bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calls for Remembrance: At Work with Traditional Chants
Authors: NASCIMENTO CLÁUDIA TATINGE
Published: June 2008

This article discusses the dynamic relationship between ritualistic behaviours, traditional materials and performativity as it examines how work with traditional chants may affect the practitioner's mode of presence. It specifically draws from observations on the performances of Singaporean actor Ang Gey Pin in the Workcenter's One Breath Left and Polish theatre company Teatr ZAR's Gospels of Childhood. Each brings chants from very distinct cultural cradles – the Chinese diaspora and isolated Eastern European regions around the Black Sea, respectively. The study also traces a parallel between this vein of research and older artistic forms intended for the oral transmission of knowledge and traditions, such as Islamic philosopher Avicenna's recitals.
Adelaide Ristori's Tour of the East Mediterranean (1864–1865) and the Discourse on the Formation of Modern Greek Theatre
Authors: PAPAGEORGIOU IOANNA
Published: June 2008

The new aesthetic experience offered by the Italian diva to the Hellenic upper classes of the Orient was filtered through their broader concerns related to social and national visions. Adelaide Ristori was received as a representative of Western culture, which at that time bore the double significance of social progress and economic exploitation in the Near East. For a minority of commentators, she was one more European speculator who was taking advantage of the supposed treasures of the East. For the supporters of westernization, however, the performances and her personality raised issues which had been discussed in Western Europe a long time previously, regarding the power of the theatre to shape national and social conscience and the relationship between art and material culture.
Flagellation of the Son of God and Divine Flagellation: Flagellator Ceremonies and Flagellation Scenes in the Medieval Passion Play
Authors: KREUDER FRIEDEMANN
Published: June 2008

Medieval Passion Plays appear to be no less violent than the flagellation and crucifixion scenes in Mel Gibson's filmThe Passion of the Christ. They were performed with what to today's eyes appears to be, in the context of its presentation in a religious play, chillingly intense and explicit violence. This suspicion is supported by surviving descriptions of performances of medieval Passion Plays in London and Metz, in each of which the actor playing Jesus in the crucifixion scene was fatally injured by the thrust of Longinus' spear or nearly died of heart failure. The expansion of what in the Bible amounts to only brief description, and its formulation in terms of drama, suggest deliberate use of the torture scenario in different Passion Plays. However, a question arises concerning the way in which the scenes of violence were able to find a place in religious plays used by ecclesiastical and municipal sponsors to propagate and affirm the dominant Christian view of the world. According to a common school of thought, the plays realistically represented, through gestural and dramatic elaboration, what the liturgy celebrated in a symbolic ceremony. In this way the plays visually communicated religious instruction to onlookers who did not know any Latin. But how can the torture scenes – on which many Passion Plays linger so long – be reconciled with the purpose of depicting the story of salvation?
A preliminary floristic classification of southern and northern Victoria Land vegetation, continental Antarctica
Authors: Cannone Nicoletta , Seppelt Rodney
Published: June 2008

This paper proposes a new objectively-generated vegetation classification for southern and northern Victoria Land (continental Antarctica) based on the floristic composition of the plant communities. The new classification aims to integrate the existing physiognomic classification of the cryptogamic Antarctic tundra, provide useful data on floristic composition and distribution of the vegetation occurring in southern and northern Victoria Land, and develop a suitable tool allowing easy comparison of syntaxa from different locations. Field data from 26 sites along a latitudinal gradient (72°–77°S) were analysed by a hierarchical classification integrated with multivariate statistics, including indirect ecological information (Principal Component Analysis). Similarity of the identified groups was assessed through the Jaccard similarity index. The new classification is compatible with previous ones and is widely applicable to Victoria Land and includes previous classification. This standardized approach relates plant communities to their floristic composition and provides a basis for relating vegetation composition to environmental gradients and to patterns of vegetation dynamics and succession which are still poorly understood in Antarctica.
The New U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual as Poltical Science and Political Praxis [Introduction]
Authors: Isaac Jeffrey C.
Published: June 2008

The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual. By the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Forward by David H. Petraeus, James F. Amos, and John A. Nagl. Introduction by Sarah Sewall. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007. 472p. $15.00.
Kognitive Entwicklung bei 3- bis 8-Jährigen
Authors: Krampen Günter
Published: June 2008

Zusammenfassung. Empirische Untersuchungsbefunde aus zwei Studien zur Entwicklung der Konzentrationsleistung bei 3- bis 8-Jährigen und zum Zusammenhang der Konzentrationsleistung mit den Phasen des vor-operatorischen versus konkret-operatorischen Denkens nach der Entwicklungstheorie von Jean Piaget bei 6- bis 8-Jährigen werden dargestellt. Die Konzentrationsleistung wurde in beiden Studien mit der Kaseler-Konzentrations-Aufgabe für 3- bis 8-Jährige (KKA) erfasst. In Studie I waren N = 5.314 Kinder an Querschnittserhebungen und 471 Kinder aus drei Geburtskohorten an vier Messzeitpunkten im Jahresabstand umfassenden Längsschnitterhebungen beteiligt. Übereinstimmend weisen die Entwicklungsgradienten auf einen starken Anstieg der Konzentrationsleistung im Alter von drei bis sechs Jahren. Für die 6- bis 8-Jährigen zeigt sich ein Deckeneffekt. Korrelationsstatistisch ergab sich für die Konzentrationsentwicklung eine hohe positionale Stabilität. In Studie II wurden neben der KKA die Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) und die Aufgaben für die Entwicklungsdiagnostik des kognitiven Entwicklungsstandes nach der Theorie von Jean Piaget (PIA-AUF) eingesetzt. Für nach den KKA-Ergebnissen aus der Ausgangsstichprobe von N = 152 6- bis 8-Jährigen gebildete Extremgruppen mit sehr niedriger (n = 31) versus sehr hoher Konzentrationsleistung (n = 37) zeigte sich ein enger, altersunabhängiger Zusammenhang mit ihrer Zuordnung zu den Phasen des vor-operatorischen versus des konkret-operatorischen Denkens. Die Ergebnisse werden im Kontext der Einbettung der Konzentrationsentwicklung in allgemeine Modelle der kognitiven Entwicklung diskutiert, wobei das Modell der fluiden und kristallisierten Intelligenz sowie die Theorie zur kognitiven Entwicklung von Piaget im Vordergrund stehen. Konzentrationsfähigkeiten und die allgemeinen Phasenbeschreibungen Piagets werden der fluiden, domänen-spezifische Umsetzungen von Assimilationsschemata der kristallisierten Intelligenz zugeordnet. Dies führt zu einem Erklärungsansatz für Phänomene der horizontalen Verschiebung (décalage).
Gründe für und gegen die Teilnahme an einem Elterntraining in sozial benachteiligten Nachbarschaften
Authors: Seefeldt Wiebke Lina , Heinrichs Nina , Eggert Frank
Published: June 2008

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Viele aktuelle Studien haben gezeigt, dass sich Elterntrainings sowohl zur Verminderung bereits existierender psychischer Auffälligkeiten bei Kindern als auch zur Vorbeugung der Entstehung solcher Probleme eignen. Minimale Voraussetzung für die Wirksamkeit von Elterntrainings ist allerdings die Teilnahme der Familien. Entscheidungsrelevante Gründe für oder gegen eine Teilnahme an einem Elterntraining sind bisher jedoch weitestgehend vernachlässigt worden. Diese Arbeit identifiziert Faktoren, die mit einer Teilnahmeentscheidung positiv oder negativ zusammenhängen. Methode: Im Rahmen des Projektes „Zukunft Familie II” konnten insgesamt N = 311 Familien zu teilnahme- respektive ablehnungsrelevanten Gründen befragt werden. Ergebnisse: Die erfassten Gründe konnten den Faktoren Offenheit für das Interventionsprojekt, logistisches Management und wahrgenommene Anfälligkeit für kindliche Verhaltensauffälligkeiten zugeordnet werden. Allgemein zeigt sich, dass Eltern, die sich für eine Teilnahme entscheiden, das Bedürfnis nach Erziehungsreflexion angeben. Dahingegen nennen Eltern, die sich gegen eine Teilnahme entscheiden, vor allem logistische Gründe als Barrieren und nehmen kaum Anfälligkeit bei sich bzw. ihren Kindern wahr. Diskussion: Gleichwohl die Studie einige Einschränkungen aufweist, legt sie nahe, dass die Offenheit gegenüber Präventivinterventionen erhöht werden sollte, um die Teilnahmerate zu erhöhen. Des Weiteren könnte die Erhöhung der Wahrnehmung von Anfälligkeit bei Familien zu einer Reduktion der Ablehnungsrate führen.
Psychosoziale Risikofaktoren als Ursachenzuschreibungen für die Entstehung von Krebs- und Herzkreislauferkrankungen
Authors: Steinmayr Ricarda , Stürmer Til , Amelang Manfred
Published: June 2008

Zusammenfassung. Insgesamt N = 933 Personen beiderlei Geschlechts im Alter von 40 bis 65 Jahren schätzten zu jedem von acht vorgegebenen Risikofaktoren psychosozialer Provenienz deren Bedeutung für die Entstehung von Krebs- (Ca) und Herzkreislauferkrankungen (HK) ein. Die hypothetischen Risikofaktoren waren im Hinblick auf die Theorie von Grossarth-Maticek und Eysenck (1990) formuliert worden. Neun Jahre nach der Ersterhebung (t1) bearbeiteten dieselben Personen in einer Follow-Up-Erhebung (t2) dieselben Items erneut. Zu t1 waren nCaalt = 45 Probanden an Ca vorerkrankt; nCaneu = 31 kamen bei t2 dazu. Für HK lauteten die entsprechenden Zahlen nHKalt = 34 und nHKneu = 7. In t1 maßen die Probanden (Pbn) den meisten der psychosozialen Risikofaktoren für Ca eine größere Bedeutung zu als für HK. Das galt insbesondere für „Anhaltende emotionale Unsicherheit” und „Andauernde Unterdrückung eigener Bedürfnisse”. Zu t2 kam es zu gegensinnigen Unterschieden; generell war die Bedeutung der Risikofaktoren für Ca zurückgegangen, während diejenige für HK zugenommen hatte. Zwischen gesunden und kranken Pbn bestanden keine systematischen Unterschiede. Gesonderte Analysen zeigten, dass für die von t1 zu t2 aufgetretenen Unterschiede nicht das angestiegene Alter der Pbn, sondern die vergangene Zeit verantwortlich war. Dahinter mag sich die angemessene Rezeption aktueller Forschungsergebnisse durch die Bevölkerung und eine zugenommene Skepsis gegenüber psychosozialen Faktoren als möglichen Risikofaktoren für die Entstehung von Krebs verbergen.
Psychologische Intervention im Rahmen einer allogenen Knochenmarktransplantation
Authors: Garlepp Lars U. , Fittig Eike , Rudolph Udo
Published: June 2008

Zusammenfassung. Allogene Knochenmarktransplantationen (KMT) haben sich in den letzten Jahren zu einem anerkannten Verfahren zur Behandlung von Krebserkrankungen entwickelt. Obwohl der Einfluss psychologischer Faktoren auf Erleben und Überleben einer KMT immer stärker Beachtung findet, existiert zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt keine Arbeit, die systematisch die Wirkung standardisierter psychologischer Betreuung in diesem Zusammenhang untersucht. Anhand von 20 Patienten überprüft die vorliegende Studie in einem randomisierten kontrollierten Versuchsdesign die Eignung eines psychologischen Interventionsprogramms zur Senkung der subjektiven Wahrnehmung körperlicher Beschwerden im Rahmen einer KMT. Die Ergebnisse sprechen für die Wirksamkeit des Interventionsprogramms: Patienten in der Interventionsgruppe berichteten weniger körperliche Beschwerden als Patienten in der Kontrollbedingung, wobei die Effektstärken als klein bis mittel einzuordnen sind. Die Ergebnisse werden hinsichtlich des möglichen zukünftigen Einsatzes des Interventionsprogramms diskutiert.
On the definition of macroscale pressure for multiphase flow in porous media
Authors: Nordbotten J. M. , Celia M. A. , Dahle H. K. , Hassanizadeh S. M.
Published: June 2008

We consider immiscible two‐phase flow in porous media, starting with the Stokes equations. Our analysis leads to Darcy's law but with notable differences from the usual interpretation. The most immediate difference is the interpretation of macroscale pressure, which, contrary to previous derivations, does not equal the intrinsic phase average pressure. We recover the intrinsic average only when systematic subscale heterogeneities, in material properties or fluid distribution, are absent. Examples using capillary tube and dynamic pore network models are given. These results impact our understanding of multiphase flow and have a direct effect on numerical upscaling efforts, including calculations of continuum‐scale flow parameters from pore‐scale network models.
Prompt ionospheric/magnetospheric responses 29 October 2003 Halloween storm: Outflow and energization
Authors: Harnett E. M. , Winglee R. M. , Stickle A. , Lu Gang
Published: June 2008

3D multifluid simulations of the 29 October 2003 Halloween storm show the event to be a good example of conditions which lead to prompt penetration of solar wind electric field into the magnetosphere and prompt acceleration of heavy ionospheric ions. Causal relationships are established that tie solar wind conditions to ionospheric/magnetospheric responses, and the results are correlated with features in both IMAGE/HENA data and AMIE cross‐polar cap potential. The simulations are able to capture the AMIE potentials. Difference between model results and AMIE data can be attributed to the ability of the model to capture fast enhancements in the convective electric field that can be tied with the IMF variations. The total auroral currents show a smoother profile, with the magnetosphere acting like an inductor. A period of southward IMF with simultaneous rapid By rotation leads to the largest currents and ionospheric outflows. These outflows produce an initial ionospheric mass loading of the magnetosphere and originate from the dayside cusp/cleft region. During this period the energization of O+ lags that of H+, consistent with that seen in the HENA data. Once the ionospheric outflows mass load the magnetosphere, prompt acceleration of O+ is seen simultaneous with H+ acceleration. This prompt response is due to the acceleration of O+ ions that have previously flowed into the magnetosphere. The enhanced convective electric field, also leads to enhanced ionospheric outflows that resupply ionospheric ions into the magnetosphere. During this period of resupply, the nightside auroral zone becomes an important contributor to the outflows.
Collisionless magnetic reconnection in an asymmetric current sheet
Authors: Pritchett P. L.
Published: June 2008

The process of collisionless magnetic reconnection in an ion‐scale current sheet containing strong gradients in the density and magnetic field strength across the layer is investigated using two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulations. Such a current sheet configuration contains a strong normal polarization electric field on the high field/low density (magnetospheric) side of the layer. In initial‐value simulations for such an asymmetric sheet, the reconnection rate and saturation level are found to be smaller by factors of 2–3 compared with a similar‐scale symmetric current sheet. These rates are probably too small to explain observations at the dayside magnetopause. The addition of an external‐driving electric field increases the reconnection rate substantially. This driven reconnection configuration is characterized by a nearly parallel inflow of electrons along the magnetosheath separatrices as the electrons attempt to flow from the high density side to the low density side of the layer, a strong outward flow of Poynting flux along the magnetospheric separatrices associated with the normal electric field and out‐of‐plane magnetic field, and a strong ion outflow jet. The outflow region on the magnetospheric side also exhibits a patchy parallel electric field structure and parallel electron velocity distributions with a counterstreaming feature. The addition of a moderate uniform magnetic guide field component (shear angle ≳110°) has no appreciable effect on the reconnection rate but does produce a drift of the X line in the direction of the electron diamagnetic drift at a small fraction of the magnetosheath Alfvén speed.
Performances of existing rain rate models in equatorial region
Authors: Mandeep J. S. , Hassan S. I. S.
Published: June 2008

The performance of the existing rain rate models in equatorial zones is still a debated issue due to the lack of measurements reported from these areas of the world to develop and validate prediction models. Therefore point rain rates measured over three years by a network of rain gauges located in Malaysia are presented. A comparison between rain rate data set with a sampling period of 1‐m and existing rain rate prediction models is presented.
Modeling GCM and scenario uncertainty using a possibilistic approach: Application to the Mahanadi River, India
Authors: Mujumdar P. P. , Ghosh Subimal
Published: June 2008

Climate change impact assessment on water resources with downscaled General Circulation Model (GCM) simulation output is characterized by uncertainty due to incomplete knowledge about the underlying geophysical processes of global change (GCM uncertainties) and due to uncertain future scenarios (scenario uncertainties). Disagreement between different GCMs and scenarios in regional climate change impact studies indicates that overreliance on a single GCM with a scenario could lead to inappropriate planning and adaptation responses. This paper focuses on modeling GCM and scenario uncertainty using possibility theory in projecting streamflow of Mahanadi river, at Hirakud, India. A downscaling method based on fuzzy clustering and Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) is applied to project monsoon streamflow from three GCMs with two green house emission scenarios. Possibilities are assigned to all the GCMs with scenarios based on their performance in modeling the streamflow of the recent past (1991–2005), when there are signals of climate forcing. The possibilities associated with different GCMs and scenarios are used as weights in computing the possibilistic mean of the CDFs projected for three standard time slices 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s. The result shows that the value of streamflow at which the CDF reaches 1 reduces with time, which shows the reduction in probability of occurrence of extreme high flow events in future. Historic record of monsoon streamflow of Mahanadi river also shows similar decreasing trend, which may be due to the effect of high surface warming. Reduction in Mahandai streamflow is likely to pose a major challenge for water resources engineers in meeting water demands in future.
Thermohaline circulation of shallow tidal seas
Authors: Hill A. E. , Brown J. , Fernand L. , Holt J. , Horsburgh K. J. , Proctor R. , Raine R. , Turrell W. R.
Published: June 2008

The mechanisms controlling the temperature and salinity structure of shallow continental shelf seas have been understood for over thirty years, yet knowledge of what drives their large‐scale circulation has remained relatively unknown. Here we describe a decade long programme of measurements, using satellite‐tracked drifting buoys on the northwest European shelf, to draw attention to a striking picture of highly organised thermohaline circulation consisting of narrow, near surface, fast flowing jets. These are ubiquitous above sharp horizontal gradients in bottom temperatures and/or salinities. The circulation phenomena we describe are likely to be prevalent on all similar, wide, tidally energetic continental shelves including those off north‐eastern China, Argentina and parts of the Arctic. The robust, repeatable observation of the key role of jets above bottom fronts results in a fundamental reassessment of how we view the dynamics of shelf seas.
Recirculation of Atlantic Water in the western Barents Sea
Authors: Skagseth Øystein
Published: June 2008

In this article, the Atlantic inflow with the North Cape Current to the Barents Sea, and potential recirculation of this water in the Bear Island Trough is investigated. This is resolved by combining continuous current meter and repeated hydrographic section data in the Barents Sea Opening. The estimated annual mean net fluxes, when excluding the contribution from the Norwegian Coastal Current, are 1.1 Sv and 39 TW (estimated relative to a reference temperature of 0°C). The estimated heat flux associated with the outflow in the Bear Island Trough is relatively large (−12 TW). Long‐term current meter records do not show a close relationship between variations in the inflow and the outflow. One‐year low‐pass filtered variations in temperature and salinity of the outflowing waters in the Bear Island Trough are positively correlated with variations of the inflowing Atlantic Water with a lag of about seven months. On the basis of a simple mixing model, the outflow water consists of about 80% Atlantic Water that is additionally cooled by 2.0–2.5°C by heat loss to the atmosphere. By considering the relative weak mean currents in this region, it can be inferred that the fraction of the Atlantic Water that recirculates follows a relatively short pathway in the Bear Island Trough before returning to the Norwegian Sea.
Heparin and structurally related polymers attenuate eotaxin‐1 (CCL11) release from human airway smooth muscle
Authors: Kanabar V , Page C P , Simcock D E , Karner C , Mahn K , O'Connor B J , Hirst S J
Published: June 2008

Background and purpose:

The glycosaminoglycan heparin has anti‐inflammatory activity and is exclusively found in mast cells, which are localized within airway smooth muscle (ASM) bundles of asthmatic airways. Interleukin (IL)‐13 induces the production of multiple inflammatory mediators from ASM including the eosinophil chemoattractant chemokine, eotaxin‐1. Heparin and related glycosaminoglycan polymers having structurally heterogeneous polysaccharide side chains that varied in molecular weight, sulphation and anionic charge were used to identify features of the heparin molecule linked to anti‐inflammatory activity.

Experimental approach:

Cultured human ASM cells were stimulated with interleukin (IL)‐13 in the absence or presence of heparin and related polymers. Eotaxin‐1 was quantified using chemokine antibody arrays and ELISA.

Key results:

Unfractionated heparin attenuated IL‐13‐dependent eotaxin‐1 production and this effect was reproduced with low molecular weight heparins (3 and 6 kDa), demonstrating a minimum activity fragment of at least 3 kDa. N‐desulphated, 20% re‐N‐acetylated heparin (anticoagulant) was ineffective against IL‐13‐dependent eotaxin‐1 production compared with 90% re‐N‐acetylated (anticoagulant) or O‐desulphated (non‐anticoagulant) heparin, suggesting a requirement for N‐sulphation independent of anticoagulant activity. Other sulphated molecules with variable anionic charge and molecular weight exceeding 3 kDa (dextran sulphate, fucoidan, chondroitin sulphate B) inhibited IL‐13‐stimulated eotaxin‐1 release to varying degrees. However, non‐sulphated dextran had no effect.

Conclusions:

Inhibition of IL‐13‐dependent eotaxin‐1 release by heparin involved but did not depend upon sulphation, though loss of N‐sulphation reduced the attenuating activity, which could be restored by N‐acetylation. This anti‐inflammatory effect was also partially dependent on anionic charge, but independent of molecular size above 3 kDa and the anticoagulant action of heparin.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)154, 833–842; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.109; published online 21 April 2008
Effect of chondroitin sulphate in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis aggravated by chronic arthritis
Authors: Herrero‐Beaumont G , Marcos M E , Sánchez‐Pernaute O , Granados R , Ortega L , Montell E , Vergés J , Egido J , Largo R
Published: June 2008

Background and purpose:

Among the agents employed to manage osteoarthritis, chondroitin sulphate (CS) is a natural glycosaminoglycan with an anti‐inflammatory effect on joint cells. CS might also influence the inflammatory component of atherosclerosis. Our aim was to examine the effect of CS administration on vascular injury and on markers of systemic inflammation in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis aggravated by systemic inflammation provoked by chronic antigen‐induced arthritis.

Experimental approach:

Atherosclerosis was induced in rabbits by maintaining them on a hyperlipidaemic diet after producing an endothelial lesion in the femoral arteries. Simultaneously, chronic arthritis was induced in these animals by repeated intraarticular injections of ovalbumin in previously immunized rabbits. A group of these rabbits were treated prophylactically with CS (100 mg kg−1day−1) and when the animals were killed, serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated. Furthermore, femoral arteries and thoracic aorta were used for gene expression studies and histological examination.

Key results:

CS administration reduced the concentration of the proinflammatory molecules C‐reactive protein and IL‐6 in serum. Likewise, CS inhibited the expression of CCL2/monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 in PBMC, and reduced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor‐κB. In the femoral lesion, CS also diminished the expression of CCL2 and COX‐2, as well as the ratio of the intima/media thickness. Moreover, CS decreased the percentage of rabbits with atherosclerosis and chronic arthritis that developed vascular lesions in the aorta.

Conclusions and implications:

These findings suggest that CS treatment may to some extent impede the progression of atherosclerosis.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 843–851; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.113; published online 21 April 2008
Effects of MiRP1 and DPP6 β‐subunits on the blockade induced by flecainide of KV4.3/KChIP2 channels
Authors: Radicke S , Vaquero M , Caballero R , Gómez R , Núñez L , Tamargo J , Ravens U , Wettwer E , Delpón E
Published: June 2008

Background and purpose:

The human cardiac transient outward potassium current (Ito) is believed to be composed of the pore‐forming KV4.3 α‐subunit, coassembled with modulatory β‐subunits as KChIP2, MiRP1 and DPP6 proteins. β‐Subunits can alter the pharmacological response of Ito; therefore, we analysed the effects of flecainide on KV4.3/KChIP2 channels coassembled with MiRP1 and/or DPP6 β‐subunits.

Experimental approach:

Currents were recorded in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing KV4.3/KChIP2 channels, and transiently transfected with either MiRP1, DPP6 or both, using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique.

Key results:

In control conditions, KV4.3/KChIP2/MiRP1 channels exhibited the slowest activation and inactivation kinetics and showed an ‘overshoot’ in the time course of recovery from inactivation. The midpoint values (Vh) of the activation and inactivation curves for KV4.3/KChIP2/DPP6 and KV4.3/KChIP2/MiRP1/DPP6 channels were ≈10 mV more negative than Vh values for KV4.3/KChIP2 and KV4.3/KChIP2/MiRP1 channels. Flecainide (0.1–100 μM) produced a similar concentration‐dependent blockade of total integrated current flow (IC50 ≈10 μM) in all the channel complexes. However, the IC50 values for peak current amplitude and inactivated channel block were significantly different. Flecainide shifted the Vh values of both the activation and inactivation curves to more negative potentials and apparently accelerated inactivation kinetics in all channels. Moreover, flecainide slowed recovery from inactivation in all the channel complexes and suppressed the ‘overshoot’ in KV4.3/KChIP2/MiRP1 channels.

Conclusions and implications:

Flecainide directly binds to the KV4.3 α‐subunit when the channels are in the open and inactivated state and the presence of the β‐subunits modulates the blockade by altering the gating function.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 774–786; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.134; published online 21 April 2008
Anti‐inflammatory effects of phytosteryl ferulates in colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium in mice
Authors: Islam M S , Murata T , Fujisawa M , Nagasaka R , Ushio H , Bari A M , Hori M , Ozaki H
Published: June 2008

Background and purpose:

We have recently reported that phytosteryl ferulates isolated from rice bran inhibit nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activity in macrophages. In the present study, we investigated the effect of γ‐oryzanol (γ‐ORZ), a mixture of phytosteryl ferulates, cycloartenyl ferulate (CAF), one of the components of γ‐ORZ, and ferulic acid (FA), a possible metabolite of γ‐ORZ in vivo, on a model of colitis in mice.

Experimental approach:

We induced colitis with dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in mice and monitored disease activity index (DAI), histopathology score, tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, mRNA expressions of cytokines and COX‐2, colon length, antioxidant potency and NF‐κB activity in colitis tissue.

Key results:

Both DAI and histopathology score revealed that DSS induced a severe mucosal colitis, with a marked increase in the thickness of the muscle layer, distortion and loss of crypts, depletion of goblet cells and infiltration of macrophages, granulocytes and lymphocytes. MPO activity, pro‐inflammatory cytokines and COX‐2 levels, NF‐κB p65 nuclear translocation and inhibitory protein of nuclear factor‐κB‐α degradation levels were significantly increased in DSS‐induced colitis tissues. γ‐ORZ (50 mg kg−1 day−1 p.o.) markedly inhibited these inflammatory reactions and CAF had a similar potency. In vitro assay demonstrated that γ‐ORZ and CAF had strong antioxidant effects comparable to those of α‐tocopherol.

Conclusions and implications:

Phytosteryl ferulates could be new potential therapeutic and/or preventive agents for gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases. Their anti‐inflammatory effect could be mediated by inhibition of NF‐κB activity, which was at least partly due to the antioxidant effect of the FA moiety in the structure of phytosteryl ferulates.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 812–824; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.137; published online 21 April 2008
Bovine glycomacropeptide ameliorates experimental rat ileitis by mechanisms involving downregulation of interleukin 17
Authors: Requena P , Daddaoua A , Martínez‐Plata E , González M , Zarzuelo A , Suárez M D , Sánchez de Medina F , Martínez‐Augustin O
Published: June 2008

Background and purpose:

Bovine glycomacropeptide (BGMP) is an inexpensive, non‐toxic milk peptide with anti‐inflammatory effects in rat experimental colitis but its mechanism of action is unclear. It is also unknown whether BGMP can ameliorate inflammation in proximal regions of the intestine. Our aim was therefore two‐fold: first, to determine the anti‐inflammatory activity of BGMP in the ileum; second, to characterise its mechanism of action.

Experimental approach:

We used a model of ileitis induced by trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid in rats. Rats were treated orally with BGMP and its efficacy compared with that of oral 5‐aminosalicylic acid or vehicle, starting 2 days before ileitis induction.

Key results:

BGMP pretreatment (500 mg kg−1 day−1) resulted in marked reduction of inflammatory injury, as assessed by lower extension of necrosis and damage score, myeloperoxidase, alkaline phosphatase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin 1β, tumour necrosis factor and interleukin 17. These effects were generally comparable to those of 5‐aminosalicylic acid (200 mg kg−1 day−1). Neither compound affected the production of interferon γ, tumour necrosis factor and interleukin 2 by mesenteric lymph node cells isolated from animals with ileitis. The expression of Foxp3 was increased in ileitis and not reduced significantly by BGMP or aminosalicylate treatment.

Conclusions and implications:

These results demonstrate that BGMP has anti‐inflammatory activity in the ileum with similar efficacy to 5‐aminosalicylic acid. The mechanism of action may involve Th17 and regulatory T cells and perhaps macrophages but probably not Th1 lymphocytes. Patients with Crohn's ileitis may benefit from treatment with BGMP.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 825–832; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.138; published online 21 April 2008
Hypercholesterolaemia exacerbates ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction in the rat: role of angiotensin II type 1 receptors
Authors: Mączewski M , Mączewska J , Duda M
Published: June 2008

Background and purpose:

Diet‐induced hypercholesterolaemia exacerbates post‐myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular remodelling and heart failure, but the mechanism of this phenomenon remains unknown. This study examined whether worsening of post‐MI ventricular remodelling induced by dietary hypercholesterolaemia was related to upregulation of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor in the rat heart.

Experimental approach:

MI was induced surgically in rats fed normal or high cholesterol diet. Both groups of rats were then assigned to control, atorvastatin, losartan or atorvastatin+losartan‐treated subgroups and followed for 8 weeks. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed with echocardiography. In isolated hearts, LV pressures were measured with a latex balloon and a tip catheter. AT1‐receptor density was assessed in LV membranes with radioligand‐binding assays.

Key results:

High cholesterol diet exacerbated LV dilation and dysfunction in post‐MI hearts. Atorvastatin or losartan prevented these hypercholesterolaemia‐induced effects, whereas their combination was not more effective than each drug alone. AT1 receptors were upregulated 8 weeks after MI, this was further increased by hypercholesterolaemia and restored to baseline levels by atorvastatin.

Conclusions and implications:

Hypercholesterolaemia exacerbated LV remodelling and dysfunction in post‐MI rat hearts and upregulated cardiac AT1 receptors. All these effects were effectively prevented by atorvastatin. Thus, the pleiotropic statin effects may include interference with the renin‐angiotensin system through downregulation of AT1 receptors.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 1640–1648; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.218; published online 9 June 2008
Torcetrapib‐induced blood pressure elevation is independent of CETP inhibition and is accompanied by increased circulating levels of aldosterone
Authors: Forrest M J , Bloomfield D , Briscoe R J , Brown P N , Cumiskey A‐M , Ehrhart J , Hershey J C , Keller W J , Ma X , McPherson H E , Messina E , Peterson L B , Sharif‐Rodriguez W , Siegl P K S , Sinclair P J , Sparrow C P , Stevenson A S , Sun S‐Y , Tsai C , Vargas H , Walker M , West S H , White V , Woltmann R F
Published: June 2008

Background and purpose:

Inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) with torcetrapib in humans increases plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels but is associated with increased blood pressure. In a phase 3 clinical study, evaluating the effects of torcetrapib in atherosclerosis, there was an excess of deaths and adverse cardiovascular events in patients taking torcetrapib. The studies reported herein sought to evaluate off‐target effects of torcetrapib.

Experimental approach:

Cardiovascular effects of the CETP inhibitors torcetrapib and anacetrapib were evaluated in animal models.

Key results:

Torcetrapib evoked an acute increase in blood pressure in all species evaluated whereas no increase was observed with anacetrapib. The pressor effect of torcetrapib was not diminished in the presence of adrenoceptor, angiotensin II or endothelin receptor antagonists. Torcetrapib did not have a contractile effect on vascular smooth muscle suggesting its effectsin vivoare via the release of a secondary mediator. Treatment with torcetrapib was associated with an increase in plasma levels of aldosterone and corticosterone and,in vitro, was shown to release aldosterone from adrenocortical cells. Increased adrenal steroid levels were not observed with anacetrapib. Inhibition of adrenal steroid synthesis did not inhibit the pressor response to torcetrapib whereas adrenalectomy prevented the ability of torcetrapib to increase blood pressure in rats.

Conclusions and implications:

Torcetrapib evoked an acute increase in blood pressure and an acute increase in plasma adrenal steroids. The acute pressor response to torcetrapib was not mediated by adrenal steroids but was dependent on intact adrenal glands.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)154, 1465–1473; doi:fn2; published online 9 June 2008
CD1d presentation of glycolipids
Authors: Speak Anneliese O , Cerundolo Vincenzo , Platt Frances M
Published: June 2008

The CD1 family of antigen‐presenting molecules consists of five members, CD1a to e. Of these molecules CD1d has been the subject of much interest over the past 10 years following the discovery that this molecule presents antigens to a group of T cells known as invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT). iNKT cells carry an invariant T cell receptor which contains homologous gene segments in mouse and man. iNKT cells are positively selected in the thymus in the same manner as major histocompatibility complex restricted T cells, except iNKT cells require CD1d to be presented by thymocytes rather than epithelial cells. Once in peripheral organs, iNKT cells appear to play multiple roles in host defence against pathogens and cancer. If the numbers of iNKT cells are not correctly regulated it can result in autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes. The ligands for iNKT cells have been the subject of much research but identifying physiologically relevant candidate ligands for positive selection or activation has proved technically very challenging. This is largely due to the fact that the ligands for iNKT cells are lipids. The lipid ligands for thymic selection and some of those involved in peripheral activation are self‐derived. Glycosphingolipids are suggested to be the class of lipid for iNKT cell thymic development. For peripheral activation it appears multiple classes of self‐derived lipids may play a role, in addition to pathogen‐derived lipids. This review will cover essential background to iNKT cell and CD1d biology with emphasis on the candidate iNKT cell ligands proposed to date.
Rotational viscosity of fluids composed of linear molecules: An equilibrium molecular dynamics study
Authors: Moore R. J. D. , Hansen J. S. , Todd B. D.
Published: June 2008

In this paper, we investigate the rotational viscosity for a chlorine fluid and for a fluid composed of small linear molecules by using equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. The rotational viscosity is calculated over a large range of state points. It is found that the rotational viscosity is almost independent of temperature in the range studied here but exhibits a power-law dependency on density. The rotational viscosity also shows a power-law relationship with the molecular length, and the ratio between the shear and rotational viscosities approaches 0.5 for the longest molecule studied here. By changing the number of atoms or united atomic units per molecule and by keeping the molecule length fixed, we show that fluids composed of molecules which have a rodlike shape have a lower rotational viscosity. We argue that this phenomenon is due to the reduction in intermolecular connectivity, which leads to larger fluctuations around the values possessed by the fluid on average. The conclusions here can be extended to fluids composed of uniaxial molecules of arbitrary length.
Antiplasticization and local elastic constants in trehalose and glycerol mixtures
Authors: Riggleman Robert A. , de Pablo Juan J.
Published: June 2008

We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of glassy trehalose with various amounts of glycerol in order to explore the tendency for glycerol to antiplasticize the glass. We find that below a temperature of 300K, the average density of the system containing 5%wt glycerol is larger than that of the pure trehalose system; the glass transition temperature is decreased, and the elastic constants are essentially unchanged. Taken together, these phenomena are indicative of mild antiplasticization, a type of behavior generally observed in polymeric systems. We have calculated the local elastic constants in our glassy materials and, consistent with previous simulations on a coarse-grained polymer, we find evidence of domains having negative elastic moduli. We have explored the ability of various measures of the Debye–Waller factor ⟨u2⟩ to predict the stiffness of our systems in terms of their elastic constants. We find that ⟨u2⟩ is indeed correlated with the behavior of the bulk elastic constants. On a local level, a correlation exists between the local moduli and ⟨u2⟩; however, that correlation is not strong enough to arrive at conclusive statements about the local elastic properties.
Analytic, nonlinearly exact solutions for an rf confined plasma
Authors: Shah Kushal , Ramachandran Harishankar
Published: June 2008

RF confined electron plasmas are of importance in Paul traps [W. Paul, Rev. Mod. Phys. 62, 531 (1990)]. The stability of such plasmas is unclear and statistical heating arguments have been advanced to explain the observed heating in such plasmas [I. Siemers et al., Phys. Rev. A 38, 5121 (1988)]. This study investigates the nature of a one-dimensional collisionless electron plasma that is confined by an rf field of the form [−B+Acos(ωt)]x, where x is the space coordinate and ω is the rf frequency. Nonlinearly exact solutions are obtained. The distribution function and the plasma density are obtained in closed form and have constant shapes with time varying oscillations. These oscillations are at the rf frequency and its harmonics, modulated by a low frequency related to the electron bounce time. The linear limit of weak fields is recovered. Analytic expressions are obtained for the required external field to make it consistent with prescribed distribution functions. These solutions remain valid even in the presence of collisions. Solutions involving multiple species are also obtained, though only for collisionless traps. It is found that the ponderomotive force response needs to be corrected to account for the temperature fluctuations. No stochastic heating is observed in this field configuration.
New torsion potential expression for molecules without rotational symmetry
Authors: Ji Xiaobo , Yan Liuming , Lu Wencong
Published: June 2008

A new torsion potential function for bond rotations without rotational symmetry is proposed. This function is composed of a few Gaussian-type terms each corresponding to an eclipsed conformation of the 1,2 substituents of the C–C bonds. Different from the truncated Fourier series or the truncated cosine polynomial, it is easy to determine how many terms are needed to represent any type of torsion potential barrier at a glance using the Gaussian-type function. It could also intuitively deduce the physical meaning of the expansion parameters of the new torsion potential function, which corresponds to the barrier height, the dihedral defining the eclipsed conformations, and the size of the substituents, respectively. The new torsion potential function is also applied to the 1, 2-substituted haloethanes with satisfactory results, where three Gaussian-type terms corresponding to the fully eclipsed and the partially eclipsed conformations are needed.
The relativistic kinetic Weibel instability: Comparison of different distribution functions
Authors: Schaefer-Rolffs U. , Tautz R. C.
Published: June 2008

Investigations of the relativistic Weibel instability have burgeoned in the last few years because of their potential use in various astrophysical scenarios. In this article, the parameters for the growth rates of well-known distribution functions are provided, based on a recently developed general description. The four distributions to be dealt with are the monochromatic, waterbag, bi-Maxwellian and the κ distribution. The advantages of this treatment are: (i) One has to solve only one integral to obtain the growth rates, thus (ii) one may compare the different distributions easily. Numerical illustrations of the growth rates for each distribution are given. The growth rates can be classified due to the ansatz of the distributions functions. In addition, some formulas of a previous paper are corrected.
Morphology and microstructure evolution of AlxGa1−xN epilayers grown on GaN/sapphire templates with AlN interlayers observed by transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Lu L. , Shen B. , Xu F. J. , Gao B. , Huang S. , Miao Z. L. , Qin Z. X. , Yang Z. J. , Zhang G. Y. , Zhang X. P. , Xu J. , Yu D. P.
Published: June 2008

Morphology and microstructure evolution of Al0.3Ga0.7N epilayers grown on GaN/sapphire templates with low-temperature (LT) AlN interlayers (IL) by means of metal organic chemical vapor deposition have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. It is found that the IL improves the surface morphology and suppresses edge-type threading dislocations (TDs). When the IL thickness is 20nm, there is the lowest density of the edge-type TD with 8.7×108cm−2. However, the edge-type TD density increases somewhat as IL thickness increases to 40nm. It is believed that two mechanisms determine the microstructure evolution of the AlxGa1−xN epilayers. One is the TD suppression effect of LT-AlN ILs that ILs can provide an interface for edge-type TD termination. Another is the TD introduction effect of ILs that new edge-type TDs are produced. Due to the lattice mismatch between AlN, GaN, and AlxGa1−xN, the strain in AlxGa1−xN epilayers is modified by inserting the AlN IL, and thus changes the formation of the edge-type TDs.
Temperature-dependent characteristics of an InP/InGaAs double heterojunction bipolar transistor with a step-graded InAlGaAs collector
Authors: Chen Tzu-Pin , Chen Wei-Hsin , Lee Chi-Jhung , Chu Kuei-Yi , Chen Li-Yang , Hung Ching-Wen , Tsai Tsung-Han , Cheng Shiou-Ying , Liu Wen-Chau
Published: June 2008

The dc and electron impaction ionization characteristics of an InP/InGaAs double heterojunction bipolar transistor with a step-graded InAlGaAs collector structure are studied and reported. From the experiments, the studied device shows a better common-emitter breakdown voltage and lower output conductance at higher temperature operations. Due to the insertion of a step-graded InAlGaAs collector structure at the base-collector heterojunction, the usually observed switching and hysteresis phenomena in InP/InGaAs-based HBTs are not seen in the studied device. The temperature-dependent electron impact ionization characteristics are also investigated. Above all, the studied DHBT device provides the promise for millimeter-wave and power circuit applications.
C
O
2
detection using polyethylenimine/starch functionalized AlGaN∕GaN high electron mobility transistors
Authors: Chang C. Y. , Kang B. S. , Wang H. T. , Ren F. , Wang Y. L. , Pearton S. J. , Dennis D. M. , Johnson J. W. , Rajagopal P. , Roberts J. C. , Piner E. L. , Linthicum K. J.
Published: June 2008

Al Ga N ∕ Ga N high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) functionalized with polyethylenimine/starch were used for detecting CO2 with a wide dynamic range of 0.9%–50% balanced with nitrogen at temperatures from 46to220°C. Higher detection sensitivity to CO2 gas was achieved at higher testing temperatures. At a fixed source-drain bias voltage of 0.5V, drain-source current of the functionalized HEMTs showed a sublinear correlation upon exposure to different CO2 concentrations at low temperature. The superlinear relationship was at high temperature. The sensor exhibited a reversible behavior and a repeatable current change of 32 and 47μA with the introduction of 28.57% and 37.5% CO2 at 108°C, respectively.