bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The metabolic syndrome: in need of a global mission statement
Authors: Cameron A. J. , Zimmet P. Z. , Shaw J. E. , Alberti K. G. M. M.
Published: January 2009

Aims  The value of clinical definitions of the metabolic syndrome has been questioned, with confusion surrounding their intended use and purpose. Our aim was to construct a mission statement that outlines the value of the metabolic syndrome in clinical and public health settings.

Methods  Case studies have been used to demonstrate three key points.

Results  We argue here for recognition of obesity as being a crucial element within the metabolic syndrome but perhaps even more important before its development. We also contend that the concept does indeed have a role as a risk prediction tool, and that it could provide a useful metric for the scale and progress of the looming global epidemic of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Conclusions  Through appreciation of its purpose, and recognition of both its limitations and those attributes that make it unique and valuable, we believe we have demonstrated here that the metabolic syndrome deserves its place in the global toolbox of diabetes and CVD prevention.
A case study of the development of WebPA: An online peer‐moderated marking tool
Authors: Loddington Steve , Pond Keith , Wilkinson Nicola , Willmot Peter
Published: January 2009

Peer moderation of group work in higher education is rapidly advancing through the use of technological developments and is increasingly being informed by pedagogical research. The highly successful WebPA online assessment system has gone through a number of development phases over its 15‐year history and has now evolved into a relatively mature and flexible tool for facilitating group work. This paper presents a case study of the approaches that have been used in the system's development from the technical perspective, and describes how the scope of the project has massively expanded and that the development has been continually backed by a sound and wide‐ranging pedagogy. The benefits of using the online system are shown to be underpinned throughout by examples of good practice in the supervision of academic group work. A critical evaluation of the tool and surrounding pedagogical practices highlight future areas for technical expansion.
Students' evaluation of the use of online summative assessment on an undergraduate financial accounting module
Authors: Marriott Pru
Published: January 2009

According to the Quality Assurance Agency, ‘Assessment describes any processes that appraise an individual's knowledge, understanding, abilities or skills’, and is inextricably linked to a course or programme's intended learning outcomes. It also has a fundamental effect on students' learning where it serves a variety of purposes including evaluation, feedback and motivation. Assessment also provides a performance indicator for both students and staff. E‐assessment offers opportunities for creating innovative assessment practices that help engage students and increase their motivation for learning. The paper reports the findings of a qualitative study undertaken in the academic years 2006–07 and 2007–08 where a series of online summative assessments were introduced into a 1st‐year financial accounting course. Feedback from students obtained from an evaluative survey and focus group interviews indicates that assessment played a significant role in the teaching/learning process. That is, students perceived a beneficial impact on learning, motivation and engagement.
Diagnostic online assessment of basic IT skills in 1st‐year undergraduates in the Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford
Authors: Sieber Vivien
Published: January 2009

Attitude, experience and competence (broadly covered by the European Computer Driving Licence syllabus) in information technology (IT) were assessed in 846 1st‐year Medical Sciences Division undergraduates (2003–06) at the start of their first term. Online assessments delivered during induction workshops were presented as an opportunity for self‐evaluation and to provide performance‐related recommendations for training. Results were consistent over 4 years. There was no difference in attitude between years or programme of study and the majority selected ‘competent to use a range of applications’. Nor were there any differences in competence between all students in any year; however, male Medical Science students performed significantly better than females (2006). Students with a recognised IT qualification also did significantly better than those without. There was a discrepancy between measured skill and individual self‐evaluation of competence; in particular, weaker students overestimated their competence. In all years, some students showed a fundamental lack of understanding of basic IT skills. Introducing online diagnostic testing raised the profile of the importance of IT skills to both academic staff and students.
Reconstructing 3D Shape, Albedo and Illumination from a Single Face Image
Authors: Wang S. F. , Lai S. H.
Published: January 2009

The morphable model has been employed to efficiently describe 3D face shape and the associated albedo with a reduced set of basis vectors. The spherical harmonics (SH) model provides a compact basis to well approximate the image appearance of a Lambertian object under different illumination conditions. Recently, the SH and morphable models have been integrated for 3D face shape reconstruction. However, the reconstructed 3D shape is either inconsistent with the SH bases or obtained just from landmarks only. In this work, we propose a geometrically consistent algorithm to reconstruct the 3D face shape and the associated albedo from a single face image iteratively by combining the morphable model and the SH model. The reconstructed 3D face geometry can uniquely determine the SH bases, therefore the optimal 3D face model can be obtained by minimizing the error between the input face image and a linear combination of the associated SH bases. In this way, we are able to preserve the consistency between the 3D geometry and the SH model, thus refining the 3D shape reconstruction recursively. Furthermore, we present a novel approach to recover the illumination condition from the estimated weighting vector for the SH bases in a constrained optimization formulation independent of the 3D geometry. Experimental results show the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed face reconstruction and illumination estimation algorithm under different face poses and multiple‐light‐source illumination conditions.
View and Time Interpolation in Image Space
Authors: Stich Timo , Linz Christian , Albuquerque Georgia , Magnor Marcus
Published: January 2009

The ability to interpolate between images taken at different time and viewpoints directly in image space opens up new possiblities. The goal of our work is to create plausible in‐between images in real time without the need for an intermediate 3D reconstruction. This enables us to also interpolate between images recorded with uncalibrated and unsynchronized cameras. In our approach we use a novel discontiniuity preserving image deformation model to robustly estimate dense correspondences based on local homographies. Once correspondences have been computed we are able to render plausible in‐between images in real time while properly handling occlusions. We discuss the relation of our approach to human motion perception and other image interpolation techniques.
A Biorthogonal Wavelet Approach based on Dual Subdivision
Authors: Zhang Hui , Qin Guiming , Qin Kaihuai , Sun Hanqiu
Published: January 2009

In this paper a biorthogonal wavelet approach based on Doo‐Sabin subdivision is presented. In the dual subdivision like Doo‐Sabin scheme, all the old control vertices disappear after one subdivision step, which is a big challenge to the biorthogonal wavelet construction. In our approach, the barycenters of the V‐faces corresponding to the old vertices are selected as the vertices associated with the scaling functions to construct the scaling space. The lifting scheme is used to guarantee the fitting quality of the wavelet transform, and a local orthogonalization is introduced with a discrete inner product operation to improve the computation efficiency. Sharp feature modeling based on extended Doo‐Sabin subdivision rules is also discussed in the framework of our wavelet construction. The presented wavelet construction is proven to be stable and effective by the experimental results.
Patch‐type Segmentation of Voxel Shapes using Simplified Surface Skeletons
Authors: Reniers Dennie , Telea Alexandru
Published: January 2009

We present a new method for decomposing a 3D voxel shape into disjoint segments using the shape's simplified surface‐skeleton. The surface skeleton of a shape consists of 2D manifolds inside its volume. Each skeleton point has a maximally inscribed ball that touches the boundary in at least two contact points. A key observation is that the boundaries of the simplified fore‐ and background skeletons map one‐to‐one to increasingly fuzzy, soft convex, respectively concave, edges of the shape. Using this property, we build a method for segmentation of 3D shapes which has several desirable properties. Our method segments both noisy shapes and shapes with soft edges which vanish over low‐curvature regions. Multiscale segmentations can be obtained by varying the simplification level of the skeleton. We present a voxel‐based implementation of our approach and illustrate it on several realistic examples.
Online Personalised Non‐photorealistic Rendering Technique for 3D Geometry from Incremental Sketching
Authors: Ku Daychyi , Qin Shengfeng , Wright David K. , Ma Cuixia
Published: January 2009

This paper presents an online personalised non‐photorealistic rendering (NPR) technique for 3D models generated from interactively sketched input. This technique has been integrated into a sketch‐based modelling system. It lets users interact with computers by drawing naturally, without specifying the number, order, or direction of strokes. After sketches are interpreted as 3D objects, they can be rendered with personalised drawing styles so that the reconstructed 3D model can be presented in a sketchy style similar in appearance to what have been drawn for the 3D model. This technique captures the user's drawing style without using template or prior knowledge of the sketching style. The personalised rendering style can be applied to both visible and initially invisible geometry. The rendering strokes are intelligently selected from the input sketches and mapped to edges of the 3D object. In addition, non‐geometric information such as surface textures can be added to the recognised object in different sketching modes. This will integrate sketch‐based incremental 3D modelling and NPR into conceptual design.
A Prism‐Free Method for Silhouette Rendering in Inverse Displacement Mapping
Authors: Chen Ying‐Chieh , Chang Chun‐Fa
Published: January 2009

Silhouette is a key feature that distinguishes displacement mapping from normal mapping. However the silhouette rendering in the GPU implementation of displacement mapping (which is often called inversed displacement mapping) is tricky. Previous approaches rely mostly on construction of additional extruding prism‐like geometry, which slows down the rendering significantly. In this paper, we proposed a method for solving the silhouette rendering problem in inverse displace mapping without using any extruding prism‐like geometry. At each step of intersection finding, we continuously bends the viewing ray according to the current local tangent space associated with the surface. Thus, it allows mapping a displacement map onto an arbitrary curved surface with more accurate silhouette. While our method is simple, it offers surprisingly good results over Curved Relief Map (CRM) [OP05] in many difficult or degenerated cases.
Real‐Time Depth‐of‐Field Rendering Using Point Splatting on Per‐Pixel Layers
Authors: Lee Sungkil , Kim Gerard Jounghyun , Choi Seungmoon
Published: January 2009

We present a real‐time method for rendering a depth‐of‐field effect based on the per‐pixel layered splatting where source pixels are scattered on one of the three layers of a destination pixel. In addition, the missing information behind foreground objects is filled with an additional image of the areas occluded by nearer objects. The method creates high‐quality depth‐of‐field results even in the presence of partial occlusion, without major artifacts often present in the previous real‐time methods. The method can also be applied to simulating defocused highlights. The entire framework is accelerated by GPU, enabling real‐time post‐processing for both off‐line and interactive applications.
Caustic Forecasting: Unbiased Estimation of Caustic Lighting for Global Illumination
Authors: Budge B. C. , Anderson J. C. , Joy K. I.
Published: January 2009

We present an unbiased method for generating caustic lighting using importance sampled Path Tracing with Caustic Forecasting. Our technique is part of a straightforward rendering scheme which extends the Illumination by Weak Singularities method to allow for fully unbiased global illumination with rapid convergence. A photon shooting preprocess, similar to that used in Photon Mapping, generates photons that interact with specular geometry. These photons are then clustered, effectively dividing the scene into regions which will contribute similar amounts of caustic lighting to the image. Finally, the photons are stored into spatial data structures associated with each cluster, and the clusters themselves are organized into a spatial data structure for fast searching. During rendering we use clusters to decide the caustic energy importance of a region, and use the local photons to aid in importance sampling, effectively reducing the number of samples required to capture caustic lighting.
Genetic Gating of Human Fear Learning and Extinction
Authors: Lonsdorf Tina B. , Weike Almut I. , Nikamo Pernilla , Schalling Martin , Hamm Alfons O. , Öhman Arne
Published: January 2009

Pavlovian fear conditioning is a widely used model of the acquisition and extinction of fear. Neural findings suggest that the amygdala is the core structure for fear acquisition, whereas prefrontal cortical areas are given pivotal roles in fear extinction. Forty-eight volunteers participated in a fear-conditioning experiment, which used fear potentiation of the startle reflex as the primary measure to investigate the effect of two genetic polymorphisms (5-HTTLPR and COMTval158met) on conditioning and extinction of fear. The 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, located in the serotonin transporter gene, is associated with amygdala reactivity and neuroticism, whereas the COMTval158met polymorphism, which is located in the gene coding for catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), a dopamine-degrading enzyme, affects prefrontal executive functions. Our results show that only carriers of the 5-HTTLPR s allele exhibited conditioned startle potentiation, whereas carriers of the COMT met/met genotype failed to extinguish conditioned fear. These results may have interesting implications for understanding gene-environment interactions in the development and treatment of anxiety disorders.
Induced Cross-Modal Synaesthetic Experience Without Abnormal Neuronal Connections
Authors: Cohen Kadosh Roi , Henik Avishai , Catena Andres , Walsh Vincent , Fuentes Luis J.
Published: January 2009

Are the kinds of abnormal cross-modal interactions seen in synaesthesia or following brain damage due to hyperconnectivity between or within brain areas, or are they a result of lack of inhibition? This question is highly contested. Here we show that posthypnotic suggestion induces abnormal cross-modal experience similar to that observed in congenital grapheme-color synaesthesia. Given the short time frame of the experiment, it is unlikely that new cortical connections were established, so we conclude that synaesthesia can result from disinhibition between brain areas.
Dimensions of style: Context, politics and motivation in gay Israeli speech1
Authors: Levon Erez
Published: January 2009

Sociolinguistic research has traditionally examined stylistic variation as a way of understanding how speakers may use language indexically. Quantitatively, research has sought to correlate observed patterns of variation across such external parameters as context or topic with the ways in which speakers linguistically orient themselves to their immediate surroundings or to some other socially‐salient reference group. Recently, this approach has been criticized for being too mechanistic. In this paper, I present a new method for examining stylistic variation that addresses this critique, and demonstrate how an attention to speakers' motivations and interactional goals can be reconciled with a quantitative analysis of variation. I illustrate the proposed method with a quantitative examination of systematic patterns of prosodic variation in the speech of a group of Israeli men who are all members of various lesbian and gay political‐activist groups.
HISTORICAL MEANINGFULNESS IN SHARED ACTION
Authors: SMITH STEVEN G.
Published: January 2009

Why should past occurrences matter to us as such? Are they in fact meaningful in a specifically historical way, or do they only become meaningful in being connected to other sorts of meaning—political or speculative, for example—as many notable theorists imply? Ranke and Oakeshott affirmed a purely historical meaningfulness but left its nature unclear. The purpose of this essay is to confirm historical meaningfulness by arguing that our commanding practical interest in how we share action with other actors is distinctively engaged by presumed information about past occurrences. We recognize that past occurrences have determined the conditions of action sharing, constraining our practice with regard to which actors we share practical reality with and which compounding actions we may or must join in progress.
THE IMPACT OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE STUDY OF HISTORY
Authors: DE BAETS ANTOON
Published: January 2009

There is perhaps no text with a broader impact on our lives than the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It is strange, therefore, that historians have paid so little attention to the UDHR. I argue that its potential impact on the study of history is profound. After asking whether the UDHR contains a general view of history, I address the consequences of the UDHR for the rights and duties of historians, and explain how it deals with their subjects of study. I demonstrate that the UDHR is a direct source of five important rights for historians: the rights to free expression and information, to meet and found associations, to intellectual property, to academic freedom, and to silence. It is also an indirect source of three duties for historians: the duties to produce expert knowledge about the past, to disseminate it, and to teach about it. I discuss the limits to, and conflicts among, these rights and duties. The UDHR also has an impact on historians’ subjects of study: I argue that the UDHR applies to the living but not to the dead, and that, consequently, it is a compass for studying recent rather than remote historical injustice. Nevertheless, and although it is itself silent about historians’ core duties to find and tell the truth, the UDHR firmly supports an emerging imprescriptible right to the truth, which in crucial respects is nothing less than a right to history. If the UDHR is a “Magna Carta of all men everywhere,” it surely is one for all historians.
Serum and tissue expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 in psoriasis
Authors: Zaher H , Shaker OG , EL‐Komy MHM , El‐Tawdi A , Fawzi M , Kadry D
Published: January 2009

Background  In psoriasis, keratinocyte hyperplasia may be explained by imbalance of growth factors responsible for epidermal proliferation and altered metabolism of their receptors. Transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) implications in the pathogenesis of psoriasis can be attributed to several mechanisms besides keratinocyte cell cycle inhibition.

Objectives  To evaluate the relation between serum and tissue levels of TGF‐β1 in psoriasis and their correlation with disease parameters.

Patients and methods  Serum and punch biopsy of involved and non‐involved skin of 22 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 10 controls were collected for quantification of TGF‐β1 by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results  Serum level of TGF‐β1 in psoriatic patients was higher than controls in a statistically non‐significant manner. Correlations between serum level of TGF‐β1 and extent of the disease (P = 0.007) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score (P = 0.005) were observed. Mean tissue levels of TGF‐β1 were highest in psoriatic lesions in contrast to normal skin of psoriatic patients and healthy controls, but not statistically significant. Correlation between tissue levels of TGF‐β1 in non‐involved skin and extent of the disease (P = 0.007) and PASI score (P = 0.013) was detected.

Correlation was detected between levels of TGF‐β1 in psoriatic plaques and serum of patients (P = 0.035), but not between levels of TGF‐β1 in non‐involved skin and serum.

Conclusions  Tissue expression of TGF‐β1 in psoriasis may be affected by the stage of development of the lesion. The direct relation between TGF‐β1 in psoriatic plaques and serum imply that the mechanisms for TGF‐β1 production and release in both these compartments may be related.

Conflicts of interest

None declared
Liposomes in dermatology today
Authors: De Leeuw J , De Vijlder HC , Bjerring P , Neumann HAM
Published: January 2009

Liposomes are vesicles consisting of spherical phospholipid bi‐layers with specific properties making them useful for topical application of drugs. Liposome research has expanded considerably over the last 30 years and nowadays, it is possible to construct a wide range of liposomes varying in size, phospholipids composition and surface characteristics to suit the specific application for which they are intended. In dermatology, the topical application of liposomes has proven to be of therapeutic value. Liposomes can be used as carriers for hydrophilic as well as lipophilic therapeutic agents because of their amphipathic character. They may improve stabilization of instable drugs by encapsulating them and serve as penetration enhancers facilitating the transport of compounds that otherwise cannot penetrate the skin. Liposomes help in reducing skin irritation by sustaining the release of drugs and by hydration of the epidermis. They also have the potential to target drugs into the pilosebaceous structures and hence they have an additional advantage for treatment of hair follicle‐associated disorders. Clinical data indicate that 5‐ALA encapsulated in liposomes improves the quality of Fluorescence Diagnosis by ALA‐induced Porphyrins (FD) and optimizes the results of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).

Conflicts of interest

None declared
Killing, Letting Die, and the Morality of Abortion
Authors: TUPA ANTON
Published: January 2009

abstract  David Boonin, in his A Defense of Abortion, argues that abortions that involve killing the foetus are morally permissible, even if granting for the sake of argument that the foetus has a right to life. His primary argument is an argument by analogy to a ‘trolley case’. I offer two lines of counterargument to his argument by analogy. First, I argue that Boonin's analogy between his trolley case and a normal unwanted pregnancy does not hold. I revise his trolley case in light of my objections. Second, I argue that Boonin's arguments for the permissibility of killing, when applied to this revised trolley case — and by extension, typical unwanted pregnancies — do not succeed in justifying killing.
Tonkens on the Irrationality of the Suicidally Mentally Ill
Authors: CHOLBI MICHAEL
Published: January 2009

abstract  Ryan Tonkens proposes that my Kantian approach to suicide intervention with respect to the mentally ill (2002) wrongly assumes that the suicidally mentally ill are rational and are therefore rational agents to whom Kantian moral constraints ought to apply. Here I indicate how the empirical evidence concerning the suicidally mentally ill does not support Tonkens’ criticism that the suicidally mentally ill are irrational. In particular, that evidence does not support the conclusion that such individuals are systemically practically irrational so as to undermine the attribution of at least minimal rational autonomy to them. A Kantian moral framework, albeit one developed in a non‐ideal direction, remains applicable to such individuals.
Cities, Europeanization and Multi‐level Governance: Governing Climate Change through Transnational Municipal Networks*
Authors: KERN KRISTINE , BULKELEY HARRIET
Published: January 2009

This article focuses on a variant of multi‐level governance and Europeanization, i.e. the transnational networking of local authorities. Focusing on local climate change policy, the article examines how transnational municipal networks (TMNs) govern in the context of multi‐level European governance. We find that TMNs are networks of pioneers for pioneers.
The Power to Delay: The European Parliament's Influence in the Consultation Procedure*
Authors: KARDASHEVA RAYA
Published: January 2009

This article analyses the European Parliament's legislative influence in the consultation procedure. It examines all (925) consultation proposals completed in the period 1 May 1999 to 30 April 2007. The article finds that through its ‘power of delay’ the European Parliament can substantially influence EU legislative outcomes alongside the Council and the Commission. In addition, the results demonstrate that EP influence in the consultation procedure is conditional on the support of the Commission, the type of issues contested and the ability of the European Parliament to link its opinions to co‐decision proposals.
Species‐dependent neuroprotection by activated protein C mutants with reduced anticoagulant activity
Authors: Guo Huang , Wang Yaoming , Singh Itender , Liu Dong , Fernández José A. , Griffin John H. , Chow Nienwen , Zlokovic Berislav V.
Published: January 2009

Activated protein C (APC) is a protease with anticoagulant and cytoprotective activities. APC is neuroprotective in rodent models of stroke. But, an APC variant with reduced anticoagulant activity, 3K3A‐APC, compared to wild‐type APC shows greater neuroprotection with no risk for bleeding in stroke models. To determine whether 3K3A‐APC exhibits species‐dependent neuroprotection similar to that as seen with wild‐type APC, we studied murine and human recombinant 3K3A‐APC mutants which show approximately 80% reduced anticoagulant activity. Murine 3K3A‐APC (0.2 mg/kg i.v.) administered at 4 h after embolic stroke improved substantially functional outcome and reduced by 80% the infract volume 7 days after stroke. Human 3K3A‐APC was neuroprotective after embolic stroke in mice, but at significantly higher concentrations (i.e. 2 mg/kg i.v.). Species‐dependent neuroprotection, i.e. murine > human 3K3A‐APC, was confirmed in a mouse model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Human 3K3A‐APC had by fivefold greater cytoprotective activity than murine 3K3A‐APC in oxygen‐glucose deprivation model in human brain endothelial cells, whereas murine 3K3A‐APC was by 2.5‐fold more potent than human 3K3A‐APC in a mouse model of NMDA‐induced neuronal apoptosis. Thus, 3K3A‐APC exhibits species‐dependent neuroprotection which should be taken into account when designing human trials for ischemic stroke with APC mutants.
Role of the N‐terminal α‐helix in biogenesis of α7 nicotinic receptors
Authors: Castillo Mar , Mulet José , Aldea Marcos , Gerber Susana , Sala Salvador , Sala Francisco , Criado Manuel
Published: January 2009

We studied the role of the α‐helix present at the N‐terminus of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits in the expression of functional channels. Deletion of this motif in α7 subunits abolished expression of nAChRs at the membrane of Xenopus oocytes. The same effect was observed upon substitution by homologous motifs of other ligand‐gated receptors. When residues from Gln4 to Tyr15 were individually mutated to proline, receptor expression strongly decreased or was totally abolished. Equivalent substitutions to alanine were less harmful, suggesting that proline‐induced break of the α‐helix is responsible for the low expression. Steady‐state levels of wild‐type and mutant subunits were similar but the formation of pentameric receptors was impaired in the latter. In addition, those mutants that reached the membrane showed a slightly increased internalization rate. Expression of α7 nAChRs in neuroblastoma cells confirmed that mutant subunits, although stable, were unable to reach the cell membrane. Analogous mutations in heteromeric nAChRs (α3β4 and α4β2) and 5‐HT3A receptors also abolished their expression at the membrane. We conclude that the N‐terminal α‐helix of nAChRs is an important requirement for receptor assembly and, therefore, for membrane expression.
Molecular receptive range variation among mouse odorant receptors for aliphatic carboxylic acids
Authors: Repicky Sarah E. , Luetje Charles W.
Published: January 2009

The ability of mammals to identify and distinguish among many thousands of different odorants suggests a combinatorial use of odorant receptors, with each receptor detecting multiple odorants and each odorant interacting with multiple receptors. Numerous receptors may be devoted to the sampling of particularly important regions of odor space. In this study, we explore the similarities and differences in the molecular receptive ranges of four mouse odorant receptors (MOR23‐1, MOR31‐4, MOR32‐11 and MOR40‐4), which have previously been identified as receptors for aliphatic carboxylic acids. Each receptor was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, along with Gαolf and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator to allow electrophysiological assay of receptor responses. We find that even though these receptors are relatively unrelated, there is extensive overlap among their receptive ranges. That is, these receptors sample a similar region of odor space. However, the receptive range of each receptor is unique. Thus, these receptors contribute to the depth of coverage of this small region of odor space. Such a group of receptors with overlapping, but distinct receptive ranges, may participate in making fine distinctions among complex mixtures of closely related odorant compounds.
Contactin‐associated protein (Caspr) 2 interacts with carboxypeptidase E in the CNS
Authors: Oiso Shigeru , Takeda Yasuo , Futagawa Toshitaka , Miura Takehiko , Kuchiiwa Satoshi , Nishida Kentaro , Ikeda Ryuji , Kariyazono Hiroko , Watanabe Kazutada , Yamada Katsushi
Published: January 2009

To identify proteins interacting with the intracellular domain of the neural cell adhesion molecule contactin‐associated protein 2 (Caspr2), yeast two‐hybrid screening was performed. We identified carboxypeptidase E (CPE) as a Caspr2‐interacting candidate protein. Glutathione S‐transferase pull‐down and immunoprecipitation analyses indicated that Caspr2 was associated with CPE in vitro and in vivo. Both Caspr2 and CPE were expressed predominantly in the CNS. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that both Caspr2‐ and CPE‐like immunoreactivities were found to co‐localize in the apical dendrites and cell bodies of rat cortical neurons. In subcellular localization analysis, Caspr2‐ and CPE‐like immunoreactivities were co‐migrated in the fractions of Golgi/ER. Additionally, in COS‐7 cells co‐transfected with CPE and Caspr2 cDNAs, Caspr2‐ and CPE‐immunoreactivities were co‐localized in both Golgi and membrane, whereas it was only observed in Golgi of either COS‐7 cell transfected with CPE or Caspr2 cDNA alone. It is known that the membrane‐bound form of CPE functions as a sorting receptor of prohormones in the trans‐Golgi network. Taken together, our data suggest that CPE may be a key molecule to regulate Caspr2 trafficking to the cell membrane.
Nuclear respiratory factor 1 co‐regulates AMPA glutamate receptor subunit 2 and cytochrome c oxidase: tight coupling of glutamatergic transmission and energy metabolism in neurons
Authors: Dhar Shilpa S. , Liang Huan Ling , Wong‐Riley Margaret T. T.
Published: January 2009

Neuronal activity, especially of the excitatory glutamatergic type, is highly dependent on energy from the oxidative pathway. We hypothesized that the coupling existed at the transcriptional level by having the same transcription factor to regulate a marker of energy metabolism, cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and an important subunit of alpha‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid glutamate receptors, GluR2 (Gria2). Nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF‐1) was a viable candidate because it regulates all COX subunits and potentially activates Gria2. By means of in silico analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and promoter mutational assays, we found that NRF‐1 functionally bound to Gria2 promoter. Silencing of NRF‐1 with small interference RNA prevented the depolarization‐stimulated up‐regulation of Gria2 and COX, and over‐expression of NRF‐1 rescued neurons from tetrodotoxin‐induced down‐regulation of Gria2 and COX transcripts. Thus, neuronal activity and energy metabolism are tightly coupled at the molecular level, and NRF‐1 is a critical agent in this process.
Changes in left ventricular ejection time and pulse transit time derived from finger photoplethysmogram and electrocardiogram during moderate haemorrhage
Authors: Middleton Paul M. , Chan Gregory S.H. , O’Lone Emma , Steel Elizabeth , Carroll Rebecca , Celler Branko G. , Lovell Nigel H.
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  Early identification of haemorrhage is difficult when a bleeding site is not apparent. This study explored the potential use of the finger photoplethysmographic (PPG) waveform derived left ventricular ejection time (LVETp) and pulse transit time (PTT) for detecting blood loss, by using blood donation as a model of controlled mild to moderate haemorrhage.

Methods:  This was a prospective, observational study carried out in a convenience sample of blood donors. LVETp, PTT and R‐R interval (RRi) were computed from simultaneous measurement of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the finger infrared photoplethysmogram obtained from 43 healthy volunteers during blood donation. The blood donation process was divided into four stages: (i) Pre‐donation (PRE), (ii) first half of donation (FIRST), (iii) second half of donation (SECOND), (iv) post‐donation (POST).

Results and conclusions:  Shortening of LVETp from 303+/−2 to 293+/−3 ms (mean+/−SEM; P<0·01) and prolongation of PTT from 177+/−3 to 186+/−4 ms (P<0·01) were observed in 81% and 91% of subjects respectively when comparing PRE and POST. During blood donation, progressive blood loss produced falling trends in LVETp (P<0·01) and rising trends in PTT (P<0·01) in FIRST and SECOND, but a falling trend in RRi (P<0·01) was only observed in SECOND. Monitoring trends in timing variables derived from non‐invasive ECG and finger PPG signals may facilitate detection of blood loss in the early phase.
Ballistic Limit of Single and Layered Aluminium Plates
Authors: Iqbal M. A. , Gupta N. K.
Published: January 2009

Abstract:  This paper presents an experimental and finite‐element investigation of ballistic limit of thin single and layered aluminium target plates. Blunt‐, ogive‐ and hemispherical‐nosed steel projectiles of 19 mm diameter were impacted on single and layered aluminium target plates of thicknesses 0.5, 0.71, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3 mm with the help of a pressure gun to obtain the ballistic limit in each case. The ballistic limit of target plate was found to be considerably affected by the projectile nose shape. Thin monolithic target plates as well as layered in‐contact plates offered lowest ballistic resistance against the impact of ogive‐nosed projectiles. Thicker monolithic plates on the other hand, offered lowest resistance against the impact of blunt‐nosed projectiles. The ballistic resistance of the layered targets decreased with increase in the number of layers for constant overall target thickness. Axi‐symmetric numerical simulations were performed with ABAQUS/Explicit to compare the numerical predictions with experiments. 3D numerical simulations were also performed for single plate of 1.0 mm thickness and two layered plate of 0.5 mm thickness impacted by blunt‐, ogive‐ and hemispherical‐nosed projectiles. Good agreement was found between the numerical simulations and experiments. 3D numerical simulations accurately predicted the failure mode of target plates.
NATURE AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF GALLIC IMITATIONS OF SIGILLATA SLIPS FROM THE LA GRAUFESENQUE WORKSHOP*
Authors: MIRGUET C. , DEJOIE C. , ROUCAU C. , DE PARSEVAL PH. , TEAT S. J. , SCIAU PH.
Published: January 2009

The red glaze (slip) that characterizes the Terra Sigillata potteries greatly contributed to their success during the Roman period. The colour of the slip can in fact be partially explained by the microstructure (crystalline phases, grain sizes) and the physico‐chemistry (composition) of the ceramics. However, the precise process and the diffusion of this technique are still not fully known. In particular, we do not know yet how the production of sigillata took place in the south of Gaul, and the role that was played by the production under Italian influence (pre‐sigillata) preceding the first local sigillata. In this work, a combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray synchrotron diffraction techniques was used to study the microstructure of pre‐sigillata slips from the main southern Gaul workshop (La Graufesenque), in order to compare their characteristics with those of high‐quality sigillata. These first results seem to indicate that the antique potters chose clays adapted to their firing conditions and to the type of coating that they wanted to make. These productions cannot be described as an initial phase for the later sigillata production and, rather, seem to correspond to the intention of developing a specific type of pottery only inspired by the famous Italian sigillata forms.
New transnational geographies of Islamism, capitalism and subjectivity: the veiling‐fashion industry in Turkey
Authors: Gökarıksel Banu , Secor Anna J
Published: January 2009

The rise of the transnational veiling‐fashion industry in Turkey has taken place within the context of neoliberal economic restructuring, the subjection of the veil to new regulations, and the resurgence of Islamic identities worldwide. Even after almost two decades since its first catwalk appearance, the idea of ‘veiling‐fashion’ continues to be controversial, drawing criticism from secular and devout Muslim segments of society alike. Analysing veiling‐fashion as it plays out across economic, political and cultural fields is to enter into a new understanding of the role of Islam in the global arena today. Veiling‐fashion crystallises a series of issues about Islamic identity, the transnational linkages of both producers and consumers, and the shifting boundaries between Islamic ethics and the imperatives of neoliberal capitalism. In this paper, our overarching argument is that controversies and practices surrounding veiling‐fashion show how Islamic actors are adapting and transforming neoliberal capitalism at the same time as they navigate a complex geopolitical terrain in which Islam – and the iconic Muslim, headscarf‐wearing woman – has been cast as a threatening ‘Other’. Thus the rise of veiling‐fashion as a transnational phenomenon positions women and women's bodies at the centre of political debates and struggles surrounding what it means to be ‘modern’ and Muslim today. Based on interviews with producers, consumers and salesclerks, and our analysis of newspaper articles, catalogues and web sites, this article traces out how the transnational production, sale and consumption of veiling‐fashion works to order spaces of geopolitics, geo‐economics and subject formation.
Waste interfaces: biodegradable waste, municipal policy and everyday practice
Authors: BULKELEY HARRIET , ASKINS KYE
Published: January 2009

Recent years have seen a rapid rise in the political saliency of the ever growing volumes of municipal waste produced in the UK. In this paper, we examine how one particular part of the municipal waste stream – biodegradable waste – has come under the policy spotlight. As targets to divert biodegradable waste from landfill under the Landfill Directive come into force, the need to focus explicitly on recovering value from biodegradable materials has risen up national and local policy agendas, not least with the introduction of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme. Accompanying this new rationality for managing waste has been a suite of different policy interventions. In this paper we examine the impact of the changing nature of municipal waste policy and the ways in which it has sought to rework the disposal and collection of biodegradable waste. We argue that the predominantly technical framing and instrumental rationality of these interventions does not sufficiently challenge entrenched understandings regarding the boundaries between public and private responsibility for waste, and thus short‐circuits their capacity to engage with everyday community/individual waste practices. In conclusion, we suggest that, in order to move waste management towards sustainability, there is a need both to engage with the institutional and infrastructural dimensions of the systems of provision within which waste management occurs, and to take seriously the everyday contexts within which making waste is practiced.
Reduction of cerebral infarct volume by apocynin requires pretreatment and is absent in Nox2‐deficient mice
Authors: Jackman KA , Miller AA , De Silva TM , Crack PJ , Drummond GR , Sobey CG
Published: January 2009

Background and purpose:  Reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from Nox2‐containing reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity is reportedly detrimental in cerebrovascular disease. However, ROS generation by other Nox isoforms may have a physiological role. No Nox2‐selective inhibitors have yet been identified, and thus it is unclear whether isoform non‐selective Nox inhibitors would necessarily improve outcome after stroke. We assessed the effect of apocynin on cerebrovascular ROS production and also on outcome following cerebral ischaemia when administered either before ischaemia or after cerebral reperfusion. The involvement of Nox2‐containing NADPH oxidase in the effects of apocynin was assessed using Nox2−/− mice.

Experimental approach:  Transient cerebral ischaemia was induced by 0.5 h middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 23.5 h reperfusion. Mice received apocynin (2.5 mg·kg−1, i.p.) either 0.5 h before ischaemia or 1 h after reperfusion. In situ superoxide production after cerebral ischaemia‐reperfusion was measured in brain sections of wild‐type mice at 24 h using dihydroethidium fluorescence.

Key results:  Treatment with apocynin 0.5 h before ischaemia reduced total infarct volume, neurological impairment and mortality in wild‐type but not Nox2−/− mice. Conversely, treatment with apocynin 1 h after initiation of reperfusion had no protective effect. Cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion increased superoxide production in the brain at 24 h, and pretreatment but not posttreatment with apocynin reduced superoxide levels.

Conclusions and implications:  Apocynin improves outcome following stroke when administered before ischaemia in wild‐type but not Nox2−/− mice.

Mandarin translation of abstract
Hemospan: Design Principles for a New Class of Oxygen Therapeutic
Authors: Vandegriff Kim D. , Winslow Robert M.
Published: January 2009

Hemoglobin‐based oxygen carriers have been under development for decades, but safety concerns have prevented commercial approval. Early designs for modified hemoglobins by polymerization or intramolecular cross‐linking reactions increased molecular size and decreased oxygen affinity, but all exhibited side effects of vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow. A new strategy has been established by applying principles of oxygen transport to cell‐free hemoglobin. Sangart has developed a new oxygen therapeutic, Hemospan, using site‐specific, poly(ethylene) glycol conjugation chemistry designed on two principles: (i) increased macromolecular size to prolong intravascular retention time, and (ii) increased oxygen affinity to prevent premature oxygen offloading in arterioles. In contrast to early‐generation products, Hemospan infusion maintains normal arteriolar vascular tone and capillary flow. Phase I and Phase II clinical trials have been completed, showing that Hemospan is well‐tolerated in humans, with evidence of efficacy to impart hemodynamic stability in surgical patients under anesthesia. Phase III trials in orthopedic surgery have recently completed enrollment in Europe.
Review of Hemoglobin‐Vesicles as Artificial Oxygen Carriers
Authors: Sakai Hiromi , Sou Keitaro , Horinouchi Hirohisa , Kobayashi Koichi , Tsuchida Eishun
Published: January 2009

Blood transfusion systems have greatly benefited human health and welfare. Nevertheless, some problems remain: infection, blood type mismatching, immunological response, short shelf life, and screening test costs. Blood substitutes have been under development for decades to overcome such problems. Plasma component substitutes have already been established: plasma expanders, electrolytes, and recombinant coagulant factors. Herein, we focus on the development of red blood cell (RBC) substitutes. Side effects hindered early development of cell‐free hemoglobin (Hb)‐based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) and underscored the physiological importance of the cellular structure of RBCs. Well‐designed artificial oxygen carriers that meet requisite criteria are expected to be realized eventually. Encapsulation of Hb is one idea to shield the toxicities of molecular Hbs. However, intrinsic issues of encapsulated Hbs must be resolved: difficulties related to regulating the molecular assembly, and management of its physicochemical and biochemical properties. Hb‐vesicles (HbV) are a cellular type of HBOC that overcome these issues. The in vivo safety and efficacy of HbV have been studied extensively. The results illustrate the potential of HbV as a transfusion alternative and promise its use for other clinical applications that remain unattainable using RBC transfusion.
Liposome‐Encapsulated Hemoglobin, TRM‐645: Current Status of the Development and Important Issues for Clinical Application
Authors: Kaneda Shinichi , Ishizuka Takanobu , Goto Hiroshi , Kimura Tetsuhiro , Inaba Katsutoshi , Kasukawa Hiroaki
Published: January 2009

Clinical application of artificial oxygen carriers as a substitute for blood transfusion has long been expected to solve some of the problems associated with blood transfusion. Use for oxygen delivery treatment for ischemic disease by oxygen delivery has also been examined. These prospective applications of artificial oxygen carriers are, however, still in development. We have developed liposome‐encapsulated hemoglobin (LEH), developmental code TRM‐645, using technologies for encapsulation of concentrated hemoglobin (Hb) with high encapsulation efficiency as well as surface modification to achieve stability in circulating blood and a long shelf life. We have confirmed the basic efficacy and safety of TRM‐645 as a red blood cell substitute in studies on the efficacy of oxygen delivery in vivo, and the safety of TRM‐645 has been studied in some animal species. We are now examining various issues related to clinical studies, including further preclinical studies, management of manufacturing and the quality assurance for the Hb solution and liposome preparations manufactured by the GMP facility.