bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signals from the neural crest regulate beta-cell mass in the pancreas
Authors: Nekrep Nada , Wang Juehu , Miyatsuka Takeshi , German Michael S.
Published: May 2008

Pancreatic islet cells and neurons share common functions and similar ontogenies, but originate in different germ layers. To determine whether ectoderm-derived cells contribute instructive signals to the developing endoderm-derived pancreas, we defined the chronology of migration and differentiation of neural crest cells in the pancreas, and tested their role in the development of the islets. The homeodomain transcription factor Phox2b marks the neural precursors from the neural crest that colonize the gut to form the enteric nervous system. In the embryonic mouse pancreas, we found Phox2b expressed briefly together with Sox10 along the epithelial-mesenchymal border at E12.5 in cells derived from the neural crest. Downregulation of Phox2b shortly thereafter was dependent upon Nkx2.2 expressed in the adjacent pancreatic epithelium. In Phox2b-/- embryos, neurons and glia did not develop in the pancreas, and Nkx2.2 expression was markedly upregulated in the epithelium. In addition, the number and replication rate of insulin-expressing beta-cells increased in the Phox2b-/-mice. We conclude that, during pancreatic development, Phox2b and Nkx2.2 form a non-cell-autonomous feedback loop that links the neural crest with the pancreatic epithelium, regulates the size of the beta-cell population, and thereby impacts insulin-secretory capacity and energy homeostasis.
C3G regulates cortical neuron migration, preplate splitting and radial glial cell attachment
Authors: Voss Anne K. , Britto Joanne M. , Dixon Mathew P. , Sheikh Bilal N. , Collin Caitlin , Tan Seong-Seng , Thomas Tim
Published: May 2008

Neuronal migration is integral to the development of the cerebral cortex and higher brain function. Cortical neuron migration defects lead to mental disorders such as lissencephaly and epilepsy. Interaction of neurons with their extracellular environment regulates cortical neuron migration through cell surface receptors. However, it is unclear how the signals from extracellular matrix proteins are transduced intracellularly. We report here that mouse embryos lacking the Ras family guanine nucleotide exchange factor,C3G (Rapgef1, Grf2), exhibit a cortical neuron migration defect resulting in a failure to split the preplate into marginal zone and subplate and a failure to form a cortical plate. C3G-deficient cortical neurons fail to migrate. Instead, they arrest in a multipolar state and accumulate below the preplate. The basement membrane is disrupted and radial glial processes are disorganised and lack attachment in C3G-deficient brains. C3G is activated in response to reelin in cortical neurons, which, in turn, leads to activation of the small GTPase Rap1. In C3G-deficient cells, Rap1 GTP loading in response to reelin stimulation is reduced. In conclusion, the Ras family regulator C3G is essential for two aspects of cortex development, namely radial glial attachment and neuronal migration.
Sorting nexin-1 defines an early phase of Salmonella-containing vacuole-remodeling during Salmonella infection
Authors: Bujny Miriam V. , Ewels Phil A. , Humphrey Suzanne , Attar Naomi , Jepson Mark A. , Cullen Peter J.
Published: May 2008

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium replicate within host cells in a specialized membrane-bound compartment, the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV). Interaction of SCVs with the host endocytic network is modulated by bacterial effectors, some of which, such as SigD/SopB, manipulate the level of endosomal phosphoinositides. Here, we establish that at early stages of Salmonella infection, sorting nexin-1 (SNX1) – a host phosphoinositide-binding protein that normally associates with early endosomes and regulates transport to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) – undergoes a rapid and transient translocation to bacterial entry sites, an event promoted by SigD/SopB. Recruitment of SNX1 to SCVs results in the formation of extensive, long-range tubules that we have termed `spacious vacuole-associated tubules'. Formation of these tubules is coupled with size reduction of vacuoles and the removal of TGN-resident cargo. SNX1 suppression perturbs intracellular progress of bacteria, resulting in a delayed replication. We propose that SNX1 is important in tubular-based re-modeling of nascent SCVs and, in doing so, regulates intracellular bacterial progression and replication.
AQP2 exocytosis in the renal collecting duct – involvement of SNARE isoforms and the regulatory role of Munc18b
Authors: Procino Giuseppe , Barbieri Claudia , Tamma Grazia , De Benedictis Leonarda , Pessin Jeffrey E. , Svelto Maria , Valenti Giovanna
Published: May 2008

Vasopressin regulates the fusion of the water channel aquaporin 2 (AQP2) to the apical membrane of the renal collecting-duct principal cells and several lines of evidence indicate that SNARE proteins mediate this process. In this work MCD4 renal cells were used to investigate the functional role of a set of Q- and R-SNAREs, together with that of Munc18b as a negative regulator of the formation of the SNARE complex. Both VAMP2 and VAMP3 were associated with immunoisolated AQP2 vesicles, whereas syntaxin 3 (Stx3), SNAP23 and Munc18 were associated with the apical plasma membrane. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that Stx3 forms complexes with VAMP2, VAMP3, SNAP23 and Munc18b. Protein knockdown coupled to apical surface biotinylation demonstrated that reduced levels of the R-SNAREs VAMP2 and VAMP3, and the Q-SNAREs Stx3 and SNAP23 strongly inhibited AQP2 fusion at the apical membrane. In addition, knockdown of Munc18b promoted a sevenfold increase of AQP2 fused at the plasma membrane without forskolin stimulation.

Taken together these findings propose VAMP2, VAMP3, Stx3 and SNAP23 as the complementary set of SNAREs responsible for AQP2-vesicle fusion into the apical membrane, and Munc18b as a negative regulator of SNARE-complex formation in renal collecting-duct principal cells.
Towards efficient micromixing by synthetic vortical structures
Authors: Tardu S F , Nacereddine R
Published: May 2008

A new active strategy is proposed to enhance mixing in microfluidic systems. Staggered perturbations in the spanwise direction are imposed to the flow and the scalar transport is analysed by direct numerical simulations of high temporal and spatial resolution. The aim is to produce turbulent-like stretched synthetic vortical structures that are the best in terms of mixing enhancement. It is shown that such structures can indeed be regenerated at significantly low Reynolds numbers through maintained perturbations periodical in time. The specific interactions asymmetrically distributed in space lead to a better mixing, in particular locally in time and space leading to the possibility of active control of scalar transport in microdevices.
Design and construction of a micromilled fluidic device as part of a DNA biosensor
Authors: Townsend R J , Harris N R , Wenn D , Brennan D , Grabham N J
Published: May 2008

Under the Optonanogen project (EU contract IST-2001-37239), a novel biosensor has been developed, which incorporates a disposable acrylic polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) fluidic header. This header is designed to deliver a sample to a series of chemically primed cantilevers where hybridization of target DNA sequences and resulting deflection of the cantilevers is detected optically. Two different microfluidic headers are described, which are designed to incorporate the cantilever chip and which demonstrate a novel approach to microfluidic header assembly, integration with macroscale fluidics, fluidic handling, and priming strategies. The first header facilitates the delivery of a single fluid sample to all cantilevers, whereas the second permits discrete delivery of samples to isolated cantilevers, despite all cantilevers being contained on a single chip. This second, multi-path header therefore allows simultaneous analysis of multiple samples, or multiple parallel tests on a single sample. This paper describes these headers and for the multi-path device details the design changes incorporated to ensure effective isolation of the sample including a novel valve to improve priming of the microfluidic circuit.
Coupling strategies for hybrid molecular—continuum simulation methods
Authors: Kalweit M , Drikakis D
Published: May 2008

The paper presents numerical issues with regard to the development of hybrid molecular—continuum computational methods for macro and nanoscale modelling of nanoflows and materials. The implementation is based on a hybrid solution interface between the continuum and molecular regions. Two different approaches for the transfer of the mass, momentum, and energy fluxes onto the boundary of the molecular dynamics domain, are considered: (a) momentum transfer by force and (b) momentum transfer by velocity reversing. Simulations performed for a static fluid and free flow between molecular and continuum boundaries have shown that in the case of the momentum-transfer-by-force approach, the width of the relaxation zone depends linearly on the number of boundary atoms onto which the force is applied to, and for a free-flow this approach is numerically unstable. On the other hand, the momentum transfer by velocity reversing was found to lead to correct results with regard to energy conservation and variables distribution within the hybrid solution interface and was numerically stable both for static and free-flow test cases.
Convective micromixers — design and industrial applications
Authors: Kockmann N
Published: May 2008

Convective static micromixers operate with high Reynolds numbers ( Re from 100 to 1000) in relatively large microchannels (100–1000 μm) for high flowrates and low risk of fouling and blocking. Typical flow characteristics of symmetrical mixing in T-shaped micromixers are presented with transient flow for Re number larger than 240. The simulation results are assisted by experimental data. Parallel mixing elements increase the mass flowrate up to 25 kg/h with 100 kPa pressure loss. The typical flow characteristics are described, which are essential for successful mixing devices. Three dimensionless parameters are introduced to describe the mixing performance and effectiveness of such devices.

Particle generation are critical in microchannels due to fouling issues. The gas phase particle generation from homogeneous condensation of vitamin E acetate is described, reaching to particle diameters of 20 nm from temporal temperature gradients of about 1.6×106 K/s. In liquid phase, the reactive precipitation of BaSO4 is investigated, leading to particle diameters below 100 nm.
Experimental uncertainties analysis as a tool for friction factor determination in microchannels
Authors: Lorenzini M , Morini G L , Henning T , Brandner J
Published: May 2008

The constant growth of the studies on microchannel flows has brought under question the validity of the relations for heat transfer and fluid flow, which are usually employed at the macroscales. Rarefied flows in the slip-flow region have attracted much attention and solutions have been developed using first- and second-order boundary conditions. These models need to be experimentally validated through careful test in order to be able to use them for more complex problems and engineering applications. In the current work the error propagation analysis is applied to a set of error-free measurements artificially generated in order to assess the influence of the uncertainty on each of the measured quantities on the determination of the Poiseuille number for rarefied flows: it is shown that the most limiting factor is the accuracy on the tube diameter, while flowrate and pressure drop errors can be kept contained provided the measurement ranges for the transducers are suitably chosen. The total uncertainty is also calculated and the limit of the investigable Reynolds numbers defined. The possibility of experimentally evidencing the differences between first- and second-order boundary conditions is investigated and it is concluded that this is the case only for highly rarefied flows ( Kn > 0.5).
Synthesis of Isolable Thiirane 1-Imides and Their Stereospecific Ring-enlargement to 1,2-Thiazetidines
Authors: Sugihara Yoshiaki , Aoyama Yui , Okada Haruki , Nakayama Juzo
Published: May 2008

The isolation of thiirane 1-imides was achieved via imination of anti- and syn-9,9′-bibenzonorbornenylidene sulfides by Chloramine T at room temperature, followed by crystallization of the reaction mixture at −18 °C. Allowing CD2Cl2 solutions of the thiirane 1-imides stand at room temperature or heating their crystals to around 120 °C led to the formation of the corresponding 1,2-thiazetidines with retention of the configuration of the thiirane 1-imides.
Scope of the Thermal Cyclization of Nonconjugated Ene–Yne–Nitrile System: A Facile Synthesis of Cyanofluorenol Derivatives
Authors: Kimura Hidenori , Torikai Kohei , Miyawaki Kazuhiro , Ueda Ikuo
Published: May 2008

Thermal cyclizations of nonconjugated ene–diyne–nitrile 1 and ene–triyne–nitrile 2 systems were examined and proved to yield not azafluorenol, but cyanofluorenol derivatives (9 and 11, respectively), indicating that the cyano groups do not participate in the radical cycloaromatization but do play important roles to determine the mode of cyclization.
Implementing the Mental Capacity Act and the Code of Practice – a developing scenario
Authors: Lucas Tracey
Published: May 2008

This article sets out a scenario highlighting some of the issues to be faced by NHS hospitals when dealing with patients who may require treatment under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The article sets out matters to consider when dealing with patients in A&E, assessments of best interests, emergency treatment, lasting powers of attorney and transferring patients to nursing homes. All of these matters come under the remit of the Act.
Setting up a BSS course in EL Salvador
Authors: Branford Olivier , Hollowood Andrew , Smith Frank
Published: May 2008

Despite recent changes in surgical training the intercollegiate Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) course is here to stay. Delivered in 60 regional centres in the UK, the course is now in its fourth edition. The founding principle of the course is to teach, assess and certify basic surgical skills that are safe and sound, from theatre etiquette and knot-tying through to the basics of minimal access surgery, therefore laying solid foundations for the development of specialty skills.
Using outcomes in the recertification process
Authors: Taylor Irving , Bridgewater Ben
Published: May 2008

As the medical profession prepares for the introduction of revalidation, the College and nine speciality associations are working to develop standards and establish how surgeons can provide evidence to demonstrate and improve their ability to practise. This article explains how the College is preparing for recertification and in particular the role of outcome measurement in demonstrating performance.
Revisiting the structure of mental disorders: Borderline personality disorder and the internalizing/externalizing spectra
Authors: James Lisa M. , Taylor Jeanette
Published: May 2008

Objective

Researchers have turned to dimensional models of psychopathology as a means of explaining robust patterns of comorbidity. A hierarchical model consisting of internalizing and externalizing dimensions has been a useful approach to understanding comorbidity among some mental disorders, although a limited number of disorders have been examined within this framework. The objective of the present study is to determine how borderline personality disorder fits into this framework.

Design and methods

Dimensional measures of nine psychiatric disorders were used in a confirmatory factors analysis to compare five models of comorbidity in 1,197 members (N = 541 women) of a population‐based sample. Symptom composites were derived from the Michigan Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the International Personality Disorders Examination Questionnaire.

Results

Five models were fit to dimensional indicators of nine disorders. A model in which borderline personality disorder served as a multidimensional indicator of the externalizing factor and the anxious‐misery subfactor of internalizing disorders provided the best fit to the data in the whole sample and in men. For women, this model also fit well but an alternative model in which borderline personality disorder served only as an indicator of the anxious‐misery subfactor of internalizing disorders fit equally well.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates the utility of the internalizing/externalizing framework for characterizing personality disorders as well as Axis I disorders. Future work should explore how other personality disorders fit into this framework.
Effects of Two Years of Daily Teriparatide Treatment on BMD in Postmenopausal Women With Severe Osteoporosis With and Without Prior Antiresorptive Treatment
Authors: Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara M , Marin Fernando , McCloskey Eugene V , Hadji Peyman , Farrerons Jordi , Boonen Steven , Audran Maurice , Barker Clare , Anastasilakis Athanasios D , Fraser William D , Nickelsen Thomas
Published: May 2008

Previous antiresorptive (AR) treatment may influence the response to teriparatide. We examined BMD response and safety in a subgroup of 503 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who received teriparatide for 24 mo. Patients were divided into three groups based on their prior AR treatment: treatment-naïve (n = 84); pretreated with no evidence of inadequate treatment response (n = 134); and pretreated showing an inadequate response to AR treatment (n = 285), which was predefined based on the occurrence of fractures, persistent low BMD, and/or significant BMD loss while on therapy. Changes in BMD from baseline were analyzed using mixed model repeated measures. Lumbar spine BMD increased significantly from baseline at 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo in all three groups. The mean gain in spine BMD over 24 mo was greater in the treatment-naïve group (0.095 g/cm2; 13.1%) than in the AR pretreated (0.074 g/cm2; 10.2%; p < 0.005) and inadequate AR responder (0.071 g/cm2; 9.8%; p < 0.001) groups. The corresponding increases in total hip BMD were 3.8%, 2.3%, and 2.3%, respectively. Early decreases in hip BMD in the inadequate AR responder group were reversed by 18 mo of treatment. Increases in BMD between 18 and 24 mo were highly significant. Nausea (13.3%) and arthralgia (11.7%) were the most commonly reported adverse events. Asymptomatic hypercalcemia was reported in 5.0% of patients. Teriparatide treatment for 24 mo is associated with a significant increase in BMD in patients with and without previous AR use. Prior AR treatment modestly blunted the BMD response to teriparatide. Safety was consistent with current prescribing label information.
Fracture Outcomes Related to Persistence and Compliance With Oral Bisphosphonates
Authors: Gallagher Arlene M , Rietbrock Stephan , Olson Melvin , van Staa Tjeerd P
Published: May 2008

The effects of low persistence on fracture risk have not been fully addressed. The objectives of this study were to describe the persistence and compliance with bisphosphonates and to evaluate the association with fracture risk. The General Practice Research database was used to identify patients ≥18 yr of age prescribed alendronate or risedronate. The follow-up was divided into periods of current and past use. Time-dependent Cox regression was used. The study population included 44,531 patients; 58.3% of the patients continued bisphosphonate treatment for >1 yr and 23.6% for >5 yr. The risk of hip/femur fracture (adjusted relative rate [RR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64–0.94) and osteoporotic fracture (RR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76–0.94) were lower with current compared with past bisphosphonate use. The largest reduction in hip/femur and osteoporotic fracture risk was observed in patients treated for at least 6 mo and no reduction in those treated for <6 mo. The risks of hip/femur and osteoporotic fractures followed the pattern of nonosteoporotic fractures in the first 6 mo but then started to reduce after 6–12 mo of treatment. Increased risks of osteoporotic and hip/femur fractures were found in patients with low compliance. Use of bisphosphonates was associated with fracture risk reductions after 6–12 mo of treatment, but only 58% of the patients were treated for at least 1 year. Improvement in long-term persistence to bisphosphonate treatment may be important to reduce the impact of osteoporosis-related fractures.
Bisphosphonate-Induced Osteopetrosis: Novel Bone Modeling Defects, Metaphyseal Osteopenia, and Osteosclerosis Fractures After Drug Exposure Ceases
Authors: Whyte Michael P , McAlister William H , Novack Deborah V , Clements Karen L , Schoenecker Perry L , Wenkert Deborah
Published: May 2008

In 2003, we reported on a 12-yr-old boy who had developed osteopetrosis (OPT) while receiving pamidronate (PMD) for idiopathic bone pain and enigmatic elevation in circulating bone alkaline phosphatase. Now 17 yr of age, he was re-evaluated 6.5 yr after PMD exposure stopped. Our patient described less bone pain but further limb fractures. His growth plates were fused, yet hyperphosphatasemia persisted. Radiographs documented interval fractures of a metacarpal, an osteosclerotic distal radius, and a dense diaphyseal segment of an ulna where a “chalkstick” break remained incompletely healed after 2 yr. There was new L4 spondylolysis, and previous L5 spondylolysis had caused spondylolisthesis. Modeling disturbances of OPT persisted, but partial recovery was shown by metaphyseal surfaces with a unique concave shape. Metaphyseal osteosclerosis had remodeled imperfectly to become focal areas of dense, diaphyseal bone. Newer metaphyseal bone was unexpectedly osteopenic, especially in his distal femurs where cortices were thin and a paucity of trabeculae was documented by CT. Femoral necks had become short and wide with an abnormal contour. A “bone-within-bone” configuration was now present throughout his skeleton. In vertebrae, endplates were thin, and trabecular osteopenia was present central and peripheral to the bands of osteosclerosis. BMD Z-scores assessed by DXA had decreased into the normal range in his spine, hip, and whole body. Iliac crest biopsy showed active bone formation, with much less accumulated primary spongiosa than during the PMD infusions. Osteoclasts that had been dysmorphic, round cells without polarization and off of bone surfaces were now unremarkable in number, location, and appearance. In conclusion, bisphosphonate toxicity during childhood can impair skeletal modeling and remodeling with structural changes that evolve and carry into adult life.
Morphological Conversion of Calcium Oxalate Crystals Into Stones Is Regulated by Osteopontin in Mouse Kidney
Authors: Okada Atsushi , Nomura Shintaro , Saeki Yukihiko , Higashibata Yuji , Hamamoto Shuzo , Hirose Masahito , Itoh Yasunori , Yasui Takahiro , Tozawa Keiichi , Kohri Kenjiro
Published: May 2008

An important process in kidney stone formation is the conversion of retentive crystals in renal tubules to concrete stones. Osteopontin (OPN) is the major component of the kidney calcium-containing stone matrix. In this study, we estimated OPN function in early morphological changes of calcium oxalate crystals using OPN knockout mice: 100 mg/kg glyoxylate was intra-abdominally injected into wildtype mice (WT) and OPN knockout mice (KO) for a week, and 24-h urine oxalate excretion showed no significant difference between WT and KO. Kidney crystal depositions were clearly detected by Pizzolato staining but not by von Kossa staining in both genotypes, and the number of crystals in KO was significantly fewer than in WT. Morphological observation by polarized light optical microphotography and scanning electron microphotography (SEM) showed large flower-shaped crystals growing in renal tubules in WT and small and uniform crystals in KO. X-ray diffraction detected the crystal components as calcium oxalate monohydrate in both genotypes. Immunohistochemical staining of OPN showed that the WT crystals contained OPN protein but not KO crystals. We concluded that OPN plays a crucial role in the morphological conversion of calcium oxalate crystals to stones in mouse kidneys.
Coping with stress: the perspective of international students
Authors: Sovic Silvia
Published: May 2008

This study explores how stress is experienced by international students in the creative arts at the University of the Arts, London. 141 students from six geographical areas were interviewed in their own language by social science postgraduates from various institutions within the University of London. The findings are in line with those of much current work on international students generally, though some are specific to the creative arts. While problems connected with language are the most widespread cause of stress, other less obvious issues are also important. Alongside the well-known phenomenon of culture shock is what has been called academic shock or study shock the difficulties of transition to a different system of teaching and learning, and of integration with peers and communication with tutors (which might also be described as social shock). The problems experienced by international students are not all peculiar or specific to them, but such students, a long way from their own cultural, social and linguistic environment, are more likely to feel the cumulative nature of the potential difficulties to which they are exposing themselves by studying abroad.
Graphic design: can it be something more? Report on research in progress
Authors: Lawrie Samantha
Published: May 2008

Human beings constitute an embodied consciousness. Our sensory capacities function in a highly integrated manner; our experience of a visual image may in fact be tactile, auditory, or some other combination of the five senses. Our most memorable and meaningful experiences are those
that impress multiple sensory modes: touch, sound, smell, taste, as well as vision. The process of transforming these essentially private sensory experiences into forms that can be shared with others is the essence of communication. Therefore truly effective communication requires careful
attention to the felt qualities of an experience; both the physically and emotionally perceived.

This paper seeks to explore why designers need to become experts in shared experience rather than simply producers of visual commodities or visual problem-solvers. Does a client need a new logo
to sell more product, or in fact does the user need a more emotionally satisfying experience to share with others?
Reflections on emotional journeys: a new perspective for reading fashion students' PPD statements
Authors: Austerlitz Noam , James Alison
Published: May 2008

This paper introduces work in progress on the presence of the emotions in reflective Personal and Professional Development (PPD) statements at the London College of Fashion. From a basis combining elements of emotional and personal construct theories, it offers an emerging method of
reading PPD reflective statements which differs from current preoccupations with employability in its focus on narratives of personal improvement and individual emotional journeys. The authors outline a perspective which may be adopted by staff and students alike to identify moments of revelation
in learning experiences and the actions that have accompanied these. Furthermore, they invite consideration as to the way PPD and critical reflection in a fashion context may differ from other subjects, in the intensity of personal creative investment and subjectivity.
Reviews
Authors: Pritchard Gary , Austerlitz Noam
Published: May 2008

Review of the Unspoken Interactions: exploring the role of emotions, interactions and embodied knowledge in practice-based subjects' symposium December 2007 University of the Arts, London

Teaching with Emotional Intelligence: A Step-by-Step Guide for Higher and
Further Education Professionals, Alan Mortiboys (2005)

1st edition, London: Rutledge (146 p.), First ISBN: 978-0415350-88-4, Price: 19.99 GBP (Paperback)
Assessing a rural innovation system: Low-input rice in Central China
Authors: Reece J. David
Published: May 2008

Following China's Green Revolution, public policy now aims to maintain high yields while reducing the amounts of water and agro-chemicals used by agriculture and so to lower costs and minimise environmental damage. This goal is pursued by supporting biotechnology-based research to develop
new crops with the required characteristics, but the innovation systems framework suggests that a range of non-research actors are also essential for these efforts to lead to practical changes. This article therefore examines what the new policy direction means for university-based researchers,
whether such research is set within an institutional context of the kind necessary for effective innovation, and whether the various actors involved shared the goals of the new policy. It reports that the study area possesses all the elements needed for an effective innovation system; but
that the various actors in place lack the agreement on objectives that is required for effective innovation.
Knowledge proximity and technological relatedness in offshore oil and gas and offshore wind technology in the United Kingdom
Authors: Memon Zahid A , Rashdi Roshan S
Published: May 2008

The United Kingdom (UK) has a strong base of offshore oil and gas (O&G) industry and possesses enormous offshore wind power (over 40 per cent of the total in Europe). The skills and technological resources of the O&G industry could possibly be applied to develop offshore wind
farms to generate electricity. In this article, the core capabilities and competencies of offshore O&G industry are studied to see if they can supplement the emerging offshore wind industry, which is likely to be one of the future renewable energy sources for the United Kingdom. The fact
that the United Kingdom will turn out to be energy importing country in the future against its current position as energy exporting country, prompts the need to explore avenues for alternative sources of energy. The authors perceive this threat to offshore O&G sector as an opportunity
for the offshore wind industry, and investigate, through a survey of views, the proposition that the offshore wind industry offers a future market opportunity for the offshore O&G industry in the United Kingdom.
Das Bibliothekspersonal im Schwabenalter – Überlegungen zum Personalmanagement von Bibliotheken in Zeiten des demographischen Wandels
Authors: Meidlinger Daniela
Published: May 2008

In Deutschland nehmen die Bevölkerungszahl und die Geburtenhäufigkeit ab, während die Lebenserwartung steigt. Ein deutlicher Anstieg des Altersdurchschnitts von Erwerbstätigen ist bereits sichtbar und wird sich in den nächsten zehn bis zwanzig Jahren noch erhöhen. Einstellungsstopps und wegfallende Stellen können auch in Bibliotheken zu drohendem Nachwuchsmangel und Know-how-Verlusten führen. Bibliotheken sollten bereits heute ein alternsgerechtes Personalmanagement umsetzen, um innovativ und leistungsfähig zu bleiben.
Library workforce planning in Australia: Can the present inform the future?
Authors: Hallam Gillian
Published: May 2008

In Australia, the library and information services (LIS) sector has become increasingly aware that people are the key drivers in the profession and that a strong professional future will depend on the effective management of workforce issues. The paper discusses some of the findings from an Australian research initiative, the neXus census, which examines the current LIS workforce.
Unterstützung von Blinden und Sehbehinderten in Universitätsbibliotheken. Ein Beispiel aus Göttingen
Authors: Fast Jan-Jasper
Published: May 2008

Vielerorts wird die Barrierefreiheit von Internetseiten diskutiert; ebenfalls werden Bedürfnisse von Schwerbehinderten bei Bauvorhaben wiederkehrend geprüft. Zwar gibt es bei der Versorgung von Menschen mit Behinderungen zahlreiche rechtliche Rahmenbedingung, feste Etats fehlen aber zumeist. Hier sind dann Aktivitäten bei der Mitteleinwerbung gefragt. Dieses gilt auch für die Unterstützung von blinden und sehbehinderten Studierenden, deren Nutzungsweise bibliothekarischer Angebote sich über die vergangenen beiden Jahrzehnte stark gewandelt hat. Vorlesedienste werden durch neue technische Möglichkeiten in der Nutzung digitaler Texte abgelöst.
Determination of the thermal conductivity of wood by the hot plate method: The influence of morphological properties of fir wood (Abies alba Mill.) to the contact thermal resistance
Authors: Bučar Bojan , Straže Aleš
Published: May 2008

Thermal conductivity is frequently determined by the hot plate method. The influence of the anatomical and morphological properties of fir wood (Abies alba Mill.) was studied on the hot plate method and the mechanical treatment on the contact thermal resistance of the surface was addressed. It was confirmed that there is a contact thermal resistance between the surface of a specimen and the smoother metal plate of an experimental device. It amounted to 3.04×10-3 m2K W-1 in the direction of wood fibres and, similarly, 2.96×10-3 m2K W-1 in the transverse direction. A negligible contact thermal resistance – maximal 9% of the contact thermal resistance between the wood specimen and the metal plate – was determined at the contact of two wood surfaces. It is ascribed to the better fit of two wood surfaces compared to the fit of the wood surface with a smoother metal one. Irreversible morphological changes were determined in the real surface layers of mechanically treated test specimens. Abbot curves of real bearing profiles were additionally prepared, where the equality of longitudinal and transverse wood surfaces, as well as a sigmoid increase of bearing surface towards the inner wood tissue of test specimens was confirmed. The inverse proportional relation between the contact thermal resistance and the contact surface of wood was ascertained. The thermal conductivity of the combined and reintegrated composite of solid wood was invariable.
Personality and humor appreciation: Evidence of an association between trait neuroticism and preferences for structural features of humor
Authors: Galloway Graeme , Chirico Danielle
Published: May 2008

This study examines the relationship between trait Neuroticism and appreciation of humor structure (incongruity-resolution and nonsense humor). Higher levels of Neuroticism are associated with increased anxiety, and more anxious people are known to dislike novel situations more than less anxious individuals do. Given that nonsense humor is an instance of a novel state of affairs, it was predicted that increases in Neuroticism would be associated with a decreased preference (indicated by funniness ratings) for nonsense humor compared to humor in which the incongruity is fully resolved. Results obtained from a total of 107 participants (34 males and 73 females) supported that prediction. It is argued that these results, as well as those which indicate associations between humor structure preferences and various other personality constructs, can be accounted for by reference to an individual's trait and/or state arousal levels. Implications of the findings for theories of humor are examined.
Development of the Pharma and Biotech Industry in India with Focus on R&D Activities
Authors: Festel Gunter
Published: May 2008

India's pharma and biotech industry has recognised that they cannot survive as global players without significant R&D capabilities. In the pharma industry this has resulted in an increase in R&D spending as a percentage of sales from an average of 2% to around 10% over the last 5 years. Since 1995, total pharma industry R&D spending has grown from around USD 30 million to more than USD 495.2 million in 2005 (Fig. 1). The vast majority of the national pharma industry's R&D expenditures on new drug discovery and development is conducted by a limited number of companies, e.g. Dr. Reddy's (2006: 12% of annual sales) and Ranbaxy (2006: around 7%).

The biotech sector in India is among the fastest growing knowledge based sectors, growing from USD 800 million in 2003 to USD 1.45 billion during 2005, and reaching USD 2 billion in 2006. The biotech industry has invested around 25% of its revenues over the last few years with a high proportion of the investments going into the setting up of infrastructure, followed by R&D.
Table of solutions and coefficients for second-order differential equations and inverse problems
Authors: Anikonov Yu. E. , Ayupova N. B.
Published: May 2008

In the present paper, formulas for solutions and coefficients of second-order differential equations are presented. These formulas can be used for finding solutions of direct and inverse problems encountered in mathematical modeling of various evolutionary processes.

Besides, new statements of inverse problems are considered, and results obtained through solution of these problems are reported. In particular, inverse mathematical-analysis problems are formulated pertaining to the Taylor formula and to the integration average theorem. Also, equations with superpositions, and inverse problems for evolutionary and functional equations with a parameter, are considered. Formulas for solutions of inverse problems are given, and existence conditions for solutions of equations with superpositions are formulated.
Inverse problems for the Black–Scholes equation and related problems
Authors: Pyatkov S. G.
Published: May 2008

We consider an inverse problem of finding a solution u and a coefficient in the equation

where l
0 is an elliptic operator of the second order and l
1 is a first order operator. A function a(x) is unknown on some subset G
0 ⊂ G and is given on the set G \ G
0. The conditions of the first boundary value problem are augmented with the overdetermination condition on the set G
0, which can be considered as the partial final overdetermination condition. Under some conditions on the data of the problem, the existence and uniqueness questions are studied.
World construction and meaning production in the “impossible worlds” of literature
Authors: Stefanescu Maria
Published: May 2008

I examine the implications for literary semantics of the distinction introduced by possible-world literary theorists between world construction and meaning production. I argue that the interdisciplinary borrowings from modal logic have resulted in a tendency among the literary scholars in the field to give preference to the referential dimension of fictional texts over their meaning component. As a direct consequence, the “impossibility” of certain fictional worlds has been diagnosed and assessed in terms of a referential failure. However, although the option to focus on the referential impossibility of some fictional worlds is clearly available to the literary theorist, it may lead to a rather one-sided approach, unless it is counterbalanced by an interest in meaning production in the case of (for the specific purposes of this article) logically inconsistent and/or self-disclosing narratives.
Two-dimensional narrative velocity
Authors: Packard Stephan
Published: May 2008

The metaphor of narrative time as physical speed, hinted at in Genette, is followed through to its logical consequences. The neighbouring concepts of narrative relevance, storytelling, velocity and acceleration are considered as parallels to mechanical distance, velocity and acceleration. The potential of this model is explored with reference to phenomena of retro-active continuity in episodic storytelling, as well as the more general problem of quantifying histoire and discours.
Visual Arts Network for the Exchange of Cultural Knowledge – VAN EyCK
Authors: Schwab Eric
Published: May 2008

VAN EyCK (Visual Arts Network for the Exchange of Cultural Knowledge) is an online subscription database for the visual and applied arts. VAN EyCK intends to be a primary research resource for professionals involved in the arts: art historians/ researchers, museum professionals, auctioneers and art dealers. VAN EyCK contains almost 390,000 records, though it should be noted that 240,000 of these records are currently text based artist records, with 70,000 art object text records and 80,000 images. Van EyCK claims that the current focus on western art will expand in scope over time with an annual addition of 50,000. It is hoped that peer institutions will both subscribe to VAN EyCK and add images from their own collections to its database.
Positioning and repositioning: Linguistic practices and identity negotiation of overseas returning bilinguals in Hong Kong
Authors: Chen Katherine Hoi Ying
Published: May 2008

Li Wei (1995) notes that relatively little sociolinguistic work on bilingualism has attempted to analyze and compare the complex relationships between aspects of language choice and code-switching among subgroups of the same community. This study aims to investigate the co-existence of two structurally different Cantonese–English code-switching patterns used by two distinctive groups (a returnee and a local group) in a single community: Hong Kong. It focuses on how overseas returning bilinguals negotiate, reposition, and reconstruct their identities through the use of distinctive code-switching styles (Irvine 2001). This paper demonstrates, through a discussion of the tactics of intersubjectivity proposed by Bucholtz and Hall (2005), how the interplay of language, identity and ideology inform the linguistic practices, social networks, and self (re)positioning of these social participants. Specifically, the paper examines how the returnees position and reposition themselves when they are discriminated against as outsiders, and their ethnic and cultural identity as Hong Kong Chinese are deauthenticated and delegitimated. Data include ethnographic interviews, participant observation, and recorded natural conversation.
Accomplishing marginalization in bilingual interaction: Relational work as a resource for the intersubjective construction of identity
Authors: Cashman Holly R.
Published: May 2008

This paper examines the use of impoliteness by Spanish–English bilingual pre-adolescents as a resource for accomplishing identities in spontaneous conversational interactions in an elementary school setting. The theoretical approach employed integrates the concept of relational work (Locher 2004; Locher and Watts 2005), which is based on Goffman's (1967) notion of face and which privileges participants' evaluation of language behavior within the norms of the community of practice, with recent work in sociocultural linguistics (Bucholtz and Hall 2004a, 2004b, 2005). This approach views identity as an interactional achievement reached through the use of what they call tactics of intersubjectivity. In this analysis, negatively marked, non-politic behavior is viewed as an interactional resource, which, along with other resources such as codeswitching, bilingual speakers may employ for the purposes of alignment and stance-taking. Specifically, the paper examines how speakers use strategies referred to as impolite (cf. Culpeper 1996) in the performance of a variety of tactics of intersubjectivity to manage local identities (e.g., leader/follower, insider/outsider) as well as membership in broad social categories (e.g., gender, ethnic identities) in interaction, how they engage in conflict talk and what they gain from it, and how codeswitching is (and is not) used in interactions. This analysis is situated within the wider social context of language politics and immigration politics in the individual school, the region, and the US.
Online brands: Branding, possible worlds, and interactive grammars
Authors: Scolari Carlos
Published: May 2008

This paper proposes to reflect from a semiotic perspective on the transformation that brands have undergone since the rise of the Internet. After a brief theoretical introduction to digital communication and the semiotics of brands, the case of the Google brand is analyzed by applying concepts of generative and interpretive semiotics. The paper holds that the iconic and linguistic enunciations are secondary with respect to interaction. In digital media interaction — the interactive experience that the Internet user lives — is a fundamental component of the hypermedia cocktail and occupies a central position in the brand building process. The article concludes with some of the questions and special characteristics raised by so-called eBranding.
Zum ich-Gebrauch in Wissenschaftstexten
Authors: Steinhoff Torsten
Published: May 2008

This paper deals with the usage of the personal pronoun ich in German scientific texts. As far as the speaker deixis is concerned, the present linguistic research on German scientific writing is predominated by the assumption of the so-called “Ich-Verbot” or “Ich-Tabu”. I will critically discuss this position and make a plea for a different point of view regarding both functional-linguistic and social-semantic aspects. Afterwards the results of a corpus-based investigation are presented, in which the frequency of ich-tokens is examined and the different usages are classified by introducing the terms “Verfasser-Ich”, “Forscher-Ich” and “Erzähler-Ich”.
Der Gebrauch und die Bedeutungen von auf, an und unter
Authors: Nüse Ralf
Published: May 2008

Present approaches to the semantics of the German prepositions auf, an and unter draw on two propositions: First, that spatial prepositions in general specify a region in the surrounding of the relatum object. Second, that in the case of auf, an and unter, these regions are to be defined with concepts like the vertical and/or the topological surface (the whole surrounding exterior of an object). The present paper argues that the first proposition is right and that the second is wrong. That is, while it is true that prepositions specify regions, the regions specified by auf, an and unter should rather be defined in terms of everyday concepts like SURFACE, SIDE and UNDERSIDE. This idea is suggested by the fact that auf, an and unter refer to different regions in different kinds of relatum objects, and that these regions are the same as the regions called surfaces, sides and undersides. Furthermore, reading and usage preferences of auf, an and unter can be explained by a corresponding salience of the surfaces, sides and undersides of the relatum objects in question. All in all, therefore, a close look at the use of auf, an and unter with different classes of relatum objects reveals problems for a semantic approach that draws on concepts like the vertical, while it suggests meanings of these prepositions that refer to the surface, side and underside of an object.
Mündlichkeit, Schriftlichkeit, Synchronizität. Eine Analyse alter und neuer Konzepte zur Klassifizierung neuer Kommunikationsformen
Authors: Thaler Verena
Published: May 2008

The arrival of computer-mediated communication has called into question existing classifications such as the distinction between mass- and individual media, dialogic and monologic communication or the concepts of orality and literacy. This paper will focus on the question if and to what extent the orality/literacy-model proposed by Koch/Oesterreicher (1985, 1990, 1995) can be applied to new forms of computer-mediated communication. After some terminological clarifications it will deal with the medial (spoken vs. written) as well as with the conceptual (oral vs. literal) aspects of the model of Koch/Oesterreicher and will propose some adaptations to the latter allowing a more precise and appropriate classification and description of different forms of computer-mediated communication. It will finally introduce an alternative concept, the one of Media Synchronicity recently proposed by Dennis/Valacich (1999, 2002) and try to reveal parallels with the orality/literacy-model which may prove useful in view of an extensive analysis of new forms of communication.