bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Human Serum Peptides in Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Precision Profiles
Authors: Nicolardi Simone , Dalebout Hans , Bladergroen Marco R. , Mesker Wilma E. , Tollenaar Rob A. E. M. , Deelder André M. , van der Burgt Yuri E. M.
Published: May 2012

The continuous efforts to find new prognostic or diagnostic biomarkers have stimulated the use of mass spectrometry (MS) profiles in a clinical setting. In the early days (about one decade ago), a single low-resolution mass spectrum derived from an individual’s body fluid was used for comparative studies. However, a peptide profile of a complex mixture is most informative when recorded on an ultrahigh resolution instrument such as a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer. In this study we show the benefits of the ultrahigh resolving power and the high mass accuracy and precision provided by an FTICR mass spectrometer equipped with a 15-tesla magnet. The ultrahigh-resolution data not only allow assignment of fragment ions with high charge states (4+, 5+) but also enhance confidence of human serum peptide identifications from tandem MS experiments. This is exemplified with collision-induced dissociation (CID) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) data of middle-down-sized endogenous or protein-breakdown peptides that are of interest in biomarker discovery studies.
Effect of S-PRG Eluate on Biofilm Formation and Enzyme Activity of Oral Bacteria
Authors: Yoneda Masahiro , Suzuki Nao , Masuo Yosuke , Fujimoto Akie , Iha Kosaku , Yamada Kazuhiko , Iwamoto Tomoyuki , Hirofuji Takao
Published: May 2012

Recently, the antibacterial activity of a composite resin containing prereacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) filler was revealed. We examined the effect of an S-PRG eluate on various biologic activities ofStreptococcus mutansandPorphyromonas gingivalis. Adherence ability ofS. mutanswas evaluated by microtiter plate assay; protease and gelatinase activities ofP. gingivaliswere examined by synthetic substrate hydrolysis and gelatin film spot assay, respectively. Coaggregation ofP. gingivaliswithFusobacterium nucleatumwas also examined. S-PRG eluate was found to suppress streptococcal adherence. S-PRG eluate inhibited the protease and gelatinase activities ofP. gingivalisand the coaggregation betweenP. gingivalisandF. nucleatum. These results indicate that S-PRG eluate suppresses streptococcal adherence and inhibits the protease and coaggregation activities ofP. gingivalis. These findings may prompt research into novel strategies for preventing caries and periodontitis.
Noncytotoxic and Antitumour-Promoting Activities of Garcinia Acid Esters fromGarcinia atroviridisGriff. ex T. Anders (Guttiferae)
Authors: Mackeen Mukram M. , Mooi Lim Y. , Amran Mohidin , Mat Nashriyah , Lajis Nordin H. , Ali Abdul M.
Published: May 2012

Thein vitroantitumour-promoting, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities of two ester derivatives of garcinia acid, that is, 2-(butoxycarbonylmethyl)-3-butoxycarbonyl-2-hydroxy-3-propanolide (1) and 1′,1′′-dibutyl methyl hydroxycitrate (2), that had been previously isolated from the fruits ofGarcinia atroviridisGriff. ex T. Anders (Guttiferae), were examined. Based on the inhibition of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation, compound1(IC50: 70 μM) showed much higher (8-fold) antitumour-promoting activity than compound2(IC50: 560 μM). In addition, both compounds were nontoxic towards CEM-SS (human T-lymphoblastic leukemia) cells (CD50: >100 μM), Raji (human B-lymphoblastoid) cells (CD50: >600 μM), and brine shrimp (LD50: >300 μM). Although the antitumour-promoting activity of compound1is moderate compared with the known antitumour promoter genistein, its non-toxicity suggests the potential of compound1and related structures as chemopreventive agents. The weak antioxidant activity displayed by both compounds also suggested that the primary antitumour-promoting mechanism of compound1did not involve oxidative-stress quenching.
Quercetin Reduces Inflammatory Responses in LPS-Stimulated Cardiomyoblasts
Authors: Angeloni Cristina , Hrelia Silvana
Published: May 2012

Flavonoids possess several biological and pharmacological activities. Quercetin (Q), a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been shown to downregulate inflammatory responses and provide cardioprotection. However, the mechanisms behind the anti-inflammatory properties of Q in cardiac cells are poorly understood. In inflammation, nitric oxide (NO) acts as a proinflammatory mediator and is synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in response to pro-inflammatory agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a causative agent in myocardial depression during sepsis. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effect of Q on rat cardiac dysfunction during sepsis induced by LPS. Pretreatment of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts with Q inhibited LPS-induced iNOS expression and NO production and counteracted oxidative stress caused by the unregulated NO production that leads to the generation of peroxynitrite and other reactive nitrogen species. In addition, Q pretreatment significantly counteracted apoptosis cell death as measured by immunoblotting of the cleaved caspase 3 and caspase 3 activity. Q also inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of the stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPK) and p38 MAP kinase that are involved in the inhibition of cell growth as well as the induction of apoptosis. In conclusion, these results suggest that Q might serve as a valuable protective agent in cardiovascular inflammatory diseases.
High-Efficiently Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production over Zn-Incorporated Nanotubes
Authors: Lee Gayoung , Yeo Min-Kyeong , Um Myeong-Heon , Kang Misook
Published: May 2012

To investigate the Zn dopant and nanotube morphology effects of TiO2in electrochemical hydrogen production from the photo-splitting of methanol/water solution, we have designed a Zn-incorporated TiO2nanotube (Zn-TNT) photocatalyst. The TNT and Zn-TNT materials had a width of 70~100 nm. The hydrogen production over the Zn-TNT photocatalysts was higher than that over the TNT; specifically, 10.2 mL of H2gas was produced after 9 hours when 0.5 g of 0.01 mol% Zn-TNT was used. The zeta-potential values in aqueous solution determined by electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) had negative surface charges, which was related to the surface stability, and the absolute value was the largest in 0.01 mol% Zn-TNT. On the basis of UV-visible and photoluminescence (PL) spectra results, the high photoactivity of Zn-TNT was attributed to the shift toward the visible region and increase of PL intensity due to the increased number of excited electrons and holes.
UWB Localization System for Indoor Applications: Concept, Realization and Analysis
Authors: Zwirello Lukasz , Schipper Tom , Harter Marlene , Zwick Thomas
Published: May 2012

A complete impulse‐based ultrawideband localization demonstrator for indoor
applications is presented. The positioning method, along with the method of positioning error
predicting, based on scenario geometry, is described. The hardware setup, including UWB
transceiver and time measurement module, as well as the working principles is explained. The
system simulation, used as a benchmark for the quality assessment of the performed
measurements, is presented. Finally, the measurement results are discussed. The precise analysis
of potential error sources in the system is conducted, based on both simulations and
measurement. Furthermore, the methods, how to improve the average accuracy of 9 cm by
including the influences of antennas and signal‐detection threshold level, are made. The
localization accuracy, resulting from those corrections, is 2.5 cm.
Whole-Genome Profiling of a Novel Mutagenesis Technique Using Proofreading-Deficient DNA Polymerase δ
Authors: Shiwa Yuh , Fukushima-Tanaka Sanae , Kasahara Ken , Horiuchi Takayuki , Yoshikawa Hirofumi
Published: May 2012

A novel mutagenesis technique using error-prone DNA polymerase δ (polδ), the disparity mutagenesis model of evolution, has been successfully employed to generate novel microorganism strains with desired traits. However, little else is known about the spectra of mutagenic effects caused by disparity mutagenesis. We evaluated and compared the performance of the polδMKII mutator, which expresses the proofreading-deficient and low-fidelity polδ, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae haploid strain with that of the commonly used chemical mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). This mutator strain possesses exogenous mutant polδ supplied from a plasmid, tthereby leaving the genomic one intact. We measured the mutation rate achieved by each mutagen and performed high-throughput next generation sequencing to analyze the genome-wide mutation spectra produced by the 2 mutagenesis methods. The mutation frequency of the mutator was approximately 7 times higher than that of EMS. Our analysis confirmed the strong G/C to A/T transition bias of EMS, whereas we found that the mutator mainly produces transversions, giving rise to more diverse amino acid substitution patterns. Our present study demonstrated that the polδMKII mutator is a useful and efficient method for rapid strain improvement based on in vivo mutagenesis.
Power Consumption Models for Decimation FIR Filters in Multistandard Receivers
Authors: Grati Khaled , Khouja Nadia , Le Gal Bertrand , Ghazel Adel
Published: May 2012

Decimation filters are widely used in communication‐embedded systems. In fact, decimation filters are useful for implementing channel filtering or selection with low‐computation complexity requirements. Many multistandard receiver designs that are required in ubiquitous embedded systems are based on a cascade of decimation filter processing. Filter number and implementation architectures have a significant impact on system performances, such as computation complexity, area, throughput, and power consumption. In this work, we present filter power consumption estimation models for FIR filters. Power consumption models were obtained from a large number of FIR filter syntheses using a direct form. Several curves that estimate power consumption were extracted from these synthesis results. Then, we have evaluated the impact of polyphase decomposition on power consumption of FIR filter and compared it with the direct form results. Some tips regarding power consumption were deduced for the polyphase implementation form. The aim of this work is to help a system designer to select an efficient implementation for FIR in terms of power consumption without having to implement and synthesize the different possible solutions. The proposed method is applied for STMicroelectronics libraries 90 nm and 65 nm low power then validated with a use case of multistandard receiver designing.
Energy Yield of Tracking PV Systems in Jordan
Authors: Al Tarabsheh A. , Etier I. , Nimrat A.
Published: May 2012

This paper analyzes the energy yield of photovoltaic (PV) modules mounted on fixed tilt, one-axis, and two-axis tracking system towards maximizing the annual energy production. The performance evaluation of the proposed design of the tracking systems is carried via simulating the global radiation averages using METEONORM software and depicting the simulation results in figures using MATLAB software. The one-axis system is simulated by either fixing the azimuth angle while optimizing the inclination angles or fixing the inclination angle while optimizing the azimuth angles; simulation results show an increase in energy yield of 5.87% and 20.12% compared to that of fixed tilt system, respectively. In the two-axis system, optimization of both azimuth and inclination angles is carried out simultaneously which resulted in 30.82% improvement in energy yield. Therefore, 30% improvement in energy yield is directly reflected as saving in PV system cost due to reduction of the PV modules surface area.
Curability of Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Alexanian Raymond , Delasalle Kay , Wang Michael , Thomas Sheeba , Weber Donna
Published: May 2012

Among 792 patients with multiple myeloma treated from 1987 to 2010 and assessed after 18 months, there were 167 patients with complete remission. For those 60 patients treated between 1987–1998 and with long followup, the latest relapse occurred after 11.8 years, so that 13 patients have remained in sustained complete remission for longer than 12 years (range 12–22 years). These results suggest that 3% of all patients treated during that period may be cured of multiple myeloma. In addition to immunofixation, more sensitive techniques for the detection of residual disease should be applied more consistently in patients with apparent complete remission in order to identify those with potential cure.
Review of Salvage Therapy for Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer: The Role of Imaging and Rationale for Systemic Salvage Targeted Anti-Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Radioimmunotherapy
Authors: Kosuri Satyajit , Akhtar Naveed H. , Smith Michael , Osborne Joseph R. , Tagawa Scott T.
Published: May 2012

Despite local therapy with curative intent, approximately 30% of men suffer from biochemical relapse. Though some of these PSA relapses are not life threatening, many men eventually progress to metastatic disease and die of prostate cancer. Local therapy is an option for some men, but many have progression of disease following local salvage attempts. One significant issue in this setting is the lack of reliable imaging biomarkers to guide the use of local salvage therapy, as the likely reason for a low cure rate is the presence of undetected micrometastatic disease outside of the prostate/prostate bed. Androgen deprivation therapy is a cornerstone of therapy in the salvage setting. While subsets may benefit in terms of delay in time to metastatic disease and/or death, research is ongoing to improve salvage systemic therapy. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is highly overexpressed by the majority of prostate cancers. While initial methods of exploiting PSMA’s high and selective expression were suboptimal, additional work in both imaging and therapeutics is progressing. Salvage therapy and imaging modalities in this setting are briefly reviewed, and the rationale for PSMA-based systemic salvage radioimmunotherapy is described.
Cancer Phenotype Diagnosis and Drug Efficacy within Japanese Health Care
Authors: Nishimura Toshihide , Kato Harubumi , Ikeda Norihiko , Kihara Makoto , Nomura Masaharu , Kato Yasufumi , Marko-Varga György
Published: May 2012

An overview on targeted personalized medicine is given describing the developments in Japan of lung cancer patients. These new targeted therapies with novel personalized medicine drugs require new implementations, in order to follow and monitor drug efficacy and outcome. Examples from IRESSA (Gefitinib) and TARCEVA (Erlotinib) treatments used in medication of lung cancer patients are presented. Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer mortality in the world. The importance of both the quantification of disease progression, where diagnostic-related biomarkers are being implemented, in addition to the actual measurement of disease-specific mechanisms relating to pathway signalling activation of disease-progressive protein targets is summarised. An outline is also presented, describing changes and adaptations in Japan, meeting the rising costs and challenges. Today, urgent implementation of programs to address these needs has led to a rebuilding of the entire approach of medical evaluation and clinical care.
Impact of Transcendental Meditation on Left Ventricular Mass in African American Adolescents
Authors: Barnes Vernon A. , Kapuku Gaston K. , Treiber Frank A.
Published: May 2012

Background. An early sign of ventricular remodeling is increased left ventricular mass (LVM) which over time may lead to left ventricular hypertrophy, the strongest predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, other than advancing age.Methods. 62 (30 TM; 32 CTL) African American adolescents (age16.2±1.3years) with high normal systolic BP were randomly assigned to either 4-month Transcendental Meditation (TM) or health education control groups. The echocardiographic-derived measure of LVM index (LVMI = LVM/ht2.7) was measured before and after the 4-month TM study and at 4-month followup. 2D-guided M-mode echocardiography using a Hewlett Packard 5500 echosonograph was used to determine LVMI.Results. The TM group exhibited a greater decrease in LVMI at 4-month followup compared to the CTL group (−2.6 versus +0.3 gm/ht2.7,P<0.04). The TM group exhibited a lesser increase in BMI at 4-month follow-up compared to the CTL group (0.2±1.6versus1.1±1.4,P<0.03).Conclusion. These findings indicate that among a group of prehypertensive African American adolescents, 4 months of TM compared to heath education resulted in a significant decrease in LVMI, and these changes were maintained at 4-month follow-up.
On the Performance of the Time Reversal SM-MIMO-UWB System on Correlated Channels
Authors: Nguyen Hieu , Nguyen Van Duc , Nguyen Trung Kien , Maichalernnukul Kiattisak , Zheng Feng , Kaiser Thomas
Published: May 2012

The impact of spatial correlation on the multi-input multi-output ultrawide band (MIMO-UWB) system using the time reversal (TR) technique is investigated. Thanks to TR, several data streams can be transmitted by using only one antenna in a system named virtual MIMO-TRUWB. Since the virtual MIMO-TR-UWB system is not affected by the transmit correlation, under the condition of the high spatial correlation, it outperforms the true MIMO-UWB system with multiple transmit antennas. The channel measurements are performed in short-range indoor environment, both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight to verify the adopted correlated channel model.
An Assessment of Pseudo-Operational Ground-Based Light Detection and Ranging Sensors to Determine the Boundary-Layer Structure in the Coastal Atmosphere
Authors: Milroy Conor , Martucci Giovanni , Lolli Simone , Loaec Sophie , Sauvage Laurent , Xueref-Remy Irène , Lavrič Jošt V. , Ciais Philippe , Feist Dietrich G. , Biavati Gionata , O'Dowd Colin D.
Published: May 2012

Twenty-one cases of boundary-layer structure were retrieved by three co-located remote sensors, One LIDAR and two ceilometers at the coastal site of Mace Head, Ireland. Data were collected during the ICOS field campaign held at the GAW Atmospheric Station of Mace Head, Ireland, from 8th to 28th of June, 2009. The study is a two-step investigation of the BL structure based on (i) the intercomparison of the backscatter profiles from the three laser sensors, namely the Leosphere ALS300 LIDAR, the Vaisala CL31 ceilometer and the Jenoptik CHM15K ceilometer; (ii) and the comparison of the backscatter profiles with twenty-three radiosoundings performed during the period from the 8th to the 15th of June, 2009. The sensor-independent Temporal Height-Tracking algorithm was applied to the backscatter profiles as retrieved by each instrument to determine the decoupled structure of the BL over Mace Head. The LIDAR and ceilometers-retrieved BL heights were compared to the radiosoundings temperature profiles. The comparison between the remote and the in-situ data proved the existence of the inherent link between temperature and aerosol backscatter profiles and opened at future studies focusing on the further assessment of LIDAR-ceilometer comparison.
Electric Double‐Layer Capacitor Fabricated with Addition of Carbon Nanotube to Polarizable Electrode
Authors: Show Yoshiyuki
Published: May 2012

Electrical double‐layer capacitor (EDLC) was fabricated with addition of carbon nanotube (CNT) to polarization electrodes as a conducting material. The CNT addition reduced the series resistance of the EDLC by one‐twentieth, while the capacitance was not increased by the CNT addition. The low series resistance leaded to the high electrical energy stored in the EDLC. In this paper, the dependence of the series resistance, the specific capacitance, the energy, and the energy efficiencies on the CNT addition is discussed.
Role of AC-cAMP-PKA Cascade in Antidepressant Action of Electroacupuncture Treatment in Rats
Authors: Liu Jian-hua , Wu Zhi-feng , Sun Jian , Jiang Li , Jiang Shuo , Fu Wen-bin
Published: May 2012

Adenylyl cyclase (AC)-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) cascade is considered to be associated with the pathogenesis and treatment of depression. The present study was conducted to explore the role of the cAMP cascade in antidepressant action of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment for chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depression model rats. The results showed that EA improved significantly behavior symptoms in depression and dysfunction of AC-cAMP-PKA signal transduction pathway induced by CMS, which was as effective as fluoxetine. Moreover, the antidepressant effects of EA rather than Fluoxetine were completely abolished by H89, a specific PKA inhibitor. Consequently, EA has a significant antidepressant treatment in CMS-induced depression model rats, and AC-cAMP-PKA signal transduction pathway is crucial for it.
Best Practices in Academic Mentoring: A Model for Excellence
Authors: Nick Jan M. , Delahoyde Theresa M. , Del Prato Darlene , Mitchell Claudia , Ortiz Jennifer , Ottley Clarise , Young Patricia , Cannon Sharon B. , Lasater Kathie , Reising Deanna , Siktberg Linda
Published: May 2012

Mentoring is important for the recruitment and retention of qualified nurse faculty, their ongoing career development, and leadership development. However, what are current best practices of mentoring? The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of a model for excellence in establishing a formal mentoring program for academic nurse educators. Six themes for establishing a formal mentoring program are presented, highlighting best practices in mentoring as culled from experience and the literature. Themes reflect aims to achieve appropriately matched dyads, establish clear mentorship purpose and goals, solidify the dyad relationship, advocate for and guide the protégé, integrate the protégé into the academic culture, and mobilize institutional resources for mentoring support. Attending to the six themes will help mentors achieve important protégé outcomes, such as orientation to the educator role, integration into the academic community, development of teaching, scholarship, and service skills, as well as leadership development. The model is intended to be generalizable for faculty teaching in a variety of academic nursing institution types and sizes. Mentoring that integrates the six themes assists faculty members to better navigate the academic environment and more easily transition to new roles and responsibilities.
An Empirical Study on the Impact of Duplicate Code
Authors: Hotta Keisuke , Sasaki Yui , Sano Yukiko , Higo Yoshiki , Kusumoto Shinji
Published: May 2012

It is said that the presence of duplicate code is one of the factors that make software maintenance more difficult. Many research efforts have been performed on detecting, removing, or managing duplicate code on this basis. However, some researchers doubt this basis in recent years and have conducted empirical studies to investigate the influence of the presence of duplicate code. In this study, we conduct an empirical study to investigate this matter from a different standpoint from previous studies. In this study, we define a new indicator “modification frequency” to measure the impact of duplicate code and compare the values between duplicate code and nonduplicate code. The features of this study are as follows the indicator used in this study is based on modification places instead of the ratio of modified lines; we use multiple duplicate code detection tools to reduce biases of detection tools; and we compare the result of the proposed method with other two investigation methods. The result shows that duplicate code tends to be less frequently modified than nonduplicate code, and we found some instances that the proposed method can evaluate the influence of duplicate code more accurately than the existing investigation methods.
Preparation of Blood-Deficient Model and Research of Angelica Polysaccharide on Enriching Blood in Chickens
Authors: Hou Haifeng , Bao Yongzhan , Li Qian , Shi Wanyu
Published: May 2012

In this study cyclophosphamide was used to prepare the blood-deficient model. The red blood cell count and hemoglobin content were measured. The experimental chickens presented the symptoms of blood-deficient syndrome, dullness, shrinkinginto oneself, broken winded, loose feather, waxy eyelid, and pale tongue. At the same time, red blood cell count and hemoglobin content decreased significantly. Angelica polysaccharide as the effective component of Angelica Sinensis could significantly increase the red blood cell count and the hemoglobin content of blood-deficient chickens. The results indicated that cyclophosphamide could significantly reduce the red blood count and hemoglobin content, and make the ideal blood-deficient model successfully. Angelica polysaccharide had the function of enriching blood in different ways. On the one hand Angelica polysaccharide enriched he blood directly, increased the number of RBC and hemoglobin; on the other hand it regulated the hematopoietic factors, enriched the blood indirectly.
Epstein-Barr Virus as a Trigger of Autoimmune Liver Diseases
Authors: Rigopoulou Eirini I. , Smyk Daniel S. , Matthews Claire E. , Billinis Charalambos , Burroughs Andrew K. , Lenzi Marco , Bogdanos Dimitrios P.
Published: May 2012

The pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases includes a combination of genetic factors and environmental exposures including infectious agents. Infectious triggers are commonly indicated as being involved in the induction of autoimmune disease, with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) being implicated in several autoimmune disorders. EBV is appealing in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease, due to its high prevalence worldwide, its persistency throughout life in the host’s B lymphocytes, and its ability to alter the host’s immune response and to inhibit apoptosis. However, the evidence in support of EBV in the pathogenesis varies among diseases. Autoimmune liver diseases (AiLDs), including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), have a potential causative link with EBV. The data surrounding EBV and AiLD are scarce. The lack of evidence surrounding EBV in AiLD may also be reflective of the rarity of these conditions. EBV infection has also been linked to other autoimmune conditions, which are often found to be concomitant with AiLD. This paper will critically examine the literature surrounding the link between EBV infection and AiLD development. The current evidence is far from being conclusive of the theory of a link between EBV and AiLD.
Striatal Dopamine Influences the Default Mode Network to Affect Shifting between Object Features
Authors: Dang Linh C. , Donde Aneesh , Madison Cindee , O'Neil James P. , Jagust William J.
Published: May 2012

Cognitive flexibility or the ability to change behavior in response to external cues is conceptualized as two processes: one for shifting between perceptual features of objects and another for shifting between the abstract rules governing the selection of these objects. Object and rule shifts are believed to engage distinct anatomical structures and functional processes. Dopamine activity has been associated with cognitive flexibility, but patients with dopaminergic deficits are not impaired on all tasks assessing cognitive flexibility, suggesting that dopamine may have different roles in the shifting of objects and rules. The goals of this study were to identify brain regions supporting object and rule shifts and to examine the role of dopamine in modulating these two forms of cognitive flexibility. Sixteen young, healthy volunteers underwent fMRI while performing a set-shift task designed to differentiate shifting between object features from shifting between abstract task rules. Participants also underwent PET with 6-[18F]-fluoro-l-m-tyrosine (FMT), a radiotracer measuring dopamine synthesis capacity. Shifts of abstract rules were not associated with activation in any brain region, and FMT uptake did not correlate with rule shift performance. Shifting between object features deactivated the medial PFC and the posterior cingulate and activated the lateral PFC, posterior parietal areas, and the striatum. FMT signal in the striatum correlated negatively with object shift performance and deactivation in the medial PFC, a component of the default mode network, suggesting that dopamine influences object shifts via modulation of activity in the default mode network.
Les Liaisons dangereuses through the eyes of André Malraux
Authors: Allan Derek
Published: May 2012

Choderlos de Laclos’s novel Les Liaisons dangereuses, first published in 1782, is regarded as one of the outstanding works of French literature. This article concerns a well-known commentary by the twentieth-century writer André Malraux which, though often mentioned by critics, has seldom been studied in detail. The article argues that while Malraux endorses the favourable modern assessments of Les Liaisons dangereuses, his analysis diverges in important respects from prevailing critical opinion. In particular, he regards the work as the commencement of an important new stage in the French novel rather than, as often argued, the culmination of the existing libertine tradition.
The ideology of Slow Food
Authors: Simonetti Luca
Published: May 2012

This article addresses the ideology of Slow Food (SF), an influential movement founded in Italy in 1986. Through an analysis of a wide range of texts, ranging from SF’s opposition to fast food to its ambition to establish a new ‘gastronomic science’ and a new ‘development model’ based on the three criteria of buono (good), pulito (clean) and giusto (tasty), the article concludes that SF is a descendant of the countercultural and anti-consumerist movements of the 1960s and 70s. It also claims that SF’s understanding of the capitalist system is limited, that its idea of a new agriculture and a new economy is simply that of returning to a primitive, pre-industrial economy (without explaining how that economy could feed the present world population), that its ideal of a new world is that of a stratified and immutable society, and that its main goal is to combine the commercial promotion of high-price luxury food products with political engagement.
Mechanical and thermal properties of FPM/PHACM/ACM blends
Authors: Yanmin Huang , Lan Liu , Juanjuan Chen , Yuanfan Luo , Demin Jia
Published: May 2012

The bisphenol AF/benzyltriphenylphosphonium chloride (BPP) vulcanization system is the most commonly used fluoroelastomer (FPM) vulcanization system. In this article, polyphenol hydroxy acrylic rubber (PHACM) was prepared through a two-step reaction: grafting polymerization and condensation. The properties of FPM/PHACM/acrylic rubber (ACM) blends including vulcanization properties, mechanical properties, aging properties, oil resistance and thermal properties were studied. The results of vulcanization properties show that under the bisphenol AF/BPP vulcanization system, the FPM can achieve covulcanization with PHACM without adding bisphenol AF and get longer scorch time than that of FPM with the same level of bisphenol AF, which means that FPM/PHACM/ACM blends have better processability and curing security. Furthermore, the blends show better mechanical properties and thermal stability. The results of differential scanning calorimeteric analysis show that the FPM and PHACM achieve co-cross-linking and have good compatibility. The glass transition temperature ( Tg) of the blends has been reduced to −18.57°C, which is 8.33°C lower than that of pure FPM, when the content of blends is equal to 100/100. The scanning electron microscopy shows that PHACM can improve interfacial adhesion between the FPM and ACM.
Relations Between Perceived Competence, Importance Ratings, and Self-Worth Among African American School- Age Children
Authors: Grier Leslie K.
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this research was to investigate how domain-specific importance ratings affect relations between perceived competence and self-worth among African American school-age children. Importance ratings have been found to affect the strength of the relationship between perceived competence and self-worth and have implications for motivation. Children were assessed on five perceived competence domains, on the importance of those domains, and on global self-worth. Five profiles reflecting relations between perceived competence and self-worth by importance ratings were assessed. Gender differences specific to scholastic competence/self-worth relations were also examined. It was hypothesized that at comparable levels of perceived competence, children ascribing more importance would evidence stronger relationships between perceived competence and self-worth. This was evident in some cases. Importance ratings were found to be pivotal in understanding relationships between perceived competence and self-worth. Gender differences in scholastic competence/self-worth relations were evidenced with certain profiles. Results were interpreted within a cultural context, and the implications for intervention were addressed.
Quantifying Local, Response Dependence Between Two Polytomous Items Using the Rasch Model
Authors: Andrich David , Humphry Stephen M. , Marais Ida
Published: May 2012

Models of modern test theory imply statistical independence among responses, generally referred to as local independence. One violation of local independence occurs when the response to one item governs the response to a subsequent item. Expanding on a formulation of this kind of violation as a process in the dichotomous Rasch model, this article generalizes the dependence process to the case of the unidimensional, polytomous Rasch model. It then shows how the magnitude of this violation can be estimated as a change in the location of thresholds separating adjacent categories in the second item caused by the response dependence on the first. As in the dichotomous model, it is suggested that this index is relatively more tangible in interpretation than other indices of dependence that are either a weight in the interaction term in a model or a correlation coefficient. One function of this method of assessing dependence is likely to be in the development of tests and assessment formats where evidence of the magnitude of dependence of one item on another in a pilot study can be used as part of the evidence in deciding which items will be retained in a final version of a test or which formats might need to be reconstructed. A second function might be to identify the magnitude of response dependence that may then need to be taken into account in some other way, perhaps by applying a model that takes account of the dependence.
At What Level (and in Whom) We Trust
Authors: Fulmer C. Ashley , Gelfand Michele J.
Published: May 2012

Despite the importance of trust across multiple levels in organizations, extant reviews have focused predominantly on trust at the individual level. A systematic review of trust research across levels and trust referents is sorely needed to synthesize the growing number of both micro and macro studies on this topic. Moreover, as trust is a linchpin for divergent areas, such as negotiation, leadership, team processes, human resource management, organizational change, entrepreneurship, and strategic alliances, a multilevel–multireferent review of trust can facilitate integration in the field of organizational sciences. In this review, the authors adopt a levels-of-analysis approach to organize the research on trust between 2000 and 2011 in multiple referents that include interpersonal, team, and organization at the individual, team, and organizational levels and analyze the similarities and differences in antecedents, consequences, and theoretical perspectives dominant at each level. Building on this foundation, the authors identify current strengths, weaknesses, and research gaps; offer recommendations for integration across levels and referents; and discuss lingering questions that research so far has overlooked. In doing so, the review offers a systematic and comprehensive view of the current state of the trust literature in organizational sciences and provides a blueprint for future research.
Does the local economic performance league table lie? Concentric banding and the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010
Authors: Nolan Michael A , Reynolds Michael , Trotter Stephen
Published: May 2012

This article seeks to provide evidence on whether ‘league table’ orderings for the economic performance of local areas are robust to the use of spatial units other than the Local Authority. We concentrate primarily on the overall index from the recently published Index of Multiple Deprivation for England. In addition to compiling league tables for administrative Local Authority areas and functional Travel-To-Work Areas, we also develop a concentric banding approach which allows a range of definitions for any local area. Our results demonstrate that local economic performance league table standings can exhibit marked sensitivity to the adopted definition of local area. We offer some particular focus on the case of Hull, but also demonstrate that this is not a unique example.
A new perspective on local political entrepreneurship: Evidence from Portugal
Authors: Teixeira Aurora AC , Silva Carina
Published: May 2012

Despite the important existing contributions on public and political entrepreneurship, research on these topics is still scarce, particularly at the empirical level. Studies on political entrepreneurship have usually focused on the biography of entrepreneurial leaders and the analysis of case studies. Thus, a parameterisation of the variables and relationships that permit quantitative empirical research is in demand. The present study adds to the empirical literature on public and political entrepreneurship by proposing to examine and intersect several dimensions of political entrepreneurship at the local level: funds, activities, infrastructure, and global. Based on responses gathered from 108 Portuguese municipalities, we found that both individual – gender, previous occupational status, age, and managerial competencies of the mayor – and contextual conditions – accessibilities, educational endowments, and business structure of the municipalities, namely the share of medium and large firms – are key determinants of local political entrepreneurship.
Does Consideration of Psychopathy and Sexual Deviance Add to the Predictive Validity of the Static-99R?
Authors: Looman Jan , Morphett Nicola A. C. , Abracen Jeff
Published: May 2012

The Static-99 is the most commonly used actuarial risk assessment tool for the prediction of sexual recidivism. In addition, the use of psychopathy and sexual deviance has been common in assessing sexual offenders, based on research suggesting that these factors have predictive validity. It has also become common practice to modify risk assessments based on the Static-99/99R because of the presence of psychopathy and indicators of deviant sexual interests, although to date there has been no research validating this procedure. The current research was conducted to fill this gap in the literature. Using a sample of 272 sexual offenders, the extent to which psychopathy, sexual deviance, and their interaction added to the predictive validity of the Static-99R was examined. Analyses were conducted using the whole sample as well as subgroups of rapists and child molesters. It was found that although the Static-99R predicted sexual recidivism, adding psychopathy and sexual deviance in a Cox regression analysis did not improve the prediction. This held true for child molesters when examined on their own. For rapists, although psychopathy and sexual deviance did not contribute to the prediction of sexual recidivism, for serious (i.e., violent including sexual) recidivism, the inclusion of psychopathy added to the prediction. Results are discussed in terms of implications for practice.
Understanding Success and Nonsuccess in the Drug Court
Authors: Fulkerson Andrew , Keena Linda D. , O’Brien Erin
Published: May 2012

The drug court was developed as a response to the ineffectiveness of the traditional criminal justice response to addiction. It has grown from 1 Miami court in 1989 to more than 2,100 drug court programs across the United States in 2011. The drug court has been described as a restorative or community justice intervention that can benefit the offender, direct and indirect victims, and the community as a whole through its combination of treatment, intensive supervision, and regular court appearances. Although the number of qualitative drug court studies has increased in recent years, there are few studies that compare those who successfully complete the drug court program with those who do not complete. This article is a qualitative study of drug court participants in an Arkansas drug court program. The article compares and contrasts the perceptions of those graduated from the program with those who were terminated from the program.
Age and Type of Onset of Offending
Authors: Harris Danielle Arlanda
Published: May 2012

Sexual abuse research suggests that sexual offending is usually preceded by nonsexual offending, but little else is known or understood about the specific kinds of nonsexual crimes or patterns of crime that occur before serious sexual offending. The present study examined the official criminal histories of 751 men convicted of sexual offenses and referred to the Massachusetts Treatment Center for civil commitment. This relatively serious and chronic sample was arranged and compared with the type of their first officially recorded offense. Those whose first official charge was for a sexual offense (“sexual onset”) were compared with nonsexual “violent onset” and “property onset” offenders. Important differences were detected between groups. Those with a property onset experienced more criminological risk factors and reflected the characteristics typical of chronic offenders. These results indicate that a more dedicated understanding of the beginning of one’s criminal career is a beneficial direction for future study.
An Evaluation of a Short-Term Drug Treatment for Jail Inmates
Authors: Bahr Stephen J. , Harris Paul E. (Lish) , Strobell Janalee Hobson , Taylor Bryan M.
Published: May 2012

A total of 70 jail inmates who participated in an intensive, short-term drug treatment program were compared with a matched group of 70 jail inmates who did not participate in the program. Survival analysis was used to estimate the hazard of recidivism during 14 months following release from jail. The hazard ratio was significantly lower for the treatment than control group, and an analysis using propensity scores confirmed these results. Only 27% of the treatment participants were returned to jail or prison for more than 30 days, compared with 46% of the matched control group. According to qualitative responses from the participants, the program helped inmates recognize the consequences of their behavior and change their perspective. The results indicate that an intensive, short-term drug treatment program can be implemented within jails and might be a useful tool to help offenders prepare for reentry and reduce their risk of recidivism.
Satellite remote sensing for soil mapping in Africa
Authors: Dewitte Olivier , Jones Arwyn , Elbelrhiti Hicham , Horion Stephanie , Montanarella Luca
Published: May 2012

The protection and the sustainable management of soil resources in Africa are of paramount importance, particularly in the context of the uncertain impact of climate change and the increasing pressures of human activities. From the perspective of a policy-maker interested in topics such as food security and land degradation in Africa, this situation requires up-to-date and relevant soil information at regional and continental scales. To provide timely and reliable information on soils at synoptic scales, moderate and coarse spatial resolution satellite data offer many possibilities. The paper reviews how a range of multispectral, thermal infrared, passive microwave and active microwave spaceborne sensors can be used in the delineation of soil units, as well as in the assessment of some of their key properties and threats to soil functions from pressures such as water and wind erosion, landslides and salinization. The paper shows that remotely sensed data can be used for mapping soils in Africa but often need to be combined with ancillary data and field observations in order to be effective. Remote sensing is shown to be a key component of the emerging discipline of digital soil mapping.
The Finnish library system
Authors: Tuominen Kimmo , Saarti Jarmo
Published: May 2012

The article presents a short history of Finnish libraries and librarianship. The written culture in Finland started in the 15th century AD. The Reformation meant the eventual outbreak of the Finnish culture, both from the point of view of the religious and academic cultures. The Academy of Turku was established in 1640. The public library network started to evolve from the 17th century onward. From the beginning of the independence, i.e. 1917, libraries have played an important part in the development of an open and democratic society. At present there are public libraries in all the municipalities as defined by the Public Library Act, in addition to the Finnish higher education and special libraries that constitute a modern library network open to all citizens that utilizes modern library technologies.
Access to information legislation as a means to achieve transparency in Ghanaian governance
Authors: Kuunifaa Cletus D.
Published: May 2012

Access to information and transparency are considered a vaccine for ensuring good governance and countries must gear up for this vaccine to ensure accountability and prevent corruption. This paper probes the anticipated implementation challenges of the freedom-of-information (FOI) law in Jamaica, and the lessons Ghana stands to learn to improve on its FOI bill, currently at a deliberative stage. The lack of transparency in government or the public sector as a result of lack of access to governmental or public information will be tackled in this study. After describing the background, context, framework and methodology of the study, the paper presents findings, makes a comparative analysis, and provides recommendations especially for Ghana, which is still in the process of passing similar legislation.
Value orientation and the secularization of post-Enlightenment social science
Authors: Eliaeson Sven
Published: May 2012

A full representation of all events in society is not possible. The Weber–Rickert solution to the establishing of transparent concept formation requires both theoretical and practical value relevance, that is, our fashions of today shape our selections from the past which, though, also have to be valid for the period studied. Max Weber’s tools for the selection of relevant information without risking uncontrolled value intrusion are influenced by Rickert’s historical relativism, which, however, is not free from lingering ‘objectivism’, transcendental metaphysics in the form of normatively generally valid values, while Weber only claims general empirical validity for values serving as tools for abstraction in a process of double historicity. Today’s historical conceptualizations are not immune to conjectures and fashions; there is no permanence or resistance to the ‘teeth of time’. Weber manifests the post-Enlightenment predicament of anxiety and necessity of choice, which Rickert tries to escape by an ‘Indian rope-trick’ or Icarian flight. Weber’s solution anticipates Gunnar Myrdal’s explicit value premises anchored in significant social movements; a more radical anti-metaphysics. Weber’s ‘sociology’ grew out of history and its contemporary problems. His way of dealing with the value-incommensurability problem makes him part also of a long trend of secularization.