bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Is Associated With Circulating
Chlamydia pneumoniae
DNA in Younger Normotensive Subjects in a General Population Survey
Authors: Mitusch Rolf , Luedemann Jan , Wood William G. , Berger Klaus , Schminke Ulf , Suter Matthias , Kessler Christof , John Ulrich , Rupp Jan , Kentsch Michael , Maass Matthias
Published: November 2004

Objective—

Chlamydia pneumoniae
infection has been associated with atherosclerosis, but serodiagnosis is unreliable in predicting vascular infection. Direct detection of circulating chlamydial DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was thus evaluated as a marker for cardiovascular risk in a general population survey using the common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) as surrogate marker of asymptomatic atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results—

C pneumoniae
DNA in PBMCs was determined by nested polymerase chain reaction and associated with IMT for 1032 healthy participants of a general population survey who were within the highest or lowest IMT distribution quartile.
C pneumoniae
DNA was more prevalent in those with increased IMT (13.4% versus 10.7%), but this was not significant in univariate and of borderline significance in multivariate analysis. Testing for potential effect modifications by known strong determinants of an increased IMT in group interaction analysis revealed an independent association between
C pneumoniae
DNA and IMT in normotensive subjects (odds ratio [OR], 2.06; 95% CI, 1.05 to 4.03;
P
=0.04) and in those <70 years old (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.06 to 3.19;
P
=0.03).

Conclusions—

Asymptomatic atherosclerosis is associated with circulating
C pneumoniae
DNA independently of classical cardiovascular risk factors in normotensive subjects and those <70 years old.
Reconstruction of the Patterns of Gene Expression in the Developing Mouse Heart Reveals an Architectural Arrangement That Facilitates the Understanding of Atrial Malformations and Arrhythmias
Authors: Soufan Alexandre T. , van den Hoff Maurice J.B. , Ruijter Jan M. , de Boer Piet A.J. , Hagoort Jaco , Webb Sandra , Anderson Robert H. , Moorman Antoon F.M.
Published: November 2004

Firm knowledge about the formation of the atrial components and of the variations seen in congenital cardiac malformations and abnormal atrial rhythms is fundamental to our understanding of the normal structure of the definitive atrial chambers. The atrial region is relatively inaccessible and has continued to be the source of disagreement. Seeking to resolve these controversies, we made three-dimensional reconstructions of the myocardial components of the developing atrium, identifying domains on the basis of differential expression of myocardial markers, connexin40, and natriuretic precursor peptide A. These reconstructions, made from serial sections of mouse embryos, show that from the outset of atrial development, the systemic and pulmonary veins are directly connected to the atrium. Relative to the systemic junctions, however, the pulmonary venous junction appears later. Our experience shows that three-dimensional reconstructions have three advantages. First, they provide clear access to the combined morphological and molecular data, allowing clarification and verification of morphogenetic concepts for nonmorphological experts and setting the scene for further discussion. Second, they demonstrate that, from the outset, the myocardium surrounding the pulmonary veins is distinct from that clothing the systemic venoatrial junctions. Third, they reveal an anatomical and molecular continuity between the entrance of the systemic venous tributaries, the internodal atrial myocardium, and the atrioventricular region. All these regions are derived from primary myocardium, providing a molecular basis for the observed nonrandom distribution of focal right atrial tachycardias.
Small Artery Remodeling Depends on Tissue-Type Transglutaminase
Authors: Bakker Erik N.T.P. , Buus Carsten L. , Spaan Jos A.E. , Perree Jop , Ganga Anuradha , Rolf Titia M. , Sorop Oana , Bramsen Linda H. , Mulvany Michael J. , VanBavel Ed
Published: November 2004

Remodeling of small arteries is essential in the long-term regulation of blood pressure and blood flow to specific organs or tissues. A large part of the change in vessel diameter may occur through non–growth-related reorganization of vessel wall components. The hypothesis was tested that tissue-type transglutaminase (tTG), a cross-linking enzyme, contributes to the inward remodeling of small arteries. The in vivo inward remodeling of rat mesenteric arteries, induced by low blood flow, was attenuated by inhibition of tTG. Rat skeletal muscle arteries expressed tTG, as identified by Western blot and immunostaining. In vitro, activation of these arteries with endothelin-1 resulted in inward remodeling, which was blocked by tTG inhibitors. Small arteries obtained from rats and pigs both showed inward remodeling after exposure to exogenous transglutaminase, which was inhibited by addition of a nitric oxide donor. Enhanced expression of tTG, induced by retinoic acid, increased inward remodeling of porcine coronary arteries kept in organ culture for 3 days. The activity of tTG was dependent on pressure. Inhibition of tTG reversed remodeling, causing a substantial increase in vessel diameter. In a collagen gel contraction assay, tTG determined the compaction of collagen by smooth muscle cells. Collectively, these data show that small artery remodeling associated with chronic vasoconstriction depends on tissue-type transglutaminase. This mechanism may reveal a novel therapeutic target for pathologies associated with inward remodeling of the resistance arteries.
Cardiac Sodium-Calcium Exchanger Is Regulated by Allosteric Calcium and Exchanger Inhibitory Peptide at Distinct Sites
Authors: Maack Christoph , Ganesan Anand , Sidor Agnieszka , O’Rourke Brian
Published: November 2004

The sarcolemmal Na
+
-Ca
2+
exchanger (NCX) is the main Ca
2+
extrusion mechanism in cardiac myocytes and is thus essential for the regulation of Ca
2+
homeostasis and contractile function. A cytosolic region (f-loop) of the protein mediates regulation of NCX function by intracellular factors including inhibition by exchanger inhibitory peptide (XIP), a 20 amino acid peptide matching the sequence of an autoinhibitory region involved in allosteric regulation of NCX by intracellular Na
+
, Ca
2+
, and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate (PIP
2
). Previous evidence indicates that the XIP interaction domain can be eliminated by large deletions of the f-loop that also remove activation of NCX by intracellular Ca
2+
. By whole-cell voltage clamping experiments, we demonstrate that deletion of residues 562–679, but not 440– 456, 498–510, or 680–685 of the f-loop selectively eliminates XIP-mediated inhibition of NCX expressed either heterologously (HEK293 and A549 cells) or in guinea pig cardiac myocytes. In contrast, by plotting
I
NCX
against reverse-mode NCX-mediated Ca
2+
transients in myocytes, we demonstrate that Ca
2+
-dependent regulation of NCX is preserved in Δ562–679, but significantly reduced in the other three deletion mutants. The findings indicate that f-loop residues 562–679 may contain the regulatory site for endogenous XIP, but this site is distinct from the Ca
2+
-regulatory domains of the NCX. Because regulation of the NCX by Na
+
and PIP
2
involves the endogenous XIP region, the Δ562–679 mutant NCX may be a useful tool to investigate this regulation in the context of the whole cardiac myocyte.
Angiogenesis in Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis
Authors: Arenillas Juan F. , Álvarez-Sabín José , Montaner Joan , Rosell Anna , Molina Carlos A. , Rovira Alex , Ribó Marc , Sánchez Esther , Quintana Manuel
Published: November 2004

Background and Purpose—Angiogenesis may be beneficial in chronic myocardial and limb ischemia, but its role in intracranial atherosclerosis remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the anti-angiogenic endostatin, and the extent and risk of recurrence of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis.

Methods—Of a total of 94 consecutive patients with symptomatic intracranial stenoses, 40 fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Intracranial stenoses were confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion-weighted sequences was conducted. Plasmatic VEGF and endostatin were determined from blood samples obtained 3 months after stroke onset, and patients were followed-up thereafter.

Results—A total of 144 intracranial stenoses were confirmed (median number per patient=3). Endostatin/VEGF ratio gradually augmented with the increasing number of intracranial stenoses (r=0.35,P=0.02). Diabetes mellitus (OR, 6.04; CI, 1.1 to 32.2;P=0.03) and a higher endostatin/VEGF ratio (OR, 15.7; CI, 2.2 to 112.3;P=0.006) were independently associated with a greater extent of intracranial atherosclerosis. During a median follow-up of 13 months, 8 patients (20%) experienced a new cerebral ischemic event. A higher baseline endostatin concentration was an independent predictor of new events (hazard ratio, 7.24; CI, 1.6 to 33.8;P=0.011) in a Cox regression model after adjustment for age, sex, number of stenotic vessels, and risk factors. Patients with a higher endostatin level had a lower survival free of new events (P=0.01, log-rank test).

Conclusions—A predominance of the inhibitor endostatin within the endogenous angiogenic response is associated with a greater extent and risk of recurrence of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis, suggesting that angiogenesis may be beneficial in this condition.
Social Security Privatization and African Americans
Authors: Nwafor Ferdinand C.
Published: November 2004

Social Security (SS) was formulated on a pay-as-you-go basis. Thus, current workers’ contributions fund retired workers’ benefits. As baby boomers begin to retire, the contribution-to-benefit ratio would decline significantly. In response, some advocates of reform have been proposing privatization of the SS system. Specifically, for African Americans whose retirement incomes are highly dependent on SS incomes, the question of how to fix the system is of paramount concern. To this end, this study investigates the potential implications of SS privatization with respect to African Americans and the majority population. Using data from various sources, particularly the U.S. Bureau of Census Current Population Survey and the Survey of Consumer Finances, this study concludes via a descriptive case study approach that the benefits of the current SS program outweigh the costs. In contrast, the costs of SS privatization far exceed the benefits in the case of African Americans compared with the majority population
Globalization and Nepad’s Development Perspective
Authors: Ngwainmbi Emmanuel K.
Published: November 2004

This article describes the cultural and political history of Africa’s contribution to the globalization process, revisits the conceptual and pragmatic relationship between globalization and development, and offers solutions, drawing from published materials retrieved from the Web, libraries, and original New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)sources. Further, it examines the connection between audience agenda setting, international investment, and NEPAD’s plan for the application of information and communication technology toward the social and economic development of African countries and offers suggestions to NEPAD governing bodies on how to use local sites, business entities, and technology to realize its objectives
Afrocentricity and Racial Socialization among African American College Students
Authors: Mutisya P. Masila , Ross Louie E.
Published: November 2004

This article reviews and examines conceptual issues and definitions related to Afrocentricity and racial socialization. Data for the study were obtained from a survey of 453 African American college students. Afrocentricity has been conceptualized as being multidimensional. Several variables thought to represent both the constructs of Afrocentricity and racial socialization were constructed, analyzed for their reliabilities, and combined into attitudinal scales. This exploratory analysis sought to ascertain if two attitudinal scales were related. Findings from this study suggest that the overall scales or composite variables are positively related and that a strong interitem correlation among the individual statements exists. This study (a) provides insight on future development of an Afrocentric scale, (b) helps to clarify the importance of racial socialization as it relates to Afrocentricity, and (c) gives direction and encouragement for future research on African Americans
Trajectories of ADL Disability Among Community-Dwelling Frail Older Persons
Authors: Li Lydia W.
Published: November 2004

This study examines how activity of daily living (ADL) disability of community-living frail elders changes in a two-year period and how the pattern of change varies between those who subsequently died or were institutionalized and those who continued to live in the community. Multiple waves of data from a cohort of older participants ( N = 3,161) in Michigan’s Medicaid Waiver Program were analyzed using the hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) approach. The results suggest that changes in ADL disability were nonlinear and the pattern of change varied by their subsequent status. Participants who subsequently died or were institutionalized exhibited a steep increase in ADL disability during the last few months before the events, whereas continued community residents were relatively stable in ADL disability during the two-year study period. Within each group, substantial individual variation in ADL disability trajectories exists. Implications of the findings to research and practice are discussed.
The learning of popular music: a pedagogical model for music educators
Authors: Winter Neal
Published: November 2004

In order to evaluate the effects of an integrated curriculum on the learning of popular music, the Sting Curriculum was designed for senior secondary students of mixed ability. This nine-week program was presented to a sample of students aged between 16 and 18 years in urban Sydney (Australia). This article draws on some of the results from this broader study, examining the dynamic relationships between the three music learning activities of listening, performance, and composition, and extraneous variables (evident in the teacher and student samples). After a pilot study and implementation of the Sting Curriculum, student learning in popular music was measured using a specially constructed test. Test scores and data relating to the extraneous variables were analysed using stepwise multiple regression analysis, chi square (nonparametric) tests, and correlations using the Pearson r correlation coefficients function within SPSS for the Macintosh. The results indicate that students in the sample achieved high scores on the test when a greater emphasis was placed on performance than on the listening and composition activities.

It is suggested that the Sting Curriculum was successful as a vehicle for learning popular music, providing students with an integrated and sequential program that motivated participants to become immersed in the music. In the context of an integrated curriculum, popular music learning was enhanced when teachers utilized a pedagogical approach which emphasized the performance activity.
Contextualized improvisation in solfège class
Authors: Dos Santos Regina Antunes Teixeira , Del Ben Luciana
Published: November 2004

This article presents practitioner research dealing with improvisation in solfège as a creative alternative for the development of music perception. Solfège practice, conceived as a personal construction of a melody, requires an attitude that embraces aural sensitivity to the spatial and temporal dimensions of a melodic line, identification of problems, hypothesizing solutions and experimenting with strategies. In contextualized improvisation in solfège, the melody recently read and understood is manipulated in order to find different ways of embellishing its structure without changing the basic character. Examples extracted from solfège classes in a higher education context are illustrated and discussed. Improvisation on solfège exercises demands awareness of melodic contour at the same time as each note is being named, coherence and rhythmic freedom, providing the means for the students to develop the musical structures dealt with in the studied exercises.
Franchising as a Small Business Growth Strategy
Authors: Stanworth John , Stanworth Celia , Watson Anna , Purdy David , Healeas Simon
Published: November 2004

Not only are most franchisees themselves small businesses, but so are many franchisors, particularly in the formative years of their franchise businesses. High turbulence and attrition rates in the formative years of franchise businesses result in an industry profile whereby, at any one time, around half of all franchise systems are less than five years old with less than 10 outlets. The question arises: how do successful franchise organizations plan their human capital development in order to accomplish successful growth? An adjunct to this question is the role of franchisees who, while not totally independent in the sense of the conventional small business person, certainly do not see themselves as conventional employees either, and have certain expectations of participation in the process of which they are an integral part. This exploratory article uses case study material from a number of ‘exemplar’ franchise companies in the development of a resource-based view of organizational development. The article should hold considerable interest, not only for academics interested in franchising, but also for those examining fields such as small business strategic management, innovation and intangible asset growth.
What Success Factors are Important to Small Business Owners?
Authors: Walker Elizabeth , Brown Alan
Published: November 2004

Financial criteria are usually considered to be the most appropriate measure of business success, yet many small business owners are motivated to start a business on the basis of lifestyle or personal factors. Non-financial goals could lead to alternative measures of success, particularly in the small business sector. To explore the significance of these two dimensions of success, 290 small business owner-managers in Western Australia were surveyed. Respondents rated the importance of items relating to lifestyle and financial measures, which they used to judge their business success. Findings suggest that both financial and non-financial lifestyle criteria are used to judge business success, with the latter being more important. Personal satisfaction and achievement, pride in the job and a flexible lifestyle are generally valued higher than wealth creation. Personal factors such as age and also business characteristics influenced perceptions on the importance of these factors.
Cultural Restoration versus Cultural Revolution
Authors: Yang Lan
Published: November 2004

This article provides a reading of Hao Ran’s The Golden Road, the most celebrated Cultural Revolution fiction. From a traditional cultural perspective, the study focuses on characterization in the novel, and explores its connection with Chinese ethical and literary tradition. It shows that the unique prominence of Hao Ran and The Golden Road during the Cultural Revolution can be attributed to the writer’s craftsmanship in sculpting the novel’s dually ideological and cultural characterization. It thus concludes that the emphasis on not only ideological but also cultural representation to some extent indicates the then promoted Cultural Revolution literary aesthetic values. As regards Cultural Revolution writers’ individual style, Hao Ran’s craftsmanship vis-a-vis the dually ideological and cultural characterization was not developed during the Cultural Revolution but had already been honed in his pre-Cultural Revolution writings, thus indicating the connection between Cultural Revolution and pre-Cultural Revolution literatures.
Parameter-based Engineering Changes for a Distributed Engineering Environment
Authors: Yang Jeongsam , Goltz Michael , Han Soonhung
Published: November 2004

Engineering changes (ECs) in engineering and manufacturing companies usually involve a wide range of time-consuming information processes. Commercial product data management (PDM) systems offer capable management of data for a single company, but not for a distributed engineering environment. In this paper, we present a concept for improving the handling of ECs not only within the various disciplines of a company but also across collaborating enterprises. We propose a parameter-based approach that is able to propagate ECs and engineering tasks across company borders. In addition, we introduce a mechanism of workflow management based on engineering parameters, an application of ECs in a distributed environment and a concept for the architecture of a Web-based distributed workspace. We developed the workflow system as a prototype for the SIMNET 1 project to verify the parameter-based approach.
Climatology of Dust Sources in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, Based on TOMS Data
Authors: Barkan J. , Kutiel H. , Alpert P.
Published: November 2004

Aerosol Index ( AI) values from the TOMS instrument were used to compute AI climatology in Africa north of the equator and in the Saudi Arabian desert (30°W-60°E, 0°-50°), for the period 1979-1992. Monthly and annual averages are presented for the whole area as well as for 9 other source areas.

The highest AI values were found in the summer months of May, June and July. The area around lake Chad has the highest value and, contrary to the other sources, is active throughout the year. The first 4 years of the research period has a significantly lower index value as compared with the later years. There is a sharp discontinuity between the years 1982 and 1983 in the western sources and a more moderate increase in the eastern sources. Two periods with very high AI values are identified, namely 1983-1984 and 1987-1988, while the year 1986 had a low index value. In 1991 and, to a lesser extent, in 1992, very high AI values were obtained in the eastern sources.
Numerical Study of Particle Deposition in Two Differently Ventilated Rooms
Authors: Zhao Bin , Li Xianting , Zhang Zhao
Published: November 2004

A three-dimensional drift-flux model combined with deposition boundary conditions for the wall surfaces is presented to study particle deposition in a room ventilated either by displacement or mixing. The deposition boundary conditions were developed based on the work by Lai and Nazaroff. The turbulence effects of the indoor airflow were modelled with a zero-equation turbulence model by Chen and Xu. Several particle sizes, 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 micron, were investigated. The results showed that the deposited particle mass flux at vertical walls and floor were very different in the two differently ventilated rooms, even though the mean particle deposition velocities and mean deposition rate were almost the same for a certain size of particles. The deposited particle mass in rooms ventilated by mixing was larger than that in the room with displacement ventilation. The calculated mean deposition velocities and mean deposition rate of some sizes of particles agree with the measured data reported in the literature, while the results of small size (1µm) and large size (10µm) particles have obvious discrepancies.
Numerical Simulation of Indoor PM Distribution over the Whole Year by Zonal Model
Authors: Zhao B. , Wu P. , Song F. , Yan D. , Yang X. , Li X. , Jiang Y.
Published: November 2004

This paper presents the simulation of indoor particulate matter (PM) distribution over the whole year by a zonal model. To make the zoning more reasonable, the zonal model divides room space based on numerical results of air age distribution using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Then the mass balance model for PM that considers particulate deposition and re-suspension is established. Using the zonal model, the indoor PM concentration over the whole year can be analysed, an approach which may be suitable for indoor environment design and indoor air quality evaluation. Simulation results from both a single room and a multi-room case with air re-circulation and double air filtering are presented.
Correlation of Indoor-Outdoor Air Quality in Urban Areas
Authors: El-Hougeiri N. , El Fadel M.
Published: November 2004

Indoor and outdoor air quality was investigated at 28 public locations with mostly mechanical ventilation systems. The locations were selected from various geographic categories representing different environments for indoor/outdoor air pollutant characterisation. The selected indoor locations included restaurants, recreation places, sport centres, schools, commercial kitchens, hotels, swimming pools and movie theatres. The concentrations of PM, CO, NO2 and selected priority metals were measured at each location. Pollutant concentrations exceeded indoor air quality standards at locations with indoor sources (smoking, gas stoves, cleaning products, etc.). As such, highest I/O ratios were correlated with the existence of indoor sources for the pollutant of concern. The effects of outdoor conditions were reflected in terms of distance to the main road and the correlation between indoor and outdoor levels was evident when the sampled locations were sorted on the basis of their source characteristics.
Integrated care and the working record
Authors: Fitzpatrick Geraldine
Published: November 2004

By default, many discussions and specifications of electronic health records or integrated care records often conceptualize the record as a passive information repository. This article presents data from a case study of work in a medical unit in a major metropolitan hospital. It shows how the clinicians tailored, re-presented and augmented clinical information to support their own roles in the delivery of care for individual patients. This is referred to as the working record: a set of complexly interrelated clinician-centred documents that are locally evolved, maintained and used to support delivery of care in conjunction with the more patient-centred chart that will be stored in the medical records department on the patient’s discharge. Implications are drawn for how an integrated care record could support the local tailorability and flexibility that underpin this working record and hence underpin practice.
Learning the lessons of history? Electronic records in the United Kingdom acute hospitals, 1988-2002
Authors: Jones Matthew
Published: November 2004

The concept that patient records in UK hospitals should be computerized can be traced back at least to the Hospital Information Support Systems Programme of 1988. Since that time it has undergone a series of transformations of scope and terminology and a number of successful projects have been implemented at the local level. Despite the potentially important role of such records in visions for the modern NHS, however, their adoption is still restricted to a relatively small number of sites and limited progress has so far been made towards the achievement of national level electronic records. This article describes the evolution of the electronic record concept, in the acute hospital sector, over the past 15 years and offers some possible explanations for the lack of significant progress and its implications for the future.
Implementing an HIS project: everyday features and practicalities of NHS project work
Authors: Martin Dave , Mariani John , Rouncefield Mark
Published: November 2004

This article considers some of the everyday practicalities of delivering an electronic health record project within an NHS hospital trust. Using ethnographic, observational data we document how and in what ways the orderly character of project work is achieved against a background of battles and negotiations to deliver the project within and despite various organizational contingencies and constraints.
Environment and economy
Authors: Hirsch Eric
Published: November 2004

There is a mutual connection between environment and economy that is often not recognized in economic anthropology. While economic anthropology conventionally examines how people evaluate their relations through the artefacts they create, value and exchange, the article suggests that such artefacts include environments as well as more usual economic things (e.g. money or manufactured commodities). Three related entities are identified as imparting a distinct form to the mutual connections of environment and economy: place, boundary and map. Ethnographic case studies from the Scottish Borders (UK), Guinea (West Africa) and Lake Titicaca (Peru) are drawn upon to illustrate these connections and to highlight the ways people assess and value their relationships through created artefacts. The case studies also emphasize the need to attend to how such measures and values operate in context, both quantitatively and qualitatively, depending on the perspectives and interests of the agents involved.
Getting it right
Authors: Hastrup Kirsten
Published: November 2004

In this article the nature of anthropological knowledge is discussed with a view to a reassessment of the call for evidence. It will be argued that the traditional view of evidence as being somehow outside a particular argument is untenable, given the way in which anthropology accesses knowledge by engaging a particular field. This may be seen to lead to an uneasy question of authority in anthropology, yet at closer inspection, it is possible to establish new grounds for anthropological authority and to arrive at a new sense of ‘getting it right’. The general discussion is substantiated by reference to the author’s work on Icelandic history as well as her fieldwork in Iceland.
Epiphanies of embodiment: injury, identity and the balletic body
Authors: Wainwright Steven P. , Turner Bryan S.
Published: November 2004

Our ethnography of the balletic body is a contribution to the relatively small corpus of empirical research studies on embodiment in general and on dance as a social practice in particular. In contrast, much of the literature on the sociology of the body is characterized by its theoretical discussion of the nature of the body. We draw upon our fieldwork at the Royal Ballet (London) where we conducted 20 in-depth interviews with ballet staff, and where we also watched ‘the company at work’(in class, rehearsal and performance). We explored the perceptions, of their bodies and dancing careers, of both dancers ( n= 9) and ex-dancers ( n=11: who are now teachers, administrators and character artists with the company). Furthermore, we especially focused upon the epiphanies of injury and ageing that endanger their balletic vocation, and that may even threaten their personal identity. Although our ethnography of the balletic body is set within the elite and narrow cultural field of dance, we hope that our research is also an appealing and constructive adjunct to discussions on the interactions between self and society; the body and culture; embodiment and identity; and individuals and institutions. Our article is one example of our broader research programme on the embodiment of vulnerability in the arts, medicine and society.
Finding the limits: autoethnography and being an Oxford University Proctor
Authors: Walford Geoffrey
Published: November 2004

This article discusses autoethnography –in particular, in relation to an autoethnography of my experience as a University Proctor for Oxford University during 2001–2002. It is a article of several parts which in themselves form an autoethnography of my experience of trying to write and think about autoethnography. It starts with a personal account of part of the day during which I was admitted as a Proctor. It then recognizes and provides some contextual material in which the account can be situated both historically and in the present day. The next section describes the empirical basis on which the autoethnography could be constructed. This is followed by a more theoretical section that considers the nature of autoethnography and critiques some of its forms. The article concludes with a discussion of the merits and drawbacks of some forms of autoethnography as a research method and as a research product.
Damage Quantification of Flexurally Loaded RC Slab Using Frequency Response Data
Authors: Koh S. J.A. , Maalej M. , Quek S. T.
Published: November 2004

A one-way reinforced concrete (RC) slab was subjected to short-duration concentrated impact load and its dynamic characteristic for the virgin and damaged conditions were studied using two signal processing techniques. The recorded strain and acceleration signals were analyzed using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and the Hilbert Huang Transform (HHT). From these analyses, the percentage reductions in the modal frequency for varying degrees of damage (or magnitude of applied load) were obtained. Based on the eigen-solution of a 3-element partitioned beam model, the frequency–damage relationship was also estimated using the observed initial flexural stiffness of the half-cycle hysteresis path associated with each stage of applied load. Both semi-empirical and experimental results showed close agreement and a 30% frequency reduction was observed between the virgin state and yield. Three quarters of the total frequency reduction from virgin-to-yield occurred within an applied load range of 30% of the yield load.
Vibration Based Condition Monitoring: A Review
Authors: Carden E. Peter , Fanning Paul
Published: November 2004

Vibration based condition monitoring refers to the use of in situ non-destructive sensing and analysis of system characteristics –in the time, frequency or modal domains –for the purpose of detecting changes, which may indicate damage or degradation. In the field of civil engineering, monitoring systems have the potential to facilitate the more economical management and maintenance of modern infrastructure. This paper reviews the state of the art in vibration based condition monitoring with particular emphasis on structural engineering applications.
The 1896 Realignment
Authors: Stonecash Jeffrey M. , Silina Everita
Published: November 2004

The election of 1896 is regarded as a critical one in which a significant and enduring shift in party electoral fortunes occurred. This evidence is so important because it supports the more general argument that critical realignments are the way that significant electoral changes occur. Change is seen as abrupt, with new alignments persisting for decades. Voters are seen as detached, briefly attentive, and then relatively stable in a new alignment. In this view, the political process is not seen as one in which there is continuous political debate, electoral attention, and secular electoral change. This analysis reexamines the evidence for the occurrence of a critical realignment in 1896, using results for presidential and House elections. The data do not indicate that an abrupt change occurred in 1896. The changes that occurred were gradual, with most occurring after 1896. The evidence suggests that secular change and gradual electoral shifts should receive much more attention.
Jagged1-dependent Notch signaling is dispensable for hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation
Authors: Mancini Stéphane J. C. , Mantei Ned , Dumortier Alexis , Suter Ueli , MacDonald H. Robson , Radtke Freddy
Published: November 2004

Jagged1-mediated Notch signaling has been suggested to be critically involved in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal. Unexpectedly, we report here that inducible Cre-loxP–mediated inactivation of the Jagged1 gene in bone marrow progenitors and/or bone marrow (BM) stromal cells does not impair HSC self-renewal or differentiation in all blood lineages. Mice with simultaneous inactivation of Jagged1 and Notch1 in the BM compartment survived normally following a 5FU-based in vivo challenge. In addition, Notch1-deficient HSCs were able to reconstitute mice with inactivated Jagged1 in the BM stroma even under competitive conditions. In contrast to earlier reports, these data exclude an essential role for Jagged1-mediated Notch signaling during hematopoiesis.
Functional characterization of telomerase RNA variants found in patients with hematologic disorders
Authors: Ly Hinh , Calado Rodrigo T. , Allard Paulette , Baerlocher Gabriela M. , Lansdorp Peter M. , Young Neal S. , Parslow Tristram G.
Published: November 2004

Human telomerase uses a specific cellular RNA, called hTERC, as the template to synthesize telomere repeats at chromosome ends. Approximately 10% to 15% of patients with aplastic anemia or other bone marrow failure syndromes are carriers of hTERC sequence variants whose functional significance, in most cases, is unknown. We screened 10 reported and 2 newly discovered hTERC variants from such patients and found that 10 of these negatively affected telomerase enzymatic function when they were used to reconstitute telomerase enzymatic function in human cells. Most functional deficits were due to perturbations of hTERC secondary structure and correlated well with the degrees of telomere shortening and reduced telomerase activity observed in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the representative patients. We also found no evidence of dominant-negative activity in any of the mutants. Therefore, loss of telomerase activity and of telomere maintenance resulting from inherited hTERC mutations may limit marrow stem cell renewal and predispose some patients to bone marrow failure.
α1A-Adrenoceptors Activate Glucose Uptake in L6 Muscle Cells through a Phospholipase C-, Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase-, and Atypical Protein Kinase C-Dependent Pathway
Authors: Hutchinson Dana S. , Bengtsson Tore
Published: November 2004

The role of α1-adrenoceptor activation on glucose uptake in L6 cells was investigated. The α1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine [pEC50 (−log10 EC50), 5.27 ± 0.30] or cirazoline (pEC50, 5.00 ± 0.23) increased glucose uptake in a concentration-dependent manner, as did insulin (pEC50, 7.16 ± 0.21). The α2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine was without any stimulatory effect on glucose uptake. The stimulatory effect of cirazoline was inhibited by the α1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, but not by the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol. RT-PCR showed that the α1A-adrenoceptor was the sole α1-adrenoceptor subtype expressed in L6 cells. Cirazoline- or insulin-mediated glucose uptake was inhibited by the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase inhibitor LY294002, suggesting a possible interaction between the α1-adrenoceptor and insulin pathways. Cirazoline or insulin stimulated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase activity, but α1-adrenoceptor activation did not phosphorylate Akt. Both cirazoline- and insulin-mediated glucose uptake were inhibited by protein kinase C (PKC), phospholipase C, and p38 kinase inhibitors, but not by Erk1/2 inhibitors (despite both treatments being able to phosphorylate Erk1/2). Insulin and cirazoline were able to activate and phosphorylate p38 kinase. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and the calcium ionophore A23187 produced significant increases in glucose uptake, indicating roles for PKC and calcium in glucose uptake. Down-regulation of conventional PKC isoforms inhibited glucose uptake mediated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, but not by insulin or cirazoline. This study demonstrates that α1-adrenoceptors mediate increases in glucose uptake in L6 muscle cells. This effect appears to be related to activation of phospholipase C, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, p38 kinase, and PKC.
Peptidergic innervation of the vasoconstrictor muscle of the abdominal aorta inAplysia kurodai
Authors: Sasaki Kosei , Morishita Fumihiro , Furukawa Yasuo
Published: November 2004

The arterial system of the marine mollusc Aplysia consists of three major arteries. One of them, the abdominal aorta, has a sphincter (the vasoconstrictor muscle) at the base of the artery. Contraction of this muscle reduces the blood flow into the abdominal aorta, thereby, playing a role in the regulation of the blood distribution in Aplysia. Here, we show the contractility of the vasoconstrictor muscle is modulated by three types of endogenous peptides, Aplysia mytilus inhibitory peptide-related peptides (AMRP), enterin and NdWFamide. Immunohistochemistry showed that putative neuronal processes containing the three peptides exist in the vasoconstrictor muscle. Enterin inhibited the muscle contraction elicited by the nerve stimulation or the application of a putative excitatory transmitter,acetylcholine (ACh). Enterin hyperpolarized the resting potential of the muscle and decreased the amplitude of the excitatory junction potential (EJP). AMRP also inhibited the nerve-evoked contraction although its action on the ACh-induced contraction was variable. AMRP also reduced the size of EJP, but had no effect on the resting potential of the muscle. NdWFamide enhanced the nerve-evoked contraction but not the ACh-induced contraction. NdWFamide augmented EJP without affecting the resting potential of the muscle. These results suggest that AMRP, enterin and NdWFamide are endogenous modulators of the contractile activity of the vasoconstrictor muscle, and that the peptidergic innervations of this muscle contribute to fine tuning of the blood distribution in Aplysia.
Floral scents induce recall of navigational and visual memories in honeybees
Authors: Reinhard Judith , Srinivasan Mandyam V. , Guez David , Zhang Shaowu W.
Published: November 2004

During foraging flights, honeybees learn visual and chemical cues associated with a food source. We investigated whether learned olfactory cues can trigger visual and navigational memories in honeybees that assist them in navigating back to a known food source. In a series of experiments, marked bees were trained to forage at one or more sugar water feeders, placed at different outdoor locations and carrying different scents or colours. We then tested the ability of these bees to recall the locations (or colours) of these food sites and to fly to them, when the training scents were blown into the hive, and the scents and food at the feeders were removed. The results show that (1) bees, trained to a single-scented feeder at a given location, can be induced to fly to the same location by blowing the scent into the hive; (2)bees, trained to two feeders, each placed at a different location and carrying a different scent, can be induced to fly to either location by blowing the appropriate scent into the hive; and (3) bees, trained to two feeders, each decorated with a different colour and carrying a different scent, can be induced to find a feeder of either colour by blowing the appropriate scent into the hive. Thus, familiar scents can trigger navigational and visual memories in experienced bees. Our findings suggest that the odour and taste of the nectar samples that are distributed by successful foragers on returning to the hive, may trigger recall of navigational memories associated with the food site in experienced recruits and, thus, facilitate their navigation back to the site.
Survivin: A Bifunctional Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein
Authors: Johnson M. E. , Howerth E. W.
Published: November 2004

Survivin is a recently discovered protein belonging to the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) gene family. IAP molecules are characterized by both the presence of a zinc-binding fold termed the baculoviral IAP repeat and the ability to suppress apoptosis. In addition to inhibiting apoptosis, survivin is essential for proper cell division. Survivin is expressed during embryonal development but is absent in most normal, terminally differentiated tissues. Survivin is also upregulated in a variety of human cancers, and its expression in tumors is associated with a more aggressive phenotype, shorter survival times, and a decreased response to chemotherapy. The exact mechanism behind the ability of survivin to inhibit apoptosis is still unclear. Furthermore, it is not known why this protein is upregulated in cancer. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the current knowledge of survivin, including its role in cell division and its expression in normal and neoplastic tissues. Although much of the current research in this field is focused on human medicine, this area also has potential significance for veterinary species.
Correlation of Nuclear Morphometric Features with Animal and Human World Health Organization International Histological Classifications of Canine Spontaneous Seminomas
Authors: Maiolino P. , Restucci B. , Papparella S. , Paciello O. , De Vico G.
Published: November 2004

The aim of this study was to correlate nuclear morphometric features with animal and human World Health Organization International Histological Classifications in canine seminomas. Twenty-three canine seminomas were classified, according to Animal World Health Organization International Histological Classification as intratubular, intratubular with signs of invasion, or diffuse and according to Human World Health Organization International Histological Classification criteria as spermatocytic and typical. The morphonuclear characteristics of tumors were quantitatively evaluated by means of digital cell image analyses of hematoxylin and eosin-stained nuclei. In particular, the mean nuclear area, mean nuclear perimeter, mean nuclear form factor, and their respective standard deviations were calculated. The relationship between the different variables and the tumor histologic types was assessed. On the basis of animal and human classification systems, statistically significant differences were observed only between intratubular seminomas with signs of invasion and the other two types and between spermatocytic and typical seminomas, respectively. In humans, it is well known that typical seminomas are more common and aggressive than spermatocytic ones. In our study, the canine seminomas classified as typical showed significantly larger and more variable nuclear area and perimeter than spermatocytic seminomas. These results support the opinion that most canine seminomas correspond to human spermatocytic seminomas and could explain the benign behavior of canine seminomas, which derive from a more differentiated type of germ cell.
Skeletal Changes in Hemochromatosis of Salers Cattle
Authors: Norrdin R. W. , Hoopes K. J. , O'Toole D.
Published: November 2004

Hemochromatosis is an inherited defect in Salers cattle, characterized by increased iron absorption and wasting in young animals. Loss of teeth and soft bones has been reported. This study details bone changes in a prospective study of an affected Salers heifer and an age-matched, half-sibling control. The heifer fell 2 weeks before euthanasia, developed non-weight bearing lameness, and then became recumbent. At necropsy, the heifer was smaller than the control and had fractures of the humerus, femur, and ribs. Distinctive circumferential laminations in the outer third of the cortex were seen radiographically as layers of variably decreased density. In midshaft cross sections, the cortex was wider in some long bones, and fluorescent labeling revealed irregular and intermittent mineralization in the outer cortical layers. Mineral apposition rates in osteons of the inner cortex were decreased as compared with the control, and longitudinal bone formation at the growth plate was markedly decreased. Histologically, there were buried layers of osteopenic, poorly mineralized plexiform bone in outer circumferential lamellae. There was stainable iron in woven bone cores of the matrix. Iron was found in occasional osteoclasts as well. The mandible was severely affected, with loss of cortical bone as well as trabecular bone around the teeth and resorption of dental roots. Bone analysis revealed iron levels in the affected calf that were 30–50 times greater than the control and decreased percent ash in the outer cortex. These results indicate that periosteal dysplasia and osteopenia are responsible for pathologic fractures and tooth loss.