bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiences and Expectations of Biographical Time among Young Athletes
Authors: Phoenix Cassandra , Smith Brett , Sparkes Andrew C.
Published: August 2007

In this article, we explore how biographical time is storied by a particular group of young athletes in relation to their experiences and expectations of embodied ageing. The data suggests that at present, as able and sporting bodies, their everyday experiences are framed by the cyclical, maximizing, and disciplined notions of time associated with the social organization of sport. In their middle years, however, it was perceived that time would be pressured. In contrast, when talking about old age, empty time and static time were expected. The ways in which three different narratives of self operate to shape the projected experiences of time for these individuals are highlighted, and the implications of this process for their ability to access diverse narrative resources of ageing is discussed.
The Polychronic—Monochronic Tendency Model
Authors: Lindquist Jay D. , Kaufman-Scarborough Carol
Published: August 2007

Polychronicity has traditionally been defined as a form of behavior wherein a person engages in two or more activities during the same block of time, while monochronicity occurs when a person engages in one activity at a time. These concepts have become increasingly relevant in discussions of `time personality', worktime in the home, and technological impacts on time. Other underlying dimensions of polychronicity also exist, such as preferences and feelings towards whether to combine activities or not. In order to reflect this more complex perspective, a validated, updated measure of a person's polychronic—monochronic overall tendency is needed. The present study is a re-inquiry and extension of the Polychronic Attitude Index (PAI), introduced in 1991. In the current research plan we propose, develop, and validate a general five-item comprehensive `reflective' single factor extended model. The general Polychronic—Monochronic Tendency Model is constructed using confirmatory factor analysis. The five-item summated scale from this model is named the Polychronic—Monochronic Tendency Scale (PMTS). A series of five separate studies were used to variously test for social desirability response bias, internal consistency, discriminant validity, and nomological validity. The PAI is also compared statistically to PMTS with the latter being clearly stronger. A discussion of the results and research implications are presented.
Temporal Frameworks and Individual Cultural Activities
Authors: Bergadaà Michelle
Published: August 2007

The following article presents temporal frameworks articulated around two axes: synchrony/diachrony and instant/ duration. A framework is elaborated based on an analysis of how cultural activities bearing social and historical meaning fit into temporal frameworks on the individual level of consumers, or cultural actors. The argument identifies four types of time frames supporting individual action: `permanent present' frame, `modern time' frame, `fragmented time' frame and `in rhythm time' frame. Two studies, conducted on the topic of cultural activities involving theatre and museums, have been used to illustrate the conceptual model. They exemplify the relationship between the individual's temporal framework, his or her attitude with regard to culture and the type of cultural action he or she develops.
Civionics — A New Paradigm in Design, Evaluation, and Risk Analysis of Civil Structures
Authors: Mufti Aftab A. , Bakht Baidar , Tadros Gamil , Horosko Andrew T. , Sparks Gordon
Published: August 2007

This article discusses the reasons why civil engineers are very conservative in the design of new structures and the evaluation of existing structures. It is argued that structural health monitoring (SHM) will assist in providing data that could be used to fine-tune the calibration of load and strength factors leading to more efficient and economical designs and better utilization of the strengths of existing structures. For major changes in design, construction, and evaluation to be accepted, it is necessary that innovative structures be monitored for their health so that the required data bank can be developed. To assist in achieving this goal, civil engineers in Canada are developing a new discipline, which integrates civil engineering and electrophotonics under the combined term `civionics'.
Sound Wave Transmission Reduction through a Plate using Piezoelectric Synchronized Switch Damping Technique
Authors: Guyomar Daniel , Richard Thibaut , Richard Claude
Published: August 2007

Wave control and development of anechoic systems in air are of major interest to improve acoustic comfort. Currently, passive control techniques, which consist in using absorbing materials are effective at high frequency, but the principal limitation of this approach is mass and volume, particularly in the low-frequency range. Active control techniques (like the use of antinoise, which uses interference of sound waves) have been successfully applied to reduce the noise level, but their main drawback is the complexity of the global system and global power requirements. Another approach is to reduce the noise transmission by a proper control of transmitting structure oscillations. The aim of this study is to develop a technique of noise reduction by using piezoelectric elements. The device considered is a large clamped plate, equipped with piezoelements. Sound transmission through this plate is strongly related to the various resonances. Vibration damping devices implemented on this plate results in the reduction of the plate resonances and therefore of the correlated transmitted sound. The synchronized switch damping technique (SSD) is implemented. In this semi-passive approach, the piezoelements are continuously switched from the open circuit state to a specific electric network synchronously with the strain. Owing to this switching mechanism, a phase shift appears between the strain induced by an incident acoustic wave and the resulting voltage, thus creating energy dissipation. As many techniques using piezoelements, in this non-linear process, damping performances directly depend on the electromechanical coupling coefficient of the system. An analytical model and a finite element model are proposed in this study to obtain optimal size and location of piezoelectric inserts. Using this design, an attenuation of 19 dB on the plate oscillations and 15dB on the transmitted wave pressure can be obtained.
A Model of the Self-Driven Evolution of a Defective Continuum
Authors: Elżanowski Marek , Preston Serge
Published: August 2007

A model of the self-driven evolution law of a defective anelastic continuum is presented. Two-dimensional examples are discussed and the role of the Clausius—Duhem inequality in imposing constitutive restrictions is investigated.
Towards a Theory of Securitization: Copenhagen and Beyond
Authors: Stritzel Holger
Published: August 2007

One of the most important and controversial contributions to a vibrant body of new security theories since the 1990s has been the idea of securitization. However, rather than providing a consolidated position the discourse on securitization has only just begun to transform the new idea into a more comprehensive security theory. This article argues that such a theory needs to go beyond the current reflections on securitization by the Copenhagen School. Through internal critique and conceptual reconstruction the article generates an alternative framework for future empirical research and identifies two centres of gravity as a first step towards a more consistent understanding of securitization as a comprehensive theory of security.
Uneven and Combined Development in World History: The International Relations of State-formation in Premodern Iran
Authors: Matin Kamran
Published: August 2007

IR's turn towards historical sociology is yet to overcome its ahistoricism. This lack of world-historical perspective, particularly conspicuous in relation to the non-European world, and arguably IR's emergence as a discipline, can be traced back to the theoretically fateful negligence of `the international' by the classical (historical) sociology on which the contemporary critiques of the mainstream IR theory tend to draw. This article develops this argument within the context of a theoretical reappraisal of the traditional approaches to the problematique of the premodern state in Iran and proposes an alternative theoretical framework that is critically drawn on Trotsky's theory of uneven and combined development as an internationally augmented historical materialism. Thus it argues that central to the premodern state-formation in Iran were the nomadic geopolitical pressure upon, and rule over, the agrarian Iranian society which gave rise to a synergetic nomadic-sedentary relationship mediated by, and crystallized in, the military-administrative institution of uymaq. This underlay the continuous formation, disintegration and re-production of successive states characterized by centralized patrimonial arbitrary rule.
Legitimating European Union Accession?
Authors: Pridham Geoffrey
Published: August 2007

There is growing attention to problems of European Union (EU) legitimacy and, in particular, the lack of affective links between the political elites engaged in integration and public opinion. Political parties are in an influential position for helping to solve this problem. With the EU's largest ever enlargement in May 2004, it is important to establish whether these problems are likely to be magnified or not. Although there was a strong vote in favour of EU membership in the referenda of 2003 in post-Communist countries, this constituted more formal than substantial legitimacy for the EU. Taking the case of Latvia, it is already clear that some difficulties evident in the older member states are being repeated, notably with respect to mass opinion and European integration, as illustrated by the referendum of 2003 and European elections of 2004. On the one hand, there is a political elite now versed in EU affairs but, on the other, public opinion remains largely ignorant of what membership entails. In addition, Latvia also reveals a serious public mistrust towards the political elite, which is common in post-Communist countries, and this inhibits parties there from developing an intermediary role over European affairs. It therefore remains to be seen whether positive developments in the future linking benefits from EU membership and the achievement of democratic consolidation move Latvia towards a solution of these problems.
Old Democrats in New Clothing?
Authors: Medvic Stephen K.
Published: August 2007

There has been little scholarly attention paid to the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) despite the fact that it represents an influential faction within the Democratic Party. As a result, questions remain about the institutional character of the DLC, particularly with respect to its ideological structure and coherence. This represents a missed opportunity to examine the formation, operation and success (or failure) of ideological factions. The present article begins to address this oversight by examining the ideology of members of the House New Democrat Coalition. After a brief conceptual and historical description of the DLC, I offer an explanation of the Third Way, the DLC's guiding philosophy. Having established a set of expectations about DLC members, I then examine the ideological make-up of New Democrats in the 106th House of Representatives. Using ADA, National Journal and DW-NOMINATE scores, I attempt to determine whether New Democrats are ideologically distinct from their more traditional (i.e. liberal) colleagues. The results indicate that they are, though the differences may be confined to economic issues. And while ideological moderation helps explain membership in the House New Democrat Coalition, electoral vulnerability also plays a role.
Electoral Support for Islamic Parties in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: García-Rivero Carlos , Kotzé Hennie
Published: August 2007

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is often regarded as an area where it is difficult to stabilize democracy. This notion is reinforced by the fact that, in the most recent set of elections held in the region, Islamic-orientated political parties perceived to be anti-democratic have achieved important electoral victories. This article analyses these parties in the MENA region in an attempt to discern whether support is related to a preference for anti-democratic forms of government. The research takes the form of a quantitative analysis using survey data and results indicate that electoral support for Islamic political parties is in fact driven by a rejection of the present state configuration, which in turn leads to a demand for religion to exert greater influence on the state.
Sleeping Giant: Fact or Fairytale?
Authors: de Vries Catherine E.
Published: August 2007

Do attitudes towards European integration influence vote choice in national elections — a phenomenon I refer to as European Union (EU) issue voting? Evidence concerning EU issue voting is thus far mixed. Some scholars conclude that an electoral connection exists between European and national politics, whereas others claim that European integration has had very few observable effects on national elections. A resolution emerges when the conditional nature of EU issue voting is acknowledged. Specifically, EU issue voting is more likely to occur in elections in which both the extent of partisan conflict over European integration and the degree of EU issue salience among voters are high. Using a conditional logit model, I illustrate the conditional nature of EU issue voting by comparing UK, Danish, Dutch and German elections between 1992 and 2002.
Who Calls for a Common EU Foreign Policy?
Authors: Jensen Christian B. , Slapin Jonathan , König Thomas
Published: August 2007

What drove the preferences over institutional choices of EU Constitutional Convention delegates in the area of foreign policy? We examine delegate preferences and find strong evidence that partisan identity rather than government positions drove delegates' preferences for both the role of the Commission and the voting rule in the Council. We also find evidence that delegates' party positions on an EU foreign policy are better predictors than delegates' personal preferences of their preferred role for the Commission and the voting rule in the Council. If government and national interests would dominate any policy area, it would be foreign policy. We contend that our finding in this critical case underscores the importance of partisan effects in European integration.
Occurrence of arc interaction in tandem pulsed gas metal arc welding
Authors: Ueyama T. , Ohnawa T. , Tanaka M. , Nakata K.
Published: August 2007

In the tandem pulsed gas metal arc welding, the occurrence of arc interruption by the electromagnetic interaction between the two adjacent arcs becomes a problem. In order to clarify this problem, effects of interwire distance and Ar–CO2 gas mixture ratio on an abnormal arc voltage and arc interruption are investigated. The abnormal arc voltage and the arc interruption frequently occur with pulse peak currents which are supplied alternately to two wires. In addition, both phenomena occur in trailing arc which is located on molten pool at base current duration remarkably. There is most number of abnormal arc voltage and arc interruption times in trailing when the interwire distance is 10 mm, because a deflected length of trailing arc by the electromagnetic interaction becomes the longest. Moreover, the CO2 mixture ratio in shielded gas affects the occurrence of abnormal arc voltage and arc interruption. The abnormal arc voltage and arc interruption do not occur when CO2 gas mixture ratio is equal to or less than 5%. However, number of abnormal arc voltage and arc interruption times increase rapidly with increasing CO2 gas mixture ratio when CO2 gas mixture ratio is over 10%.
On dynamic characteristics of welding aerosol from fluorite electrodes
Authors: Yang S. B. , Pan C. X.
Published: August 2007

The dynamic variation of welding aerosol particular size from fluorite electrodes during welding and post-welding states was examined on real time using a differential mobility particle sizer (DMPS) process. It was confirmed that the welding aerosols were unstable. In order to directly use the Smoluchowski cohesion equation, an equivalent cohesion coefficient K was introduced for describing the cohesion characteristics of the aerosols.
Resistance welding of thin stainless steel sandwich sheets with fibrous metallic cores: Experimental and numerical studies
Authors: Tan J. C. , Westgate S. A. , Clyne T. W.
Published: August 2007

This paper concerns resistance spot welding (RSW) of two types of thin stainless steel sandwich sheet. The cores of these materials, made of stainless steel fibres, are highly porous (> around 85 vol.-%) and have low thermal and electrical conductivities. However, these conductivities change during the compression and heating associated with RSW. A sequentially coupled finite element model has been developed, in which the crushed core is treated as a continuum, with properties which vary throughout the process. It is shown that a constitutive relationship of the type commonly used for crushable foams can be successfully employed to simulate the deformation of the sandwich sheets. The thermoelectrical part of the model incorporates the effects of the associated phase transformations and changes in interfacial conductance. It is shown that the predictions are broadly consistent with data obtained during welding experiments. The model is used to explore the effects of welding parameters on weld characteristics (weld pool formation and weld nugget shape).
Gαi2 is required for chemokine-induced neutrophil arrest
Authors: Zarbock Alexander , Deem Tracy L. , Burcin Tracy L. , Ley Klaus
Published: August 2007

Chemokines, including CXCL1, participate in neutrophil recruitment by triggering the activation of integrins, which leads to arrest from rolling. The downstream signaling pathways which lead to integrin activation and neutophil arrest following G-protein–coupled receptor engagement are incompletely understood. To test whether Gαi2 is involved, mouse neutrophils in their native whole blood were investigated in mouse cremaster postcapillary venules and in flow chambers coated with P-selectin, ICAM-1, and CXCL1. Gnai2−/− neutrophils showed significantly reduced CXCL1-induced arrest in vitro and in vivo. Similar results were obtained with leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Lethally irradiated mice reconstituted with Gnai2−/− bone marrow showed a similar defect in chemoattractant-induced arrest as that of Gnai2−/− mice. In thioglycollate-induced peritonitis and lipopolysaccaride (LPS)–induced lung inflammation, chimeric mice lacking Gαi2 in hematopoietic cells showed about 50% reduced neutrophil recruitment similar to that seen in Gnai2−/− mice. These data show that neutrophil Gαi2 is necessary for chemokine-induced arrest, which is relevant for neutrophil recruitment to sites of acute inflammation.
Genetic variation in Northern Thailand Hill Tribes: origins and relationships with social structure and linguistic differences
Authors: Besaggio Davide , Fuselli Silvia , Srikummool Metawee , Kampuansai Jatupol , Castrì Loredana , Tyler-Smith Chris , Seielstad Mark , Kangwanpong Daoroong , Bertorelle Giorgio
Published: August 2007

Background

Ethnic minorities in Northern Thailand, often referred to as Hill Tribes, are considered an ideal model to study the different genetic impact of sex-specific migration rates expected in matrilocal (women remain in their natal villages after the marriage and men move to their wife's village) and patrilocal societies (the opposite is true). Previous studies identified such differences, but little is known about the possible interaction with another cultural factor that may potentially affect genetic diversity, i.e. linguistic differences. In addition, Hill Tribes started to migrate to Thailand in the last centuries from different Northern areas, but the history of these migrations, the level of genetic legacy with their places of origin, and the possible confounding effects related to this migration history in the patterns of genetic diversity, have not been analysed yet. Using both original and published data on the Hill Tribes and several other Asian populations, we focused on all these aspects.

Results

Genetic variation within population at mtDNA is lower in matrilocal, compared to patrilocal, tribes. The opposite is true for Y-chromosome microsatellites within the Sino-Tibetan linguistic family, but Hmong-Mien speaking patrilocal groups have a genetic diversity very similar to the matrilocal samples. Population divergence ranges between 5% and 14% at mtDNA sequences, and between 5% and 36% at Y- chromosomes STRs, and follows the sex-specific differences expected in patrilocal and matrilocal tribes. On the average, about 2 men and 14 women, and 4 men and 4 women, are exchanged in patrilocal and matrilocal tribes every generation, respectively. Most of the Hill Tribes in Thailand seem to preserve a genetic legacy with their likely geographic origin, with children adoption probably affecting this pattern in one tribe.

Conclusion

Overall, the sex specific genetic signature of different postmarital habits of residence in the Hill Tribes is robust. However, specific perturbations related to linguistic differences, population specific traits, and the complex migratory history of these groups, can be identified. Additional studies in different populations are needed, especially to obtain more precise estimates of the migration parameters.
Identification of novel proteins affected by rotenone in mitochondria of dopaminergic cells
Authors: Jin Jinghua , Davis Jeanne , Zhu David , Kashima Daniel T , Leroueil Marc , Pan Catherine , Montine Kathleen S , Zhang Jing
Published: August 2007

Background

Many studies have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction, complex I inhibition in particular, is involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Rotenone, a specific inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, has been shown to produce neurodegeneration in rats as well as in many cellular models that closely resemble PD. However, the mechanisms through which complex I dysfunction might produce neurotoxicity are as yet unknown. A comprehensive analysis of the mitochondrial protein expression profile affected by rotenone can provide important insight into the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in PD.

Results

Here, we present our findings using a recently developed proteomic technology called SILAC (stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture) combined with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to compare the mitochondrial protein profiles of MES cells (a dopaminergic cell line) exposed to rotenone versus control. We identified 1722 proteins, 950 of which are already designated as mitochondrial proteins based on database search. Among these 950 mitochondrial proteins, 110 displayed significant changes in relative abundance after rotenone treatment. Five of these selected proteins were further validated for their cellular location and/or treatment effect of rotenone. Among them, two were confirmed by confocal microscopy for mitochondrial localization and three were confirmed by Western blotting (WB) for their regulation by rotenone.

Conclusion

Our findings represent the first report of these mitochondrial proteins affected by rotenone; further characterization of these proteins may shed more light on PD pathogenesis.
Computational modeling of protein mutant stability: analysis and optimization of statistical potentials and structural features reveal insights into prediction model development
Authors: Parthiban Vijaya , Gromiha M Michael , Abhinandan Madenhalli , Schomburg Dietmar
Published: August 2007

Background

Understanding and predicting protein stability upon point mutations has wide-spread importance in molecular biology. Several prediction models have been developed in the past with various algorithms. Statistical potentials are one of the widely used algorithms for the prediction of changes in stability upon point mutations. Although the methods provide flexibility and the capability to develop an accurate and reliable prediction model, it can be achieved only by the right selection of the structural factors and optimization of their parameters for the statistical potentials. In this work, we have selected five atom classification systems and compared their efficiency for the development of amino acid atom potentials. Additionally, torsion angle potentials have been optimized to include the orientation of amino acids in such a way that altered backbone conformation in different secondary structural regions can be included for the prediction model. This study also elaborates the importance of classifying the mutations according to their solvent accessibility and secondary structure specificity. The prediction efficiency has been calculated individually for the mutations in different secondary structural regions and compared.

Results

Results show that, in addition to using an advanced atom description, stepwise regression and selection of atoms are necessary to avoid the redundancy in atom distribution and improve the reliability of the prediction model validation. Comparing to other atom classification models, Melo-Feytmans model shows better prediction efficiency by giving a high correlation of 0.85 between experimental and theoretical ΔΔG with 84.06% of the mutations correctly predicted out of 1538 mutations. The theoretical ΔΔG values for the mutations in partially buried β-strands generated by the structural training dataset from PISCES gave a correlation of 0.84 without performing the Gaussian apodization of the torsion angle distribution. After the Gaussian apodization, the correlation increased to 0.92 and prediction accuracy increased from 80% to 88.89% respectively.

Conclusion

These findings were useful for the optimization of the Melo-Feytmans atom classification system and implementing them to develop the statistical potentials. It was also significant that the prediction efficiency of mutations in the partially buried β-strands improves with the help of Gaussian apodization of the torsion angle distribution. All these comparisons and optimization techniques demonstrate their advantages as well as the restrictions for the development of the prediction model. These findings will be quite helpful not only for the protein stability prediction, but also for various structure solutions in future.
Genomic mapping of Suppressor of Hairy-wing binding sites in Drosophila
Authors: Adryan Boris , Woerfel Gertrud , Birch-Machin Ian , Gao Shan , Quick Marie , Meadows Lisa , Russell Steven , White Robert
Published: August 2007

Background

Insulator elements are proposed to play a key role in the organization of the regulatory architecture of the genome. In Drosophila, one of the best studied is the gypsy retrotransposon insulator, which is bound by the Suppressor of Hairy-wing (Su [Hw]) transcriptional regulator. Immunolocalization studies suggest that there are several hundred Su(Hw) sites in the genome, but few of these endogenous Su(Hw) binding sites have been identified.

Results

We used chromatin immunopurification with genomic microarray analysis to identify in vivo Su(Hw) binding sites across the 3 megabase Adh region. We find 60 sites, and these enabled the construction of a robust new Su(Hw) binding site consensus. In contrast to the gypsy insulator, which contains tightly clustered Su(Hw) binding sites, endogenous sites generally occur as isolated sites. These endogenous sites have three key features. In contrast to most analyses of DNA-binding protein specificity, we find that strong matches to the binding consensus are good predictors of binding site occupancy. Examination of occupancy in different tissues and developmental stages reveals that most Su(Hw) sites, if not all, are constitutively occupied, and these isolated Su(Hw) sites are generally highly conserved. Analysis of transcript levels in su(Hw) mutants indicate widespread and general changes in gene expression. Importantly, the vast majority of genes with altered expression are not associated with clustering of Su(Hw) binding sites, emphasizing the functional relevance of isolated sites.

Conclusion

Taken together, our in vivo binding and gene expression data support a role for the Su(Hw) protein in maintaining a constant genomic architecture.
Hypomorphic Sox10 alleles reveal novel protein functions and unravel developmental differences in glial lineages
Authors: Schreiner Silke , Cossais François , Fischer Kerstin , Scholz Stefanie , Bösl Michael R. , Holtmann Bettina , Sendtner Michael , Wegner Michael
Published: August 2007

The transcription factor Sox10 regulates early neural crest development,specification of neural crest-derived lineages and terminal differentiation of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system. Here, we generated two novel hypomorphic Sox10 alleles in the mouse. Mutant mice either expressed a Sox10 protein with a triple alanine substitution in the dimerization domain,or a Sox10 protein with a deletion in the central portion that we define as a cell-specific transactivation domain. Phenotypic analysis revealed important roles for a functional dimerization domain and the newly defined novel transactivation domain in melanocyte and enteric nervous system development,whereas early neural crest development and oligodendrocyte differentiation were surprisingly little disturbed in both mutants. Unique requirements were additionally detected for the novel transactivation domain in satellite glia differentiation and during Schwann cell myelination, whereas DNA-dependent dimerization was needed for immature Schwann cells to enter the promyelinating stage. These two hypomorphic alleles thus uncover novel functions of Sox10 in satellite glia and Schwann cells during late developmental stages and reveal important developmental differences between these two types of peripheral glia and oligodendrocytes regarding their reliance on Sox10.
Fetuin-A Is an Independent Predictor of Death after ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Lim Pascal , Collet Jean-Phillipe , Moutereau Stéphane , Guigui Nathalie , Mitchell-Heggs Laurens , Loric Sylvain , Bernard Magy , Benhamed Said , Montalescot Gilles , Randé Jean-Luc Dubois , Guéret Pascal
Published: August 2007

Background: Fetuin-A inhibits inflammation and has a protective effect against myocardial ischemia. Its deficiency has been found to be associated with cardiovascular death in patients with end-stage renal failure disease. We investigated the association between plasma fetuin-A and clinical outcome after ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We measured fetuin-A in 284 consecutive patients with STEMI and correlated these data with the occurrence of death at 6 months (n = 25). We also measured fetuin-A in a control group and chose the 95th percentile as the cutoff to define abnormality.

Results: Patient mean (SD) age was 60 (14) years, and creatinine clearance was 83 (31) mL/min; 82% were men. Mean (SD) plasma fetuin-A concentrations at admission [188 (69) mg/L, P = 0.01] and at day 3 [163 (57) mg/L, P <0.0001] were lower in patients than in controls [219 (39) mg/L; 95th percentile 140 mg/L]. Fetuin-A <140 mg/L was observed in 20% of patients at admission vs 40% at day 3 (P <0.001). Fetuin-A concentrations did not correlate with peak cardiac troponin values but did correlate inversely with C-reactive protein (CRP) and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Fetuin-A <140 mg/L at admission (OR = 3.3, P = 0.03) and at day 3 (OR = 6.3, P = 0.002) was an independent correlate of death at 6 months, irrespective of NT-proBNP, CRP, or Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications (CADILLAC) risk score. Conversely, fetuin-A ≥140 mg/L was associated with an excellent survival rate [negative predictive value (NPV) = 97% overall], even in high-risk populations with CADILLAC risk score ≥6 (NPV = 90% in patients).

Conclusions: Fetuin-A is an important predictor of death at 6 months in STEMI patients independent of NT-proBNP, CRP, and CADILLAC risk score.
Quantification of ZAP70 mRNA in B Cells by Real-Time PCR Is a Powerful Prognostic Factor in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Stamatopoulos Basile , Meuleman Nathalie , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Duvillier Hughes , Massy Martine , Martiat Philippe , Bron Dominique , Lagneaux Laurence
Published: August 2007

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is heterogeneous with respect to prognosis and clinical outcome. The mutational status of the immunoglobulin variable heavy chain region (IGHV) has been used to classify patients into 2 groups in terms of overall survival (OS) and clinical characteristics, but the labor-intensive nature and the cost of this time-consuming analysis has prompted investigations of surrogate markers.

Methods: We developed a standardized quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qPCR) method to measure zeta-chain (TCR)-associated protein kinase (ZAP70) mRNA in purified CD19+ cells. We evaluated this and other methods (flow cytometry analyses of ZAP70 and CD38 proteins and qPCR analysis of lipoprotein lipase mRNA) in a cohort of 108 patients (median follow-up, 82 months) to evaluate any associations with IGHV mutational status, OS, and treatment-free survival (TFS).

Results: The association between qPCR-measured ZAP70 and IGHV mutational status was statistically significant [χ2 (1) = 50.95; P <0.0001], and the value of Cramer’s V statistic (0.72) indicated a very strong relation. This method also demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 87.8%, 85.7%, 87.5%, and 86%, respectively. ZAP70 expression was significantly associated with OS (P = 0.0021) and TFS (P <0.0001). ZAP70+ patients had significantly shorter median TFS (24 months) than ZAP70− patients (157 months) (P <0.0001). Moreover, qPCR-measured ZAP70 expression has greater prognostic power than IGHV mutational status and the other prognostic markers tested.

Conclusions: ZAP70 mRNA quantification via qPCR is a strong surrogate marker of IGHV mutational status and a powerful prognostic factor.
Polymorphisms and Haplotypes of the Estrogen Receptor-β Gene (ESR2) and Cardiovascular Disease in Men and Women
Authors: Rexrode Kathryn M , Ridker Paul M , Hegener Hillary H , Buring Julie E , Manson JoAnn E , Zee Robert YL
Published: August 2007

Background: Cohort studies suggest an association between variation in the estrogen receptor-α gene (ESR1) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), but data are lacking for the effect of variation in the estrogen receptor-β gene (ESR2).

Methods: Three polymorphisms of the ESR2 gene, and their associated haplotypes, were evaluated in 296 white women from the Women’s Health Study and 566 white men from the Physicians’ Health Study who developed CVD [myocardial infarction (MI) or ischemic stroke], each matched 1:1 to a member of the cohort study who remained free from CVD. Blood samples and cardiovascular risk information were collected at baseline.

Results: Women, but not men, who developed CVD or MI, but not ischemic stroke, were more likely to have the rs1271572 polymorphism variant T allele (P = 0.05 and 0.02) and less likely to have the rs1256049 polymorphism variant A allele (P = 0.003 and 0.004). No associations were observed for rs4986938. In conditional logistic multivariate regression, the rs1271572 variant was associated with increased odds of CVD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.10–2.01] and MI (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 0.96–2.23), whereas the rs1256049 variant was associated with decreased odds of CVD (OR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.17–0.79) and MI (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.09–0.73) in women. A common haplotype that included the rs1271572 variant was associated with a 7-fold increased risk of MI in women.

Conclusions: Two tightly linked polymorphisms of ESR2 were associated with risk of CVD, particularly MI, in women but not men. Additional studies of ESR2 genetic variation and risk of CVD are warranted.
Book Reviews
Authors: Dickison Stephanie , Riggins Adina L , Stanek Tom , Vint Sherryl
Published: August 2007

Into the Vortex: Female Voice and Paradox in Film, Britta H. Sjogren (2006) Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 248 pp., ISBN 0-252-07267-7 (pbk), $20.00; ISBN 0-252-03028-1 (hbk), $40.00

The Image of Librarians in Cinema, 19171999 Ray Tevis and Brenda Tevis (2005)
Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 240 pp., ISBN 0-7864-2150-9 (pbk), $45.00

Theory of the Image: Capitalism, Contemporary Film, and Women Ann Kibbey (2005) Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 254 pp., ISBN 0-253-21746-6 (pbk), $24.95

Cinema 1: L'Image-Mouvement, Gilles
Deleuze, [1983] Hugh Tomlinson and Barbara Habberjam (trans.) (2005) New York: Continuum, 259 pp., ISBN 0-8264-7705-4 (pbk), $23.95

Cinema 2: L'Image-Temps, Gilles Deleuze, [1985], Hugh Tomlinson and Barbara Habberjam (trans.) (2005) New York: Continuum, 334 pp., ISBN 0-8264-7706-2
(pbk), $23.95
Introduction: Lower class language use in the 19th century
Authors: Vandenbussche Wim , Elspaß Stephan
Published: August 2007

‘In looking back upon the history of ordinary people, we are not merely trying to give it a retrospective political significance which it did not always have, we are trying more generally to explore an unknown dimension of the past.’ (Hobsbawm 1998: 270)

The historiography of modern Western languages has traditionally concentrated on unification and standardization processes. This approach was deeply rooted in 19th and early 20th century (language) ideologies and (language) politics. The language discourse in many Western countries displayed a remarkable collaboration of linguists with politicians, historians and writers in constructing a picture of unified nations with autonomous cultural, especially literary and linguistic, traditions that were sometimes projected backwards to the Middle Ages and beyond. Hence, generations of scholars and teachers have presented language history as a long march toward a uniform standard. Variation and other linguistic digressions were usually either ignored or stigmatised as corrupted language and not considered as suitable data for linguistic research. Up to the end of the 20th century, many textbooks on national language histories were dominated by this teleological view, portraying ‘classical’ authors as role models for language norms and style. As such, language history was largely reduced to the study of literary language, often coinciding with the high variety employed and received by only a tiny minority of the population. ‘Non-standard’ variation – let alone language use from the non-elite – was usually regarded as corrupt and vulgar and, in an act of ‘sanitary purism’ (Milroy 2005, 324–326) or ‘verbal hygiene’ (Cameron 1995), simply cleansed from textbooks.
‘Lower class language’ in 19th century Flanders
Authors: Vandenbussche Wim
Published: August 2007

This article discusses the written Dutch of lower class writers in 19th century Bruges (Flanders, Belgium). None of the scribes conformed to any of the prestige norms for Dutch spelling at the time. They all used an idiosyncratic orthography instead, full of variability but not chaotic. On the level of style and syntax, these texts are characterised by ‘stylistic breakdown’. The combination of these orthographical and stylistic features was not typical for lower class writing as such. In Bruges, middle and upper class writers displayed similar writing patterns, but they abandoned this ‘style’ for the standard earlier than the lower class writers did.
Visualisierungs- und Navigationskonzepte zur Darstellung komplexer Informationsräume auf dem PDA (Visualization and Navigation Concepts for Presenting Complex Information on PDAs)
Authors: Konstanzer Robert , Memmel Thomas , Gundelsweiler Fredrik , Reiterer Harald
Published: August 2007

Mobile Geräte mit kleinen Displays finden eine immer größere Verbreitung. Demzufolge wächst auch der Bedarf an Inhalten, die auf diese Display-Größe zugeschnitten sind. Die oft nur für die Desktop-Welt konzipierten Inhalte können nicht ohne weiteres mit mobilen Geräten exploriert werden. In diesem Beitrag werden daher ein Navigations- und Visualisierungskonzepte für kleine Displays vorgestellt, die den speziellen Anforderungen mobiler Endgeräte Rechnung tragen. Am Beispiel des Informationsraums der Webseite von Mercedes-Benz zeigen wir Strategien und ein Softwareframework für den Transfer vom Desktop auf mobile Endgeräte.
Bedienermodellgestützte Bewertung des Ablenkungspotentials von Komfortsystemen im KFZ in frühen Phasen der Systementwicklung (Model Based Assessment of Driver Distraction by In-Vehicle Information Systems in Early Phases of System Development)
Authors: Urbas Leon , Heinath Marcus , Leuchter Sandro
Published: August 2007

Die Entwicklungen in der Fahrzeugelektronik und neue Dienstangebote versprechen das Autofahren komfortabler zu machen. Die Systeme und Ideen reichen von fahrzeugnahen Angeboten wie Unfallwarner, Tankstellenassistent, dynamischer Navigation und Reiseführer bis hin zu Kommunikations- und Unterhaltungsdiensten. Ein zentrales Gestaltungsproblem ist dabei das Primat der Hauptaufgabe „sichere Kraftfahrzeugführung” – die Bedienung des neuen Dienstes darf den Fahrer davon nicht unbotmäßig ablenken. Der Beitrag diskutiert zunächst verschiedene regulative und empirische Ansätze zur Bewertung des Ablenkungspotentials neuer Zusatzsysteme. Anschließend wird eine neu entwickelte Methode zur Berechnung der Interferenz zwischen Haupt- und Nebenaufgabe aus Bedienmodellen vorgestellt, die bereits in frühen Phasen der Systemgestaltung zum Einsatz kommen kann. Die Fahraufgaben werden dabei als ideal-typische Ressourcenprofile beschrieben. Für die zu bewertende Sekundäraufgabe muss lediglich eine formativ-quantitative Aufgabenanalyse vorliegen – dabei kommt die bewährte Methode GOMS (Goals, Operatos, Methods, and Selection Rules: Card, Moran und Newell 1983) mit einigen neuen Erweiterungen für das Multitasking zum Einsatz. Die Methode wird anhand eines Beispiels illustriert, und erste Ergebnisse zur Anwendung und empirischen Fundierung der Methode werden berichtet.
Introduction to this Special Issue of JEEG: The Geophysics of Glacial and Frozen Materials
Authors: Kulessa Bernd , Woodward John
Published: August 2007

This Special Issue of the Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics arises from a conference on Geophysics and Glacial Materials, hosted by the Environmental and Industrial Geophysics Group, The Geological Society, UK (http:∕∕www.geolsoc.org.uk∕template.cfm?name=geogroup12). This conference was held at the School of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, UK, in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the British Branch of the International Glaciological Society from 14–16 September 2005.
Internal Structure of Open System Pingos, Adventdalen, Svalbard: The Use of Resistivity Tomography to Assess Ground-Ice Conditions
Authors: Ross Neil , Brabham Peter J. , Harris Charles , Christiansen Hanne H.
Published: August 2007

The objectives of this project were to establish the geometry and internal structure of open system pingos in Adventdalen, Svalbard using electrical resistivity tomography. A clear distinction can be made between the electrical properties of the pingos investigated, depending upon whether they are located either above (Innerhytte pingo) or below (Hytte and Longyear pingos) the maximum Holocene marine limit. The resistivity profile at Innerhytte pingo was characterised by high values of resistivity [Formula: see text], indicating either ice-rich frozen bedrock or a lens of massive ground ice. The electrical resistivity of Hytte and Longyear pingos, both developed within fine-grained, saline marine clays, is exceptionally low (predominantly [Formula: see text]) for permanently frozen ground. This is inconsistent with the presence of a body of massive ground ice, and suggests that the internal structures of Longyear and Hytte pingos do not follow the classic model of a plano-convex pingo-core of massive injection ice. Instead, the internal structure of these landforms may be dominated by segregation ice and localised pockets of massive ice within a matrix of partially frozen, fine-grained marine muds. The high salinity of the pore waters and the fine-grained nature of the sediment cause high unfrozen pore water contents, even at temperatures well below [Formula: see text], enabling electrolytic conduction and resulting in apparently anomalously low resistivity measurements. It is therefore concluded that electrical resistivity tomography must be interpreted with care when applied to the characterisation of permafrost in areas of saline marine sediments. Future field monitoring of permafrost landforms and laboratory testing of ice-rich sediments are recommended to improve geophysical interpretation of permanently frozen materials.
GPR-Derived Sedimentary Architecture and Stratigraphy of Outburst Flood Sedimentation Within a Bedrock Valley System, Hraundalur, Iceland
Authors: Carrivick Jonathan L. , Pringle Jamie K. , Russell Andrew J. , Cassidy Nigel J.
Published: August 2007

Jökulhlaups and lahars are both types of outburst flood that commonly comprise a glacial meltwater and volcaniclastic sediment mix, and have discharges that are typically several orders of magnitude greater than perennial flows. Both types thus constitute a serious threat to life, property and infrastructure but are too powerful and too short-lived for direct measurements of flow characteristics to be made. Consequently a variety of indirect methods have been used to reconstruct flow properties, processes and mechanisms. Unfortunately, limited observations of sedimentary architecture and stratigraphic relationships are hampering our ability to discriminate fluvial magnitude-frequency regimes and fluvial styles of deposition, particularly those produced by rapidly-varied flows. This paper therefore uses Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to obtain quantitative data on subsurface sedimentary character of high-magnitude outburst flood sediments, including architecture and stratigraphy, from a bedrock-valley system in north-central Iceland. Basement pillow lava and subaerial lava flows are characterised by chaotic and hummocky GPR reflectors with a lack of coherent structure. They also feature an upper rough surface as evidenced by concentration of hyperbolae point sources. Unconsolidated sedimentary units are interpreted due to occur where laterally-persistent horizontal and sub horizontal reflectors occur. Deposition produced spatially diverse sediments due to rapidly-varied flow conditions. Observations include prograding and backfilling architecture, intercalated slope material and fluvial sediments, and multiphase sedimentary deposition. We suggest that these outburst flood sediments were initially deposited by traction load of coarse-grained material on prograding bedforms, and subsequently by drop-out from suspension of finer-grained material. The latter phase produced laterally extensive tabular sedimentary architectures that in-filled pre-existing topography and masked the complexity of bedrock forms beneath. Existing qualitative concepts of high-magnitude fluvial deposition within a topographically confined bedrock channel are therefore now refined with quantitative data on sediment architecture and thus on flow regimes.