bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth, photosynthesis, and extracellular organic release in colonized and axenic Myriophyllum spicatum
Authors: Godmaire H. , Nalewajko C.
Published: September 2008

Growth and photosynthesis of axenic and colonized Myriophyllum were compared to test the validity of using axenic plants as controls in the quantification of extracellular organic carbon (EOC) release. Axenic plants were characterized by lower growth rates that could be attributed to the unavailability of some major nutrients other than N, P, or C and (or) micronutrients in the culture medium. Vmax, the maximum rate of bicarbonate uptake, and Pmax, the maximum light-saturated rate of photosynthesis, of nonaxenic Myriophyllum were significantly higher than those of axenic plants. These differences could be attributed to epiphytic algal photosynthesis. At subsaturating dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations (below 15 mg C ∙ L−1), both plants achieved similar rates of photosynthesis but differed in the kinetics of EOC release. In short-term incubation (2–6 h), 14C-EOC accounted for 0.2–0.4% of photosynthesis, and total EOC amounted to 1.3–3.8%. 14C-EOC consisted primarily (≥ 60%) of low molecular weight products (≤ 1500). No differences were apparent in size distribution patterns of 14C-EOC from axenic and nonaxenic Myriophyllum and at different dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations. Axenic plants generally showed lower rates of EOC release (in absolute values). On colonized Myriophyllum, the contribution of the epiphytes to the EOC release pool was found to be low (≤ 20% of 14C-EOC) and could partly explain the greater EOC release rates of nonaxenic plants. However, our results are not totally conclusive because the lower growth rate of axenic plants could also be responsible for the lower photosynthetic and EOC release rates of these plants.
Spherical organelles, analogous to seed protein bodies, fluctuate seasonally in parenchymatous cells of hardwoods
Authors: Wetzel S. , Demmers C. , Greenwood J. S.
Published: September 2008

A light microscopic study of the inner bark tissues of 11 temperate hardwoods showed seasonal differences in the degree of vacuolization and in the type and amount of storage material within phloem parenchyma and vascular cambium cells. Throughout the summer these cells were highly vacuolated, and starch-containing plastids were often present. During the overwintering period the typical large, central vacuoles were replaced by small, spherical organelles approximately 0.5–7.0 μm in diameter. The contents of the spherical organelles stained positively for protein. These organelles are considered to be analogous to protein bodies of seeds and to play a role in the storage of nitrogen. This study confirms and extends previous reports of protein bodies within parenchymatous cells of overwintering temperate trees. It further demonstrates that the organelles occur seasonally and that the formation of protein bodies for overwintering storage is a common phenomenon.
The arrangement of microtubules in leaves of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants
Authors: Hogetsu Taizo
Published: September 2008

The first leaf of Avena sativa L., a monocotyledonous plant, grows in a region that lies within 10 mm of the base of the leaf. Cells in that region elongate longitudinally but hardly expand laterally. The orientation of cortical microtubules in the elongating region is transverse in both epidermal and parenchymal cells. The same features of the arrangement of microtubules are also observed in the leaves of Zea mays. Cellulose microfibrils in the cell wall are coaligned with microtubules, lying approximately transverse to the axis of elongation, as if they function as hoops to facilitate the longitudinal elongation of the cell. The cells of growing leaves of Pisum sativum L., a dicotyledonous plant, expand superficially in every direction at every point on the leaf. Cortical microtubules lining the outer walls of epidermal cells are arranged randomly or in parallel. The parallel microtubules are oriented in various directions. In the outer walls of epidermal cells of growing leaves, areas with different predominant orientations of microfibrils are found within a single cell, consistent with the arrangement of microtubules. These results indicate that the orientation of cortical microtubules is correlated with the orientation of microfibrils and the direction of growth in growing leaves of both monocotyledons and dicotyledons, suggesting the involvement of cortical microtubules in control of the direction of growth in leaves.
The cytogeography of Aster pilosus var. pilosus in southern Ontario revisited (Compositae: Astereae)
Authors: Chmielewski J. G. , Semple J. C.
Published: September 2008

Chromosome numbers were determined for 228 individuals (215 populations) of Aster pilosus var. pilosus from a wider area of southern Ontario than previously reported. Tetraploids occurred throughout the known distribution of the variety in southern Ontario, and the majority were found on clay plains and bedrock outcrops. Hexaploids were by and large restricted in distribution to glacial moraine and till and sand deposits in the "Ontario Island" region, where tetraploids were infrequent, and in parts of the southern Niagara Peninsula, where tetraploids were more common. Two pentaploids were encountered.
Resistant responses in juvenile seedlings of Pinus densiflora (Japanese red pine) inoculated with Endocronartium harknessii
Authors: Hopkin A. A. , Blenis P. V. , Hiratsuka Y.
Published: September 2008

Hypocotyls of Pinus densiflora, a species known to be resistant to western gall rust, were inoculated with Endocronartium harknessii and examined by light and electron microscopy. Host cells, when initially infected, were apparently unaffected, as were the haustoria within them. Seedlings were observed to respond to infection in two ways. In the first type of response, infected cells showed signs of necrosis by 9 days after inoculation, although infecting haustoria appeared normal. By 18 days, most cortical cells in the centre of the infected region were necrotic, as were the haustoria within them. Infected cells at the colony margin still appeared healthy, indicating that host cell necrosis lagged behind infection and only occurred after the haustorium was established. Four weeks after inoculation, a ring of suberized and lignified endodermal cells separated the infected cortex from the uninfected vascular tissue and appeared to prevent further inward growth of the fungus. The second response type involved production of encapsulations around haustoria. Encapsulations appeared to have formed after haustoria senescence and were eventually followed by host cell death.
In vitro regeneration of Pinus pinaster adult trees
Authors: De Diego N. , Montalbán I. A. , Fernandez de Larrinoa E. , Moncaleán P.
Published: September 2008

Regeneration of adult conifer trees by means of in vitro culture has been the subject of intense study during the last 20 years. Propagation by tissue culture may become the best method for obtaining multiple identical trees and for capturing the genetic gain in breeding programs. However, the method has several problems related to phase change of trees (juvenile–adult) that limit its practical applications. In this study, shoot buds were collected from 20 maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster Ait.) adult trees (>20 years old) from November to March. Buds were cut transversely into 0.5–1.0 cm slices and cultured on several media (DCR, WP and modified LP) supplemented with cytokinins (6-benzyladenine, metatopolin, or zeatin) at two concentrations (25 or 50 μmol/L). The highest organogenic response (axillary shoots formation ability) occurred on DCR medium supplemented with 25 μmol/L zeatin and metatopolin, and 25 or 50 μmol/L 6-benzyladenine. All shoots that regenerated on DCR medium with 25 μmol/L 6-benzyladenine developed healthy and well rooted plantlets. The ability to micropropagate adult trees represents a significant progress in the application of biotechnology to forest tree improvement programs, and it opens the possibility of using select trees in agroforestry areas under biotic or abiotic stress.
The effect of winter thinning on the spread of Heterobasidion parviporum in Norway spruce stands
Authors: Piri Tuula , Korhonen Kari
Published: September 2008

Genets of Heterobasidion were identified in eight 43- to 56-year-old Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands in southern Finland. Four of the stands had been thinned in winter ca. 10 years prior to the study, and four had been left unthinned. It was hypothesized that the felling of decayed trees promotes the vegetative spread of the fungus from thinning stumps into the adjacent trees, and hence the Heterobasidion genets should be larger in thinned stands. Although the number of infected stumps per areal unit was lower and the genets were slightly smaller in the previous tree generation of thinned plots, the genets, particularly the old ones, in the present tree generation were larger on thinned plots. The genets originating from the previous rotation included, on average, 12.2 trees on thinned plots and 6.7 trees on unthinned plots. The mean number of trees infected by new genets (not found in previous generation) was also slightly higher (p < 0.05) on thinned than on unthinned plots, 1.8 and 1.2 trees, respectively. The results indicate that the rapid expansion of old Heterobasidion infections after a thinning operation may significantly contribute to the occurrence of root rot in the residual stand.
Forest dynamics and the growth decline of red spruce and sugar maple on Bolton Mountain, Vermont: a comparison of modeling methods
Authors: Gavin Daniel G. , Beckage Brian , Osborne Benjamin
Published: September 2008

Montane forests in the northeastern United States have experienced symptoms of declining vigor, such as branch dieback and increased mortality, over the last half-century. These declines have been attributed to the cumulative impacts of acid deposition, but reconstructing these declines from tree-ring records has proved difficult because of confounding factors that affect low-frequency growth patterns, including climate and natural growth trajectories following disturbance. We obtained tree-ring records of red spruce ( Picea rubens Sarg.) and sugar maple ( Acer saccharum L.) from three elevations on Bolton Mountain, Vermont, and applied traditional dendroclimatological analyses that revealed a profound declining growth–climate correlation since ca. 1970 for sugar maple but much less so for red spruce. We then applied a new multifaceted statistical approach that conservatively detrends tree-ring records by minimizing the influences of tree size, age, and canopy disturbances on radial growth. In contrast with the traditional analysis, this approach yielded chronologies that were consistently correlated with climate but with important exceptions. Low-elevation sugar maple suffered distinct episodes of slow growth, likely because of insect defoliators, and also a progressive decline since ca. 1988. Red spruce experienced subdecadal episodes of decline that may be related to freeze–thaw events known to injure foliage but showed no evidence of a progressive decline. This analysis was supported by a forest plot resurvey that indicated major declines in these species.
ON THE ADDITIVITY OF CROSSING NUMBERS OF GRAPHS
Authors: LEAÑOS JESÚS , SALAZAR GELASIO
Published: September 2008

We describe a relationship between the crossing number of a graph G with a 2-edge-cut C and the crossing numbers of the components of G-C. Let G be a connected graph with a 2-edge-cut C := [V1,V2]. Let u1u2, v1v2 be the edges of C, so that ui,vi ∈ Vi for i = 1,2, and let Gi := G[Vi] and G'i := Gi + uivi. We show that if either G1 or G2 is not connected, then cr (G) = cr (G1) + cr (G2), and that if they are both connected then cr (G) = cr (G'1) + cr (G'2). We use this to show how to decompose crossing-critical graphs with 2-edge-cuts into smaller, 3-edge-connected crossing-critical graphs. We also observe that this settles a question arising from knot theory, raised by Sawollek, by describing exactly under which conditions the crossing number of the connected sum of two graphs equals the sum of the crossing numbers of the individual graphs.
HYPERBOLIC KNOTS WITH THREE TOROIDAL DEHN SURGERIES
Authors: TERAGAITO MASAKAZU
Published: September 2008

It is conjectured that a hyperbolic knot admits at most three Dehn surgeries which yield closed 3-manifolds containing incompressible tori. We show that there exist infinitely many hyperbolic knots which attain the conjectural maximum number. Interestingly, those surgeries correspond to consecutive integers.
SOME REMARKS ON THE DYNAMICS AND GEOMETRY OF AN UNDERWATER VEHICLE
Authors: BIRTEA PETRE , PUTA MIRCEA , TUDORAN RĂZVAN MICU
Published: September 2008

We discuss some dynamical and geometrical properties of an autonomous underwater vehicle with a fixed control authority.
A MODEL FOR TWO SPECIES WITH STAGE STRUCTURE AND FEEDBACK CONTROL
Authors: ZHANG HONG , CHEN LANSUN
Published: September 2008

This paper studies a periodic coefficients predator-prey delay system with mixed functional response, in which the prey has a history that takes them through two stages, immature and mature. Also, the total toxic action on the predator population expressed by an integral term is considered in our system. Furthermore, the feedback control is considered in our system. Sufficient conditions which guarantee the permanence and extinction of the system are obtained. Finally, we give a brief discussion of our results. From a biological point of view, our results can be used to help protect beneficial animals.
A NOTE ON GROUPS WITH FINITELY MANY MAXIMAL NORMALIZERS
Authors: De Falco Maria , de Giovanni Francesco , Musella Carmela
Published: September 2008

Groups with finitely many maximal normalizers of non-abelian subgroups are studied in this paper. It is proved in particular that (generalized) soluble groups with such property have finite commutator subgroup. This result is an extension of a well-known theorem by Romalis and Sesekin on groups in which every non-abelian subgroup is normal.
FINITE GROUPS WITH GIVEN NEARLY S-QUASINORMAL SUBGROUPS
Authors: Hutsko Nataliya V. , Lukyanenko Vladimir O. , Skiba Alexander N.
Published: September 2008

Let G be a finite group and H a subgroup of G. Then H is said to be S-quasinormal in G if HP = PH for all Sylow subgroups P of G. Let HsG be the subgroup of H generated by all those subgroups of H which are S-quasinormal in G. Then we say that H is nearly S-quasinormal in G if G has an S-quasinormal subgroup T such that HT = G and T ∩ H ≤ HsG.

Our main result here is the following theorem. Let [Formula: see text] be a saturated formation containing all supersoluble groups and G a group with a normal subgroup E such that [Formula: see text]. Suppose that every non-cyclic Sylow subgroup P of E has a subgroup D such that 1 < |D| < |P| and all subgroups H of P with order |H| = |D| and every cyclic subgroup of P with order 4 (if |D| = 2 and P is a non-abelian 2-group) having no supersoluble supplement in G are nearly S-quasinormal in G. Then [Formula: see text].
Report working conference on requirements engineering
Authors: Paech Barbara , Heymans Patrick , Persson Anne
Published: September 2008

REFSQ'08 took place over the 16 th and 17 th June 2008 in the lively French city of Montpellier. 40 participants spent two days very intensively discussing the contributions of 17 papers, their implications and combinations. In these discussions some recurrent topics and new trends were emphasized: the importance of understanding the context and effectiveness of RE techniques, the multiplicity of requirements representations and their integration, the support for creativity, the necessity to make the body of knowledge better accessible e.g. through an open source RE tool community, and the challenges of RE for innovative or large-scale systems as well as of RE decision making in an uncertain environment.
Aging differentially affects human skeletal muscle microRNA expression at rest and after an anabolic stimulus of resistance exercise and essential amino acids
Authors: Drummond Micah J. , McCarthy John J. , Fry Christopher S. , Esser Karyn A. , Rasmussen Blake B.
Published: September 2008

Sarcopenia, skeletal muscle loss during aging, is associated with increased falls, fractures, morbidity, and loss of independence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are novel posttranscriptional regulators. The role of miRNAs in cell size regulation after an anabolic stimulus in human skeletal muscle is unknown. We hypothesized that aging would be associated with a differential expression of skeletal muscle primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) and mature miRNA (miR). To test this hypothesis, we used real-time PCR and immunoblotting before and after an anabolic stimulus (resistance exercise + ingestion of a 20-g leucine-enriched essential amino acid solution) to measure the expression of muscle-specific miRNAs (miR-1, miR-133a, and miR-206), upstream regulators (MyoD and myogenin), and downstream targets [insulin-like growth factor-I, histone deacetylase-4, myocyte enhancing factor-2, and Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb)] in skeletal muscle of young and older men. Muscle biopsies were obtained at baseline and 3 and 6 h after exercise. At baseline, we found pri-miRNA-1-1, -1-2, -133a-1, and -133a-2 expression elevated in older compared with young men ( P < 0.05). Pri-miRNA-1-2, -133a-1, and -133a-2 were reduced at 6 h after exercise only in the young men compared with baseline, whereas pri-miRNA-206 was elevated at different postexercise time points in older and young men ( P < 0.05). Compared with baseline, miR-1 was reduced only in the young men, whereas Rheb protein was increased in both age groups after the anabolic stimulus ( P < 0.05). We conclude that skeletal muscle primary and mature miRNA expression in young men is readily altered by an anabolic stimulus of resistance exercise + essential amino acid ingestion. However, aging is associated with higher basal skeletal muscle primary miRNA expression and a dysregulated miRNA response after the anabolic stimulus.
Performance of a New Fine Particle Impact Damper
Authors: Du Yanchen , Wang Shulin , Zhu Yan , Li Laiqiang , Han Guangqiang
Published: September 2008

The energy dissipation mechanisms of conventional impact damper (CID) are mainly momentum exchange and friction. During the impact process, a lot of vibration energy cannot be exhausted but reverberated among the vibration partners. Besides, the CID may produce the additional vibration to the system or even amplify the response in the low‐frequency vibration. To overcome these shortcomings, this paper proposes a new fine particle impact damper (FPID) which for the first time introduces the fine particle plastic deformation as an irreversible energy sink. Then, the experiments of the cantilevered beam with the CID and that with the FPID are, respectively, carried out to investigate the behavior of FPID. The experimental results indicate that the FPID has a better performance in vibration damping than in the CID and the FPID works well in control of the vibration with frequency lower than 50 Hz, which is absent to the non‐obstructive particle damper. Thus, the FPID has a bright and significant application future because most of the mechanical vibration falls in the range of
low freqency.
Preliminary In Vivo Experiments on Adhesion of Geckos
Authors: Lepore E. , Brianza S. , Antoniolli F. , Buono M. , Carpinteri A. , Pugno N.
Published: September 2008

We performed preliminary experiments on the adhesion of a Tokay gecko on surfaces with different roughness, with or without particles with significant different granulometry, before/after or during the moult. The results were analyzed using the Weibull statistics.
Performance Analysis of CDMA WLL Systems with Imperfect Power Control and Imperfect
Sectorization
Authors: El-Dolil Sami A.
Published: September 2008

Wireless local loop (WLL) provides reliable, flexible, and economical access to the local telephone service using radio technology in the place of traditional wireline. In this paper, an analytical model is derived to evaluate the effect of both imperfect power control and imperfect sectorization on the performance of code division multiple access (CDMA) WLL systems. The results show that the capacity degradation, due to imperfect power control, is about 25.8% and 11.5% for single cell and multiple cell systems, respectively. Increasing the overlapping angle from
to
causes the capacity gain to decrease from 6 to 5.53, while the corresponding sectorization efficiency drops from 100% to 92.3%.
Thyroid Hormone Homeostasis in Brain: Possible Involvement of Adrenergic Phenomenon in Adult Rat
Authors: Kundu Samita , Biswas Angshuman , Roy Sumedha , De Jhuma , Pramanik Mitali , Ray Arun K.
Published: September 2008

Background: Imbalance in thyroid hormone concentrations has been linked with profound neurobehavioral alterations in the adult. Peripheral hypothyroidism is associated with a phenomenon of central thyroid hormone homeostasis in adult rat. This central homeostasis mechanism could be maintained by adrenergic interplay due to close physiological association between sympathetic nervous system activity and thyroid hormones. The central homeostasis is characterized by increased cerebrocortical synaptosomal T3 content, deiodinase type II (DII) activity, and cAMP content. Methods: We injected specific α- and β-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists and antagonists along with an anti-thyroid drug to find out any AR-mediated action on central homeostasis. Results: The α2-AR agonist did not alter the onset of central homeostasis, but prolonged its duration. Similar prolongation was observed with α2-AR antagonist and β-AR agonist, but these compounds amplified the normal anti-thyroid drug-induced rise in cerebrocortical T3 content on the day of onset of central homeostasis. Injections of the β-AR antagonist did not cause any perturbations. All these observations have been supported by parallel changes in cerebrocortical DII activity, cAMP and [Ca2+]i content. Conclusion: There emerges a close correlation between cerebral T3 content, DII activity, cAMP and [Ca2+]i content that are regulated by the AR system. Thus, thyroid hormone homeostasis in the adult mammalian brain is maintained primarily by the β-adrenergic pathway along with an unexpected pharmacological involvement of the α-ARs.
Myocyte Specific Overexpression of Myoglobin Impairs Angiogenesis After Hind-Limb Ischemia
Authors: Hazarika Surovi , Angelo Michael , Li Yongjun , Aldrich Amy J. , Odronic Shelley I. , Yan Zhen , Stamler Jonathan S. , Annex Brian H.
Published: September 2008

Objective—

In preclinical models of peripheral arterial disease the angiogenic response is typically robust, though it can be impaired in conditions such as hypercholesterolemia and diabetes where the endothelium is dysfunctional. Myoglobin (Mb) is expressed exclusively in striated muscle cells. We hypothesized that myocyte specific overexpression of myoglobin attenuates ischemia-induced angiogenesis even in the presence of normal endothelium.

Methods and Results—

Mb overexpressing transgenic (MbTg, n=59) and wild-type (WT, n=56) C57Bl/6 mice underwent unilateral femoral artery ligation/excision. Perfusion recovery was monitored using Laser Doppler. Ischemia-induced changes in muscle were assessed by protein and immunohistochemistry assays. Nitrite/nitrate and protein-bound NO, and vasoreactivity was measured. Vasoreactivity was similar between MbTg and WT. In ischemic muscle, at d14 postligation, MbTg increased VEGF-A, and activated eNOS the same as WT mice but nitrate/nitrite were reduced whereas protein-bound NO was higher. MbTg had attenuated perfusion recovery at d21 (0.37±0.03 versus 0.47±0.02,
P
<0.05), d28 (0.40±0.03 versus 0.50±0.04,
P
<0.05), greater limb necrosis (65.2% versus 15%,
P
<0.001), a lower capillary density, and greater apoptosis versus WT.

Conclusion—

Increased Mb expression in myocytes attenuates angiogenesis after hind-limb ischemia by binding NO and reducing its bioavailability. Myoglobin can modulate the angiogenic response to ischemia even in the setting of normal endothelium.
Epicardial Ultrasonic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation During Concomitant Cardiac Surgery Is a Valid Option in Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Groh Mark A. , Binns Oliver A. , Burton Harry G. , Champsaur Gerard L. , Ely Stephen W. , Johnson Alan M.
Published: September 2008

Background—

Surgical therapy of atrial fibrillation concomitant to coronary bypass grafting using epicardial Ultrasound technology was assessed after a minimum 6-month follow-up.

Methods and Results—

A cohort of 98 consecutive patients with a mean age of 72±7.58 years and a primary diagnosis of ischemic heart disease had surgery for structural disease. Coronary artery bypass grafting was isolated (n=51) or associated (n=47) with various combinations of aortic, mitral, tricuspid, and left ventricular restoration surgery. Atrial fibrillation duration ranged from 6 to 360 months (mean 71 months) and was permanent in 47 patients, paroxysmal in 34, and persistent in 17. Left atrial mean diameter was 48±6.71 mm. A circumferential ablation was performed off-pump, before the concomitant procedure, and was always associated with an epicardial mitral line lesion using the same technology. At 3-, 6-, and 12-month visits, patients were routinely evaluated by physical examination, ECG, chest X-ray, and 24-hour Holter. There were 1 early death (1%) and 4 extracardiac late deaths. A pacemaker was implanted in 4 patients. Mean follow-up time was 325 days, 2 patients being lost to follow-up. Freedom from atrial fibrillation and flutter at the 6-month visit was 84% for the entire population, 76% in patients with permanent, and 91% in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. At the 1-year visit, 85% were free from atrial fibrillation or flutter.

Conclusion—

Epicardial beating heart ablation using therapeutic ultrasound is safe, reliable, and can easily treat atrial fibrillation in a difficult surgical population of patients with primary ischemic heart disease.
Comparison of Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery Revascularization Using In Situ or Y Graft Configurations
Authors: Glineur David , Hanet Claude , Poncelet Alain , D'hoore William , Funken Jean-Christophe , Rubay Jean , Kefer Joelle , Astarci Parla , Lacroix Valerie , Verhelst Robert , Etienne Pierre Yves , Noirhomme Philippe , El Khoury Gebrine
Published: September 2008

Background—

Bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) demonstrated superiority over other grafts to the left coronary system in terms of patency and survival benefit. Several BITA configurations are proposed for left-sided myocardial revascularization, but the ideal BITA assemblage is still unidentified.

Methods and Results—

From 03/2003 to 08/2006, 1297 consecutive patients underwent isolated bypass surgery in our institution. 481 patients met the inclusion criteria for randomization, and 304 (64%) were randomized. Patients were allocated to BITA in situ grafting (n=147) or Y configuration (n=152) then evaluated for clinical, functional, and angiographic outcome after 6 months and 3 years. Patient telephone interviews were conducted every 3 months and a stress test performed twice yearly under the referring cardiologist’s supervision. Angiographic follow-up was performed 6 months after surgery. The primary and secondary end points were, respectively, major adverse cerebrocardiovascular events (MACCE) and the proportion of ITA grafts that were completely occluded at follow-up angiography. More arterial anastomoses were performed in patients randomized to the Y than the in situ configuration (3.2 versus 2.4;
P
<0.001). No significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of hospital mortality or morbidity was found. At follow-up, there was no significant difference in any MACCE rate between the 2 groups. 450 out of 464 anastomosis (97%) in the BITA Y group and 287 of 295 (97%) in the BITA in situ group were controlled patent (
P
=0.99).

Conclusion—

Excellent patency rates were achieved using both BITA configurations with no significant differences in terms of MACCE up to 19 months postoperatively, but longer-term results remain to be established.
A Novel Approach for Reducing Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation by Injection of a Polymer to Reverse Remodel and Reposition Displaced Papillary Muscles
Authors: Hung Judy , Solis Jorge , Guerrero J. Luis , Braithwaite Gavin J.C. , Muratoglu Orhun K. , Chaput Miguel , Fernandez-Friera Leticia , Handschumacher Mark D. , Wedeen Van J. , Houser Stuart , Vlahakes Gus J. , Levine Robert A.
Published: September 2008

Background—

Ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) relates to displacement of the papillary muscles from ischemic ventricular distortion. We tested the hypothesis that repositioning of the papillary muscles can be achieved by injection of polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) polymer, a biologically inert biomaterial that has been specially formulated to produce an encapsulated, stable, resilient gel once injected into the myocardium. The purpose is to materially support the infarcted myocardium while at the same time repositioning the papillary muscles that become apically tethered in MR.

Methods and Results—

Nine sheep underwent ligation of circumflex branches to produce acute ischemic MR. PVA polymer was then injected by echo guidance into the myocardium underlying the infarcted papillary muscle. Hemodynamic data, left ventricular ejection fraction, elastance, tau (relaxation constant), left ventricular stiffness coefficient, and 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional echocardiograms were obtained post-MR and post-PVA injection. One animal died after coronary ligation and 2 did not develop MR. In the remaining 6, moderate MR developed. With PVA injection, the MR decreased significantly from moderate to trace-mild (vena contracta: 5±0.4 mm versus 2±0.7 mm, post-MR versus post-PVA injection;
P
<0.0001). This was associated with a decrease in infarcted papillary muscle-to-mitral annulus tethering distance (27±4 to 24±4 mm, post-MR versus post-PVA,
P
<0.001). Importantly, PVA injection was not associated with significant decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction (43±6% versus 37±4%, post-MR versus post-PVA,
P
=nonsignificant), elastance (3.5±1.4 versus 2.9±1.3; post-MR versus post-PVA injection,
P
=nonsignificant). Measures of left ventricular diastolic function, tau (100±51 ms to 84±37 ms, post-MR versus post-PVA;
P
=nonsignificant), and left ventricular stiffness coefficient (0.18±0.12 versus 0.14±0.08, post-MR versus post-PVA;
P
=nonsignificant) did not increase post-PVA.

Conclusions—

PVA polymer injection resulted in acute reverse remodeling of the ventricle with papillary muscle repositioning to decrease MR. This was not associated with an adverse effect on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. This new approach to alter pathological anatomy after infarction may offer an alternative strategy for relieving ischemic MR by correcting the position of the affected papillary muscle, thus relieving apical tethering.
Mechanisms of Sex Differences in TNFR2-Mediated Cardioprotection
Authors: Wang Meijing , Crisostomo Paul R. , Markel Troy A. , Wang Yue , Meldrum Daniel R.
Published: September 2008

Background—

TNFR1/TNFR2 signaling may mediate different cellular and molecular responses (injury versus protection) and the balance may be affected by sex hormones. Previous studies have shown that females have improved myocardial functional recovery, TNFR1 signaling resistance, and increased SOCS3 expression after acute ischemia/reperfusion when compared with males. However, it is unknown whether the TNFR2 pathway protects the myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion injury, and if so, whether sex differences exist in TNFR2-mediated cardioprotection. Therefore, we hypothesized that (1) TNFR2 mediates myocardial protection from ischemia/reperfusion through STAT3, SOCS3, and vascular endothelial growth factor in both sexes; and (2) TNFR2 elicits greater protective signaling in females compared with males.

Methods and Results—

Isolated male and female mouse hearts from TNFR2 knockout, TNFR1/2 knockout, and wild-type (C57BL/6J or B6129SF2/J; n=5 to 6/group) were subjected to 20 minutes ischemia followed by 60 minutes reperfusion. TNFR2 deficiency decreased postischemic myocardial recovery in both sexes but had a greater effect on females. The deleterious effects of TNFR2 ablation were associated with a decrease in mRNA and protein levels of SOCS3, STAT3, and vascular endothelial growth factor as well as an increase in myocardial interleukin-1-beta production in female hearts. However, a significant increase in JNK activation and interleukin-1-beta protein levels was noted in male TNFR2KO hearts after ischemia/reperfusion. Additionally, TNFR1/2 knockout decreased myocardial function in female hearts but not males. This observation was associated with a decrease in mRNA levels of SOCS3, STAT3, and vascular endothelial growth factor and an increase in myocardial p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in females.

Conclusions—

Sex differences in the mechanisms of TNFR2-mediated cardioprotection occur by increasing STAT3, SOCS3, and vascular endothelial growth factor in females and by decreasing JNK in males.
Bioengineered Three-Layered Robust and Elastic Artery Using Hemodynamically-Equivalent Pulsatile Bioreactor
Authors: Iwasaki Kiyotaka , Kojima Koji , Kodama Shohta , Paz Ana C. , Chambers Melody , Umezu Mitsuo , Vacanti Charles A.
Published: September 2008

Background—

There is an essential demand for tissue engineered autologous small-diameter vascular graft, which can function in arterial high pressure and flow circulation. We investigated the potential to engineer a three-layered robust and elastic artery using a novel hemodynamically-equivalent pulsatile bioreactor.

Methods and Results—

Endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and fibroblasts were harvested from bovine aorta. A polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet and a polycaprolactone sheet seeded with SMCs, and a PGA sheet seeded with fibroblast, were wrapped in turn on a 6-mm diameter silicone tube and incubated in culture medium for 30 days. The supporting tube was removed, and the lumen was seeded with ECs and incubated for another 2 days. The pulsatile bioreactor culture, under regulated gradual increase in flow and pressure from 0.2 (0.5/0) L/min and 20 (40/15) mm Hg to 0.6 (1.4/0.2) L/min and 100 (120/80) mm Hg, was performed for an additional 2 weeks (n=10). The engineered vessels acquired distinctly similar appearance and elasticity as native arteries. Scanning electron microscopic examination and Von Willebrand factor staining demonstrated the presence of ECs spread over the lumen. Elastica Van Gieson and Masson Tricrome Stain revealed ample production of elastin and collagen in the engineered grafts. Alpha-SMA and calponin staining showed the presence of SMCs. Tensile tests demonstrated that engineered vessels acquired equivalent ultimate strength and similar elastic characteristics as native arteries (Ultimate Strength of Native: 882±133 kPa, Engineered: 827±155 kPa, each n=8).

Conclusions—

A robust and elastic small-diameter artery was engineered from three types of vascular cells using the physiological pulsatile bioreactor.
Nitric Oxide Upregulates Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase-2 via Cyclic GMP Induction in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Sakurada Maya , Shichiri Masayoshi , Imamura Masatoshi , Azuma Hiroshi , Hirata Yukio
Published: September 2008

Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) is an enzyme that metabolizes asymmetrical
N
G
,
N
G
-dimethyl-
l
-arginine (ADMA) and
N
G
-monomethyl-
l
-arginine (MMA), which are competitive endogenous inhibitors of NO synthase. However, it remains unknown whether NO itself influences DDAH activity and/or ADMA/MMA contents to regulate NO generation via a biofeedback mechanism. The present study was designed to examine the effects of NO on intracellular ADMA and MMA contents and DDAH gene expression levels and enzymatic activities in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells. The NO donors SNAP and NOR3 did not influence DDAH-1 expression but increased DDAH-2 mRNA and protein levels in concentration-dependent manners. SNAP upregulated DDAH enzymatic activity and reduced the MMA and ADMA contents but did not affect the symmetrical
N
G
,
N
’
G
-dimethyl-
l
-arginine and
l
-arginine levels, thereby negating a mediatory role for system y
+
in ADMA/MMA downregulation. The cGMP agonists 8-bromo-cGMP and C-type natriuretic peptide also stimulated DDAH-2 gene and protein expression levels and DDAH activity and increased the amount of nitrite/nitrate released into the culture supernatants. SNAP-induced DDAH-2 gene expression and DDAH activity were significantly inhibited by a protein kinase G inhibitor, KT5823, and a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ODQ, suggesting a mediatory role for cGMP in NO-induced DDAH-2 expression. Suppression of DDAH-2 mRNA using small interfering RNA technology abrogated NO-induced DDAH-2 expression. These data demonstrate that NO acts on endothelial cells to induce DDAH-2 expression via a cGMP-mediated process to reduce ADMA/MMA. Thus, the DDAH-2-ADMA/MMA-endothelial NO synthase regulatory pathway and NO-induced cGMP constitute a positive feedback loop that ultimately serves to maintain NO levels in the endothelial environment.
The Phenomenology of Koan Meditation in Zen Buddhism
Authors: Grenard Jerry
Published: September 2008

Zen students described their experiences when working with koans, and a phenomenological method was used to identify the structure of those experiences. Zen koans are statements or stories developed in China and Japan by Zen masters in order to help students transform their conscious awareness of the world. Eight participants including 3 females and 5 males from Southern California with 1 to 30 years of experience in Zen answered open-ended questions about koan practice in one tape-recorded session for each participant. Reflection yielded the following thematic clusters: (a) motivation, (b) approaches to working with koans, (c) experiences while working with koans, (d) experiences of insight into koans, (e) working with a teacher, and (f) transformation. Participants described positive transformations including better control of emotions and concentration, better awareness of prejudices and biases with the ability to suppress those types of habitual associations, and a new relation to and acceptance of spiritual questions and doubts.
Toward a Phenomenological Psychology of Art Appreciation
Authors: Roald Tone
Published: September 2008

Experiences with art have been of longstanding concern for phenomenologists, yet the psychological question of the appearing of art appreciation has not been addressed. This article attends to this lack, exemplifying the merits of a phenomenological psychological investigation based on three semi-structured interviews conducted with museum visitors. The interviews were subjected to meaning condensation as well as to descriptions of the first aesthetic reception, the retrospective interpretation, and the “horizons of expectations” included in the meeting with art. The findings show that art appreciation appears as variations in experiential forms comprised of gratifying experiences of beauty, challenges to the understanding, and bodily-informed alterations of the emotions. The phenomenological psychology of actual, lived experience can embrace the phenomenological theories of art appreciation by Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty, yet highlight the psychological importance of experiences with art.
Muddling the Waters of Treaty Interpretation? Relevant Rules of International Law in the MOX Plant OSPAR Arbitration and EC – Biotech Case
Authors: Baetens Freya
Published: September 2008

This article addresses whether the decisions in the MOX Plant OSPAR Arbitration and the EC – Biotech Case clarify or obscure systemic integration of relevant rules of international law. The OSPAR award has clearly generated greater confusion, both formally and substantively, by not staying the proceedings or interpreting the OSPAR Convention in light of relevant rules of international and regional law. Similarly, the Panel in the EC – Biotech case broke from the progressive example in US – Shrimp in its reluctance to employ the different legal means for considering other international law. However, attempts to “cross-fertilise” treaties by reference to other rules of international law should not be pursued overzealously, as it may create resistance among states towards the development of international law.
Sector-Specific and Public Law Approaches to (International) Regulatory Law: A Rationale for the Combined Use of Global Administrative Law and New Governance as Tools for the New ‘International’ Law
Authors: Chatzimanoli Despina
Published: September 2008

The complexity of contemporary relations and problems, exacerbated by the intricacies of international interaction, pose an enormous challenge to law in general and international law in particular. This paper focuses on two of the various reactions of the legal doctrine to this complexity: on the one hand, the embracement of the novel circumstances and phenomena in their own right – the new governance approaches (NG); on the other hand, the insistence on traditional legal tools but under a renewed understanding thereof in line with changing circumstances – the global administrative law approaches (GAL). The first part of the argument here is that within particular regulatory contexts NG and GAL find their expression in sector-specific and public law approaches, respectively. The paper goes on to essentially argue for a lato sensu public law analysis to be undertaken cumulatively with – and not alternatively to – the sector-specific analysis. This serves to further support the view that NG and GAL are not antithetical; they are rather complementary, and in fact they seem to show a lot of promise in mitigating the (normative) defects of each other.
East Asia Institutionalises: China, Japan and the Vogue for Free Trade
Authors: Webster Timothy
Published: September 2008

In the past decade East Asia has taken steps to increase regional integration. This paper examines the vogue for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) currently raging in China and Japan. After mapping the regional links that knit East Asia together during the 1990s and 2000s, the focus then shifts to the specific trade agreements that China and Japan have signed. Both countries exhibit a particular FTA “style;” Japan has adopted a more orthodox and comprehensive approach to its treaties, while China has shown greater flexibility and gradualism when dealing with FTA partners. It is still unclear whether these efforts will lead to a region-wide FTA, or a continued crisscrossing of bilateral arrangements. In either case, China's eagerness to adapt to partner country expectations likely gives it an edge in becoming the regional hub of East Asia.
The Effect of Wind–Wave–Current Interaction on Air–Sea Momentum Fluxes and Ocean Response in Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Fan Yalin , Ginis Isaac , Hara Tetsu
Published: September 2008

In this paper, the wind–wave–current interaction mechanisms in tropical cyclones and their effect on the surface wave and ocean responses are investigated through a set of numerical experiments. The key element of the authors’ modeling approach is the air–sea interface model, which consists of a wave boundary layer model and an air–sea momentum flux budget model. The results show that the time and spatial variations in the surface wave field, as well as the wave–current interaction, significantly reduce momentum flux into the currents in the right rear quadrant of the hurricane. The reduction of the momentum flux into the ocean consequently reduces the magnitude of the subsurface current and sea surface temperature cooling to the right of the hurricane track and the rate of upwelling/downwelling in the thermocline. During wind–wave–current interaction, the momentum flux into the ocean is mainly affected by reducing the wind speed relative to currents, whereas the wave field is mostly affected by refraction due to the spatially varying currents. In the area where the current is strongly and roughly aligned with wave propagation direction, the wave spectrum of longer waves is reduced, the peak frequency is shifted to a higher frequency, and the angular distribution of the wave energy is widened.
Gender, age and tenure as moderators of work-related stressors' relationships with job performance: A meta-analysis
Authors: Shirom Arie , Shechter Gilboa Simona , Fried Yitzhak , Cooper Cary L.
Published: September 2008

We investigated the extent to which three socio-demographic variables, employee gender, age, and tenure, moderated the meta-correlations of role conflict and role ambiguity with job performance. To test these moderating effects, we quantitatively synthesized 30 independent studies (total N = 7700). No moderating effects were found for gender and tenure. Controlling for employee tenure and gender, we found that employee mean age had a moderating effect on the role ambiguity-performance correlation, with negative correlations tending to decrease with increasing age. Moreover, two significant two-way interactions were found between the moderators. As the percentage of women in the studies and the respondents' mean age simultaneously increased, and as the mean sample tenure and age of the respondents in the studies simultaneously increased, there was a reduction in the negative relationship between role ambiguity and performance. The implications of these results for future research are discussed.
Epstein-Barr Virus—Associated Meningoencephalomyelitis: Intrathecal Reactivation of the Virus in an Immunocompetent Child
Authors: Sanefuji Masafumi , Ohga Shouichi , Kira Ryutaro , Nomura Akihiko , Torisu Hiroyuki , Takada Hidetoshi , Kusuhara Koichi , Hara Toshiro
Published: September 2008

Neurologic complications, including meningoencephalitis, transverse myelitis, and peripheral neuropathy, have been reported in patients with acute infectious mononucleosis. Chronic active Epstein-Barr virus and human immunodeficiency virus infections occasionally induce central nervous system lymphoma. On the other hand, central nervous system disease alone associated with Epstein-Barr virus rarely occurs in previously healthy individuals. A 15-year-old girl who developed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis-like disease presenting fever, anuresis, diplopia, and muscle weakness is described here. Clinical and neuroimaging studies led to the diagnosis of encephalomyelitis. Despite the absence of infectious mononucleosis-like symptoms, anti-Epstein-Barr virus antibody titers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid showed the virus reactivation. The copy number of Epstein-Barr virus DNA increased in cerebrospinal fluid but not in peripheral blood. Ganciclovir and repeated methyl-prednisolone pulse therapy resulted in complete resolution. Central nervous system disease on the limited intrathecal reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus in immunocompetent children should be differentiated from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.