bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Emotions in Sixteenth‐Century Spanish Spirituality
Authors: CARRERA ELENA
Published: August 2007

This article examines discourses on emotion produced and circulated in the context of spiritual reform in sixteenth‐century Spain as teleological methods of self‐interpretation which nonetheless stressed the individuals’ responsibility in actively recognising, displaying, and directing their emotions to a spiritual purpose. Paying particular attention to key devotional books such as Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises, Francisco de Osuna's Third Spiritual Alphabet, Bernardino de Laredo's Ascent of Mount Sion, and Teresa of Avila's Book of her Life and The Way of Perfection as a framework of beliefs and guidelines which helped to shape actual cultural practices such as self‐examination and meditation, it seeks to show the complexity of sixteenth‐century understandings of emotion, rationality and the role of the will. It thus aims to challenge the narrow approach taken by recent philosophers like Ronald de Sousa and Robert Solomon in their critique of the historical role of emotion within religion.
The Politics of Caring for the Poor: Anglican Responses in 1890s Tasmania
Authors: WITHYCOMBE ROBERT S. M.
Published: August 2007

Relieving poverty amongst skilled but unemployed workers during the Tasmanian economic collapse in the 1890s challenged both a conservative government's policy of avoiding public debt by initiating minimal relief and the limited financial and human resources of voluntary philanthropic agencies, the Anglican Church amongst them, whom the Tasmanian governments expected to carry the burden of delivering relief to those deemed to deserve it. With labour organisations too weak to lead, and amidst the silence of church leaders, it fell to individuals like the Reverend Archibald Turnbull to articulate a Christian socialist critique of government policies and values and to advocate the desperate plight of the poor. In this context, this study examines how contemporary government and Anglican Church leaders responded to Turnbull's political and pastoral initiatives in Hobart in 1893–96.
Recent Studies in Jesuit History
Authors: SHORE PAUL
Published: August 2007

The past two decades have witnessed an important shift in the historiography of the Society of Jesus. The older style of Jesuit history, flavoured with confessional polemics, and so often dependent on the work of Jesuit scholars isolated from the more secularly oriented academic community, had already ceased to dominate when John O'Malley's magisterial The First Jesuits appeared in 1993.1 Since then, the partnering of Jesuit and non‐Jesuit scholars has produced scholarship that is generally sympathetic to the Society's aims and methods while avoiding neither criticism of the Jesuits nor thorough, judicious use of archival materials. The significance of this trend is heightened by the declining numbers of Jesuits in North America and Europe, creating a situation where the advancement of Jesuit studies will, at least in these venues, increasingly become the responsibility of non‐Jesuits. With the passing of the Jesuit scholar of Jesuits, something is lost and gained; potentially greater objectivity towards the Society is offset by the loss of insight into the individual and corporate experience of being a Jesuit. The four books reviewed here illustrate in varying degrees these developments in the field.
Self‐reported depression and anti‐depressant medication use in essential tremor: cross‐sectional and prospective analyses in a population‐based study
Authors: Louis E. D. , Benito‐León J. , Bermejo‐Pareja F. ,   On behalf of the Neurological Disorders in Central Spain (NEDICES) Study Group
Published: August 2007

There are few data on the co‐morbidity of essential tremor (ET) with depression. To assess the associations of ET with self‐reported depression and antidepressant medication use. In a population‐based study in central Spain, participants were evaluated at baseline (1994–1995) and 3 years later. Self‐reported depression and use of antidepressant medications were evaluated at each assessment. In cross‐sectional analyses, prevalent ET cases were twice more probably than controls to report depression [103 (43.8%) of 235 cases versus 1137 (26.0%) of 4379 controls; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.66–2.93, P < 0.001] and three times more probably to be taking antidepressant medications [16 (6.8%) cases versus 113 (2.6%) controls; adjusted OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.91–5.82, P = 0.001]. In prospective analyses, baseline self‐reported depression (adjusted RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.11–2.89, P = 0.018) and, perhaps, baseline use of antidepressant medication (adjusted RR 1.90, 95% CI 0.59–6.05, P = 0.28) were associated with incident ET. Rather than being totally benign, ET seems to be associated with a mood disorder. Furthermore, as well as being a secondary response to disease manifestations, this mood disorder may be a primary feature of the underlying disease.
A new prey‐detection mechanism for kiwi (Apteryx spp.) suggests convergent evolution between paleognathous and neognathous birds
Authors: Cunningham Susan , Castro Isabel , Alley Maurice
Published: August 2007

Kiwi (Apterygidae: Apteryx spp.) are traditionally assumed to detect their soil‐dwelling invertebrate prey using their sense of smell. The unique position of the nares at the tip of the bill and the enlarged olfactory centres in the brain support this assumption. However, studies designed to show the importance of olfaction in prey‐detection by Apteryx have provided equivocal results. Another family of probing birds, the Scolopacidae, detect their buried prey using specialised vibration and pressure‐sensitive mechanoreceptors embedded in pits in the bill‐tip. We found that aspects of the foraging patterns of Apteryx mantelli are like those of scolopacid shorebirds, suggesting that Apteryx may be using a similar prey‐detection mechanism. We examined specimens of all five Apteryx species and conducted a morphological and histological examination of the bill of A. mantelli. We discovered that Apteryx possess an arrangement of mechanoreceptors within pits similar to that in Scolopacidae species and may therefore be able to localise prey using a similar vibrotactile sense. We suggest that this sense may function in conjunction with, or be dominant over, olfaction during prey‐detection. The Apterygidae and the Scolopacidae are members of the two different super‐orders of birds: the Paleognathae and the Neognathae, respectively. Therefore we cite the similar bill‐tip anatomy of these two families as an example of convergent evolution across a deep taxonomic divide.
Exploring consumer ethics in Ghana, West Africa
Authors: Bonsu Samuel K. , Zwick Detlev
Published: August 2007

Consumer ethics is a growing area of research that focused almost exclusively on consumers in the United States and, to a lesser degree, Europe and Asia. In this paper, we introduce an African element to the consumer ethics discourse by drawing on survey responses from over 300 Ghanaian consumers to explore their ethical beliefs and judgements. We analysed these data using regression techniques. Our findings show that Ghanaian consumers exhibit lower levels of ethics compared with their America counterparts, especially when the unethical actions facilitate the achievement of their goals. While Ghanaian consumers recognize the value of moral rules, they are prone to suspending their ethical positions as they deem necessary in a particular context. Implications for marketing strategy and future research are discussed.
Private certification schemes as consumer protection: a viable supplement to regulation in Europe?
Authors: Poncibò Cristina
Published: August 2007

In the European single market, most product certification schemes are privately organized. This paper considers the goals and pitfalls of private certification as a form of market‐based and multi‐stakeholder consumer protection that relies on the transparency of information and the possibility of consumers choosing accordingly with their preferences.
Journal usage in NHS hospitals: a comparison report of total usage at an acute NHS Trust and a specialist NHS Trust in the North West of England
Authors: Glover Steven William , Addison John , Gleghorn Colette , Bramwell John
Published: August 2007

Background:  Health care libraries spend a large amount of their non‐pay budgets on the purchase of scientific, technical and medical journals. In a typical hospital library in the National Health Service (NHS) North West Strategic Health Authority (SHA), this can represent between 80 and 90% of the collection development budget.

Methods and results:  Data were collected from 1 December 2005 to 30 November 2006 using COUNTER‐generated usage statistics obtained from publishers’ administration tools. Between the two trusts included in the study, 93 376 full‐text article downloads were recorded; of these, 15 952 or 17.1% articles were downloaded from national core content journals via Proquest. Photocopies made by users for their own use were recorded whenever this data were available.

Conclusions:  NHS staff at the sites included in this study recorded a high volume of journal usage. There was a marked difference in usage patterns between the acute and specialist trusts in the study. The journals provided by national core content represented a much higher proportion of total usage at the acute trust (29.9%) compared with the specialist cancer trust (4.5%). This study supports the view that the local purchasing of journal titles is an important component of the overall journal‐based information provision to NHS staff.
Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) regulates Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression in microglia
Authors: Syed Mohsin Md. , Phulwani Nirmal K. , Kielian Tammy
Published: August 2007

Microglia represent one effector arm of CNS innate immunity as evident by their role in pathogen recognition. We previously reported that exposure of microglia to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a prevalent CNS pathogen, led to elevated Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression, a pattern recognition receptor capable of recognizing conserved structural motifs associated with gram‐positive bacteria such as S. aureus. In this study, we demonstrate that the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) enhances TLR2 expression in microglia, whereas interleukin‐1β has no significant effect. To determine the downstream signaling events responsible for elevated microglial TLR2 expression in response to TNF‐α, a series of signal transduction inhibitors were employed. Treatment with caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an inhibitor of redox‐mediated nuclear factor‐kappa B activation, significantly attenuated TNF‐α‐induced TLR2 expression. Similar results were observed with the IKK‐2 and IκB‐α inhibitors SC‐514 and BAY 11‐7082, respectively. In contrast, no significant alterations in TLR2 expression were observed with protein kinase C or p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase inhibitors. A definitive role for TNF‐α was demonstrated by the inability of S. aureus to augment TLR2 expression in microglia isolated from TNF‐α knockout mice. In addition, TLR2 expression was significantly attenuated in brain abscesses of TNF‐α knockout mice. Collectively, these results indicate that in response to S. aureus, TNF‐α acts in an autocrine/paracrine manner to enhance TLR2 expression in microglia and that this effect is mediated, in part, by activation of the nuclear factor‐kappa B pathway.
Increased expression of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor protects against oxidative damage‐induced retinal degeneration
Authors: Dong Aling , Shen JiKui , Krause Melissa , Hackett Sean F. , Campochiaro Peter A.
Published: August 2007

Oxidative damage contributes to retinal cell death in patients with age‐related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa. One approach to treatment is to identify and eliminate the sources of oxidative damage. Another approach is to identify treatments that protect cells from multiple sources of oxidative damage. In this study, we investigated the effect of increased expression of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in three models of oxidative damage‐induced retinal degeneration. Double transgenic mice with doxycycline‐inducible expression of GDNF in the retina were exposed to paraquat, FeSO4, or hyperoxia, all sources of oxidative damage and retinal cell death. Compared to controls, mice with increased expression of GDNF in the retina showed significant preservation of retinal function measured by electroretinograms, reduced thinning of retinal cell layers, and fewer TUNEL‐positive cells indicating less retinal cell death. Mice over‐expressing GDNF also showed less staining for acrolein, nitrotyrosine, and 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine, indicating less oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. This suggests that GDNF did not act solely to allow cells to tolerate higher levels of oxidative damage before initiation of apoptosis, but also reduced damage from oxidative stress to critical macromolecules. These data suggest that gene transfer of Gdnf should be considered as a component of therapy for retinal degenerations in which oxidative damage plays a role.
Akt phosphorylation is required for heat acclimation‐induced neuroprotection
Authors: Shein Na’ama A. , Tsenter Jeanna , Alexandrovich Alexander G. , Horowitz Michal , Shohami Esther
Published: August 2007

Long‐term heat exposure, known as heat acclimation (HA; 30 days at 34 ± 1°C) is neuroprotective against traumatic brain injury. Acclimated mice were previously found to display improved functional recovery as well as an increase in the levels of the specific erythropoietin receptor. As the activation of this receptor is known to facilitate functional recovery on one hand and the phosphorylation and activation of Akt, an intracellular kinase which regulates anti‐apoptotic pathways on the other, in this study we investigated whether HA affects Akt phosphorylation prior to and following injury and whether this step is required for development of HA‐induced neuroprotection. Akt phosphorylation was blocked using Triciribine (TCN), a compound shown to block the phosphorylation process without affecting upstream effectors of this kinase, and several post‐injury functional end‐point measures were subsequently evaluated. Acclimation led to a post‐injury increase in the levels of phosphorylated Akt, resulting in higher levels when compared with normothermic controls at 4 h post‐injury (63.6 ± 5.2% and 42.7 ± 3.7%, respectively,p ≤ 0.05). This increase was diminished following TCN administration. Post‐injury TCN treatment abolished the HA‐induced functional benefits, including effects on motor and cognitive functions as well as the attenuation of edema formation. We therefore suggest that Akt phosphorylation is essential for HA‐induced neuroprotection after traumatic brain injury.
Despite shattered expectations a willingness to care for elders remains with education and clinical supervision
Authors: Fläckman Birgitta , Fagerberg Ingegerd , Häggström Elisabeth , Kihlgren Annica , Kihlgren Mona
Published: August 2007

The aim was to describe nursing home (NH) caregivers’ work experiences while receiving education and clinical supervision for 2 years. Working in elder care seems to be losing its attraction especially with organizational changes, cutbacks and changes in work place conditions. Clinical supervision has been reported to increase job satisfaction and creativity. Semi‐structured interviews from caregivers working at an NH in Sweden were conducted, at the start and again at 12 and 24 months. At about 12 months the caregivers were informed of planned cutbacks. Content analysis was the method used to analyse the interviews from seven caregivers who participated throughout the entire period. Findings show that the value of a caring milieu was one category generated by the subcategories: experiences related to work activities and changes, and experiences related to relationships. The value of knowledge was the other category that was influenced by the experiences related to the different backgrounds and the experiences related to increased knowledge gained from the support through education and clinical supervision. The categories contained positive as well as negative influences on care. The initial focus on practical duties associated with the opening of the NH shifted towards caregiver activities with the elders they spoke warmly about. After 2 years the caregivers’ willingness to care continued despite their disappointment in the worsened working conditions. The main theme that resulted was: Despite shattered expectations a willingness to care for elders remained. Continued education and clinical supervision seems to be one factor behind the retained willingness. These findings demonstrate that support and caregiver involvement in educational programmes are important during times of change and when disappointments arise in the workplace.
genepop’007: a complete re‐implementation of thegenepopsoftware for Windows and Linux
Authors: ROUSSET FRANÇOIS
Published: August 2007

This note summarizes developments of thegenepopsoftware since its first description in 1995, and in particular those new to version 4.0: an extended input format, several estimators of neighbourhood size under isolation by distance, new estimators and confidence intervals for null allele frequency, and less important extensions to previous options.genepopnow runs under Linux as well as under Windows, and can be entirely controlled by batch calls.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Psilopeganum sinense Hemsl (Rutaceae), an endangered herb endemic to Yangtze River valley
Authors: TANG FEIYAN , YE QIGANG , YAO XIAOHONG , HUANG HONGWEN
Published: August 2007

Twenty‐nine primer pairs flanking microsatellite repeats were designed from an AC‐enriched genomic library of Psilopeganum sinense and tested using 24 individuals derived from a natural population. A total of 11 microsatellite loci were found polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus varied from two to eight, with an average value of 3.7. The ranges of observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.000–0.750 and 0.365–0.800, respectively. These microsatellite loci have been directly applied to the ongoing conservation genetic studies of P. sinense.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Development of 52 new polymorphic SSR markers from cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.): transferability to related taxa and selection of a reduced set for DNA fingerprinting and diversity studies
Authors: ESCRIBANO P. , VIRUEL M. A. , HORMAZA J. I.
Published: August 2007

Fifty‐two single locus polymorphic microsatellites were developed using two genomic libraries digested with HaeIII and RsaI of cherimoya cv. Fino de Jete enriched in CT/AG repeats. A total of 222 alleles were detected with the selected simple sequence repeats (SSRs). The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.08 to 0.73 and from 0.20 to 0.84, respectively. Most of the SSRs were transferable to other species in the Annonaceae. A set of 20 microsatellites was selected to facilitate the exchange of data among laboratories.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Twelve new microsatellite markers for the Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis
Authors: GAO HUAN , KONG JIE , YAN BINLUN , YU FEI , LUAN SHENG , CAI SHENGLI
Published: August 2007

Twelve new microsatellite markers were isolated by sequencing random clones from a genomic library of Fenneropenaeus chinensis. The number of alleles per locus ranged from five to 15. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.568 to 0.898, and observed and expected heterozygosities from 0.344 to 0.882 and from 0.691 to 0.915, respectively. All loci except one conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. These markers, described here for Chinese shrimp, will be further used to analyse the species’ population genetics.
COMPUTER PROGRAMS: d‐novl: a program to simulate overlap between two niche‐based distribution models
Authors: STOCKMAN AMY K. , DANELL RYAN M. , BOND JASON E.
Published: August 2007

d‐novl is a Monte Carlo program designed to generate a null expectation of overlap between two niche‐based distribution models. The user may choose between two growth algorithms: the separated algorithm grows a random number of disjointed growth areas, whereas the number of islands algorithm allows the user to input the desired number of growth areas. The latter algorithm can also be used to grow a single growth area. The resulting probability distribution of expected overlap values can be exported into a spreadsheet for further analysis.

d‐novl is freely available for Mac and Windows platforms at http://www.mygalomorphae.org.
PERMANENT GENETIC RESOURCES: Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Acer mono Maxim
Authors: KIKUCHI S. , SHIBATA M.
Published: August 2007

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Acer mono Maxim., one of the major components of deciduous forests in Japan. An average of 13.8 alleles were found, with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.140 to 0.945 in 34 A. mono individuals from the Ogawa Forest Reserve in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. This set of microsatellite markers can be used to analyse mating patterns and gene flow in A. mono populations.
Performance evaluation of the efficiency of Philippine Private Higher Educational Institutions: application of frontier approaches
Authors: Castano Mary Caroline N. , Cabanda Emilyn C.
Published: August 2007

This paper evaluates the efficiency performance of Philippine Private Higher Educational Institutions (PHEIs), using frontier approaches known as data envelopment analysis – Malmquist indices and stochastic frontier analysis. The sample consists of 30 private educational institutions, which were granted autonomy over the time period 1999–2003, with a total of 150 observations. The paper also analyzes whether technical inefficiency is systematically related to age, ownership (private sectarian versus private non‐sectarian), and autonomy status. Significant new findings show that higher technological progress boosted the higher productivity growth of the majority of PHEIs (about 66.67%). We also found that age and ownership have positive and statistically significant effects on its technical inefficiency. PHEIs obtained a technical efficiency of 71.2%, and therefore need to increase their output revenues by 28.8% to be efficient. These new findings contribute significantly to educational performance.
Administrative evaluation and public sector reform: an analytic hierarchy process approach
Authors: Sato Yuji
Published: August 2007

The objective of this paper is to propose a rational approach to administrative evaluation, including one prospective way to delegate authorities from the public sector to alternative sectors in the process of public sector reform. Specifically, we show how to match projects of a local government with alternative sectors rationally by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The matching process consists of three steps: evaluating projects of a local government; characterizing alternative sectors; and deriving overall judgments. The results of this paper quantitatively clarify the evaluation of projects and the characteristic of sectors, and it is concluded that 35% of local government projects should be devolved from the public sector to alternative sectors.
THE USE OF NON‐DESTRUCTIVE ACTIVATION ANALYSIS AND PATTERN RECOGNITION IN THE STUDY OF FLINT ARTEFACTS
Authors: BRUIN M. DE , KORTHOVEN P. J. M. , BAKELS C. C. , GROEN F. C. A.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTS

A method is described for the identification of the origin of flint artefacts. The method is based on the variation in the trace element concentrations for different origins. The trace element concentrations were determined by non‐destructive neutron activation analysis. The identification was obtained from a pattern recognition analysis.
COMPOSITION VARIATIONS IN OBSIDIAN SOURCES AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS*
Authors: BOWMAN H. R. , ASARO F. , PERLMAN I.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTS

An obsidian source can exhibit considerable variations in chemical composition. One such flow at Borax Lake in Lake County, California has been carefully investigated by neutron activation analysis of specimens from a number of different loci. It was found that the variable elements were completely coherent, and thus judgements concerning provenience could be just as definitive as with extremely homogeneous materials.
PRE‐ISLAMIC CERAMIC GLAZES AT KISH AND NINEVEH IN IRAQ
Authors: HEDGES R. E. M. , MOOREY P. R. S.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTS

Chemical analyses (mainly by XRF) have been made of a series of glazed pottery vessels and sherds excavated from Kish and Nineveh in Iraq, manufactured between c. 600 b.c. and a.d. 600 (also a small Islamic group from Hira). The results strongly suggest, contrary to general assumption, that lead glazing was not practised in this area at this time; that the local glazing tradition persisted unchanged for 1200 years; and that the production at different periods, or at different places, can be characterized by statistically significant variations in the glaze composition.
A LYONS BRANCH OF THE POTTERY‐MAKING FIRM OF ATEIUS OF AREZZO
Authors: WIDEMANN F. , PICON M. , ASARO F. , MICHEL H. V. , PERLMAN I.
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTS

Fifty‐one waster sherds of Terra Sigillata (∼20‐0 b.c.) from Arezzo, Italy and Lyons, France have been chemically analysed for twenty‐eight elements by neutron activation and seven by X‐ray fluorescence. Most of the elemental abundances were measured with high precision and cross‐comparisons of the two techniques of measurement (and sample preparation) give added insight as to their relative precision, the calibration differences and the extent to which volatile materials such as carbonate or water influence the results. The sherds from Arezzo formed a homogeneous and distinctive chemical group while all but two of those from Lyons were classified into three such groups. Two of the Lyons groups (MML A and MML B) were from Montée de La Muette and one was from Loyasse. Four additional sherds from houses excavated in Strasbourg and one from Lyons, all of which bore the signature of the famous Anetine pottery‐making firm of Ateius, were also analyzed by the same techniques. These signed sherds all had the same composition pattern and it closely matched one of those from Montée de La Muette (MML A) in Lyons. It is therefore suggested that these five sherds bearing the Ateius signature were made in the general vicinity of Lyons and were part of the output of an as yet unknown Gallic branch of the firm of Ateius.
THE BEHAVIOUR OF ARTEFACTS AS SEDIMENTARY PARTICLES IN A FLUVIATILE ENVIRONMENT
Authors: SHACKLEY M. L.
Published: August 2007

Lower Palaeolithic artefacts are frequently contained in fluviatile deposits, and it follows that a consideration of the stream processes which resulted in their deposition and preservation is necessary in order to evaluate the archaeological significance of such ‘assemblages’. This note indicates some aspects of artefact taphonomy of particular importance, in the hope that it may stimulate a more empirical approach to the contextual study of implement groups.
TEXTURAL ANALYSIS OF CERAMIC THIN SECTIONS: EVALUATION OF GRAIN SAMPLING PROCEDURES
Authors: MIDDLETON A. P. , FREESTONE I. C. , LEESE M. N.
Published: August 2007

‘Textural analysis’ is being increasingly used for the characterisation of pottery fabrics. In this study we have investigated some of the effects on the observed size distribution data of applying a number of different grain selection procedures (principally various point‐counting and ribbon‐counting procedures). The results indicate that significant differences may arise from the application of the various techniques of grain selection and it is important that appropriate procedures be rigorously applied.
X‐RAY DIFFRACTION OF EARLY IRON AGE POTTERY FROM WESTERN NORWAY
Authors: STOUT A. M. , HURST A.
Published: August 2007

X‐ray diffraction has been used to analyse the surfaces and cores of sherds from pottery from Voss and Etne. two late Roman‐early Migration Period sites in western Norway. Results show: (1) the presence of illite and illite/smectite in black‐burnished ware from inhumation graves which suggests that this ware was never subjected to temperatures as high as 375°C, (2) the absence of these heat‐sensitive clay minerals in red ware from cremation graves at these sites which suggests a secondary firing at 700–800°C, (3) the clay minerals are similar in the cores and surfaces of the black pottery which suggests that the colour differences are due to firing procedures rather than the application of a slip, and (4) chlorite is present in all of the samples which is an indication that the ware originated in a Voss workshop where chlorite is present in other pottery found there and in the local geologic deposits.
THERMOLUMINESCENCE DATING OF BURNT FLINT AND QUARTZ: COMPARATIVE RESULTS
Authors: VALLADAS H. , VALLADAS G.
Published: August 2007

Thermoluminescence dates obtained from burnt flints and quartz recovered from the same sites are compared. For the Upper Perigordian level at la Vigne Brun (Loire, France), four quartz specimens and three flints yielded average ages of 27 400 ± 2300 and 26 900 ± 2200 years respectively, which are 15% greater than the radiocarbon age obtained for the same site (Evin 1982). For the neolithic site of la Vallée aux Fleurs (Loir et Cher, France), the respective averages of three flints and three ceramic sherds were 6830 ± 560 and 6570 ± 520 years.
APPLICATIONS OF PETROGRAPHY AND ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS TO THE STUDY OF INDIAN STONE SCULPTURE*
Authors: NEWMAN R.
Published: August 2007

Examples of research on ancient Indian stone artefacts utilizing petrographic examination coupled with qualitative and quantitative electron beam microprobe analysis of specific minerals are described. Types of artefacts discussed include Gandharan schist sculptures. Pala dynasty phyllite and schist objects from eastern India, Hoysala sculptures from Karnataka state (southern India), and sandstone objects from northern India. In spite of the rich history of stone sculpture in the Indian subcontinent, characterization studies to date have been limited in scope, typically involving unprovenanced artefacts. The examples described point to areas in which more extensive research could produce useful information for the provenancing of artefacts.
THE METALLURGY OF THE NAHAL MISHMAR HOARD RECONSIDERED
Authors: SHALEV S. , NORTHOVER J. P.
Published: August 2007

The Nahal Mishmar hoard, found in a cave in the Judean Desert in 1961, is a key find for the study of Chalcolithic metallurgy in Israel and the Levant. Recent analyses of Chalcolithic metalwork from sites such as Shiqmim in Israel raised doubts about the validity of published analyses from the hoard. Accordingly a programme of re‐analysis was established using atomic absorption spectrometry and electron probe microanalysis. The new analyses confirmed the doubts and showed that the metallurgy of Nahal Mishmar was the same as that at the other sites. The alloys used for the cast products in the hoard were generally ternary arsenic‐antimony copper alloys with up to 20% alloy content; less common were compositions with arsenic and nickel. The unusual metallography of these alloys is described. Some suggestions are offered as to the mode of manufacture of the alloys.
A CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COMPOSITIONAL VARIATIONS OF ROMAN SAMIAN POTTERY MANUFACTURED AT THE LEZOUX PRODUCTION CENTRE
Authors: ARGYROPOULOS V.
Published: August 2007

The study addresses the chemical variations for Roman Samian wares manufactured during various periods at different workshops within the Lezoux production centre. Instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry were used to determine the chemical constituents of the pottery. The two techniques were evaluated based on the capacity of each to identify the same compositional groups for Lezoux Samian with the use of multivariate statistics. The compositional analysis redefines and clarifies how potters used the clay sources at the site to produce fine wares. The results indicate that the majority of potters from different workshops at Lezoux shared the same clay source during the second century AD.
THERMAL ALTERATIONS IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL BONES*
Authors: PIJOAN C. MA. , MANSILLA J. , LEBOREIRO I. , LARA V. H. , BOSCH P.
Published: August 2007

Archaeological bones, found close to Mexico City (Tlatelcomila), with alterations due to probable thermal exposure attributed to a possible case of cannibalism, have been characterized by XRD, SAXS and SEM. It is shown how these non‐destructive techniques, which are not conventionally used in archaeological research, may provide useful information. The deterioration degree of the bone structure is quantified through parameters such as gyration radius or fractal dimension. As some of the reported modifications could be attributed to diagenesis, a discussion is presented in terms of bone crystallinity and ionic exchange. Furthermore, the hydroxyapatite crystallite size increased depending on colour: this feature is not explained by diagenesis—it can only be attributed to temperature. We conclude that the samples were thermally treated. Indeed, thermal treatment alters the structure and morphology of bone at a very fine level (microscopic and nanometric), while morphology follows the structural modifications. It is determined that the studied human bones were treated at three different temperatures close to 100, 250 and 600°C. Therefore, they were either boiled (barbacoa) or grilled.
Impact of Medicaid Prior Authorization Requirement for COX‐2 Inhibitor Drugs in Nebraska
Authors: Siracuse Mark V. , Vuchetich Phillip J.
Published: August 2007

Objective. Determine the impact of a Prior Authorization Requirement (PAR) program on Medicaid pharmacy expenditures and utilization.

Data Source. Prescription claims for Nebraska Medicaid recipients who received a cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitor, a nonselective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory (NSAID) drug, or other pain relievers between July 2001 and June 2003.

Study Design and Data Collection/Extraction. This was a retrospective cross‐sectional study with a 12‐month pre‐PAR implementation period and a 12‐month post‐PAR implementation period. Pharmacy transactions for COX‐2 inhibitors, NSAIDs, other pain relievers, and gastroprotectants were identified by their National Drug Code (NDC) in a Microsoft SQL query. The PAR was designed to approve COX‐2 inhibitor use only for recipients at high risk of GI side effects while restricting access to those patients at low to moderate risk of GI side effects.

Principal Findings. One year following implementation of the PAR, overall expenditures on COX‐2 inhibitors for Nebraska Medicaid dropped 50 percent. The overall impact on pharmacy expenditures, including NSAIDs, pain relief medications, and gastroprotectants when necessary to relieve gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, for those recipients who switched from a COX‐2 inhibitor to an NSAID or other pain relievers was a decline of approximately 35 percent.

Conclusion and Implications for State Policy. PAR for COX‐2 inhibitors successfully reduced Medicaid prescription expenditures. Recipients at high risk for GI side effects appropriately received COX‐2 inhibitors. Recipients at low to moderate risk for GI side effects who were switched to NSAIDs or other pain relievers had lower overall prescription expenditures. Further research is needed to determine the impact of PAR on overall health outcomes and costs. In this study, rather than take a “one size fits all” approach to prescription drug cost‐saving strategies, Medicaid policy makers understood that patient variation required accurate identification of disease severity to determine when equally efficacious low‐cost alternatives were appropriate.
Testing for Statistical Discrimination by Race/Ethnicity in Panel Data for Depression Treatment in Primary Care
Authors: McGuire Thomas G. , Ayanian John Z. , Ford Daniel E. , Henke Rachel E. M. , Rost Kathryn M. , Zaslavsky Alan M.
Published: August 2007

Objective. To test for discrimination by race/ethnicity arising from clinical uncertainty in treatment for depression, also known as “statistical discrimination.”

Data Sources. We used survey data from 1,321 African‐American, Hispanic, and white adults identified with depression in primary care. Surveys were administered every six months for two years in the Quality Improvement for Depression (QID) studies.

Study Design. To examine whether and how change in depression severity affects change in treatment intensity by race/ethnicity, we used multivariate cross‐sectional and change models that difference out unobserved time‐invariant patient characteristics potentially correlated with race/ethnicity.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Treatment intensity was operationalized as expenditures on drugs, primary care, and specialty services, weighted by national prices from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Patient race/ethnicity was collected at baseline by self‐report.

Principal Findings. Change in depression severity is less associated with change in treatment intensity in minority patients than in whites, consistent with the hypothesis of statistical discrimination. The differential effect by racial/ethnic group was accounted for by use of mental health specialists.

Conclusions. Enhanced physician–patient communication and use of standardized depression instruments may reduce statistical discrimination arising from clinical uncertainty and be useful in reducing racial/ethnic inequities in depression treatment.
Urotensin II: a novel vasoactive mediator linked to chronic liver disease and portal hypertension
Authors: Kemp William , Krum Henry , Colman John , Bailey Michael , Yandle Tim , Richards Mark , Roberts Stuart
Published: August 2007

Background/Aims: Urotensin II (UII) is recognised as the most potent human vasoconstrictor; however, its role in chronic liver disease (CLD) is unknown.

Aim: We sought to determine serum UII levels in CLD and explore its relationship with clinical features and outcomes of patients with CLD and portal hypertension.

Methods: UII was analysed by radio‐immunoassay on cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) determination and age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Follow‐up data were prospectively recorded.

Results: From 1997 to 2004, 80 patients (male/female: 74/6) underwent a total of 94 HVPG assessments. UII was higher in cirrhotic patients compared with controls (2.05±0.06 and 1.55±0.09 pmol/L, P<0.001) and was correlated with HVPG (r=+0.35, P=0.001) and severity of CLD (r=+0.6, P<0.001). UII was higher in patients who developed refractory ascites (2.45±0.13 vs. 1.7±0.12 pmol/L, P<0.001) and in those who died during the follow‐up period (2.27±0.15 pmol/L vs. 1.95±0.08 pmol/L, P<0.05).

Conclusion: Serum UII is elevated in patients with CLD, and is associated with the severity of the underlying liver disease and the degree of portal hypertension. Baseline levels can predict future complications such as refractory ascites and patient survival.
Role of Ca2+‐dependent potassium channels in in vitro anandamide‐mediated mesenteric vasorelaxation in rats with biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Yang Ying‐Ying , Lin Han‐Chieh , Huang Yi‐Tsau , Lee Tzung‐Yan , Hou Ming‐Chih , Wang Ying‐Wen , Lee Fa‐Yauh , Lee Shou‐Dong
Published: August 2007

Background/Aim: Anandamide can activate potassium (K+) channels to induce an endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation in normal rat mesenteric arteries. Cannabinoids contribute partly to the splanchnic vasodilation in cirrhosis. This study investigated the roles of vascular K+ channels in anandamide‐induced mesenteric vasorelaxation in isolated rat cirrhotic vessels.

Methods: The effects of the pretreatment of AM251, a specific CB1 receptor antagonist, were assessed on the vascular reactivity to phenylephrine (PE), potassium chloride (KCl), acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Additionally, cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2) receptors' protein expression and the effects of different K+ channel blockers on vascular reactivity to anandamide were also studied.

Results: Cirrhotic mesenteric arteries showed an overexpression of CB1 receptor associated with hyporeactivity to PE and KCl, and hyper‐response to ACh, SNP and anandamide. Pretreatment with AM251 significantly improved the hyporeactivity to KCl and ameliorated the hyper‐response to ACh in cirrhotic vessels. Increased relaxation response to anandamide was suppressed by combinations of vascular Ca2+‐dependent K+ channel blockers (including apamin+charybdotoxin+iberiotoxin or apamin+TRAM‐34+iberiotoxin) (TRAM‐34, 1‐[(2‐chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]‐1H‐pyrazole).

Conclusions: In cirrhotic mesenteric arteries, vascular CB1 receptor and anandamide contribute to the in vitro hyporeactivity to KCl. In addition, hyper‐response to ACh may probably act through the modulation of vascular Ca2+‐dependent K+ channels.
Study of Tactile Perception Based on Phosphene Positioning Using Simulated Prosthetic Vision
Authors: Chai Xinyu , Zhang Leilei , Li Wenjie , Shao Feng , Yang Kun , Ren Qiushi
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  In recent years, as stimulation electrodes have been implanted in the visual cortex, optic nerve, and retina to generate visual perceptions (phosphenes), the research on prosthetic vision has become a popular topic. After implantation, it is crucial to evaluate the characteristics of the stimulated phosphenes. Until now, several methods using tactile perception are proposed to describe the phosphene position, but no systematic study of the perceptional behavior has been performed. Here, an experimental study of tactile perception based on phosphene positioning was proposed using simulated prosthetic vision. Results show that the dispersion was smaller and the response time was less when phosphenes are generated in near visual field compared to the far visual field. The dispersion, the accuracy, and the response speed were better when using the visual guide. Moreover, the widely used method of using the left hand as reference and the right hand to point the phosphene may cause geographic error.
Intracranial Pressure Observations in a Canine Model of Acute Liver Failure Supported by a Bioartificial Liver Support System
Authors: Patzer John F. , Lopez Roberto C. , Aggarwal Shushma
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  Life‐threatening, severely elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is a common feature of acute liver failure (ALF). Perfusion with a bioartificial liver may serve to mitigate rising ICP. A retrospective analysis of ICP measurements in a canine ALF model prospectively supported with a bioartificial liver support system (BLSS) is presented. Animals are divided into two groups based upon care provided: (i) standard medical care (n = 6); and (ii) standard medical care plus BLSS support (n = 9). Nonparametric analysis with respect to ICP, arterial NH3, lactate, and supportive‐care parameters found BLSS‐supported animals evidenced significantly less metabolic acidosis than unsupported animals. Analysis of variance/linear regression for direct dependence of ICP on arterial NH3, lactate, and supportive care parameters irrespective of care found ICP was uncorrelated with any measured factor (P > 0.06 for all factors). Lack of correlation of ICP with the considered parameters indicates that none of these factors are predictive of the extent of ICP elevation in the d‐galactosamine canine model. Blood chemistry and supportive care factors that are correlated with and predictive of ICP elevation remain to be identified.
The Short‐Term Effects of Acupuncture on Myofascial Pain Patients After Clenching
Authors: Shen Yoshi F. , Goddard Greg
Published: August 2007

Aim:  Short‐term pain reduction from acupuncture in chronic myofascial pain subjects was evaluated using an 11‐point (0 to 10) numeric rating scale, visual analog scale (VAS), and pain rating of mechanical pressure on the masseter muscle.

Methods:  A single‐blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial with an independent observer was performed. Fifteen chronic myofascial pain subjects over the age of 18 were randomly assigned into groups: nine subjects received real acupuncture; six subjects received sham acupuncture. Each subject clenched his/her teeth for 2 minutes. Acupuncture or sham acupuncture was administered at the Hegu Large Intestine 4 acupoint. Sham acupuncture was conducted by lightly pricking the skin with a shortened, blunted acupuncture needle through a foam pad, without penetrating the skin. The foam pad visually conceals the needle's point of the entry, so that the subject cannot discern which technique is being used. The subjects rated their general pain on a numeric rating scale. A mechanical pain stimulus was applied with an algometer and the subject rated his/her pain on a VAS. Statistical analysis was performed using the repeated measures anova, paired t‐tests, and Fisher's exact test as appropriate.

Results:  There was a statistically significant difference in pain tolerance with acupuncture (P = 0.027). There was statistically significant reduction in face pain (P = 0.003), neck pain (P = 0.011), and headache (P = 0.015) with perception of real acupuncture.

Conclusion:  Pain tolerance in the masticatory muscles increased significantly more with acupuncture than sham acupuncture.
Illiquidity and Pricing Biases in the Real Estate Market
Authors: Lin Zhenguo , Vandell Kerry D.
Published: August 2007

This article addresses the micro‐analytic foundations of illiquidity and price dynamics in the real estate market by integrating modern portfolio theory with models describing the real estate transaction process. Based on the notion that real estate is a heterogeneous good that is traded in decentralized markets and that transactions in these markets are often characterized by costly searches, we argue that the most important aspects defining real estate illiquidity in both residential and commercial markets are the time required for sale and the uncertainty of the marketing period. These aspects provide two sources of bias in the commonly adopted methods of real estate valuation, which are based solely on the prices of sold properties and implicitly assume immediate execution. We demonstrate that estimated returns must be biased upward and risks downward. These biases can be significant, especially when the marketing period is highly uncertain relative to the holding period. We also find that real estate risk is closely related to investors' time horizons, specifically that real estate risk decreases when the holding period increases. These results are consistent with the conventional wisdom that real estate is more favorable to long‐term investors than to short‐term investors. They also provide a theoretical foundation for the recent econometric literature, which finds evidence of smoothing of real estate returns. Our findings help explain the apparent risk‐premium puzzle in real estate—that is, that ex post returns appear too high, given their apparent low volatility—and can lead to the formal derivation of adjustments that can define real estate's proper role in the mixed‐asset portfolio.
Resale Externality and the Used Housing Market
Authors: Iwata Shinichiro , Yamaga Hisaki
Published: August 2007

The selling prices of used houses may not fully reflect the maintenance spending of current owners when prospective buyers are unable to conduct a thorough inspection before purchase. This article investigates how this resale externality problem affects the maintenance expenditures of homeowners. After considering both observable and unobservable repair expenses, the analysis shows that the resale externality reduces not only maintenance expenditures, but also household mobility. A treatment effects model is used to estimate the simultaneous relationship between mobility and maintenance in the Japanese resale housing market. The results indicate that the resale externality has a significant negative impact on maintenance expenditures.