bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Syncretism versus synthesis1
Authors: Pye Michael
Published: January 2010

By first examining the academic, theoretical discourse that takes up the concept of syncretism, and then looking at its application in a Japanese case study, the argument put forward in this paper looks at a) how the usage of the term syncretism in cultural studies has become disconnected from its theoretical framework, b) how syncretism is not synthesis and c) how, within the process of acculturation, syncretism is a necessary theoretical concept that demands academic attention. In order to demonstrate clearly the viability of the concept of syncretism, this article explicates characteristics of syncretistic patterns in a case study. What becomes evident is that the concept of syncretism has emerged as a powerful analytic tool in the study of religions.
Inculturation & the Book of Revelation
Authors: King Fergus
Published: January 2010

For some, couching theology in contemporary (and non-Christian) terms can seem to be a theological method which is novel and dangerous. By examining the book of Revelation, we can see that John (the writer responsible for recording the visions of Revelation) has used elements from pagan and magical language and symbolism to develop his theology. This method does not compromise his message, but rather enhances it. He further shows that it is possible to use very alien elements in the construction of a faithful theology. In his boldness, John anticipates and gives a biblical precendent for the theological message known currently as inculturation.
Beyond Indigenization
Authors: Chung Chai-sik
Published: January 2010

The question of indigenization, contextualization, inculturation--the various ways in which the message of the gospel is clothed in local cultural forms--has been an important issue. The gospel is always culturally conditioned. Yet, the problem of how Christianity can contribute toward the transformation and development of the resources found in local cultures is just as important. This paper attempts to find a way out of the moral directionlessness of Korean society today by reflecting upon the meaning of the transcendent character of Christianity as a force for cultural transformation and integration.
Paneconomism as a Missiological Concern
Authors: Grundmann Christoffer H.
Published: January 2010

"Paneconomism," which the author defines as "the all-encompasing priority given today in all parts of the globe to economic considerations," presents a major challenge to missiology. Because of an all-pervading market perspective, an obsession with financial feasibility and the negative impact of globalization, economic rather than human values seem to be driving political and social decisions. Witness that engages this situation with the vision of the gospel should form the "cutting edge" of missiological reflection and ecclesial practice. The author pleads for a "competent, well-informed contribution by missiologists on economic issues."
Karl Hartenstein
Authors: Schuster Jürgen
Published: January 2010

This article is a study of the life of Karl Hartenstein (1894-1952) and his contribution to world mission. Three contributions of Hartenstein to mission theology are outlined, focusing on Hartenstein's approach to (1) the theology of religions and the missio Dei (missio), (2) ecumenism (unio), and (3) eschatology and suffering (passio). In the first place, Hartenstein's contribution to the theology of religions and the development of the idea of missio Dei was considerable. Regarding the former, his understanding of religions began with Barth's rejection of religion as unbelief, but was later modified to take, like Kraemer, a more dialectical stance in that religion was viewed both as a human attempt at self-salvation and as the human quest for divine salvation. Regarding the latter, Hartenstein coined the term in 1934. The expression shifted the emphasis away from an activist, church-centered understanding of mission to one that saw mission primarily as the action of God. But, unlike later developments of this theology, his understanding of the relationship between the missio Dei and the missio ecclesiae was always one of a close relationship. Second, Hartenstein was a strong supporter of the ecumenical unity of the church. His participation in Amsterdam in 1948 and his efforts to rebuild fellowship with the European churches after World War II must be seen together with the rejection of German nationalism through his strong support of the Confessing Church. Third, for Hartenstein the salvation-historical understanding of biblical theology was the key element for understanding mission. "Mission with a focus on the end" provided not only a correct understanding of mission, motivation for mission, and readiness for suffering; it also clarified the relationship between the missio Dei and the missio ecclesiae.
The Encounter Between the Juche Idea and Christianity
Authors: Cho Eunsik
Published: January 2010

Is it possible to create a scholarly encounter between Christianity and the juche idea of North Korean ideology? This study attempts to create an encounter between them. Even though it is very difficult to initiate dialogue because of the strong anti-Communism in South Korea, to understand the juche idea is the first step toward understanding North Korea, its society and its people. For an eventual effective mission in North Korea, South Koreans should make the effort to analyze the juche idea ideologically and theologically, and compare it with Christianity as found in minjung theology. What will be discovered is that Christianity and the juche idea have different worldviews and methodologies: while Christianity, particularly Reformed theology, has a theocentric view of history, the juche idea has an anthropocentric understanding of history. Reformed theology believes in God's revelation and providence, whereas the juche idea pursues revolutionary practice for liberation. The juche idea, however, has similarities to minjung theology; both the juche idea and minjung theology emphasize that ordinary people are the subjects of history, and so should seek liberation from oppression and exploitation.
Salvation in World Religions
Authors: Wilson H.S.
Published: January 2010

This article is a plea for a sympathetic and empathetic understanding of salvation in the major faith traditions of the world. There is no such thing as Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim or Jewish salvation, H. S. Wilson insists--only human salvation. After discussing the biblical roots of the word "salvation," Wilson reflects on what Christians would call salvation in Judaism, Islam,, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Confucianism and Taoism. Here he finds many similarities to the Christian notion, but also significant differences. Then, in the context of today's changing Christian attitude toward the possibility of salvation in other religious ways, Wilson finds paths toward possible progress in John B. Cobb, Jr.'s challenge of "mutual transformation," in Raimon Panikkar's call for intra-religious dialogue, and in Aloysius Pieris' notion of "enreligionization." The religions of the world will thrive in the future, argues Wilson, only if they grow towards one another and avoid isolation and fundamentalism.
Diversity in the Definition of "Pentecostal/Charismatic" and Its Ecumenical Implications
Authors: Anderson Allan
Published: January 2010

Defining the terms "Pentecostal" and "Charismatic" is a significant issue in the study of global Pentecostalism, but is not easily achieved. A clear sense of identity hinders Pentecostals from being truly ecumenical. Diversity is a primary defining issue for Pentecostal identity, although some self-definitions by Pentecostals attempt to demonstrate "distinctiveness" and create unnecessarily strained relationships with other Christians. An inclusive definition should be adopted in order to avoid both the bigotry of excluding those who do not agree with a particular understanding ofthe Scriptures and the triumphalism ofthose who boast about the growth of their own movement. Global statistics of the strength of Pentecostalism are conditioned by the authors' interpretations of their own categories. Most of the halfbillion people quoted in these statistics are not classical Pentecostals, and are predominantly Africans, Latin Americans and Asians, among whom the greatest expansion of the movement has occurred. Adopting an inclusive definition of "Pentecostal/Charismatic" will maximize the opportunities for ecumenism. Pentecostalism has contributed to nearly as many different divisions as it took the rest of the church a millennium to produce; yet Pentecostalism is both ecumenical and multicultural. If the terms are best understood as referring to those movements with an emphasis on the experience of the power ofthe Holy Spirit with accompanying manifestations of the imminent presence of God, the recognition of the unifying experiences of the Spirit has enormous potential for genuine ecumenical encounters.
Is Lesslie Newbigin's Model of Contextualization Anticultural?
Authors: Goheen Michael W.
Published: January 2010

Newbigin's understanding of contextualization has been criticized as being countercultural, even anticultural. Is this a fair criticism? There are a number of reasons that this critique has been made: Newbigin's theoretical expression of contextualization stresses the judging character of the gospel; at certain points he lacks a well-articulated doctrine of creation; and his missionary experience in India and in Britain led to the emphasis on the antithetical side of the cultural task. However, Newbigin's understanding of contextualization affirms the two sides of the cultural task: solidarity in cultivating creation in cultural development and opposition to the sinful twisting of that development. This is rooted in Christ's relation to the creation as Creator and Redeemer and revealed most clearly in the death and resurrection of Jesus. These two sides of the cultural task are formulated in Newbigin's notions of "missionary encounter" and "challenging relevance." The latter notion is borrowed from Alfred Hogg and is further shaped by Hendrik Kraemer's notion of "subversive fulfillment" and by Willem Visser "t Hooft"s notion of "subversive accommodation." Newbigin's understanding is quite similar also to J. H. Bavinck's notion of "possessio" and Sander Griffioen's concept of "inner reformation." Newbigin utilizes the missionary communication of John's gospel as a model of challenging relevance. An analysis of these varying concepts uncovers an inner connection between affirmation and rejection, solidarity and opposition, development and antithesis in the church's responsibility to its cultural context. Newbigin's model of contextualization is not anticultural; it may be termed "countercultural" if it is recognized that the church's opposition to the distortion of culture that comes from its formative idolatrous core is for the sake of healthy cultural development. The church only takes a countercultural stance as it is engaged in cultural development and for the sake of obedient cultural unfolding.
The Eucharist in African Perspective
Authors: Chukwuma Okoye James
Published: January 2010

In this article, Nigerian James Chukwuma Okoye explores the idea of an inculturated African Eucharist. After a discussion of the possibility of a truly African Eucharist according to Catholic teaching, Okoye outlines several elements that would need to be present in any Eucharist that would claim to be authentically African: it would be a sacrifice that would maintain the "ontological balance" between God and human beings; it would be richly communal in nature; it would function as an access to mystical power; it would have a healing role in the community; it would be a liturgy that would be celebrated in word, song, body movements and dance. Okoye then briefly discusses the Zairean rite of Eucharist as a concrete example of a eucharistic celebration that is rooted both in the Roman Rite as well as in local, African traditions.
Rethinking Missiology in Relation To Indigenous Peoples' Life-Struggle
Authors: Fung JoJo M.
Published: January 2010

In this article, Malaysian Jojo Fung reflects out of his experience of ministry among indigenous peoples in his home country in order to propose several theological principles several models for faithful and effective missionary work. Fung's theological principles are the goodness of creation, the cultural reality of Jesus' ministry, the reality of incarnation, the power of the resurrection, the presence of the Spirit, and the "principle of the sound tree." His models point to mission as a countercultural activity that calls for justice, a triple dialogue with culture, religious traditions and poverty, an attitude of openness to be evangelized by the culture to which one is sent (mission in reverse), and a patient, contemplative silence that witnesses to the integrity of the missionary. "The mission of the church," he says, "is to collaborate with the God who precedes the church since God is already in mission among the indigenous peoples."
"EX AFRICA SEMPER ALIQUID NOVI": Some Random Reflections on Challenges to Christian Mission Arising in Africa in the Twenty-first Century
Authors: Saayman Willem
Published: January 2010

In this article, South African missiologist Willem Saayman outlines and reflects on four issues and challenges which arise from Africa and serve to define missiological thinking today. The first three are "problems": (1) the AIDS crisis and its implications for an African sexual morality; (2) the question of authentic contextualization or inculturation; (3) the scandal of African poverty and the call for justice in an age of globalization. The fourth issue and challenge reflects on the reasons for the growth of the church in sub-Saharan Africa. Saayman cites six reasons for such growth: (1) a holistic understanding of the gospel; (2) joy in evangelizing; (3) a non-apologetic approach to evangelism; (4) the presentation of the gospel as truly good news; (5) the worshiping of a person, not a book; and (6) mission carried out as an action in hope-against-hope. Saayman concludes with a caution about the quality of such rapid church growth. Quoting a line from the late Orlando Costas-"Sometimes, when we think the church is growing, it is actually simply getting fat!"-Saayman warns that the church needs to grow as well in theological depth and the capacity for self-critique.
The Latin American Council of Churches and Missions: an Historical Approach
Authors: Rooy Sidney H.
Published: January 2010

In this article, Sidney H. Rooy chronicles the development of the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI) up to and including its 2001 Assembly in Baranquilla, Colombia. This organization, the author explains, understands the church's mission as rooted in the mission of God as such. Because of this, mission is not only about individual conversion and church-centered concerns, but about witnessing to justice in the world and peace and reconciliation among peoples.
A CALL TO LATERAL MISSION: Mobilizing Religious Authority Against Ethnic Violence
Authors: Bock Joseph G. , McCauley Clark
Published: January 2010

This article argues that local religious leaders and particularly missionaries have an important role to play in preventing ethnic violence and that this role constitutes a new form of mission. The article first describes some of the theories of violence and explains how researchers are increasingly focusing on the role of human interpretation. Second, it reviews the etiology of ethnic riots and emphasizes in this etiology the key role of moral consensus in support of violence. Third, it argues that missionaries and other local religious leaders can be influential in questioning and contradicting rumors that exaggerate the threat posed by an incident that may precipitate ethnic violence by exercising moral authority, being timely in responding by virtue of working at a grassroots level, and by being assertive in standing up to bigotry. Fourth, the article outlines five approaches that religious leaders can use in circumventing the social construction towards risk taking and moral vindication that precedes violence. These approaches are gatekeeping, gatekeeping and nudging, theological dueling, relaying and advocating, and safeguarding. Finally, it raises some questions for future consideration in building lateral mission-a role the authors hope will become central for missionaries in the future. As the authors conclude: "We believe that missionaries have a unique contribution to make in the prevention of deadly violence in divided societies. In particular, missionaries have theological/doctrinal and moral authority, work at a grassroots level, and are outsiders. These traits enable them to intervene during a lull at the local level at which the social construction toward violence is developing."
Missiological Reflections On Celtic Christianity
Authors: Cooper Michael
Published: January 2010

The cultural context of contemporary western culture suggests that people continue to demonstrate strong religious and superstitious beliefs. Many suggest that pre-Christian religions such as Druidry, Asatru and Wicca (although debatable as a pre-Christian religion) are successfully confronting the west European context. With ideals of egalitarianism and environmental responsibility, Paganism criticizes western Christianity for its oppressive nature. While western culture has benefitted from modernization, however, it does not seem all that dissimilar from the religious climate of the Middle Ages. This article suggests that Celtic Christianity between 400-800 might provide an example of a Christianity that related to the culture in an effective manner. From Patrick to the wandering monks of Ireland, Celtic Christianity sought to evangelize a Pagan culture and re-evangelize a one-time "Christianized" western Europe that had been invaded by religious others.
Missions and Conversion Theory
Authors: McKnight Scot
Published: January 2010

In this article, author Scot McKnight offers an adequate (i.e. biblical) and comprehensive (the experience of Christ and the gospel in the history of the church) model of conversion. In constructing this model, McKnight proposes that conversion has six dimensions: context, crisis, quest, encounter, commitment, and consequences-each of which he develops at some length. His aim is to help women and men more deeply understand contemporary stories and experiences of conversion.
MORE THAN WIVES: Helpmeets, Heroines or Partners?
Authors: Ross Catherine Rae
Published: January 2010

This article summarizes and reflects on two women who were missionaries in New Zealand in the nineteenth century. Anne Catherine Wilson was a native of the island of Jersey off the coast of Britain and came to New Zealand with her husband, John Alexander Wilson. Anne died tragically young, probably of breast cancer, in 1838. Elizabeth Colenso, on the other hand, was born of New Zealand missionaries in 1821 and lived until 1904. Married to, and then separated from, William Colenso, Elizabeth ministered for several years in England after seventeen years working in New Zealand. Returning to her homeland, she was asked to work as a missionary on Norfolk Island in Melanesia and served there for twenty-three years. Both women, author Catherine Rae Ross demonstrates clearly, were "more than wives;" they were actors-even heroines-in their own right.
Descriptive distribution and phylogenetic analysis of feline infectious peritonitis virus isolates of Malaysia
Authors: Sharif Saeed , Arshad Siti S , Hair-Bejo Mohd , Omar Abdul R , Zeenathul Nazariah A , Fong Lau S , Rahman Nor-Alimah , Arshad Habibah , Shamsudin Shahirudin , Isa Mohd-Kamarudin A
Published: January 2010

The descriptive distribution and phylogeny of feline coronaviruses (FCoVs) were studied in cats suspected of having feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in Malaysia. Ascitic fluids and/or biopsy samples were subjected to a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeted for a conserved region of 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of the FCoV genome. Eighty nine percent of the sampled animals were positive for the presence of FCoV. Among the FCoV positive cats, 80% of cats were males and 64% were below 2 years of age. The FCoV positive cases included 56% domestic short hair (DSH), 40% Persian, and 4% Siamese cats. The nucleotide sequences of 10 selected amplified products from FIP cases were determined. The sequence comparison revealed that the field isolates had 96% homology with a few point mutations. The extent of homology decreased to 93% when compared with reference strains. The overall branching pattern of phylogenetic tree showed two distinct clusters, where all Malaysian isolates fall into one main genetic cluster. These findings provided the first genetic information of FCoV in Malaysia.
Differential Release of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases by Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells and Ovarian Leukocytes
Authors: Fedorcsák Péter , Poleć Anna , Ráki Melinda , Holm Ruth , Jebsen Peter , Åbyholm Thomas
Published: January 2010

Tissue reorganization during ovulation and corpus luteum formation involves a coordinated action of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue MMP inhibitors (TIMPs). In this study we investigated the cellular source of ovarian MMPs and TIMPs. Cells isolated from the preovulatory human follicle were cultured after immunobead depletion of CD45-expressing cells, which allowed differential assessment of leukocyte and granulosa-lutein cell fractions. Secretion of MMP-9 by follicular fluid-derived cells was associated with the presence of leukocytes. Granulosa-lutein cells synthesized low levels of MMP-9 but failed to secrete this enzyme that presumably accumulated in the cytoplasm, indicated by an increased MMP-9 expression of luteinized cells in sectioned midluteal phase corpora lutea. Synthesis and secretion of TIMP by follicular fluid-derived cells was associated with granulosa-lutein cells. TIMPs derived by granulosa-lutein cells failed to inhibit MMP-related pericellular proteolysis. The findings support a two-cell model of periovulatory MMP/TIMP release, in which leukocytes secrete MMPs and granulosa-lutein cells release TIMP, suggesting that there exists an intriguing interaction among cells that intertwingle during ovulation and corpus luteum formation.
Agile innovation: The role of team climate in rapid research and development
Authors: Pirola‐Merlo A.
Published: January 2010

The impact of team climate on speed of research and development (R&D) project completion was studied in a sample of 33 R&D teams. West's model of team climate for innovation was measured and analysed in relation to project performance ratings, and also in relation to project leaders' estimates of project progress over a 9‐month period. Three of the four climate scales (namely participative safety, support for innovation, and task orientation) were significantly correlated with project performance rated by managers and customers, and two scales (namely support for innovation and vision) correlated with project leaders' ratings of project innovation. Additionally, results of hierarchical linear modelling showed that the climate scales participative safety and task orientation each predicted the rate at which projects moved towards completion. Teams with more positive initial ratings of these climate factors progressed significantly faster towards project completion over subsequent months than teams with poorer climate ratings. The results extend previous research that has linked team climate with levels of team innovation and performance, by showing that climate also predicts rate or speed of innovation.
Drug-Induced Plasticity Contributing to Heightened Relapse Susceptibility: Neurochemical Changes and Augmented Reinstatement in High-Intake Rats
Authors: Madayag Aric , Kau Kristen S. , Lobner Doug , Mantsch John R. , Wisniewski Samantha , Baker David A.
Published: January 2010

A key in understanding the neurobiology of addiction and developing effective pharmacotherapies is revealing drug-induced plasticity that results in heightened relapse susceptibility. Previous studies have demonstrated that increased extracellular glutamate, but not dopamine, in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) is necessary for cocaine-induced reinstatement. In this report, we examined whether drug-induced adaptations that are necessary to generate cocaine-induced reinstatement also determine relapse vulnerability. To do this, rats were assigned to self-administer cocaine under conditions resulting in low (2 h/d; 0.5 mg/kg/infusion, i.v.) or high (6 h/d; 1.0 mg/kg/infusion, i.v.) levels of drug intake since these manipulations produce groups of rats exhibiting differences in the magnitude of cocaine-induced reinstatement. Approximately 19 d after the last session, cocaine-induced drug seeking and extracellular levels of glutamate and dopamine in the NAcc were measured. Contrary to our hypothesis, high-intake rats exhibited a more robust cocaine-induced increase in extracellular levels of dopamine but not glutamate. Further, increased reinstatement in high-intake rats was no longer observed when the D1receptor antagonist SCH-23390 was infused into the NAcc. The sensitized dopamine response to cocaine in high-intake rats may involve blunted cystine–glutamate exchange by system xc−. Reduced14C-cystine uptake through system xc−was evident in NAcc tissue slices obtained from high-intake rats, and the augmented dopamine response in these rats was no longer observed when subjects received the cysteine prodrugN-acetyl cysteine. These data reveal a role for drug-induced NAcc dopamine in heightened relapse vulnerability observed in rats with a history of high levels of drug intake.
Adult NG2+ Cells Are Permissive to Neurite Outgrowth and Stabilize Sensory Axons during Macrophage-Induced Axonal Dieback after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Busch Sarah A. , Horn Kevin P. , Cuascut Fernando X. , Hawthorne Alicia L. , Bai Lianhua , Miller Robert H. , Silver Jerry
Published: January 2010

We previously demonstrated that activated ED1+ macrophages induce extensive axonal dieback of dystrophic sensory axonsin vivoandin vitro. Interestingly, after spinal cord injury, the regenerating front of axons is typically found in areas rich in ED1+ cells, but devoid of reactive astrocyte processes. These observations suggested that another cell type must be present in these areas to counteract deleterious effects of macrophages. Cells expressing the purportedly inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan NG2 proliferate in the lesion and intermingle with macrophages, but their influence on regeneration is highly controversial. Ourin vivoanalysis of dorsal column crush lesions confirms the close association between NG2+ cells and injured axons. We hypothesized that NG2+ cells were growth promoting and thereby served to increase axonal stability following spinal cord injury. We observed that the interactions between dystrophic adult sensory neurons and primary NG2+ cells derived from the adult spinal cord can indeed stabilize the dystrophic growth cone during macrophage attack. NG2+ cells expressed high levels of laminin and fibronectin, which promote neurite outgrowth on the surface of these cells. Our data also demonstrate that NG2+ cells, but not astrocytes, use matrix metalloproteases to extend across a region of inhibitory proteoglycan, and provide a permissive bridge for adult sensory axons. These data support the hypothesis that NG2+ cells are not inhibitory to regenerating sensory axons and, in fact, they may provide a favorable substrate that can stabilize the regenerating front of dystrophic axons in the inhibitory environment of the glial scar.
The Dorsomedial Pathway Is Not Just for Reaching: Grasping Neurons in the Medial Parieto-Occipital Cortex of the Macaque Monkey
Authors: Fattori Patrizia , Raos Vassilis , Breveglieri Rossella , Bosco Annalisa , Marzocchi Nicoletta , Galletti Claudio
Published: January 2010

Brain control of prehension is thought to rely on two specific brain circuits: a dorsomedial one (involving the areas of the superior parietal lobule and the dorsal premotor cortex) involved in the transport of the hand toward the object and a dorsolateral one (involving the inferior parietal lobule and the ventral premotor cortex) dealing with the preshaping of the hand according to the features of the object. The present study aimed at testing whether a pivotal component of the dorsomedial pathway (area V6A) is involved also in hand preshaping and grip formation to grasp objects of different shapes.

Two macaque monkeys were trained to reach and grasp different objects. For each object, animals used a different grip: whole-hand prehension, finger prehension, hook grip, primitive precision grip, and advanced precision grip. Almost half of 235 neurons recorded from V6A displayed selectivity for a grip or a group of grips. Several experimental controls were used to ensure that neural modulation was attributable to grip only.

These findings, in concert with previous studies demonstrating that V6A neurons are modulated by reach direction and wrist orientation, that lesion of V6A evokes reaching and grasping deficits, and that dorsal premotor cortex contains both reaching and grasping neurons, indicate that the dorsomedial parieto-frontal circuit may play a central role in all phases of reach-to-grasp action. Our data suggest new directions for the modeling of prehension movements and testable predictions for new brain imaging and neuropsychological experiments.
Prefrontal-Related Functional Connectivities within the Default Network Are Modulated by COMTval158metin Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Liu Bing , Song Ming , Li Jun , Liu Yong , Li Kuncheng , Yu Chunshui , Jiang Tianzi
Published: January 2010

Previous studies have supported the concept that the default network is an intrinsic brain system that participates in internal modes of cognition. Neural activity and connectivity within the default network, which are correlated with cognitive ability even at rest, may be plausible intermediate phenotypes that will enable us to understand the genetic mechanisms of individuals' cognitive function or the risk for genetic brain diseases. Using resting functional magnetic resonance imaging and imaging genetic paradigms, we investigated whether individual default network connectivity was modulated by COMTval158metin 57 healthy young subjects. Compared with COMT heterozygous individuals, homozygousvalindividuals showed significantly decreased prefrontal-related connectivities, which primarily occurred between prefrontal regions and the posterior cingulate/restrosplenial cortices. Further analyses of the topological characteristics of the default network showed homozygousvalindividuals had significantly fewer node degrees in the prefrontal regions. This finding may partially elucidate previous reports that the COMTvalvariant is associated with inefficient prefrontal information processing and poor cognitive performance. Our findings suggest that default network connectivity that involves the prefrontal cortex is modulated by COMTval158metthrough differential effects on prefrontal dopamine levels.
Continuous Electroencephalographic Monitoring with Radio-Telemetry in a Rat Model of Perinatal Hypoxia–Ischemia Reveals Progressive Post-Stroke Epilepsy
Authors: Kadam Shilpa D. , White Andrew M. , Staley Kevin J. , Dudek F. Edward
Published: January 2010

The development of acquired epilepsy after a perinatal hypoxic–ischemic (HI) insult was investigated in rats. After unilateral carotid ligation with hypoxia on postnatal day 7, cortical electroencephalographic and behavioral seizures were recorded with continuous radio-telemetry and video. Chronic recordings were obtained between 2 and 12 months of age in freely behaving HI-treated and sham control rats. The hypotheses were that the acquired epilepsy is directly associated with an ischemic infarct (i.e., no lesion, no epilepsy), and the resultant epilepsy is temporally progressive. Every HI-treated rat with a cerebral infarct developed spontaneous epileptiform discharges and recurrent seizures (100%); in contrast, no spontaneous epileptiform discharges or seizures were detected with continuous monitoring in the HI-treated rats without infarcts. The initial seizures at 2 months generally showed focal onset and were nonconvulsive. Subsequent seizures had focal onsets that propagated to the homotopic contralateral cortex and were nonconvulsive or partial; later seizures often appeared to have bilateral onset and were convulsive. Spontaneous epileptiform discharges were initially lateralized to ipsilateral neocortex but became bilateral over time. The severity and frequency of the spontaneous behavioral and electrographic seizures progressively increased over time. In every epileptic rat, seizures occurred in distinct clusters with seizure-free periods as long as a few weeks. The progressive increase in seizure frequency over time was associated with increases in cluster frequency and seizures within each cluster. Thus, prolonged, continuous seizure monitoring directly demonstrated that the acquired epilepsy after perinatal HI was progressive with seizure clusters and was consistently associated with a cerebral infarct.
Competition in Visual Cortex Impedes Attention to Multiple Items
Authors: Scalf Paige E. , Beck Diane M.
Published: January 2010

Traditional explanations of our limited attentional capacity focus on our ability to direct attention to multiple items. We ask whether this difficulty in simultaneously attending to multiple items stems from an inability to effectively represent multiple attended items. Although attending to one of a set of neighboring stimuli can isolate it from competitive interactions in visual cortex, no such isolation should occur if multiple competing items are attended. Indeed, we find that attention is ineffective at enhancing blood oxygen level-dependent signal in visual cortical area V4 when it is directed to three stimuli simultaneously, but only when those three stimuli compete in visual cortex. This suggests that competition may prevent attention from acting as effectively on representations of multiple items as it does on representations of a single item. In contrast to traditional explanations that posit limits in the sources of attentional control, we show that mechanisms at the sites of stimulus representation may also impose limits on our ability to attend to multiple items simultaneously.
ColQ Controls Postsynaptic Differentiation at the Neuromuscular Junction
Authors: Sigoillot Séverine M. , Bourgeois Francine , Lambergeon Monique , Strochlic Laure , Legay Claire
Published: January 2010

CollagenQ (ColQ) plays an important structural role at vertebrate neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) by anchoring and accumulating acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Moreover, ColQ interacts with perlecan/dystroglycan and the muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK), key molecules in the NMJ formation. MuSK promotes acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering in a process mediated by rapsyn, a cytoplasmic protein that stimulates AChR packing in clusters and regulates synaptic gene transcription. Here, we investigated a regulatory role for ColQ by comparing the clustering and expression of synaptic proteins in wild type and ColQ-deficient muscle cells in culture and at NMJ. We show first that AChR clusters are smaller and more densely packed in the absence of ColQ bothin vitroandin vivo. Second, we find that like AChRs and rapsyn, MuSK mRNA levels are increased in cultured cells but not in muscles lacking ColQ. However, membrane-bound MuSK is decreased bothin vitroandin vivosuggesting that ColQ controls MuSK sorting or stabilization in the muscle membrane. In line with this, our data show that activation of the MuSK signaling pathway is altered in the absence of ColQ leading to (1) perturbation of AChR clustering and/or β-AChR subunit phosphorylation and (2) modifications of AChR mRNA level due to the lack of ColQ-MuSK interaction. Together, our results demonstrate that ColQ, in addition to its structural role, has important regulatory functions at the synapse by controlling AChR clustering and synaptic gene expression through its interaction with MuSK.
Normal Hearing Is Required for the Emergence of Long-Lasting Inhibitory Potentiation in Cortex
Authors: Xu Han , Kotak Vibhakar C. , Sanes Dan H.
Published: January 2010

Long-term synaptic plasticity is a putative mechanism for learning in adults. However, there is little understanding of how synaptic plasticity mechanisms develop or whether their maturation depends on experience. Since inhibitory synapses are particularly malleable to sensory stimulation, long-lasting potentiation of inhibitory synapses was characterized in auditory thalamocortical slices. Intracortical high-frequency electrical stimulation led to a 67% increase in inhibitory synaptic currents. In the absence of stimulation, inhibitory potentiation was induced by a brief exposure to exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF exposure occluded any additional potentiation by high-frequency afferent stimulation, suggesting that BDNF signaling is sufficient to account for inhibitory potentiation. Moreover, inhibitory potentiation was reduced significantly by extracellular application of a BDNF scavenger or by intracellular blockade of BDNF receptor [tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB)] signaling. In contrast, glutamatergic or GABAergic antagonists did not prevent the induction of inhibitory potentiation. Since BDNF and TrkB expression are influenced strongly by activity, we predicted that inhibitory potentiation would be diminished by manipulations that decrease central auditory activity, such as hearing loss. Two forms of hearing loss were examined: conductive hearing loss in which the cochleae are not damaged or sensorineural hearing loss in which both cochleae are removed. Both forms of hearing loss were found to reduce significantly the magnitude of inhibitory potentiation. These data indicate that early experience is necessary for the normal development of BDNF-mediated long-lasting inhibitory potentiation, which may be associated with perceptual deficits at later ages.
Multivariate Discrimination and Description of a New Species ofTapinomafrom the Western United States
Authors: Hamm Christopher A
Published: January 2010

The ant Tapinoma sessile (Say) 1836 is one of the most widely distributed ants in North America; yet, it has received very little attention from biologists apart from its ability to infest houses. The original species description does not adequately account for the phenotypic variation present in this species of typically darkly concolored ant. In California, a bicolored morph was discovered that superficially resembles T. sessile; hence, its species status was questioned. Comparative morphometric analysis indicates that the bicolored ants are consistently distinguishable across a range of characters, and allometric techniques conclusively demonstrate that these two morphs are divergent. Based on the analysis of morphological data it was concluded that the bicolored ant is not T. sessile and is described as a new species, Tapinoma schreiberi. A neotype of T. sessile also is designated in this article, and measurement data are presented to assist taxonomists and delimit the morphological boundaries of T. sessile.
Molecular Evidence Suggests That Populations of the Asian Citrus Psyllid Parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from Texas, Florida, and Mexico Represent a Single Species
Authors: de León Jesse H , Sétamou Mamoudou
Published: January 2010

We genetically characterized Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) populations from Texas, Florida, and Mexico and the sister taxon Tamarixia triozae (Burks) by two molecular methods. T. radiata is an ectoparasitoid of Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), nymphs. The populations were submitted to intersimple sequence repeat-polymerase chain reaction DNA fingerprinting with two primers. No fixed banding pattern differences were uncovered among the populations of T. radiata with either primer, whereas different patterns were observed in T. triozae, suggesting that there is no genetic differentiation among the populations. Support for these results was obtained by sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region one and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI) gene. In both genes, the intrapopulational variation range (percentage divergence, %D) fell within the interpopulational variation range. The %D at the COI gene between T. radiata and T. triozae was 9.0–10.3%. However, haplotype structure was uncovered among the populations. No haplotypes were shared between Florida and Texas/Mexico, whereas sharing was observed between Texas and Mexico. Two population-specific nucleotides were identified that allowed the discrimination of the Florida and Texas/ Mexico individuals. A neighbor-joining and a parsimonious tree clustered the populations into two distinct clades. The Florida population clustered into one clade, whereas the Texas/Mexico populations clustered into another clade. The COI phylogeographic analysis suggests that the population of T. radiata in Texas did not come from Florida. The data also suggest that the population in Texas came from Mexico, or vice versa, because the Mexico population showed less haplotype diversity.
Examinations of Female Pheromone use in Two Praying Mantids,Stagmomantis limbataandTenodera Aridifolia Sinensis(Mantodea: Mantidae)
Authors: Maxwell Michael R , Barry Katherine L , Johns Philip M
Published: January 2010

Female pheromones were examined in two species of praying mantids: Stagmomantis limbata Hahn and the Chinese mantid, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis Saussure. As in other mantids, females of both of these species are poor flyers or flightless, whereas males are flight-capable. Yet, they differ in ecology and biogeography, with the study population of S. limbata (native to Nearctic region) occurring at low density in desert habitat, and the study population of T. aridifolia sinensis (native to Indomalaya region) occurring at high density in humid woodlands. For both species, we designed field experiments to allow for the attraction of males via chemical signals while controlling for visual cues. Both species show evidence of female-emitted pheromones. In S. limbata, females in covered field cages attracted males, whereas large insects (cockroaches) in covered cages and covered empty cages failed to attract any males. In a second experiment with S. limbata, males were preferentially attracted to well-fed females over poorly-fed females, suggesting that pheromone emission is an “honest” signal of female receptivity in this species. Male arrivals in S. limbata were significantly clustered in the first few hours after sunrise. In T. aridifolia sinensis, covered females (female chemical cues) attracted more males than paired covered controls (empty), and attracted more males than uncovered conspecific males (male chemical and visual cues). Females in uncovered cages (female chemical and visual cues) attracted more males than covered females and more than uncovered controls (empty). This last result highlights the dual importance of chemical and visual information in mantid mating behavior. Female-emitted pheromones are certainly important in long-distance attraction in mantids, whereas visual cues and signals become important at shorter range.
A Study of Direct Hydration of Dihydromyrcene to Dihydromyrcenol Using Cation Exchange Resins as Catalyst
Authors: Liu Yong , Zhou Zheng , Yang Gaodong , Wu Youting , Zhang Zhibing
Published: January 2010

A study of direct hydration of dihydromyrcene (DHM) with H2O to produce dihydromyrcenol (DHMOH) has been carried out using cation exchange resins as catalysts in a batch stirred-tank reactor. The effect of different parameters such as agitating speed, catalyst type, catalyst loading, molar ratio of the reactants and solvent, temperature and solvent on the conversion of DHM were investigated to obtain the optimal conditions of the reaction. The kinetics of hydration process was studied in the temperature range from 333.15 K to 353.15 K. A pseudo-homogeneous kinetics model was used to explain the reaction rate and the reaction rate constants and the reaction activation energy were determined.
Money Laundering in a Microfounded Dynamic Model: Simulations for the U.S. and the EU-15 Economies
Authors: Bagella Michele , Busato Francesco , Argentiero Amedeo
Published: January 2010

This paper explores the ability of a class of two-sector dynamic general equilibrium models to generate equilibrium time series for Money Laundering (ML), through numerical simulations in accordance with the works of Ingram, Kocherlakota and Savin (1997), Busato, Chiarini and Di Maro (2006), and Argentiero, Bagella and Busato (2008). The paper adopts this approach for the US and the EU-15 economies. The simulations show that ML accounts for 19 percent of GDP in the EU-15 economy, while it accounts for 13 percent in the US economy over the sample 2000:01-2007:04. Moreover, the ML simulated for the EU-15 is less volatile (relative standard deviation to GDP is 0.288 compared to a figure of almost 0.4 for the US economy), and negatively correlated with respect to GDP. The latter statistic is positive for the US economy.
How to Dodge Drowning in Data? Rule- and Risk-Based Anti Money Laundering Policies Compared
Authors: Unger Brigitte , van Waarden Frans
Published: January 2010

In the past decade, anti-money laundering policy has switched both in the US and in Europe from a rule- to a risk-based reporting system in order to avoid over-reporting by the private sector. However, reporting instead increased in most countries, while the quality of information decreased. Governments were drowned in data because private agents feared sanctions for not reporting. However, unlike in other countries, this “crying wolf problem” (Takats, 2007) did not happen in the Netherlands, where the number of reports diminished, but information quality improved. The reasons for this can be found in differences in legal institutions and legal culture, notably the contrast between US adversarial legalism and Dutch cooperative informalism. The established legal systems also provide for resistance to change. Thus, lowering sanctions in order to reduce over-reporting may not be a realistic option in a legal system which traditionally uses deterrence by fierce criminal and private legal sanctions. Furthermore, a risk-based approach may not be sustainable in the long run, as litigation may eventually replace a risk-based approach again by a rule-based one, now with precise rules set by the courts.
CFD Simulation of Hydraulics of Sieve Trays with Gas Mal-Distribution
Authors: Rahimi Mahmood Reza , Karimi Hajir
Published: January 2010

A transient three-dimensional, two-fluid computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed in the Eulerian framework to predict the hydraulics of sieve trays, especially with gas maldistribution. For this purpose, an algorithm is developed to explain the hole-gas velocity and pressure drop terms along the liquid flow path length. An important modification to the previous CFD works is the use of variable, position dependent, gas superficial velocity for calculation of interphase drag term along the tray. The flow path length of tray was divided into a number of sections; gas-superficial velocity, hydraulic parameters and drag coefficient were obtained for each section. This modification has an important effect on the simulation results and causes faster convergence and better predictions of tray hydraulics. The results are in good agreement with experimental data. Model results obtained in this study have revealed that the effect of hydraulic gradient is significant for high liquid path length and may create non-uniform gas flow. This paper describes how the inlet flow maldistributions can be included in CFD simulation of sieve trays. The results of simulations with non-uniform gas velocity distributions are presented, and compared against experimental data from literature. The results are in good agreement with experimental data.