bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
"Good Stories" from the Mean Streets: Weegee and Hard-Boiled Autobiography
Authors: Pelizzon V. Penelope , West Nancy Martha
Published: January 2007

Our essay studies the exchanges between tabloid news and the entertainment media's representations of crime during the 1930s and 1940s. Section One considers how tabloid photographers, including Weegee, recast news-work hardships as "hard boiled" prose autobiographies. Meanwhile, Hollywood crime films were borrowing representational tropes directly from the tabloids. Part Two argues that Weegee's seminal 1945 photo-essay Naked City must be reconsidered as autobiography. Part Three posits that film noir's current popularity derives from a middlebrow desire to enjoy crime imagery while distinguishing such images from contemporary tabloid media. By neglecting crime films' allegiance with the tabloids, however, film scholarship has overlooked a major influence upon the noir canon.
Japan's Host Nation Support Program for the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance: Past and Prospects
Authors: Yoda Tatsuro
Published: January 2007

Japan's Host Nation Support program represents one characteristic of the U.S.-Japan security relationship in that Japan contributes mainly financially. This article examines how recent events in the relationship might affect Japan's policy decision on the program. It also discusses the prospects for the next Special Measures Agreement and beyond.
Trends in Canadian Sociology Master's Theses in Relation to Research Ethics Review, 1995–2004
Authors: van den Hoonaard Will C.
Published: January 2007

This paper examines trends in Canadian Master's theses in sociology, 1995–2004, in the course of the implementation of Canada's national research-ethics guidelines (2001), using data available from ProQuest Dissertations. While there has been no decline in the number of theses completed during this period, nearly 1/4 fewer theses now involve research participants. The proportion of theses using quantitative methods shows a decline; theses using qualitative methods, however, have increased significantly over time. A closer inspection of qualitative theses shows an impressive increase in the proportion of theses using interviews, while the decrease in theses using field work is even more dramatic, from 40% to 5%. The decrease of theses involving field work is particularly alarming for a significant segment of sociology that must derive its material mainly from field work. Data drawn from a larger study supplement the findings in this article.
Beethoven Heroine: A Female Allegory of Music and Authorship in Egmont
Authors: Head Matthew
Published: January 2007

Almost a decade ago, Sanna Pederson observed that the heroic in the posthumous reception of Beet-hoven's life and music functions as a sign of the composer's unassailable masculinity. What Pederson did not explore, however, is how the construction of the heroic in Beethoven's works courts androgyny and so exhibits flexibility in precisely the realm of sex/gender that ossified after his death. In Beethoven's dramatic music, cross-dressed heroines move center stage, and their music courts a mixture of masculine and feminine signs that is not simply descriptive of their transvestism. Admittedly, female heroism in Beethoven's dramatic music is associated with conjugal fidelity (Leonore in Fidelio) and with the nationalist defense of Prussia against French invasion (Leonore Prohaska in Beethoven's incidental music of that name), but it also functioned as an allegory of the semiautonomous male artist and of transcendent authorship. Precisely because women were subject to severe constraints on their public actions, heroines who broke through those constraints were emblems of freedom. At the boundary of the real and the symbolic, women who transgressed sexual and gendered norms could serve as epitomes of transcendence in the aesthetic sphere. A case study of Beethoven's incidental music to Goethe's Egmont traces a metonymic chain linking the lead female character KlŠrchen to music, heroic overcoming, and authorship. Much of the music Beethoven composed for the play was for, or associated with, KlŠrchen, who comes to embody music and its production. Through music, Egmont is lulled to sleep in the concluding dungeon scene. And in this sleep, KlŠrchen appears to him as "Liberty," hovering on a cloud above the stage to a shimmering A-major-seventh chord. Communicating to the dozing hero through wordless musical pictorialism, she offers a glimpse of what in contemporary idealist aesthetics was music's otherworldly source.
Of Serpentina and Stenography: Shapes of Handwriting in Romantic Melody
Authors: Cramer Alfred W.
Published: January 2007

Like nineteenth-century handwriting, Romantic melody consisted of a single unbroken, shaped curviline and was invested with the ability to evoke the ideal, maternal feminine, to evoke deeper images and specific meanings, and to function simultaneously as language and as signifier of infinite meaning. It can be fruitfully compared with stenography, a handwriting-based information technology flourishing in the middle nineteenth century. This article documents the perceived handwriting-like nature of music and the perceived musicality of stenography through writings of E. T. A. Hoffmann, Robert Schumann, Wagner, and the stenographer F. X. Gabelsberger. The perceptual phenomenon of auditory streaming, along with analytical approaches developed by Robert O. Gjerdingen and Eugene Narmour, makes it possible to demonstrate structural similarities between stenography and melody (in examples by Berlioz, Mendelssohn, and Wagner) and to show commonalities between the notion of the "music of the future" and the futuristic aspirations of stenography. In turn, it becomes possible to perform the shapes of handwriting in Romantic melody and hear voices and fantastic visions in those shapes.
Evolution versus Authenticity: Johannes Brahms, Robert Franz, and Continuo Practice in the Late Nineteenth Century
Authors: Kelly Elaine
Published: January 2007

The early-music revival provoked much heated debate in the second half of the nineteenth century. The leading scholars of the era, Philipp Spitta and Friedrich Chrysander were keen to encourage performances and editions of early music that presented it in the spirit in which it was conceived. This approach met with vociferous opposition from Robert Franz and his supporters, who embraced a Darwinian aesthetic. Although committed to reviving the past, Franz believed that the tastes of nineteenth-century listeners had become too sophisticated to enjoy early music in its original state and modernized it accordingly. The source of the most heated debates was the issue of continuo realization, a topic in which Brahms, through his performing and arranging activities, had a vested interest. Franz, who dismissed the musicologists as artistic philistines, found a difficult adversary in Brahms. Brahms's scholarly inclinations have been well documented, and predictably, his approach to reviving Baroque music reflected a high level of historical awareness. He was, however, first and foremost a creative musician, and as a consequence, aesthetic issues were paramount in his performances and publications. Considerable tensions arose between Franz, and Brahms, and Chrysander, which are explored here in relation to the latter's editions of Handel's Italian duets and trios. The difficulties surrounding continuo practice were not confined to opposition from Franz; even among musicologists there was much disagreement about how the music should be performed. Brahms's approach to continuo realization is considered in this context.
Triiodothyronine modulates the expression of aquaporin-8 in rat liver mitochondria
Authors: Calamita Giuseppe , Moreno Maria , Ferri Domenico , Silvestri Elena , Roberti Patrizia , Schiavo Luigi , Gena Patrizia , Svelto Maria , Goglia Fernando
Published: January 2007

The recent identification of aquaporin-8 (AQP8), an aquaporin (AQP) channel permeable to water and ammonia, in the inner membrane (IMM) of rat liver mitochondria suggested a role for such AQP in the hydration state and the metabolic function of mitochondria. Since thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) is known to modulate both the shape and the metabolic activities of liver mitochondria, it was interesting to investigate the expression and distribution of AQP8 as well as the osmotic water permeability of the IMM in liver mitochondria from rats in different thyroid states. By semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, when compared with the euthyroid counterpart, the levels of hepatic AQP8 mRNA significantly increased in the hypothyroid state, whereas they were strongly decreased after administration of T3. A similar pattern was seen at the protein level by immunoblotting mitochondrial membranes. The upregulation of mitochondrial AQP8 in the hypothyroid liver was confirmed by immunogold electron microscopy. Stopped-flow light scattering with IMM vesicles showed no significant differences in terms of osmotic water permeability among the IMMs in the various thyroid states. Overall, our data indicate that the T3 modulation of the AQP8 gene is a rapid downregulation of transcription. Modulation of hepatic AQP8 expression may be relevant to the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism by thyroid hormones.
The role of RFamide peptides in feeding
Authors: Bechtold David A , Luckman Simon M
Published: January 2007

In the three decades since FMRFamide was isolated from the clam Macrocallista nimbosa, the list of RFamide peptides has been steadily growing. These peptides occur widely across the animal kingdom, including five groups of RFamide peptides identified in mammals. Although there is tremendous diversity in structure and biological activity in the RFamides, the involvement of these peptides in the regulation of energy balance and feeding behaviour appears consistently through evolution. Even so, questions remain as to whether feeding-related actions represent a primary function of the RFamides, especially within mammals. However, as we will discuss here, the study of RFamide function is rapidly expanding and with it so is our understanding of how these peptides can influence food intake directly as well as related aspects of feeding behaviour and energy expenditure.
The regulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene expression is tissue specific in chickens
Authors: Dridi Sami , Taouis Mohammed , Gertler Arieh , Decuypere Eddy , Buyse Johan
Published: January 2007

Emerging evidence suggests a potential role of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)-1 in the control of body weight and energy homeostasis. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of several energy balance-related factors (leptin, cerulenin, food deprivation, genotype, and gender) on SCD gene expression in chickens. In experiment 1, 6-week-old female and male broiler chickens were used. In experiment 2, two groups of 3-week-old broiler chickens were continuously infused with recombinant chicken leptin (8 μg/kg/h) or vehicle for 6 h. In experiment 3, two groups of 2-week-old broiler chickens received i.v. injections of cerulenin (15 mg/kg) or vehicle. In experiment 4, two broiler chicken lines (fat and lean) were submitted to two nutritional states (food deprivation for 16 or 24 h and feeding ad libitum). At the end of each experiment, tissues were collected for analyzing SCD gene expression. Data from experiment 1 showed that SCD is ubiquitously expressed in chicken tissues with highest levels in the proventriculus followed by the ovary, hypothalamus, kidney, liver, and adipose tissue in female, and hypothalamus, leg muscle, pancreas, liver, and adipose tissue in male. Female chickens exhibited significantly higher SCD mRNA levels in kidney, breast muscle, proventriculus, and intestine than male chickens. However, hypothalamic SCD gene expression was higher in male than in female (P < 0.05). Leptin increased SCD gene expression in chicken liver (P < 0.05), whereas cerulenin decreased SCD mRNA levels in muscle. Both leptin and cerulenin significantly reduced food intake (P < 0.05). Food deprivation for either 16 or 24 h decreased the hepatic SCD gene expression in fat line and lean line chickens compared with their fed counterparts (P < 0.05). The hypothalamic SCD mRNA levels were decreased in both lines only after 24 h of food deprivation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, SCD is ubiquitously expressed in chickens and it is regulated by leptin, cerulenin, nutritional state, and gender in a tissue-specific manner.
Maternal diet composition alters serum steroid and free fatty acid concentrations and vaginal pH in mice
Authors: Whyte J J , Alexenko A P , Davis A M , Ellersieck M R , Fountain E D , Rosenfeld C S
Published: January 2007

We examined the effects of three maternal diets (very high fat (VHF), low fat (LF), and control (Purina 5015)) on serum steroids, free fatty acids (FFA), and vaginal pH in National Institutes of Health Swiss mice. Females were fed (VHF, n = 33; LF, n = 33; 5015, n = 48) from 4 to 16 weeks of age. Following breeding, female serum was collected at 0.5 (pre-implantation, early diestrus) or 8.5 (post-implantation, mid-diestrus) days post-coitus (dpc). The serum concentrations of 17β-estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, and FFA were analyzed at both collection points, and vaginal pH at 0.5 dpc. Striking differences in steroids and FFA were observed at 0.5 dpc among the groups. Estradiol was higher in the VHF (14.1 ± 3.0 pg/ml), compared with LF mice (5.2 ± 2.3 pg/ml; P≤ 0.05). In contrast, 0.5 dpc testosterone was lower in the VHF (10.5 ± 3.0 pg/ml) versus the LF group (32.7 ± 8.4 pg/ml; P≤ 0.05). At 8.5 dpc, progesterone was higher in the VHF (89.6 ± 6.7 ng/ml) versus the 5015 group (60.1 ± 4.9 ng/ml; P≤ 0.05). VHF mice had higher FFA concentrations at 0.5 dpc (1.0 ± 0.2 mmol/l) than LF and control mice (0.5 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.1 mmol/l respectively; P≤ 0.05). At 8.5 dpc, VHF females had higher serum FFA (0.8 ± 0.1 mmol/l) than LF and control females (0.4 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.1 mmol/l; P≤ 0.05). Mean vaginal pH of VHF females (6.41 ± 0.09) was lower than 5015 females (6.76 ± 0.10; P≤ 0.05). These diet-induced alterations in serum steroid and FFA concentrations might affect several reproductive processes, including preferential fertilization by one class of sperm over the other and sex bias in pre- and post-implantational embryonic development.
Maternal nutrient restriction in early pregnancy programs hepatic mRNA expression of growth-related genes and liver size in adult male sheep
Authors: Hyatt M A , Gopalakrishnan G S , Bispham J , Gentili S , McMillen I C , Rhind S M , Rae M T , Kyle C E , Brooks A N , Jones C , Budge H , Walker D , Stephenson T , Symonds M E
Published: January 2007

The liver is a major metabolic and endocrine organ of critical importance in the regulation of growth and metabolism. Its function is determined by a complex interaction of nutritionally regulated counter-regulatory hormones. The extent to which hepatic endocrine sensitivity can be programed in utero and whether the resultant adaptations persist into adulthood is unknown and was therefore the subject of this study. Young adult male sheep born to mothers that were fed either a control diet (i.e.100% of total live weight-maintenance requirements) throughout gestation or 50% of that intake (i.e. nutrient restricted (NR)) from 0 to 95 days gestation and thereafter 100% of requirements (taking into account increasing fetal mass) were entered into the study. All mothers gave birth normally at term, the singleton offspring were weaned at 16 weeks, and then reared at pasture until 3 years of age when their livers were sampled. NR offspring were of similar birth and body weights at 3 years of age when they had disproportionately smaller livers than controls. The abundance of mRNA for GH, prolactin, and IGF-II receptors, plus hepatocyte growth factor and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 were all lower in livers of NR offspring. In contrast, the abundance of the mitochondrial protein voltage-dependent anion channel and the pro-apoptotic factor Bax were up regulated relative to controls. In conclusion, maternal nutrient restriction in early gestation results in adult offspring with smaller livers. This may be mediated by alterations in both hepatic mitogenic and apoptotic factors.
N-Acetylcysteine and α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid alter protein kinase C (PKC)-δ and PKC-ζ and diminish dysmorphogenesis in rat embryos cultured with high glucose in vitro
Authors: Gäreskog Mattias , Wentzel Parri
Published: January 2007

Malformations and growth disturbances are two- to threefold more common in infants of diabetic mothers than in offspring of non-diabetic pregnancy. Several suggestions have emerged to explain the reasons for diabetic embryopathy, including enhanced mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species leading to altered activation of protein kinase C. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) addition on morphology and activity of protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ in rat embryos exposed to a high glucose concentration in vitro. Day 9 embryos from normal rats were cultured in 10 or 30 mM glucose concentrations with or without supplementation of CHC, NAC, or protein kinase C inhibitors specific for protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ. Embryos were evaluated for malformations, crown rump length, and somite number. Protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ activities were estimated by western blot by separating membranous and cytosolic fractions of the embryo. We found increased malformations and growth retardation in embryos cultured in high versus low glucose concentrations. These abnormalities were diminished when CHC and NAC or specific protein kinase C-inhibitors were added to the culture medium. The activities of embryonic protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ were increased in the high glucose environment after 24-h culture, but were normalized by the addition of CHC and NAC as well as respective inhibitor to the culture medium. These findings suggest that mitochondrial overproduction of reactive oxygen species is involved in diabetic embryopathy. Furthermore, such overproduction may affect embryonic development, at least partly, by enhancing the activities of protein kinase C-δ and protein kinase C-ζ.
Interleukin-1β and inducible form of nitric oxide synthase expression in early syngeneic islet transplantation
Authors: Montolio Marta , Biarnés Montse , Téllez Noèlia , Escoriza Jessica , Soler Joan , Montanya Eduard
Published: January 2007

Islets are particularly vulnerable in the initial days after transplantation when cell death results in the loss of more than half of the transplanted islet tissue. To determine whether a non-specific inflammation at the grafted site mediated by the local expression of inflammatory cytokines could play a role on the initial damage to transplanted islets, we studied the expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) after syngeneic islet transplantation. Insulin-treated streptozotocin-diabetic Lewis rats were syngeneically transplanted with 500 islets. Grafts were harvested 1, 3, or 7 days after transplantation, and the expressions of IL-1β and iNOS genes were determined by RT-PCR. IL-1β and iNOS mRNAs were detected in islets immediately after isolation, and were upregulated after transplantation. IL-1β mRNA was ninefold increased on day 1, was still sevenfold increased on day 3 after transplantation, and declined towards pretransplantation levels on day 7. iNOS mRNA showed a similar pattern of expression to that of IL-1β: on days 1 and 3 after transplantation it was 14-and 4-fold higher respectively than in freshly isolated islets. In addition, IL-1β and iNOS were identified in islet grafts and found to be produced mainly by CD68-positive macrophages. A low number of IL-1β- and iNOS-positive but CD68-negative cells were also identified suggesting that other cell types, in addition to macrophages, were involved in the expression of IL-1β and NO production in islet grafts. The finding of increased IL-1β and iNOS gene expressions in the initial days after islet transplantation and the presence of IL-β and iNOS proteins in the graft confirmed the presence of an early non-specific inflammatory response after islet transplantation. Overall, the data suggest that IL-1β plays a role in the extensive β-cell death found in the initial days after islet transplantation.
Regulation of human insulin, IGF-I, and multidrug resistance protein 2 promoter activity by hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1β and HNF-1α and the abnormality of HNF-1β mutants
Authors: Kitanaka Sachiko , Sato Utako , Igarashi Takashi
Published: January 2007

Mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor-1β (HNF-1β) lead to type 5 maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY5). Moreover, mutations in the HNF-1β gene might cause multiorgan abnormalities including renal diseases, genital malformations, and abnormal liver function. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth retardation, and cholestasis observed in MODY5 patients. We analyzed the transactivity of wild-type and three mutant HNF-1β on native human insulin, IGF-I, and multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) promoters in combination with HNF-1α, using a reporter-assay system in transiently transfected mammalian cells. In the human insulin gene promoter, we found that the cooperation of HNF-1α and HNF-1β is prominent. Absence of this cooperation was observed in all of the HNF-1β mutants. In the human IGF-I and MRP2 promoters, we found that the HNF-1β His153Asn (H153N) mutant had a mutant-specific repressive effect on both HNF-1α and wild-type HNF-1β transactivity. Absence of the cooperation of HNF-1β mutants with HNF-1α in the human insulin gene promoter might be one cause of defective insulin secretion. The H153N mutant-specific repression of HNF-1α and HNF-1β transactivity in human IGF-I and MRP2 promoters might explain the case-specific clinical features of growth retardation and cholestasis observed only in early infancy. We found differential property of HNF-1α/HNF-1β activity and the effect of HNF-1β mutants by the promoters. We consider that analyses of HNF-1β mutants on the intended human native promoters in combination with HNF-1α may be useful in investigating the molecular mechanisms of the various features in MODY5.
Bidirectional regulation of upstream IGF-I/insulin receptor signaling and downstream FOXO1 in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Liu Tsun-Jui , Lai Hui-Chin , Ting Chih-Tai , Wang Ping H
Published: January 2007

Signaling pathways of IGF-I and insulin receptors play important roles in the regulation of myocardial function. FOXO1 is a member of the forkhead transcriptional factor family, but how insulin and IGF-I receptor signaling regulate FOXO1 in cardiomyocytes is not well understood. This study was carried out to elucidate how IGF-I and insulin receptor signaling modulate FOXO1 in cardiomyocytes. In cardiomyocytes, activation of IGF-I receptor and insulin receptor lead to rapid phosphorylation of FOXO1. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway suppressed the effect of insulin and IGF-I on FOXO1 phosphorylation. Prolonged incubation with IGF-I increased ubiquitination of FOXO1 and down-regulated the abundance of FOXO1 proteins, which suggested that IGF-I might modulate FOXO1 degradation. To explore whether FOXO1 could modulate IGF-I and insulin signaling, a constitutively active FOXO1 was overexpressed in cardiomyocytes. The abundance of insulin receptor and IGF-I receptor was significantly upregulated in the cells overexpressing active FOXO1, accompanied by increased receptor phosphorylation upon insulin/IGF-I stimulation. Interestingly, overexpression of constitutively active FOXO1 also led to activation of MEK and Akt phosphorylation. IGF-I-stimulated MEK and Akt phosphorylation were augmented byoverexpression of constitutively active FOXO1. These findings indicate bidirectional regulation of insulin/IGF-I receptor signaling and FOXO1 in cardiomyocytes. FOXO1 may provide feedback control through upregulation of insulin and IGF-I receptor signaling.
Seladin-1 expression in rat adrenal gland: effect of adrenocorticotropic hormone treatment
Authors: Battista Marie-Claude , Roberge Claude , Otis Mélissa , Gallo-Payet Nicole
Published: January 2007

Seladin-1 (KIAA0018) gene is the seventh most highlyexpressed gene in the adult adrenal gland, along with genes coding for steroidogenic enzymes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the localization of the Seladin-1 protein in control and ACTH-treated rat adrenal glands and to verify whether Seladin-1 is involved in secretion. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that Seladin-1 was localized principally in the zona fasciculata, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Expression of Seladin-1 was increased by ACTH treatment, in vivo and in culture conditions. Subcellular fractionation offasciculata cells showed that Seladin-1 was mainly present in the nucleus, membrane, and cytoskeleton fractions and, to a lesser extent, in the cytosol. ACTH treatment decreased Seladin-1 expression in the cytosol, with a concomitant increase in the nuclear fraction. In the glomerulosa and fasciculata cells in culture, ACTH induced a relocalization of Seladin-1 into specific nuclear regions. This ACTH-induced relocalization was abrogated by the pre-treatment of cells with 75 nM U18666A (an inhibitor of Seladin-1). In addition, fasciculata cells exhibited an increase in the basal level of steroid secretion when cultured in the presence of U18666A (25 and 75 nM), although ACTH-induced secretion was decreased. In summary, the present study demonstrates that the protein expression of Seladin-1 is more abundant in fasciculata cells than in glomerulosa cells and that the ACTH treatment increases both expression and nuclear localization of the protein. Results also suggest that depending on its cellular localization, the Δ24-reductase activity of Seladin-1 may play a major role in steroid secretion in the adrenal gland.
Effects of dexamethasone on the glucogenic capacity of fetal, pregnant, and non-pregnant adult sheep
Authors: Franko K L , Giussani D A , Forhead A J , Fowden A L
Published: January 2007

Fetal glucocorticoids have an important role in the pre-partum maturation of physiological systems essential for neonatal survival such as glucogenesis. Consequently, in clinical practice, synthetic glucocorticoids, like dexamethasone, are given routinely to pregnant women threatened with pre-term delivery to improve the viability of their infants. However, little is known about the effects of maternal dexamethasone treatment on the glucogenic capacity of either the fetus or mother. This study investigated the effects of dexamethasone treatment using a clinically relevant dose and regime on glycogen deposition and the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver and kidney of pregnant ewes and their fetuses, and of non-pregnant ewes. Dexamethasone administration increased the glycogen content of both the fetal and adult liver within 36 h of beginning treatment. It also increased G6Pase activity in the liver and kidney of the fetuses but not of their mothers or the non-pregnant ewes. Neither hepatic nor renal PEPCK activity was affected by dexamethasone in any group of animals. These changes in glycogen content and G6Pase activity were accompanied by rises in the plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and by a fall in the plasma cortisol level in the fetus and both groups of adult animals. In addition, dexamethasone treatment raised fetal plasma tri-iodothyronine (T3) concentrations and reduced maternal levels of plasma T3 and thyroxine, but had no effect on thyroid hormone concentrations in the non-pregnant ewes. These findings show that maternal dexamethasone treatment increases the glucogenic capacity of both the mother and fetus and has major implications for glucose availability both before and after birth.
Insulin secretory actions of extracts of Asparagus racemosus root in perfused pancreas, isolated islets and clonal pancreatic β-cells
Authors: Hannan J M A , Marenah Lamin , Ali Liaquat , Rokeya Begum , Flatt Peter R , Abdel-Wahab Yasser H
Published: January 2007

Asparagus racemosus root has previously been reported to reduce blood glucose in rats and rabbits. In the present study, the effects of the ethanol extract and five partition fractions of the root of A. racemosus were evaluated on insulin secretion together with exploration of their mechanisms of action. The ethanol extract and each of the hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate partition fractions concentration-dependently stimulated insulin secretion in isolated perfused rat pancreas, isolated rat islet cells and clonal β-cells. The stimulatory effects of the ethanol extract, hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate partition fractions were potentiated by glucose, 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine IBMX, tolbutamide and depolarizing concentration of KCl. Inhibition of A. racemosus-induced insulin release was observed with diazoxide and verapamil. Ethanol extract and five fractions increased intracellular Ca2+, consistent with the observed abolition of insulin secretory effects under Ca2+-free conditions. These findings reveal that constituents of A. racemosus root extracts have wide-ranging stimulatoryeffects on physiological insulinotropic pathways. Future work assessing the use of this plant as a source of active components may provide new opportunities for diabetes therapy.
Does the type of prompt affect the accuracy of information provided by alleged victims of abuse in forensic interviews?
Authors: Lamb Michael E. , Orbach Yael , Hershkowitz Irit , Horowitz Dvora , Abbott Craig B.
Published: January 2007

Forty‐three victims of sexual abuse averaging 9.78 years of age and 52 youths who admitted abusing them were interviewed about the abusive incidents. Forensically relevant details provided by the victims were categorised as confirmed, contradicted or ignored by the perpetrators. Most (66.6%) of the details were ignored, but details were more likely to be confirmed when they were elicited using invitations (open‐ended free‐recall prompts) rather than focused prompts. However, similar effects were not evident with respect to contradictions. The results support predictions that information elicited using free‐recall prompts is more likely to be accurate than information elicited using focused prompts. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Material Elegance
Authors: DeLanda Manuel
Published: January 2007

In the everyday, elegance is a wholly subjective attribute. Whether we deem someone to be ‘elegant’ is entirely dependent on our own personal perception of their outward appearance. Here, Manuel DeLanda provides for architecture an objective interpretation of the elegant or smart solution in which ‘there is a measurable economy of means to achieve a certain outcome’. Through a brief historical survey, he traces an empirical tradition of material elegance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Everything is Curved: The Mercedes‐Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany
Authors: van Berkel Ben , Bos Caroline
Published: January 2007

In the Mercedez‐Benz Museum, Stuttgart, organisational and spatial strategies combine to yield an elegant form. Its presence, formal balance and refinement of features, along with its continuity of surface, create a building that is spatially and formally opulent. The structure rises above its context, while achieving harmony through its spatial configuration, which defies gravity ‐ cars and people are able to drive and walk up the building. Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos of UNStudio describe here how they set out to achieve this by dedicating the spatiotemporal experience of the museum to motion and reiteration. Copyright © 2007 Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos.
Deus Ex Machina: From Semiology to the Elegance of Aesthetics
Authors: Foster Gage Mark
Published: January 2007

Architecture's ability to realise large‐scale effects permits its emphasis to shift aesthetics on a project‐by‐project basis. Elegance unleashes a specific visual intelligence that can be achieved by refinement and precision of surface. Here, Mark Foster Gage investigates how elegance can be designed into a project. This requires a ‘visual and formal expertise’ combined with a careful curation of mutation and awareness of ‘extreme differentiation’. Elegance often only reveals itself partially, acquired, in the design stage, through ‘isolated views and expertly calibrated moments’ and perceived fleetingly in built work. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabricating Elegance: Digital Architecture's Coming of Age
Authors: Rosa Joseph
Published: January 2007

For Joseph Rosa, John H Bryan Curator of Architecture at the Institute of Chicago, elegance with its ‘refined aesthetic ability’ represents a concurrent maturing of design culture and technologies. It builds on the pioneering fabrication techniques of the late 1990s, spearheaded in seminal projects such as the Korean Presbyterian Church in New York by Greg Lynn, Douglas Garofalo and Michael McInturf, and the Yokohama Port Terminal by Foreign Office Architects. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Weiss/Manfredi Architects
Authors: Merkel Jayne
Published: January 2007

For at least a decade, Weiss/Manfredi Architects has been considered one of the top New York firms ‐ contenders for prestigious public commissions that require more than a good solid commercial job. Now, with the opening of the Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park, they are making their mark on the national scene in the US, and their particular talent for place making is being widely recognised. Jayne Merkel talks with partners Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi about that talent and how it developed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Orchard Building, Bedales School
Authors: Melvin Jeremy
Published: January 2007

The new classroom and administration building by Walters and Cohen for Bedales School also acts as a new entrance for the campus. Jeremy Melvin describes how as such the architecture is ‘symbolically as well as functionally significant’ in a manner that is in keeping with the school's ethos. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multifunctional Core/Shell Nanoparticles Self‐Assembled from pH‐Induced Thermosensitive Polymers for Targeted Intracellular Anticancer Drug Delivery
Authors: Soppimath K. S. , Liu L.‐H. , Seow W. Y. , Liu S.‐Q. , Powell R. , Chan P. , Yang Y. Y.
Published: January 2007

Core/shell nanoparticles that display a pH‐sensitive thermal response, self‐assembled from the amphiphilic tercopolymer, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐N,N‐dimethylacrylamide‐co‐10‐undecenoic acid) (P(NIPAAm‐co‐DMAAm‐co‐UA)), have recently been reported. In this study, folic acid is conjugated to the hydrophilic segment of the polymer through the free amine group (for targeting cancer cells that overexpress folate receptors) and cholesterol is grafted to the hydrophobic segment of the polymer. This polymer also self‐assembles into core/shell nanoparticles that exhibit pH‐induced temperature sensitivity, but they possess a more stable hydrophobic core than the original polymer P(NIPAAm‐co‐DMAAm‐co‐UA) and a shell containing folate molecules. An anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), is encapsulated into the nanoparticles. DOX release is also pH‐dependent. DOX molecules delivered by P(NIPAAm‐co‐DMAAm‐co‐UA) and folate‐conjugated P(NIPAAm‐co‐DMAAm‐co‐UA)‐g‐cholesterol nanoparticles enter the nucleus more rapidly than those transported by P(NIPAAm‐co‐DMAAm)‐b‐poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanoparticles, which are not pH sensitive. More importantly, these nanoparticles can recognize folate‐receptor‐expressing cancer cells. Compared to the nanoparticles without folate, the DOX‐loaded nanoparticles with folate yield a greater cellular uptake because of the folate‐receptor‐mediated endocytosis process, and, thus, higher cytotoxicity results. These multifunctional polymer core/shell nanoparticles may make a promising carrier to target drugs to cancer cells and release the drug molecules to the cytoplasm inside the cells.
n‐Channel, Ambipolar, and p‐Channel Organic Heterojunction Transistors Fabricated with Various Film Morphologies
Authors: Shi J. W. , Wang H. B. , Song D. , Tian H. K. , Geng Y. H. , Yan D. H.
Published: January 2007

The relationship between the performance characteristics of organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) with 2,5‐bis(4‐biphenylyl)bithiophene/copper hexadecafluorophthalocyanine (BP2T/F16CuPc) heterojunctions and the thickness of the BP2T bottom layer is investigated. Three operating modes (n‐channel, ambipolar, and p‐channel) are obtained by varying the thickness of the organic semiconductor layer. The changes in operating mode are attributable to the morphology of the film and the heterojunction effect, which also leads to an evolution of the field‐effect mobility with increasing film thickness. In BP2T/F16CuPc heterojunctions the mobile charge carriers accumulate at both sides of the heterojunction interface, with an accumulation layer thickness of ca. 10 nm. High field‐effect mobility values can be achieved in continuous and flat films that exhibit the heterojunction effect.
Biochemical mechanisms leading to tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase activation
Authors: Li Junsuo S. , Han Qian , Fang Jianmin , Rizzi Menico , James Anthony A. , Li Jianyong
Published: January 2007

Tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase (TDO) is the first enzyme in the tryptophan oxidation pathway. It is a hemoprotein and its heme prosthetic group is present as a heme‐ferric (heme‐Fe3+) form that is not active. To be able to oxidize tryptophan, the heme‐Fe3+ form of the enzyme must be reduced to a heme‐ferrous (heme‐Fe2+) form and this study describes conditions that promote TDO activation. TDO is progressively activated upon mixing with tryptophan in a neutral buffer, which leads to an impression that tryptophan is responsible for TDO activation. Through extensive analysis of factors resulting in TDO activation during incubation with tryptophan, we conclude that tryptophan indirectly activates TDO through promoting the production of reactive oxygen species. This consideration is supported by the virtual elimination of the initial lag phase when either pre‐incubated tryptophan solution was used as the substrate or a low concentration of superoxide or hydrogen peroxide was incorporated into the freshly tryptophan and TDO mixture. However, accumulation of these reactive oxygen species also leads to the inactivation of TDO, so that both TDO activation and inactivation proceed with the specific outcome depending greatly on the concentrations of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. As a consequence, the rate of TDO catalysis varies depending upon the proportion of the active to inactive forms of the enzyme, which is in a dynamic relationship in the reaction mixture. These data provide some insight towards elucidating the molecular regulation of TDO in vivo. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 64:74–87, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ubiquitin Binds to a Short Peptide Segment of Hydrolase UCH‐L3: A Study by FCS, RIfS, ITC and NMR
Authors: Roth Günter , Freund Stefan , Möhrle Bernd , Wöllner Karin , Brünjes Jente , Gauglitz Günter , Wiesmüller Karl‐Heinz , Jung Günther
Published: January 2007

Screening for small peptidic affinity tags for the detection of ubiquitin and ubiquitinated proteins yielded the dodecapeptide amide DPDELRFNAIAL‐NH2 as a specific ubiquitin‐interacting ligand. A peptide collection—based on crystal structures with ubiquitin‐interacting proteins—was designed and confirmed by sequence comparison of ubiquitin‐interacting motifs. Four independent physical detection methods demonstrated that the peptide binds to monomeric ubiquitin with an affinity of about 10 μM and with fast on and off rates. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy with fluorescent peptides showed specific interaction with ubiquitin. Reflectometric interference spectroscopy with surface‐immobilized peptides and isothermal calorimetry measurements confirmed the specific binding of ubiquitin and fast rate constants. 1H,15N heteronuclear NMR localised the interaction site across the β sheet of ubiquitin. The peptide aligns well with the ubiquitin‐interacting motif and represents a lead structure for the rational design of high‐affinity tags for targeting ubiquitinated protein in vitro and in vivo.
Linking PCA and time derivatives of dynamic systems
Authors: Stanimirovic Olja , Hoefsloot Huub C. J. , de Bokx Pieter K. , Smilde Age K.
Published: January 2007

Low dimensional approximate descriptions of the high dimensional phase space of dynamic processes are very useful. Principal component analysis (PCA) is the most used technique to find the low dimensional subspace of interest. Here, it will be shown that mean centering of the process data across time followed by PCA yields valuable information about the time derivatives of the model function underlying the data. The advantage of PCA is that it can be used when the process model is not (fully) known and enough process measurements are available. The idea is illustrated with an example of a distributed parameter system. More specifically, the binary adsorption of benzene and toluene on charcoal in a packed bed filter for air cleaning is considered. It is shown that with the information gained about time derivatives, sensor locations for monitoring this process can be found. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cover Picture: Reaction Chemistry of Complexes Containing PtH, PtSH, or PtS Fragments: From Their Apparent Simplicity to the Maze of Reactions Underlying Their Interconversion (Chem. Eur. J. 4/2007)
Authors: Novio Fernando , González‐Duarte Pilar , Lledós Agustí , Mas‐Ballesté Rubén
Published: January 2007

A labyrinth mimicking the reaction pathways that govern the interconversion of complexes containing PtH, PtSH, and PtS fragments is depicted on the cover. The network of reactions has been established by the addition of controlled amounts of Na2S or NaHS to the binuclear trihydride complex [Pt2(H)2(μ‐H)(dppp)2]ClO4 (dppp=1,3‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)propane) and by subsequent treatment of the resulting species with protons, hydride, hydroxide, or hydrogen sulfide ions. Further details are provided in the article by P. González‐Duarte, A. Lledós et al. on page 1047 ff.
Proposal of 98.5% high‐efficiency chopper circuit QRAS for the electric vehicle and the verification
Authors: Tsuruta Yukinori , Kawamura Atsuo
Published: January 2007

A high‐efficiency and high‐power chopper based on a novel soft switching scheme QRAS (Quasi‐resonant Regenerating Active Snubber) has been proposed in this paper. Operating efficiency of the proposed QRAS has been investigated by simulation and experiments. For the purposes of this study we fabricated a one‐tenth prototype model and tested it under the rated load, light load, current discontinuous mode, and under operation out of the resonant stable operational region. The overall evaluation of these test results is provided and the possibility of implementation of an 80‐kW practical model is demonstrated by these successful test results. In addition, as an approach to the next study, the feasibility of 8‐kW SiC‐QRAS is examined and a preliminary evaluation of the efficiency enhancement due to the use of silicon carbide (SiC) power devices is given based on successful experimental results. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(4): 68– 80, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20439
Finding optimal SVR placement in distribution systems using power density model
Authors: Kubota Yoshiyuki , Genji Takamu
Published: January 2007

In long distribution systems, Step Voltage Regulators (SVRs) are installed to regulate the system voltage. There are some papers on finding optimal placements of SVRs in the system. However, there is no analytic method that focuses on the voltage margin, that is, the optimal placement with respect to the system voltage.

The authors propose a method of finding the placement of an SVR so that the voltage margin from the upper (or lower) voltage limit is the largest under heavy load.

In order to deal with sets of loads that are dispersed over the entire distribution line, we derive the differential equation of the complex power and that of the voltage drop, which are expressed as functions of distance from a substation. The voltage profile is obtained as a cubic equation by solving the voltage equation if the load distribution is trapezoidal. The method of finding the optimal SVR placement distinguishes three modes with three different voltage profiles. One is the case in which the transformation ratio of the SVR is small and the system length is short, one is the case in which the transformation ratio of the SVR is large and the system length is short, and the third is the case in which the transformation ratio of the SVR is large and the system length is long. The optimal placement and tap position of the SVR are calculated by solving the above‐mentioned equations in these three modes.

It is confirmed that the proposed analytical method is appropriate by model calculation results. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(4): 11–21, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20481
Voltammetric Characterization and Amperometric Detection of β‐Carboline Alkaloids at Carbon Nanotube‐Modified Electrodes
Authors: Agüí L. , Peña‐Farfal C. , Yáñez‐Sedeño P. , Pingarrón J. M.
Published: January 2007

The voltammetric behavior of β‐carboline alkaloids at carbon nanotubes‐modified glassy carbon electrodes, as well as their quantification by amperometric monitoring of the oxidation responses, are reported. Cyclic voltammograms of harmane, harmine, harmaline and harmalol at the CNT‐GCE showed enhanced voltammetric responses with respect to those obtained at a bare GCE. The effect of pH on the oxidation ip and Ep values obtained by differential pulse voltammetry was discussed, as well as their mechanistic aspects. Hydrodynamic voltammogram of these compounds led us to select a potential value of +900 mV for their amperometric detection. Under these conditions, no fouling of the modified electrode surface is evidenced. The HPLC separation and determination of β‐carboline alkaloids were carried out using a mobile phase consisting of 20% (v/v) methanol‐20% (v/v) acetonitrile‐0.05 mol L−1 HPO solution of pH 9.0. Detection limits ranging between 28 nM (harmalol) and 88 nM (harmaline) were achieved. The usefulness of the chromatographic method with amperometric detection at the CNT‐GCE was demonstrated by analyzing soy seeds samples spiked with harmaline, harmane and harmine at a 0.25 μg/g level.
Voltammetric Peak Area as Instrumental Datum. A Possibility to Improve the Determination at Ultratrace Level Concentration of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) and Lead. Application to Particulate Matter
Authors: Locatelli Clinio
Published: January 2007

Peak area as instrumental datum for determining the concentration of metals in solution instead of peak height is proposed for analytical voltammetric determinations. In the case of species present at ultratrace concentration level or having low reversibility degree of the electrodic processes, the employment of peak area permits to achieve limits of detection lower even more of one order of magnitude. The present work shows the possibility of determining at ultratrace level concentration Pd(II), Pt(II), Rh(III) and Pb(II) by voltammetry in particulate matter; these species, linked to vehicle emissions, show to have, in the supporting electrolytes employed, a very high irreversibility degree of the electrodic processes.