bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the hardness of range assignment problems
Authors: Fuchs Bernhard
Published: January 2008

We investigate the computational hardness of the connectivity, the strong connectivity, and the broadcast type of range assignment problems in ℝ2 and ℝ3. We present new reductions for the connectivity problem, which are easily adapted to suit the other two problems. All reductions are considerably simpler than the technically quite involved ones used in earlier works on these problems. Using our constructions, we can for the first time prove NP‐hardness of these problems for all real distance‐power gradients α > 0 (resp. α > 1 for broadcast) in 2D, and prove APX‐hardness of all three problems in 3D for all α > 1. Our reductions yield improved lower bounds on the approximation ratios for all problems where APX‐hardness was known before already. In particular, we derive the overall first APX‐hardness proof for broadcast. This was an open problem posed in earlier work in this area, as was the question whether (strong) connectivity remains NP‐hard for α = 1. In addition, we give the first hardness results for so‐called well‐spread instances. On the positive side, we prove that two natural greedy algorithms are 2‐approximations for (strong) connectivity, and show that the factor 2 is tight in ℝ2 for α > 1. We also analyze the performance guarantee of the well‐known MST‐heuristic as a function of the input size. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
Conditional diameter saturated graphs
Authors: Balbuena C. , García‐Vázquez P. , Marcote X. , Valenzuela J.C.
Published: January 2008

The conditional diameter D𝒫(G) of a connected graph G is a measure of the maximum distance between two subsets of vertices satisfying a given property 𝒫 of interest. For any given integer k ≥ 1, a connected graph G is said to be conditional diameter k‐saturated if D𝒫(G) ≥ k and there does not exist any other connected graph G′ with order ∣V(G′)∣ = ∣V(G)∣, size ∣E(G′)∣ > ∣E(G)∣, and conditional diameter D𝒫(G′) ≥ k. In this article, we obtain such conditional diameter saturated graphs for a number of properties 𝒫, generalizing the results obtained in (Ore, J Combin Theory 5(1968), 75–81) for the (standard) diameter D(G). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
Approximation bounds for Black Hole Search problems
Authors: Klasing Ralf , Markou Euripides , Radzik Tomasz , Sarracco Fabiano
Published: January 2008

A black hole is a highly harmful stationary process residing in a node of a network and destroying all mobile agents visiting the node without leaving any trace. The Black Hole Search is the task of locating all black holes in a network, through the exploration of its nodes by a set of mobile agents. In this article we consider the problem of designing the fastest Black Hole Search, given the map of the network, the starting node and a subset of nodes of the network initially known to be safe. We study the version of this problem that assumes that there is at most one black hole in the network and there are two agents, which move in synchronized steps. We prove that this problem is not polynomial‐time approximable within any constant factor less than$389 \over 388$(unlessP=NP). We give a 6‐approximation algorithm, thus improving on the 9.3‐approximation algorithm from (Czyzowicz et al., Fundamenta Informaticae 71 (2006), 229–242). We also prove APX‐hardness for a restricted version of the problem, in which only the starting node is initially known to be safe. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
Validity of the osu post‐traumatic stress disorder scale and the behavior assessment system for children self‐report of personality with child tornado survivors
Authors: Evans Linda Garner , Oehler‐Stinnett Judy
Published: January 2008

Tornadoes and other natural disasters can lead to anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children. This study provides further validity for the Oklahoma State University Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale–Child Form (OSU PTSDS‐CF) by comparing it to the Behavior Assessment System for Children Self‐Report of Personality (BASC‐SRP). Correlations were significant at 0.01 between BASC‐SRP scales of Anxiety, Atypicality, and Clinical Maladjustment, and at least 0.05 between OSU PTSDS‐CF scales for Social Stress, Depression, Inadequacy, and Emotional Symptoms Index (ESI). Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) yielded significant differences at 0.01 between children with and without PTSD, based on OSU PTSDS‐CF cut‐off scores, for BASC‐SRP Anxiety, Atypicality, and Clinical Maladjustment. ANOVAs were significant at 0.05 for Social Stress, Locus of Control, Relationship with Parents, and ESI. Results yielded moderate effect sizes, and BASC‐SRP means were within normal limits for all groups. Practitioners are encouraged to supplement the BASC‐SRP with PTSD measures in children who have experienced trauma. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Strength‐based assessment of behavior competencies to distinguish students referred for disciplinary intervention from nonreferred peers
Authors: Albrecht Susan Fread , Braaten Sheldon
Published: January 2008

Early identification of the lack of behavioral competencies followed by subsequent intervention is critical to reducing the number of students at risk for increasing disciplinary responses and school failure. This study examined scores on the Behavior Objective Sequence (BOS) of elementary school students referred for out‐of‐classroom disciplinary intervention. The results of this study indicated a distinction between the BOS scores of students referred for disciplinary problems and the scores of students who were never referred. In addition, differences among demographic variables of the sample population were found. These findings provide initial data that support use of the BOS as a strength‐based assessment for identifying behavioral competencies of students who may be at risk for increasing rates of disciplinary referrals so skill‐focused intervention strategies may be implemented in a timely manner. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evolutionary medicine: A meaningful connection between omics, disease, and treatment
Authors: Abu‐Asab Mones , Chaouchi Mohamed , Amri Hakima
Published: January 2008

The evolutionary nature of diseases requires that their omics be analyzed by evolution‐compatible analytical tools such as parsimony phylogenetics in order to reveal common mutations and pathways' modifications. Since the heterogeneity of the omics data renders some analytical tools such as phenetic clustering and Bayesian likelihood inefficient, a parsimony phylogenetic paradigm seems to connect between the omics and medicine. It offers a seamless, dynamic, predictive, and multidimensional analytical approach that reveals biological classes, and disease ontogenies; its analysis can be translated into practice for early detection, diagnosis, biomarker identification, prognosis, and assessment of treatment. Parsimony phylogenetics identifies classes of specimens, the clades, by their shared derived expressions, the synapomorphies, which are also the potential biomarkers for the classes that they delimit. Synapomorphies are determined through polarity assessment (ancestralvs.derived) ofm/zor gene‐expression values and parsimony analysis; this process also permits intra and interplatform comparability and produces higher concordance between platforms. Furthermore, major trends in the data are also interpreted from the graphical representation of the data as a tree diagram termed cladogram; it depicts directionality of change, identifies the transitional patterns from healthy to diseased, and can be developed into a predictive tool for early detection.
Proteomic characterization of differentially expressed proteins in breast cancer: Expression of hnRNP H1, RKIP and GRP78 is strongly associated with HER‐2/neu status
Authors: Zhang Daohai , Tai Lee Kian , Wong Lee Lee , Putti Thomas C. , Sethi Sunil K. , Teh Ming , Koay Evelyn S. C.
Published: January 2008

The human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER‐2/neu) oncoprotein is overexpressed in about 30% of breast cancers and associates with metastatic phenotypes of breast tumours. Dissecting the HER‐2/neu‐modulated molecules in cancer will be helpful in elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms of HER‐2/neu‐driven tumourigenesis. We investigated the differential proteome profiles between microdissected HER‐2/neu‐positive and ‐negative tumours and unambiguously identified 21 proteins with diverse biological functions by peptide sequencing and NCBInr database interrogation. Six proteins were up‐regulated whereas 15 were down‐regulated in the HER‐2/neu‐positive tumours. Differential expressions of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 (hnRNP H1), 78 kDa glucose‐regulated protein (GRP78/Bip) and Raf‐1 kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP), which have not been previously reported as being linked to HER‐2/neu signalling, were further verified. Immunohistochemical staining on tissue microarray sections demonstrated a positive correlation of hnRNP H1 (p = 0.008) and negative correlations of GRP78 and RKIP (p = 0.018 and 0.013, respectively) with HER‐2/neu. Heregulin α1 enhanced hnRNP H1, but reduced GRP78 and RKIP expression in BT474 cells in a dose‐dependent manner, providing evidence of crosstalk between HER‐2/neu signalling and these modulators. Our studies have identified novel modulators that are likely to be intricately involved in HER‐2/neu‐driven tumour proliferation, invasion and metastasis.
Efficacy of the pear ester as a monitoring tool for codling moth Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in New Zealand apple orchards
Authors: Mitchell Vanessa J , Manning Lee‐Anne , Cole Lyn , Suckling David M , El‐Sayed Ashraf M
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND: The behavioural response of both sexes of codling moth, Cydia pomonella to the pear‐derived kairomone (ethyl (2E,4Z)‐2,4‐decadienoate), codling moth sex pheromone (E,E‐8,10‐dodecadien‐1‐ol), and sex pheromone combined with the pear derived kairomone loaded into red rubber septum were investigated in trapping experiments in New Zealand apple orchards. A range of 0.01–10.0 mg of pheromone loading in rubber septum dispensers was tested and the highest catch of males was in traps baited with 1.0 mg. No dose response in trap catch of males was seen in traps baited with different amounts of pear‐derived kairomone (0.01–10.0 mg).

RESULTS: The number of females caught was significantly affected by the amount of pear derived kairomone used to bait traps, with the highest catch obtained at 10 mg loading. The attractiveness of sex pheromone was not enhanced by the addition of the kairomone either when used in the same bait or in a separate bait. The mean number of males captured in traps was reduced by 44% when the pheromone and kairomone were combined at ratio of 1:1 (0.1 mg pheromone: 0.1 mg kairomone) in separate sources.

CONCLUSION: Kairomone baited traps showed some potential for monitoring the flight activity of female C. pomonella in apple orchards in two locations (Canterbury and Hawke's Bay). However, the number of male moths caught was low as compared to the number of male moths caught in pheromone‐baited traps, and therefore the sex pheromone should continue to be used for monitoring male activity. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A multitechnique study of archeological bronzes
Authors: Northover Peter , Crossley Alison , Grazioli Cesare , Zema Nicola , La Rosa Salvatore , Lozzi Luca , Picozzi Pietro , Paparazzo Ernesto
Published: January 2008

We used XPS, X‐AES, synchrotron radiation‐induced total electron yield X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), synchrotron radiation‐induced photoelectron microscopy (PEM), and electron‐probe microanalysis (EPMA) techniques to explore the elemental and microchemical properties of two tin‐bronzes (denoted A and B) found at a necropolis located in Fossa (Abruzzo, Italy), and dating from the late ninth century B.C. EPMA shows that the bulk elemental composition of the two bronzes is very much alike as far as the leading metals are concerned, whereas the main differences are limited to the composition of trace elements (A is notably richer in Pb and much poorer in Co). PEM highlights lateral chemical inhomogeneities with a spatial resolution in the submicron range. X‐AES Cu L3 MM spectra show that the content of metallic copper is more abundant in the surface region of A than in B. XPS finds that the amount of carbon‐bearing species is about 40% more abundant in the former sample. A significant enrichment of metallic copper at the surface of the same bronze is confirmed by XAS Cu L2, 3 edge experiments. We interpret the ‘high’ carbon content found at the surface of bronze A as arising from intentional rubbing with organic substances, e.g. oil. The fact that the same bronze features a higher ‘metallization’ of surface copper suggests that such a procedure proved successful in minimizing the oxidation induced by the surroundings. We discuss the diagnostic potential of our multitechnique approach as a means for studying the surface chemistry of ancient metalwork. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probing peptide–membrane interactions using AFM
Authors: Brasseur Robert , Deleu Magali , Mingeot‐Leclercq Marie‐Paule , Francius Grégory , Dufrêne Yves F.
Published: January 2008

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a powerful addition to the range of instruments available to probe the organization of lipid monolayers and bilayers. Currently, AFM is the only tool that can provide nanoscale topographic images of supported lipid membranes under physiological conditions, enabling researchers to resolve their detailed structure and to monitor their interaction with drugs, peptides and proteins. Here, we survey recent data obtained by our research groups that demonstrate the power of the technique for exploring peptide–membrane interactions, with an emphasis on microbial lipopeptides and on tilted peptides. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interfacial aspects of polymer brushes prepared on conductive substrates by aryl diazonium salt surface‐initiated ATRP
Authors: Nguyen Minh Ngoc , Matrab Tarik , Badre Chantal , Turmine Mireille , Chehimi Mohamed M.
Published: January 2008

This article describes the use of aryl diazonium salts to attach halogenated functional groups that initiate atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) at the surface of conductive substrates. The interest of this procedure lies in the fact that aryl diazonium salts permit the grafting of high‐density initiators within a few minutes of electrochemical surface treatment, and subsequently promote the growth of very compact polymer chains.

Several brominated aryl groups were tested for surface‐initiating ATRP of styrene and methacrylates. The chemical structure of the polymer brushes was characterized by high‐resolution XPS. Particularly, it is shown that grafting of poly(tert‐butyl methacrylate), PtBMA, from the surface of glassy carbon plates followed by hydrolysis resulted in carboxylated, tethered chains that were characterized in terms of hydrophilicity and propensity to uptake silver cations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictive tests for linked changes
Authors: Ahn C. , Seillier‐Moiseiwitsch F. , Koch G. G.
Published: January 2008

Mutations may confer a survival advantage to an organism and they can also reduce their fitness. In particular, we are interested in identifying correlated changes in genomic sequences. We consider the general situation where the observed characters at two genomic positions are summarized by an r × c contingency table. The test statistic focusses on double departures from the consensus configuration. When the original data are aggregated into two possible categories at each position (consensus vs non‐consensus character), we obtain a 2 × 2 table to derive a test statistic that deals with the total number of double changes. Expected values and variances are predicted, under the assumption of independence, from table entries corresponding to single‐mutation events. In some situations, the resulting tests are more powerful than those previously proposed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Precision of rate estimation under uniform interval censoring
Authors: Alexander Neal
Published: January 2008

Medical events are often recorded not at their time of occurrence but rather at a subsequent examination. In survival analysis, this is called interval censoring. This paper presents a relationship between the sampling error of the estimated event rate and the number of examinations, which are assumed to be evenly spaced throughout the study. This relationship should help balance the cost of additional examination rounds against the precision gained. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental design and interaction analysis of combination studies of drugs with log‐linear dose responses
Authors: Fang Hong‐Bin , Ross Douglas D. , Sausville Edward , Tan Ming
Published: January 2008

Drug combination is a major treatment approach in cancer and antiviral therapies. A key issue is to find which combinations are additive, synergistic or antagonistic. In this paper, we develop statistical methods for experimental design and data analysis of combination studies of drugs that have log‐linear dose–response curves. This class of dose response includes the Hill, sigmoid and simple exponential models. The experimental design (dose‐finding and sample size determination) is derived by means of uniform measures that maximize the minimum power of the F‐test to detect any departures from additive action and at the same time minimizes the maximum bias due to lack of fit among all potential departures of a given meaningful magnitude. Furthermore, we propose a model‐free interaction index surface to capture the interaction of two drugs. The nonparametric function of the interaction index is estimated using the technique developed in thin plate splines. These methods are applicable to both in vivo and in vitro experiments. A study of two anticancer drugs, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (Vorinostat) and Etoposide applied sequentially against the cell line HL‐60, is given to illustrate the proposed methods of experimental design and interaction analysis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of log‐skew‐normal distribution in analysis of continuous data with a discrete component at zero
Authors: Chai High Seng , Bailey Kent R.
Published: January 2008

The problem of analyzing a continuous variable with a discrete component is addressed within the framework of the mixture model proposed by Moulton and Halsey (Biometrics1995;51:1570–1578). The model can be generalized by the introduction of the log‐skew‐normal distribution for the continuous component, and the fit can be significantly improved by its use, while retaining the interpretation of regression parameter estimates. Simulation studies and application to a real data set are used for demonstration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of the Jak‐Stat pathway in chemokine‐mediated signaling in T lymphocytes
Authors: Soldevila Gloria , García‐Zepeda Eduardo A.
Published: January 2008

Chemokines are low molecular weight soluble mediators that control leukocyte trafficking during lymphocyte homeostasis and inflammation. Chemokine‐mediated signaling is triggered upon chemokine binding to seven transmembrane G protein‐coupled receptors. Multiple signaling pathways are activated leading to cytoskeleton rearrangements, gene transcription and receptor internalization or degradation Among the signaling molecules involved in chemokine mediated signaling, the Jak‐Stat pathway has been shown to be activated very early after chemokine stimulation. There is growing evidence showing the involvement of particular Jaks and Stats, in chemokine receptor signaling both in cell lines and primary cells. Jak/Stat phosphorylation is detected soon after chemokine receptor dimerization or in response to chemokines. Also, pharmacological inhibition of Jaks, or the use of Jak deficient lymphocytes results in inhibition of chemokine‐mediated responses, such as chemotaxis or integrin‐mediated adhesion. This review summarizes the current data describing the involvement of the Jak‐Stat pathway in chemokine‐mediated signaling in T lymphocytes and discusses the potential crosstalk with other TCR and cytokine‐mediated signaling pathways.
Learners' perceptions of the role of peers in a research experience: Implications for the apprenticeship process, scientific inquiry, and collaborative work
Authors: Grindstaff Kelly , Richmond Gail
Published: January 2008

This study investigates the interaction between four pairs of high school students in a 7‐week national research apprenticeship program. Each student was interviewed about perceptions of experiences working with a peer in the same setting, and the resulting stories were analyzed. Through discourse analysis of the interviews and interrelated analyses of data from journals and responses on pre‐ and postprogram questionnaires, three types of support were identified that students experienced to varying degrees: social–emotional, social–technical, and social–cognitive. It is concluded that social–cognitive support is best engendered if there is sufficient similarity of problems and processes, and ample room for different results and debate about interpretation. Additionally, the culture and reward system students work within (i.e., classrooms) must encourage discussion of ideas and value an outsider's perspective, in recognition of the roles creativity, uncertainty, and ambiguity play in science. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 251–271, 2008.
Wear mechanisms in deep drawing of carbon steel – correlation to laboratory testing
Authors: Gåård A. , Krakhmalev P. , Bergström J.
Published: January 2008

In the present research, a comparison of worn surface morphologies and wear mechanisms observed for worn deep drawing dies and sheets from the automotive car body manufacturing and worn surfaces obtained by a slider‐on‐flat‐surface (SOFS) tribometer has been carried out. Abrasion and adhesion were identified as the main surface damage mechanisms on the investigated dies and sheets. Comparison of the results obtained in laboratory testing using the SOFS tribometer showed that the test method properly simulates the tribological conditions occurring in actual sheet metal forming operations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of different strategies to reduce fretting wear in thin steel roping wires
Authors: Urchegui M.A. , Hartelt M. , Wäsche R. , Gómez X.
Published: January 2008

After having checked in a previous study the influence of stroke and normal load in laboratory fretting tests accomplished with thin steel roping wires, in this paper the effect of the contact pressure (test configuration), environmental conditions (relative humidity) and reduction of the friction coefficient (lubricants) on the wear behaviour were analysed. The wires were 0.45 mm in diameter and the material was a cold‐drawn eutectoid carbon steel (0.8% C) with a Tensile Strength over 2800 MPa. The tests were performed on an oscillating test rig and the volumetric wear of both specimens of the tribocouple was determined separately from three‐dimensional topographies of the wear scars acquired by means of a confocal profiler, and a calculation algorithm developed in using MATLAB®. The strong effect of humidity and lubrication on wear behaviour was proved, whereas a slight effect of contact pressure was derived. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic imaging in terrestrial invertebrates: Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa), desert millipede (Orthoporus sp.), emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator), Chilean rosehair tarantula (Grammostola spatulata), Mexican fireleg tarantula (Brachypelma boehmei), and Mexican redknee tarantula (Brachypelma smithi)
Authors: Davis Michelle R. , Gamble Kathryn C. , Matheson Jodi S.
Published: January 2008

Limited veterinary information is available for invertebrates. The purpose of this study was to improve baseline knowledge of invertebrate radiology and radiographic anatomy by evaluating diagnostic imaging modalities in six terrestrial invertebrate species. For each species, variably sized individuals were radiographed using multiple techniques to obtain optimal images, and radiographic technique charts were formulated using this data. To evaluate anatomy and compare gastrointestinal transit information among carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores, gastrointestinal contrast radiography was employed. Individuals were fed radiographic contrast media or contrast‐containing food items. Contrast radiography resulted in improved visualization of gastrointestinal anatomy in all species. Radiographic contrast media was visualized in gastrointestinal tracts in at least one individual of all taxa for greater than 60 days, substantially longer than expected. Survey and gastrointestinal contrast radiographs of cockroaches were superior to those studies in other species. Zoo Biol 27:109–125, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Religion, identity and the challenge of peacemaking in the Holy Land
Authors: Rosen David
Published: January 2008

When a person defines his or her own identity, religious belief is a powerful, decisive factor. Throughout history, religion has often been a source of conflict. This article will show how religious communities can promote a peace process and how religion can be part of a peaceful solution.
Muslims and European citizenship
Authors: Platti Emilio
Published: January 2008

Over the centuries, there have been far-reaching differences in how Islam has been practised and how the Qur'an and the holy scriptures have been read and interpreted by believers. Professor Platti challenges Muslims to explore the diversity of Islam, in order for the Muslim community to become a fully integrated part of European society.
Nuclear localization of eukaryotic class II release factor (eRF3): Implication for the multifunction of eRF3 in ciliates Euplotes cell
Authors: Chai Baofeng , Wang Wei , Liang Aihua
Published: January 2008

Class II polypeptide release factor (eRF3), a ribosome and eRF1‐dependent GTPase, is an important factor, which acts cooperatively with eRF1 to promote hydrolysis of the ester bond linking the polypeptide chain with the peptidyl site tRNA in process of termination of protein synthesis. We prepared antibodies against eRF3 of Euplotes octocarinatus, and performed localization studies by immunoelectron microscopy in the ciliate. Our results indicate that eRF3 is present both in the cytoplasm and the two types of nuclei of this organism. The functions of eRF3 in these nuclei were analyzed by RNA interference methods. The nuclei loose their shape in eRF3 gene‐interfered Euplotes cells, suggesting that eRF3 is probably involved in the morphological organization of nuclei. This suggests that eRF3 is a multifunctional protein with roles additionals to its function in the process of termination of protein synthesis.
Electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of mixed states in bipolar disorder
Authors: Valentí Marc , Benabarre Antoni , García-Amador Margarita , Molina Oriol , Bernardo Miquel , Vieta Eduard
Published: January 2008

Introduction

Mixed bipolar states are not infrequent and may be extremely difficult to treat. Lithium, anticonvulsants including valproate and carbamazepine, and antipsychotics such as olanzapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole have been reported to be at least partially effective in controlled clinical trials, but many patients do not respond to pharmacological approaches. Electroconvulsive therapy has been tested to be efficacious for the treatment of both manic and depressive episodes, but much less evidence is available with regards to mixed states. The aim of the review was to report the available evidence for the use of electroconvulsive therapy in mixed bipolar states.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature on treatment of mixed states, focused on electroconvulsive therapy, was made, beginning in August 1992 and ending in March 2007. The key words were “electroconvulsive therapy” and “mixed bipolar”.

Results

Only three studies met the required quality criteria and were included. This literature suggests that ECT is an effective, safe, and probably underutilized treatment of mixed states. Recent technical developments have made ECT more friendly, tolerable, and safe. Potential alternatives, such as vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation, or transcranial stimulation, are still far to be proved as effective as ECT.
Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Hungarian quality of life in depression scale
Authors: Viola Reka , Lovas Kornelia , Szabo Zoltan , Czenner Zsuzsanna , Meads David M. , Soos Gyongyver , McKenna Stephen P.
Published: January 2008

The paper describes the adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Hungarian version of the quality of life in depression scale. The adaptation procedure involved: bilingual translation; field-testing for face and content validity; and assessment of instrument's reliability and construct validity. The new language version was shown to be well-accepted by respondents and to have excellent psychometric properties.
Effects of apigenin, lycopene and astaxanthin on 7β-hydroxycholesterol-induced apoptosis and Akt phosphorylation in U937 cells
Authors: Lordan Sinéad , O'Neill Cora , O'Brien Nora M.
Published: January 2008

Oxysterols arise from the enzymic or non-enzymic oxidation of cholesterol and have been shown to be cytotoxic to certain cell lines. In particular, apoptosis induced by the oxysterol 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7β-OH) has been associated with the generation of oxidative stress, cytochrome c release and caspase activation. Due to the fundamental importance of apoptosis in pathological processes, the identification of substances capable of modulating this form of cell death is now actively researched. The objective of the present study was to investigate if apigenin, lycopene and astaxanthin could inhibit 7β-OH-induced apoptosis in U937 cells. Pretreatment with 0·1 μm-astaxanthin protected against apoptosis, while lycopene did not oppose the adverse effects of 7β-OH. At low concentrations, apigenin did not protect against oxysterol-induced apoptosis; however, at higher concentrations it intensified cell death. Additionally, we investigated the effect of 7β-OH, apigenin and astaxanthin on the activation of the serine threonine kinase Akt (phosphorylated Akt:Akt ratio) to determine whether the effect on cell viability and growth was linked to the Akt signalling pathway. Akt activation was decreased in the oxysterol-treated cells compared with control cells; however, this did not attain significance. Interestingly, activation of Akt was significantly reduced compared with control cells following incubation with apigenin and astaxanthin both in the absence and in the presence of 7β-OH. Our data suggest that apigenin, lycopene and astaxanthin failed to protect against 7β-OH-induced apoptosis, and the decrease in cell viability and the increase in apoptotic nuclei induced by the antioxidants appear to be associated with down regulation of Akt activity.
DENOMINATIONAL AFFILIATION AND FERTILITY BEHAVIOUR IN AN AFRICAN CONTEXT: AN EXAMINATION OF COUPLE DATA FROM GHANA
Authors: GYIMAH STEPHEN OBENG , TAKYI BAFFOUR , TENKORANG ERIC YEBOAH
Published: January 2008

Although studies have examined religious differences in fertility in sub-Saharan Africa, it is argued in this paper that using women-only sample data may be conceptually problematic in patriarchal African societies where the influence of husbands on their wives’ reproductive preferences is paramount. The present study contributes to this discourse by examining the relationship between religion and fertility behaviour using matched-couple data from Ghana. Guided by the ‘religious values’ and ‘characteristics’ hypotheses, the results indicate significant religious differences in fertility. Compared with Traditionalists, Christians and Muslims have lower fertility, albeit these differences diminish significantly after controlling for socioeconomic variables. The impact of wife’s religious denomination on marital fertility is attenuated after controlling for husband’s religious affiliation. Also, fertility was found to be higher if couples belong to the same faith compared with those of different faiths.
FERTILITY DECLINE DRIVEN BY POVERTY: THE CASE OF ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
Authors: GURMU ESHETU , MACE RUTH
Published: January 2008

Demographic transition theory states that fertility declines in response to development, thus wealth and fertility are negatively correlated. Evolutionary theory, however, suggests a positive relationship between wealth and fertility. Fertility transition as a result of industrialization and economic development started in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Western Europe; and it extended to some of the Asian and Latin American countries later on. However, economic crises since the 1980s have been co-incident with fertility decline in sub-Sahara Africa and other developing countries like Thailand, Nepal and Bangladesh in the last decade of the 20th century. A very low level of fertility is observed in Addis Ababa (TFR=1·9) where contraceptive prevalence rate is modest and recurrent famine as well as drought have been major causes of economic crisis in the country for more than three consecutive decades, which is surprising given the high rural fertility. Detailed socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of 2976 women of reproductive age (i.e. 15–49 years) residing in Addis Ababa were collected during the first quarter of 2003 using an event history calendar and individual women questionnaire. Controlling for the confounding effects of maternal birth cohort, education, marital status and accessible income level, the poor (those who have access to less than a dollar per day or 250 birr a month) were observed to elongate the timing of having first and second births, while relatively better-off women were found to have shorter birth intervals. Results were also the same among the ever-married women only model. More than 50% of women currently in their 20s are also predicted to fail to reproduce as most of the unmarried men and women are ‘retreating from marriage’ due to economic stress. Qualitative information collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews also supports the statistical findings that poverty is at the root of this collapse in fertility. Whilst across countries wealth and fertility have been negatively correlated, this study shows that within one uniform population the relationship is clearly positive.
The revision theory of resurrection
Authors: STEINHART ERIC
Published: January 2008

A powerful argument against the resurrection of the body is based on the premise that all resurrection theories violate natural laws. We counter this argument by developing a fully naturalistic resurrection theory. We refer to it as the revision theory of resurrection (RTR). Since Hick's replica theory is already highly naturalistic, we use Hick's theory as the basis for the RTR. According to Hick, resurrection is the recreation of an earthly body in another universe. The recreation is a resurrection counterpart. We show that the New Testament supports the idea of resurrection counterparts. The RTR asserts that you are a node in a branching tree of increasingly perfect resurrection counterparts. These ever better counterparts live in increasingly perfect resurrection universes. We give both theological arguments and an empirical argument for the RTR.
The cognitive science of religion: philosophical observations
Authors: NÄREAHO LEO
Published: January 2008

The cognitive science of religion seeks to find genuine causal explanations for the origin and transmission of religious ideas. In the cognitive approach to religion, so-called intuitive and counter-intuitive concepts figure importantly. In this article it is argued that cognitive scientists of religion should clarify their views about the explanatory and semantic role they give to counter-intuitive concepts and beliefs in their theory. Since the cognitive science of religion is a naturalistic research programme, it is doubtful that its proponents can remain neutral on important ontological questions.
A fluctuation theorem in a random environment
Authors: BONETTO F. , GALLAVOTTI G. , GENTILE G.
Published: January 2008

A simple class of chaotic systems in a random environment is considered and their shadowing properties are studied. As an example of application, the fluctuation theorem is extended under the assumption of reversibility.
Variations on a Theme: Radical Violent Islamism and
European North African Radicalization
Authors: Githens-Mazer Jonathan
Published: January 2008

Takfiri jihadists, typified by an al-Qaeda perspective, claim that
the “true” Muslim Umma (the Islamic community) is
held together by a centrifugal universality based on religious
identity, and that this religion compels people to engage in a form
of radical violent Islamism to confront the evils of the Dar
el-Harb (non-Islamic World). A closer examination of
those mechanisms of individual radicalization (whether cultural,
political, social-psychological, etc.), which lead people to carry
out violence in the name of Islam, demonstrates that unique
combinations of chance encounters; ideological commitments;
individual and collective interactions with state and international
organizations/institutions; and individual experience account for
propensities to support and participate in radical violent Islamism.
Individual processes of mobilization and radicalization and
“macro-cultural” contexts serve to ground identities and create
recruitment potential for radical violent Islamists to encourage
others to join and participate in their cause. The support of the British Academy and the Economic and
Social Research Council is gratefully acknowledged. This work
has been supported by a British Academy Small Grant “Memories
and Massacres in the Formation of Algerian National Identity,”
reference SG-41624 and an ESRC research grant under the auspices
of the program, New Security Challenge, and the article reflects
research being conducted on ESRC grant RES-181-25-0017. I would
especially like to express thanks for the hard work of Rebecca
Fowler in helping with both this article and the symposium in
its entirety.
Muslim Public Self-Presentation: Interrogating the Liberal Public Sphere
Authors: Ismail Salwa
Published: January 2008

In this article I want to address a number of issues thrust into the open by different manifestations of Islamist politics and the intersection of religion and identity politics in Western societies. This intersection should be read in conjunction with the emergence in Muslim-majority societies of forms of political activism that ground themselves in Islamic doctrines and invoke religious traditions as frames of reference. It is necessary in reading the contentions surrounding Muslim identity politics in Western settings that we take into account factors shaping the dynamics of interaction between Western countries and Muslim societies, not least among which are the long-standing historical relations associated with the colonial experience and its aftermath. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the conference, Diversity and National Identity in the European Union: Multicultural Challenges, at the Instituto Portuges de Relaçoes Internacionais, University Nova de Lisboa. Lisbon, March 22–23, 2007, Lisbon. This revised version benefited from presentations by Nacira Guénif-Souilamas and Schirin Amir-Moazami at the workshop, Conceptions of Islam, University of Bergen, August 27–31 2007, Bergen.
The 2006 Race for Democratic Majority Leader: Money,
Policy, and Personal Loyalty
Authors: Green Matthew N.
Published: January 2008

In the week following the November 2006 midterm elections, which gave
the Democratic Party control of Congress, both parties in the House
held elections for various leadership offices. A total of six
positions in both parties were contested, an unusually large number,
but the campaign for one office—the Democratic majority
leader—garnered the most attention. That race pitted two moderate
Democrats against each other, threatened to split the party, and
featured a remarkable intervention by the incoming speaker. Thanks to Doug Harris, Jeffrey Lewis,
Keith Poole, and Eric Powers for their valuable suggestions and
assistance.
Can the Democrats Deliver for the Base? Partisanship,
Group Politics, and the Case of Organized Labor in the 110th
Congress
Authors: Roof Tracy
Published: January 2008

On Election Night activists on the left eagerly awaited the results
hoping their hard work in the election would produce a favorable
shift in the balance of power in Washington. When the votes were all
counted and Democrats Jim Webb (VA) and Jon Tester (MT) were finally
declared the winners of Senate seats in two of the closest races,
the Democrats regained control of both the House and Senate for the
first time since the Republican takeover of 1994. As a result of the
election, one set of interest groups would fall out of favor and
another set would find new access on the Hill. Pharmaceutical firms,
oil and gas companies, and student loan providers, targets of the
Democrats' populist “100 Hours” agenda and big contributors to the
Republicans, were instantly thrown on the defensive. Anti-war
groups, environmental groups, and labor unions with weak ties to the
Republican leadership and strong relationships with the incoming
Democratic leaders, were newly empowered. As the legislative
director for one of the largest unions, the American Federation of
State, County, and Municipal Employees, observed a few months into
the 110th Congress, “It's a whole new ball game. Key
leaders on the Hill are much more receptive, and I look 10 years
younger.”
Comparing Caucus and Registered Voter Support for the
2008 Presidential Candidates in Iowa
Authors: Redlawsk David , Bowen Daniel , Tolbert Caroline
Published: January 2008

As the 2008 presidential nominating process got underway, Iowa's
coveted status as first-in-the-nation appeared increasingly in
jeopardy, as states engaged in aggressive frontloading throughout
2006 and 2007. In the past, late March primaries in large states
like Florida, New York, and California were irrelevant to the
electoral outcome. To avoid a repeat in 2008, Florida moved its
primary to January 29 and California moved to what is now being
called “super duper Tuesday” on February 5 when nearly two dozen
states will hold primaries. Under pressure from extra-early voting
in Florida and other front-loading states, as we write this the Iowa
caucuses are to be held on January 3, two days after New Year's. It
seems possible that as a result of the nominating season becoming
more condensed, there may be an increase in the importance of Iowa
and New Hampshire, the opposite of what the states moving earlier
wanted. If the first nominating events are now the starter's gun in
a 50-meter dash rather than a mile run, who gets off the starting
blocks first may well matter even more. As Hull (2007, 66) argues, Iowa's impact on New Hampshire and the
national nomination process is a “wild, wired one.” In this rapid
sea of a changing nomination process we take a close look at the
Iowa electorate, both statewide registered voters and a subset of
likely caucus attendees, to shed light on the underpinnings of
support for the presidential candidates in the early stages of the
2008 campaign, using unique rolling cross-sectional data to track
opinion change over time. The
University of Iowa Hawkeye Poll is co-directed by David Redlawsk
and Caroline Tolbert. It was administered with the support of
the University of Iowa Social Science Research Center, Director
Kevin Leicht, and funded by the University of Iowa Office of the
Provost and the College of Liberal Arts and Science. We thank
all these people along with the team of graduate and
undergraduate students who worked with us on the survey
project.
Participation by Women in the 2007 APSA Annual
Meeting
Authors: Gruberg Martin
Published: January 2008

This is the 36th year that I have been monitoring
participation by women at our Annual Meeting. These
PS reports have documented the ascent of women
in our profession. 2007 was one of the best years for female
participation at our meetings.
Politics in Action: Wolves, Snowmobiles, and Bison and
the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Authors: Kiasatpour Soleiman , Whitfield Christopher
Published: January 2008

Faculty are always grappling with how to get their students to
actively participate in learning about politics. Interest in active
learning, service learning, and other pedagogical approaches
demonstrate this concern. At the same time we are witnessing a
parallel and related mission promoting civic engagement. For
example, the American Association of State Colleges and
Universities' American Democracy Project has a civic engagement
series in which it collaborates with campuses across the United
States to encourage increased political participation and civic
awareness of topics such as the stewardship of public lands and jury
service, to name a few. What can instructors do in the classroom to
bring these learning methods together and accomplish these goals? We
suggest that outlining and describing the political dynamics of
interest group activity in an interesting issue area, and then
requiring students to advocate on behalf of these interests in class
role-play scenarios and other exercises, help to accomplish active
learning, which may lead to greater civic engagement. The authors thank Michael J. Yochim for his
insightful comments on earlier versions of the manuscript and
George L. Mehaffy, vice president for Academic Leadership and
Change at the American Association of State Colleges and
Universities and the founder of the American Democracy Project,
for organizing our visit to Yellowstone National Park.
Passing Our Lives through the Fire of Thought: The
Personal Essay in the Political Theory Classroom
Authors: Mott Margaret
Published: January 2008

Why are teachers afraid of sentences that begin with “I feel …” or
that draw on personal experience? When Enid Bloch, a former
practitioner of political science, asked her colleagues these
questions, she was given the standard answer of “subjectivity” or
“when someone brings up personal feelings there is nothing to
discuss” (1999, 69–73). That may be true
for other subfields of political science but surely the books we
teach in political theory are brimming with subjectivity. Aren't
they? And surely the essays we assign call for injecting the writing
self into the broader political discussion. Don't they? So what gets
in the way?
Editor's Introduction
Authors: Githens-Mazer Jonathan
Published: January 2008

One of the most significant questions in the twenty-first century for
academics, politicians, and Western societies more broadly is: How
will Islamism impact on our future? This question, like the concept
of Islamism itself, is massively complex and extremely mutable,
changing, adapting, and transforming in various ideological,
geographic, and cultural contexts. These five articles present a
small sliver of the work being carried out in the UK on the
challenges that Islamism poses for European liberal democracies,
especially Britain, and these pieces ultimately propose some learned
and hypothesized strategies to bring about a successful and peaceful
engagement with this phenomenon.
Dianne Pinderhughes: A Career Dedicated to Understanding
the Racial Dynamics of American Politics and to Serving as an Agent
of Change
Authors: Brown Ruth Nicole , DeSipio Louis
Published: January 2008

APSA President (2007), Dianne M. Pinderhughes: full professor in the
departments of Africana studies and political science, University of
Notre Dame; Ph.D. University of Chicago. The authors would like to dedicate the biography of
APSA President Dianne M. Pinderhughes to the celebrated legacy
of Linda Faye Williams (1949–2006). Once graduate school
roommates, their friendship has undoubtedly contributed to their
career success as political scientists of great
distinction.