bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social identification processes, group dynamics and the behaviour of combatants
Authors: Castano Emanuele , Leidner Bernhard , Slawuta Patrycja
Published: October 2008

In this contribution, respect for international humanitarian law among combatants is considered from a social psychological perspective. According to this perspective, the social identities derived by individuals from their membership of social groups provide norms and values used by the individual to interpret events, form opinions and decide upon a course of action. We argue that group identities are particularly salient in combat situations, and that they have a profound influence on combatants' decisions to respect or violate international humanitarian law.
The nature of sanctions: the case of Morocco's Equity and Reconciliation Commission
Authors: Hazan Pierre
Published: October 2008

Using the case of Morocco's Equity and Reconciliation Commission as an example, this article analyses how transitional justice is by definition the place where ethics and reasons of state, the will to see justice done and the balance of power meet. Therein lie both the strength and the ambiguity of transitional justice. The sanction-free approach adopted in the specific case of Morocco limited the Commission's effectiveness by not establishing the truth about past human rights violations or creating an environment conducive to greater democratic reform.
Sanctions for violations of international humanitarian law: the problem of the division of competences between national authorities and between national and international authorities
Authors: Philippe Xavier
Published: October 2008

This article seeks to explore the reasons why sanctions for international humanitarian law (IHL) violations are so difficult to put into effect. Beyond the lack of willingness of states to do so for political reasons, some more technical aspects should be emphasized. The implementation of sanctions is too often seen solely through the prism of international law, without enough attention being paid to the complexity and diversity of municipal legal systems. The author puts forward the idea that efficiency starts with a clear sharing of competencies. Three main issues are discussed: first, the influence of the sharing of competencies within the state (between the judiciary, the executive and the legislature) on the implementation of sanctions; second, the broad interpretation of their powers by regional or international bodies in charge of monitoring and reviewing human rights protection; and, third, the creation of new or specific bodies in charge of dealing with and if necessary punishing gross violations of humanitarian law.
The impact of military disciplinary sanctions on compliance with international humanitarian law
Authors: Renaut Céline
Published: October 2008

The impact of disciplinary military sanctions on respect for international humanitarian law depends on the extent to which the principles governing that law have been integrated into the disciplinary rules of the armed forces and the range of responsibility of the commanding officer giving an order which breaches international humanitarian law or which does not ensure respect for it. Whereas the armed forces rely on a strong principle of obedience, respect for international humanitarian law depends essentially on the superior officer whose responsibility is subject to sanctions imposed by international criminal judges within a judicial system which aims to make sanctions an effective means of ensuring respect for international humanitarian law.
A few thoughts on guaranties inherent to the rule of law as applied to sanctions and the prosecution and punishment of war crimes
Authors: Scalia Damien
Published: October 2008

War crimes are among the most serious crimes; that is why international courts and tribunals have jurisdiction to prosecute and punish them. However, serious though they are, it is not legitimate to punish them in such a way as to exceed the bounds of respect for human rights. The author considers that, when the perpetrators of war crimes are prosecuted and punished, criteria inherent to the rule of law like those applied by the European Court of Human Rights (such as legality and proportionality) must be met.
Victims and international criminal justice: a vexed question?
Authors: Rauschenbach Mina , Scalia Damien
Published: October 2008

Despite the growing attention being paid to “victims” in the framework of criminal proceedings, this attention does not seem to be meeting their needs under either national criminal justice systems or the international regime. In the latter, the difficulties encountered by the victims are aggravated by factors specifically arising from the prosecution and punishment of mass crimes at international level. This has prompted the authors to point out that the prime purpose of criminal law is to convict or acquit the accused, and to suggest that the task of attending to the victims should perhaps be left to other entities.
Transitional justice and sanctions
Authors: Sottas Eric
Published: October 2008

Transitional justice aims at once to restore victims' dignity, build confidence between warring groups and foster the institutional changes needed to bring about a new relationship within the population, in order to usher in the rule of law without endorsing practices that amount to total or partial impunity. In situations of post-conflict, however, governments are also faced with other pressing needs, such as disarming fighting forces, improving civilian security, compensating victims and relaunching the economy of a society in ruins. This article explores the relationship between these needs and transitional justice mechanisms, and critically evaluates their influence on the forms justice has taken in post-conflict situations.
Armed groups, sanctions and the implementation of international humanitarian law
Authors: La Rosa Anne-Marie , Wuerzner Carolin
Published: October 2008

While it is widely accepted that punishing the perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law is an important instrument in improving compliance with the law, little research has been done into the obligations on armed groups to impose sanctions and their possibilities for doing so. This article discusses characteristics of armed groups that influence their willingness and ability to comply with international humanitarian law and to punish those of their members who commit violations. It takes a holistic approach to these sanctions, and analyses the different methods of punishing members of armed groups, including disciplinary sanctions, penal sanctions imposed by the state and penal sanctions imposed by the group itself.
Sanctions as a means of obtaining greater respect for humanitarian law: a review of their effectiveness
Authors: La Rosa Anne-Marie
Published: October 2008

There are several aspects to reviewing the role of punishment in ensuring greater respect for international humanitarian law. First, there is the question of improving compliance with the law, second, the focus on the punishment itself and, third, the characteristics of the perpetrators. The situation of armed groups is dealt with separately. The article also examines transitional justice as an accompanying measure and the problem of how to take care of the victims. Finally, suggestions are presented which could help the parties concerned in the establishment of a system of sanctions capable of having a lasting influence on the conduct of weapon bearers so as to obtain greater respect for international humanitarian law.
Elevations and ages of marine terraces and late Quaternary rock uplift in southeastern Korea
Authors: Choi Sung‐Ja , Merritts Dorothy J. , Ota Yoko
Published: October 2008

From a detailed GPS survey of marine terraces and their former shoreline elevations along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, we determined the pattern of late Quaternary uplift in a part of the far eastern intraplate region of the Eurasian Plate. Using a paleosea level of +6 m for the 117–132 ka sea level highstand, the average long‐term uplift rates are 0.3 m/ka in the Weolsung and 0.2 m/ka in the Daebo–Gori regions. Persistent uplift that generated marine terraces is mostly the result of local major faulting reflecting an ENE–WNW maximum compression stress. The differences in uplift rates suggest a local, triangular crustal block undergoing structural movement controlled by subregional tectonic processes. Notable local major faulting in an intraplate region plays an important role in raising the emergent flight of marine terraces generated by earthquakes.
Lake Level Coherence Supports Common Driver
Authors: Stow Craig A. , Lamon E. C. , Kratz T. K. , Sellinger C. E.
Published: October 2008

Lake Superior, the world's largest lake by surface area (82,400 square kilometers), experienced record low water levels in 2007 [Holden, 2007]. In addition, lakes Michigan and Huron (58,000 and 59,596 square kilometers, respectively), which behave hydraulically as one lake and which began declining in 1997, were at near‐record low levels in 2007 [Sellinger et al., 2008]. The low levels that these three lakes are experiencing have raised concern that the Laurentian Great Lakes are beginning to realize predicted climate change effects [Magnuson et al., 1997].
A Simple Test for Changes in Statistical Distributions
Authors: Benestad Rasmus E.
Published: October 2008

It is often difficult to determine whether a variable is undergoing a systematic change. A conventional approach to determining whether a variable exhibits a long‐term change in terms of its statistical properties is to apply a trend test or some kind of time series analysis involving various degrees of complexity. Here it is shown that it is possible to indicate, through a simple test based entirely on mathematical logic, whether a series of numbers consists of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) numbers.

Examples of the application of the i.i.d. test include testing monthly temperatures for new record values [Benestad, 2004], or studying future trends in extreme monthly precipitation based on large, multimodel ensembles of climate model simulations [Benestad, 2006].
Friedrich A. Schott (1939–2008)
Authors: Brandt Peter , Willebrand Jürgen , Visbeck Martin
Published: October 2008

The physical oceanography community recently lost one of its most influential and productive scientists. Friedrich A. (“Fritz”) Schott, who had been fighting leukemia for about a year, died on 30 April 2008 at the age of 69.
Synthesizing Shallow‐Water Geophysical Data for Shoreline Evolution Models: Shallow Coastal Stratigraphy Workshop; Conway, South Carolina, 9–10 July 2008
Authors: Miselis Jennifer L. , Gayes Paul T. , McNinch Jesse , Goff John , Rodriguez Antonio
Published: October 2008

Numerous regional geophysical mapping efforts have taken place along the mid‐Atlantic coast over the past 20 years, illuminating the relationship between relict geology and coastal processes. Results have demonstrated that variability in the structural framework of the coastal plain is important in controlling regional‐scale shoreline evolution and sediment availability. Furthermore, variations in the geologic character (grain size, consolidation, composition, morphology, etc.) of the shelf and nearshore have been linked to long‐term (centennial and greater) and short‐term (decadal to centennial) shoreline evolution. Despite these spatial relationships, little information regarding the variability of geologic properties is accounted for in numerical models of shoreline change, leading to outputs that do not accurately characterize natural and human‐induced shoreline behavior.
Mountain Building in Central Asia: International Symposium: Geodynamics of Intracontinental Orogens and Geoecological Problems; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 15–23 June 2008
Authors: Schelochkov G. G. , Zeigarnik V. A. , Molnar Peter
Published: October 2008

The Research Station of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, hosted its fourth international symposium in June to celebrate both the thirtieth anniversary of the station and the tenth anniversary of the International Research Center‐Geodynamic Proving Ground (IGRC). The IGRC, whose base institution is the research station, was established with support from the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Kyrgyzstan Academy of Sciences, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, and the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). About 200 scientists from seven countries attended the symposium, including approximately 40 students and young scientists.
Our Changing Planet:The View From Space
Authors: Lakshmi Venkat
Published: October 2008

Through the use of satellite and aircraft‐acquired images, color photographs, and scientific analysis, Our Changing Planet: The View From Space takes a look at the four components of the Earth system: the atmosphere, the land surface, the oceans, and the cryosphere. The book also highlights signatures of global climate change and human intervention on Earth system variables and processes.

The book begins with a general description of the atmosphere. The structure of clouds, water vapor, rainfall, hurricanes, and lightning and their impacts on global climate are explained. This is followed by an explanation of anthropogenic activity and its impact on the atmosphere, for example, ship and aircraft emissions and atmospheric pollution of ozone, dust, and other aerosols and chlorine compounds. The land surface section of the book first focuses on solid Earth aspects: faults in the Earth's interior and volcanoes. This is followed by a description of extreme events such as floods and outbreaks of epidemics and their links to vegetation and changes in vegetation and glaciers as a reflection of climate change. The section ends with the variables soil moisture and surface temperature.
AGU Governance and Organization Systems: Membership Input Sought
Authors: Geller Marvin
Published: October 2008

The AGU Statutes and Bylaws Committee was asked to examine the present system of AGU governance and organization, and to make recommendations for changes, if any seem warranted. Given the importance of this issue, the Statutes and Bylaws Committee feels it is important to involve the Union membership in this discussion through this article and perhaps by the expression of various views in future issues of Eos.

Before proceeding to the issues, the Committee thought the following general introduction to AGU organization and governance should be presented because many members, even in some cases those elected to Council, are not aware of the present AGU organization and governance. The activities of AGU are governed by an elected Council comprising six Union officers, 11 section presidents, and 11 section presidents‐elect (for details, see http://www.agu.org/inside/officers_top.html).
Adenosine receptors and asthma in humans
Authors: Wilson C N
Published: October 2008

According to an executive summary of the GINA dissemination committee report, it is now estimated that approximately 300 million people (5% of the global population or 1 in 20 persons) have asthma. Despite the scientific progress made over the past several decades toward improving our understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma, there is still a great need for improved therapies, particularly oral therapies that enhance patient compliance and that target new mechanisms of action. Adenosine is an important signalling molecule in human asthma. By acting on extracellular G‐protein‐coupled ARs on a number of different cell types important in the pathophysiology of human asthma, adenosine affects bronchial reactivity, inflammation and airway remodelling. Four AR subtypes (A1, A2a, A2band A3) have been cloned in humans, are expressed in the lung, and are all targets for drug development for human asthma. This review summarizes what is known about these AR subtypes and their function in human asthma as well as the pros and cons of therapeutic approaches to these AR targets. A number of molecules with high affinity and high selectivity for the human AR subtypes have entered clinical trials or are poised to enter clinical trials as anti‐asthma treatments. With the availability of these molecules for testing in humans, the function of ARs in human asthma, as well as the safety and efficacy of approaches to the different AR targets, can now be determined.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)155, 475–486; doi:fn1
Finding better therapeutic targets for patients with asthma: adenosine receptors?
Authors: Polosa R
Published: October 2008

Recent observations suggest a potential pathophysiological function for adenosine signalling in chronic inflammation of the airways, and development of new selective agonists or antagonists for adenosine receptor subtypes has recently lead to a number of clinical trials of such agents in asthma. The review by Wilson in this issue of the BJP provides a critical perspective on adenosine receptors as rational targets for drug development for anti‐asthma drugs with a focus on their efficacy and safety. Important conclusions can be drawn about the function of adenosine receptors in human asthma and approaches to these important targets with novel therapeutic agents.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 155, 441–443; doi:fn1
mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) controls hydrophobic motif phosphorylation and activation of serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 (SGK1)
Authors: García-Martínez Juan M. , Alessi Dario R.
Published: October 2008

SGK1 (serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1) is a member of the AGC (protein kinase A/protein kinase G/protein kinase C) family of protein kinases and is activated by agonists including growth factors. SGK1 regulates diverse effects of extracellular agonists by phosphorylating regulatory proteins that control cellular processes such as ion transport and growth. Like other AGC family kinases, activation of SGK1 is triggered by phosphorylation of a threonine residue within the T-loop of the kinase domain and a serine residue lying within the C-terminal hydrophobic motif (Ser422 in SGK1). PDK1 (phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1) phosphorylates the T-loop of SGK1. The identity of the hydrophobic motif kinase is unclear. Recent work has established that mTORC1 [mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) complex 1] phosphorylates the hydrophobic motif of S6K (S6 kinase), whereas mTORC2 (mTOR complex 2) phosphorylates the hydrophobic motif of Akt (also known as protein kinase B). In the present study we demonstrate that SGK1 hydrophobic motif phosphorylation and activity is ablated in knockout fibroblasts possessing mTORC1 activity, but lacking the mTORC2 subunits rictor (rapamycin-insensitive companion of mTOR), Sin1 (stress-activated-protein-kinase-interacting protein 1) or mLST8 (mammalian lethal with SEC13 protein 8). Furthermore, phosphorylation of NDRG1 (N-myc downstream regulated gene 1), a physiological substrate of SGK1, was also abolished in rictor-, Sin1- or mLST8-deficient fibroblasts. mTORC2 immunoprecipitated from wild-type, but not from mLST8- or rictor-knockout cells, phosphorylated SGK1 at Ser422. Consistent with mTORC1 not regulating SGK1, immunoprecipitated mTORC1 failed to phosphorylate SGK1 at Ser422, under conditions which it phosphorylated the hydrophobic motif of S6K. Moreover, rapamycin treatment of HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293, MCF-7 or HeLa cells suppressed phosphorylation of S6K, without affecting SGK1 phosphorylation or activation. The findings of the present study indicate that mTORC2, but not mTORC1, plays a vital role in controlling the hydrophobic motif phosphorylation and activity of SGK1. Our findings may explain why in previous studies phosphorylation of substrates, such as FOXO (forkhead box O), that could be regulated by SGK, are reduced in mTORC2-deficient cells. The results of the present study indicate that NDRG1 phosphorylation represents an excellent biomarker for mTORC2 activity.
Ultralong spin memory of optically excited single magnetic quantum dots
Authors: Gurung Tak , Mackowski Sebastian , Karczewski Grzegorz , Jackson Howard E. , Smith Leigh M.
Published: October 2008

We study the magnetization dynamics in CdMnTe quantum dots using subwavelength optical microscopy imaging at B=0 T. For continuous laser illumination each dot exhibits strong and unique circular polarization despite completely unpolarized ensemble emission. This implies that after an exciton recombines, the spontaneous ferromagnetic alignment of magnetic impurities persists for over 100 μs, which is a million times longer than in CdMnTe quantum wells. The spin memory effect points toward a qualitatively different picture of magnetization dynamics in the zero-dimensional limit.
Ab initio study on the structure and vibration-rotation energy levels of dilithium monofluoride
Authors: Koput Jacek
Published: October 2008

The equilibrium structure and potential energy surfaces of dilithium monofluoride, Li2F, and its cation have been determined from accurate ab initio calculations. The vibration-rotation-spin energy levels in the electronic ground state of three isotopomers L7i2F, L6i2F, and L7iF6Li have been predicted using the variational method. The calculated spectroscopic constants can be useful in future analyses of rotationally resolved spectra of all the species in question.
The Role of Wealth, Income, and Social Capital in Determining a Household's Choice to Participate in Rural Water-Supply Projects in Peru
Authors: Prokopy Linda Stalker , Thorsten Richard
Published: October 2008

We explore the determinants of a household's choice to participate in rural water-supply projects in the Cuzco Department of Peru. Using survey data collected from over 1500 households in 99 villages, we present fixed-effects and random-effects models that explain a household's decision to participate in two ways—through meeting attendance and through involvement in decision making. We find that income and wealth impact the decision to participate in different ways. Households with more wealth, measured by ownership of assets, were more likely to attend meetings but were less likely to have a voice in decision making. In terms of income, we find that middle-class households had more input into decision making than lower-income households. Household-level measures of social capital positively affected participation both in terms of attending meetings and in the number of decisions in which households were involved.
Why are Some Spanish Regions So Much More Efficient Than others?
Authors: Puig-Junoy Jaume , Pinilla Jaime
Published: October 2008

We investigate the main sources of heterogeneity in regional efficiency. We estimate a translog stochastic-frontier production function in the analysis of Spanish regions in the period 1964–96, to attempt to measure and explain changes in technical efficiency. Our results confirm that regional inefficiency is significantly and positively correlated with the ratio of public capital to private capital. The proportion of service industries in private capital, the proportion of public capital devoted to transport infrastructures, the industrial specialization, and spatial spillovers from transport infrastructures in neighbouring regions significantly contributed to improving regional efficiency.
In superb fairy wrens (Malurus cyaneus), nuptial males have more blood parasites and higher haemoglobin concentration than eclipsed males
Authors: Colombelli-Négrel Diane , Kleindorfer Sonia
Published: October 2008

Blood parasites rupture mature red blood cells and so reduce haemoglobin concentration and hence the potential activity levels of infected males. We examined blood parasites and haemoglobin concentration in the superb fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) across three years and six locations in South Australia. We tested the prediction that males in nuptial plumage have more blood parasites and hence lower haemoglobin concentration than males in eclipsed plumage. Of 188 birds, 20 (10.6%) had blood parasites (Haemaproteus spp). We found that (1) there was an effect of season and sex on haemoglobin concentration; (2) there was no effect of haemoglobin concentration on prevalence of blood parasites or intensity; and (3) males in nuptial plumage had more blood parasites but higher haemoglobin concentration than eclipsed males.
Population attributes of the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) in north-eastern New South Wales
Authors: Glen A. S.
Published: October 2008

The spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is an endangered marsupial carnivore endemic to eastern Australia. A paucity of information on the dynamics of wild populations has hindered conservation of the species. The population dynamics of spotted-tailed quolls were investigated in an area of unusually high abundance in north-eastern New South Wales, where density is conservatively estimated at 0.3 km−2. Sixty individual quolls were captured on 331 occasions over 22 months. Apparent survival, timing and rate of reproduction, and morphometric data were compared with those of quolls from other areas. Population models were employed to investigate patterns in the behaviour and apparent survival of quolls in the study area. The high abundance of D. maculatus identifies the study area as vital to the conservation of quolls on mainland Australia, and to the future study of the species.
Evolution and maintenance of colour pattern polymorphism in Liopholis (Squamata:Scincidae)
Authors: Chapple David G. , Hutchinson Mark N. , Maryan Brad , Plivelich Mike , Moore Jennifer A. , Keogh J. Scott
Published: October 2008

We examined the evolution and maintenance of colour pattern polymorphism in an Australian lineage of scincid lizards, the genus Liopholis. Liopholis comprises 11 species, with representatives in both the temperate zone and arid zone. Specimens from all major Australian museums were examined to characterise colour pattern polymorphism within Liopholis, and investigate geographic variation in the relative abundance of morphs within polymorphic species. We used a previously published phylogeny for Liopholis to investigate the evolution and maintenance of colour pattern polymorphism within the group. Five species were found to exhibit colour pattern polymorphism (L. margaretae margaretae Storr, L. m. personata Storr, L. montana Donnellan et al., L. multiscutata Mitchell & Behrndt, L. pulchra Werner, L. whitii Lacépède), with six species being monomorphic (L. guthega Donnellan et al., L. inornata Rosén, L. kintorei Stirling & Zietz, L. modesta Storr, L. slateri Storr, L. striata Sternfeld). Three colour morphs occur in L. whitii, with the relative abundance of each varying significantly among latitudes. The patterned morph is most common, while the incidence of the plain-back morph decreases at latitudes higher than 35°S. The L. whitii patternless morph occurs only within a narrow latitudinal band (34–38°S). In L. multiscutata, the relative abundance of the patterned (~89–93%) and patternless morph (~7–11%) is consistent across regions, except for the Nullarbor Plain region where the patternless morph is more common (~39%). Our analyses suggest a single origin of colour pattern polymorphism in Liopholis, followed by the subsequent loss of polymorphism on four occasions. The secondary loss of polymorphism might be associated with climate or habitat, possibly as the result of shifts into the arid zone or alpine regions of Australia. This study provides the necessary framework for future studies of colour pattern polymorphism in Liopholis.
Understorey predicts the spatial distribution of Ixodes hirsti in South Australia
Authors: Oorebeek Margot , Kleindorfer Sonia
Published: October 2008

Ticks reduce the fitness of their host by increasing mortality rate and reducing reproductive success. Understanding the distribution of ticks is therefore crucial in assessing the vulnerability of host populations. The distribution of ticks is dependent on the dispersal capabilities of their hosts as well as the suitability of the new habitat. In this study, we examine the spatial distribution of Ixodes hirsti in South Australia and investigate the influence of vegetation characteristics on the presence of ticks. Additionally, we conducted a preliminary investigation into the effects of vegetation characteristics on the microclimate experienced by questing ticks. Ticks were present in six of the nine study sites. We found that the number of shrubs and the percentage of ground covered by shrubs were significant predictors of the presence of ticks: ticks were present only at sites with a dense cover of shrubs. Additionally, our preliminary data showed that dense understorey was associated with a low saturation deficit and, as such, provided a suitable microclimate for tick survival.
The origins and development of Shetland dialect in light of dialect contact theories
Authors: McColl Millar Robert
Published: October 2008

Shetland dialect, the northernmost Scots variety, is something of a conundrum. Although most of its features place it at the end of the Northern Scots dialect continuum, some lexical, phonological and structural features resemble characteristics of more southerly Scots dialects; in particular those of the east central counties and the North-East. This essay approaches this problem from the point of view of recent work on new dialect formation, demonstrating that many of the features associated with this phenomenon — koinéisation, focussing, and the founder effect, among others — can be postulated for the development of Shetland dialect. Because this new dialect was formed further back in time than those previously studied, the pattern of development is rather more complex and difficult to describe than for those formed in the 19th century; moreover, the developing Scots dialect was for a lengthy period in contact with its close relative Norn in the islands. Because of the latter’s associations with local identity, indeed, we could see this as a further founder effect. The essay demonstrates that present-day Shetland dialect was formed in the early 19th century from the supraregional koiné of the original 16th and 17th century Scots-speaking settlers and the heavily Norn-influenced Scots of the first and second generations of islanders who no longer had Norn as a mother tongue.
A multidimensional analysis of student writing in Black South African English
Authors: van Rooy Bertus
Published: October 2008

Evidence for the status of Black South African English (BlSAfE) as a variety of English is ambiguous. This paper examines 67 linguistic features of a corpus of BlSAfE student writing, the Tswana Learner English Corpus (TLE), in comparison to a Standard English reference corpus, the Louvain Corpus of Native English Speaking Students (LOCNESS), within the framework of Biber’s (1988) multidimensional model, to determine if evidence for indigenisation and systematicity exists. Linguistic features that occur more frequently in LOCNESS than the TLE suggest that LOCNESS is characterised by greater elaboration of information and information density, more syntactically complex subordination, more reference cohesion and more specialised meanings. The TLE shows evidence of greater involvement of reader and writer of the text, although some features of informality also occur in LOCNESS. Based on comparison of the coefficients of variation in the two corpora, it is concluded that they exhibit similar ranges of variation and that variety status cannot be denied to BlSAfE on the grounds of variability. The application of the multidimensional model shows that the reference corpus, LOCNESS, is similar to academic writing in four of the six dimensions, but differs in being more involved in style and more overtly persuasive. Superficially, the TLE appears to be quite similar to LOCNESS in terms of the various dimensions, but closer examination reveals a number of differences, which largely confirm the findings that were made on the basis of individual feature comparisons: The TLE carries a lower informational density, and information is more often presented in hypothetical ways. It shows a number of similarities with the style and the information processing strategies attributed to spoken registers, but it still remains very clearly distinguishable from spoken language. Many similarities between the corpora are observed, which should be attributed to the register features of student writing. The paper concludes that there is sufficient evidence to acknowledge BlSAfE as a variety of English, on the ground of the stylistic differences between the TLE and LOCNESS, particularly its greater interpersonal as opposed to informational focus, as well as discourse-functional differences in the use of linguistic forms.
Discourse aspects of tense marking in Belizean Creole
Authors: Gooden Shelome
Published: October 2008

Debates on the relationship between the aspectual properties of verbs and past marking in Caribbean English Creoles tend to focus on two main issues. The first is the semantic function of the “relative past” and its relation to the unmarked verb, and the second is the discourse functions of the relative past marker and the unmarked verb. This paper addresses two issues related to this debate. Using fieldwork data from Belizean Creole, I present a qualitative analysis of tense usage in discourse focusing on the role of the inherent lexical aspect (aktionsart) of predicates. I examine how two different notions of past meaning are distributed between marked and unmarked verbs with different aktionsarten. I also look at the discourse function of these verbs in the contexts of the meanings expressed. I argue that an analysis of both the aktionsarten of the verbs and discourse factors are critical to developing an understanding of the range of meanings and functions of both the relative past marker and the unmarked verb. The paper also presents a new approach to the study of temporal reference in creoles. The picture-based story method provides an objective way of evaluating speakers’ choice of grounding and also facilitates comparison across speakers, given that several potentially variable aspects of the narrative are controlled for.
Accounting for ditransitive constructions with envy and forgive
Authors: Colleman Timothy , De Clerck Bernard
Published: October 2008

This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the English verbs envy and forgive in the ditransitive argument structure pattern [Sbj V Obj Obj]. Since the ditransitive construction is often associated with a basic ‘transfer of possession’ meaning in existing analyses of its constructional semantics, the occurrence of verbs like envy and forgive in this pattern is quite exceptional and has often been treated as an idiosyncratic use (see e.g. Green 1974, Goldberg 1995, Croft 2003). This paper adds to the etymological explanations traditionally offered to account for such cases (see Goldberg 1995) by presenting a complementary and semantically-driven account. It will be shown that although ditransitives with envy and forgive are obviously peripheral members of the class of ditransitive expressions, these uses are not semantically unmotivated. In this paper we will establish synchronic semantic links between the concepts of envying and forgiving and the central ‘possessional transfer’ meaning of the ditransitive and further elucidate them on the basis of a multidimensional approach to the semantics of grammatical constructions (Geeraerts 1998, Colleman 2006). On a higher plane, this semantic explanation underscores the feasibility of Goldberg’s polysemy approach to ditransitive semantics.
English prepositions in Functional Discourse Grammar
Authors: Keizer Evelien
Published: October 2008

Adpositions have always been problematic in terms of analysis and representation: should they be regarded as lexical elements, with an argument structure, or as semantically empty grammatical elements, i.e. as operators or functions? Or could it be that some adpositions are lexical and others grammatical, or even that one and the same adposition can be either, dependent on its use in a particular context? In Functional Grammar (Dik 1997a,b) adpositions are analysed as grammatical elements, represented as functions expressing relations between terms (referring expressions). Various alternative treatments have been proposed within FG, all of which, however, fail to solve all the problems, or address all the relevant questions involved. This article offers an analysis of English prepositions within the model of Functional Discourse Grammar (Hengeveld and Mackenzie 2006, 2008), based on the semantic, syntactic and morphological evidence available and fully exploiting the novel features of this model.
Functions of the verb decir (‘to say’) in the incipient academic Spanish writing of bilingual children
Authors: Dubcovsky Laura E.
Published: October 2008

There is great concern about the lack of access to academic writing, especially for minority language schoolchildren. Although much research is devoted to social context and personal interactions in the classroom, a closer look at language itself would contribute to a better understanding of the development of literacy in a bilingual setting. The aim of this study is to examine the uses of one particular linguistic feature in incipient academic genres.

Drawing on a functional linguistic framework, the article analyzes four functions of the verb decir (‘to say’) in texts written in Spanish by children in a Dual Language Program during two consecutive school years. The analysis includes texts taken from three main content areas — Language Arts, Science and Social Studies.

Results show that decir was used to fulfill interactive, narrative, informative and reflective functions, which occur with different frequencies in the three content areas. The article especially discusses those functions that may lead to more advanced literacy. The study concludes with implications for the bilingual classroom, suggesting that linguistic awareness of different uses of the verb decir could help schoolchildren to organize incipient academic texts
Maternal transfer of antibodies in vertebrates: trans-generational effects on offspring immunity
Authors: Hasselquist Dennis , Nilsson Jan-Åke
Published: October 2008

Maternal effects by which females provide their offspring with non-genetic factors such as hormones, nutrients and antibodies can have an important impact on offspring fitness. In vertebrates, maternal antibodies (matAb) are transferred from the mother, via the placenta, egg yolk or milk during lactation to offspring until they are 2 weeks (birds), 4–10 weeks (rodents) and 9 months (humans) old, respectively. matAb transfer can have direct effects on offspring growth rate in birds and rodents, probably by passively protecting the newborn from common pathogens before their endogenous immune system has matured. Indirect long-term effects of matAb transfer on the offspring's own immunity can be synergistic, if matAb act as antigen templates of the accumulated immunological experience of the mother and educate the newborn's immune system. However, it may also be suppressive if matAb reduce antigen presentation to the newborn resulting in antigen-specific blocking of offspring endogenous immunity. Our aim is to review the mechanisms and direct effects of matAb transfer in vertebrates with an emphasis on birds, outline a framework for research on the long-term effects of matAb on the endogenous immune system of the mature offspring and encourage ecological and evolutionary studies of matAb transfer in non-domesticated animals.
The p59 oligoadenylate synthetase-like protein possesses antiviral activity that requires the C-terminal ubiquitin-like domain
Authors: Marques Joao , Anwar Jangawar , Eskildsen-Larsen Signe , Rebouillat Dominique , Paludan Soren R. , Sen Ganes , Williams Bryan R. G. , Hartmann Rune
Published: October 2008

Viral infection of mammalian cells prompts the innate immune system to initiate an antiviral response. The recognition of the virus triggers several antiviral signalling pathways, which among others include the family of 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) proteins. The p59 protein encoded by the OAS-like (OASL) gene is an atypical member of the OAS family in the sense that it lacks the characteristic 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase activity. We decided to investigate the putative antiviral activity of p59 by ectopically expressing this protein in Vero cells and then infecting these cells with virus. We demonstrate that OASL has an antiviral effect against the single-stranded RNA virus picornavirus, encephalomyocarditis virus, but not against a large DNA virus, herpes simplex virus 1. Importantly, this antiviral activity was lost in a truncated version of p59 lacking the ubiquitin-like C-terminal domain of p59. Taken together our results indicate that p59 is indeed an antiviral protein that works through a novel mechanism distinct from other OAS proteins.
CBR1andCBR3pharmacogenetics and their influence on doxorubicin disposition in Asian breast cancer patients
Authors: Lal Suman , Sandanaraj Edwin , Wong Zee Wan , Ang Peter C.S. , Wong Nan Soon , Lee Edmund J.D. , Chowbay Balram
Published: October 2008

The present study aimed to identify polymorphic genes encoding carbonyl reductases (CBR1,CBR3) and investigate their influence on doxorubicin disposition in Asian breast cancer patients (n = 62). Doxorubicin (60 mg/m2) was administered every 3 weeks for four to six cycles and the pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using non‐compartmental analysis (WinNonlin). The Mann–WhitneyU‐test was used to assess genotypic–phenotypic correlations. FiveCBR1(–48G>A, c.219G>C, c.627C>T, c.693G>A, +967G>A) andCBR3(c.11G>A, c.255C>T, c.279C>T, c.606G>A, c.730G>A) polymorphisms were identified. TheCBR1D2 diplotypes were characterized by the presence of at least one variant allele at the c.627C>Tand +967G>Aloci. Patients in theCBR1D1 diplotype group had significantly higher clearance (CL) normalized to body surface area (BSA) (CL/BSA[L/h/m2]: median 25.09; range 16.44–55.66) and significantly lower exposure levels; area under curve (AUC0–∞/dose/BSA [h/m5]; median 15.08; range 6.18–38.03) of doxorubicin compared with patients belonging to theCBR1D2 diplotype group (CL/BSA[L/h/m2]; median 20.88; range 8.68–31.79,P = 0.014; and AUC0–∞/dose/BSA[h/m5]; median 21.35; range 9.82–67.17,P = 0.007 respectively). No significant influence ofCBR3polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of doxorubicin were observed in Asian cancer patients. The present exploratory study shows thatCBR1D2 diplotypes correlate with significantly higher exposure levels of doxorubicin, suggesting the possibility of lowered intracellular conversion to doxorubicinol in these patients. Further evaluation of carbonyl reductase polymorphisms in influencing the treatment efficacy of doxorubicin‐based chemotherapy in Asian cancer patients are warranted. (Cancer Sci2008; 99: 2045–2054)
Combined mobilization and stimulation of tumor‐infiltrating dendritic cells and natural killer cells with Flt3 ligand and IL‐18 in vivo induces systemic antitumor immunity
Authors: Saito Tetsuya , Takayama Takuya , Osaki Tadashi , Nagai Shigenori , Suzuki Toshihiro , Sato Marimo , Kuwano Hiroyuki , Tahara Hideaki
Published: October 2008

It was hypothesized that if dendritic cells (DC) could be efficiently manipulated in vivo, this might enable functional maturation and retention of their potent functions and might represent a more promising approach in DC immunotherapy. The present study focused on the modulation of DC in tumor microenvironment using Fms‐like thyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) combined with interferon‐γ‐inducing factor (IL‐18). Tumor‐inoculated mice were treated with in vivo electroporation (IVE) of expression plasmids carrying complementary DNA of Flt3L. As a combination therapy, mice in the other group were treated with intra‐tumoral injection of adenoviral vector carrying IL‐18 gene (Ad.IL‐18). Significant antitumor effect was observed in mice treated with Ad.IL‐18 alone when compared with that of control (P < 0.01). Complete eradication was observed more frequently (100%versus 33%: P < 0.05) in the mice treated with Flt3L and Ad.IL‐18 when compared with the mice treated with Ad.IL‐18 alone. In un‐injected distant tumor, significant antitumor responses were observed only in the mice treated with combination therapy. Lymphoid cells in lymph nodes of mice treated with combination therapy showed significant cytolytic activity against inoculated tumor cells and YAC‐1 cells when compared with the lymphoid cells in other groups. In the tumor microenvironment, combination therapy resulted in the recruitment of mobilized DC into the tumor bed, although Flt3L–IVE alone had an effect in the peri‐tumoral area. Tumor‐infiltrating DC in mice treated with combination therapy showed higher CD86 expression and more potent allogeneic T‐cell stimulatory capacity. These results may suggest that local expression of IL‐18 combined with in vivo DC mobilization with Flt3L is clinically applicable as a new strategy of DC immunotherapy. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2028–2036)
Association between increment of serum VEGF level and prognosis after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Shim Ju Hyun , Park Joong‐Won , Kim Ji Hoon , An Min , Kong Sun‐Young , Nam Byung‐Ho , Choi Joon‐Il , Kim Hyun Beom , Lee Woo Jin , Kim Chang‐Min
Published: October 2008

We prospectively investigated the association between a change of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient prognosis. The study involved 147 patients with unresectable HCC treated at the National Cancer Center, Korea, between July and December 2005. Serum samples were collected from each patient before TACE, and 1–2 days and 1 month after TACE. Serum VEGF concentrations were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The loge(VEGF/platelets) increased transiently 1–2 days after TACE and declined thereafter. Frequency of previous TACE did not correlate with loge(VEGF/platelets). This study found that loge(VEGF/platelets) 1–2 days after TACE, but not loge(VEGF/platelets) at baseline, was strongly correlated with vascular or nodal invasion and AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer)/UICC (International Union Against Cancer) stage, and was significantly greater in men. Relative changes in serum VEGF/platelet levels 1–2 days after TACE (ΔVEGF) > 0.5 were directly correlated with tumor size, vascular invasion and modified UICC and AJCC/UICC stage (P < 0.05 for each). Additionally, ΔVEGF > 0.5 was significantly correlated with newly developed extrahepatic metastases one and six months after TACE (P = 0.005 and 0.003, respectively). Progression free survival of patients with ΔVEGF > 0.5 was significantly worse (P < 0.001) and ΔVEGF > 0.5 was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio, 3.111; P < 0.001). This study showed that a high increment in serum VEGF level 1–2 days after TACE in HCC patients was associated with distant metastasis and unfavorable outcomes. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2037–2044)