bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Production Parameters and Conditioning upon Ballistic Characteristics of Para Aramid Light Armors
Authors: Akdemir Ahmet , Candan Can , Şahin Omer Sinan
Published: August 2008

Composite materials are increasingly used in armors design due to their high strength to weight ratios and energy absorption capacities. It is very important to determine the best production parameters for armor production. On the other hand, the armors must show superior durability against harsh working conditions. So it is crucial to know the ballistic characteristics of such composite armors. In this study the effect of production parameters upon the terminal ballistic properties of para-aramid composite armor were examined under different conditionings. The composite armor plates were produced by hot pressing with four different pressing times. Before ballistic test, the armor plates conditioned at +21, +63, and -35°C at 50% of relative humidity and +21°C immersed into water temperature for 24h, in which weapons, ammunition, and equipment designed for use in the battlefield, are expected to fully operate.
Croyances et religiosités en Amérique latine: approche théorique du multiculturalisme
Authors: Gutiérrez-Martinez Daniel
Published: August 2008

À partir d'une réflexion portant sur le multiculturalisme et l'influence des théories du religieux, l'auteur cherche à circonscrire les principaux défis qui se posent à l'analyse des religiosités en Amérique latine, et ce, afin de comprendre la pluralité et la diversité des croyances qui s'y développent.
À propos de l'inculturation dans le catholicisme brésilien contemporain
Authors: Mariz Cecília L. , Machado Dores C.
Published: August 2008

La théologie de l'inculturation est une réponse de certains courants chrétiens, en particulier des théologiens catholiques, en réaction aux tensions et dilemmes rencontrés par les missionnaires et les convertis lors des rencontres interculturelles de la période postcoloniale. Dans un contexte historique où l'on défend le droit à la préservation de la diversité culturelle, les activités missionnaires de christianisation sont jugées de manière négative parce qu'elles représentent une menace vis-à-vis de cette diversité. Une théologie surgit alors, acceptant ces critiques, et pour tenter de les dépasser, défend un projet osé qui consiste à articuler la dimension transformatrice de l'évangélisation chrétienne à la lutte pour la préservation de différentes cultures. Les auteurs ne prétendent pas traiter de manière approfondie de cette théologie, ni analyser les diverses nuances de cette discussion aujourd'hui internationale, mais réfléchir à des questions qui alimentent le débat des intellectuels catholiques et des chercheurs en sciences sociales au Brésil.
RELIGIOUS ORIENTATIONS AND POLITICAL ATTITUDES
Authors: WILCOX CLYDE
Published: August 2008

Activists in Christian Right organizations are exerting increasing political muscle within the Republican party. This article examines the impact of religious variables on the variation of attitudes of activists in the Ohio Moral Majority. Within this relatively homogeneous population, denominational affiliation, frequency of church attendance, religious-group identity, and the strength of the subjective connection between religious and political attitudes all exert an influence on political attitudes. The impact of these variables is significant after controls for demographic variables and partisanship are introduced. These results suggest that religious variables may exert strong influence on the attitudes and behaviors of those for whom religious beliefs are highly salient.
Offender Coercion in Treatment
Authors: Parhar Karen K. , Wormith J. Stephen , Derkzen Dena M. , Beauregard Adele M.
Published: August 2008

Mandating offenders to attend correctional treatment is a controversial function of the justice system, in part because of the uncertainty about the effectiveness of such practice. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effectiveness of mandated, coerced, and voluntary correctional treatment in reducing recidivism. A search of correctional treatment studies resulted in 129 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. In general, mandated treatment was found to be ineffective in several analyses, particularly when the treatment was located in custodial settings, whereas voluntary treatment produced significant treatment effect sizes regardless of setting. Few significant differences in effect sizes were found between levels of coercion. The implications of mandating correctional treatment for offenders are discussed.
Sexual exchanges and relationship satisfaction: Testing the role of sexual satisfaction as a mediator and gender as a moderator
Authors: Kisler Tiffani S. , Scott Christopher F.
Published: August 2008

We surveyed 499 young, single adult heterosexuals in order to test a social exchange-based model where sexual satisfaction mediated the association between individuals' judgments about their sexually-related exchanges and their relationship satisfaction. Path analysis, using structural equation modeling, supported the hypothesized model. Moreover, invariance tests revealed that gender moderated the model. The association between balance of sexual rewards to costs and sexual satisfaction was stronger for single women as compared to single men. The discussion explores the implications of the model and role of gender as a moderator.
Parental challenge: Developing and validating a measure of how parents challenge their adolescents
Authors: Dailey René M.
Published: August 2008

Baumrind's (1966, 1980) description of the authoritative parenting style included the notion of challenge through providing a stimulating environment; however, research has not largely focused on how parents challenge their children. The current work argues parental challenge should be assessed as a separate component of parenting style. Analyses of a new measure, developed across three studies, showed parental challenge can be distinguished from other parenting components. Further, parental challenge made unique contributions in predicting late-adolescents' psychosocial development beyond variance explained by parental support, behavioral control, and psychological control. As such, examining challenge as a separate component of parenting style may provide additional insights regarding the relationship between parenting behaviors and adolescent development.
Report: A report on patient safety in Europe: medication errors and hospital-acquired infection
Authors: Willman Ania , Burke Jacqueline , Smith Lorraine N , Sveinsdóttir Herdis
Published: August 2008

Abstract

The report ‘Patient Safety in Europe: Medication Errors and Hospital-acquired Infection’ was commissioned by the European Federation of Nurses Associations (EFN) in order to support its policy statement on Patient Safety. The report is authored by a working-group within the Workgroup of European Nurse Researchers and it is a snapshot of current work in the European areas surveyed. Medication errors and hospital-acquired infections are examined and a range of European studies are used as evidence. The result shows that studies on medication safety and nursing are few and they are heterogeneous in design making comparability between research reports difficult. Future research should capture the environmental and human context of error. WHO has identified hand hygiene as a major patient safety issue in relation to health care associated infections (HCAI) and there is general agreement in the literature that effective hand hygiene remains the most important initiative in the control of infection. To maximize EFNs lobbying function EFN and WENR should work together.
Broad influenza-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in humanized mice vaccinated with influenza virus vaccines
Authors: Yu Chun I. , Gallegos Michael , Marches Florentina , Zurawski Gerard , Ramilo Octavio , García-Sastre Adolfo , Banchereau Jacques , Palucka A. Karolina
Published: August 2008

The development of novel human vaccines would be greatly facilitated by the development of in vivo models that permit preclinical analysis of human immune responses. Here, we show that nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) β2 microglobulin−/− mice, engrafted with human CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors and further reconstituted with T cells, can mount specific immune responses against influenza virus vaccines. Live attenuated trivalent influenza virus vaccine induces expansion of CD8+ T cells specific to influenza matrix protein (FluM1) and nonstructural protein 1 in blood, spleen, and lungs. On ex vivo exposure to influenza antigens, antigen-specific CD8+ T cells produce IFN-γ and express cell-surface CD107a. FluM1-specific CD8+ T cells can be also expanded in mice vaccinated with inactivated trivalent influenza virus vaccine. Expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells is dependent on reconstitution of the human myeloid compartment. Thus, this humanized mouse model permits preclinical testing of vaccines designed to induce cellular immunity, including those against influenza virus. Furthermore, this work sets the stage for systematic analysis of the in vivo functions of human DCs. This, in turn, will allow a new approach to the rational design and preclinical testing of vaccines that cannot be tested in human volunteers.
General practitioners' views on reattribution for patients with medically unexplained symptoms: a questionnaire and qualitative study
Authors: Dowrick Christopher , Gask Linda , Hughes John G , Charles-Jones Huw , Hogg Judith A , Peters Sarah , Salmon Peter , Rogers Anne R , Morriss Richard K
Published: August 2008

Background

The successful introduction of new methods for managing medically unexplained symptoms in primary care is dependent to a large degree on the attitudes, experiences and expectations of practitioners. As part of an exploratory randomised controlled trial of reattribution training, we sought the views of participating practitioners on patients with medically unexplained symptoms, and on the value of and barriers to the implementation of reattribution in practice.

Methods

A nested attitudinal survey and qualitative study in sixteen primary care teams in north-west England. All practitioners participating in the trial (n = 74) were invited to complete a structured survey. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a purposive sub-sample of survey respondents, using a structured topic guide. Interview transcripts were used to identify key issues, concepts and themes, which were grouped to construct a conceptual framework: this framework was applied systematically to the data.

Results

Seventy (95%) of study participants responded to the survey. Survey respondents often found it stressful to work with patients with medically unexplained symptoms, though those who had received reattribution training were more optimistic about their ability to help them. Interview participants trained in reattribution (n = 12) reported that reattribution increased their confidence to practice in a difficult area, with heightened awareness, altered perceptions of these patients, improved opportunities for team-building and transferable skills. However general practitioners also reported potential barriers to the implementation of reattribution in routine clinical practice, at the level of the patient, the doctor, the consultation, diagnosis and the healthcare context.

Conclusion

Reattribution training increases practitioners' sense of competence in managing patients with medically unexplained symptoms. However, barriers to its implementation are considerable, and frequently lie outside the control of a group of practitioners generally sympathetic to patients with medically unexplained symptoms and the purpose of reattribution. These findings add further to the evidence of the difficulty of implementing reattribution in routine general practice.
Photographic measurement of upper-body sitting posture of high school students: A reliability and validity study
Authors: van Niekerk Sjan-Mari , Louw Quinette , Vaughan Christopher , Grimmer-Somers Karen , Schreve Kristiaan
Published: August 2008

Background

All the reported measures of sitting posture, as well as photographs, have one flaw, as these measures are external to the body. These measures use calculations from external bony landmarks to estimate spinal posture, on the understanding that what is being measured externally reflects the shape, health and performance of structures of the underlying spine. Without a comparative measure of the relative position of the structures of the spine, the validity of any external spinal posture measure cannot be established. This paper reports on a study which tests the validity of photographs to measure adolescent sitting posture.

Methods

The study was conducted in a laboratory at the Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town. A random sample of 40 adolescents were recruited from the Cape metropolitan schools, to detect differences of three degrees or more between the repeated measures of upright, normal or slouched posture (photographs) and between the posture photographs and LODOX measures. Eligible participants were healthy male and female subjects aged 15 or 16 years old, in Grade 10, and who were undertaking Computer or Computype studies at their schools. Two posture measurement tools were used in the study, namely: Photographs were taken using the Photographic Posture Analysis Method (PPAM) and Radiographs were taken using the LODOX (LODOX (Pty) Ltd) system. Subjects' posture was assessed in simulated computer workstations. The following angles were measured: the sagittal head angle, cervical angle, protraction/retraction angle, arm angle and the thoracic angle.

Results

Data from 39 subjects (19 males, 20 females) was used for analysis (17 15-year-olds (7 boys and 10 girls), 22 16-year-olds (12 boys and 10 girls)). All but one photographic angle showed moderate to good correlation with the LODOX angles (Pearson r values 0.67–0.95) with the exception being the shoulder protraction/retraction angle Pearson r values. Bland Altman limits of agreement illustrated a slight bias for all angles. The reliability study findings from repeated photographs demonstrated moderate to good correlation of all angles (ICC values 0.78–0.99).

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that photographs provide valid and reliable indicators of the position of the underlying spine in sitting. Clinically it is important to know whether a patient is showing true progression in relation to a postural intervention. Based on the results of this study, the PPAM can be used in practice as a valid measure of sitting posture.
Critical role for BIM in T cell receptor restimulation-induced death
Authors: Snow Andrew L , Oliveira João B , Zheng Lixin , Dale Janet K , Fleisher Thomas A , Lenardo Michael J
Published: August 2008

Background

Upon repeated or chronic antigen stimulation, activated T cells undergo a T cell receptor (TCR)-triggered propriocidal cell death important for governing the intensity of immune responses. This is thought to be chiefly mediated by an extrinsic signal through the Fas-FasL pathway. However, we observed that TCR restimulation still potently induced apoptosis when this interaction was blocked, or genetically impaired in T cells derived from autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) patients, prompting us to examine Fas-independent, intrinsic signals.

Results

Upon TCR restimulation, we specifically noted a marked increase in the expression of BIM, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein known to mediate lymphocyte apoptosis induced by cytokine withdrawal. In fact, T cells from an ALPS type IV patient in which BIM expression is suppressed were more resistant to restimulation-induced death. Strikingly, knockdown of BIM expression rescued normal T cells from TCR-induced death to as great an extent as Fas disruption.

Conclusion

Our data implicates BIM as a critical mediator of apoptosis induced by restimulation as well as growth cytokine withdrawal. These findings suggest an important role for BIM in eliminating activated T cells even when IL-2 is abundant, working in conjunction with Fas to eliminate chronically stimulated T cells and maintain immune homeostasis.

Reviewers

This article was reviewed by Dr. Wendy Davidson (nominated by Dr. David Scott), Dr. Mark Williams (nominated by Dr. Neil Greenspan), and Dr. Laurence C. Eisenlohr.
Effects of non-Newtonian couple stresses on the squeeze film characteristics between two different spheres
Authors: Lin J-R , Chu L-M , Liaw W-L , Mou L-J
Published: August 2008

Based upon the Stokes micro-continuum theory, a study of the effects of non-Newtonian couple stresses upon the squeeze film characteristics considering different sphere-to-sphere geometries has been presented. The non-Newtonian squeeze-film Reynolds-type equation between two spheres with different ratios is derived to take account of the non-Newtonian effects of couple stresses arising from the lubricant blended with various additives. A closed-form solution for the film pressure, the load-carrying capacity, and the response time is then obtained. Compared with the corresponding Newtonian-lubricant case, the influence of non-Newtonian couple stresses provides an increase in the load capacity, and therefore lengthens the response time to prevent sphere-to-sphere contact. In all, the effects of non-Newtonian couple stresses on the squeeze film characteristics are more emphasized under lower squeeze-film heights with larger couple-stress parameters and radius ratios. When the value of the radius ratio approaches infinity, the present results provide a close agreement with the sphere—plane systems of Conway and Lee (Conway, D. and Lee, H. C. Impact of a lubricated surface by a sphere. ASME J. Lubr. Technol., 1975, vol. 97, pp. 613–615) and of Lin (Lin, J. R. Squeeze film characteristics between a sphere and a flat plate: couple stress fluid model. Comput. Struct., 2000, vol. 75, pp. 73–80), respectively.
Description of chemical systems by their properties
Authors: Dybkær René
Published: August 2008

Proper handling and communication of data on chemical systems require knowledge about the mathematical characteristics of different types of property and the unambiguous representation of singular properties. Using the terminology of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the concept "property" is generically divided according to various statistical characteristics of property values. The formatting of representation of dedicated kinds-of-property as elaborated by clinical chemists in the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) should ensure correct data transmission between laboratory dialects in any chemical discipline.
Personalizing protein-drug interactions
Authors: Beeton-Kempen Natasha , Shoko Aubrey , Blackburn Jonathan
Published: August 2008

The development of new drugs today is a hugely expensive process, with estimated costs of up to $1 billion to take a drug through to market. However, despite this seemingly massive expenditure, statistics show that the great majority of prescription drugs on the market today are only effective for around 40 % of the patients to whom they are administered. Worse still, recently there have been a series of high-profile instances where potentially block-busting FDA-approved drugs have subsequently been withdrawn due to unanticipated side effects that were only revealed when the drug entered use in the general population. A variety of factors are at play in underpinning such statistics, but at the heart of the problem is the fact that, despite the extensive knowledge being generated in the postgenomic era about the genetic differences between individuals, Western medicine still today largely ignores such differences. The hope therefore is that by gaining a greater understanding of the individual nature of disease progression and of drug response, we might move toward a new era of personalized medicine in which the right drug is prescribed at the right dose to treat the precise disease afflicting the specific patient. As a step along this road, this review will discuss new approaches in the pharmacogenomics field to understanding in a quantitative manner the molecular consequence of polymorphic variation and mutation, both on encoded protein function and on protein-drug interactions.
Artificial tongues and leaves
Authors: Banerji Natalie , Bhosale Rajesh , Bollot Guillaume , Butterfield Sara M. , Fürstenberg Alexandre , Gorteau Virginie , Hagihara Shinya , Hennig Andreas , Maity Santanu , Mareda Jiri , Matile Stefan , Mora Federico , Perez-Velasco Alejandro , Ravikumar Velayutham , Kishore Ravuri S. K. , Sakai Naomi , Tran Duy-Hien , Vauthey Eric
Published: August 2008

The objective with synthetic multifunctional nanoarchitecture is to create large suprastructures with interesting functions. For this purpose, lipid bilayer membranes or conducting surfaces have been used as platforms and rigid-rod molecules as shape-persistent scaffolds. Examples for functions obtained by this approach include pores that can act as multicomponent sensors in complex matrices or rigid-rod π-stack architecture for artificial photosynthesis and photovoltaics.
Deleterious Effect of Late Menarche on Distal Tibia Microstructure in Healthy 20-Year-Old and Premenopausal Middle-Aged Women
Authors: Chevalley Thierry , Bonjour Jean-Philippe , Ferrari Serge , Rizzoli Rene
Published: August 2008

Late menarche is a risk factor for fragility fractures. We hypothesized that pubertal timing–dependent alterations in bone structural components would persist from peak bone mass to menopause, independent of premenopausal bone loss. We studied the influence of menarcheal age (MENA) on femoral neck BMD (FN aBMD) by DXA and microstructure of distal tibia by HR-pQCT in healthy young adult (YAD; 20.4 ± 0.6 [SD] yr, n = 124) and premenopausal middle-aged (PREMENO; 45.8 ± 3.4 yr, n = 120) women. Median of MENA was 13.0 ± 1.2 and 13.1 ± 1.7 yr in YAD and PREMENO, respectively. In YAD and PREMENO (n = 244), FN aBMD (R = −0.29, p = 0.013), as well as total volumetric BMD (Dtot; R = −0.23, p = 0.006) and cortical thickness (Ct.Th; R = −0.18, p = 0.011) of distal tibia were inversely correlated to MENA. After segregation by the median of MENA in EARLY and LATE subgroups, the significant influences of both MENA (p = 0.004) and chronological age (p < 0.0001) were observed for FN aBMD and trabecular bone volume fraction of the distal tibia with similar differences in T-scores between LATE and EARLY subgroups in YAD (−0.36 and −0.31 T-scores) and PREMENO (−0.35 and −0.42 T-scores) women. Ct.Th was negatively influenced by MENA, whereas trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) was negatively influenced by chronological age. There was a striking inverse relationship between cross-sectional area and Ct.Th (R = −0.57, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the negative influence of late menarcheal age at weight-bearing sites as observed by the end of skeletal growth remains unattenuated a few years before menopause and is independent of premenopausal bone loss. Alterations in both bone mineral mass and microstructural components may explain the increased risk of fragility fractures associated with later menarcheal age.
A Fast Mode of Membrane Fusion Dependent on Tight SNARE Zippering
Authors: Bretou Marine , Anne Christine , Darchen François
Published: August 2008

SNARE (solubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) proteins have a key role in membrane fusion. It is commonly assumed that pairing of SNARE proteins anchored in opposing membranes overcomes the repulsion energy between membranes, thereby catalyzing fusion. In this study, we have increased the distance between the coiled-coil SNARE motif and the transmembrane domain of the vesicular SNARE synaptobrevin-2 by insertion of a flexible linker to analyze how an increased intermembrane distance affects exocytosis. Synaptobrevin-2 lengthening did not change the frequency of exocytotic events measured at 1 μmfree calcium but prevented the increase in the secretory activity triggered by higher calcium concentration. Exocytotic events monitored in adrenal chromaffin cells by means of carbon fiber amperometry were classified in two groups according to the rate and extent of fusion pore expansion. Lengthening the juxtamembrane region of synaptobrevin-2 severely reduced the occurrence of rapid single events, leaving slow ones unchanged. It also impaired the increase in the fast-fusion mode that normally follows elevation of intracellular Ca2+levels. We conclude that mild stimuli trigger slow fusion events that do not rely on a short intermembrane distance. In contrast, a short intermembrane distance mediated by tight zippering of SNAREs is essential to a component of the secretory response elicited by robust stimuli and characterized by rapid dilation of the fusion pore.
The Persistent Sodium Current Generates Pacemaker Activities in the Central Pattern Generator for Locomotion and Regulates the Locomotor Rhythm
Authors: Tazerart Sabrina , Vinay Laurent , Brocard Frédéric
Published: August 2008

Rhythm generation in neuronal networks relies on synaptic interactions and pacemaker properties. Little is known about the contribution of the latter mechanisms to the integrated network activity underlying locomotion in mammals. We tested the hypothesis that the persistent sodium current (INaP) is critical in generating locomotion in neonatal rodents using both slice and isolated spinal cord preparations. After removing extracellular calcium, 75% of interneurons in the area of the central pattern generator (CPG) for locomotion exhibited bursting properties andINaPwas concomitantly upregulated. Putative CPG interneurons such as commissural and Hb9 interneurons also expressedINaP-dependent (riluzole-sensitive) bursting properties. Most bursting cells exhibited a pacemaker-like behavior (i.e., burst frequency increased with depolarizing currents). Veratridine upregulatedINaP, induced riluzole-sensitive bursting properties, and slowed down the locomotor rhythm. This study provides evidence thatINaPgenerates pacemaker activities in CPG interneurons and contributes to the regulation of the locomotor activity.
Sleep Deprivation Decreases Binding of [11C]Raclopride to Dopamine D2/D3Receptors in the Human Brain
Authors: Volkow Nora D. , Wang Gene-Jack , Telang Frank , Fowler Joanna S. , Logan Jean , Wong Christopher , Ma Jim , Pradhan Kith , Tomasi Dardo , Thanos Peter K. , Ferré Sergi , Jayne Millard
Published: August 2008

Sleep deprivation can markedly impair human performance contributing to accidents and poor productivity. The mechanisms underlying this impairment are not well understood, but brain dopamine systems have been implicated. Here, we test whether one night of sleep deprivation changes dopamine brain activity. We studied 15 healthy subjects using positron emission tomography and [11C]raclopride (dopamine D2/D3receptor radioligand) and [11C]cocaine (dopamine transporter radioligand). Subjects were tested twice: after one night of rested sleep and after one night of sleep deprivation. The specific binding of [11C]raclopride in the striatum and thalamus were significantly reduced after sleep deprivation and the magnitude of this reduction correlated with increases in fatigue (tiredness and sleepiness) and with deterioration in cognitive performance (visual attention and working memory). In contrast, sleep deprivation did not affect the specific binding of [11C]cocaine in the striatum. Because [11C]raclopride competes with endogenous dopamine for binding to D2/D3receptors, we interpret the decreases in binding to reflect dopamine increases with sleep deprivation. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that decreased [11C]raclopride binding reflects decreases in receptor levels or affinity. Sleep deprivation did not affect dopamine transporters (target for most wake-promoting medications) and thus dopamine increases are likely to reflect increases in dopamine cell firing and/or release rather than decreases in dopamine reuptake. Because dopamine-enhancing drugs increase wakefulness, we postulate that dopamine increases after sleep deprivation is a mechanism by which the brain maintains arousal as the drive to sleep increases but one that is insufficient to counteract behavioral and cognitive impairment.
A Molecular Circuit Composed of CPEB-1 and c-Jun Controls Growth Hormone-Mediated Synaptic Plasticity in the Mouse Hippocampus
Authors: Zearfoss N. Ruth , Alarcon Juan Marcos , Trifilieff Pierre , Kandel Eric , Richter Joel D.
Published: August 2008

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1 (CPEB-1) resides at postsynaptic sites in hippocampal neurons in which it controls polyadenylation-induced translation. CPEB-1 knock-out (KO) mice display defects in some forms of synaptic plasticity and hippocampal-dependent memories. To identify CPEB-1-regulated mRNAs, we used proteomics to compare polypeptides in wild-type (WT) and CPEB-1 KO hippocampus. Growth hormone (GH) was reduced in the KO hippocampus, as were the GH signaling molecules phospho-JAK2 and phospho-STAT3. GH mRNA and pre-mRNA were reduced in the KO hippocampus, suggesting that CPEB-1 controls GH transcription. The transcription factor c-Jun, which binds the GH promoter, was also reduced in the KO hippocampus, as was its ability to coimmunoprecipitate chromatin containing the GH promoter. CPEB-1 binds c-Jun 3′ untranslated region CPEsin vitroand coimmunoprecipitates c-Jun RNAin vivo. GH induces long-term potentiation (LTP) when applied to hippocampal slices from WT and CPEB-1 KO mice, but the magnitude of LTP induced by GH in KO mice is reduced. Pretreatment with GH did not reverse the LTP deficit observed in KO mice after theta-burst stimulation (TBS). Cordycepin, an inhibitor of polyadenylation, disrupted LTP induced by either GH application or TBS. Finally, GH application to hippocampal slices induced JAK2 phosphorylation in WT but not KO animals. These results indicate that CPEB-1 control of c-Jun mRNA translation regulates GH gene expression and resulting downstream signaling events (e.g., synaptic plasticity) in the mouse hippocampus.
Role of Dickkopf-1, an Antagonist of the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway, in Estrogen-Induced Neuroprotection and Attenuation of Tau Phosphorylation
Authors: Zhang Quan-Guang , Wang Ruimin , Khan Mohammad , Mahesh Virendra , Brann Darrell W.
Published: August 2008

17β-Estradiol (E2) has been implicated to be neuroprotective in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, although the mechanism remains poorly understood. The current study sheds light on this issue by demonstrating that low physiological levels of E2 protects the hippocampus CA1 against global cerebral ischemia by preventing elevation of dickkopf-1 (Dkk1), an antagonist of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is a principal mediator of neurodegeneration in cerebral ischemia and Alzheimer's disease. E2 inhibition of Dkk1 elevation correlated with a reduction of phospho-β-catenin and elevation of nuclear β-catenin levels, as well as enhancement of Wnt-3, suggesting E2 activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In agreement, the β-catenin downstream prosurvival factor, survivin, was induced by E2 at 24 and 48 h after cerebral ischemia, an effect observed only in surviving neurons because degenerating neurons lacked survivin expression. E2 suppression of Dkk1 elevation was found to be caused by attenuation of upstream c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)/c-Jun signaling, as E2 attenuation of JNK/c-Jun activation and a JNK inhibitor significantly blocked Dkk1 induction. Tau hyperphosphorylation has been implicated to have a prodeath role in Alzheimer's disease and cerebral ischemia, and E2 attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation. Our study demonstrates that tau hyperphosphorylation is strongly induced after global cerebral ischemia, and that E2 inhibits tau hyperphosphorylation by suppressing activation of the JNK/c-Jun/Dkk1 signaling pathway. Finally, exogenous Dkk1 replacement via intracerebroventricular administration completely reversed E2-induced neuroprotection, nuclear β-catenin induction, and phospho-tau attenuation, further suggesting that E2 inhibition of Dkk1 is a critical mechanism underlying its neuroprotective and phospho-tau regulatory effects after cerebral ischemia.
Modellbasierte Dicken- und Ebenheitsregelung in Grobblechwalzwerken (Model-based Control of Thickness and Flatness in Heavy Plate Mills)
Authors: Kiefer Thomas , Heeg Roland , Kugi Andreas
Published: August 2008

Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der Dicken- und Ebenheitsregelung warmgewalzter Grobbleche. Nach einer kurzen Beschreibung der industriellen Anlage wird zunächst eine neue Regelungsstrategie zur Verbesserung der Dickenhomogenität über die Walztafellänge vorgestellt. Bei dieser modellbasierten Strategie werden Informationen aus vorhergehenden Stichen zusammen mit genauen mathematischen Modellen für den Umformvorgang genutzt, um im Rahmen einer Störgrößenaufschaltung die existierende Dickenregelung zu verbessern. Im Weiteren wird eine Ebenheitsregelung für die Blechenden entwickelt, wobei im Speziellen der sogenannte Skieffekt, welcher aufgrund von Asymmetrien beim Walzvorgang auftreten kann, behandelt wird. Das Regelungskonzept beruht dabei auf einem Modell für asymmetrisches Walzen, welches zusammen mit einer verbesserten Antriebsregelung zur Vermeidung dieser Skienden genutzt wird.
Beladungsregelung einer Brennwerttherme mit Schichtladespeicher (Control of a Heating System with Stratified Storage Tank)
Authors: Kreuzinger Tobias , Bitzer Matthias , Marquardt Wolfgang
Published: August 2008

In dem Beitrag wird ein Regelkonzept für die Beladung eines Schichtladespeichers zur Warmwasserversorgung vorgestellt. Die Beladung erfolgt über die dem Speicher vorgeschalteten Komponenten Wärmetauscher und Brenner des betrachteten Heizungssystems. Dem Reglerentwurf liegt ein dynamisches Modell zugrunde, das aus fünf partiellen Differentialgleichungen für Brenner und Wärmetauscher besteht. Für den modellbasierten Reglerentwurf wird ein modularisierter Ansatz verfolgt, bei dem Brenner und Wärmetauscher separat betrachtet werden. Für den Brenner wird auf Basis eines reduzierten, nichtlinearen Galerkin-Modells mit Hilfe der Ein-/Ausgangslinearisierung ein entsprechendes Regelgesetz hergeleitet. Die Trajektorienfolge für die Austrittstemperatur des Wärmetauschers wird durch eine Vorsteuerung mit unterlagerter PI-Regelung realisiert. Dabei wird die Vorsteuerung durch Inversion der transzendenten Übertragungsfunktion des linearen verteilt-parametrischen Modells des Wärmetauschers sowie mit Hilfe einer numerischen Laplace-Rücktransformation auf Basis des Weeks-Algorithmus berechnet.
On the oxidation resistance of superhard Ti–Si–C–N coatings
Authors: Guo Yan , Ma Shengli , Xu Kewei , Bell Tom , Li Xiaoying , Dong Hanshan
Published: August 2008

The oxidation behavior of three types of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) processed Ti–Si–C–N coatings with silicon content ranging from 4.3 to 11.6 at.% has been investigated at high temperatures. Systematic characterization was conducted to study the evolution of composition, phase constituents, hardness, surface morphologies, microstructures, and grain size during oxidation. A two-stage oxidation process was observed between 700 and 1000 °C for all three coatings. Experimental results indicate that a superhardness of 40 GPa can be maintained up to 700, 800, and 850 °C for 4.3, 7.4, and 11.6 at.% Si coatings, respectively; the dual-phased 7.4 and 11.6 at.% Si coatings show a better oxidation resistance than the single-phased 4.3 at.% Si coating. On the basis of the results, a mechanism is proposed to explain the relationship between the nanostructure and oxidation behavior.
The beaverAnchitheriomysfrom the Miocene of central Europe
Authors: Stefen Clara , Mörs Thomas
Published: August 2008

New finds of teeth and mandibles ofAnchitheriomysfrom the Hambach opencast lignite mine in Northwest Germany and the first detailed descriptions of other mandibles from South Germany and Switzerland allow a review of the Central European specimens of this rare beaver genus. The metric variation of cheek teeth and especially the great differences in dimensions of incisors can be much better assessed. The observed range in size can be attributed to ontogenetic changes, and all material is assigned toAnchitheriomys suevicus.Stratigraphically, this species is restricted to the early middle Miocene, European Mammalian Neogene biozones MN 5–6.
Earliest Wuchiapingian (Lopingian, late Permian) brachiopods in southern Hunan, South China: implications for the pre-Lopingian crisis and onset of Lopingian recovery/radiation
Authors: Shen Shu-Zhong , Zhang Yi-Chun
Published: August 2008

The uppermost 5–15 m of the Douling Formation in the southern Hunan area, South China, yields a diverse fauna comprised of ammonoids, bivalves, and brachiopods. The brachiopods reported in this paper consist of 51 species in 34 genera and are dominated by the Lopingian (Late Permian) species associated with a few species persisting from the underlying Maokouan (Late Guadalupian). This fauna is of earliest Wuchiapingian in age as precisely constrained by the associated conodontClarkina postbitteri postbitteriand the Guadalupian-type ammonoid fauna of theRoadoceras-DoulingocerasZone in the brachiopod horizon. The discovery of the Lopingian species-dominated brachiopod fauna in the earliest Wuchiapingian in southern Hunan suggests a much less pronounced effect of the pre-Lopingian crisis (end-Guadalupian mass extinction) than the end-Changhsingian mass extinction in terms of brachiopods, a contemporaneous onset of the Lopingian recovery/radiation during the pre-Lopingian crisis period, and taxonomic selectivity of the pre-Lopingian crisis in terms of different fossil groups. New taxa areEchinauris doulingensisn. sp.,Pararigbyella quadrilobatan. gen. and n. sp. andP. doulingensisn. gen. and n. sp.
Ekalakia(Decapoda: Brachyura): the preservation of eyes links Cretaceous crabs to Jurassic ancestors
Authors: Feldmann Rodney M. , Schweitzer Carrie E. , Wahl William R.
Published: August 2008

Description of a new species of crab,Ekalakia exophthalmops, brings to two the number of species within this Late Cretaceous genus from the upper mid-west in North America. Discovery of eyes and orbital structures in both species permits placement of the genus within the superfamily Glaessneropsoidea Patrulius, 1959 and family Glaessneropsidae Patrulius, 1959, extending the range of those taxa from the Late Jurassic into the Late Cretaceous. The extraordinarily large eyes relative to body size suggests that the Jurassic reef-dwelling crabs were adapted for a cryptic lifestyle which preadapted them for the deep-water, dysphotic, level-bottom habitat occupied by the Cretaceous descendants.
Foxa2 and MafA regulate islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein gene expression
Authors: Martin Cyrus C , Flemming Brian P , Wang Yingda , Oeser James K , O'Brien Richard M
Published: August 2008

Islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP/G6PC2) is a major autoantigen in both mouse and human type 1 diabetes. IGRP is selectively expressed in islet β cells and polymorphisms in the IGRP gene have recently been associated with variations in fasting blood glucose levels and cardiovascular-associated mortality in humans. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays have shown that the IGRP promoter binds the islet-enriched transcription factors Pax-6 and BETA2. We show here, again using ChIP assays, that the IGRP promoter also binds the islet-enriched transcription factors MafA and Foxa2. Single binding sites for these factors were identified in the proximal IGRP promoter, mutation of which resulted in decreased IGRP fusion gene expression in βTC-3, Hamster insulinoma tumor (HIT), and Min6 cells. ChiP assays have shown that the islet-enriched transcription factor Pdx-1 also binds the IGRP promoter, but mutational analysis of four Pdx-1 binding sites in the proximal IGRP promoter revealed surprisingly little effect of Pdx-1 binding on IGRP fusion gene expression in βTC-3 cells. In contrast, in both HIT and Min6 cells mutation of these four Pdx-1 binding sites resulted in a ∼50% reduction in fusion gene expression. These data suggest that the same group of islet-enriched transcription factors, namely Pdx-1, Pax-6, MafA, BETA2, and Foxa2, directly or indirectly regulate expression of the two major autoantigens in type 1 diabetes.
A Holistic Approach to the Design and Evaluation of Hydraulic-Fracture Treatments in Tight Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Aghighi M. A. , Chen Z. , Rahman S. S.
Published: August 2008

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to the design of hydraulic-fracture treatments, accounting for anisotropic stress conditions, rock properties, and the effect of pore-pressure changes caused by production in tight gas reservoirs. This has allowed us, among other opportunities, to design a refracture treatment. The poroelastic model is also coupled with a production-optimization scheme to optimize the design parameters for hydraulic-fracture treatments. A case study of refracture treatment has been carried out for a typical tight gas reservoir. This study has shown that the fracture treatment can be optimized successfully to increase the net present value and/or ultimate gas recovery. This study also has demonstrated that a second fracture treatment can be performed after a period of production from the same treated interval to maintain production without the drilling of additional wells.
Repeatedly Increased Efficiency and Success Rate From a New Solids-Cleanout Process Using Coiled Tubing: A Review of Recent Achievements From More Than 100 Operations
Authors: Sach M. , Li J.
Published: August 2008

Solids cleanouts using coiled tubing (CT) remain a major part of total activity in the CT industry. Because of the multitude of parameters that influence solids transport, it can be very challenging to design and execute solids cleanouts successfully with CT in highly deviated, larger wellbores with 7-in. production tubing, or even larger tubulars, installed.

Numerous papers have been written about the development of wiper-trip cleanout technology and associated engineering design tools, but this paper is focused instead on important practical issues that directly impact the effective implementation of wiper-trip technology in the field. This paper presents the results and lessons learned based on a database that was compiled from more than 100 solids cleanout operations using wiper-trip methodologies. Results will be presented showing how the wiper trip cleanout methodology has improved cleanout efficiency and success rate. Examples are presented showing how the effectiveness of cleanout bottom-hole assemblies (BHAs) involving positive-displacement motors (PDMs) and mills has been improved, while simultaneously reducing stress on surface equipment during the operation. Circulation rates higher than specified maximum rates for the PDM are being used without danger of damaging the PDM, while reducing the total volume pumped through the PDM during the cleanout by 80–90%. Larger outer diameter (OD) items in the BHA are kept clean of solids while wiper tripping, reducing the risk of stuck CT and protecting sensitive completion components from undesirable interactions with the PDM/mill BHA. Multiple wiper trips can be performed in one run without the use of drop balls, while having the ability to use selected functions of critical BHA components and full-size drifting of the wellbore for subsequent operations. Field-proven procedures are explained, allowing solids loading in the annulus to be controlled and reduced when necessary, and allowing estimates of solids volumes during the cleanout to be established, on the basis of feedback from the cleanout BHA before any solids have actually reached surface.
Productivity Impairment From Kaolinite Mobilization: Laboratory and Field Experience, Oseberg Sør
Authors: Fleming Niall , Mathisen Anne M. , Eriksen Synnøve H. , Moldrheim Erlend , Johansen Thomas R.
Published: August 2008

The Oseberg Sør field, operated by Hydro Oil & Energy, is situated 130 km west of the Norwegian coast on the eastern flank of the Viking Graben structure. It consists of fault-bounded structural units of varying geological complexity. Within these units, the reservoir intervals are of moderate to poor quality and can exhibit strong contrasts in permeability and formation-water composition. Reservoir-pressure support is provided by combined injection of gas and Utsira aquifer-produced water. The wells are a combination of platform and subsea and include extended-reach horizontals with complex geometry and lesser numbers of vertical wells.

Coreflooding was undertaken with material from the major producing intervals (Ness, Middle and Upper Tarbet, and Upper Jurassic). This coreflooding has been used to assess potential formation damage resulting from application of oil-based mud (OBM) or scale-inhibitor squeeze treatment. In all instances, the major cause of formation damage was the mobilization of kaolinite that can form up to 20 wt% of the bulk rock and that occurs in all producing intervals. Coreflooding demonstrated that even at low flow rates (30 mL/h), permeability was reduced by up to 99% during initial plug saturation and before the onset of treatment. Modification of the coreholder allowed multiport permeability measurements to be made; these measurements gave an indication of the depth of damage.

Field evidence gives only an indirect indication of the effect of kaolinite mobilization on well productivity. For example, a gradual reduction in well productivity was reversed after squeeze treatment. This gradual decline is possibly a result of the migration of kaolinite during well inflow, the consequence of which is a reduction in permeability. Squeezing could have caused the dispersion of kaolinite away from the near wellbore with an increase in well productivity.

Given the adverse results obtained from coreflooding caused by kaolinite mobilization, significant effort has been directed toward identifying methods by which to reduce its impact, including through incorporation of clay stabilizers in scale-inhibitor squeeze treatments and remedial treatments with mud-acid stimulation. Laboratory results of these evaluations will be presented.

Although the occurrence of kaolinite on Oseberg Sør has potentially reduced well inflow performance, it has had a positive influence on scale-inhibitor squeeze lifetimes. A field example will be given to show this.
Assessing crucial stress on life cycle of fish in suburban streams
Authors: Sakakibara Y. , Nakada A.
Published: August 2008

To assess crucial stresses to fish survival in suburban streams, a Life Cycle Risk Assessment (LCRA) was developed and verified by comparing with field survey results. In LCRA, 8 stresses produced by human activities were taken into consideration, referring to the literature. Field survey was conducted over 2 years to identify the present existence and distributions of fishes in 3 streams, which have different pollution levels and morphologies. Field survey results demonstrated that species of fishes and their populations were different in 3 streams and varied with location. Crucial stresses frequently identified by the LCRA were depletion of dissolved oxygen (DO), disappearances of habitats (e.g. deep and shallow), disappearance of spawning area, and existence of obstructions in the streams. Furthermore, most LCRA results regarding existence or non-existence of 15 fishes at 7 different sites were fairly in good agreement with field survey results. From these results, we concluded the present LCRA would be a useful tool in assessing crucial stress as well as in predicting fish species that are able to survive in streams.