bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood Cell Counter in Gravity-Driven Microchannel
Authors: Yamada Hiroyuki , Yoshida Yoshikazu , Terada Nobuyuki
Published: December 2005

A three-pronged microchannel is fabricated in resin by UV laser ablation. A number of heat-hardened resin films are layered on a soda glass. A laser fabricates a part of the channel on each film for every lamination. The channels are 45 µm in depth and 50–150 µm in width. Through holes are made in the laminate film with a laser. Inlet pipes with reservoirs are inserted into the holes. A blood cell can be transported by gravity applied to it. The blood is led into the center of the channel with a sheath flow of solution from both side channels. Blood cells are then focused at the junction by controlling the height difference between a blood reservoir and the solution reservoirs.
Charge-Injection Effects in a Single 4,4''-Terphenyldithiol Molecule
Authors: Uchida Kazuyuki , Kageshima Hiroyuki , Inokawa Hiroshi
Published: December 2005

The effects of charge injections into a single 4,4''-terphenyldithiol molecule were investigated using density-functional calculations. It is shown that the atomic structures of the molecule are remarkably modified by electron or hole injections into it. Strengthening and weakening of the C–C and C–S π-bonds brought about by the charge injections are closely associated with these structural modifications. Analyses of the wave functions of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest un-occupied molecular orbital (LUMO), especially those on the arrangements of the nodes and loops of them, help our understanding of such modulations of the bond orders. It is also shown that the energies required for charging the molecule are considerably affected by these deformations. These results suggest the importance of the electron–lattice interactions in the current conduction due to the single-electron tunneling through the 4,4''-terphenyldithiol molecular single-electron island.
Nano-Domain Engineering in LiNbO3 by Focused Ion Beam
Authors: Li Xijun , Terabe Kazuya , Hatano Hideki , Kitamura Kenji
Published: December 2005

Domain tailored ferroelectric crystals are fascinating functional materials. This needs a simple and highly productive domain engineering method at the micro- and nano-scales. In this letter, penetrating dot domain of top and bottom diameters of 360 and 310 nm, respectively, in 100-µm-thick stoichiometric LiNbO3 by focused ion beam domain engineering has been demonstrated. Surface structures of the same size can be fabricated by combining this focused ion beam domain engineering with HF-selective etching.
Nanoholes Formed by Au Particles Digging into GaAs and InP Substrates by Reverse Vapor–Liquid–Solid Mechanism
Authors: Tateno Kouta , Gotoh Hideki , Nakano Hidetoshi
Published: December 2005

Under a CBr4 gas supply, Au nanoparticles dig into GaAs and InP substrates to form nanoholes through the reverse vapor–liquid–solid mechanism. The nanohole formation tends to proceed in the [111]B direction. For GaAs, straight holes sometimes appear in the [011] and [211]B directions. This is due to the stable {111}B facets, which block the etching. For InP, many straight holes are seen in the [111]B direction. For both materials, direct etching of the surface also occurs. It is therefore necessary to find the optimum etching conditions for high selectivity to fabricate nanoholes.
Molecular Beam Epitaxial Growth of GaAs on (631) Oriented Substrates
Authors: Cruz-Hernandez Esteban , Pulzara-Mora Alvaro , Ramírez-Arenas Francisco-Javier , Rojas-Ramirez Juan-Salvador , Méndez-García Víctor-Hugo , López-López Máximo
Published: December 2005

The homoepitaxy of GaAs on (631)-oriented substrates has been studied as a function of the growth temperature. We observed the spontaneous formation of a high density of large scale features on the surface. The hilly like features are elongated towards the [-5,9,3] direction. When the growth temperature was varied from 490 to 580°C the hillocks length exponentially increases from 1.8 to 4.3 µm, their height linearly increases from 35 to 50 nm, and the density exponentially decreases from 2.8×106 to 3×105 /cm2. The hillocks formation is discussed in terms of adatoms diffusion anisotropy, sticking properties at step edges, and Ehrlich–Schwoebel diffusion barriers.
Investigation of Transport Mechanism for Strained Si n Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor Grown on Multi-Layer Substrate
Authors: Wang Yen Ping , Wu San Lein , Chang Shoou Jinn
Published: December 2005

Tensile strained-Si n metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) grown on a novel multi-layer substrate are studied for Si-cap layer thicknesses ranging from 3 to 13 nm. A Si0.72Ge0.28/Si/Si0.7Ge0.3/bulk-Si multi-layer structure is used to confine threading dislocation formation around the bottom Si0.7Ge0.3 layer and reduce the top SiGe buffer thickness with the low-defect surface. We show that sample with 8-nm-thickness Si cap exhibits comparable subthreshold characteristics to conventional Si control, and provides a 12% higher drive current for devices down to 0.24 µm. Although an even lager current enhancement (up to 46%) was found in long-channel sample with 13 nm Si cap, observed high off-state leakage current for deep-submicron device resulting from partial strain-relief indicate that the thicker Si cap is, the larger channel length will have to completely accommodate the tensile strain of the film.
Novel role for αvβ5-integrin in retinal adhesion and its diurnal peak
Authors: Nandrot Emeline F. , Anand Monika , Sircar Mousumi , Finnemann Silvia C.
Published: December 2005

αvβ5-Integrin is the sole integrin receptor at the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-photoreceptor interface and promotes RPE phagocytic signaling to the tyrosine kinase Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) once a day in response to circadian photoreceptor shedding. Herein we identify a novel role for αvβ5-integrin in permanent RPE-photoreceptor adhesion that is independent of αvβ5's function in retinal phagocytosis. To compare retinal adhesion of wild-type and β 5 -integrin −/− mice, we mechanically separated RPE and neural retina and quantified RPE protein and pigment retention with the neural retina. Lack of αvβ5-integrin with normal expression of other RPE integrins greatly weakened retinal adhesion in young mice and accelerated its age-dependent decline. Unexpectedly, the strength of wild-type retinal adhesion varied with a diurnal rhythm that peaked 3.5 h after light onset, after the completion of phagocytosis, when integrin signaling to MerTK is minimal. Permanent αvβ5 receptor deficiency attenuated the diurnal peak of retinal adhesion in β 5 -integrin −/− mice. These results identify αvβ5-integrin as the first RPE receptor that contributes to retinal adhesion, a vital mechanism for long-term photoreceptor function and viability. Furthermore, they indicate that αvβ5 receptors at the same apical plasma membrane domain of RPE cells fulfill two separate functions that are synchronized by different diurnal rhythms.
Activation of MAPKs in thrombin-stimulated ventricular myocytes is dependent on Ca2+-independent PLA2
Authors: Beckett Caroline S. , Pennington Karin , McHowat Jane
Published: December 2005

Thrombin stimulation of isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes activates a membrane-associated, Ca2+-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) that selectively hydrolyzes plasmalogen phospholipids and results in increased production of arachidonic acid and lysoplasmenylcholine. To determine whether MAPK regulates myocardial iPLA2 activity, we isolated ventricular myocytes from rabbit heart by collagenase digestion and pretreated them with MAPK inhibitors before stimulating them with thrombin. Pretreatment with PD-98059 to inhibit p42/44 MAPK or SB-203580 to inhibit p38 MAPK had no significant effect on thrombin-stimulated, membrane-associated iPLA2 activity. Thrombin stimulation resulted in significant increases in both p42/44 and p38 MAPK activity after 2 min. Pretreatment with the iPLA2-selective inhibitor bromoenol lactone completely inhibited thrombin-stimulated MAPK activity, suggesting that activation of MAPKs was dependent on iPLA2 activation. Ventricular myocyte MAPK activity was increased by incubation of the myocytes with lysoplasmenylcholine, a metabolite produced by iPLA2-catalyzed membrane plasmalogen phospholipid hydrolysis. Altogether, these data suggest that activation of MAPKs occurs downstream of and is dependent on iPLA2 activation in thrombin-stimulated rabbit ventricular myocytes.
Stimulation by caveolin-1 of the hypotonicity-induced release of taurine and ATP at basolateral, but not apical, membrane of Caco-2 cells
Authors: Ullrich Nina , Caplanusi Adrian , Brône Bert , Hermans Diane , Larivière Els , Nilius Bernd , Van Driessche Willy , Eggermont Jan
Published: December 2005

Regulatory volume decrease (RVD) is a protective mechanism that allows mammalian cells to restore their volume when exposed to a hypotonic environment. A key component of RVD is the release of K+, Cl−, and organic osmolytes, such as taurine, which then drives osmotic water efflux. Previous experiments have indicated that caveolin-1, a coat protein of caveolae microdomains in the plasma membrane, promotes the swelling-induced Cl− current ( ICl,swell) through volume-regulated anion channels. However, it is not known whether the stimulation by caveolin-1 is restricted to the release of Cl− or whether it also affects the swelling-induced release of other components, such as organic osmolytes. To address this problem, we have studied ICl,swell and the hypotonicity-induced release of taurine and ATP in wild-type Caco-2 cells that are caveolin-1 deficient and in stably transfected Caco-2 cells that express caveolin-1. Electrophysiological characterization of wild-type and stably transfected Caco-2 showed that caveolin-1 promoted ICl,swell, but not cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator currents. Furthermore, caveolin-1 expression stimulated the hypotonicity-induced release of taurine and ATP in stably transfected Caco-2 cells grown as a monolayer. Interestingly, the effect of caveolin-1 was polarized because only the release at the basolateral membrane, but not at the apical membrane, was increased. It is therefore concluded that caveolin-1 facilitates the hypotonicity-induced release of Cl−, taurine, and ATP, and that in polarized epithelial cells, the effect of caveolin-1 is compartmentalized to the basolateral membrane.
Gain of allelic gene expression for IGF-II occurs frequently in Barrett's esophagus
Authors: Feagins Linda A. , Susnow Nathan , Zhang Hui Ying , Pearson Stephanie , Owen Charles , Schmalstieg William F. , Terada Lance S. , Spechler Stuart J. , Ramirez Ruben D. , Souza Rhonda F.
Published: December 2005

The IGF-II gene normally exhibits genomic imprinting, a DNA modification that allows the expression of only one of the two inherited alleles. With loss of imprinting, there is a gain of allelic gene expression (GOAGE) due to IGF-II being expressed by both alleles. GOAGE for IGF-II has been demonstrated in a number of malignancies and in normal epithelia surrounding malignancies, but not in epithelia without associated neoplasia. We hypothesized that nonneoplastic Barrett's epithelium might have GOAGE for IGF-II that could facilitate its progression to neoplasia. Endoscopic biopsies were obtained from metaplastic esophageal, normal gastric, and normal duodenal epithelia from 43 patients with Barrett's esophagus. Genomic DNA were analyzed using PCR followed by ApaI restriction enzyme digestion or allele-specific PCR to identify an ApaI polymorphism of IGF-II. cDNA from patients with the ApaI polymorphism were analyzed for IGF-II GOAGE using exon connection PCR, followed by a secondary nested PCR and ApaI restriction enzyme digestion. We found that 13 (30%) of 43 samples of Barrett's metaplasia contained the ApaI polymorphism and were thus informative for IGF-II, and sufficient material was available for GOAGE analysis in 9 of those 13 cases. GOAGE for IGF-II was demonstrated in five (56%) of those nine cases. All patients with GOAGE in Barrett's metaplasia also demonstrated GOAGE in the gastric and duodenal epithelia. In contrast, patients without GOAGE in Barrett's metaplasia also had no GOAGE in their gastric and duodenal epithelia. We conclude that in patients with Barrett's esophagus, GOAGE for IGF-II is found frequently in the metaplastic esophageal epithelium as well as in normal gastric and duodenal epithelia.
Effects of low-intensity resistance exercise with slow movement and tonic force generation on muscular function in young men
Authors: Tanimoto Michiya , Ishii Naokata
Published: December 2005

We investigated the acute and long-term effects of low-intensity resistance exercise (knee extension) with slow movement and tonic force generation on muscular size and strength. This type of exercise was expected to enhance the intramuscular hypoxic environment that might be a factor for muscular hypertrophy. Twenty-four healthy young men without experience of regular exercise training were assigned into three groups ( n = 8 for each) and performed the following resistance exercise regimens: low-intensity [∼50% of one-repetition maximum (1RM)] with slow movement and tonic force generation (3 s for eccentric and concentric actions, 1-s pause, and no relaxing phase; LST); high-intensity (∼80% 1RM) with normal speed (1 s for concentric and eccentric actions, 1 s for relaxing; HN); low-intensity with normal speed (same intensity as for LST and same speed as for HN; LN). In LST and HN, the mean repetition maximum was 8RM. In LN, both intensity and amount of work were matched with those for LST. Each exercise session consisting of three sets was performed three times a week for 12 wk. In LST and HN, exercise training caused significant ( P < 0.05) increases in cross-sectional area determined with MRI and isometric strength (maximal voluntary contraction) of the knee extensors, whereas no significant changes were seen in LN. Electromyographic and near-infrared spectroscopic analyses showed that one bout of LST causes sustained muscular activity and the largest muscle deoxygenation among the three types of exercise. The results suggest that intramuscular oxygen environment is important for exercise-induced muscular hypertrophy.
Sensitivity to Interaural Time Differences in the Dorsal Nucleus of the Lateral Lemniscus of the Unanesthetized Rabbit: Comparison With Other Structures
Authors: Kuwada Shigeyuki , Fitzpatrick Douglas C. , Batra Ranjan , Ostapoff Ernst-Michael
Published: December 2005

Interaural time differences, a cue for azimuthal sound location, are first encoded in the superior olivary complex (SOC), and this information is then conveyed to the dorsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (DNLL) and inferior colliculus (IC). The DNLL provides a strong inhibitory input to the IC and may serve to transform the coding of interaural time differences (ITDs) in the IC. Consistent with the projections from the SOC, the DNLL and IC had similar distributions of peak- and trough-type neurons, characteristic delays, and best ITDs. The ITD tuning widths of DNLL neurons were intermediate between those of the SOC and IC. Further sharpening is seen in the auditory thalamus, indicating that sharpening mechanisms are not restricted to the midbrain. The proportion of neurons that phase-locked to the tones delivered to each ear progressively decreased from the SOC to the auditory thalamus. The degree of phase-locking for a large majority of DNLL neurons was too weak to support their involvement in processing monaural inputs to generate a sensitivity to ITDs. The response rates of DNLL neurons were on average ∼60% greater than in the IC or SOC, indicating that the inhibitory input provided to the IC by the DNLL is robust.
Dissociated Hysteresis of Static Ocular Counterroll in Humans
Authors: Palla A. , Bockisch C. J. , Bergamin O. , Straumann D.
Published: December 2005

In stationary head roll positions, the eyes are cyclodivergent. We asked whether this phenomenon can be explained by a static hysteresis that differs between the eyes contra- (CE) and ipsilateral (IE) to head roll. Using a motorized turntable, healthy human subjects ( n = 8) were continuously rotated about the earth-horizontal naso-occipital axis. Starting from the upright position, a total of three full rotations at a constant velocity (2°/s) were completed (acceleration = 0.05°/s2, velocity plateau reached after 40 s). Subjects directed their gaze on a flashing laser dot straight ahead (switched on 20 ms every 2 s). Binocular three-dimensional eye movements were recorded with dual search coils that were modified (wires exiting inferiorly) to minimize torsional artifacts by the eyelids. A sinusoidal function with a first and second harmonic was fitted to torsional eye position as a function of torsional whole body position at constant turntable velocity. The amplitude and phase of the first harmonic differed significantly between the two eyes (paired t-test: P < 0.05): on average, counterroll amplitude of IE was larger [CE: 6.6 ± 1.6° (SD); IE: 8.1 ± 1.7°), whereas CE showed more position lag relative to the turntable (CE: 12.5 ± 10.7°; IE: 5.1 ± 8.7°). We conclude that cyclodivergence observed during static ocular counterroll is mainly a result of hysteresis that depends on whether eyes are contra- or ipsilateral to head roll. Static hysteresis also explains the phenomenon of residual torsion, i.e., an incomplete torsional return of the eyes when the first 360° whole body rotation was completed and subjects were back in upright position (extorsion of CE: 2.0 ± 0.10°; intorsion of IE: 1.4 ± 0.10°). A computer model that includes asymmetric backlash for each eye can explain dissociated torsional hysteresis during quasi-static binocular counterroll. We hypothesize that ocular torsional hysteresis is introduced at the level of the otolith pathways because the direction-dependent torsional position lag of the eyes is related to the head roll position and not the eye position.
Dyslipidemia and the Risk of Incident Hypertension in Men
Authors: Halperin Ruben O. , Sesso Howard D. , Ma Jing , Buring Julie E. , Stampfer Meir J. , Michael Gaziano J.
Published: December 2005

Evidence suggests that hypertension may share a similar pathophysiology with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Thus, dyslipidemia, a strong predictor of CVD, may also predict incident hypertension. We analyzed 3110 men free of hypertension, CVD, and cancer from the Physicians’ Health Study, who provided baseline blood samples from which we measured total cholesterol (TC) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and calculated non-HDL-C and the TC/HDL-C ratio. We categorized each lipid parameter into quintiles and considered National Cholesterol Education Project clinical cut points. Other risk factor information was provided from self-reports on the baseline questionnaire. Incident hypertension was defined as either the initiation of antihypertensive treatment, self-reported systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg. Over a mean follow-up of 14.1 years, 1019 men developed hypertension. In Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for lifestyle and clinical risk factors, men in the highest quintile of TC, non-HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C ratio had increased risks of developing hypertension of 23%, 39%, and 54%, respectively, compared with participants in the lowest quintile. Furthermore, men in the highest quintile of HDL-C had a 32% decreased risk of developing hypertension compared with those in the lowest quintile. Models using National Cholesterol Education Project cut points demonstrated similar associations with hypertension. Models excluding men with diabetes and obesity maintained an independent association between baseline lipids and hypertension. These prospective cohort data suggest that dyslipidemias may lead to the subsequent development of hypertension. Thus, plasma lipids may be useful in the identification of men at risk for hypertension.
Reduced NAD(P)H Oxidase in Low Renin Hypertension
Authors: Zhou Ming-Sheng , Schulman Ivonne Hernandez , Pagano Patrick J. , Jaimes Edgar A. , Raij Leopoldo
Published: December 2005

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) complicates hypertension and is a precursor of atherosclerosis. Reduced NO bioactivity, because of increased reduced NAD(P)H oxidase–derived reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a critical role in ED. gp91
phox
, predominantly expressed in the endothelium and adventitia, is a subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase important for its activation in response to angiotensin (Ang) II. Human atherosclerotic plaques are heavy laden with gp91
phox
. We have shown that in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats, a paradigm of low renin salt-sensitive (SS) hypertension in humans, Ang II receptor blockade normalizes ROS production and endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) without significantly affecting systolic blood pressure (SBP). To additionally elucidate the mechanisms involved in the functional association of Ang II in SS hypertension, we administered a cell-permeable inhibitor of the assembly of p47
phox
with gp91
phox
in NAD(P)H oxidase, gp91ds-tat (10 mg/kg body weight, 3 weeks by minipump), to DS rats fed a 4% salt diet. Control rats received either vehicle or an inactive scramb-tat peptide. Vehicle-treated DS developed hypertension (SBP 168±5 mm Hg), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), proteinuria, impaired EDR, and increased aortic ROS production (superoxide 115% and peroxynitrite 157%) and expression of the proatherogenic molecules LOX-1 (130%) and MCP-1 (166%). gp91ds-tat, but not scramb-tat, normalized ROS and EDR, as well as LOX-1 and MCP-1, despite nonsignificant effects on SBP (159±5 mm Hg;
P
>0.05), left ventricular hypertrophy, and proteinuria. Our findings support the notion that in SS hypertension, activation of NAD(P)H oxidase promotes ED and atherogenesis via decreased nitric oxide bioactivity and increased LOX-1 and MCP-1, independent of blood pressure.
Unfractionated and Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin as Adjuncts to Thrombolysis in Aspirin-Treated Patients With ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Eikelboom John W. , Quinlan Daniel J. , Mehta Shamir R. , Turpie Alexander G. , Menown Ian B. , Yusuf Salim
Published: December 2005

Background—

There is uncertainty about the role of intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with aspirin and thrombolysis.

Methods and Results—

We performed a meta-analysis of the randomized trials to assess the effect of UFH and LMWH on reinfarction, death, stroke, and bleeding. Fourteen trials involving a total of 25 280 patients were included (1239 comparing intravenous UFH versus placebo or no heparin; 16 943 comparing LMWH versus placebo; and 7098 comparing LMWH versus intravenous UFH). Intravenous UFH during hospitalization did not reduce reinfarction (3.5% versus 3.3%; odds ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.99) or death (4.8% versus 4.6%; OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.62 to 1.78) and did not increase major bleeding (4.2% versus 3.4%; OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.18) but increased minor bleeding (19.6% versus 12.5%; OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.43). During hospitalization/at 7 days, LMWH compared with placebo reduced the risk of reinfarction by approximately one quarter (1.6% versus 2.2%; OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.90; number needed to treat [NNT]=167) and death by &10% (7.8% versus 8.7%; OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.80 to 0.99; NNT=111) but increased major bleeding (1.1% versus 0.4%; OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.83 to 3.99; number needed to harm [NNH]=143) and intracranial bleeding (0.3% versus 0.1%; OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.07 to 4.52; NNH=500). The reduction in death with LMWH remained evident at 30 days. LMWH compared with UFH during hospitalization/at 7 days reduced reinfarction by &45% (3.0% versus 5.2%; OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.73; NNT=45), did not reduce death (4.8% versus 5.3%; OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.13) or increase major bleeding (3.3% versus 2.5%; OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.72), but increased minor bleeding (22.8% vs 19.4%; OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.43). The reduction in reinfarction remained evident at 30 days.

Conclusions—

In aspirin-treated patients with STEMI who are treated with thrombolysis, intravenous UFH has not been shown to prevent reinfarction or death. LMWH given for 4 to 8 days compared with placebo reduces reinfarction by approximately one quarter and death by &10% and when directly compared with UFH reduces reinfarction by almost one half. These data suggest that LMWH should be the preferred antithrombin in this setting.
Toward a World Rule of Law: Freedom of Expression
Authors: Wimmer Kurt
Published: December 2005

Freedom of expression is guaranteed by international treaties, but countries differ significantly in their view of the meaning of “free expression” and how it should be protected. Before the emergence of the Internet, each country could workably set its own ceiling for the protection of expression without having an adverse impact on other countries that might make a different choice. The borderless nature of the Internet makes it more difficult for despots and dictators to limit the access of their citizens to information from outside their countries' borders. But the conflict represented by this medium expresses itself in legitimate disputes over the application of national law. Each nation must apply its own rules of law without diminishing the freedoms available to citizens of other states. This article suggests that nations focus on applying the law of the country in which speech originates, following the view of the European Union.
Transitions to Constitutional Democracies: The German Democratic Republic
Authors: Markovits Inga
Published: December 2005

All law reform must look for local precedents to build on. Does this claim also apply to formerly totalitarian states? Building on her research on East German legal history, the author asks whether there might be some generally applicable reasons explaining why in the German Democratic Republic the first tender shoots of a rule of law appeared before the collapse of socialism. She finds an inverse relationship between political and legal faith: as one declines, the other rises, and vice versa. The waning of utopian hopes tends to be compensated for by an increased interest in law and rights and by the growing professionalism of a disenchanted legal class. The author believes that not only is the “prerogative state” a constant threat to the “normative state,” but that, vice versa, the practice of legality, even the legality of totalitarian state, can threaten and undermine the effectiveness of autocratic rule.
Reform, Rescue, or Run Out of Money?
Authors: Jerit Jennifer
Published: December 2005

This study examines the extent and consequences of press independence in the realm of problem definition. Beginning with an experiment, the analysis shows that many of the words and phrases used in the 1998 to 1999 Social Security reform debate were misleading in the sense that they caused citizens to draw incorrect inferences about the financial problems facing Social Security. Next, the study compares the prevalence of these same expressions in the mass media and in transcripts of political speeches and press releases. Contrary to theories of indexing, reporters and journalists exhibited considerable independence in how they described Social Security’s financial problems. Ironically, however, this meant that media accounts had more misleading rhetoric than the actual statements of government officials.
Still the Middle Way
Authors: Nord Lars W.
Published: December 2005

This article focuses on the process of hybridization of political campaigns, using Sweden as a case study, and raises three main research questions. First, how do global campaign practices influence the national campaign context in Sweden? Second, how does the Swedish political structure and political culture influence the adaptation of global trends in this area? Third, how can a possible hybridization of political campaigning be characterized in Sweden? The data in this study are mainly based on structured interviews with party secretaries and campaign officials in all seven parties with seats in the Swedish Parliament. The results indicate that the hybridization of political communication practices in Sweden is characterized by a growing use of global campaign practices. Marketing tools are frequently used for opinion analyses, but there are substantial obstacles to a complete implementation of modern practices. To some extent this can be explained by existing laws and regulations but, above all, by public perceptions of parties, politics, and elections. Sweden is a country with a structural framework where global campaign features can be transformed to a large extent. However, a political culture more influenced by a national campaign context somewhat curtails this transformation process.
Homicide Crime Scene Behaviors in a Finnish Sample of Mentally Ill Offenders
Authors: Häkkänen Helinä , Laajasalo Taina
Published: December 2005

This study examines whether crime scene behaviors in Finnish homicides are associated with differences in offenders' mental status. Homicide crime scene behaviors were analyzed among five groups of offenders: those with schizophrenia, those with personality disorder, drug addicts, alcoholics, and offenders without a diagnosis ( N= 182). The results showed that crime scene behaviors, victim gender, and victim-offender relationship differed between the mentioned groups. In particular, schizophrenic offenders and drug addicts had some unique features in their crime scene behaviors and choice of victims. Schizophrenic offenders were more likely to kill a blood relative, to use a sharp weapon, and to injure the victim's face. Drug addicts more frequently stole from the victim and tried to cover up the body. Results are discussed in terms of their utility to criminal investigation.
Knowledge flows in marketing: An analysis of journal article references and citations
Authors: Sivadas Eugene , Johnson Mark S.
Published: December 2005

Recent articles in Marketing Theory have criticized the cumulativeness and the diffusion of knowledge emanating from academic journals in marketing. The normative and the social exchange theories of citation propose that intellectual influence and knowledge transfer may be traced by examining relationships between references and citations of journal articles. Analysis of a sample of articles drawn from eight marketing journals suggests that marketing knowledge exhibits both cumulativeness and knowledge diffusion. For example, analysis of the sample of articles indicates that there is significant reciprocating influence between references and citations within a journal, across marketing journals, and across disciplinary boundaries. The influences of article references on citations are analyzed relative to the effect of the journal of publication on citations. Results indicate that the perceived quality of the journal rather than the accessibility of the journal is also influential on citations of articles.
Relationship marketing and university-industry linkages: A conceptual framework
Authors: Plewa Carolin , Quester Pascale , Baaken Thomas
Published: December 2005

Relationship marketing (RM) is a prolific area of current marketing theory development. While RM principles are relevant to a range of business-to-consumer and business-to-business contexts, their theoretical foundations have principally emerged in reference to the private sector. By contrast, this exploratory study examines RM opportunities between entities operating in different sectors, namely university and industry in Australia. Using a qualitative approach, findings led to the development of a conceptual framework of university-industry relationships, integrating variables of organizational environment difference, relationship and value. Overall, this exploratory study broadens RM theory and application to relationships involving parties from fundamentally different organizational environments and suggest opportunities for the implementation of RM in this context. The article concludes with recommendations for academics and practitioners and provides several directions for future research.
The Labor of Fun
Authors: Yee Nick
Published: December 2005

Video games are often framed as sites of play and entertainment. Their transformation into work platforms and the staggering amount of work that is being done in these games often go unnoticed. Users spend on average 20 hours a week in online games, and many of them describe their game play as obligation, tedium, and more like a second job than entertainment. Using well-known behavior conditioning principles, video games are inherentlywork platforms that train us to become better gameworkers. And thework that is being performed in video games is increasingly similar to the work performed in business corporations. The microcosm of these online games may reveal larger social trends in the blurring boundaries between work and play.
Not a Hater, Just Keepin' It Real
Authors: Leonard David J.
Published: December 2005

Notwithstanding the presence of extreme racialized tropes within the world of video games, public discourses continue to focus on questions of violence, denying the importance of games in maintaining the hegemonic racial order. Efforts to exclude race (and intersections with gender, nation, and sexuality) from public discussions through its erasure and the acceptance of larger discourses of colorblindness contribute to a problematic understanding of video games and their significant role in contemporary social, political, economic, and cultural organization. How can one truly understand fantasy, violence, gender roles, plot, narrative, game playability, virtual realities, and the like without examining race, racism, and/or racial stratification—one cannot. This article challenges game studies scholars to move beyond simply studying games to begin to offer insight and analysis into the importance of race and racialized tropes within virtual reality and the larger implications of racist pedagogies of video games in the advancement of White supremacy.
Synchronous adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumor of the terminal ileum in a Crohn's disease patient
Authors: Cioffi Ugo , De Simone Matilde , Ferrero Stefano , Ciulla Michele M , Lemos Alessandro , Avesani Ettore Contessini
Published: December 2005

Background

Several malignancies have been described in association with inflammatory bowel diseases, the most common being adenocarcinoma. Carcinoid tumor and Crohn disease has also been previously reported, however the coexistence of both neoplasms is quite rare and the clinical diagnosis is very difficult. Here we report what we believe to be the fourth case of a mixed adenocarcinoid tumor coexisting with Crohn's disease.

Case report

The patient presented with clinical and radiological features of intestinal obstruction. Laparotomy showed a stricturing lesion in the last 6 cm of the terminal ileum with proximal dilation. Only the histology of the resected surgical specimen proved the presence of a mixed adenocarcinoid tumor involving the terminal ileum.

Conclusion

Carcinoid tumor should be suspected in elderly patients with Crohn's disease presenting with intestinal obstruction and laparotomy should be considered to exclude malignancy.
Rating of personality disorder features in popular movie characters
Authors: Hesse Morten , Schliewe Sanna , Thomsen Rasmus R
Published: December 2005

Background

Tools for training professionals in rating personality disorders are few. We present one such tool: rating of fictional persons. However, before ratings of fictional persons can be useful, we need to know whether raters get the same results, when rating fictional characters.

Method

Psychology students at the University of Copenhagen (N = 8) rated four different movie characters from four movies based on three systems: Global rating scales representing each of the 10 personality disorders in the DSM-IV, a criterion list of all criteria for all DSM-IV personality disorders in random order, and the Ten Item Personality Inventory for rating the five-factor model. Agreement was estimated based on intraclass-correlation.

Results

Agreement for rating scales for personality disorders ranged from 0.04 to 0.54. For personality disorder features based on DSM-IV criteria, agreement ranged from 0.24 to 0.89, and agreement for the five-factor model ranged from 0.05 to 0.88. The largest multivariate effect was observed for criteria count followed by the TIPI, followed by rating scales. Raters experienced personality disorder criteria as the easiest, and global personality disorder scales as the most difficult, but with significant variation between movies.

Conclusion

Psychology students with limited or no clinical experience can agree well on the personality traits of movie characters based on watching the movie. Rating movie characters may be a way to practice assessment of personality.
Skin infection, housing and social circumstances in children living in remote Indigenous communities: testing conceptual and methodological approaches
Authors: Bailie Ross S , Stevens Matthew R , McDonald Elizabeth , Halpin Stephen , Brewster David , Robinson Gary , Guthridge Steven
Published: December 2005

Background

Poor housing conditions in remote Indigenous communities in Australia are a major underlying factor in poor child health, including high rates of skin infections. The aim of this study is to test approaches to data collection, analysis and feedback for a follow-up study of the impact of housing conditions on child health.

Methods

Participation was negotiated in three communities with community councils and individual participants. Data were collected by survey of dwelling condition, interviews, and audit health centre records of children aged under seven years. Community feedback comprised immediate report of items requiring urgent repair followed by a summary descriptive report. Multivariate models were developed to calculate adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRR) for skin infections and their association with aspects of household infrastructure.

Results

There was a high level of participation in all communities. Health centre records were inadequate for audit in one community. The records of 138 children were available for development of multivariate analytic models. Rates of skin infection in dwellings that lacked functioning facilities for removing faeces or which had concrete floors may be up to twice as high as for other dwellings, and the latter association appears to be exacerbated by crowding. Younger children living in older dwellings may also be at approximately two-fold higher risk. A number of socioeconomic and socio-demographic variables also appear to be directly associated with high rates of skin infections.

Conclusion

The methods used in the pilot study were generally feasible, and the analytic approach provides meaningful results. The study provides some evidence that new and modern housing is contributing to a reduction in skin infections in Aboriginal children in remote communities, particularly when this housing leads to a reduction in crowding and the effective removal of human waste.
Cost, affordability and cost-effectiveness of strategies to control tuberculosis in countries with high HIV prevalence
Authors: Currie Christine SM , Floyd Katherine , Williams Brian G , Dye Christopher
Published: December 2005

Background

The HIV epidemic has caused a dramatic increase in tuberculosis (TB) in East and southern Africa. Several strategies have the potential to reduce the burden of TB in high HIV prevalence settings, and cost and cost-effectiveness analyses can help to prioritize them when budget constraints exist. However, published cost and cost-effectiveness studies are limited.

Methods

Our objective was to compare the cost, affordability and cost-effectiveness of seven strategies for reducing the burden of TB in countries with high HIV prevalence. A compartmental difference equation model of TB and HIV and recent cost data were used to assess the costs (year 2003 US$ prices) and effects (TB cases averted, deaths averted, DALYs gained) of these strategies in Kenya during the period 2004–2023.

Results

The three lowest cost and most cost-effective strategies were improving TB cure rates, improving TB case detection rates, and improving both together. The incremental cost of combined improvements to case detection and cure was below US$15 million per year (7.5% of year 2000 government health expenditure); the mean cost per DALY gained of these three strategies ranged from US$18 to US$34. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) had the highest incremental costs, which by 2007 could be as large as total government health expenditures in year 2000. ART could also gain more DALYs than the other strategies, at a cost per DALY gained of around US$260 to US$530. Both the costs and effects of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (TLTI) for HIV+ individuals were low; the cost per DALY gained ranged from about US$85 to US$370. Averting one HIV infection for less than US$250 would be as cost-effective as improving TB case detection and cure rates to WHO target levels.

Conclusion

To reduce the burden of TB in high HIV prevalence settings, the immediate goal should be to increase TB case detection rates and, to the extent possible, improve TB cure rates, preferably in combination. Realising the full potential of ART will require substantial new funding and strengthening of health system capacity so that increased funding can be used effectively.
(Cost)-effectiveness of case-management by district nurses among primary informal caregivers of older adults with dementia symptoms and the older adults who receive informal care: design of a randomized controlled trial [ISCRTN83135728]
Authors: Jansen Aaltje PD , van Hout Hein PJ , van Marwijk Harm WJ , Nijpels Giel , de Bruijne Martine C , Bosmans Judith E , Pot Anne-Margriet , Stalman Wim AB
Published: December 2005

Background

Dementia is an incurable disease with devastating consequences for both patients and their relatives. The objective of this study is to describe the study protocol of a randomized controlled trial with assignment to either usual care or case-management by district nurses, among informal caregivers of older adults with dementia symptoms who live at home and the older adults who receive informal care.

Methods/design

In this randomized controlled trial, effectiveness as well as cost-effectiveness of case-management is evaluated. It concerns case-management in early-detected patients with dementia symptoms and their primary informal caregivers. Participants are followed up to twelve months after baseline assessment. The main outcome measure of the effect evaluation is the caregiver's sense of competence to care for the older person with dementia symptoms. The economic evaluation is performed from a societal perspective.

Discussion

This is one of the first trials on case-management that includes an economic evaluation. In addition, it concerns a tailor-made intervention in early-detected patients with dementia symptoms and their caregivers. The results of this randomized controlled trial will provide valuable information for health professionals and policy makers on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of early tailor-made case-management for patients and their informal caregivers. Moreover, positive effects will challenge current health care systems to move to more pro-active approaches for this group.
Amiloride derivatives enhance insulin release in pancreatic islets from diabetic mice
Authors: Gunawardana Subhadra C , Head W Steven , Piston David W
Published: December 2005

Background

Amiloride derivatives, commonly used for their diuretic and antihypertensive properties, can also cause a sustained but reversible decrease of intracellular pH (pHi). Using dimethyl amiloride (DMA) on normal rodent pancreatic islets, we previously demonstrated the critical influence of islet pHi on insulin secretion. Nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion (NSIS) requires a specific pHi-range, and is dramatically enhanced by forced intracellular acidification with DMA. Furthermore, DMA can enable certain non-secretagogues to stimulate insulin secretion, and induce time-dependent potentiation (TDP) of insulin release in mouse islets where this function is normally absent. The present study was performed to determine whether pHi-manipulation could correct the secretory defect in islets isolated from mice with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Using two mouse models of type 2 diabetes, we compared a) pHi-regulation, and b) NSIS with and without treatment with amiloride derivatives, in islets isolated from diabetic mice and wild type mice.

Results

A majority of the islets from the diabetic mice showed a slightly elevated basal pHi and/or poor recovery from acid/base load. DMA treatment produced a significant increase of NSIS in islets from the diabetic models. DMA also enabled glucose to induce TDP in the islets from diabetic mice, albeit to a lesser degree than in normal islets.

Conclusion

Islets from diabetic mice show some mis-regulation of intracellular pH, and their secretory capacity is consistently enhanced by DMA/amiloride. Thus, amiloride derivatives show promise as potential therapeutic agents for type 2 diabetes.
Recombinant production of bacterial toxins and their derivatives in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris
Authors: Gurkan Cemal , Ellar David J
Published: December 2005

The methylotrophic yeastPichia pastorisis a popular heterologous expression host for the recombinant production of a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins. The rapid emergence ofP. pastorisas a robust heterologous expression host was facilitated by the ease with which it can be manipulated and propagated, which is comparable to that ofEscherichia coliandSaccharomyces cerevisiae.P. pastorisoffers further advantages such as the tightly-regulated alcohol oxidase promoter that is particularly suitable for heterologous expression of foreign genes. While recombinant production of bacterial toxins and their derivatives is highly desirable, attempts at their heterologous expression using the traditionalE. coliexpression system can be problematic due to the formation of inclusion bodies that often severely limit the final yields of biologically active products. However, recent literature now suggests thatP. pastorismay be an attractive alternative host for the heterologous production of bacterial toxins, such as those from the generaBacillus,Clostridium, andCorynebacterium, as well as their more complex derivatives. Here, we review the recombinant production of bacterial toxins and their derivatives inP. pastoriswith special emphasis on their potential clinical applications. Considering thatde novodesign and construction of synthetic toxin genes have often been necessary to achieve optimal heterologous expression inP. pastoris, we also present general guidelines to this end based on our experience with theP. pastorisexpression of theBacillus thuringiensisCyt2Aa1 toxin.
Phylogenetic evidence for the distinction of Saaremaa and Dobrava hantaviruses
Authors: Sironen Tarja , Vaheri Antti , Plyusnin Alexander
Published: December 2005

Dobrava virus (DOBV) and Saaremaa virus (SAAV) are two closely related hantaviruses carried by different rodent species. The distinction of these two viruses has been a matter of debate. While the phylogenies based on the viral M segment sequences were repeatedly showing monophyly of SAAV strains, some trees based on the S segment sequences were not, thus causing questions on the demarcation between these two viruses. In order to clarify this issue, the current collection of the virus S segment sequences was subjected to extensive phylogenetic analysis using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and distant matrix methods. In all inferred phylogenies, the SAAV sequences were monophyletic and separated from DOBV sequences, thus supporting the view that SAAV and DOBV are distinct hantavirus species. Since collection of the S segment sequences used in this study "obeyed" the molecular clock, calculations of the split of DOBV and SAAV were now repeated resulting in an estimation of 3.0–3.7 MYA that is very close to the values obtained earlier.