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) library with markers for the MHC-B, MHC-Y and rRNA complexes. Selected clones were used to perform high resolution FISH (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization) mapping on giant meiotic lampbrush chromosomes, allowing meiotic mapping in addition to the confirmation of the order of the three clusters along the chromosome. A region with high recombination rates and containing PO41 repeated elements separates the two MHC complexes.

Conclusions

The three complementary mapping strategies used refine greatly our knowledge of chicken microchromosome 16 organisation. The characterisation of the recombination hotspots separating the two MHC complexes demonstrates the presence of PO41 repetitive sequences both in tandem and inverted orientation. However, this region still needs to be studied in more detail.
Antibiotic use, resistance development and environmental factors: a qualitative study among healthcare professionals in Orissa, India
Authors: Sahoo Krushna Chandra , Tamhankar A J , Johansson Eva , Lundborg Cecilia Stålsby
Published: November 2010

Background

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health problem affecting both current and future generations. The influence of environmental factors on antibiotic use and resistance development in bacteria is largely unknown. This study explored the perceptions of healthcare providers on antibiotic use and resistance development in relation to environmental factors i.e. physical, natural, social and behavioural factors.

Methods

A qualitative interview study was conducted using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews among registered allopathic doctors, veterinarians and drug dispensers in Orissa, India. The interview transcripts were analyzed using latent content analysis.

Results

The main findings of this study relate to two themes: 'Interrelationship between antibiotic use, resistance development and environment' and 'Antibiotic management contributing to the development and spread of resistance'. The interviewees viewed the following as possible contributors to antibiotic use/misuse and resistance development: changes in the natural and physical environment i.e. climate variability, pollution, physiography and population growth; the socioeconomic environment affecting health-seeking behaviour and noncompliance with medication; a lack of healthcare facilities and poor professional attitudes; and ineffective law enforcement regarding medicine dispensing and disposal.

Conclusions

Generally, the interviewees perceived that although behavioural and social environmental factors are major contributors to resistance development, changes in the physical and natural environment also influence development of antibiotic resistance. The respondents also perceived that there is a lack of information about, and poor awareness of, what constitutes prudent use of antibiotics. They suggested a need for information, education, dissemination and proper implementation and enforcement of legislation at all levels of the drug delivery and disposal system in order to improve antibiotic use and prevent pharmaceutical contamination of the environment.
Inflammatory Nociception Diminishes Dopamine Release and Increases Dopamine D2 Receptor mRNA in the Rat's Insular Cortex
Authors: Coffeen Ulises , Ortega-Legaspi J Manuel , de Gortari Patricia , Simón-Arceo Karina , Jaimes Orlando , Amaya María Isabel , Pellicer Francisco
Published: November 2010

Background:

The insular cortex (IC) receives somatosensory afferent input and has been related to nociceptive input. It has dopaminergic terminals and D1 (D1R) -excitatory- and D2 (D2R) -inhibitory- receptors. D2R activation with a selective agonist, as well as D1R blockade with antagonists in the IC, diminish neuropathic nociception in a nerve transection model. An intraplantar injection of carrageenan and acute thermonociception (plantar test) were performed to measure the response to inflammation (paw withdrawal latency, PWL). Simultaneously, a freely moving microdyalisis technique and HPLC were used to measure the release of dopamine and its metabolites in the IC. Plantar test was applied prior, one and three hours after inflammation. Also, mRNA levels of D1 and D2R's were measured in the IC after three hours of inflammation.

Results:

The results showed a gradual decrease in the release of dopamine, Dopac and HVA after inflammation. The decrease correlates with a decrease in PWL. D2R's increased their mRNA expression compared to the controls. In regard of D1R's, there was a decrease in their mRNA levels compared to the controls.

Conclusions:

Our results showed that the decreased extracellular levels of dopamine induced by inflammation correlated with the level of pain-related behaviour. These results also showed the increase in dopaminergic mediated inhibition by an increase in D2R's and a decrease in D1R's mRNA. There is a possible differential mechanism regarding the regulation of excitatory and inhibitory dopaminergic receptors triggered by inflammation.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks in Slovenia
Authors: Smrdel Katja Strašek , Serdt Mojca , Duh Darja , Knap Nataša , Županc Tatjana Avšič
Published: November 2010

Ticks act as vectors of many pathogens of domestic animals and humans. Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Europe is transmitted by the ixodid tick vector Ixodes ricinus. A. phagocytophilum causes a disease with diverse clinical signs in various hosts. A great genetic diversity of the groESL operon of A. phagocytophilum has been found in ticks elsewhere. In Slovenia, the variety of the groESL operon was conducted only on deer samples. In this study, the prevalence of infected ticks was estimated and the diversity of A. phagocytophilum was evaluated. On 8 locations in Slovenia, 1924 and 5049 (6973) I. ricinus ticks were collected from vegetation in the years 2005 and 2006, respectively. All three feeding stages of the tick's life cycle were examined. The prevalence of ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum in the year 2005 and in the year 2006 was 0.31% and 0.63%, respectively, and it did not differ considerably between locations. The similarity among the sequences of groESL ranged from 95.6% to 99.8%. They clustered in two genetic lineages along with A. phagocytophilum from Slovenian deer. One sequence formed a separate cluster. According to our study, the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in ticks is comparable to the findings in other studies in Europe, and it does not vary considerably between locations and tick stages. According to groESL operon analysis, two genetic lineages have been confirmed and one proposed. Further studies on other genes would be useful to obtain more information on genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum in ticks in Slovenia.
Sex dependent regulation of osteoblast response to implant surface properties by systemic hormones
Authors: Olivares-Navarrete Rene , Hyzy Sharon L , Chaudhri Reyhaan A , Zhao Ge , Boyan Barbara D , Schwartz Zvi
Published: November 2010

Background

Osseointegration depends on the implant surface, bone quality and the local and systemic host environment, which can differ in male and female patients. This study was undertaken in order to determine if male and female cells respond differently to titanium surfaces that have micron-scale roughness and if interactions of calciotropic hormones [1α,25(OH)2D3 and 17β-oestradiol (E2)] and microstructured surfaces on osteoblasts are sex dependent.

Methods

Osteoblasts from 6-week old Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) or on titanium (Ti) disks with two different surface topographies, a smooth pretreated (PT) surface and a coarse grit-blasted/acid-etched (SLA) surface, and treated with 1α,25(OH)2D3, E2, or E2 conjugated to bovine serum albumin (E2-BSA).

Results

Male and female cells responded similarly to Ti microstructure with respect to cell number and levels of osteocalcin, transforming growth factor-β1, osteoprotegerin and prostaglandin E2 in their conditioned media, exhibiting a more differentiated phenotype on SLA than on PT or TCPS. E2 and E2-BSA increased differentiation and local factor production, an effect that was microstructure dependent and found only in female osteoblasts. 1α,25(OH)2D3 increased osteoblast differentiation and local factor production in female and male cells, but the effect was more robust in male cells.

Conclusions

Male and female rat osteoblasts respond similarly to surface microstructure but exhibit sexual dimorphism in substrate-dependent responses to systemic hormones. Oestrogen affected only female cells while 1α,25(OH)2D3 had a greater effect on male cells. These results suggest that successful osseointegration in males and females may depend on the implant surface design and correct levels of calciotropic hormones.
Differential Effects of Prenatal and Postnatal Nutritional Environment on β-Cell Mass Development and Turnover in Male and Female Rats
Authors: Matveyenko Aleksey V. , Singh Inderroop , Shin Bo-Chul , Georgia Senta , Devaskar Sherin U.
Published: November 2010

Fetal nutrient and growth restriction is associated with development of type 2 diabetes. Although the exact mechanisms responsible for this association remain debated, intrauterine and/or postnatal maldevelopment of β-cell mass has been proposed as a potential mechanism. To address this hypothesis, β-cell mass development and turnover was assessed in rats exposed to either intrauterine and/or postnatal caloric/growth restriction. In total, four groups of male and female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 69) were developed and studied: 1) control rats, i.e. control mothers rearing control pups; 2) intrauterine calorically and growth-restricted rats, i.e. 50% prenatal calorically restricted pups cross-fostered to control mothers; 3) postnatal calorically and growth-restricted rats, i.e. 50% calorically restricted mothers rearing pups born to control mothers; and 4) prenatal and postnatal calorically and growth restricted rats, i.e. 50% calorically restricted mothers rearing intrauterine 50% calorically restricted pups. Intrauterine growth restriction resulted in approximately 45% reduction of postnatal β-cell fractional area and mass characterized by reduced rate of β-cell replication and decreased evidence of neogenesis. In contrast, β-cell fractional area and weight-adjusted β-cell mass in postnatal growth restriction was approximately 30% higher than in control rats. Rats exposed to both intrauterine and postnatal caloric and growth restriction demonstrated approximately 80% decrease in β-cell mass, reduction in β-cell replication, and decreased evidence of neogenesis compared with control. Neither intrauterine nor postnatal caloric restriction significantly affected the rate of β-cell apoptosis. These data support the hypothesis that intrauterine maldevelopment of β-cell mass may predict the increased risk of type 2 diabetes in adult life.
Rot's Progress: Gastronomy according to Peter Greenaway
Authors: Brinkema Eugenie
Published: November 2010

What is the relationship between a cinematic grid of color and the most visceral of the negative affects, disgust? The history of “good taste”—from the philosophical subdiscipline of aesthetics to French haute cuisine—banishes and simultaneously cultivates all things that taste bad and are in bad taste. Reading the phenomenologist Aurel Kolnai with the gastronome Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, this article explores how rot and decay, the negative of the aesthetic and gastronomic, function as a structural language in Peter Greenaway's The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover (1989), producing a rotting film form that simultaneously brings into being the possibility of the chromatically new. The author argues that criticism errs in taking rot as a fixed, concrete, knowable thing made available as a present, transparent “image of” (a corpse, softening meat, some mold). Rot is neither reducible to its visual representative of a rotting thing nor is it immediate or visceral or marked by obviousness; and decay is not a metaphor for moral declivity or ideological distaste. Instead, this article claims that putrescence is a structure-in-process, a textually constituting gesture that must be read for.
The Hunt for the Elusive Concept
Authors: Oehlers Deric John
Published: November 2010

Structural engineers, whether they are designers, contractors or academics, are frequently faced with the problem of introducing innovation into practice through research, such as for the development of new structures or the use of new materials such as fibre reinforced polymer. Hence, research is pivotal to the introduction of innovation. How research is applied is invariably a very complex and often costly problem and consequently needs careful examination to be effective. All engineers do research but by the very nature of research we all do research in different ways. This paper is the author's reflections on research procedures and approaches often used in structural engineering. These approaches are then illustrated using the author's research particularly on developing a generic failure model for reinforced concrete which can be applied to the seemingly disparate reinforced concrete problems of moment-rotation, shear capacity and the effect of confinement. Numerous concepts are introduced in this paper such as: the use of empirical modelling in plugging the gaps in the structural mechanics models; the elusive concept that is pivotal to understanding and should not be confused with the illusive concept; and categorisation of researchers to help sort out the mass of information available.
Recent Developments in Long-Term Performance of FRP Composites and FRP-Concrete Interface
Authors: Wu Zhishen , Kim Yail J. , Diab Hesham , Wang Xin
Published: November 2010

This paper presents recent developments in long-term behavior of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and FRP-strengthened concrete beams with special emphasis on the FRP-concrete interface subjected to creep and fatigue loads. Although short-term behavior of FRP-strengthened structures is intensively reported thus far, their long-term performance has not been thoroughly elucidated yet. This state-of-the-art paper provides a synthesis of recent findings on the long-term performance of FRP composites and their time-dependent bond behavior for strengthening concrete structures, including externally-bonded FRP sheets and near-surface-mounted FRP strips. The review examines the bond-stress slip response, damage accumulation associated with progressive crack propagation, and failure modes, including descriptions of the predictive models. The identified research needs to further advance FRP-strengthening technologies are addressed.
Development and Some Investigative Testing of Smart Structural FRP Devices with Embedded Fiber Optic Sensor for Health Monitoring of Civil Structures
Authors: Corvaglia P. , Largo A. , Caponero M.A. , Maddaluno G.
Published: November 2010

Optical fibers, serving as sensors and data conduit, are particularly relevant for long-term health monitoring of civil structures. Nevertheless, many challenges associated with the on-site application of such sensors have to be solved, these are mainly related to the application methodology.

The objective of this current research is to assess the feasibility and reliability of strain measurements by utilising FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) optical sensors embedded in two types of FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) packaging. The first device consists of an FRP reinforcing sheet with embedded FBG sensor, conceived for external application on the structural element surface. The FRP packaging of the second device consists of a FRP rebar, conceived for internal or Near Surface Mounted (NSM) applications. These two FRP packages provide the optical fiber with the necessary protection against accidental damage during handling and installation. The mechanical characteristics of the packaging material allow the use of the device for structural reinforcing purpose as well.

The paper discusses the various steps in the development of the technology set-up, the physical and the mechanical testing and the in situ validation for the two devices.
Reincarnating clandestine radio in post-independent Zimbabwe
Authors: Moyo Dumisani
Published: November 2010

This article analyses the re-emergence of clandestine radio in post-independence Zimbabwe, and how it has become an important tool for disseminating alternative viewpoints in an environment where democratic communicative space is restricted. The article focuses specifically on SW Radio
Africa, one of the major clandestine radio stations that have been beaming into Zimbabwe since 2001. It argues, based on analysis of this radio station, that by suppressing clandestine radio through jamming signals and intimidating listeners, the government has inadvertently raised people's
curiosity and made these stations more visible and more popular than they otherwise would have been. Further, it argues that Zimbabweans are not passive victims of state propaganda. Rather, they continue to devise new communicative spaces outside the dominant state media empire and access
alternative viewpoints from an array of emerging platforms.
Or+en+wurm, Tag+s+brief, Kelb+er+arzet. Fugenelemente in N+N-Komposita des Frühneuhochdeutschen
Authors: Michel Sascha
Published: November 2010

Besides numerous linguistic changes, the emergence of linking elements in n+n-compounds is one decisive characteristic of Early Modern German. The syntactic postposition of the attributively used genitive and the concomitant reanalysis of the nominal phrase as a nominal compound lead to the reinterpretation of the inflectional element as a linking element.

By means of the analysis of an Early Modern German dictionary, this contribution extensively tries to present the stock and distribution of linking elements of this epoch for the first time. A comparison with Modern German researches shall finally give a glimpse at interepochal changes.
›Wahre‹ und ›erlogene‹ Wunder. Gervasius von Tilbury und der Höfische Roman
Authors: Knapp Fritz Peter
Published: November 2010

Gervase of Tilbury, learned administrator and jurist of the Emperor Otto IV, presented in his encyclopedic ›Otia imperialia‹ (early 13th century) numerous marvellous phenomena or events, classifying them as natural, but not comprehensible facts or as white or black (i. e. demonic) magic or as divine miracles, but all of them as absolutely true and testified by good authorities, in contrast to the lies of the mimi et histriones. This view of things must be accepted by us as the usual and valid one among medieval scholars and connoisseurs of literature and may explain the widespread contemporary misunderstanding of purely fictional romances (like Chrétien's) which are not concerned with reality at all. It is only a slight exaggeration to say: The medieval audience expected – apart from fables and allegories – true or made-up facts, nothing but facts.
The Date of Theognostos' Orthography: A Reappraisal
Authors: Antonopoulou Theodora
Published: November 2010

Theognostos is a well-known author of a surviving orthographical work and a lost history of the revolt of Euphemios in Sicily. Although the dating of the Orthography was the subject of controversy in the distant past, the issue has long been considered as settled: the work is generally thought to have been dedicated to Emperor Leo V (813–820), not Leo VI (886–912), as the opposite opinion held. The present article reexamines the problem on the basis of a re-evaluation of all available evidence as well as by bringing new parallels into the discussion. The solution reached goes some way in-between the two previous propositions. According to it, the Orthography would still derive from Theognostos' teaching experience in the first half of the ninth century (its second quarter in particular), but would date from mid-century. The dedication of the author's magnum opus would have taken place much later, in the very early reign of Leo VI, for reasons also discussed here. Thus, Theognostos emerges as a ninth-century figure and a contemporary of Patriarch Photios.
Ewole שדח שאד: The Announcement of the New Moon in Romaniote Synagogues
Authors: Niehoff-Panagiotidis Johannes , Hollender Elisabeth
Published: November 2010

This article consists of three sections: the first sketches the development of calculating the timing of the New Moon from biblical times onward with special emphasis on the Byzantine/Romaniote communities; the second contains the critical edition of the announcement of the New Moon from four late medieval manuscripts, where the Judaeo-Greek text complements the Aramaic version of this announcement that was recited in Romaniote synagogues; and the third presents a philological commentary on the Judaeo-Greek version/versions of this announcement. Its main goal is to place the language of the announcement, that is unique for its use of the vernacular, in the context of Byzantine vernacular literature, which has primarily been preserved in poetry. While substantial differences exist between the two versions identified by the authors, the Aramaic and the Greek texts both strive to create the impression of great antiquity through the use of images associated with the Temple and by linguistic means. Dating these texts earlier than the eighth century is unlikely, though, and the Greek text does not permit a terminus ante quem. Considering its thematic content and the use of archaic language(s) as constituens textus, which can run counter to a certain modernization, we may understand this decision as symbolic act by the Romaniotes to push their claim of diaspora ancestry reaching back to Late Antiquity or possibly the Second Temple Period. Another significant strand that can be discerned in the Greek version is the strong Byzantine background being evoked for its intended audience. Through their deliberate effort to archaise their origins, the Romaniote Jews, like their Christian neighbors, display Ancient Greek as a symbol of their identity.
Paradigm structure: Evidence from Russian suffix shift
Authors: Nesset Tore , Janda Laura A.
Published: November 2010

In this article we apply one of the key concepts in cognitive linguistics, the radial category, to inflectional morphology. We advance the Paradigm Structure Hypothesis, arguing that inflectional paradigms are radial categories with internal structure primarily motivated by semantic relationships of markedness and prototypicality. It is possible to construct an expected structure for a verbal paradigm, facilitating an empirical test for our hypothesis. Data tracking an on-going morphological change in Russian documents the distribution of conservative vs. innovative forms across the cells of the verbal paradigm. A logistic regression model that takes into account the sources of variation (the frequencies of individual verbs and paradigm slots, and individual verb preferences) shows that the language change is implemented differently across the paradigm forms, confirming the expected structure. In addition to markedness and prototypicality, we investigate the impact of frequency and show that there is a good, albeit not perfect match between the expected hierarchy and frequency. We conclude that the diachronic change analyzed in this article gives evidence for the structure of paradigms modeled on the radial category.
Metalinguistic judgments of phonotactics by monolinguals and bilinguals
Authors: Frisch Stefan A. , Brea-Spahn María R.
Published: November 2010

This paper demonstrates that a speaker's judgments of well-formedness for novel forms is based directly on their lexical knowledge by showing individual differences in performance in metalinguistic processing of novel words by 68 monolingual English speakers and 30 Spanish-English bilinguals. Monolingual participants were given a well-formedness judgment task and vocabulary assessment in English. Bilingual participants participated in well-formedness judgment tasks and vocabulary assessments in both English and Spanish. An influence of onset-rime phonotactic probability on well-formedness judgments was demonstrated, replicating and extending previous work to a bilingual population. For the bilinguals, there was no evidence of interference between the two languages in the well-formedness task. Individual differences in well-formedness judgments were examined by looking at relations between well-formedness judgments and vocabulary knowledge. Evidence supporting a connection between lexical knowledge and well-formedness task performance was found in the English data for both monolingual and bilingual participants, but this finding was not replicated in the Spanish data. Participants with a larger vocabulary in English were more accepting of low probability nonwords in English. It appears that those with greater vocabulary knowledge are more likely to have experienced improbable phonological constituents, and may also have a lower threshold for “unacceptable” nonwords, if their threshold is based on a likelihood estimate from their individual lexicon. The lack of a lexical effect for Spanish may reflect the lack of a comparable vocabulary test for Spanish. Overall, it appears that performance on well-formedness judgment tasks for nonwords is shown to be related to emergent generalizations based on the individual's linguistic experience with a language, as reflected in their lexical knowledge.
Velar palatalization in Russian and artificial grammar: Constraints on models of morphophonology
Authors: Kapatsinski Vsevolod
Published: November 2010

Russian velar palatalization changes velars into alveopalatals before certain suffixes, including the stem extension -i and the diminutive suffixes -ok and -ek/ik. While velar palatalization always applies before the relevant suffixes in the established lexicon, it often fails with nonce loanwords before -i and -ik but not before -ok or -ek. This is shown to be predicted by the Minimal Generalization Learner (MGL), a model of rule induction and weighting developed by Albright and Hayes (Cognition 90: 119–161, 2003), by a novel version of Network Theory (Bybee, Morphology: A study of the relation between meaning and form, John Benjamins, 1985, Phonology and language use, Cambridge University Press, 2001), which uses competing unconditional product-oriented schemas weighted by type frequency and paradigm uniformity constraints, and by stochastic Optimality Theory with language-specific constraints learned using the Gradual Learning Algorithm (GLA, Boersma, Proceedings of the Institute of Phonetic Sciences of the University of Amsterdam 21: 43–58, 1997). The successful models are shown to predict that a morphophonological rule will fail if the triggering suffix comes to attach to inputs that are not eligible to undergo the rule. This prediction is confirmed in an artificial grammar learning experiment. Under either model, the choice between generalizations or output forms is shown to be stochastic, which requires retrieving known word-forms from the lexicon as wholes, rather than generating them through the grammar. Furthermore, MGL and GLA are shown to succeed only if the suffix and the stem shape are chosen simultaneously, as opposed to the suffix being chosen first and then triggering (or failing to trigger) a stem change. In addition, the GLA is shown to require output-output faithfulness to be ranked above markedness at the beginning of learning (Hayes, Phonological acquisition in Optimality Theory: the early stages, Cambridge University Press, 2004) to account for the present data.
The conceptual structure of deontic meaning: A model based on geometrical principles
Authors: Chilton Paul
Published: November 2010

Deontic meanings have frequently been considered in relation to epistemic meanings and the present paper introduces a novel framework for investigating this relationship. The paper first introduces the basic ideas in Deictic Space Theory (DST), illustrating the geometrical elements involved with respect to counterfactual conceptualisations. This framework is then used to explore deontic conceptualisations in relation to epistemic conceptualisations. Following the implications of the geometrical structure logic of DST, epistemic concepts are taken as fundamental and as presupposed in deontic meanings. It is argued that counterfactuality, which can be modelled as a geometrical reflection transformation, is crucial to the modelling of the conceptual space of obligation concepts expressed in English modal verbs. It is further argued that a second-order reflection transformation can model permission concepts. Deontic ‘force’ is modelled in a natural way as force vectors, an already assumed ingredient of DST's geometrical framework. Finally the paper considers ways in which this framework does and does not run counter to existing claims about deontic and epistemic meaning in Cognitive Semantics.
Englische Parlamentsromane als realistische Einblicke in die Begriffswelt der Politiker
Authors: Stemmler Gunter
Published: November 2010

This review recommends parliamentary novels and political thrillers as helpful for interpreters, if only in small talk. Their reading is enjoyable too. These books are showing the world of politicians, civil servants, journalists, and spin-doctors at parliament and in election campaigns. These fictions offer insights, how they live and act, think and speak, how they are using words, which say nothing, or the opposite, their terminology, idioms, and abbreviations. This criticism says in general, there are Oldies but Goldies. In addition it suggests movies and TV series from the UK and USA.
Pompeii by Robert Harris: an engineering reading
Authors: Dias W. P. S.
Published: November 2010

Pompeii, the bestselling novel by Robert Harris, is a rich source of ideas regarding engineering attitude and outlook. Its main protagonist is a young Roman hydraulics engineer in charge of the Roman aqueduct that served Pompeii and skirted Vesuvius at the time of the destruction of the former by the eruption of the latter in AD 79. Logic, leadership, ethics, science, nature, culture and public service are some of the wide ranging themes that come under the purview of the novel, all of them related to the art and practice of engineering.