bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profiles of Change in Self-Constructions among Early- and Later-Bereaved Widows
Authors: Chovan Martha J. , Chovan William
Published: June 2007

The portrayal of the construct self was formulated using the protocols of 12 bereaved widows ranging in age from 56 to 82 years of age at the time of the interview. Each widow was interviewed every two to three weeks using a structured interview together with a self-report scale. They were asked to revisit their experiences of coping with the death of their husbands in their efforts to adapt to life without their husbands and assess the nature of their coping actions. Using Lazarus and Folkman's 1986 coping scale enabled the delineation of three coping action modes or solutions of “moving away,” “moving against,” “moving toward,” self and others in terms of Horney's early work. Analysis of the profiles using these coping action modes suggested qualities of restructuring of the self among the 12 bereaved widows. Some simple observations were made about the importance of research on self-constructions and the potential for the use of internal dialogues in grief work.
A Unidimensional Measure of Hong's Psychological Reactance Scale
Authors: Jonason Peter K. , Knowles Heather M.
Published: June 2007

Research using Hong's Psychological Reactance Scale has been fraught with methodological concerns. Researchers have been unable to find a stable, reliable, and replicable factor structure. Here, results suggested that Hong's Psychological Reactance Scale is a unidimensional one with an average alpha of .74 ( SD = .46). This value was attained by first analyzing correlation matrices reproduced from three reports on Hong's Psychological Reactance Scale and then verifying this new factor structure with original data. Tests for internal consistency supported a 1-factor solution. Tests for external consistency supported prior findings in relation to Psychological Reactance and offer evidence that the 1-factor solution is externally valid. While the authors contend that a 1-factor solution is appropriate, further testing is needed for external consistency and refinement of the measure.
The Moral Judgment Test: Comments on Villegas de Posada's Critique
Authors: Lind Georg
Published: June 2007

The Moral Judgment Test is an operationalization of Kohlberg's notion of moral judgment competence and Piaget's two-aspect model of behavior and thus differs from tests of preferred moral orientations and Kohlberg's own Stage measurement. As this best presents counter-arguments to be rated in regard to their moral quality, it is a difficult task for many, and the C score reflects the respondents' competence to cope with the task. Validation studies of 27 language versions and thirty years of use in research and evaluation studies have indicated the Moral Judgment Test is valid and useful for assessing affective and cognitive aspects of moral behavior for research and evaluation.
Work Organization, Economic Inequality, and Depression among Nursing Assistants: A Multilevel Modeling Approach
Authors: Muntaner Carles , Van Dussen Daniel J. , Li Yong , Zimmerman Sheryl , Chung Haejoo , Benach Joan
Published: June 2007

To investigate the relationships among the nursing home work environment, emotional strain, and depression in Nursing Assistants in Ohio and West Virginia, this cross-sectional study was conducted with 395 Nurse Assistants in 49 nursing homes in Ohio and West Virginia. Organizational attributes were measured independently at the individual and organizational levels. Multilevel modeling techniques were used to analyze the data. Our methods examined nursing home organizational structure (ownership type, managerial style), and work organization (emotional strain) was examined in relation to the prevalence of depression among nursing assistants. Our findings suggest workplace emotional strain and age are associated with increased odds of depression. Implications of our work include that work in nursing homes for the environment it fosters has a strong effect on emotional strain and depression among Nursing Assistants.
Astrological Signs and Personality in Kuwaitis and Americans
Authors: Abdel-Khalek Ahmed , Lester David
Published: June 2007

Samples of Kuwaiti ( N = 460) and American ( N = 273) undergraduates responded to six personality questionnaires to assess optimism, pessimism, suicidal ideation, ego-grasping, death anxiety, general anxiety, and obssessive-compulsiveness. Each participant was assigned to the astrological sign associated with date of birth. One-way analyses of variance yielded nonsignificant F ratios for all the seven scales in both Kuwaiti and American samples, except for anxiety scores among Americans. It was concluded that there was little support for an association between astrological sun signs and scores on the present personality scales.
Silencing of the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor increases the sensitivity to apoptosis and inhibits invasion in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells
Authors: Ma Zhiyuan , Dong Aiqiang , Kong Minjian , Qian Jianfang
Published: June 2007

The type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R), which is over-expressed or activated in many human cancers, including lung cancer, mediates cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Several studies indicate that blocking IGF-1R expression can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. In this study, inhibition of the endogenous IGF-1R by recombinant adenoviruses encoding short hairpin RNAs against IGF-1R was found to significantly suppress IGF-1R expression, arrest the cell cycle, enhance the apoptotic response, and inhibit proliferation, adhesion, invasion and migration in A549 cells. Moreover, silencing IGF-1R decreases the expression of invasive-related genes including matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and urokinase-plasminogen activator (u-PA), and the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. These results suggest that the silencing of IGF-1R has the potential to be an effective cancer gene therapy strategy for human lung cancer.
Tracking chromatin states using controlled DNase I treatment and real-time PCR
Authors: Martins Rui , Platts Adrian , Krawetz Stephen
Published: June 2007

A novel approach to DNase I-sensitivity analysis was applied to examining genes of the spermatogenic pathway, reflective of the substantial morphological and genomic changes that occur during this program of differentiation. A new real-time PCR-based strategy that considers the nuances of response to nuclease treatment was used to assess the nuclease susceptibility through differentiation. Data analysis was automated with the K-Lab PCR algorithm, facilitating the rapid analysis of multiple samples while eliminating the subjectivity usually associated with Ct analyses. The utility of this assay and analytical paradigm as applied to nuclease-sensitivity mapping is presented.
The differential expression of ribosomal 18S RNA paralog genes from the chaetognath Spadella cephaloptera
Authors: Barthélémy Roxane-Marie , Grino Michel , Pontarotti Pierre , Casanova Jean-Paul , Faure Eric
Published: June 2007

Chaetognaths constitute a small marine phylum of approximately 120 species. Two classes of both 18S and 28S rRNA gene sequences have been evidenced in this phylum, even though significant intraindividual variation in the sequences of rRNA genes is unusual in animal genomes. These observations led to the hypothesis that this unusual genetic characteristic could play one or more physiological role(s). Using in situ hybridization on the frontal sections of the chaetognath Spadella cephaloptera, we found that the 18S Class I genes are expressed in the whole body, with a strong expression throughout the gut epithelium, whereas the expression of the 18S Class II genes is restricted to the oocytes. Our results could suggest that the paralog products of the 18S Class I genes are probably the “housekeeping” 18S rRNAs, whereas those of class II would only be essential in specific tissues. These results provide support for the idea that each type of 18S paralog is important for specific cellular functions and is under the control of selective factors.
Companion d-algebras
Authors: Allen P. , Kim Hee , Neggers J.
Published: June 2007

In this paper we develop a theory of companion d-algebras in sufficient detail to demonstrate considerable parallelism with the theory of BCK-algebras as well as obtaining a collection of results of a novel type. Included among the latter are results on certain natural posets associated with companion d-algebras as well as constructions on Bin(X), the collection of binary operations on the set X, which permit construction of new companion d-algebras from companion d-algebras X also in natural ways.
Isometries and direct decompositions of pseudo MV-algebras
Authors: Jasem Milan
Published: June 2007

In the paper isometries in pseudo MV-algebras are investigated. It is shown that for every isometry f in a pseudo MV-algebra
$$\mathcal{A}$$
= (A, ⊕, −, ∼, 0, 1) there exists an internal direct decomposition
$$\mathcal{A} = \mathcal{B}^0 \times \mathcal{C}^0 $$
of
$$\mathcal{A}$$
with
$$\mathcal{C}^0 $$
commutative such that
$$f(0) = 1_{C^0 } $$
and
$$f(x) = x_{B^0 } \oplus (1_{C^0 } \odot (x_{C^0 } )^ - ) = x_{B^0 } \oplus (1_{C^0 } - x_{C^0 } )$$
for each x ∈ A.

On the other hand, if
$$\mathcal{A} = \mathcal{P}^0 \times \mathcal{Q}^0 $$
is an internal direct decomposition of a pseudo MV-algebra
$$\mathcal{A}$$
= (A, ⊕, −, ∼, 0, 1) with
$$\mathcal{Q}^0 $$
commutative, then the mapping g: A → A defined by
$$g(x) = x_{P^0 } \oplus (1_{Q^0 } - x_{Q^0 } )$$
is an isometry in
$$\mathcal{A}$$
and
$$g(0) = 1_{Q^0 } $$
.
On BF-algebras
Authors: Walendziak Andrzej
Published: June 2007

In this paper we introduce the notion of BF-algebras, which is a generalization of B-algebras. We also introduce the notions of an ideal and a normal ideal in BF-algebras. We investigate the properties and characterizations of them.
Separating points of measures on effect algebras
Authors: Avallone Anna
Published: June 2007

We prove the existence of separating points for every countable family of nonatomic σ-additive modular measures on a σ-complete lattice ordered effect algebra.
The lower bound of number of solutions for the second order nonlinear boundary value problem via the root functions method
Authors: Somora Peter
Published: June 2007

We consider a second order nonlinear differential equation with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. Using the root functions method we prove a relation between the number of zeros of some variational solutions and the number of solutions of our boundary value problem which follows into a lower bound of the number of its solutions.
Oscillatory and asymptotic behaviour of a nonlinear second order neutral differential equation
Authors: Rath R. , Misra N. , Padhy L.
Published: June 2007

In this paper, necessary and sufficient conditions for the oscillation and asymptotic behaviour of solutions of the second order neutral delay differential equation (NDDE)
$$\left[ {r(t)(y(t) - p(t)y(t - \tau ))'} \right]^\prime + q(t)G(y(h(t))) = 0$$
are obtained, where q, h ∈ C([0, ∞), ℝ) such that q(t) ≥ 0, r ∈ C
(1) ([0, ∞), (0, ∞)), p ∈ C ([0, ∞), ℝ), G ∈ C (ℝ, ℝ) and τ ∈ ℝ+. Since the results of this paper hold when r(t) ≡ 1 and G(u) ≡ u, therefore it extends, generalizes and improves some known results.
On a class of difference sequences related to the ℓp space defined by Orlicz functions
Authors: Tripathy Binod , Mahanta Sabita
Published: June 2007

In this article we introduce the difference sequence space m(M, Δ, φ) using the Orlicz function. We study its different properties like solidity, completeness etc. Also we obtain some inclusion relations involving the space m(M, Δ, φ).
Vector valued paranormed statistically convergent double sequence spaces
Authors: Tripathy Binod , Sarma Bipul
Published: June 2007

In this article we introduce the vector valued paranormed sequence spaces
$${}_2\overline c (q,p), {}_2\overline c _0 (q,p), ({}_2\overline c )^B (q,p), ({}_2\overline c _0 )^B (q,p), ({}_2\overline c )^R (q,p)$$
and
$$({}_2\overline c _0 )^R (q,p)$$
defined over a seminormed space (X,q). We study their different properties like completeness, solidness, symmetry, convergence freeness etc. We prove some inclusion results.
Quasi-uniform completions of partially ordered spaces
Authors: Buhagiar David , Telenta Tanja
Published: June 2007

In this paper we define partially ordered quasi-uniform spaces (X,
$$\mathfrak{U}$$
, ≤) (PO-quasi-uniform spaces) as those space with a biconvex quasi-uniformity
$$\mathfrak{U}$$
on the poset (X, ≤) and give a construction of a (transitive) biconvex compatible quasi-uniformity on a partially ordered topological space when its topology satisfies certain natural conditions. We also show that under certain conditions on the topology
$$\tau _{\mathfrak{U}*} $$
of a PO-quasi-uniform space (X,
$$\mathfrak{U}$$
, ≤), the bicompletion
$$(\tilde X,\tilde {\mathfrak{U}})$$
of (X,
$$\mathfrak{U}$$
) is also a PO-quasi-uniform space (
$$(\tilde X,\tilde {\mathfrak{U}})$$
, ⪯) with a partial order ⪯ on
$$\tilde X$$
that extends ≤ in a natural way.
Boolean transformations with unique fixed points
Authors: Rudeanu Sergiu
Published: June 2007

We determine the Boolean transformations F: B
n → B
n which have unique fixed points.
Point sets with low L
p-discrepancy
Authors: Kritzer Peter , Pillichshammer Friedrich
Published: June 2007

In this paper we study the L
p-discrepancy of digitally shifted Hammersley point sets. While it is known that the (unshifted) Hammersley point set (which is also known as Roth net) with N points has L
p-discrepancy (p an integer) of order (log N)/N, we show that there always exists a shift such that the digitally shifted Hammersley point set has L
p-discrepancy (p an even integer) of order
$$\sqrt {\log N} /N$$
which is best possible by a result of W. Schmidt. Further we concentrate on the case p = 2. We give very tight lower and upper bounds for the L
2-discrepancy of digitally shifted Hammersley point sets which show that the value of the L
2-discrepancy of such a point set mostly depends on the number of zero coordinates of the shift and not so much on the position of these.
(Cyclic) subgroup separability of HNN and split extensions
Authors: Ateş Firat , Sinan Çevik A.
Published: June 2007

This work has been divided in two parts. In the first part we give a sufficient conditions on an HNN extension of a free group to be cyclic subgroup seperable. In the second part we define just subgroup separability on a split extension of special groups which is actually on holomorph.
Statistical maps: A categorical approach
Authors: Frič Roman
Published: June 2007

In probability theory, each random variable f can be viewed as channel through which the probability p of the original probability space is transported to the distribution p
f, a probability measure on the real Borel sets. In the realm of fuzzy probability theory, fuzzy probability measures (equivalently states) are transported via statistical maps (equivalently, fuzzy random variables, operational random variables, Markov kernels, observables). We deal with categorical aspects of the transportation of (fuzzy) probability measures on one measurable space into probability measures on another measurable spaces. A key role is played by D-posets (equivalently effect algebras) of fuzzy sets.
Problems of an additional experiment
Authors: Kubáček Lubomír
Published: June 2007

In some situations estimates of unknown parameters must be corrected by additional measurements. It is in principle no problem to calculate the corrected estimates, however, it is of more interest to find formulae for correction itself. The formulae enable us to design an additional experiment and to judge its usefulness.

The aim of the paper is to find such formulae for several situations.
MSE of the best linear predictor in nonorthogonal models
Authors: Štulajter František
Published: June 2007

The problem of computing the mean squared error (MSE) of the best linear predictor (BLP) in finite discrete spectrum with an additive white noise models(FDSWNMs) for an observed time series is considered. This is done under the assumption that the corresponding vectors in models for finite observation of this time series are not orthogonal.
Learning from Attempts to Improve Schooling: The Contribution of Methodological Diversity
Authors: Raudenbush Stephen W.
Published: June 2007

Education research is an interdisciplinary effort long characterized by methodological diversity. Why, then, do we hear an urgent call for mixed methods now? Apparently, a recent shift in the applied research agenda has fostered concern that methodological pluralism is at risk. In this article, the author argues that (a) a focus on evaluating the effects of instructional interventions is entirely appropriate given current policy dilemmas; (b) randomized experiments are the gold standard for assessing these effects; but (c) the success of the effort depends on a well-integrated, methodologically diverse research effort. He sketches how diverse methods might be combined and how a healthy scientific community might collaborate to generate adequate funding to support this vital enterprise.
Social Integration in the "New" Berlin
Authors: Silver Hilary
Published: June 2007

Despite its highly visible physical reunification, Berlin has social fault lines that seriously challenge the city?s integration. This article reviews the multiple cleavages that crisscross Berlin?s social fabric and assesses whether and how these divides are being bridged. East-West, neighborhood, religious, national/ethnic, and socioeconomic fractures remain wide. Even the social construction of the city?s history and the embedding of collective memory in the built environment are occasions for division. Hopeful signs of increasing social integration, however, are found in the new memorials, creative multicultural forms, vibrant and diverse immigrant neighborhoods, ethnic intermarriage, and other indicators. Under conditions of severe fiscal crisis, policies such as housing renovation, the Social City Program, local nonprofit labor market initiatives, and expanded language instruction are among the deliberate attempts to promote social integration in the "New" Berlin.
Social Cities and Social Inclusion: Assessing the Role of Turkish Residents in Building the New Berlin
Authors: Bockmeyer Janice
Published: June 2007

Both Berlin and the European Union are transformed by global migration trends that are creating extraordinary ethnic diversity. Social inclusion is now one of the top priorities of the EU's URBAN II program. Berlin's Social Cities/Neighborhood Management program stands at the vortex of joint EU, German and city-state efforts to achieve social inclusion in low-income, ethnically diverse communities. This article assesses the impact of Social Cities/Neighborhood Management on inclusion for Berlin's large Turkish minority in two immigrant neighborhoods. It focuses particularly on the level of incorporation of Turkish nonprofit organizations into Neighborhood Management decision making. Finally, the article asks what role ethnic nonprofits should play in community revitalization, and whether social inclusion can be achieved where their role is diminished.
Memorial Projects as Sites of Social Integration in Post-1989 Berlin?
Authors: Jordan Jennifer A.
Published: June 2007

How do groups of people produce particular markers of the past in the urban landscape? The terrain of markers in a given neighborhood, city, or country can result from the top-down vision of a centralized elite-or the relatively diverse, even contradictory, layers of multiple eras and multiple interest groups and actors. In post 1989 Berlin, the memorial landscape is a heterogeneous collection of statues, plaques, and conceptual memorial projects relating to various eras in the city?s nearly eight centuries of existence. More widely known sites may be created in somewhat top-down ways, and be the responsibility of federal and state officials. But, much memorial work happens at the district level, and in the hands of an array of local activists. This local responsibility clearly indicates the active involvement of both easterners and westerners in local democratic and civic processes in general, and in activities that shape the memorial terrain in particular. Despite the inequality of unification and the extensive institutional transfer that happened in many sectors of the political and economic arenas, many eastern Berliners play active roles in the civic life in general and memorial culture in particular of their neighborhoods and districts. These local practices result from the civic participation (and arguably social integration) of a range of Berlin?s residents, in both the eastern and western halves of the city.
From Kreuzberg to Marzahn: New Migrant Communities in Berlin
Authors: Kil Wolfgang , Silver Hilary
Published: June 2007

Ethnic enclaves in West Berlin and now, East Berlin are located in denigrated areas of high unemployment, poverty, and devalued or high-rise public housing, but they are also places where immigrants are slowly integrating into the larger city and German society. Despite different national origins and different conditions and periods in which they arrived, socially excluded Vietnamese, Russian, and other migrants to East Berlin are following local incorporation paths surprisingly similar to those of the Turks in West Berlin. In both Kreuzberg and Marzahn, the rise of multicultural forms and events, economic niches, and ethnic associations make local life attractive and ultimately, contribute to immigrant incorporation and neighborhood revitalization.
The Down Side Dangers in the Social City Program: Contradictory Potentials in German Social Policy
Authors: Marcuse Peter
Published: June 2007

This article examines the conceptual structure of the Social City Program as it has been formulated in legislation and applied in practice. It raises serious questions as to the actual impact of the program as formulated, and suggests that conceptual clarity may help both to expose its flaws and to propose alternate positive potentials. The program has a complex intellectual underlay, and clarity in the concepts used can avoid some potential dangers in its implementation. More specifically, integration is not the opposite of exclusion, and inclusion is not the same as reducing poverty. Spatial clustering can either support or weaken solidarity. Enclaves and ghettos are not the same thing, although both reflect a clustering of population groups. Finally, emphasizing "social capital" can be a way of highlighting the strength of the oppressed or blaming them for their own oppression-and these distinctions are loaded with consequences for policy.
Berlin Nonprofits in the Reshaping of Welfare and Employment Policies
Authors: Mayer Margit
Published: June 2007

German nonprofits active in support work for unemployed and marginalized groups have undergone significant transformation in the context of recent social and labor market reforms. Drawing on the findings of a three-year research project on such local work-insertion organizations in Berlin, the article discusses some of the problems and potentials of nonprofits in the reshaping of welfare and employment policies. It shows how the service providers implementing these new policies and delivering the new benefits face a new competition from private, for-profit agencies as well as constraints set by the formal contracts which the new instruments entail. As they now have to deliver enhanced self-activity of their clients, are called upon to nurture and make use of "social capital" in their work fields, and are involved, as civil society "stakeholders," in new local partnerships between the municipality, the employment office and private sector actors, they lead us to question prevailing views in the voluntary sector scholarship.
The National "Social City Program": Findings from the Midterm Evaluation
Authors: Häußermann Harmut
Published: June 2007

The Soziale Stadt program, was introduced by the Red-Green coalition government in 2000, and has continued until today, despite the change in governing coalition. It is a cooperative program between the federal and Länder governments and has some innovative characteristics: cross-department cooperation at all administrative levels; integrative action plans; tackling social problems of neighborhoods in a new way; novel forms of participation and cooperation. After its first three years, the program is undoubtedly a great success, visibly addressing key issues in the cities and widening the scope for action. This article presents results of an interim evaluation showing that the results of program implementation, however, still remain modest.
Party Institutions, the SPD and the Fall of Franz Müntefering
Authors: Leslie John
Published: June 2007

This article examines the impact of organizational structure on party behavior in the context of Franz Müntefering's resignation as SPD Chairman in late 2005. Conceptually, it argues that party organizations embed institutionalized rules that govern internal hierarchies and shape party decision making. Because party organizations are created under different circumstances, the rules governing their internal hierarchies and decision-making behavior may vary. This analysis suggests why such differences can persist for decades even when they produce such unintended-and undesirable-consequences as the embarrassing resignation of a popular chairman in the middle of a coalition negotiation.
"Nicht mehr die herrlichste Nebensache der Welt": Sport, West Berlin and the Four Powers Agreement 1971
Authors: Young Christopher
Published: June 2007

1972 saw the coming to fruition of two events of major importance to the Federal Republic of Germany under Willy Brandt's leadership: the normalization of relations with the Soviet Union and its satellites through the process of Ostpolitik, and the Munich Olympic Games, which were designed to present a new Germany on the world stage. Although recent scholarship has highlighted the intricacies of East-West diplomacy and the political machinations of Cold-War sports relations, there have been few attempts to investigate the latter's role in the former. This essay seeks to investigate sport in the context of politics, and more vitally vice versa. Focusing on events in the immediate run-up to the Four Powers Treaty on West Berlin in 1971, it shows how sport's appeal to broad sectors of public opinion in Eastern and Western Europe made it a prime candidate for the cultural warfare that accompanied political negotiations.
Buena Vista Deutschland: Nation and Gender in Wenders, Gaulke and Eggert
Authors: Hosek Jennifer Ruth
Published: June 2007

The years following the fall of the Berlin Wall saw a wave of interest in a far away nation now largely independent of Soviet influence: Cuba. The three documentary fims that this article treats are a part of this "Cuba wave." Yet, as I argue here, more than simply tales of the Caribbean, Buena Vista Social Club by Wim Wenders and Havanna mi amor and Heirate mich! by Uli Gaulke and Jeannette Eggert are ciphers for competing and unpopular discourses surrounding German (re)unification. As sanctioned narratives of the Germanies increasingly ossify, these films articulate obscured and agonistic visions of national identity in the Berlin Republic.
Facing Hitler: German Responses to 'Downfall'
Authors: Bendix John
Published: June 2007

Bernd Eichinger's Der Untergang is the first all-German production in fifty years to feature Hitler in a full-length dramatic film. This article explores the choices and intentions of the producer/scriptwriter, aspects of German public opinion about Hitler, and the critical responses to what was widely seen as an effort to humanize Hitler on screen-though I argue it was ultimately more an effort to finally lay Hitler to rest.
"The Facts Behind the Guilt"? Background and Implicit Intentions in 'Downfall'
Authors: Pelzer Jurgen
Published: June 2007

The film Downfall, released in 2004 at the height of an unprecedented "Hitler wave," has to be seen in a long tradition of literary and cinematic attempts to deal with Germany's "unmasterable past." The filmmakers claimed that by focusing on Hitler's final days before the end of WWII they had discovered "new territory" and presented the "facts behind the guilt." This article points out, however, that the film is historiographically based on the account by Joachim Fest's book Downfall-in which the author, as in his earlier work, follows a methodological approach that personalizes history and focuses on Hitler as "singular personality," rejecting any systematic analysis of political and social context. The film goes even further in its unscrupulous blurring of fact and fiction and simplistically juxtaposes a very small group of perpetrators (basically Hitler and Goebbels) and the large group of victims, i.e., the general population that only wanted to survive. Such an attempt to focus on a tragically failing, isolates Hitler, who alone is to blame for nation's "Downfall" is hardly suitable to help Germans to step out of the shadow of their past.
The Processes of Collective Memory Research: Methodological Solutions for Research Challenges
Authors: Wolfgram Mark A.
Published: June 2007

Alon Confino, Germany as a Culture of Remembrance: Promises and Limits of Writing History (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2006)

Wulf Kansteiner, In Pursuit of German Memory: History, Television, and Politics after Auschwitz (Athens: Ohio University Press, 2006)
Reproductive success in relation to dominance rank in the absence of prime‐age males in Barbary macaques
Authors: Modolo Lara , Martin Robert D.
Published: June 2007

In some primate species dominance rank of males is correlated with reproductive success, whereas in other species this relationship is inconsistent. Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) live in a promiscuous mating system in which males are ranked in a dominance hierarchy that influences their access to females. High‐ranking males usually monopolize fertile females during their estrous period and show increased mating activities. Subadult males generally rank below adult males. For Barbary macaque females in the Gibraltar colony, there was no correlation between dominance status and reproductive success. Paternity data for 31 offspring collected over four consecutive breeding seasons were used to test whether male social rank was associated with reproductive success and whether reproductive success was mainly confined to a small number of males. Genetic variation was assessed using 14 microsatellite markers for a dataset of 127 individuals sampled in all five social groups of the Gibraltar colony. Paternity analysis was conducted for offspring in one social group only, where all in‐group males were sampled. Eighty‐three percent of the offspring could be assigned to an in‐group candidate father; none of the extra‐group males appeared to have sired an infant. Male dominance rank was not found to contribute to the observed variation in male reproductive output. Fifty‐nine percent of the offspring was sired by two low‐ranking males, whereas the two top‐ranking males sired one‐fifth. A highly significant correlation was found for male age and dominance rank. Reproductive success of subadult males might be explained by the gap in the age distribution of male group members. These missing prime males are usually regarded as serious competitors for older males. Subadult males may have gained easier access to females in their absence. In addition, the presence of inbreeding avoidance mechanisms, which might also have overpowered possible rank effects, cannot be excluded. Am. J. Primatol. 70:26–34, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metal‐based sulfonamides: synthesis, characterization, antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic properties of pyrrolyl‐ and thienyl‐derived compounds
Authors: Chohan Zahid H. , Naseer Muhammad M.
Published: June 2007

Pyrrolyl and thienyl derived sulfonamides and their metal [cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II)] complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductances, magnetic moments, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and electronic spectral data. These compounds were screened for in‐vitro antibacterial activity against four Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli, Shigella flexeneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi) and two Gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) bacterial strains, and for in‐vitro antifungal activity against Trichophyton longifusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Microsporum canis, Fusarium solani and Candida glaberata. The results of these studies revealed that all compounds showed significant to moderate antibacterial activity; however, the zinc complexes were shown to be the most active against various species. The brine shrimp bioassay was also carried out to study their in vitro cytotoxic properties of all the synthesized ligands and their metal complexes. Only two compounds (14 and 19) displayed potent cytotoxic activity as LD50 = 5.5637 × 10−4 and 4.4023 × 10−4 M ml−1 respectively, against Artemia salina. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enantioselective cyanosilylation of aldehydes catalyzed by Mn(salen) complex/triphenyl phosphine oxide
Authors: Kim Sung Soo , Kwak Ju Myung , George Soney C.
Published: June 2007

The activation of chiral Mn(salen) complexes with Ph3PO has been found to provide a good strategy for the asymmetric cyanosilylation of aldehydes. Aromatic aldehydes have been converted into the corresponding cyanohydrin trimethylsilylether in yields up to 95% and ee up to 67% using 0.25 mol% chiral Mn(salen) complex in combination with 10 mol% of achiral Ph3PO as additive. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some addition reactions of bisgermavinylidene
Authors: Leung Wing‐Por , Kan Kwok‐Wai , So Cheuk‐Wai , Mak Thomas C. W.
Published: June 2007

The reaction of bisgermavinylidene [(Me3SiNPPh2)2CGe→GeC(PPh2NSiMe3)2] (1) with AdNCO (Ad = Adamantyl) afforded the [2 + 2] cycloadditon product [(Me3SiNPPh2)2CGeC(O) NAd] (2). Similar reaction of 1 with Ph3SiOH in tetrahydrofuran (THF) yielded the base‐stabilized germanium(II) triphenylsiloxide [H2C(PPh2NSiMe3)2Ge(OSiPh3)2] (3). The results suggested that reactive germavinylidene may exist in solution and is capable of forming addition reaction products. The X‐ray structures of 2 and 3 were determined. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of dendritic star‐shaped poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(L‐lactide) block copolymers
Authors: Zhang Weian , Zheng Sixun , Guo Qipeng
Published: June 2007

Dendritic star‐shaped poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(L‐lactide) (PCL‐b‐PLLA) diblock copolymers were synthesized via sequential ring‐opening polymerization. In the first step, an aliphatic dendritic polyester containing 16 terminal hydroxyl groups was used as the core molecule to initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone, which was catalyzed by stannous(II) octanoate, to obtain dendritic star‐shaped poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) terminated with hydroxyls, which was used further to initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide to form the dendritic star‐shaped diblock copolymers. The dendritic star‐shaped polymers (PCL‐b‐PLLA) were characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The results showed that the arm length of the dendritic star‐shaped polymers could be well controlled in terms of the molar ratios of the initiators (i.e., the aliphatic dendritic polyester and star‐shaped PCL) to the monomers (i.e., ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide). The crystalline structure and thermal properties of the dendritic star‐shaped polymers were investigated with X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The X‐ray diffraction indicated that the formation of the dendritic star‐shaped topological structure did not affect the structure of the crystals of PCL and poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) blocks. The thermal analyses showed that the crystallization rate of the PCL blocks in the block copolymers was greatly reduced compared to that in the parent dendritic star‐shaped PCL. This observation could be attributed to the confinement of the dendritic core and PLLA blocks upon the crystallization of the PCL blocks. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Corrosion‐protection aspects of electrochemically synthesized poly(o‐anisidine) coatings on mild steel: An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study
Authors: Chaudhari Sudeshna , Patil P. P.
Published: June 2007

The corrosion‐protection aspects of poly(o‐anisidine) (POA) coatings on mild steel in aqueous 3% NaCl solutions were investigated with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, a potentiodynamic polarization technique, and open circuit potential measurements. The POA coatings were electrochemically synthesized on mild steel with cyclic voltammetry from an aqueous salicylate medium. The corrosion behavior of the POA coatings was investigated through immersion tests performed in aqueous 3% NaCl solutions, and the recorded electrochemical impedance spectra were fitted with an equivalent circuit to obtain the characteristic impedance parameters. The use of a single equivalent circuit was inadequate to explain the various physical and electrochemical processes occurring at different exposure times. It was suggested that some characteristic element(s) should be incorporated into the equivalent circuit at different stages of the immersion to elucidate the various processes occurring at different exposure times. The evolution of the impedance parameters with the immersion time was studied, and the results showed that POA acted as a protective coating on the mild steel against corrosion in a 3% NaCl solution. From these data, the water uptake and delamination area were determined to further support the corrosion‐protection performance of the POA coating. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Different effects of silane and carboxyled polypropylene on crystal morphology of polypropylene/molecular sieves type 5A composites
Authors: Ma Zhi‐Ling , Guo Hua‐Ying , Jia Wei , Yang Xiao‐Jing
Published: June 2007

The silane KH‐550 and carboxyled polypropylene (EPP) were used as compatibilizers in this study. The effect of them on crystalline morphology of polypropylene/molecular sieves type 5A (PP/5A) composites was investigated. IR illustrated that 5A interacts with EPP by forming molecule interaction or hydrogen bonds, but interacts with silane by covalent bonds. Polarized optical microscopy (POM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that a suitable amount of silane can promote β‐crystal formation in PP, and the average size of spherulites in the PP/5A/silane is smaller than that of PP. EPP interacts with 5A by molecule interaction and cocrystallizes with PP, leading to the crystal morphology of PP/5A/EPP resembles to that of pure PP. Significant difference was detected in the effect of the two compatibilizers, which attributed to the different compatibility mechanisms. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Polytherapy with hERG‐blocking antiepileptic drugs: Increased risk for embryonic cardiac arrhythmia and teratogenicity
Authors: Danielsson Christian , Azarbayjani Faranak , Sköld Anna‐Carin , Sjögren Niklas , Danielsson Bengt R.
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: The antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) phenytoin, phenobarbital, dimethadione, and carbamazepine cause a similar pattern of malformations in humans, with an increased risk after polytherapy. The teratogenicity has been linked to cardiac rhythm disturbances and hypoxic damage as a consequence of their common potential to inhibit a specific potassium ion current (IKr). The IKr is of major importance for embryonic cardiac repolarization and rhythm regulation. This study investigated whether these AEDs cause irregular rhythm and if various combinations of AEDs result in higher arrhythmia risk than exposure to a single AED. METHODS: The effects on heart rhythm of a single AED (monotherapy), and of various combinations (polytherapy) of AEDs, in gestational day 10 C57BL mouse embryos in culture were analyzed and graphically illustrated during a 25 s recording with a digitalization technique. RESULTS: All of the studied AEDs caused increased intervals between heartbeats (resulting in bradycardia) and large variations in the interval between heartbeats (resulting in irregular rhythm) in a concentration‐dependent manner in cultured mouse embryos. Dimethadione caused irregular rhythm at concentrations within and phenytoin slightly above the therapeutic ranges. Polytherapy resulted in more substantial prolongation of the mean interval between heartbeats (>60 ms) than monotherapy at clinically relevant concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that polytherapy more than monotherapy causes substantial prolongation of the cardiac repolarization, a marker associated with high risk of developing irregular rhythm during longer exposure periods (days to months). This supports the idea that the increased risk for malformations following polytherapy is linked to an increased risk for cardiac rhythm disturbances. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cerebral palsy due to nonlethal maternal carbon monoxide intoxication
Authors: Alehan Füsun , Erol Ilknur , Onay Özge Sürmeli
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in pregnancy is a relatively rare occurrence, but it can result in fetal mortality and neurologic complications in fetuses who survive to term. CASE: We describe the course of an infant who was acutely exposed to CO at 20 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that despite maternal well‐being, CO intoxication at critical periods of human brain development can lead to hypoxic‐ischemic lesions in the globus pallidus and that dystonic cerebral palsy may develop in the infant during long‐term follow‐up. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Single median maxillary central incisor: New data and mutation review
Authors: El‐Jaick Kênia B. , Fonseca Renata F. , Moreira Miguel A. , Ribeiro Márcia G. , Bolognese Ana M. , Dias Sânia O. , Pereira Eliane T. , Castilla Eduardo E. , Orioli Iêda M.
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: Single median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) is a rare anomaly that may occur alone or associated with other conditions, frequently as part of the holoprosencephaly (HPE) spectrum. However, it has been suggested that SMMCI alone, or associated with some midline defects, may be considered a different entity from HPE (OMIM: 147250). Families with SMMCI, without HPE cases, are difficult to counsel for the risk of HPE in future generations because the same midline defects described as part of the “SMMCI syndrome” can also be part of the HPE spectrum. METHODS: We screened five cases of SMMCI for mutations in three HPE genes, SHH, TGIF, and SIX3. RESULTS: A missense mutation c.686C>T was found in the gene SIX3 of one patient, which did not differ from the accepted 20% of known HPE gene mutations among all HPE cases. Our results and an extensive literature review of gene mutations in patients with SMMCI showed that 27/28 of them were in HPE genes: SHH (n = 21), SIX3 (n = 3), TGIF (n = 1), GLI2 (n = 1), and PTCH (n = 1), and only one in the SALL4 gene. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical findings in patients with SMMCI without HPE in families with mutations in HPE genes cannot be distinguished from the findings reported in the SMMCI syndrome. Therefore, persons with SMMCI and their relatives should be carefully investigated for related midline disorders, especially of the HPE spectrum, and all known HPE genes screened. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alkaloid production in Vernonia cinerea: Callus, cell suspension and root cultures
Authors: Maheshwari Priti , Songara Bharti , Kumar Shailesh , Jain Prachi , Srivastava Kamini , Kumar Anil
Published: June 2007

Fast‐growing callus, cell suspension and root cultures of Vernonia cinerea, a medicinal plant, were analyzed for the presence of alkaloids. Callus and root cultures were established from young leaf explants in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media supplemented with combinations of auxins and cytokinins, whereas cell suspension cultures were established from callus cultures. Maximum biomass of callus, cell suspension and root cultures were obtained in the medium supplemented with 1 mg/L α‐naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 5 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BA), 1.0 mg/L NAA and 0.1 mg/L BA and 1.5 mg/L NAA, respectively. The 5‐week‐old callus cultures resulted in maximum biomass and alkaloid contents (750 μg/g). Cell suspension growth and alkaloid contents were maximal in 20‐day‐old cultures and alkaloid contents were 1.15 mg/g. A 0.2‐g sample of root tissue regenerated in semi‐solid medium upon transfer to liquid MS medium containing 1.5 mg/L NAA regenerated a maximum increase in biomass of 6.3‐fold over a period of 5 weeks. The highest root growth and alkaloid contents of 2 mg/g dry weight were obtained in 5‐week‐old cultures. Maximum alkaloid contents were obtained in root cultures in vitro compared to all others including the alkaloid content of in vivo obtained with aerial parts and roots (800 μg/g and 1.2 mg/g dry weight, respectively) of V. cinerea.
Bio‐electrosprays: The development of a promising tool for regenerative and therapeutic medicine
Authors: Jayasinghe S. N.
Published: June 2007

Regenerative and therapeutic medicine are two fields of research to which engineering sciences are increasingly contributing. One such case in which physical sciences have been greatly involved is in the generation of tissues by directly processing living cells. In this article we focus on the current status of cell or tissue engineering approaches by way of jets, particularly focusing on bio‐electrosprays.
Biotechnological studies in the Far‐Eastern Region of Russia
Authors: Stonik Valentin A. , Mikhailov Valery V. , Bulgakov Victor P. , Zhuravlev Yuri N.
Published: June 2007

Achievements and problems in both the studies on natural bioactive compounds from the Far‐Eastern higher plants and marine invertebrates and development of the corresponding biotechnologies concerning new drugs and food supplements, as well as pharmaceutical leads are discussed. Special emphasis is made on recent results from the Far‐eastern Institutions belonging to the Russian Academy of Sciences, and their application in both medicine and the food industry, as well as on peculiarities of biological and chemical diversity in the North‐Western part of Asia and adjoining seas.
Chemically enhanced liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry determination of glutamic acid in the diffusion medium of retinal cells
Authors: Timperio Anna Maria , Fagioni Marco , Grandinetti Felice , Zolla Lello
Published: June 2007

A rapid, reproducible and highly sensitive method, based on liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, was developed for the determination of the excitatory amino acid glutamic acid released in the diffusion medium of control, ischemic and mutant cells from retinas. Signal intensity of glutamic acid was enhanced by dansyl chloride derivatization giving rise to a detection limit in the order of pmol/mL. Further, in HPLC‐ESI‐MS detection an MS‐friendly dansyl group to glutamic acid enhanced both ionization efficiency in the ESI source and collision‐activated dissociation in the collision cell. The sample processing procedure included liquid–liquid extraction, derivatization with dansyl chloride and a final cation‐exchange extraction to generate clean extracts for LC/MS/MS analysis. This approach has been validated as sensitive, linear (20–300 ng/mL), accurate and precise for the differential quantification of glutamic acid in the diffusion medium of retina cells. This is the first report of using chemical derivatization to enhance MS/MS detection of the glutamic acid released in the diffusion medium of wild‐type and mutant retina cells, under ischemic conditions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.