bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Astrocytes and epilepsy
Authors: Clasadonte Jerome , Haydon Philip G.
Published: December 2010

Recent advances in the understanding of the physiology of astrocytes have identified unexpected potential roles for glia in epilepsy. Reactive astrocytosis, as seen in epilepsy, leads to reduced adenosine‐ and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)–dependent inhibition. Because astrocytes express cell‐type specific proteins, the new findings raise the potential of new targets for drug development. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Astrocyte dysfunction in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Steinhäuser Christian , Seifert Gerald
Published: December 2010

Findings obtained from surgical specimens of epilepsy patients and animal models of epilepsy demonstrate dysfunction of astrocytes in epilepsy. Specifically, gap junction coupling, glutamate uptake, and K+ buffering are compromised. In epilepsy models, astroglial alterations occur very early after status epilepticus, suggesting their crucial involvement in the process of epileptogenesis. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Glia–neuron interactions in epilepsy: Inflammatory mediators
Authors: Vezzani Annamaria , Auvin Stéphane , Ravizza Teresa , Aronica Eleonora
Published: December 2010

Neurotransmitters released from active synapses stimulate receptors on glia, which produce a neuromodulatory response by gliotransmitter release. When a local inflammatory reaction is induced in the brain by epileptogenic events, microglia and astrocytes are activated and release proinflammatory mediators, consequently the neuron–glia signaling may be perturbed, thereby provoking increased neuronal network excitability and thus contributing to seizures. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Mutated GABAA receptor subunits in idiopathic generalized epilepsy
Authors: Cossette Patrick , Rouleau Guy A.
Published: December 2010

γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors are ligand‐gated chloride channels that mediate fast synaptic inhibition in the brain. Recently, loss‐of‐function mutations have been identified in four different GABAA subunits, in rare but distinct forms of familial idiopathic generalized epilepsy. These results provide important insights into the pathogenesis of the disease. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
GABRB3, epilepsy, and neurodevelopment
Authors: Tanaka Miyabi , DeLorey Timothy M. , Delgado‐Escueta Antonio V. , Olsen Richard W.
Published: December 2010

GABRB3 is important to neurodevelopment, and appears to be influenced by non‐Mendelian and epigenetic mechanisms. GABRB3 abnormalities have been implicated in a variety of neurodevelopmental conditions presenting epilepsy phenotypes, including childhood absence epilepsy, Angelman syndrome, and autism. Gabrb3 disruption in mice also results in seizure phenotypes, ataxia, and sensory and learning disorders. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Cognitive and behavioral comorbidities of epilepsy
Authors: Kleen Jonathan K. , Scott Rod C. , Holmes Gregory L. , Lenck‐Santini Pierre‐Pascal
Published: December 2010

Major comorbidities of epilepsy include cognitive impairment and behavioral dysfunction. The type and degree of these comorbidities is dependent upon etiology, age, electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities, and seizure type and frequency. The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex appear particularly vulnerable to seizure‐induced dysfunction. Rodent studies allow investigators to understand the cellular basis for both the cognitive and behavioral disturbances seen following prolonged or recurrent seizures. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Neurobiology of depression as a comorbidity of epilepsy
Authors: Sankar Raman , Mazarati Andrey
Published: December 2010

The study of depression as a comorbidity of epilepsy in humans is limited by the attendant iatrogenic and psychosocial variables. In order to study the neurobiology of this clinically important phenomenon without the above‐mentioned confounding factors, we have studied the behavioral and biochemical correlates of epilepsy‐associated depression in two rodent models of limbic epileptogenesis. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Direct electrical stimulation for epilepsy: The laboratory evidence
Authors: Graber Kevin D. , Fisher Robert S.
Published: December 2010

Studies of deep brain stimulation in laboratory models of seizures and epilepsy are invaluable for understanding of mechanisms of stimulation and for identifying best targets and parameters of stimulation. Recent successes of clinical trials may give more impetus to laboratory studies, which in turn will further our clinical practice. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Strategies for antiepileptogenesis: Antiepileptic drugs versus target‐specific approaches
Authors: Löscher Wolfgang
Published: December 2010

Epilepsy research is undergoing a conceptual shift that is moving away from preventing seizures to preventing epilepsy by treatments that modify the epileptogenic process induced by a variety of brain insults. Evidence from animal experiments suggests that epilepsy prevention or modification is possible, but translating laboratory findings into successful therapies will require more scientific discoveries and refinements of currently available technologies. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Cell therapy for epilepsy using GABAergic neural progenitors
Authors: Anderson Stewart A. , Baraban Scott C.
Published: December 2010

Cell transplantation may repair neural circuits in the epileptic brain. Grafted cells should disperse, migrate, and functionally integrate. Generation of inhibitory interneurons with these abilities could be therapeutic in a condition of abnormal neuronal hyperexcitability, that is, epilepsy. This review discusses recent efforts to isolate and transplant interneuron precursor cells derived from the medial ganglionic eminence. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper’s basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado‐Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Storage of interim platelet units for 18 to 24 hours before pooling: in vitro study
Authors: Sandgren Per , van Waeg Geert , Verheggen Caroline , Sjödin Agneta , Gulliksson Hans
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: The Atreus 3C system (CaridianBCT) automatically produces three components from whole blood (WB), a red blood cell (RBC) unit, a plasma unit, and an interim platelet (PLT) unit (IPU) that can be pooled with other IPUs to form a PLT dose for transfusion. The Atreus 3C system also includes a PLT yield indicator (PYI), which is an advanced algorithm that provides an index that is shown to correlate well with the amount of PLTs that finally end up in the IPU bag. The aim of our in vitro study was to compare the effects of holding WB overnight versus processing WB fresh (2‐8 hr), both with 18‐ to 24‐hour storage of the IPUs before pooling into a transfusable PLT dose.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: WB was processed either fresh (within 8 hr after collection, Atreus F) or after overnight storage (14‐24 hr, Atreus S) without agitation at 22 ± 2°C. After a subsequent resting time of 18 to 24 hours on a flat‐bed shaker, five IPUs were selected for pooling with 200 mL of PAS II for in vitro quality assessments during a 7‐day storage period (n = 10 in each arm). IPUs were selected for pooling using the PYI of the Atreus 3C system.

RESULTS: During storage, the glucose concentration was lower (p < 0.05) and the lactate concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in Atreus S pools, but no differences in the glucose consumption rate were noted. Adenosine triphosphate levels and hypotonic shock response reactivity were higher in Atreus S (p < 0.05). No significant differences in PLT counts, contents, mean PLT volume, lactate dehydrogenase, pO2, pCO2, extent of shape change, and CD62P between groups were detected. pH was maintained higher than 6.8 (Day 7). With exception of 2 units in the Atreus S arm, swirling remained at greater than 2 in all units at all times.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PLTs prepared from fresh or overnight‐stored WB and pooled after 18 to 24 hours meet necessary in vitro criteria without any relevant differences between both groups. Using the PYI, comparable yields can be obtained between WB processed within 2 to 8 hours and WB stored overnight.
The frequencies of human neutrophil alloantigens in the Chinese Han population of Guangzhou
Authors: Xia Wenjie , Bayat Behnaz , Sachs Ulrich , Chen Yangkai , Shao Yuang , Xu Xiuzhang , Deng Jing , Ding Haoqiang , Fu Yongshui , Ye Xin , Santoso Sentot
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND: Antibodies against polymorphic structures on human neutrophil antigens (HNAs) play a role in alloimmune‐mediated neutropenia and are the leading cause of antibody‐mediated transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI). This study aimed to determine the frequencies of HNAs in the major Han ethnic group living in Guangdong Province, Southern China.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 493 healthy Chinese Han blood donors from Guangzhou were recruited. DNA samples were isolated and typed for all five HNA‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐4, and ‐5 systems using allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction approaches. Results were compared with available data from other Chinese cohorts and other Asian and Caucasian populations.

RESULTS: In this cohort, the gene frequency for HNA‐1a (0.667) was approximately twice that of HNA‐1b (0.333). In contrast to Caucasian populations, HNA‐1a represents the most frequent allele in the Chinese population. HNA‐3 system genotyping revealed comparable frequencies for HNA‐3a (0.738) and ‐3b (0.262) in Chinese and Caucasian populations. Homozygous HNA‐3bb individuals were found in 5.64% of our cohort. HNA‐4 genotyping revealed no HNA‐4bb homozygous individuals. In contrast, HNA‐5bb homozygous individuals represented 2.43% of the population. Typing the HNA‐2 system for the single‐nucleotide polymorphism C42G showed that the C‐allele (69%) is overrepresented and is associated with an increased number of HNA‐2a–positive neutrophil subpopulations.

CONCLUSION: This study describes for the first time the frequencies of all HNA systems, including the newly identified HNA‐3, within one cohort of Chinese Han population. Comparison with Caucasian populations may allow assessment of anti‐HNA alloimmunization and estimation of alloimmune neutropenia and TRALI incidence in Chinese populations.
Assessment of Blood Flow Changes in Human Skin by Microdialysis Urea Clearance
Authors: FARNEBO SIMON , ZETTERSTEN ERIK K. , SAMUELSSON ANDERS , TESSELAAR ERIK , SJÖBERG FOLKE
Published: December 2010

Please cite this paper as: Farnebo, Zettersten, Samuelsson, Tesselaar and Sjöberg (2011). Assessment of Flood Flow Changes in Human Skin by Microdialysis Urea Clearance. Microcirculation 18(3), 198–204.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the urea clearance technique for the measurement of drug‐induced blood flow changes in human skin and compare it to two non‐invasive techniques: polarization light spectroscopy and laser Doppler perfusion imaging.

Methods:  Fifteen microdialysis catheters were placed intracutaneously on the volar aspect of the forearms of healthy human subjects and were perfused with nitroglycerine, noradrenaline, and again nitroglycerine to induce local tissue hyperemia, hypoperfusion, and hyperemia, respectively.

Results:  Urea clearance, but not the other techniques, detected the changes in blood flow during changes in flow. The last hyperemic response was detected by all three methods.

Conclusion:  Urea clearance can be used as a relatively simple method to estimate blood flow changes during microdialysis of vasoactive substances, in particular when the tissue is preconditioned in order to enhance the contrast between baseline and the responses to the provocations. Our results support that, in the model described, urea clearance was superior to the optical methods as it detected both the increases and decrease in blood flow, and the returns to baseline between these periods.
Lazos que Atan: The Influence of Normative Gender Beliefs on Sexual Risk Behaviors of Latino Men and Women
Authors: Fernandez‐Esquer Maria Eugenia , Diamond Pamela , Atkinson John
Published: December 2010

Not all Latino men and women conform to proscribed gender roles. Nonetheless, their sexual risk taking may well be influenced by traditional beliefs concerning these roles. We explored the relationship between gender beliefs that are normative in Latino culture, and the sexual risk behaviors of 152 Latino men and women who participated in a behavioral rapid needs assessment survey in Houston, TX. Path—analytic results indicate that normative gender beliefs are influenced by respondents' sex and their levels of acculturation and that these 2 variables influence sexual risk behaviors, including unprotected sex and multi partnerism. Our results suggest that beliefs about gender influence sexual behavior and, therefore, are an important factor that should be considered in understanding sexual risk taking among Latinos.
Elements Influencing Peer Evaluation: An Examination of Individual Characteristics, Academic Performance, and Collaborative Processes
Authors: Watson Warren E. , BarNir Anat , Pavur Robert
Published: December 2010

Collaborative learning has existed for some time, and instructional methods have been developed, such as cooperative learning, team learning, and problem‐based learning. The purpose of this study is to observe students in learning teams and how their observations of their team and team members are reflected in peer evaluations. We examine pre‐ and post‐team history elements, such as basic demographics, personality factors, exam scores, and observations of team process and team goal attainment. Pre‐ and post‐team history factors correlate with peer evaluations and are discussed. In our analyses, we take into account intraclass correlations and individual and group effects. Suggestions are given for future research.
“Who I Am Depends on How Fairly I'm Treated”: Effects of Justice on Self‐Identity and Regulatory Focus
Authors: Johnson Russell E. , Chang Chu‐Hsiang , Rosen Christopher C.
Published: December 2010

Across 2 experiments, we examined motivational processes elicited by justice‐related experiences. Specifically, we examined the effects of justice on recipients' self‐identity and regulatory focus. As predicted, those who experienced unfairness had a strong individual identity and prevention focus owing to the threats of social rejection and economic exploitation communicated by unfairness. Conversely, individuals exposed to fairness had strong interdependent identities and promotion focus owing to the favorable economic and socioemotional information communicated by fairness. These effects were accentuated among participants who reported high sensitivity to injustice and internal loci of control. Our findings are important because they highlight causal associations between justice and key motivation constructs.
Macro‐detritivore identity drives leaf litter diversity effects
Authors: Vos Veronique C. A. , van Ruijven Jasper , Berg Matty P. , Peeters Edwin T. H. M. , Berendse Frank
Published: December 2010

The importance of leaf litter diversity for decomposition, an important process in terrestrial ecosystems, is much debated. Previous leaf litter‐mixing studies have shown that non‐additive leaf litter diversity effects can occur, but it is not clear why they occurred in only half of the studies and which underlying mechanisms can explain these conflicting results. We hypothesized that incorporating the role of macro‐detritivores could be important. Although often ignored, macro‐detritivores are known to strongly influence decomposition. To better understand the importance of macro‐detritivores for leaf litter mixing effects during decomposition, four common leaf litter species were added separately and in two and four species combinations to monocultures of three different macro‐detritivores and a control without fauna. Our results clearly show that leaf litter‐mixing effects occurred only in the presence of two macro‐detritivores (earthworms and woodlice). Application of the additive partitioning method revealed that in the specific combination of woodlice and the presence of a slow‐decomposing leaf litter species in the mixture, leaf litter mixing effects were strongly driven by a selection effect. This was caused by food preference of the isopod: the animals avoided the slow decomposing species when given the choice. However, most leaf litter mixing effects were caused by complementarity effects. The potential mechanisms underlying the complementarity effects are discussed. Our results clearly show that that both leaf litter and macro‐detritivore identity can affect litter diversity. This may help to explain the conflicting results obtained in previous experiments.
Melatonin inhibitsPrevotella intermedialipopolysaccharide‐induced production of nitric oxide and interleukin‐6 in murine macrophages by suppressing NF‐κB and STAT1 activity
Authors: Choi Eun‐Young , Jin Ji‐Young , Lee Ju‐Youn , Choi Jeom‐Il , Choi In Soon , Kim Sung‐Jo
Published: December 2010

Abstract: Although a range of biological and pharmacological activities of melatonin have been reported, little is known about its potential anti‐inflammatory efficacy in periodontal disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of melatonin on the production of inflammatory mediators by murine macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fromPrevotella intermedia, a major cause of inflammatory reactions in the periodontium, and sought to determine the underlying mechanisms of action. Melatonin suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) at both gene transcription and translation levels inP. intermediaLPS‐activated RAW264.7 cells.P. intermediaLPS‐induced NF‐κB‐dependent luciferase activity was significantly inhibited by melatonin. Melatonin did not reduce NF‐κB transcriptional activity at the level of IκB‐α degradation. Melatonin blocked NF‐κB signaling through the inhibition of nuclear translocation and DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB p50 subunit and suppressed STAT1 signaling. Although further research is required to clarify the detailed mechanism of action, we conclude that melatonin may contribute to blockade of the host‐destructive processes mediated by these two proinflammatory mediators and could be a highly efficient modulator of host response in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal disease.
Injection of Zero‐Valent Iron into an Unconfined Aquifer Using Shear‐Thinning Fluids
Authors: Truex M.J. , Vermeul V.R. , Mendoza D.P. , Fritz B.G. , Mackley R.D. , Oostrom M. , Wietsma T.W. , Macbeth T.W.
Published: December 2010

Approximately 190 kg of 2 μm‐diameter zero‐valent iron (ZVI) particles were injected into a test zone in the top 2 m of an unconfined aquifer within a trichloroethene (TCE) source area. A shear‐thinning fluid was used to enhance ZVI delivery in the subsurface to a radial distance of up to 4 m from a single injection well. The ZVI particles were mixed in‐line with the injection water, shear‐thinning fluid, and a low concentration of surfactant. ZVI was observed at each of the seven monitoring wells within the targeted radius of influence during injection. Additionally, all wells within the targeted zone showed low TCE concentrations and primarily dechlorination products present 44 d after injection. These results suggest that ZVI can be directly injected into an aquifer with shear‐thinning fluids to induce dechlorination and extends the applicability of ZVI to situations where other emplacement methods may not be viable.
Feasibility of High Pressure Injection of Chemicals into the Subsurface for the Bioremediation of the Exxon Valdez Oil
Authors: Boufadel Michel C. , Bobo Adane M.
Published: December 2010

Delivery of dissolved chemicals to bioremediate oil from the Exxon Valdez oil spill was investigated at Beach EL056C of Eleanor Island, Prince William Sound, Alaska. The delivery technique was high pressure injection (HPI) of an inert tracer, lithium, at the approximate depth of 1.0 m into the beach near the mid‐tide line. The results revealed that the maximum injection flow rate was 3.0 L/min and the associated pressure was around 196 kPa. Therefore, exceeding any of these values would probably cause failure of the injection system. The injected tracer was monitored at multiple depths of four surrounding observation wells, and the results showed that the tracer plume occupied an area of 12 m2within 24 h. The tracer plume traveled at the average speeds of 10 m/d in the seaward direction and 1.7 m/d in other directions. The rapid movement under HPI and the large diameter of influence (3.0 m) indicated that bioremediation of the Exxon Valdez oil on this beach via injection of chemicals is logistically feasible.
From the Inside Out: Citizenship and Democracy in Multinational States
Authors: French John , Hinze Annika
Published: December 2010

Since the fall of communism, democracy has come to be seen as the ‘only game in town’– the only legitimate form of political system. Democracy is considered legitimate because it provides for individual rights and allows the people access to the resources of the state. If ‘we the people’ defines the limits of these entitlements, the next logical question is who are ‘the people’? In contemporary developed states, the problem of diversity is most often framed as a problem of immigration; the arrival of new groups threatens both the presumed homogeneity of established nations and their democracy. We argue for a new conception of democracy, which takes into account the constructed nature of ‘the people’ that democracy empowers. This paper attempts to provide such an account by advocating a new understanding of the relationship between nationalism, citizenship, and democracy.
Local Youth Work as Subpolitics of Multiculturalism: Professional Educators Constructing New Rationales in Eastern Finland?
Authors: Kivijärvi Antti
Published: December 2010

This article examines how the notion of multiculturalism is defined at the level of Finnish youth work. Local youth work is examined as a subpolitical arena in a rapidly changing and culturally diversifying society where answers by public institutions are not available. The essential objective of this article is to unravel the rationales of multicultural subpolitics and examine which policies these rationales enable. The data of the study consists of ethnographic observations of and interviews with youth workers in eastern Finland. The results of the study indicate that the subpolitics of multiculturalism are implemented through strategies of rationalisation and governance of minority populations rather than by recognising national and cultural ambivalences. The thesis is that such (sub)politics may reinforce the risk of cultural and ethnic demarcations among young people.
A Belief in the Purity of the Nation: The Possible Dangers of Its Influence on Migration Legislation in Europe
Authors: Acosta Diego
Published: December 2010

Immigration is one of the most important issues in the European Union (EU). In order to address the subject, the EU adopted a Directive on a long‐term residence status for third‐country nationals (TCNs). While implementing this Directive, many Member States changed their migration laws, thus increasingly linking the acquirement of this status with integration requirements. The integration requirements emphasise language acquisition and knowledge of the country, including its history, culture, and constitution. Why is this trend taking place at this particular point in time? While many factors could be mentioned, these integration tests are also the consequence of the constant repetition in the belief of the purity of the nation in certain political discourses, particularly by the populist radical right. This line of thinking creates a worrying problem for the future as European national identities are seen as immutable, thus complicating the acceptance of the new Europeans with an immigrant background. Hence a question arises: To what extent can we see a correlation in some EU countries between the recent introduction of harsher integration requirements for obtaining permanent residence and a certain discourse on national identity, primarily put forward by radical right parties?
Different Shades of Blue: Gay Men and Nationalist Discourse in Mongolia
Authors: Billé Franck
Published: December 2010

The article seeks to challenge the implicit equation made between national autonomy and personal freedom. Post‐socialist Mongolian identity, articulated on a notion of resistance against Chinese territorial and biological encroachment, is accompanied by an explicit, often violent, anti‐Chinese discourse. This resistance against an external enemy also has a centripetal effect on Mongolian society, and contemporary notions of Mongolianness tend to congeal into a homogenised identity that leaves little space for personal reinterpretations. For those whose voices are not heard, such as Mongolian women and gay men, ‘freedom to be ethnic’ can be far from liberating. The data I present in this article suggest that, while it is routinely depicted as the main danger against which to rally, China can, for some people, open up spaces of opportunity and liberty unattainable to them within Mongolia.
Defending National Identity and Interests: The Lega Nord 's Asymmetric Model of Globalisation
Authors: Huysseune Michel
Published: December 2010

As a movement defending the interests of the wealthier northern regions of Italy, the Lega Nord proposes a nation‐building discourse emphasising the successful insertion of Padania (i.e. northern Italy) in the global economy. While its rhetoric exalts the virtues of a liberal economic model, in recent years, the party has also defended the exclusive right of Padania to economic protection. This economic protectionism finds a parallel in the party's defense of cultural identity, although this identity equally expresses the capacity of Padanians to participate in the global economy. This defence intends to assign Padanians a privileged position in their territory and hence proposes discriminatory practices towards outsiders, especially immigrants. The party thus solves the tension between its legitimisation of and resistance against globalisation by proposing an asymmetric model of globalisation that envisions an internal and international political order based on unequal rights and obligations – and thus privileges for Padania.
The use of item parcels in structural equation modelling: Non‐normal data and small sample sizes
Authors: Hau Kit‐Tai , Marsh Herbert W.
Published: December 2010

Maximum likelihood estimation in confirmatory factor analysis requires large sample sizes, normally distributed item responses, and reliable indicators of each latent construct, but these ideals are rarely met. We examine alternative strategies for dealing with non‐normal data, particularly when the sample size is small. In two simulation studies, we systematically varied: the degree of non‐normality; the sample size from 50 to 1000; the way of indicator formation, comparing items versus parcels; the parcelling strategy, evaluating uniformly positively skews and kurtosis parcels versus those with counterbalancing skews and kurtosis; and the estimation procedure, contrasting maximum likelihood and asymptotically distribution‐free methods. We evaluated the convergence behaviour of solutions, as well as the systematic bias and variability of parameter estimates, and goodness of fit.
Asymptotic biases of the unrotated/rotated solutions in principal component analysis
Authors: Ogasawara Haruhiko
Published: December 2010

Asymptotic biases of the parameter estimates in principal component analysis with substantial misspecification are derived. The solutions for unstandardized and standardized observed variables are considered with and without orthogonal and oblique rotations. The distribution of observed variables can be non‐normal as long as the finite fourth‐order moments of the observed variables exist. When multivariate normality holds for the observed variables, substantial reduction of the amount of computation can be achieved. Numerical examples with simulations are given, with some discussion on the tendency of the biases to reduce the absolute values of parameter estimates.
Utilizing Off-Resonance and Dual-Frequency Excitation to Distinguish Attractive and Repulsive Surface Forces in Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Dick Andrew J. , Solares Santiago D.
Published: December 2010

A beam model is developed and discretized to study the dynamic behavior of the cantilever probe of an atomic force microscope. Atomic interaction force models are used with a multimode approximation in order to simulate the probe’s response. The system is excited at two-and-a-half times the fundamental frequency and with a dual-frequency signal consisting of the AFM probe’s fundamental frequency and two-and-a-half times the fundamental frequency. A qualitative change in the response in the form of period doubling is observed for the harmonic off-resonance excitation when significantly influenced by repulsive surface forces. Through the use of dual-frequency excitation, standard response characteristics are maintained, while the inclusion of the off-resonance frequency component results in an identifiable qualitative change in the response. By monitoring specific frequency components, the influence of attractive and repulsive surface forces may be distinguished. This information could then be used to distinguish between imaging regimes when bistability occurs or to operate at the separation distance between surface force regimes to minimize force levels.
Gamma-Ray Spectrum Analysis of Chang’E-1 for Lunar Detection
Authors: HongKun Xu , Fang Fang , Shijun Ni , Jianfeng He , Lei You
Published: December 2010

Gamma-ray spectrum analysis was essential for radioactive environmental monitoring, and it had been widely used in many areas of nuclear engineering. However, for the low-energy region of gamma-ray spectrum, weak peaks were contained in the fast-decreasing background, so it was difficult to extract characteristic information from original spectra. In order to get a better analytic result based on wavelet methods in frequency domain, we had processed the gamma-ray spectrometer data of Chang’E-1 and well extracted some useful information of spectral characteristic peaks. Then, we preliminarily mapped the distribution of net peak counts for potassium on lunar surface, which indirectly reflected the distribution of elemental abundance. At last, we compared our analytic result with that of Apollo and Lunar Prospector and found some consistencies and differences.
A Stochastic Collocation Method for Uncertainty Quantification and Propagation in Cardiovascular Simulations
Authors: Sankaran Sethuraman , Marsden Alison L.
Published: December 2010

Simulations of blood flow in both healthy and diseased vascular models can be used to compute a range of hemodynamic parameters including velocities, time varying wall shear stress, pressure drops, and energy losses. The confidence in the data output from cardiovascular simulations depends directly on our level of certainty in simulation input parameters. In this work, we develop a general set of tools to evaluate the sensitivity of output parameters to input uncertainties in cardiovascular simulations. Uncertainties can arise from boundary conditions, geometrical parameters, or clinical data. These uncertainties result in a range of possible outputs which are quantified using probability density functions (PDFs). The objective is to systemically model the input uncertainties and quantify the confidence in the output of hemodynamic simulations. Input uncertainties are quantified and mapped to the stochastic space using the stochastic collocation technique. We develop an adaptive collocation algorithm for Gauss–Lobatto–Chebyshev grid points that significantly reduces computational cost. This analysis is performed on two idealized problems – an abdominal aortic aneurysm and a carotid artery bifurcation, and one patient specific problem – a Fontan procedure for congenital heart defects. In each case, relevant hemodynamic features are extracted and their uncertainty is quantified. Uncertainty quantification of the hemodynamic simulations is done using (a) stochastic space representations, (b) PDFs, and (c) the confidence intervals for a specified level of confidence in each problem.
Turning Patent Swords into Shares
Authors: Van Overwalle Geertrui
Published: December 2010

Compulsory licenses and patent pools will assist modern patent law in fueling genetic test development.
Cholinergic Interneurons Control Local Circuit Activity and Cocaine Conditioning
Authors: Witten Ilana B. , Lin Shih-Chun , Brodsky Matthew , Prakash Rohit , Diester Ilka , Anikeeva Polina , Gradinaru Viviana , Ramakrishnan Charu , Deisseroth Karl
Published: December 2010

Few But Powerful

Drug activation of the different types of acetylcholine receptors in cholinergic neurons often generates opposing or conflicting effects. Using optogenetic techniques in transgenic mice,

Witten
et al.

(p.
1677
) investigated the function of a rather enigmatic subpopulation of cholinergic neurons, the giant interneurons of the nucleus accumbens. Their excitation paradoxically reduced neighboring medium spiny neuron firing, while their inhibition increased medium spiny neuron firing. Furthermore, the giant interneurons were directly activated by cocaine, and silencing their drug-induced activity during cocaine exposure in freely behaving animals disrupted cocaine reward.
Greatwall Phosphorylates an Inhibitor of Protein Phosphatase 2Α That Is Essential for Mitosis
Authors: Mochida Satoru , Maslen Sarah L. , Skehel Mark , Hunt Tim
Published: December 2010

Beyond the Greatwall

Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation provide a central mechanism that controls the eukaryotic cell division cycle and entry of cells into mitosis. A form of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) has an important role inhibiting phosphorylation-dependent activation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) itself and also dephosphorylating substrates of the active CDK1 that promote mitosis. PP2A activity is inhibited when another protein kinase, known as Greatwall, is activated (see the Perspective by

Virshup and Kaldis

).

Mochida
et al.

(p.
1670
) and

Gharbi-Ayachi
et al.

(p.
1673
) searched for substrates of Greatwall that might participate in the cell cycle regulatory machinery. When phosphorylated by Greatwall, a pair of small related proteins, Arpp19 and α-endosulfine, inhibited activity of PP2A. These effects were critical for regulation of mitosis in
Xenopus
egg extracts and in human cancer cells. Greatwall itself is phosphorylated and activated by CDK1—thus, apparently contributing to a feed-forward loop that contributes to the switchlike commitment of cells to mitosis.
Spin Transfer Torques in MnSi at Ultralow Current Densities
Authors: Jonietz F. , Mühlbauer S. , Pfleiderer C. , Neubauer A. , Münzer W. , Bauer A. , Adams T. , Georgii R. , Böni P. , Duine R. A. , Everschor K. , Garst M. , Rosch A.
Published: December 2010

Spin Control

Controlling and manipulating the spin of an electron is a central requirement for applications in spintronics. Some of the challenges researchers are facing include efficient creation of spin currents, minimization of Joule heating, and extending the lifetime of electronic spins, which is especially important for quantum information applications.
Costache and Valenzuela
(p.
1645
) address the first challenge by designing and fabricating an efficient and simple superconducting-based single-electron transistor that can produce spin current with controlled flow. Key to the design is asymmetric tunneling, which leads to a ratchet effect (or diode-like behavior), allowing the separation of up and down spins.

Jonietz
et al.

(p.
1648
) use electric currents five orders of magnitude smaller than those used previously in nanostructures to manipulate magnetization in a bulk material, MnSi, pointing the way toward decreased Joule heating in spintronic devices. This so-called spin-torque effect causes the rotation of the skyrmion lattice of spins, characteristic of MnSi, which is detected by neutron scattering. Finally,

McCamey
et al.

(p.
1652
) extend the short lifetime of an electronic spin of a phosphorous dopant by mapping it onto the much longer lived nuclear spin of the atom. Mapping the nuclear spin back onto the electronic spin allows production of a spin memory with a storage time exceeding 100s, which should prove useful for future practical applications.
Exploring Links to Improve Health
Social Networks and Health
Models, Methods, and Applications

by Thomas W. Valente

Oxford University Press, New York, 2010. 291 pp. $49.95, £32.50. ISBN 9780195301014.
Authors: Adams Jimi
Published: December 2010

Offering a thorough introduction to the major theories, methods, models, and findings of research on social networks, Valente explores their current and potential applications to medicine and public health.
The Burning Issue
Authors: Prentice Iain Colin
Published: December 2010

Antarctic ice cores reveal a 650-year record of biomass burning in the Southern Hemisphere.
NSF Won't Build Underground Lab; Scientists Hope That DOE Will
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: December 2010

Plans to convert an abandoned gold mine in South Dakota into the world's largest underground lab may have to be scaled back and could fall apart entirely after the National Science Foundation's oversight board rejected the current proposal.
Cancún Delegates See the Trees Through a Forest of Hot Air
Authors: Kintisch Eli , Regalado Antonio
Published: December 2010

A new deal inked last week at the United Nations climate talks in Mexico paves the way for rewarding nations for maintaining their forests, opening the door for future trading of forest credits.
Haunted by 'Specter of Unavailability,' Experts Huddle Over Critical Materials
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: December 2010

The U.S. Department of Energy and counterparts in Japan and Europe have been holding workshops to brainstorm on how to ensure supplies of rare earth metals and other strategic minerals and to stimulate research on alternatives.
Leaving Congress, Physicist Bill Foster Calls for Reinforcements
Authors: Kintisch Eli
Published: December 2010

A month after losing his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, physicist-turned-lawmaker Bill Foster has a parting message for his fellow scientists: Replace me in Congress. And he's eager to help them do it.
The First Quantum Machine
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: December 2010

A humanmade object that moves in ways that can be described only by quantum mechanics might lead to tests of our notion of reality.
Whiplash for Stem Cell Researchers
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: December 2010

Last summer, a federal court banned taxpayer-funded research on human embryonic stem cells. Although a higher court soon allowed the research to continue temporarily, the ongoing lawsuit has cast a shadow over the area that could linger well into 2011.
Tiny Time Machines Revisit Ancient Life
Authors: Gibbons Ann
Published: December 2010

Scientists have been giving us new views of the prehistoric world in the past decade that hinge on the realization that "biomolecules" such as ancient DNA and collagen can survive for tens of thousands of years and give important information about long-dead plants, animals, and humans.
A Roller-Coaster Plunge Into Martian Water—and Life?
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: December 2010

The past decade's half-dozen martian missions have made it clear that early in Mars history, liquid water on or just inside the planet did indeed persist long enough to alter rock and, possibly, sustain the origin of life.
Alien Planets Hit the Commodities Market
Authors: Bhattacharjee Yudhijit
Published: December 2010

Data on the 500-and-counting planets discovered outside of our solar system in the past decade are revolutionizing researchers' understanding of how planetary systems form and evolve.
Antibody Response to Polyhistidine-Tagged Peptide and Protein Antigens Attached to Liposomes via Lipid-Linked Nitrilotriacetic Acid in Mice
Authors: Watson Douglas S. , Platt Virginia M. , Cao Limin , Venditto Vincent J. , Szoka Francis C.
Published: December 2010

Particulate delivery systems enhance antibody responses to subunit antigens. However, covalent attachment of protein antigens can disrupt protein structure and mask critical epitopes, altering the antibody response to the antigen. In this report, we evaluate noncovalent metal chelation via nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as a nondestructive method to attach peptide and protein antigens to liposomes. Two model antigens, ovalbumin (OVA) and a peptide derived from the membrane-proximal region of HIV-1 gp41 (N-MPR), were polyhistidinylated and attached to liposomes via monovalent NTA (mono-NTA;KD[equilibrium dissociation constant], ∼10 μM), trivalent NTA (tris-NTA;KD, ∼1 nM), or a covalent linkage. Attachment of N-MPR, but not OVA, to liposomes via an NTA lipid elicited stronger antibody responses in BALB/c mice than a formulation in which unassociated antigen was simply admixed with control liposomes lacking NTA. However, the tris-NTA linkage did not increase antibody responses to either N-MPR or OVA compared to the level for the mono-NTA linkage, despite the greater liposomal association of the antigen. For both antigens, covalently attaching them to a lipid elicited significantly stronger antibody responses than NTA-anchored antigens (OVA titer, 3.4 × 106versus 1.4 × 106to 1.6 × 106[P< 0.001]; N-MPR titer, 4.4 × 104versus 5.5 × 102to 7.6 × 102[P< 0.003]). The data indicate that NTA linkages may increase antibody titers to weak antigens such as N-MPR, but NTA-mediated attachment remains inferior to covalent conjugation. Moreover, enhancements in antigen-liposome affinity do not result in increased antibody titers. Thus, additional improvements of NTA-mediated conjugation technology are necessary to achieve an effective, nondestructive method for increasing the humoral response to antigens in particulate vaccines.
Immunostimulatory Activity of Major Membrane Protein II fromMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Tsukamoto Yumiko , Endoh Masumi , Mukai Tetsu , Maeda Yumi , Tamura Toshiki , Kai Masanori , Makino Masahiko
Published: December 2010

Previously, we observed that both major membrane protein II ofMycobacterium leprae(MMP-ML) and its fusion withM. bovisBCG (BCG)-derived heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) (Fusion-ML) are immunogenic and that recombinant BCG secreting either of these proteins effectively inhibits the multiplication ofM. lepraein mice. Here, we purifiedM. tuberculosis-derived major membrane protein II (MMP-MTB) and its fusion with HSP70 (Fusion-MTB) in a lipopolysaccharide-free condition and evaluated their immunostimulatory abilities. Both MMP-MTB and Fusion-MTB activated monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) in terms of phenotype and interleukin-12 (IL-12) production, but Fusion-MTB more efficiently activated them than MMP-MTB did. The IL-12 production was a consequence of the ligation of those recombinant proteins with Toll-like receptor 2. TheM. tuberculosis-derived andM. leprae-derived recombinant proteins activated naïve T cells of both CD4 and CD8 subsets, butM. tuberculosis-derived proteins were superior toM. leprae-derived proteins and fusion proteins were superior to MMP, regardless of the origin of the protein. Memory-type CD4+T cells obtained from BCG-vaccinated healthy individuals seem to be primed with MMP-MTB by the vaccination, and bothM. tuberculosis-derived recombinant proteins produced perforin-producing CD8+T cells from memory-type CD8+T cells. Further, infection of DC and macrophages withM. tuberculosisH37Ra and H37Rv induced the expression of MMP on their surface. These results indicate thatM. tuberculosis-derived MMP, as a sole protein or as part of a fusion protein, may be useful for developing new vaccinating agents against tuberculosis.