bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Charting a Discursive Field: Environmentalists for U.S. Population Stabilization*
Authors: King Leslie
Published: July 2007

This article seeks to extend our understanding of the forces that shape social movement messages. Using a framework that focuses on a movement's discursive field, I analyze the U.S. movement for population stabilization, which is made up of groups that call for stricter limits on immigration to the United States as a means to forestall environmental decline. Drawing upon data from a range of sources, including the Web sites of 10 environment‐oriented immigration‐reduction organizations, I make the case that this movement's particular field is composed of the discursive repertoires (or messages) of a set of environmental and nonenvironmental social actors and three central discourses: science, political economy, and nationalism. I argue that the movement's relative lack of success is partially attributable to its position in the discursive field in which it must operate.
Environmental Justice and Social Power Rhetoric in the Moral Battle over Whaling*
Authors: Cantzler Julia Miller
Published: July 2007

This study examines the ideological battle between the Makah Indian Tribe and anti‐whaling activists over the Tribe's quest to resume its 2000‐year‐old tradition of hunting gray whales for traditional and ceremonial purposes. Through qualitative discourse analysis of 268 newspaper articles, this study analyzes the competing rhetoric surrounding the indigenous whaling issue and exposes fundamental differences in how the opposing campaigns frame their arguments. This study contributes to the literature on social movements and environmental justice in two primary ways. First, this article exposes the social power dynamics and experientially based assumptions inherent in the “framing contests” of competing social movements that comprised those from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Second, this article expands existing work in the field of environmental justice to include American Indian issues and concerns.
Exploring the Role of Industry Structure in New Venture Internationalization
Authors: Fernhaber Stephanie A. , McDougall Patricia P. , Oviatt Benjamin M.
Published: July 2007

While we have gained considerable knowledge since the late 1980s regarding the phenomena of international new ventures, less is known about the influence of industry structure on these ventures. In the present paper, we draw on literature from industrial economics, international business and entrepreneurship to identify industry structure variables that fit within the theoretical framework of international new ventures. We then offer propositions as to how the identified industry structure variables individually and jointly influence the likelihood of new venture internationalization.
Mammalian heparanase: what is the message?
Authors: Vreys Veronique , David Guido
Published: July 2007

Heparan sulphate proteoglycans

Heparanase

Involvement of human heparanase‐1 in normal and pathological processes

Tumour metastasis

Conclusions

Heparan sulphate proteoglycans are ubiquitous macromolecules of cell surfaces and extracellular matrices. Numerous extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, morphogens, cytokines, chemokines and coagulation factors are bound and regulated by heparan sulphate. Degradation of heparan sulphate thus potentially profoundly affects cell and tissue function. Although there is evidence that several heparan sulphate‐degrading endoglucuronidases (heparanases) might exist, so far only one transcript encoding a functional heparanase has been identified: heparanase‐1. In the first part of this review, we discuss the current knowledge about heparan sulphate proteoglycans and the functional importance of their versatile interactions. In the second part, we summarize recent findings that have contributed to the characterization of heparanase‐1, focusing on the molecular properties, working mechanism, substrate specificity, expression pattern, cellular activation and localization of this enzyme. Additionally, we review data implicating heparanase‐1 in several normal and pathological processes, focusing on tumour metastasis and angiogenesis, and on evidence for a potentially direct signalling function of the molecule. In that context, we also briefly discuss heparanase‐2, an intriguing close homologue of heparanase‐1, for which, so far, no heparan sulphate‐degrading activity could be demonstrated.
Pellino Proteins: Novel Players in TLR and IL‐1R Signalling
Authors: Schauvliege Reinout , Janssens Sophie , Beyaert Rudi
Published: July 2007

Introduction

Pellino proteins are extremely well conserved during evolution

Genomic organisation and protein structure of Pellino

Pellino proteins interact with key mediators in TLR/IL‐1R‐induced signalling pathways

Role of Pellino proteins in TLR/IL‐1R signalling to NF‐κB and MAPK

Perspectives

Members of the Toll‐like receptor (TLR) and interleukin‐1 receptor (IL‐1R) family play important roles in immunity and inflammation. They initiate common intracellular signalling cascades leading to the activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and other transcription factors that stimulate the expression of a variety of genes that shape an appropriate immune response. TLR/IL‐1R signalling involves multiple protein–protein interactions, but the mechanisms that regulate these interactions are still largely unclear. In this context, Pellino proteins have been suggested to function as evolutionary conserved scaffold proteins in TLR/IL‐1R signalling. However, recently Pellino proteins were also proposed to function as novel ubiquitin ligases for IL‐1R associated kinase 1 (IRAK‐1). Here we review our current knowledge on the expression, biological role and mechanism of action of Pellino proteins in TLR/IL‐1R‐induced signalling.
Morphology of the interstitial cells of Cajal of the human ileum from foetal to neonatal life
Authors: Faussone‐Pellegrini Maria‐Simonetta , Vannucchi Maria‐Giuliana , Alaggio Rita , Strojna Aleksandra , Midrio Paola
Published: July 2007

The so‐called interstitial cells of Cajal myenteric plexus (ICC‐MP), interstitial cells of Cajal intramuscular (ICC‐IM) and interstitial cells of Cajal deep muscular plexus (ICC‐DMP) are the three types of ICC endowed within the intestinal muscle coat where they play different roles in gut motility. Studies on ICC ontogenesis showed ICC‐MP in the human ileum by 7–9 weeks while information on ICC‐IM and ICC‐DMP in foetuses and new‐borns are not exhaustive. Functional recordings in the fasting state of prematurely born babies aged 28–37 weeks showed immature ileal motility. To gain more information on the time of appearance of the three ICC types in the human ileum and on the steps of the acquisition of mature features, we studied by c‐kit immuno‐histochemistry foetuses aged 17–27 weeks and newborns aged 36–41 weeks. In parallel, the maturative steps of enteric plexuses and muscle layers were immunohistochemically examined by using anti‐neuron specific enolase (NSE), anti‐S‐100 and anti‐α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) antibodies. The appearance and differentiation of all the ICC types were seen to occur in concomitance with those of the related nerve plexuses and muscle layers. ICC‐MP appeared first, ICC‐IM and ICC‐DMP later and their differentiation was incomplete at birth. In conclusion, the ICC‐MP, the intestinal pacemaker cells, in spite of absence of food intake, are already present during the foetal life and the ICC‐IM appear by pre‐term life, thus ensuring neurotransmission. The ICC‐DMP and their related nerve plexus and smooth muscle cells, i.e. the intestinal stretch receptor, begin to differentiate at birth. These findings might help in predicting neonatal ileal motor behaviour and in interpreting the role of ICC abnormalities in the pathophysiology of intestinal motile disorders of neonates and young children.
Ultrastructural and immunocharacterization of undifferentiated myocardial cells in the developing mouse heart
Authors: Zhang Feixiong , Pasumarthi Kishore B.S.
Published: July 2007

The recent discovery of several myogenic cardiac progenitor cells in the post‐natal heart suggests that some myocardial cells may remain undifferentiated during embryonic development. In this study, we examined the subcellular characteristics of the embryonic (E) mouse ventricular myocardial cells using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At the ultrastructural level, we identified three different cell populations within the myocardial layer of the E11.5 heart. These cells were designated as undifferentiated cells (43 ± 6%), moderately differentiated cells (43 ± 2%) and mature cardiomyocytes (14 ± 4%). Undifferentiated cells contained a large nucleus and sparse cytoplasm with no myofibrillar bundles. Moderately differentiated cells contained randomly arranged myofilaments in the cytoplasm. In contrast, mature cardiomyocytes contained well‐developed sarcomere structures. We also confirmed the presence of similar undifferentiated cells albeit at low levels in the E16.5 (∼20%) and E18.5 (∼7%) myocardium. Further we used immunogold labeling technique to test whether these distinct cell populations were also positive for markers such as Nkx2.5, ISL1 and ANF. A preponderance of anti‐Nkx2.5 label was found in the undifferentiated and moderately differentiated cell types. Anti‐ANF label was found only in the cytoplasmic compartment of moderately differentiated and mature myocardial cells. All of the undifferentiated cells were negative for anti‐ANF labeling. We did not find immuno‐gold labeling with ISL1 in any of the three myocardial cell types. Based on these results, we suggest that embryonic myocardial cell differentiation is a gradual process and undifferentiated cells expressing Nkx2.5 in post‐chamber myocardium may represent a progenitor cell population while cells expressing Nkx2.5 and ANF represent differentiating myocytes.
Formation of different abzymes in autoimmune‐prone MRL‐lpr/lpr mice is associated with changes in colony formation of haematopoietic progenitors
Authors: Andryushkova Alexandra A. , Kuznetsova Irina A. , Bineva Valentina N. , Toporkova Ludmila B. , Sakhno Ludmila V. , Tikhonova Marina A. , Chernykh Elena R. , Orlovskaya Irina A. , Nevinsky Georgy A.
Published: July 2007

It was shown that IgGs from the sera of 2–7‐month‐old control non‐autoimmune (CBA x C57BL)F1 and BALB/c mice and 2–3‐month‐old autoimmune prone MRL‐lpr/lpr mice (conditionally healthy mice) are catalytically inactive. During spontaneous development of deep systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐like pathology a specific reorganization of immune system of these mice leads to conditions associated with a production of IgGs hydrolyzing DNA, ATP and polysaccharides with low catalytic activities (conditionally pre‐diseased mice).A significant increase in DNase, ATPase and amylase IgG relative activities associated with a transition from pre‐diseased to deep diseased mice is correlated with additional changes in differentiation and proliferation of mice bone marrow haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and lymphocyte proliferation in different organs.The highest increase in all abzyme activities was found in mice immunized with DNA, which in comparison with pre‐diseased and diseased mice are characterized by a different profile of HSC differentiation and by a suppression of cell apoptosis. Abzyme activities in the serum of pregnant females were comparable with those for pre‐diseased mice, but the profile of HSC differentiation and cell apoptosis levels in pregnant and pre‐diseased mice were quite different. Right after the beginning of lactation (4 days after delivery) and in a late time of lactation (14 days after delivery) there was an observed increase in cell apoptosis and two different stages of significant change in the HSC differentiation profiles; the first stage was accompanied with a significant increase and the second with a remarkable decrease in abzyme activities. Overall, all mouse groups investigated are characterized by a specific relationship between abzyme activities, HSC differentiation profiles, levels of lymphocyte proliferation, and cell apoptosis in different organs. From our point of view, the appearance of ATPase, DNase activities may be considered the earliest statistically significant marker of mouse spontaneous SLE and a further significant increase in their activities correlates with the appearance of SLE visible markers and with an increase in concentrations of anti‐DNA Abs and urine protein. However, development of autoimmune (AI)‐reactions and the increase in the sera anti‐DNA antibodies (Abs) and in the abzyme activities in pregnant and lactating mice do not associate with SLE visible markers and proteinuria. The possible differences in immune system reorganizations during pre‐disease, disease, pregnancy and lactation leading to production of different auto‐antibodies and abzymes are discussed.
Neovascularization and mast cells with tryptase activity increase simultaneously in human pterygium
Authors: Ribatti Domenico , Nico Beatrice , Maxia Cristina , Longo Vito , Murtas Daniela , Mangieri Domenica , Perra M. Teresa , De Giorgis Michela , Piras Franca , Crivellato Enrico , Sirigu Paola
Published: July 2007

Mast cells (MC) have been implicated in both normal and pathological angiogenesis, such as that in chronic inflammatory diseases and tumors. This assumption is partially supported by the close structural association between MC and blood vessels and the recruitment of these cells during tumor growth. MC release a number of angiogenic factors among which tryptase, a serine protease stored in MC granules, is one of the most active. In this study, we correlate the extent of angiogenesis with the number of tryptase‐reactive MC in tissue fragments from pterygium and normal bulbar conjunctiva investigated by immunohistochemistry, using two murine monoclonal antibodies against the endothelial cell marker CD31 and the MC marker tryptase. Angiogenesis, measured as microvessel density, was highly correlated with MC tryptase‐positive cell count in pterygium tissues. These results suggest that the characteristic neovascularization observed in pterygium may be sustained, at least in part, by MC angiogenic mediators, in particular tryptase.
Zimbabwe
Authors: Keetch Paul
Published: July 2007

Paul Keetch argues that the people of Zimbabwe must decide who should run their country if it is to restore its prosperity. And as well as replacing Mugabe, there must be a coordinated plan of international assistance.
The Evolution of Research Ethics: The Current International Configuration
Authors: Fluss Sev S.
Published: July 2007

I propose in this essay to briefly describe some of the main current stakeholders who issue guidance on the ethics of human subjects research. This will be preceded by a very brief historical introduction.

Prior to World War II, as far as I have been able to ascertain, there were no international efforts to regulate human experimentation. National activities were few and far between. One exception was a Directive on Human Experimentation issued in December 1900 by the then Prussian Minister of Religious, Educational and Medical Mairs. This was followed by a Circular on innovative therapy and scientific experimentation promulgated by the then Reich Minister of the Interior in February 1931. Just over five years later, in April 1936, the Bureau of the Medico-Scientific Council of the People’s Commissariat for Health of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic (RSFSR), the main constituent Republic of the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, issued an Advisory Resolution on the procedures for testing new medicinal substances and methods which may present a hazard for the health and life of patients.
American Bioethics and Human Rights: The End of All Our Exploring
Authors: Annas George J.
Published: July 2007

In his compelling novelBlindness, José Saramago tells us about victims stricken by a contagious form of blindness who were quarantined and came to see themselves as pigs, dogs, and “lame crabs.” Of course, they were all human beings - although unable to perceive themselves, or others, as members of the human community. The disciplines of bioethics, health law, and human rights are likewise all members of the broad human rights community, although at times none of them may be able to see the homologies, even when responding to a specific health challenge.

The boundaries between bioethics, health law, and human rights are permeable, and border crossings, including crossings by blind practitioners, are common. Two working hypotheses form the intellectual framework of this article: we can more effectively address the major health issues of our day if we harmonize all three disciplines; and American bioethics can be reborn as a global force by accepting its Nuremberg roots and actively engaging in a health and human rights agenda.
1984 Compilation of Working Values and Sample Description for 170 International Reference Samples Of Mainly Silicate Rocks and Minerals
Authors: Govindaraju K.
Published: July 2007

1984 compilation of working values and sample description for 170 international reference samples of mainly silicate rocks end minerals.

Working values and sample description for 170 international rock and mineral reference samples are presented in B7 pages, with 14 pages for the main text and 73 pages for the four appendices. Appendix I presents working values for 170 reference samples in 19 pages, each page containing data on 10 samples, in general. Data on each sample are given in five colored blocks, the first block for 15 major and minor elements and the other four for 66 trace elements, whenever such data were available. Working values for each element are arranged, in ascending order, in Appendix II (39 pages). Brief sample description of each sample (numbered 001 to 170) and References form respectively Appendix III and IV. This compilation is published as a special issue of Geostandards Newsletter (July 19841, with the financial support of UNESCO and the International Association of Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry.

RESUME

Compilation (1984) des valeurs de travail et la description dea échantillms pour 170 échantillms internationaux de référence principalement des roches silicatées et des minéraux.

Des valeurs de travail (“working values”) et la description des échantillons pour 170 échantillons internationaux de roches et minéraux sont présentés dens 87 pages avec 14 pages pour le texte principal et 73 pages pour les quatre annexes. L'Annexe I contient des valeurs de travail pour 170 échantillons de référence réparties sup 19 pages, avec cheque page en générale, contenent des données sup dix échantillons. Les données sur cheque échantillon sont consignées dens cinq blocs coloriés, le premier bloc pour 15 éléments majeurs et mineurs et les quatre autres pour 66 éléments en traces. Lea valeurs de travail pour cheque élément sont présentées, dens l'ordre ascendant, dens 1'Annexe II (39 pages). Une description brève dc cheque échantillon, numéroté de 001 à 170, et les Références forment respectivement 1'Annexe III et IV. Cette compilation est publiée comme un numéro special du Geostandards Newsletter (Juillet 1984), avec le concours financier de l'UNESCO et l'Association Internationale de la Géochimie et Cosmochimie.
Retinotopic maps and foveal suppression in the visual cortex of amblyopic adults
Authors: Conner Ian P. , Odom J. Vernon , Schwartz Terry L. , Mendola Janine D.
Published: July 2007

Amblyopia is a developmental visual disorder associated with loss of monocular acuity and sensitivity as well as profound alterations in binocular integration. Abnormal connections in visual cortex are known to underlie this loss, but the extent to which these abnormalities are regionally or retinotopically specific has not been fully determined. This functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study compared the retinotopic maps in visual cortex produced by each individual eye in 19 adults (7 esotropic strabismics, 6 anisometropes and 6 controls). In our standard viewing condition, the non‐tested eye viewed a dichoptic homogeneous mid‐level grey stimulus, thereby permitting some degree of binocular interaction. Regions‐of‐interest analysis was performed for extrafoveal V1, extrafoveal V2 and the foveal representation at the occipital pole. In general, the blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signal was reduced for the amblyopic eye. At the occipital pole, population receptive fields were shifted to represent more parafoveal locations for the amblyopic eye, compared with the fellow eye, in some subjects. Interestingly, occluding the fellow eye caused an expanded foveal representation for the amblyopic eye in one early–onset strabismic subject with binocular suppression, indicating real‐time cortical remapping. In addition, a few subjects actually showed increased activity in parietal and temporal cortex when viewing with the amblyopic eye. We conclude that, even in a heterogeneous population, abnormal early visual experience commonly leads to regionally specific cortical adaptations.
Functional groups of ryanodine receptors in rat ventricular cells
Authors: Lukyanenko V. , Ziman A. , Lukyanenko A. , Salnikov V. , Lederer W. J.
Published: July 2007

Ryanodine receptors (RyR2s) are ion channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that are responsible for Ca2+ release in rat ventricular myocytes. Localization of RyR2s is therefore crucial for our understanding of contraction and other Ca2+‐dependent intracellular processes. Recent results (e.g. circular waves and Ca2+ sparks in perinuclear area) raised questions about the classical views of RyR2 distribution and organization within ventricular cells. A Ca2+ spark is a fluorescent signal reflecting the activation of a small group of RyR2s. Frequency and spatio‐temporal characteristics of Ca2+ sparks depend on the state of cytoplasmic and intraluminal macromolecular complexes regulating cardiac RyR2 function. We employed electron microscopy, confocal imaging of spontaneous Ca2+ sparks and immunofluorescence to visualize the distribution of RyR2s in ventricular myocytes and to evaluate the local involvement of the macromolecular complexes in regulation of functional activity of the RyR2 group. An electron microscopy study revealed that the axial tubules of the transverse–axial tubular system probably do not have junctions with the network SR (nSR). The nSR was found to be wrapped around intermyofibrillar mitochondria and contained structures similar to feet of the junctional cleft. Treatment of ventricular myocytes with antibodies against RyR2 showed that in addition to the junctional SR, a small number of RyR2s can be localized at the middle of the sarcomere and in the zone of perinuclear mitochondria. Recordings of spontaneous Ca2+ sparks showed the existence of functional groups of RyR2s in these intracellular compartments. We found that within the sarcomere about 20% of Ca2+ sparks were not colocalized with the zone of the junctional or corbular SR (Z‐line zone). The spatio‐temporal characteristics of sparks found in the Z‐line and A‐band zones were very similar, whereas sparks from the zone of the perinuclear mitochondria were about 25% longer. Analysis of the initiation sites of Ca2+ sparks within the same junctional SR cluster suggested that 18–25 RyR2s are in the functional group producing a spark. Because of the similarity of the spatio‐temporal characteristics of sarcomeric sparks and ultrastructural characteristics of nSR, we suggest that the functional groups of RyR2s in the middle of the sarcomere are macromolecular complexes of ∼20 RyR2s with regulatory proteins. Our data allowed us to conclude that a significant number of functional RyR2s is located in the middle of the sarcomere and in the zone of perinuclear mitochondria. These RyR2s could contribute to excitation–contraction coupling, mitochondrial and nuclear signalling, and Ca2+‐dependent gene regulation, but their existence raises many additional questions.
Effect of endurance exercise training on Ca2+–calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II expression and signalling in skeletal muscle of humans
Authors: Rose Adam J. , Frøsig Christian , Kiens Bente , Wojtaszewski Jørgen F. P. , Richter Erik A.
Published: July 2007

Here the hypothesis that skeletal muscle Ca2+–calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII) expression and signalling would be modified by endurance training was tested. Eight healthy, young men completed 3 weeks of one‐legged endurance exercise training with muscle samples taken from both legs before training and 15 h after the last exercise bout. Along with an ∼40% increase in mitochondrial F1‐ATP synthase expression, there was an ∼1‐fold increase in maximal CaMKII activity and CaMKII kinase isoform expression after training in the active leg only. Autonomous CaMKII activity and CaMKII autophosphorylation were increased to a similar extent. However, there was no change in α‐CaMKII anchoring protein expression with training. Nor was there any change in expression or Thr17 phosphorylation of the CaMKII substrate phospholamban with training. However, another CaMKII substrate, serum response factor (SRF), had an ∼60% higher phosphorylation at Ser103 after training, with no change in SRF expression. There were positive correlations between the increases in CaMKII expression and SRF phosphorylation as well as F1ATPase expression with training. After training, there was an increase in cyclic‐AMP response element binding protein phosphorylation at Ser133, but not expression, in muscle of both legs. Taken together, skeletal muscle CaMKII kinase isoform expression and SRF phosphorylation is higher with endurance‐type exercise training, adaptations that are restricted to active muscle. This may contribute to greater Ca2+ mediated regulation during exercise and the altered muscle phenotype with training.
Use of Near-Field Acoustic Levitation in Experimental Sliding Contact
Authors: Stolarski T. A. , Woolliscroft C. I.
Published: July 2007

The paper presents an investigation into producing the self-levitation effect using piezo-electric actuators (PZTs). Self-levitation has been demonstrated and results are presented and discussed. A relationship between the levitation distance and weight of the levitating sample has been found. In addition, the orientation and position of the PZTs has been found to affect the levitation distance. Modal shapes of the vibration plates used have been produced through modeling and found to accurately correlate with the experimental results found. Additional evidence suggests that the type of vibration plate material affects the separation distance, possibly due to the material’s properties of acoustic reflection.
Complex Flow Dynamics in Dense Granular Flows—Part II: Simulations
Authors: Zamankhan Piroz , Huang Jun
Published: July 2007

By applying a methodology useful for analysis of complex fluids based on a synergistic combination of experiments, computer simulations, and theoretical investigation, a model was built to investigate the fluid dynamics of granular flows in an intermediate regime, where both collisional and frictional interactions may affect the flow behavior. In Part I, experiments were described using a modified Newton’s Cradle device to obtain values for the viscous damping coefficient, which were scarce in the literature. This paper discusses detailed simulations of frictional interactions between the grains during a binary collision by employing a numerical model based on finite element methods. Numerical results are presented of slipping, and sticking motions of a first grain over the second one. The key was to utilize the results of the aforementioned comprehensive model in order to provide a simplified model for accurate and efficient granular-flow simulations with which the qualitative trends observed in the experiments can be captured. To validate the model, large scale simulations were performed for the specific case of granular flow in a rapidly spinning bucket. The model was able to reproduce experimentally observed flow phenomena, such as the formation of a depression in the center of the bucket spinning at high frequency of 100rad/s. This agreement suggests that the model may be a useful tool for the prediction of dense granular flows in industrial applications, but highlights the need for further experimental investigation of granular flows in order to refine the model.
The Contact Problem in a Compressible Hyperelastic Material
Authors: Wang G. F. , Wang T. J. , Schiavone P.
Published: July 2007

We consider the contact problem for a particular class of compressible hyperelastic materials of harmonic type undergoing finite plane deformations. Using complex variable techniques, we derive subsidiary results concerning a half-plane problem corresponding to this class of materials. Using these results, we solve the contact problem for a harmonic material in the case of a uniform load acting on a finite area. Finally, we show how we can then deduce the corresponding results for the case of a point load.
Effects of Surface Deposition, Hole Blockage, and Thermal Barrier Coating Spallation on Vane Endwall Film Cooling
Authors: Sundaram N. , Thole K. A.
Published: July 2007

With the increase in usage of gas turbines for power generation and given that natural gas resources continue to be depleted, it has become increasingly important to search for alternate fuels. One source of alternate fuels is coal derived synthetic fuels. Coal derived fuels, however, contain traces of ash and other contaminants that can deposit on vane and turbine surfaces affecting their heat transfer through reduced film cooling. The endwall of a first stage vane is one such region that can be susceptible to depositions from these contaminants. This study uses a large-scale turbine vane cascade in which the following effects on film cooling adiabatic effectiveness were investigated in the endwall region: the effect of near-hole deposition, the effect of partial film cooling hole blockage, and the effect of spallation of a thermal barrier coating. The results indicated that deposits near the hole exit can sometimes improve the cooling effectiveness at the leading edge, but with increased deposition heights the cooling deteriorates. Partial hole blockage studies revealed that the cooling effectiveness deteriorates with increases in the number of blocked holes. Spallation studies showed that for a spalled endwall surface downstream of the leading edge cooling row, cooling effectiveness worsened with an increase in blowing ratio.
Investigation of Velocity Profiles for Effusion Cooling of a Combustor Liner
Authors: Scrittore J. J. , Thole K. A. , Burd S. W.
Published: July 2007

Effusion cooling of combustor liners for gas turbine engines is quite challenging and necessary to prevent thermal distress of the combustor liner walls. The flow and thermal patterns in the cooling layer are affected by the closely spaced film-cooling holes. It is important to fully document how the film layer behaves with a full-coverage cooling scheme to gain an understanding into surface cooling phenomena. This paper discusses experimental results from a combustor simulator tested in a low-speed wind tunnel. Engine representative, nondimensional coolant flows were tested for a full-coverage effusion plate. Laser Doppler velocimetry was used to measure the flow characteristics of the cooling layer. These experiments indicate that the full-coverage film cooling flow has unique and scaleable velocity profiles that result from the closely spaced effusion holes. A parametric study of the cooling flow behavior illustrates the complex nature of the film flow and how it affects cooling performance.
Dimples and drag: Experimental demonstration of the aerodynamics of golf balls
Authors: Libii Josué Njock
Published: July 2007

While it is well known that the presence of dimples reduces the drag force exerted on a golf ball, demonstrations of this phenomenon are not common. A simple pendulum is designed and used in a wind tunnel to measure the drag force exerted by a moving stream of air on a spherical object. This pendulum is then used in experiments to measure drag forces exerted on smooth balls and on golf balls in order to compare the results. Data collected from 12 balls tested at speeds ranging from 54to180km∕h demonstrate that the presence of dimples on the surface of golf balls causes them to experience drag forces that are smaller than those on smooth balls of the same diameters and weights.
Maxwell and creation: Acceptance, criticism, and his anonymous publication
Authors: Marston Philip L.
Published: July 2007

Although James Clerk Maxwell’s religious views and discussions on atoms having the properties of “manufactured articles” have been discussed, some aspects of the responses by his contemporaries to his remarks on creation have been neglected. Various responses quoted here include a book from 1878 by “Physicus” (George John Romanes) attributing “arrogance” to Maxwell for his inferences. Relevant aspects of the evolution of the perspective of Romanes are noted. A response by B. F. Westcott indicated that Maxwell was the author of a related anonymous publication concerned with what eventually became known as the heat death of the universe. In his teaching to theology students, Westcott, a friend of Maxwell, emphasized Maxwell’s reasoning based on the dissipation of energy. There are similarities between Maxwell’s perspective on creation and Biblical commentaries by fellow Eranus Club members Westcott and J. B. Lightfoot. Interest in Maxwell’s remarks extended into the twentieth century. The principal Baptist chapel attended by Maxwell and his wife when in London in the 1860s is identified and some relevant attributes of the chapel and of its pastor are described.
The equivalence between the canonical and microcanonical ensembles when applied to large systems
Authors: Gurarie V.
Published: July 2007

A straightforward technique is suggested that demonstrates that a microcanonical ensemble and canonical ensemble behave in exactly the same way in the thermodynamic limit. The canonical distribution is derived for a closed system, without the need to introduce a large reservoir that exchanges energy with the system. The derivation also clarifies the issue of the energy interval which arises when introducing the microcanonical ensemble.
Laboratory Diagnostic Techniques for
Entamoeba
Species
Authors: Fotedar R. , Stark D. , Beebe N. , Marriott D. , Ellis J. , Harkness J.
Published: July 2007

The genus
Entamoeba
contains many species, six of which (
Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba moshkovskii, Entamoeba polecki, Entamoeba coli
, and
Entamoeba hartmanni
) reside in the human intestinal lumen.
Entamoeba histolytica
is the causative agent of amebiasis and is considered a leading parasitic cause of death worldwide in humans. Although recent studies highlight the recovery of
E. dispar
and
E. moshkovskii
from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, there is still no convincing evidence of a causal link between the presence of these two species and the symptoms of the host. New approaches to the identification of
E. histolytica
are based on detection of
E. histolytica
-specific antigen and DNA in stool and other clinical samples. Several molecular diagnostic tests, including conventional and real-time PCR, have been developed for the detection and differentiation of
E. histolytica
,
E. dispar
, and
E. moshkovskii
in clinical samples. The purpose of this review is to discuss different methods that exist for the identification of
E. histolytica
,
E. dispar
, and
E. moshkovskii
which are available to the clinical diagnostic laboratory. To address the need for a specific diagnostic test for amebiasis, a substantial amount of work has been carried out over the last decade in different parts of the world. The molecular diagnostic tests are increasingly being used for both clinical and research purposes. In order to minimize undue treatment of individuals infected with other species of
Entamoeba
such as
E. dispar
and
E. moshkovskii
, efforts have been made for specific diagnosis of
E. histolytica infection
and not to treat based simply on the microscopic examination of
Entamoeba
species in the stool. The incorporation of many new technologies into the diagnostic laboratory will lead to a better understanding of the public health problem and measures to control the disease.
Genome-wide linkage disequilibrium analysis in bread wheat and durum wheat
Authors: Somers Daryl J. , Banks Travis , DePauw Ron , Fox Stephen , Clarke John , Pozniak Curtis , McCartney Curt
Published: July 2007

Bread wheat and durum wheat were examined for linkage disequilibrium (LD) using microsatellite markers distributed across the genome. The allele database consisted of 189 bread wheat accessions genotyped at 370 loci and 93 durum wheat accessions genotyped at 245 loci. A significance level of p < 0.001 was set for all comparisons. The bread and durum wheat collections showed that 47.9% and 14.0% of all locus pairs were in LD, respectively. LD was more prevalent between loci on the same chromosome compared with loci on independent chromosomes and was highest between adjacent loci. Only a small fraction (bread wheat, 0.9%; durum wheat, 3.2%) of the locus pairs in LD showed R2values > 0.2. The LD between adjacent locus pairs extended (R2 > 0.2) approximately 2–3 cM, on average, but some regions of the bread and durum wheat genomes showed high levels of LD (R2= 0.7 and 1.0, respectively) extending 41.2 and 25.5 cM, respectively. The wheat collections were clustered by similarity into subpopulations using unlinked microsatellite data and the software Structure. Analysis within subpopulations showed 14- to 16-fold fewer locus pairs in LD, higher R2values for those pairs in LD, and LD extending further along the chromosome. The data suggest that LD mapping of wheat can be performed with simple sequence repeats to a resolution of <5 cM.
Development of molecular markers linked to the ‘Fiesta’ linkage group 7 major QTL for fire blight resistance and their application for marker-assisted selection
Authors: Khan Muhammad A. , Durel Charles-Eric , Duffy Brion , Drouet Damien , Kellerhals Markus , Gessler Cesare , Patocchi Andrea
Published: July 2007

A fire blight resistance QTL explaining 34.3%–46.6% of the phenotypic variation was recently identified on linkage group 7 of apple cultivar ‘Fiesta’ (F7). However, markers flanking this QTL were AFLP and RAPD markers unsuitable for marker-assisted selection (MAS). Two RAPD markers bracketing the QTL have been transformed into SCAR (sequence-characterized amplified region) markers, and an SSR marker specific for the region was developed. Pedigree analysis of ‘Fiesta’ with these markers enabled tracking of the F7 QTL allele back to ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’. Stability of the effect of this QTL allele in different backgrounds was analyzed by inoculating progeny plants of a cross between ‘Milwa’, a susceptible cultivar, and ‘1217’, a moderately resistant cultivar, and a set of cultivars that carry or lack the allele conferring increased fire blight resistance. Progenies and cultivars that carried both markers were significantly more resistant than those that did not carry both markers, indicating high stability of the F7 QTL allele in different backgrounds. This stability and the availability of reproducible markers bracketing the QTL make this locus promising for use in MAS.
Landmark research in legumes
Authors: Singh R.J. , Chung G.H. , Nelson R.L.
Published: July 2007

Legumes are members of the family Fabaceae or Leguminosae and include economically important grain legumes, oilseed crops, forage crops, shrubs, and tropical or subtropical trees. Legumes are a rich source of quality protein for humans and animals. They also enrich the soil by producing their own nitrogen in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. International centers and national institutes collect, maintain, distribute, and produce high-yielding legumes (grain-pulses, oilseeds, forages, nutraceuticals, medicinal shrubs, and trees). Legume breeders are confined within the primary gene pools (GP-1) in their varietal improvement programs and have not exploited secondary gene pools (GP-2), tertiary gene pools (GP-3), or quaternary gene pools (GP-4). Legumes are also an excellent source of timber, medicine, nutraceuticals, tannins, gums, insecticides, resins, varnish, paints, dyes, and eco-friendly by-products such as soy diesel. Three forage crops, Medicago truncatula , Lotus japonicus , and Trifolium pratense , are model legumes for phylogenetic studies and genome sequencing. This paper concludes that a “protein revolution” is needed to meet the protein demands of the world.
Associations of Antioxidant Nutrients and Oxidative DNA Damage in Healthy African-American and White Adults
Authors: Watters Joanne L. , Satia Jessie A. , Kupper Larry L. , Swenberg James A. , Schroeder Jane C. , Switzer Boyd R.
Published: July 2007

High antioxidant intake has been shown to reduce cancer risk and may also mitigate the effects of oxidative DNA damage, which is hypothesized to be causally linked to carcinogenesis. This study examined potential racial differences in (a) dietary intakes and plasma concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids and oxidative DNA damage and (b) associations between plasma antioxidants and oxidative DNA damage. Data were from a cross-sectional study of 164 generally healthy nonsmoking African-Americans and Whites in North Carolina, ages 20 to 45 years, equally distributed by race and sex. Participants completed a demographic and health questionnaire, four 24-h dietary recalls, and a dietary supplement inventory; had height and weight measured; and provided a semifasting blood sample. African-Americans had statistically significantly lower plasma concentrations of vitamin E, α-carotene, β-carotene, and lutein + zeaxanthin than Whites, as well as lower self-reported intake of most antioxidants. Levels of oxidative DNA damage, measured using the alkaline comet assay, were lower in African-Americans than Whites. An inverse association between lycopene and oxidative DNA damage (r = −0.20; P = 0.03) was found in the combined study population after adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, passive smoke exposure, physical activity, education, income, and alcohol intake. There was also a positive association of vitamin E with oxidative DNA damage in the total population (r = 0.21; P = 0.02) and in African-American men (r = 0.63; P = 0.01) after adjusting for covariates. This study is among the first to examine these associations in a sample of healthy adults with an adequate representation of African-Americans. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(7):1428–36)
Deficient G2-M and S Checkpoints are Associated with Increased Lung Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Analysis
Authors: Xing Jinliang , Spitz Margaret R. , Lu Charles , Zhao Hua , Yang Hushan , Wang Wei , Stewart David J. , Wu Xifeng
Published: July 2007

Loss or attenuation of cell cycle checkpoint function can compromise the fidelity of DNA due to insufficient time to repair DNA damage. We evaluated cell cycle checkpoints in 747 patients with lung cancer and 745 controls by measuring the proportions of cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes in G2-M and S phases. As an indicator of G2-M phase or S phase cell cycle checkpoint function, the γ-radiation–induced cell accumulation index at G2-M or S phase was defined as (percentage of cells in G2-M or S with ionizing radiation exposure − percentage of cells in G2-M or S without ionizing radiation exposure) / (percentage of cells in G2-M or S without ionizing radiation exposure). We found that the median cell accumulation index was significantly lower in patients than that in controls at both the G2-M phase (0.774 versus 0.882, P = 0.002) and the S phase (0.226 versus 0.243, P = 0.001). When the median value for the cell accumulation index at the G2-M or S phase in the controls was used as the cutoff point, the reduced indices at G2-M and S phases were associated with 1.28-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.58) and 1.30-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.61) increased lung cancer risks, respectively. Analyses stratified by histology showed some heterogeneity. Additionally, cell accumulation indices at both G2-M and S phases were not associated with clinical stages. We conclude that attenuated functions of G2-M and S cell cycle checkpoints might be susceptibility markers for lung cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;6(7):1517–22)
Nevus Size and Number Are Associated with Telomere Length and Represent Potential Markers of a Decreased Senescence In vivo
Authors: Bataille Veronique , Kato Bernet S. , Falchi Mario , Gardner Jeffrey , Kimura Masayuki , Lens Marko , Perks Ursula , Valdes Ana M. , Bennett Dot C. , Aviv Abraham , Spector Tim D.
Published: July 2007

Nevus counts represent one of the strongest risk factors for melanoma. They appear in childhood and adolescence and involute from middle age onwards. Recent evidence has shown that nevus cells undergo oncogene-induced senescence involving the p16/retinoblastoma pathway. However, telomere length also influences senescence in proliferative somatic cells and varies between individuals. This study explores whether telomere length measured in white cells is associated with nevus count and size in 1,897 Caucasian women ages 18 to 79 years. Total body nevus counts were positively correlated with white cell telomere length (mean, 7.09 kbp; range, 5.09-9.37) after adjustment for age (P = 0.0001). Age-adjusted telomere length was also associated with nevus count for nevi above 5 mm in diameter (P = 0.04). Subjects in the top category for nevus count had an average age-adjusted telomere length 150 bp longer than those in the lowest category. The positive correlation between white cell telomere length and nevi number and size may reflect an increased replicative potential (reduced senescence) in individuals with longer telomeres, which may not be melanocyte specific. Understanding mechanisms influencing the induction and involution of nevi will not only help in understanding the pathophysiology of melanoma but should also shed light on the complex relationship between aging and cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(7):1499–502)
Protein Kinase G Phosphorylates Cav1.2 α1cand β2Subunits
Authors: Yang Lin , Liu Guoxia , Zakharov Sergey I. , Bellinger Andrew M. , Mongillo Marco , Marx Steven O.
Published: July 2007

Voltage-dependent Ca2+channel function (Cav1.2, L-type Ca2+channel) is required for cardiac excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Cav1.2 plays a key role in modulating cardiac function in response to classic signaling pathways, such as the renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nervous system. Regulation of cardiac contraction by neurotransmitters and hormones is often correlated with Cav1.2 current through the actions of cAMP and cGMP. Cardiac cGMP, which activates protein kinase G (PKG), is regulated by nitric oxide (NO), and natriuretic peptides. Although PKG has been reported to activate or inhibit Cav1.2 function, it is still unclear whether Cav1.2 subunits are PKG substrates. We have identified phosphorylation sites within the α1cand β2asubunits that are phosphorylated by PKGIα in vitro. We demonstrate that a subset of these phosphorylation sites is modulated, in a cGMP-PKG–specific manner, in intact HEK cells heterologously expressing α1cand β2asubunits. Using phospho-epitope–specific antibodies, we show that the phosphorylation of these residues is enhanced by PKG in intact cardiac myocytes. Activation of PKG in HEK cells transfected with α1cand β2asubunits caused an inhibition of Cav1.2 whole-cell current. PKG-mediated inhibition of Cav1.2 current was significantly reduced by coexpression of an alanine-substituted Cav1.2 β2asubunit (Ser496). Our results identify a molecular mechanism by which cGMP-PKG regulates Cav1.2 phosphorylation and function.