bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From verse into prose
Authors: Sharpling Gerard P.
Published: May 2007

In recent years, Louise Labé's sonnets have become increasingly popular, both within and outside France. This is perhaps unsurprising, given Labé's striking position as a female writer composing within a predominantly male-defined poetic tradition. One means by which Labé's writing has become more accessible is through the medium of translation. In English, well-known translators such as Dunstan Martin, Warnke and Kirkup, amongst others, have sought to convey Louise's writing through verse renderings, with varying degrees of success. On the other hand, prose translations of Labé's poetry remain comparatively scarce and have only recently begun to be taken more seriously. In this article, I argue that far from being inferior copies of more `ideal' verse renderings, prose poems are, in fact, better able to convey the vicissitudes of love encountered by Labé. I present three new prose translations of Louise's poetry: `Baise m'encor, rebaise moy et baise'; `Je vis, je meurs' and `Ne reprenez, Dames, si j'ay aimé'. These translations, it is hoped, place into sharper relief the poet's quest for self-knowledge and self-understanding. The use of the prose form, as opposed to verse, also highlights a central premise in Labé's writing itself, namely that human experience is made explicit not so much as a result of persuasive, categorizing statements, or through the adherence to any fixed poetic form, but rather through a sense of debate with the self. The prose form, freed from the formal constraints of Renaissance versification, provides an ideal means of exploring the dialogical structure of Louise's sonnets. This arguably more flexible form also reveals the personal qualities of a poet who manifestly prefers analysis to description or performance, the better to highlight and problematize the multifarious dimensions of love, and their poignant, indeed dramatic effect on the persona.
Do People Brace Sensibly? Risk Judgments and Event Likelihood
Authors: Sweeny Kate , Shepperd James A.
Published: May 2007

Previous research has shown that people become pessimistic about potentially bad news to “brace for the worst.” Three studies examined whether people brace differently for rare and common negative events. Results reveal that people brace more for rare negative events than for common negative events (Studies 1-3a), but only when the event is self-relevant (Study 3b). Results also show that people brace more for rare events when feedback is imminent (Study 1), when negative outcomes are salient (Study 2), and when the outcomes are important or consequential (Study 3a). The authors discuss several possible explanations for the findings, including ignorance of the base rate, random responding, and anchoring and adjustment, and ultimately suggest that people may brace “enough.”
Current issues in legal information
Authors: Worley Loyita
Published: May 2007

Examines the implications for law librarians of technological and other information changes. Suggests that the information overload challenges they face are the same as those faced by lawyers, and points out that law librarians continue to have a role as evaluators of information services and intermediaries between publisher and lawyer. Emphasizes the benefits of both printed and electronic access to legal materials, particularly as there is no adequate online archive of older legal material available yet. Assesses relations between information professionals and vendors, expressing concerns about erratic customer service and escalating costs. Declares that lawyers will always need librarians but acknowledges that the information department's strategy must be closely aligned with that of the business. Suggests that traditional skills of librarianship remain as important as ever, albeit in a new technological context, and expresses concern at the lack of some of these skills among new entrants to the profession. Concludes that new opportunities regularly present themselves and must be seized.
The view from the tower
Authors: Worlock David R.
Published: May 2007

Argues that it is not disruptive technology but the available business models and the ability to entrepreneurially transform them that causes disruption. Reviews the ways in which disruption has affected the business-to-business information market, and considers developments that might cause future disruption, including workflow integration, vertical search and the development of community. Suggests that the science, technology and medical communities, and the legal, tax and regulatory information markets, have been the heralds of change, both because of their commoditization of primary information and their need to move beyond research to ancillary services to reduce their exposure to business risk. Explains why some traditional business models are failing in the process, principally because of the development of information communities. Finally, briefly considers the competitive environment, speculating on who may be the major players in the future.
Justifying information system value
Authors: Messner Wolfgang
Published: May 2007

Information systems (IS) managers in companies are under increasing pressure to justify the value and contribution of customer advisory systems to the profitability of the organization. Measuring the usefulness of systems is critical to an understanding of this value contribution. This paper proposes a multidimensional model and method for assessing the effectiveness of customer advisory systems by inviting end-users to express their opinion on 25 criteria which are grouped into 5 areas. The model is illustrated with results of a survey among bank employees.
Knee-Specific Quality-of-Life Instruments
Authors: Tanner Suzanne M. , Dainty Katie N. , Marx Robert G. , Kirkley Alexandra
Published: May 2007

Background

Knee-specific quality-of-life instruments are commonly used outcome measures. However, they have not been compared for their ability to detect symptoms and disabilities important to patients.

Study Design

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

Subjective portions of 11 knee-specific instruments were consolidated. The frequency and importance of each item were assessed. One hundred fifty-three patients with anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, isolated meniscal tears, or osteoarthritis were polled. Instruments were ranked according to the number of items with high mean importance, high frequency importance product, and low mean importance, and according to the number endorsed by at least 51% of patients.

Results

For anterior cruciate ligament tears, the Mohtadi quality-of-life instrument scored highest in 3 categories. For meniscal tears, the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool scored highly in all 4 categories. For osteoarthritis, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scored highly in 4 categories. Of the general knee instruments, the International Knee Documentation Committee Standard Evaluation Form and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scored favorably.

Conclusion

The Mohtadi quality-of-life instrument, Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index—disease-specific instruments—contain many items important to patients. Of general knee instruments studied, the International Knee Documentation Committee Standard Evaluation Form and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score contain the most items important to patients.

Clinical Relevance

This study guides clinicians and researchers in selecting instruments that ensure that the patient's perspective is considered for outcome studies involving 3 common knee disorders.
On the Validity and Utility of Discriminating Among Impulsivity-Like Traits
Authors: Smith Gregory T. , Fischer Sarah , Cyders Melissa A. , Annus Agnes M. , Spillane Nichea S. , McCarthy Denis M.
Published: May 2007

The ability to make precise distinctions among related personality constructs helps clarify theory and increases the utility of clinical assessment. In three studies, the authors evaluated the validity of distinctions among four impulsivity-like traits: sensation seeking, lack of planning, lack of persistence, and urgency (acting rashly when distressed). Factor analyses indicated that lack of planning and lack of persistence are two distinct facets of one broader trait, whereas urgency and sensation seeking are both very modestly related to each other and to the planning/persistence measures. The authors developed interview assessments of each, and multitrait, multimethod matrix results indicated clear convergent and discriminant validity among the constructs. The distinctions among them were useful: The traits accounted for different aspects of risky behaviors. Sensation seeking appeared to relate to the frequency of engaging in risky behaviors, and urgency appeared to relate to problem levels of involvement in those behaviors.
The Utility of the PAI and the MMPI-2 for Discriminating PTSD, Depression, and Social Phobia in Trauma-Exposed College Students
Authors: McDevitt-Murphy Meghan E. , Weathers Frank W. , Flood Amanda M. , Eakin David E. , Benson Trisha A.
Published: May 2007

This study investigated the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—Revised (MMPI-2; Butcher, Dahlstrom, Graham, Tellegen, & Kaemmer, 1989) and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991) with regard to each instrument's utility for discriminating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from depression and social phobia in a sample of college students with mixed civilian trauma exposure. Participants were 90 trauma-exposed undergraduates (16 male, 74 female) classified into one of four groups: PTSD, depressive disorders, social phobia, and well-adjusted. For both the PAI and the MMPI-2, profile analysis revealed that the groups differed in the elevation and shape of their profiles. The PAI Traumatic Stress subscale demonstrated good discriminant validity.
A Typology of Behavior Problems in Preschool Children
Authors: Beg Mohsan R. , Casey Joseph E. , Saunders Cory D.
Published: May 2007

The purpose of this study was to produce a typology of behavior problems in preschool children. Distinct subtypes were identified through the use of cluster analytic techniques on data from the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC)—Parent Rating Scales. Analyses were based on archival data collected on a sample of 268 children, aged 2 to 5 years, who were referred to determine their suitability for a day treatment program. Five distinct and reliable subtypes of preschool children's behavior problems emerged. Ratings of adaptive and social skills based on the BASC Adaptive Scales and measures from the Parenting Stress Index served as external variables to assess the distinctiveness of the derived subtypes. The findings provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the subtypes identified in this study that are consistent with the findings of previous subtyping investigations focusing on school-aged children.
Nonlinear Dynamics and Control of Ultrasonically Assisted Machining
Authors: Babitsky Vladimir , Astashev Vladimir
Published: May 2007

Nonlinear models of the cutting process with superposition of ultrasonics are proposed and investigated. It is confirmed that under the influence of high frequency vibration, the phenomenological plasticisation of brittle materials and fluidisation of dry friction occurs. The mechanical characteristics of transformed machining processes are obtained. It is shown that excitation of the high-frequency nonlinear mode of tool— workpiece interaction is the most effective way of ultrasonically influencing the dynamic characteristics of machining. The exploitation of this mode needs a new method of nonlinear control, namely an autoresonant method. An autoresonant system with supervisory computer control has been developed and successfully used for the control of the piezoelectric transducer during ultrasonically assisted cutting.
Adaptive Modeling of Laser Powder Deposition Process for Control and Monitoring Application
Authors: Durali Mohammad , Fathi Alireza , Khajepour Amir , Toyserkani Ehsan
Published: May 2007

The laser powder deposition (LPD) process is an advanced material processing technique with many applications. Despite this fact, reliable and accurate control schemes have not yet been fully developed for the process. In this paper, identification of the LPD process is examined to find a more accurate model to predict and control the height of clad in real time. The model is adaptive single input—single output (SISO) and its structure is very similar to the Hammerstein model when the effective power (a function of laser power and velocity) is selected as the input and the clad height as the output. Weighted extended recursive least square (WERLS) is adopted to simultaneously estimate the model parameters using experimental data. Comparison of the results shows that this method can be used very efficiently in control of laser powder deposition process.
Enhancement of Turning Process using Vibration Signature Analysis
Authors: Batey Marlon C. , Hamidzadeh Hamid R.
Published: May 2007

Analytical and experimental vibration analyses are conducted for a lathe system to detect the possibility of faults and to develop an accurate cutting process. The data acquisition system utilized for this purpose processes the analog input from the manufacturing system and displays the response in both the real time and frequency domains. The vibration signatures for different arrangements are recorded to determine the dynamic characteristics of the system, which includes workpieces, tool, and lathe components. These vibration signatures were analyzed to determine causes of inaccuracy in the manufacturing process and faulty components. In this study, two major problem-causing sources were identified using vibration analysis for the system under different operating conditions. In addition to the identified problems, the phenomena of cutting tool chatter with various intensities was examined and recorded during testing. In this study the best possible operating conditions for a specific turning process were determined using vibration analysis. Problem-causing components for several case studies (different speeds, feed rates, and tool lengths) were identified and guidelines for improving a typical manufacturing process were recommended.
Nonlinear Stability of a Delayed Feedback Controlled Container Crane
Authors: Erneux Thomas , Kalmár-Nagy Tamás
Published: May 2007

A simplified model of a container crane subject to a delayed feedback is investigated. The conditions for a Hopf bifurcation to stable/unstable limit-cycle solutions are determined. It is shown that a subcritical Hopf bifurcation to unstable oscillations cannot be ruled out and the undesired coexistence of stable large amplitude oscillations and a stable equilibrium endangers the robustness of time-delay control strategies. The bifurcation is analyzed both analytically and numerically using a continuation method.
A Numerical Study of the Segregation Phenomenon in Granular Motion
Authors: Fang X. , Tang J.
Published: May 2007

Over the past decade, many studies have been carried out to investigate one of the unique phenomena in granular materials: the vibration-induced segregation in granular mixture, i.e., under vertical vibration, larger granules (sometimes referred to as intruders) rise to the top even without density difference with other granules. To date, the mechanisms behind this phenomenon and the factors affecting the segregation are not yet completely understood. In this study, the discrete element method (DEM) is used for the numerical analysis of granular segregation in a vertically vibrating container. The rise time of an intruder inside the granular mixture is systematically investigated as a function of the granular size, density, depth, and the vibrating frequency and amplitude. Our study shows that the segregation phenomenon is caused by a variety of mechanisms within different vibration regimes. Under weak vibration, the segregation is mainly driven by the geometrical effect and inertia. Under moderate vibration, segregation can be enhanced dramatically with the occurrence of convection. Under strong vibration where the granular material becomes fluidized, buoyancy or sinkage of granules prevails and segregation may be suppressed.
On the Modeling of the Viscoelastic Response of Embryonic Tissues
Authors: Malik W.A. , Prasad S.C. , Rajagopal K.R. , Preziosi L.
Published: May 2007

Forgacs et al. have developed a continuum model for cellular aggregates that has at its basis the work of Steinberg and co-workers concerning the coalescence of cells that takes into account surface tension effects, to describe the response of embryonic tissues. Here, we propose a solid model that reflects the fact that such embryonic tissues in the bulk (not at the cellular level) behave like solids rather than as fluids. The model stems from a robust thermodynamic framework and we show that our model fits the experimental data exceptionally well.
Wrinkling of Pre-stressed Annular Thin Films under Azimuthal Shearing
Authors: Coman Ciprian D. , Bassom Andrew P.
Published: May 2007

The wrinkling instabilities of a pre-tensioned annular thin film undergoing azimuthal shearing are investigated within the framework of the linearized Donnell—von Kármán bifurcation equation for thin plates. The main objective here is to provide a rational understanding of the role played by the presence of finite bending stiffness and to explain the nature of the localized deformation patterns observed in experiments. In order to achieve this, the eigenvalue problem is formulated as a differential equation with variable coefficients depending on a large parameter. The singular perturbation nature of this equation arises from a combination involving both the pre-stress and the geometrical features of the annular domain. The localization mechanism of the corresponding eigenmodes is then unravelled with the help of a WKB analysis motivated by the qualitative behavior of the neutral stability curves. We show that the asymptotic findings are in very good agreement with the results of direct numerical simulations of the original bifurcation equation.
Existence Theorems For Tendon-Reinforced Thin Wrinkled Membranes Subjected to a Hydrostatic Pressure Load
Authors: Baginski Frank , Barg Michael , Collier William
Published: May 2007

In this paper, we establish rigorous existence theorems for a mathematical model of a tendon-reinforced thin wrinkled membrane that is subjected to a shape dependent hydrostatic pressure load. We are motivated by the problem of determining the equilibrium shape of a strained high altitude large scientific balloon. This problem has a number of unique features. The balloon is very thin (20-40 μm), especially when compared with its diameter (over 100 meters). The balloon is unable to support compressive stresses and, instead, wrinkles or forms folds of excess material. Our approach can be adapted to a wide variety of inflatable structures, but we will focus on two types of high altitude balloons, a zero-pressure natural shape balloon and a super-pressure pumpkin-shaped balloon. We outline the shape finding process for these two classes of balloon designs, formulate the problem of a strained balloon in an appropriate Sobolev space setting, establish rigorous existence theorems using direct methods in the calculus of variations, and present numerical studies to complement our theoretical results.
Commercial markets as communication markets: uncertainty reduction through mediated information exchange in online auctions
Authors: Flanagin Andrew J.
Published: May 2007

This research conceptualizes behaviors in online commercial transactions as communication acts intended to reduce uncertainty between interactants. Uncertainty reduction theory and predicted outcome value theory are used to contextualize individuals' motivations and behaviors in the risky and uncertain environment of online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) auctions. Data from 6477 randomly-selected auctions conducted over eBay.com indicate that more commodity information leads to more, and higher, final bids; higher seller reputation results in fewer bids for less money; and greater system security features result in fewer bids. Additionally, holding item type constant, much more variance in final bid price and bid activity can be explained by these factors as item value increases, although important differences in the direction of relations emerge as well. Based on these findings, current theoretical perspectives on uncertainty reduction are extended to the environment of computer-mediated communication and interpretations are offered to explain individuals' behaviors in initial encounters in online auctions.
Who looks for casual dates on the internet? A test of the compensation and the recreation hypotheses
Authors: Peter Jochen , Valkenburg Patti M.
Published: May 2007

Research has dealt with the consequences of seeking casual partners online, but has been silent about its antecedents. To address this research gap, this study tested two hypotheses. The compensation hypothesis states that people high in dating anxiety and low in physical self-esteem seek casual dates online because the features of online communication (e.g. reduced cues, anonymity, controllability) allow them to compensate for the deficits experienced in offline dating. The recreation hypothesis proposes that sexually-permissive people and high sensation-seekers will look for casual partners online because they value the anonymity of the internet. Multivariate analyses of a survey of 729 Dutch adults supported the recreation hypothesis, but not the compensation hypothesis. Sexually-permissive people and high sensation-seekers looked for casual partners online more frequently than sexually-restrictive people and low sensation-seekers. Dating anxiety and physical self-esteem, in contrast, were unrelated to the seeking of casual partners online.
Reconciling diversity and unity
Authors: Trenz Hans-Jörg
Published: May 2007

Language minorities can be found as evidence of unfinished nation building in relatively closed territorial settlements all over contemporary Europe. From a comparative perspective, different paths of accommodating linguistic diversity can be followed, resulting in very dissimilar regimes of legal, political and cultural recognition. In recent years, standardization of minority protection has taken place, with a new emphasis on the values of linguistic diversity, non-discrimination and tolerance. As will be argued, the expanding rights of language minorities must be understood in relation to a re-structuration of nation states in Europe and a re-evaluation of difference in the course of European integration. The confrontation with internal diversity and the confrontation with a Europe of deep diversity are closely interlinked, setting the conditions for the unfolding of a new politics of recognition towards language minorities. This changing minority— majority relationship and the related processes of Europeanization of opportunity structures for the political and cultural mobilization of language minorities will be analysed with reference to specific case studies from Germany, France and Spain.
Negotiating the politics of language
Authors: Mann Robin
Published: May 2007

Since 2001, political concerns over social and ethnic cohesion have stimulated new debates over citizenship and belonging in the UK. A central feature of which has been a civic requirement of new citizens to learn English. Such a debate however coincides with concerns around in-migration in Wales, and the highly contested notion that non-Welsh speakers have a civic responsibility to learn Welsh. This article aims to explore the contradictions between these two cases via research with adult language learners in Wales — a group often ignored within literature on language, identity and citizenship. In analysing learners' discourses, the article identifies the ways in which learners come to terms with such notions of responsibility. However, the article argues that by positioning language learning in Wales in relation to the development of Welsh civic institutions, and by locating learning itself as a means of expressing such civic identification to place, so the demands for linguistic accommodation by monolingual English speakers may be increasingly articulated.
A South Asian American diasporic aesthetic community?
Authors: Murthy Dhiraj
Published: May 2007

In the late 1990s, a diverse group of British South Asian musicians began to gain notoriety in the UK for their distinctive blends of synthesized beats with what were considered South Asian elements (e.g. tabla, sitar and `Hindustani' samples). Following these successes, the British media industries engaged in discourses on whether these South Asian musicians should be labelled under pre-existing musical genres such as acid jazz and electronic music or under an ethnically oriented classification such as `The Asian Underground'. Despite vociferous opposition, the latter categorization became the most promulgated. However, this discourse underwent a second iteration when South Asian musicians in New York City created a dance night largely influenced by their transatlantic diasporic colleagues. The purpose of this study was to examine the tensions between ethnically categorizing this New York dance night and not doing so. Using ethnographic data gathered during three months of fieldwork in 2001 as well as through a web-based questionnaire, this study yields interesting findings regarding not only ethnic labelling, but also the larger debate of ethnic essentialism. More specifically, the findings suggest that, on the one hand, ethnically labelling this dance hall as South Asian could facilitate an increased solidarity (sociopolitically) within the diaspora in New York City. While, on the other hand, such labelling could be dangerous to diasporic interests, as it essentializes the South Asian community into a homogenous entity.
Review Debate: We need human rights not nationalism 'lite'
Authors: O'Donnell Mike
Published: May 2007

The article explores the relationship of multiculturalism to social solidarity. The multicultural nature of Britain is accepted as a welcome reality but certain problems in relation to the development of multiculturalism in Britain are acknowledged. Various approaches to buttress or replace multiculturalism are reviewed. These are: a strengthened and/or reconstituted nationalism (`Britishness'); human rights; and social equality. The issue of citizenship recurs throughout. It is argued that a combined emphasis on human rights and greater social equality offer a better basis than nationalism for strengthening solidarity in Britain, especially in the longer term. Sociological theory offers a fruitful if strangely neglected starting point for understanding social solidarity. I draw critically on Durkheim and Marx to obtain some objective perspective on this controversial matter.
Respiratory virus infection among hematopoietic cell transplant recipients: evidence for asymptomatic parainfluenza virus infection
Authors: Peck Angela J. , Englund Janet A. , Kuypers Jane , Guthrie Katherine A. , Corey Lawrence , Morrow Rhoda , Hackman Robert C. , Cent Anne , Boeckh Michael
Published: May 2007

The incidence of respiratory virus infection after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has probably been underestimated with conventional testing methods in symptomatic patients. This prospective study assessed viral infection episodes by testing weekly respiratory samples collected from HCT recipients, with and without symptoms reported by questionnaire, for 100 days after HCT. Samples were tested by culture and direct fluorescent antibody testing for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and influenza A and B, and by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction for RSV, PIV, influenza A and B, and metapneumovirus (MPV). Of 122 patients, 30 (25%) had 32 infection episodes caused by RSV (5), PIV (17), MPV (6), influenza (3), RSV, or influenza (1). PIV, with a cumulative incidence estimate of 17.9%, was the only virus for which asymptomatic infection was detected. Lower virus copy number in patients with no or one symptom compared with 2 or more symptoms was found for all viruses in all patients (P < .001), with PIV infection having a similar virus-specific comparison (P = .004). Subclinical infection with PIV may help explain why infection-control programs that emphasize symptoms are effective against RSV and influenza but often not against PIV.
The ABO blood group system and Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Authors: Cserti Christine M. , Dzik Walter H.
Published: May 2007

In the century since the discovery of the ABO blood groups, numerous associations between ABO groups and disease have been noted. However, the selection pressures defining the ABO distributions remain uncertain. We review published information on Plasmodium falciparum infection and ABO blood groups. DNA sequence information dates the emergence and development of the group O allele to a period of evolution before human migration out of Africa, concomitant with P falciparum's activity. The current geographic distribution of group O is also consistent with a selection pressure by P falciparum in favor of group O individuals in malaria-endemic regions. We critically review clinical reports of ABO and P falciparum infection, documenting a correlation between disease severity and ABO group. Finally, we review published data on the pathogenesis of P falciparum infection, and propose a biologic model to summarize the role of ABO blood groups in cytoadherence biology. Such ABO-related mechanisms also point to a new hypothesis to account for selection of the Le(a−b−) phenotype. Taken together, a broad range of available evidence suggests that the origin, distribution, and relative proportion of ABO blood groups in humans may have been directly influenced by selective genetic pressure from P falciparum infection.
GrlJ, a Dictyostelium GABAB-like receptor with roles in post-aggregation development
Authors: Prabhu Yogikala , Müller Rolf , Anjard Christophe , Noegel Angelika A
Published: May 2007

Background

The G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family represents the largest and most important group of targets for chemotherapeutics. They are extremely versatile receptors that transduce signals as diverse as biogenic amines, purins, odorants, ions and pheromones from the extracellular compartment to the interior via biochemical processes involving GTP-binding proteins. Until recently, the cyclic AMP receptors (cARs) were the only known G protein coupled receptors in Dictyostelium discoideum. The completed genome sequence revealed the presence of several families of GPCRs in Dictyostelium, among them members of the family 3 of GPCRs, the GABAB/glutamate like receptor family, which in higher eukaryotes is involved in neuronal signaling.

Results

D. discoideum has seventeen Family 3 members of GPCRs, denoted GrlA through GrlR. Their transcripts are detected throughout development with increased levels during early and late development. We have examined here GrlJ. GFP-tagged GrlJ localises to the plasmamembrane and to internal membranes. Inactivation of the grlJ gene leads to precocious development, and the mutant completes development ~6 hours earlier. Alterations were also noted at the slug stage and in spore formation. grlJ
- slugs were longer and broke apart several times on their way to culmination forming smaller but proportionate fruiting bodies. Spores from grlJ
- fruiting bodies were malformed and less viable, although the spore differentiation factors were synthesized and sensed normally. Expression of a GFP-tagged full length GrlJ rescued the phenotype.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that GrlJ acts at several stages of Dictyostelium development and that it is a negative regulator in Dictyostelium development.
A Cre-lox approach for transient transgene expression in neural precursor cells and long-term tracking of their progeny in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Geoffroy Cédric G , Raineteau Olivier
Published: May 2007

Background

Neural precursor cells (NPCs) can be isolated from various regions of the postnatal central nervous system (CNS). Manipulation of gene expression in these cells offers a promising strategy to manipulate their fate both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we developed a technique that allows the transient manipulation of single/multiple gene expression in NPCs in vitro, and the long-term tracking of their progeny both in vitro and in vivo.

Results

In order to combine the advantages of transient transfection with the long-term tracking of the transfected cells progeny, we developed a new approach based on the cre-lox technology. We first established a fast and reliable protocol to isolate and culture NPCs as monolayer, from the spinal cord of neonatal transgenic Rosa26-YFP cre-reporter mice. These cells could be reliably transfected with single/multiple plasmids by nucleofection. Nucleofection with mono- or bicistronic plasmids containing the Cre recombinase gene resulted in efficient recombination and the long-term expression of the YFP-reporter gene. The transient cre-expression was non-toxic for the transfected cells and did not alter their intrinsic properties. Finally, we demonstrated that cre-transfected cells could be transplanted into the adult brain, where they maintained YFP expression permitting long-term tracking of their migration and differentiation.

Conclusion

This approach allows single/multiple genes to be manipulated in NPCs, while at the same time allowing long-term tracking of the transfected cells progeny to be analyzed both in vitro and in vivo.
Sequence variations in DNA repair gene XPCis associated with lung cancer risk in a Chinese population: a case-control study
Authors: Bai Yun , Xu Liang , Yang Xiaobo , Hu Zhibin , Yuan Jing , Wang Feng , Shao Minhua , Yuan Wentao , Qian Ji , Ma Hongxia , Wang Ying , Liu Hongliang , Chen Weihong , Yang Lin , Jing Guangfu , Huo Xiang , Chen Feng , Liu Yanhong , Jin Li , Wei Qingyi , Huang Wei , Shen Hongbing , Lu Daru , Wu Tangchun
Published: May 2007

Background

The nucleotide excision repair (NER) protein, xeroderma pigmentosum C (XPC), participates in recognizing DNA lesions and initiating DNA repair in response to DNA damage. Because mutations inXPCcause a high risk of cancer in XP patients, we hypothesized that inherited sequence variations inXPCmay alter DNA repair and thus susceptibility to cancer.

Methods

In this hospital-based case-control study, we investigated fiveXPCtagging, common single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagging SNPs) in 1,010 patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer and 1,011 matched cancer free controls in a Chinese population.

Results

In individual tagging SNP analysis, we found that rs3731055AG+AAvariant genotypes were associated with a significantly decreased risk of lung adenocarcinoma [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.71; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56–0.90] but an increased risk of small cell carcinomas [adjusted OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.05–3.07]. Furthermore, we found that haplotypeACCCAwas associated with a decreased risk of lung adenocarcinoma [OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62–0.97] but an increased risk of small cell carcinomas [OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.04–2.71], which reflected the presence of rs3731055Aallele in this haplotype. Further stratified analysis revealed that the protective effect of rs3731055AG+AAon risk of lung adenocarcinoma was more evident among young subjects (age ≤ 60) and never smokers.

Conclusion

These results suggest that inherited sequence variations inXPCmay modulate risk of lung cancer, especially lung adenocarcinoma, in Chinese populations. However, these findings need to be verified in larger confirmatory studies with more comprehensively selected tagging SNPs.
Age standardisation – an indigenous standard?
Authors: Robson Bridget , Purdie Gordon , Cram Fiona , Simmonds Shirley
Published: May 2007

The study of inequities in health is a critical component of monitoring government obligations to uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples. In Aotearoa/New Zealand the indigenous Māori population has a substantially younger age structure than the non-indigenous population making it necessary to account for age differences when comparing population health outcomes. An age-standardised rate is a summary measure of a rate that a population would have if it had a standard age structure. Changing age standards have stimulated interest in the potential impact of population standards on disparities data and consequently on health policy.

This paper compares the age structure of the Māori and non-Māori populations with two standard populations commonly used in New Zealand: Segi's world and WHO world populations. The performance of these standards in Māori and non-Māori mortality data was then measured against the use of the Māori population as a standard. It was found that the choice of population standard affects the magnitude of mortality rates, rate ratios and rate differences, the relative ranking of causes of death, and the relative width of confidence intervals. This in turn will affect the monitoring of trends in health outcomes and health policy decision-making. It is concluded that the choice of age standard has political implications and the development and utilisation of an international indigenous population standard should be considered.
Identification of bacteria on the surface of clinically infected and non-infected prosthetic hip joints removed during revision arthroplasties by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and by microbiological culture
Authors: Dempsey Kate E , Riggio Marcello P , Lennon Alan , Hannah Victoria E , Ramage Gordon , Allan David , Bagg Jeremy
Published: May 2007

It has been postulated that bacteria attached to the surface of prosthetic hip joints can cause localised inflammation, resulting in failure of the replacement joint. However, diagnosis of infection is difficult with traditional microbiological culture methods, and evidence exists that highly fastidious or non-cultivable organisms have a role in implant infections. The purpose of this study was to use culture and culture-independent methods to detect the bacteria present on the surface of prosthetic hip joints removed during revision arthroplasties. Ten consecutive revisions were performed by two surgeons, which were all clinically and radiologically loose. Five of the hip replacement revision surgeries were performed because of clinical infections and five because of aseptic loosening. Preoperative and perioperative specimens were obtained from each patient and subjected to routine microbiological culture. The prostheses removed from each patient were subjected to mild ultrasonication to dislodge adherent bacteria, followed by aerobic and anaerobic microbiological culture. Bacterial DNA was extracted from each sonicate and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified with the universal primer pair 27f/1387r. All 10 specimens were positive for the presence of bacteria by both culture and PCR. PCR products were then cloned, organised into groups by RFLP analysis and one clone from each group was sequenced. Bacteria were identified by comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained with those deposited in public access sequence databases. A total of 512 clones were analysed by RFLP analysis, of which 118 were sequenced. Culture methods identified species from the genera Leifsonia (54.3%), Staphylococcus (21.7%), Proteus (8.7%), Brevundimonas (6.5%), Salibacillus (4.3%), Methylobacterium (2.2%) and Zimmermannella (2.2%). Molecular detection methods identified a more diverse microflora. The predominant genus detected was Lysobacter, representing 312 (60.9%) of 512 clones analysed. In all, 28 phylotypes were identified: Lysobacter enzymogenes was the most abundant phylotype (31.4%), followed by Lysobacter sp. C3 (28.3%), gamma proteobacterium N4-7 (6.6%), Methylobacterium SM4 (4.7%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.7%); 36 clones (7.0%) represented uncultivable phylotypes. We conclude that a diverse range of bacterial species are found within biofilms on the surface of clinically infected and non-infected prosthetic hip joints removed during revision arthroplasties.
Bonding of articular cartilage using a combination of biochemical degradation and surface cross-linking
Authors: Englert Carsten , Blunk Torsten , Müller Rainer , von Glasser Sabine Schulze , Baumer Julia , Fierlbeck Johann , Heid Iris M , Nerlich Michael , Hammer Joachim
Published: May 2007

After trauma, articular cartilage often does not heal due to incomplete bonding of the fractured surfaces. In this study we investigated the ability of chemical cross-linkers to facilitate bonding of articular cartilage, either alone or in combination with a pre-treatment with surface-degrading agents. Articular cartilage blocks were harvested from the femoropatellar groove of bovine calves. Two cartilage blocks, either after pre-treatment or without, were assembled in a custom-designed chamber in partial apposition and subjected to cross-linking treatment. Subsequently, bonding of cartilage was measured as adhesive strength, that is, the maximum force at rupture of bonded cartilage blocks divided by the overlap area. In a first approach, bonding was investigated after treatment with cross-linking reagents only, employing glutaraldehyde, 1-ethyl-3-diaminopropyl-carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), genipin, or transglutaminase. Experiments were conducted with or without compression of the opposing surfaces. Compression during cross-linking strongly enhanced bonding, especially when applying EDC/NHS and glutaraldehyde. Therefore, all further experiments were performed under compressive conditions. Combinations of each of the four cross-linking agents with the degrading pre-treatments, pepsin, trypsin, and guanidine, led to distinct improvements in bonding compared to the use of cross-linkers alone. The highest values of adhesive strength were achieved employing combinations of pepsin or guanidine with EDC/NHS, and guanidine with glutaraldehyde. The release of extracellular matrix components, that is, glycosaminoglycans and total collagen, from cartilage blocks after pre-treatment was measured, but could not be directly correlated to the determined adhesive strength. Cytotoxicity was determined for all substances employed, that is, surface degrading agents and cross-linkers, using the resazurin assay. Taking the favourable cell vitality after treatment with pepsin and EDC/NHS and the cytotoxic effects of guanidine and glutaraldehyde into account, the combination of pepsin and EDC/NHS appeared to be the most advantageous treatment in this study. In conclusion, bonding of articular cartilage blocks was achieved by chemical fixation of their surface components using cross-linking reagents. Application of compressive forces and prior modulation of surface structures enhanced cartilage bonding significantly. Enzymatic treatment in combination with cross-linkers may represent a promising addition to current techniques for articular cartilage repair.
Crosstalk among Jak-STAT, Toll-like receptor, and ITAM-dependent pathways in macrophage activation
Authors: Hu Xiaoyu , Chen Janice , Wang Lu , Ivashkiv Lionel B
Published: May 2007

Macrophage phenotype and activation are regulated by cytokines that use the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, microbial recognition receptors that include TLRs, and immunoreceptors that signal via ITAM motifs. The amplitude and qualitative nature of macrophage activation are determined by crosstalk among these signaling pathways. Basal ITAM signaling restrains macrophage responses to TLRs and other activating ligands, whereas strong ITAM signals synergize with the same ligands to activate cells strongly. Similarly, basal ITAM signaling augments IFN signaling and function of receptor activator of NF-κB, but extensive ITAM activation inhibits Jak-STAT signaling. Thus, intensity and duration of ITAM signaling determine whether ITAM-coupled receptors augment or attenuate TLR and Jak-STAT responses. IFN-γ synergizes with TLRs in part by suppressing TLR-induced feedback inhibition, mediated by IL-10 and Stat3, by a mechanism that depends on glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3 regulation of AP-1 and CREB. IFN-γ suppresses TLR2 and TLR4 induction/activation of AP-1 by overlapping mechanisms that include regulation of MAPKs, GSK3-dependent suppression of DNA binding, and decreased Fos and Jun protein expression and stability. IFN-γ suppression of TLR-induced activation of AP-1 and downstream target genes challenges current concepts about the inflammatory role of AP-1 proteins in macrophage activation and is consistent with a role for AP-1 in the generation of noninflammatory osteoclasts. Jak-STAT, TLR, and ITAM pathways are basally active in macrophages and strongly induced during innate responses. Thus, signal transduction crosstalk is regulated in a dynamic manner, which differs under homeostatic and pathologic conditions, and dysregulation of signal transduction crosstalk may contribute to pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Cytotoxic T Cell–Mediated Diabetes in RIP‐CD80 Transgenic Mice
Authors: PECHHOLD KLAUS , CHAKRABARTY SAGARIKA , HARLAN DAVID M.
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  Rodent immune‐mediated diabetes model studies have advanced understanding of β cell–specific T cell responses, and the testing of therapeutic approaches. We have used an inducible diabetes model based on rat insulin promotor (RIP)–driven expression of CD80 (B7‐1) on pancreatic β cells. Using these mice, we have established that immunizing with a single autoantigen can promote progressive islet inflammation and eventually T cell–mediated diabetes. We now describe a potent immunization protocol using peptide‐pulsed mature dendritic cells (DCs) to examine peptide epitopes derived from endogenous (preproinsulin) and transgenically expressed β cell antigens, namely lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus glycoprotein (LCMV‐GP). LCMV‐GP epitopes efficiently promote β cell destruction, and the autoantigenic peptide concentration used to load the DCs correlates directly with diabetes onset. The system allowed us to assess cytotoxic T cell (CTL) fine specificity by immunizing with DCs presenting altered peptide ligands (APLs) of the dominant LCMV‐GP epitope, gp33. Finally, using an adoptive transfer system, we tested alternative in vitro T cell activation conditions, including APLs and mitogens, for their impact on T cell effector function and diabetes onset. Our studies revealed a marked discrepancy between (inflammatory) effector functions and diabetes progression, thus emphasizing the importance of structural identity between sensitizing and target epitope and the context of initial T cell activation.
Establishment of a Model to Examine the Early Events Involved in the Development of Virus‐Induced Demyelinating Lesions
Authors: DRESCHER KRISTEN M. , TRACY STEVEN
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  The ability to study the immediate, early events in the demyelinating process has been difficult on account of the lack of model systems that address this phase of lesion development. The vast majority of animal models used to study multiple sclerosis (MS) focuses on the later events of myelin destruction. To address this deficiency, we have modified the currently used Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)‐induced model of demyelination to precisely identify the area where virus‐induced demyelination first occurs. Following surgical exposure of the spinal cord, we directly injected TMEV into the spinal cord of female SJL/J mice. Characterization of the events in the spinal cord in the days following injection of virus support the use of this model to dissect the pathways triggered in the host in the early phases of demyelination. A complete understanding of the genesis of the sclerotic plaque may provide insights into enhanced treatment for patients with central nervous system (CNS) demyelination.