bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ALGEBRAIC GEOMETRIC INVARIANTS OF PARAFREE GROUPS
Authors: LIRIANO SAL
Published: March 2007

Given a finitely generated (fg) group G, the set R(G) of homomorphisms from G to SL2ℂ inherits the structure of an algebraic variety known as the representation variety of G in SL2ℂ. This algebraic variety is an invariant of fg presentations of G. Call a group G parafree of rank n if it shares the lower central sequence with a free group of rank n, and if it is residually nilpotent. The deviation of a fg parafree group is the difference between the minimum possible number of generators of G and the rank of G. So parafree groups of deviation zero are actually just free groups. Parafree groups that are not free share a host of properties with free groups. In this paper algebraic geometric invariants involving the number of maximal irreducible components (mirc) of R(G), and the dimension of R(G) for certain classes of parafree groups are computed. It is shown that in an infinite number of cases these invariants successfully discriminate between ismorphism types within the class of parafree groups of the same rank. This is quite surprising, since an n generated group G is free of rank n if and only if Dim (R(G)) = 3n. In fact, a trivial consequence of Theorem 1.8 in this paper is that given an arbitrary positive integer k, and any integer r ≥ 2, there exist infinitely many non-isomorphic fg parafree groups of rank r and deviation 1 with representation varieties of dimension 3r, having more than k mirc of dimension 3r. This paper also introduces many novel and surprising dimension formulas for the representation varieties of certain one-relator groups.
COMPLEX STRUCTURES ON INDECOMPOSABLE 6-DIMENSIONAL NILPOTENT REAL LIE ALGEBRAS
Authors: MAGNIN L.
Published: March 2007

We show how resorting to dependable computer calculations makes it possible to compute all integrable complex structures on indecomposable 6-dimensional nilpotent real Lie algebras and their equivalence classes under the automorphism group of the Lie algebra. We also prove that the set comprised of all integrable complex structures on such a Lie algebra is a smooth submanifold of ℝ36.
LEFT INVARIANT COMPLEX STRUCTURES ON NILPOTENT SIMPLY CONNECTED INDECOMPOSABLE 6-DIMENSIONAL REAL LIE GROUPS
Authors: MAGNIN L.
Published: March 2007

Integrable complex structures on indecomposable 6-dimensional nilpotent real Lie algebras have been computed in a previous paper, along with normal forms for representatives of the various equivalence classes under the action of the automorphism group. Here we go to the connected simply connected Lie group G0 associated to such a Lie algebra 𝔤. For each normal form J of integrable complex structures on 𝔤, we consider the left invariant complex manifold G = (G0, J) associated to G0 and J. We explicitly compute a global holomorphic chart for G and we write down the multiplication in that chart.
NORMALITY OF GENE EXPRESSION REVISITED
Authors: CHEN LINLIN , KLEBANOV LEV , YAKOVLEV ANDREI
Published: March 2007

A question has been raised in several publications as to whether or not the expression levels or their logarithms for different genes are normally distributed. To answer this question would require a large data set where both biological variability and technological noise are present. An earlier attempt to test this assumption was limited to technical replicates and did not take multiplicity of tests into account when assessing the net results of goodness-of-fit testing. Therefore, the problem calls for further exploration. We applied several statistical tests to a large set of high-density oligonucleotide microarray data in order to systematically test for log-normality of expression levels for all the reporter genes. The multiple testing aspect of the problem was addressed by designing a pertinent resampling procedure. The results of testing did not reject normality of log-intensities in the non-normalized data under study. However, the global log-normality hypothesis was rejected beyond all reasonable doubt when the data were normalized by the quantile normalization procedure. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that non-normalized expression levels of different genes are approximately log-normally distributed. The quantile normalization causes dramatic changes in the shape of marginal distributions of log-intensities which may be an indication that this procedure interferes not only in the technological noise but the true biological signal as well. This possibility invites a special investigation.
MODELS FOR ANALYZING THE NON-STEADY STATE DIFFUSION OF OXYGEN THROUGH RESPIRING WOOD
Authors: HIETZ PETER , NOWAK WERNER GEORG
Published: March 2007

Diffusion governs the movement of molecules in gases and liquids and consequently affects the supply of living organisms with nutrients and oxygen and the distribution within bodies. In the absence of active transport processes, it is generally the only supply mechanism. Models of dynamic diffusion where the diffusing substance can react can be complex, as shown here with models for a non-steady-state diffusion process of oxygen into respiring tissue such as wood. In the simplest case, approximating the dependence of oxygen consumption on oxygen concentration by a linear function, we are able to establish an explicit analytic solution of the modeling partial differential equation. This is applied to analyze the oxygen distribution in tree stems, but is also relevant for other media such as aquatic sediments. More complex models analyze different assumptions about the dependence of oxygen consumption and limit the extension of the respiring layer. For these models it was not possible to derive an explicit analytic solution and Euler's method was used.
SELECT INFORMATIVE SYMPTOMS COMBINATION FOR DIAGNOSING SYNDROME
Authors: SUN ZHANQUAN , XI GUANGCHENG , YI JIANQIANG , ZHAO DONGBIN
Published: March 2007

Selection of treatment according to the differentiation of syndromes is the kernel theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Different symptoms play different roles in the differentiation of syndromes. It is important to know the contribution rate of each symptom quantitatively. How to find the most informative symptoms combination served as the differential diagnosis standard of a syndrome is also a significant problem in traditional Chinese medicine too. Mutual information can measure arbitrary statistical dependence between variables. Features selection based on mutual information has been widely applied. In this paper, a new definition of contribution rate based on mutual information is proposed. In the definition, joint mutual information needs some form of calculation. An efficient calculation method of joint mutual information and a novel features selection method are developed. Here combinatorial contribution rate is defined as a stopping rule instead of prescribing the number of selected symptoms. The selected symptoms are input to a supervised BP neural network for diagnosing syndrome. Finally, the feasibility of the method is illustrated through a TCM example.
CATALYTIC EFFECTS OF FERROCENE ON BONDING, OPTICAL AND STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON FILMS DEPOSITED BY MICROWAVE SURFACE-WAVE PLASMA CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION
Authors: ADHIKARI SUDIP , ADHIKARY SUNIL , UCHIDA HIDEO , UMENO MASAYOSHI
Published: March 2007

This paper reports catalytic effects of ferrocene on bonding, optical and structural properties of diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films grown on silicon and quartz substrates by microwave surface-wave plasma chemical vapor deposition. For film deposition, helium and methane gases were used as plasma source. Bonding, optical and structural properties of the DLC films were measured both with and without using ferrocene as a catalyst. The ferrocene content in the DLC was confirmed by X-ray spectroscopy (XPS) measurement. The optical band gap decreased from 2.7 eV (without ferrocene) to 1.6 eV (with ferrocene). Raman spectra of the ferrocene content film shows that the G-peak was more pronounced compared to the film without ferrocene. Results suggest that appropriate concentration of ferrocene in DLC film helps to reduce the optical band gap because of ferrocene-induced graphitization.
GROWTH AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW SEMI-ORGANIC NON-LINEAR OPTICAL CRYSTAL L-ARGININE HYDROCHLOROFLUORIDE MONOHYDRATE (LAHClF)
Authors: SIDDHESWARAN R. , SANKAR R. , RATHNAKUMARI M. , MURUGAKOOTHAN P. , JAYAVEL R. , SURESHKUMAR P.
Published: March 2007

A new non-linear optical mixed crystal of L-arginine hydrochlorofluoride monohydrate (LAHClF) has been grown by temperature lowering solution growth technique. The single crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that the LAHClF belongs to monoclinic crystal system. The optical transmittance of the crystal was studied by UV–Visible–NIR spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis were performed to study the molecular vibrations and thermal behavior of the crystals, respectively. The second harmonic generation intensity and laser damage threshold of the LAHClF crystal were measured. The mechanical strength of the material was determined by the Vickers hardness method.
CHARACTERIZATION OF PET FABRICS SURFACE MODIFIED BY GRAFT CELLULOSE NANO-CRYSTAL USING TGA, FE-SEM AND XPS
Authors: LI WEIDONG , DING ENYONG
Published: March 2007

Surface-modified Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics were prepared through thionylchlorided cellulose nano-crystal (CNC) reacting with hydroxyl groups at the surface of the alkali-etched PET fabrics. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to study the topography, superficial ingredients and thermal properties of the composite, respectively. It was confirmed by the observation of FE-SEM that the surface of PET fabrics was covered by the immobilized CNC particles, and increasing O/C atomic ratio in XPS-spectra was found with grafting. The TGA examination indicated that CNC-g-PET had less weight loss in the range of 300–350° than alkali-treated PET fibers, which was caused by the cross-linking effect of CNC particles with multi-ended reactive groups.
THE CALCULATION OF THE SURFACE ENERGY OF HIGH-INDEX SURFACES OF SILICON AT ZERO TEMPERATURE
Authors: WANG SANJUN , SONG YOULIN , ZHAO XIANLIN , WANG XIANJUN , LIU JINHAI , LI JINMING , JIA YU
Published: March 2007

We used the molecular dynamics simulation based on the Stillinger–Weber (SW) interatomic potential to calculate the high-index surface energies of surfaces containing any of the stereographic surfaces of silicon at zero temperature. An empirical formula based on the structural unit model was generalized for high-index surfaces. Our simulated results show that the generalized formula can give a good estimation of the surface energy and structural feature of the high-index surfaces not only on the edge of stereographic but also within it. Our simulation and empirical formula results reveal that the closest surface has the lowest energy, so the closest (101) surface has the lowest surface energy and the (101), (111) and (001) surfaces are the extremum on the curve of surface energy versus orientation angle. Both the theoretical simulation results and the empirical formula calculation results are consistent with the available first-principles theoretical data.
ON ERRORS AND BIAS OF FOURIER TRANSFORM METHODS IN QUADRATIC TERM STRUCTURE MODELS
Authors: BOYARCHENKO NINA , LEVENDORSKIǏ SERGEI
Published: March 2007

We analyze and compare the performance of the Fourier transform method in affine and quadratic term structure models. We explain why the method of the reduction to FFT in dimension 1 is efficient for ATSMs of type A0(n), but may lead to sizable errors for QTSMs unless computational errors are taken into account properly. We suggest a certain improvement and generalization which make FFT more accurate and, for the same precision, faster than the Leippold and Wu [M. Leippold and L. Wu, Option pricing under the quadratic class, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis37(2) (2002) 271–295] method. We deduce simple general recommendations for the choice of parameters of computational schemes for QTSMs, which ensure a given precision, and an approximate formula for the bias which FFT produces.
Angiotensin II type 2 receptor-dependent increases in nitric oxide synthase expression in the pulmonary endothelium is mediated via a Gαi3/Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway
Authors: Li Jianyu , Zhao Xiangmin , Li Xinmei , Lerea Kenneth M. , Olson Susan C.
Published: March 2007

We have previously reported that angiotensin II (ANG II) stimulated Src tyrosine kinase via a pertussis toxin-sensitive type 2 receptor, which, in turn, activates MAPK, resulting in an increase in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). The present study was designed to investigate the pathway by which ANG II activates Src leading to an increase in ERK1/ERK2 phosphorylation and an increase in NOS protein in PAECs. Transfection of PAECs with Gαi3dominant negative (DN) cDNA blocked the ANG II-dependent activation of Src, ERK1/ERK2 phosphorylation, and increase in NOS expression. ANG II stimulated an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of sequence homology of collagen (Shc; 15 min) that was prevented when PAECs were pretreated with 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-( t-butyl)pyrazolo-[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2), a Src inhibitor. ANG II induced a Src-dependent association between Shc and growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) and between Grb2 and son of sevenless (Sos), both of which were maximal at 15 min. The ANG II-dependent increase in Ras GTP binding was prevented when PAECs were pretreated with the AT2antagonist PD-123319 or with PP2 or were transfected with Src DN cDNA. ANG II-dependent activation of MAPK and the increase in endothelial NOS (eNOS) were prevented when PAECs were transfected with Ras DN cDNA or treated with FTI-277, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor. ANG II induction of Raf-1 phosphorylation was prevented when PAECs were pretreated with PD-123319 and PP2. Raf kinase inhibitor 1 prevented the ANG II-dependent increase in eNOS expression. Collectively, these data suggest that Gαi3, Shc, Grb2, Ras, and Raf-1 link Src to activation of MAPK and to the AT2-dependent increase in eNOS expression in PAECs.
ASCT2 silencing regulates mammalian target-of-rapamycin growth and survival signaling in human hepatoma cells
Authors: Fuchs Bryan C. , Finger Richard E. , Onan Marie C. , Bode Barrie P.
Published: March 2007

System ASC amino acid transporter-2 (ASCT2) was previously demonstrated to be essential for human hepatoma cell growth and survival, as its silencing via inducible antisense RNA expression results in complete apoptosis within 48 h by a mechanism that transcends its role in amino acid delivery. To gain mechanistic insights into the reliance of cancerous liver cells on ASCT2, the aim of this study was to determine the early consequences of its silencing on the growth and survival signaling that presage apoptosis. Induced antisense ASCT2 RNA in SK-Hep1 cells led to >90% suppression of ASCT2 mRNA by 6 h and inhibition of mammalian target-of-rapamycin (mTOR)/raptor (mTOR complex-1; mTORC1) signaling by 8 h, as manifested by diminished p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase-1 and eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF4E) binding protein-1 phosphorylation, while protein synthesis rates declined by nearly 50% despite no measurable decreases in the cap binding protein eIF4G or cellular ribosomal protein content. Depressed mTORC1 signaling occurred before detectable reduction in ASCT2 activity but coincided with a 30% decline in total cellular ASCT2 protein. By 12 h after ASCT2 silencing, further decrements were observed in protein synthesis rates and ASCT2 protein and activity, each by ∼50%, while signaling from mTOR/rictor (mTOR complex-2; mTORC2) was stimulated as indexed by enhanced phosphorylation of the Akt/PKB kinase on serine-473 and of its proapoptotic substrate Bad on serine-136. These results suggest that ASCT2 silencing inhibits mTORC1 signaling to the translational machinery followed by an mTORC2-initiated survival response, establishing a link between amino acid transporter expression and mTOR function.
Intestinotrophic effects of exogenous IGF-I are not diminished in IGF binding protein-5 knockout mice
Authors: Murali Sangita G. , Liu Xiaowen , Nelson David W. , Hull Angela K. , Grahn Michael , Clayton Murray K. , Pintar John E. , Ney Denise M.
Published: March 2007

IGF binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) modulates the availability of IGF-I to its receptor and potentiates the intestinotrophic action of IGF-I. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that stimulation of intestinal growth due to coinfusion of IGF-I with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solution is dependent on increased expression of IGFBP-5 through conducting our studies in IGFBP-5 knockout (KO) mice. IGFBP-5 KO, heterozygote (HT) and wild type (WT) male and female mice were maintained with TPN or TPN plus coinfusion of IGF-I [recombinant human (rh)IGF-I; 2.5 mg·kg−1·day−1] for 5 days. The concentration of IGF-I in serum was 73% greater ( P < 0.0001) in mice given TPN + IGF-I infusion compared with TPN alone. IGF-I attenuated the 2–3 g loss of body weight associated with TPN in WT mice, whereas KO and HT mice did not show improvement in body weight with IGF-I treatment. KO and HT mice had significantly greater levels of circulating IGF-I binding proteins (IGFBPs) compared with WT mice. Intestinal growth due to IGF-I was observed in all groups treated with IGF-I based on greater concentrations of protein and DNA in small intestine and colon and significantly greater crypt depth and muscularis thickness in jejunum. Jejunal expression of IGFBP-5 mRNA was greater in WT mice, whereas IGFBP-3 mRNA was greater in KO mice treated with IGF-I. In summary, the absence of the IGFBP-5 gene did not block the ability of IGF-I to stimulate intestinal growth, possibly because greater jejunal expression of IGFBP-3 compensates for the absence of IGFBP-5.
Laryngeal response to nasal ventilation in nonsedated newborn lambs
Authors: Moreau-Bussière François , Samson Nathalie , St-Hilaire Marie , Reix Philippe , Lafond Joëlle Rouillard , Nsegbe Élise , Praud Jean-Paul
Published: March 2007

Although endoscopic studies in adult humans have suggested that laryngeal closure can limit alveolar ventilation during nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (nIPPV), there are no available data regarding glottal muscle activity during nIPPV. In addition, laryngeal behavior during nIPPV has not been investigated in neonates. The aim of the present study was to assess laryngeal muscle response to nIPPV in nonsedated newborn lambs. Nine newborn lambs were instrumented for recording states of alertness, electrical activity [electromyograph (EMG)] of glottal constrictor (thyroarytenoid, TA) and dilator (cricothyroid, CT) muscles, EMG of the diaphragm (Dia), and mask and tracheal pressures. nIPPV in pressure support (PS) and volume control (VC) modes was delivered to the lambs via a nasal mask. Results show that increasing nIPPV during wakefulness and quiet sleep led to a progressive disappearance of Dia and CT EMG and to the appearance and subsequent increase in TA EMG during inspiration, together with an increase in trans-upper airway pressure (TUAP). On rare occasions, transmission of nIPPV through the glottis was prevented by complete, active glottal closure, a phenomenon more frequent during active sleep epochs, when irregular bursts of TA EMG were observed. In conclusion, results of the present study suggest that active glottal closure develops with nIPPV in nonsedated lambs, especially in the VC mode. Our observations further suggest that such closure can limit lung ventilation when raising nIPPV in neonates.
β1-Subunits Increase Surface Expression of a Large-Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channel Isoform
Authors: Kim Eun Young , Zou Shengwei , Ridgway Lon D. , Dryer Stuart E.
Published: March 2007

Auxiliary (beta) subunits of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels regulate the gating properties of the functional channel complex. Here we show that an avian β1-subunit also stimulates the trafficking of BKCa channels to the plasma membrane in HEK293T cells and in a native population of developing vertebrate neurons. One C-terminal variant of BKCa α-subunits, called the VEDEC isoform after its five last residues, is largely retained in intracellular compartments when it is heterologously expressed in HEK293T cells. A closely related splice variant, called QEERL, shows high levels of constitutive trafficking to the plasma membrane. Co-expression of β1-subunits with the VEDEC isoform resulted in a large increase in surface BKCa channels as assessed by cell-surface biotinylation assays, whole cell recordings of membrane current, and confocal microscopy in HEK293T cells. Co-expression of β1-subunits slowed the gating kinetics of BKCa channels, as reported previously. Consistent with this, overexpression of β1-subunits in a native cell type that expresses intracellular VEDEC channels, embryonic day 9 chick ciliary ganglion neurons, resulted in a significant increase in macroscopic Ca2+-activated K+ current. Both the cytoplasmic N- and C-terminal domains of avian β1 are able to bind directly to VEDEC and QEERL channels. However, overexpression of the N-terminal domain by itself is sufficient to stimulate trafficking of VEDEC channels to the plasma membrane, whereas overexpression of either the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain or the extracellular loop domain did not affect surface expression of VEDEC.
Multisensory Versus Unisensory Integration: Contrasting Modes in the Superior Colliculus
Authors: Alvarado Juan Carlos , Vaughan J. William , Stanford Terrence R. , Stein Barry E.
Published: March 2007

The present study suggests that the neural computations used to integrate information from different senses are distinct from those used to integrate information from within the same sense. Using superior colliculus neurons as a model, it was found that multisensory integration of cross-modal stimulus combinations yielded responses that were significantly greater than those evoked by the best component stimulus. In contrast, unisensory integration of within-modal stimulus pairs yielded responses that were similar to or less than those evoked by the best component stimulus. This difference is exemplified by the disproportionate representations of superadditive responses during multisensory integration and the predominance of subadditive responses during unisensory integration. These observations suggest that different rules have evolved for integrating sensory information, one (unisensory) reflecting the inherent characteristics of the individual sense and, the other (multisensory), unique supramodal characteristics designed to enhance the salience of the initiating event.
MST Neurons Code for Visual Motion in Space Independent of Pursuit Eye Movements
Authors: Inaba Naoko , Shinomoto Shigeru , Yamane Shigeru , Takemura Aya , Kawano Kenji
Published: March 2007

When a person tracks a small moving object, the visual images in the background of the visual scene move across his/her retina. It, however, is possible to estimate the actual motion of the images despite the eye-movement-induced motion. To understand the neural mechanism that reconstructs a stable visual world independent of eye movements, we explored areas MT (middle temporal) and MST (medial superior temporal) in the monkey cortex, both of which are known to be essential for visual motion analysis. We recorded the responses of neurons to a moving textured image that appeared briefly on the screen while the monkeys were performing smooth pursuit or stationary fixation tasks. Although neurons in both areas exhibited significant responses to the motion of the textured image with directional selectivity, the responses of MST neurons were mostly correlated with the motion of the image on the screen independent of pursuit eye movement, whereas the responses of MT neurons were mostly correlated with the motion of the image on the retina. Thus these MST neurons were more likely than MT neurons to distinguish between external and self-induced motion. The results are consistent with the idea that MST neurons code for visual motion in the external world while compensating for the counter-rotation of retinal images due to pursuit eye movements.
Verticality Perception During Off-Vertical Axis Rotation
Authors: Vingerhoets R.A.A. , Van Gisbergen J.A.M. , Medendorp W. P.
Published: March 2007

During prolonged rotation about a tilted yaw axis, often referred to as off-vertical axis rotation (OVAR), a percept of being translated along a conical path slowly emerges as the sense of rotation subsides. Recently, we found that these perceptual changes are consistent with a canal–otolith interaction model that attributes the illusory translation percept to improper interpretation of the ambiguous otolith signals. The model further predicts that the illusory translation percept must be accompanied by slowly worsening tilt underestimates. Here, we tested this prediction in six subjects by measuring the time course of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) during OVAR stimulation at three different tilt-rotation speed combinations, in complete darkness. Throughout the 2-min run, at each left-ear-down and right-ear-down position, the subject indicated whether a briefly flashed line deviated clockwise or counterclockwise from vertical to determine the SVV with an adaptive staircase procedure. Typically, SVV errors indicating tilt underestimation were already present at rotation onset and then increased exponentially to an asymptotic value, reached at about 60 s after rotation onset. The initial error in the SVV was highly correlated to the response error in a static tilt control experiment. The subsequent increase in error depended on both rotation speed and OVAR tilt angle, in a manner predicted by the canal–otolith interaction model. We conclude that verticality misjudgments during OVAR reflect a dynamic component linked to canal–otolith interaction, superimposed on a tilt-related component that is also expressed under stationary conditions.
Doppler Study of Splanchnic Hemodynamics in Hirschsprung’s Disease
Authors: Pratap Akshay , Tiwari Awadhesh , Shakya Vikal Chandra , Yadav Rohit Prasad , Agarwal Bikash , Koirala Shweta , Shekhar Agrawal Chandra , Adhikary Shailesh , Kumar Anand , Agrawal Amit
Published: March 2007

Background: Doppler studies of splanchnic vessels have demonstrated alteration in blood flow in bowel obstruction and strangulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate hemodynamic changes in celiac artery (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) using pulsed Doppler sonography (PDS) in Hirschsprung’s disease. Material and Methods: Fasting splanchnic flowmetry of CA, SMA, and IMA arteries was performed using PDS preoperatively in 13 patients with Hirschsprung’s disease and 13 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Diagnostic workup for Hirschsprung’s disease included a barium enema and a rectal biopsy. A primary transanal pull through was performed if the transition zone was at rectosigmoid or midsigmoid. Doppler studies were repeated on the 1st and 7th postoperative day under similar conditions. Mean flow velocity (Vmean) and the pulsatility index (PI) of the three major vessels was measured. Results: Patients with Hirschsprung’s disease showed increased blood flow velocities in CA, SMA, and IMA (p < 0.001), an increased resistance to blood flow in IMA (p < 0.001) and a decreased resistance to blood flow in CA and SMA (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). The blood flow velocity for IMA normalized after resection of the aganglionic segment (r = 0.41, p < 0.005, 95% CI: 45.4–52.7). Conclusions: Hirschsprung’s diseaseis associated with alterations in splanchnic vessel hemodynamics which are reversible after corrective surgery. Doppler studies may play an important role in the assessment of bowel function after surgery.
Serum Amyloid A Levels Are Increased in Pre-Eclampsia
Authors: Engin-Üstün Yaprak , Üstün Yusuf , Karabulut Aysun Bay , Özkaplan Esra , Meydanlı M. Mutlu , Kafkaslı Ayşe
Published: March 2007

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine serum amyloid A (SAA) levels in normal pregnant and pre-eclamptic women. Methods: SAA levels were measured in 25 normotensive and 25 pre-eclamptic pregnant women by enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay. Results: In pre-eclampsia, SAA level and C-reactive protein (CRP) averaged 28.2 (7.2–135) ng/l and 21 (6.13–91) mg/l, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of normal pregnancy (7.8 [4.65–24.6] ng/l and 6.05 [0.3–19] mg/l, respectively) (p < 0.05). In addition, SAA level was positively correlated to CRP (r = 0.468, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Marked increases of both SAA level and CRP in pre-eclampsia, and their inter-relation, may at least in part contribute to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.
Effects of Growth Hormone Therapy on Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity Indices in Prepubertal Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Crinò A. , Di Giorgio G. , Manco M. , Grugni G. , Maggioni A.
Published: March 2007

In Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) growth hormone therapy (GHT) improves height, body composition, agility and muscular strength. In such patients it is necessary to consider the potential diabetogenic effect of GHT, since they tend to develop type 2 diabetes, particularly after the pubertal age. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of GHT on glucose and insulin homeostasis in PWS children. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in 24 prepubertal PWS children (15 male, 9 female, age: 5.8 ± 2.8 years), 16 were obese (group A) and 8 had normal weight (group B), before and after 2.7 ± 1.3 years GHT (0.22 ± 0.03 mg/kg/week) and, only at baseline, in 35 prepubertal children with simple obesity (19 male, 16 female) (group C). Fasting glucose and insulin, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity index (ISI), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quick insulin check index (QUICKI), area under the curves (AUC) of glucose and insulin were estimated. At the start of GHT, all PWS children were normoglycaemic and normotolerant but two developed impaired glucose tolerance after 2.2 and 1.9 years of therapy, respectively. At baseline, group A showed lower fasting insulin levels, HOMA-IR and AUC of insulin, higher ISI, QUICKI and AUC of glucose than group C. Comparing groups A and B, AUC of insulin was higher and ISI lower in group A. During GHT, a significant increase of fasting insulin and glucose, a worsening of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity (QUICKI) was found only in group A while ISI did not change. The AUC of glucose decreased in both groups instead AUC of insulin did not change. BMI-SDS decreased in group A and increased in group B. The increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin sensitivity in obese PWS patients, as well as the occurrence of impaired glucose tolerance during GHT, suggest that a close monitoring of glucose and insulin homeostasis is mandatory, especially in treated obese PWS children.
TGF-β1 Upregulation in the Aging Varicose Vein
Authors: Pascual Gemma , Mendieta Covadonga , García-Honduvilla Natalio , Corrales Celia , Bellón Juan Manuel , Buján Julia
Published: March 2007

Background: Although the etiology of venous insufficiency is not well understood, immune response and aging are beginning to emerge as contributing factors. Factors involved in tissue remodeling such as TGF-β1 also seem to play an important role in extracellular matrix production. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between chronic venous insufficiency and TGF-β1 examining the latent/mature form of TGF-β1 and the presence of mast cells. Effects of age were also evaluated. Methods: Saphenous veins were obtained from patients subjected to aortocoronary bypass (controls) and undergoing varicose vein surgery. These were immunolabeled using anti-LAP TGF-β1/anti-TGF-β1 antibodies and subjected to Western blot. Mast cell population was identified by metachromatic staining.Results:Latent TGF-β1 was significantly reduced in varicose veins from older subjects. In contrast, smooth muscle cells obtained from the varicosities showed intense levels. Mature TGF-β1 significantly differed between healthy and varicose veins. No mature TGF-β1 was detected in the cell cultures. Mast cell number and degranulation were increased with aging and varicose disease, colocalizing with the mature form of TGF-β1. Conclusion: Aging and varicose pathology induce dysregulation of TGF-β1 that could play an important role in the fibrous process, representing the final stages of venous insufficiency.
A Friendship of Metal and Stone: Representations of Fan Juqing and Zhang Yuanbo in the Ming Dynasty
Authors: Besio Kimberly
Published: March 2007

This essay examines representation of male friendship in Ming vernacular literature through an analysis of works that retell the story of two late Han friends, Fan Juqing and Zhang Yuanbo. Throughout the Ming, versions of the tale were produced in a variety of literary genres including a zaju play and a vernacular short story. Both the drama and the short story are extant in multiple editions, providing us insights into how they were interpreted by various literati editors. The durability of the friendship between Fan and Zhang—an essential aspect in all depictions of their story—is vividly evoked by the phrase that characterizes their relationship in dramatic literature: "a friendship of metal and stone." The late Ming editions of the play and the short story underline the two friends' unbending commitment to their friendship through a variety of textual and paratextual additions and emendations. In the hands of these late Ming literati editors the two friends Fan and Zhang thus become heroic figures worthy of eternal respect.
Ethics in Stoic Philosophy
Authors: Annas Julia
Published: March 2007

When examining the role of Stoic ethics within Stoic philosophy as a whole, it is useful for us to look at the Stoic view of the way in which philosophy is made up of parts. The aim is a synoptic and integrated understanding of the theoremata of all the parts, something which can be achieved in a variety of ways, either by subsequent integration of separate study of the three parts or by proceeding through 'mixed' presentations, which can be made at varying levels of understanding.In two presentations of Stoic ethics we find initially baffling claims about the life of virtue being 'the same as' or 'equivalent to' the life according to nature. These indicate approaches in which understanding of ethical concepts was enlarged and enriched by study of physics. Interpretation which makes physics in these passages into ethical foundations answers poorly to the ancient texts and raises severe difficulties as an interpretation of Stoicism. Two texts which have been taken to commit Stoics to a foundationalist view of the relation of ethics and physics do not in fact do so; rather, they fit well into the holistic view of philosophy and its parts.
Building community following displacement due to armed conflict
Authors: Frederico Margarita M. , Picton Clifford J. , Muncy Steven , Ongsiapco Luis Ma , Santos Celia , Hernandez Vladimir
Published: March 2007

English

Facilitating participation with people displaced due to internal armed conflict is a core challenge in community building. The case study presented in this article identifies the elements of a community-building approach which achieved sustainable outcomes for individuals and communities in Mindanao, Philippines where hundreds of thousands of people were displaced during armed conflict between 2000 and 2003.

French

Inciter la participation de personnes dé placées à la suite d'un conflit intérieur armé pour reconstruire la communauté représente un dé fi de taille. La présente étude de cas identifie les éléments d'une approche de développement communautaire qui a obtenu des ré sultats durables aupre` s de personnes et de communautés de Mindanao aux Philippines où des centaines de milliers de personnes furent dé placées durant les conflits, entre 2000 et 2003.

Spanish

Un reto central en la creació n de una comunidad es el facilitar la participación de la gente que ha sido desplazada a causa del conflicto interno armado. El caso aquí presentado identifica los componentes de la tarea de crear comunidad. Un caso que ha dado resultados duraderos para individuos y comunidades en Mindanao (Filipinas), donde cientos de miles de personas fueron desplazadas durante los conflictos habidos entre el 2000 y el 2003.
Culture, social relationships and self-perceptions of Pentecostal women
Authors: Tangenberg Katy
Published: March 2007

English

Women dominate Pentecostal worship internationally and are particularly affected by the religious, social and economic consequences of the Pentecostal movement. Drawing from cross-cultural ethnographic studies, this article describes ways Pentecostalism influences women's self-perceptions and social relationships. Discussion of social work implications addresses individual and community practice issues.

French

Les répercussions religieuses, sociales et économiques du mouvement pentecotiste ont particulièrement affectéles femmes, qui sont en nombre majoritaire dans ce mouvement, à l'échelle internationale. S'appuyant sur des études ethnographiques interculturelles, cette étude décrit la façon dont la participation des femmes au mouvement pentecotiste affecte leur perception de soi et leurs relations sociales. Les discussions sur les implications du travail social portent notamment sur l'attention à la vision du monde, les attentes économiques, la violence conjugale et la coopération.

Spanish

Las consecuencias religiosas, sociales y económicas del movimiento pentecostal han afectado a las mujeres de una forma especial, ya que internacionalmente ellas dominan los servicios religiosos. Partiendo de estudios etnográficos interculturales, se describe de quéforma la participación pentecostal afecta las auto-percepciones y relaciones sociales de las mujeres. Las implicaciones para el trabajo social incluyen atención a la cosmovisión, expectativas económicas, maltrato marital, y colaboración.
World Trade Organization and the EC Biotech Case
Authors: Negi Archna
Published: March 2007

The World Trade Organization is often faced with the challenge of reconciling its central objective of promoting free trade with the imperatives of avoiding adverse effects on the environment and public health. The organization has increasingly had to address this concern through its dispute settlement system and has refined several aspects of the debate through the Reformulated Gasoline, Shrimp-Turtle, Asbestos and Beef-Hormones cases. The EC Biotech case is the latest such dispute that has brought into focus the role of the World Trade Organization in protecting the environment and public health. This high-profile case has brought attention to several procedural issues pertaining to the dispute settlement system, such as the role of advisory experts and of amicus curiae briefs as well as the extended time taken in resolving these special cases, which are marked with a high level of complexity and political sensitivity. Although the panel report has retained a narrow frame of reference, the case has also drawn attention to significant substantive issues such as the definition of ‘undue delay’, the role of science and precaution and the inter-relationship between trade law and public international law. There remain, however, several questions on which the panel commented either inconclusively or not at all. In the event that the panel ruling is appealed, perhaps the Appellate Body will elaborate more fully on some of these crucial concerns that need to be addressed in order to identify a template for interaction between the objectives of free trade and the protection of environment and public health.
Managing Distance
Authors: Skuse Andrew , Cousins Thomas
Published: March 2007

This article examines rural telecommunications access and use among poor village households in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Discussion is based upon a content analysis of 165 telephone calls, as well as a broader information and communication technology (ICT) ownership, access and use survey undertaken in 50 poor households within a number of rural villages in the Mount Frere district. These data are complimented and supported by qualitative data emerging from a longer-term UK Department for International Development-funded study of ICT use and social communication practices among the urban and rural poor in South Africa. The purpose of the article is to: (i) question existing notions of telecommunications access; (ii) assess the extent to which rural inequalities are exacerbated or ameliorated by telecommunications access; and (iii) examine the extent to which telecommunications are enlisted as a strategic tool by poor households for maintaining kin-based redistributive networks and enhancing livelihood sustainability.
Tragedy, ‘Tragic Choices’ and Contemporary International Political Theory
Authors: Brown Chris
Published: March 2007

The essence of the tragic vision of the world is that human action sometimes, perhaps often, involves a choice between two radically incompatible but equally undesirable outcomes: that whatever we do in a given situation we will be, from one perspective, acting wrongly. This account of the human condition may be particularly germane to realist thought, but the absence of a sense of the tragic can be employed to critique many other areas of international political theory. Analytical political theory in general rejects the tragic vision, and a great deal of modern writing on humanitarian intervention and global distributive justice similarly refuses to accept that sometimes there are no unambiguously right answers; that to act is, necessarily, to do wrong. The unwillingness to admit the tragic dimension of human existence is not simply intellectually harmful but also politically debilitating.
Beyond the State? Pluralism and Internationalism in Early Twentieth-Century Britain
Authors: Sylvest Casper
Published: March 2007

The relationship between pluralism and internationalism is an interesting historical theme on the borderline between international relations and political theory. Intuitively the two ideologies seem to enjoy a close relationship, and at an abstract level they were both concerned with achieving political order with a minimum of central authority. However, the historical and theoretical interconnections between pluralism and (liberal) internationalism in Britain remain largely unexplored. This article attempts to fi ll this lacuna in intellectual history. Although both took shape within the confines of the same progressive intellectual agenda, the article strikes a cautious note about establishing too close a link between pluralism and internationalism, especially in the years following the Great War. This sceptical conclusion reflects not only the different preoccupations and changing nature of both pluralism and internationalism in the opening decades of the twentieth century, but also their complex theoretical relationship.
Torture and Civilisation
Authors: Linklater Andrew
Published: March 2007

The global anti-torture norm has been one of the main examples of a global civilising process. It refl ects modern sensibilities to cruelty and excessive force which were highlighted in Norbert Elias's account of the ‘civilising process’. The idea of defending civilisation has also been used to defend torture in the war against terror. Exceptional methods are needed, it has been argued, to protect civilised ways of life. Notions of constitutional or ‘civilised torture’ have been introduced to try to harmonise these competing views. They have been employed in the attempt to reconcile civilised self-images with the use of excessive force. The future role of torture in the ‘war against terror’ depends on the interplay between these competing conceptions of the civilising process.
To Read or Not to Read
Authors: Raeymaeckers Karin , Hauttekeete Laurence , Deprez Annelore
Published: March 2007

For some time European newspaper markets have been confronted with decreasing circulation and readership figures. Research focused on patterns of consumption reveals that young people in particular spend less time reading newspapers. Since 2003, the government in Flanders has supported the Newspapers in Education programme in search of more qualitative and long-term alternatives to press subsidy, aimed at the preservation of the future readership market. As a result, the government and Flemish newspaper publishers distribute almost 1 million newspaper copies to schools every year. Each school year, approximately 100,000 students participate in the Newspapers in Education project. Over the years the financial support has grown and recently the Flemish government decided to substantially increase its contribution to γ1.2 million, which will make it possible to expand the target group considerably, beyond the original focus on 16- to 18-year-olds. The research presented in this article analyses the shifts in pre and post test design survey results of the participants who took part in the Newspaper in Education project between February and May 2005.
Qualitative Research in Germany
Authors: Mey Günter , Mruck Katja
Published: March 2007

The essay provides an overview of the history of qualitative research in Germany with an emphasis on sociology and psychology. After long marginalization by the mainstream (and partly too by cutting itself off from non-qualitative research), qualitative research seems to be accepted nowadays as a core component of academic disciplines. To achieve this, a long process of elaboration and differentiation of qualitative approaches and methods was needed. The authors try to reconstruct the process by differentiating six (partly overlapping) phases: (1) initial flourishing followed by a decline; (2) (re)invention and meta-theoretical foundations; (3) empirical elaboration; (4) technical and reflexive elaborations; (5) consolidation and establishment; and (6) internationalizing qualitative research.
Rethinking Citizenship, Community and Rights
Authors: Nair Sreelekha
Published: March 2007

This article examines the relationship between state, citizenship, communities and rights by exploring the ways in which nurses from Kerala experience their professional lives and migration. Far from being a straightforward relationship between relocation and homogeneous citizenship as an Indian, cultural and linguistic attachments are sought by these women. Common, unmarked citizenship embodied in legal membership in the Indian state as Indian citizens with legal and fundamental rights enables these migrant women from Kerala to exercise individual choice regarding work; their choice of profession and their movement seeking work are in major ways determined by their linguistic and ethnic identities. Their status as workers opens up new spaces—physical and social—and leads them to ways and means of living with more freedom in the social realm. The migrant women, therefore, feel that they have left behind the attachments and associations of dependence and feel ‘autonomous’ in the anonymity that the public space in Delhi has given them. On the other hand, their anonymity is marked by their linguistic and gender identities. Their repositioning in Delhi looks like an opportunity to negotiate the patrifocal nature of the community and family. Gender and ethnic hierarchies are reinforced in the communal sphere of a strange city in the event of changes in the traditional status of various communities and both genders.