bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Uptake and Processing of the Quorum-Sensing Autoinducer AI-2 inEscherichia coli
Authors: Xavier Karina B. , Bassler Bonnie L.
Published: December 2004

AI-2 is a quorum-sensing signaling molecule proposed to be involved in interspecies communication. InEscherichia coliandSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium, extracellular AI-2 accumulates in exponential phase, but the amount decreases drastically upon entry into stationary phase. InS. entericaserovar Typhimurium, the reduction in activity is due to import and processing of AI-2 by the Lsr transporter. We show that the Lsr transporter is functional inE. coli, and screening for mutants defective in AI-2 internalization revealedlsrKandglpD. Unlike the wild type,lsrKandglpDmutants do not activate transcription of thelsroperon in response to AI-2.lsrKencodes the AI-2 kinase, and thelsrKmutant fails to activatelsrexpression because it cannot produce phospho-AI-2, which is thelsroperon inducer.glpDencodes the glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) dehydrogenase, which is involved in glycerol and G3P metabolism. G3P accumulates in theglpDmutant and represseslsrtranscription by preventing cyclic AMP (cAMP)-catabolite activator protein (CAP)-dependent activation. Dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) also accumulates in theglpDmutant, and DHAP represseslsrtranscription by a cAMP-CAP-independent mechanism involving LsrR, thelsroperon repressor. The requirement for cAMP-CAP inlsractivation explains why AI-2 persists in culture fluids of bacteria grown in media containing sugars that cause catabolite repression. These findings show that, depending on the prevailing growth conditions, the amount of time that the AI-2 signal is present and, in turn, the time that a given community of bacteria remains exposed to this signal can vary greatly.
The Mrp Na
+
/H
+
Antiporter Increases the Activity of the Malate:Quinone Oxidoreductase of an
Escherichia coli
Respiratory Mutant
Authors: Swartz Talia H. , Ito Masahiro , Hicks David B. , Nuqui Mark , Guffanti Arthur A. , Krulwich Terry A.
Published: December 2004

Mrp catalyzes secondary Na
+
/H
+
antiport and was hypothesized to have an additional primary energization mode. Mrp-dependent complementation of nonfermentative growth of an
Escherichia coli
respiratory mutant supported this hypothesis but is shown here to be related to increased expression of host malate:quinone oxidoreductase, not to catalytic activity of Mrp.
Assimilation of Nitrogen from Nitrite and Trinitrotoluene in
Pseudomonas putida
JLR11
Authors: Caballero Antonio , Esteve-Núñez Abraham , Zylstra Gerben J. , Ramos Juan L.
Published: December 2004

Pseudomonas putida
JLR11 releases nitrogen from the 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) ring as nitrite or ammonium. These processes can occur simultaneously, as shown by the observation that a
nasB
mutant impaired in the reduction of nitrite to ammonium grew at a slower rate than the parental strain. Nitrogen from TNT is assimilated via the glutamine syntethase-glutamate synthase (GS-GOGAT) pathway, as evidenced by the inability of GOGAT mutants to use TNT. This pathway is also used to assimilate ammonium from reduced nitrate and nitrite. Three mutants that had insertions in
ntrC
,
nasT
, and
cnmA
, which encode regulatory proteins, failed to grow on nitrite but grew on TNT, although slower than the wild type.
Enhanced response to AVP in the interlobular artery from the spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Hansen Frank H. , Vågnes Øyvind B. , Iversen Bjarne M.
Published: December 2004

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) induces exaggerated intracellular free calcium (Cai2+) responses in preglomerular smooth muscle cells from young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) due to increased density of the AVP V1areceptor. The intention of the present paper was to examine the relative contribution of afferent arterioles (AA) and interlobular artery (ILA) in AVP- and norepinephrine-induced calcium signaling. The kidneys were perfused with agar solution in vivo, and thin cortical slices were enzyme digested to produce isolated agar-filled vascular fragments. Calcium responses were recorded in fura 2-loaded cells by Ca2+imaging. Diameter changes were measured after AVP stimulation and mRNA for V1awas measured on isolated vessel fragments. SHR had a significantly higher baseline calcium ratio and lower resting diameter compared with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Stimulation with AVP (10−7M) in ILA fragments from SHR induced a ratio increase of 0.49 ± 0.09, significantly higher than the ratio increase in AA from SHR (0.20 ± 0.03, P < 0.01) and in ILA from WKY (0.24 ± 0.03, P < 0.01). Stimulation with norepinephrine (10−7M) induced responses homogeneously distributed between the segments and strains. Nifedipine treatment or removal of external calcium (Cao2+) reduced the norepinephrine-induced peak response. Both norepinephrine- and AVP-induced sustained responses were abolished after Cao2+ removal in SHR and WKY ( P < 0.01). Measurements of V1areceptor mRNA on isolated segments showed a threefold increase in ILA from SHR. The present findings indicate that the exaggerated Ca2+and contractile response to AVP in SHR is mainly mediated through ILA vasoconstriction.
Visual Response Properties of Burst and Tonic Firing in the Mouse Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus
Authors: Grubb Matthew S. , Thompson Ian D.
Published: December 2004

Thalamic relay cells fire action potentials in two modes: burst and tonic. Previous studies in cats have shown that these two modes are associated with significant differences in the visual information carried by spikes in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). Here we describe the visual response properties of burst and tonic firing in the mouse dLGN. Extracellular recordings of activity in single geniculate cells were performed under halothane and nitrous oxide anesthesia in vivo. After confirming that the criteria used to isolate burst spikes from these recordings identify firing events with properties described for burst firing in other species and preparations, we show that burst firing in the mouse dLGN occurs during visual stimulation. We then compare burst and tonic firing across a wide range of visual response characteristics. While the two firing modes do not differ with respect to spatial summation or spatial frequency tuning, they show significant differences in the temporal domain. Burst spikes are phase advanced relative to their tonic counterparts. Burst firing is also more rectified, possesses sharper temporal frequency tuning, and prefers lower temporal frequencies than tonic firing. In addition, contrast-response curves are more step-like for burst responses. Finally, we present analyses that describe the stimulus detection abilities and spike timing reliability of burst and tonic firing.
LiveStaphylococcus aureusand bacterial soluble factors induce different transcriptional responses in human airway cells
Authors: Moreilhon Chimène , Gras Delphine , Hologne Coralie , Bajolet Odile , Cottrez Françoise , Magnone Virginie , Merten Marc , Groux Hervé , Puchelle Edith , Barbry Pascal
Published: December 2004

To characterize the response of respiratory epithelium to infection by Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus), human airway cells were incubated for 1 to 24 h with a supernatant of a S. aureus culture (bacterial supernatant), then profiled with a pangenomic DNA microarray. Because an upregulation of many genes was noticed around 3 h, three independent approaches were then used to characterize the host response to a 3-h contact either with bacterial supernatant or with live bacteria: 1) a DNA microarray containing 4,200 sequence-verified probes, 2) a semiquantitative RT-PCR with a set of 537 pairs of validated primers, or 3) ELISA assay of IL-8, IL-6, TNFα, and PGE2. Among others, Fos, Jun, and EGR-1 were upregulated by the bacterial supernatant and by live bacteria. Increased expression of bhlhb2 and Mig-6, promoter regions which harbor HIF responding elements, was explained by an increased expression of the HIF-1α protein. Activation of the inducible form of cyclooxygenase, COX-2, and of the interleukins IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8, as well as of the NF-κB pathway, was observed preferentially in cells in contact with bacterial supernatant. Early infection was characterized by an upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes and a downregulation of pro-apoptotic genes. This correlated with a necrotic, rather than apoptotic cell death. Overall, this first global description of an airway epithelial infection by S. aureus demonstrates a larger global response to bacterial supernatant (in term of altered genes and variation factors) than to exponentially growing live bacteria.
Proximinality in generalized direct sums
Authors: Narayana Darapaneni , Rao T. S. S. R. K.
Published: December 2004

We consider proximinality and transitivity of proximinality for subspaces of finite codimension in generalized direct sums of Banach spaces. We give several examples of Banach spaces where proximinality is transitive among subspaces of finite codimension.
Convergence of functionals and its applications to parabolic equations
Authors: Akagi Goro
Published: December 2004

Asymptotic behavior of solutions of some parabolic equation associated with the p‐Laplacian as p → +∞ is studied for the periodic problem as well as the initial‐boundary value problem by pointing out the variational structure of the p‐Laplacian, that is, ∂φp(u) = −Δpu, where φp : L2(Ω) → [0, +∞]. To this end, the notion of Mosco convergence is employed and it is proved that φp converges to the indicator function over some closed convex set on L2(Ω) in the sense of Mosco as p → +∞; moreover, an abstract theory relative to Mosco convergence and evolution equations governed by time‐dependent subdifferentials is developed until the periodic problem falls within its scope. Further application of this approach to the limiting problem of porous‐medium‐type equations, such as ut = Δ|u|m−2u as m → +∞, is also given.
Can You Teach Environmental Philosophy Without Being an Environmentalist?
Authors: de Laplante Kevin
Published: December 2004

The orthodox conception of environmental philosophy is of an applied or practical philosophical discipline in the service of the ethical, social and political aims of the environmental movement. In this essay I show that there is a coherent alternative conception of the subject matter of environmental philosophy—what I call an "ecological" conception—that can be defined independently of environmentalist concerns. I argue that, as a framework for advancing both the theoretical and applied aims of environmental philosophy, the ecological conception of environmental philosophy has a number of advantages over the orthodox conception. I conclude with some remarks on the implications of adopting the ecological conception for teaching courses in environmental philosophy.
Teaching Environmental Ethics To Non-specialist Students
Authors: Mason Hugh
Published: December 2004

This paper outlines an approach to teaching environmental ethics to non-specialist students. The use of a "problem-solving" approach to ethical dilemmas is advocated as the most suitable vehicle for addressing the needs of non-specialists. This approach commences with a consideration of the existence of ethical dilemmas and of the different values that can account for the problems being contested. The approach then addresses the various methods by which such dilemmas can be appreciated and understood if not completely solved, drawing not merely on environmental ethics work but on approaches in cognate areas.
The African National Congress' Economic and Social Policy Changes in South Africa (1994-2004): Another African Straightjacket Independence?
Authors: wa Muiu Mueni
Published: December 2004

In this article I argue that Liberal democracy in South Africa accommodated and left unresolved the contradictions of South African capitalism and the ANC's multiracial nationalist discourse. More specifically, the delivery of equal political rights in the new democracy is premised on the acceptance of the unequal economic relations among different classes, gender and race. Second, the multi-racial and multi-ethnic middle class is threatened from above and below. Popular demands from below sometimes lead it to partially satisfy the people's economic and social demands. Pressure from economic interests and the business community limits the middle class' room for maneuver and forces it to make compromises at the expense of the people's interests, priorities and needs (especially economic ones). Apartheid's inequality can only be addressed by a radical program based on the majority's economic and social needs. Liberal democracy does not allow for radical changes because it privileges the market rather than peoples' needs. Consequently, the ANC cannot meet its overseers' (business, bilateral institutions, white minority) interests as well as transform the economy. These realities will continue to inform ANC's economic and social policies as it tries to transform South Africa for the foreseeable future.
Infants’ and Toddlers’ Television Viewing and Language Outcomes
Authors: Linebarger Deborah L. , Walker Dale
Published: December 2004

Viewing data were reported every 3 months beginning at 6 months of age by the parents of 51 infants and toddlers. Viewing logs were coded for program, content, and intended audience. Using hierarchical linear modeling techniques, growth curves examining relationships between television exposure and the child’s vocabulary knowledge and expressive language skills were modeled. Parent’s education, child’s home environment, and child’s cognitive performance were statistically controlled. The findings support the importance of content and program type when describing media effects. At 30 months of age, watching Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, Arthur, Clifford, or Dragon Tales resulted in greater vocabularies and higher expressive language scores; watching Teletubbies was related to fewer vocabulary words and smaller expressive language scores; watching Sesame Street was related only to smaller expressive language scores; and viewing Barney & Friends was related to fewer vocabulary words and more expressive language. Reasons for differences are discussed.
Learning to Use Books and Television
Authors: Jordan Amy B.
Published: December 2004

Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this article explores two critical contexts of media use during childhood: the home and the school. Forty-two lowincome, minority parents with children attending full-time day care were surveyed to assess children’s access to and use of media within the home, parents’ beliefs about the role of media in children’s development, and parents’ participation in the at-home use of books and television. In addition, observations of the children’s school setting and interviews with their teachers were conducted to explore the role of books and television within the classroom. This article considers the uniquerole media play in the lives of at-risk children and the process by which children are socialized to think about and use media during the first years of life.
Temporal Acculturation and Mental Health in Modern Ireland
Authors: MacLachlan Malcolm , Smyth Caroline , Breen Fiona , Madden Tonya
Published: December 2004

Background: Research on geographic acculturation has demonstrated an association between the sort of acculturation strategy adopted by migrants and their mental health status. However, there have been no studies of the relationship between temporal acculturation - attempts to adapt to change within the same society over time - and mental health.

Method: We explored the relevance of Berry’s bidimensional framework of acculturation, to perceptions of social change within Ireland over the last 10 years, in a sample of 735 members of the general public.

Results: There was a significant relationship between temporal acculturation strategy and mental health. An acculturation strategy of assimilating into ‘modern’ Ireland was associated with significantly better mental health than an ambivalent acculturation strategy.

Conclusions: This is a first exploration of the relationship between temporal acculturation and mental health. While models of geographic acculturation are relevant to temporal acculturation, we have also identified a new category of acculturation strategy, ambivalence, as being associated with the poorest mental health outcomes.
Accelerated Testing for Long-term Durability of FRP Laminates for Marine Use
Authors: Miyano Yasushi , Nakada Masayuki , Sekine Naoyuki
Published: December 2004

The accelerated testing methodology has been proposed for the long-term durability of polymer composites based on the time–temperature superposition principle to be held for the viscoelasticity of polymer matrix. In this paper, the long-term flexural fatigue life of plain woven carbon fiber–vinylester (CFRP) laminates for advanced marine use was predicted based on the proposed methodology, compared with that of plain woven glass fiber–vinylester (GFRP) laminates for conventional marine use. The applicability of the accelerated testing methodology for these laminates and the advantages of this CFRP laminates are discussed. As results, the flexural fatigue strength of CFRP laminates as well as that of GFRP laminates clearly depends on time and temperature. The time–temperature super-position principle for the viscoelasticity of matrix vinylester resin holds for these flexural fatigue strengths, and then the master curves can be obtained. It is clear from these master curves that while the flexural fatigue strength for GFRP laminates decreases strongly with increasing number of cycles to failure Nf and that for CFRP laminates decreases scarcely with increasing Nf.
A Numerical–Analytical Solution for Dynamics of Composite Delaminated Beam with Piezoelectric Actuator, with Account of Nonpenetration Constraint for the Delamination Crack Faces
Authors: Perel Victor Y.
Published: December 2004

In this work, a new approach is developed for the dynamic analysis of a composite beam with an interply crack, in which a physically impossible interpenetration of the crack faces is prevented by imposing a special constraint, leading to nonlinearity of the formulated boundary value problem and taking account of a contact interaction of the crack faces. A variational formulation of the problem and partial differential equations of motion with boundary conditions are developed, and solutions of example problems for a piezo-actuated cantilever beam are presented in the form of a series in terms of eigenfunctions of the associated nonself-adjoint eigenvalue problem. A noticeable difference of forced vibrations of the delaminated and undelaminated beams due to the contact interaction of the crack faces is predicted by the developed model.
The Pharmacokinetics of Daptomycin in Moderately Obese, Morbidly Obese, and Matched Nonobese Subjects
Authors: Dvorchik Barry H. , Damphousse David
Published: December 2004

Daptomycin pharmacokinetics were studied in adult volunteers who were moderately obese (body mass index [BMI] = 25–39.9 kg/m2) or morbidly obese (BMI 40 kg/m2) and a matched (gender, age, renal function) nonobese (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2) control group. All subjects received a dose of 4 mg/kg total body weight (TBW) by intravenous infusion (30 minutes). Daptomycin plasma half‐life, the fraction of the dose excreted unchanged in urine, and daptomycin absolute renal clearance (mL/h) were unchanged as a function of obesity. The absolute volume of distribution (Vz and Vss) and plasma clearance (CL) for daptomycin were higher in obese subjects as compared to nonobese matched controls. The rate of change of Vz and CL with increasing BMI was greater when these pharmacokinetic parameters were expressed in absolute terms compared to when they were normalized for TBW or ideal body weight. This suggests that increases in body mass associated with obesity are proportionality higher than the corresponding increases in Vd and CL. Exposure to daptomycin in obese subjects (Cmax, AUC) was increased 25% and 30%, respectively, compared to nonobese matched controls, well within the range that was previously determined to be safe and well tolerated. Daptomycin may be dosed based on total body weight, and no adjustment in daptomycin dose or dose regimen should be required based solely on obesity.
Phase I Comparability of Recombinant Human Albumin and Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Bosse Dietrich , Praus Michaela , Kiessling Peter , Nyman Lars , Andresen Corina , Waters Joanne , Schindel Fritz
Published: December 2004

Recombinant human albumin (rHA) is a highly purified animal‐, virus‐, and prion‐free product developed as an alternative to human serum albumin (HSA), to which it is structurally equivalent. The present investigation compared the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of rHA with HSA. Two double‐blind, randomized trials were performed in healthy volunteers using intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) administration. The IM trial included 500 volunteers, each receiving 5 repeat doses of 5 mg (100 subjects), 15 mg (100 subjects), or 65 mg (300 subjects) of rHA or HSA. Thirty volunteers participated in the IV trial, each receiving ascending doses (10 g, 20 g, and 50 g) of either rHA or HSA. In both trials, all adverse events were recorded and conventionally classified; potential allergic responses were also monitored. Blood samples were taken in both studies to test for IgG or IgE antibodies against test products and potential impurities. For the IV study, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic assessments were performed, including measurement of serum albumin, colloid osmotic pressure, and hematocrit pre‐ and postinfusion. Nine subjects in the IM study (4 recipients of rHA and 5 of HSA) reported drug‐related, potentially allergic events; all but 2 of these were skin related. No serious or potentially allergic events were reported with either product in the IV study. There was no immunological response to either product, and dose level did not influence the study outcomes. Serum albumin, colloid osmotic pressure changes, and hematocrit ratio were as expected, with no differences between rHA and HSA. rHA and HSA exhibited similar safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles, with no evidence of any immunological response.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Atenolol During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Authors: Hebert Mary F. , Carr Darcy B. , Anderson Gail D. , Blough David , Green Grace E. , Brateng Debra A. , Kantor Eric , Benedetti Thomas J. , Easterling Thomas R.
Published: December 2004

Preexisting hypertension complicates 5% of all pregnancies. The objective of this study was to evaluate steady‐state atenolol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (n = 17) during the second trimester (2nd T), third trimester (3rd T), and 3 months postpartum. Pregnancy as compared to 3 months postpartum (nonpregnant control) resulted in significant (P < .05) changes, including the following: 42% (2nd T) and 50% (3rd T) increase in creatinine clearance, 38% (2nd T) and 36% (3rd T) increase in atenolol renal clearance, 12% (2nd T) and 11% (3rd T) decrease in atenolol half‐life, 20% (2nd T) and 28% (3rd T) increase in cardiac output, 15% (2nd T) and 23% (3rd T) increase in resting heart rate, and 22% (2nd T) and 21% (3rd T) decrease in total peripheral resistance in subjects on steady‐state oral atenolol for treatment of hypertension in pregnancy. In conclusion, the renal clearance of atenolol along with creatinine clearance is increased during pregnancy. However, this does not translate into an increase in apparent oral clearance of atenolol, possibly related to the high variability in bioavailability. Atenolol administration did not appear to change the pattern of the increase in cardiac output and the decrease in total peripheral resistance, which normally occurs during pregnancy.
Effects of the Influence Agent’s Sex and Self-Confidence on Informational Social Influence in Computer-Mediated Communication:
Authors: Lee Eun-Ju
Published: December 2004

Three experiments examined the effects of the influence agent’s inferred sex and self-proclaimed competence on informational social influence in computermediated communication. In 2 (Participant Sex: Male vs. Female) 2 (Partner’s Character:Male vs. Female) 2 (Partner’s Self-Confidence: High vs. Low) mixed-design experiments, participants played a trivia game with an anonymous partner. When the partner’s confidence was presented in quantitative form, its effect on conformity was more pronounced among men than among women (Experiment 1), whereas verbally expressed confidence induced stronger effects among women than among men (Experiment 2). In both experiments, where participants’ own character mismatched their sex, partner’s character did not affect conformity to partner’s suggestions. By contrast, when participants’ character correctly represented their sex (Experiment 3), partner’s character, albeit arbitrarily assigned and thus not diagnostic of the person’s sex, moderated conformity such that male-charactered partners elicited greater conformity than did female-charactered partners.
Three-dimensional Finite Element Modeling of Rubber Curing Process
Authors: Ghoreishy M. H. R. , Naderi G.
Published: December 2004

This paper describes the development of a finite element model for the simulation of the rubber curing process in a mold. Thermal conductivity and heat capacity of the rubber are assumed to be dependent on temperature. The cure kinetic behavior of the rubber is also assumed to be described by an empirical model proposed by Kamal and Sourour. The governing equation is solved using the finite element method in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The applicability of the model is verified by a comparison between the results of the simulation of the vulcanization of a rubber part in the mold with experimentally measured temperature profile. It has been shown that there is very good agreement between the model predictions and the actual data.
Transient Response of Interlaminar Stresses in Laminated Plates with Complexes Boundary, Under Thermal Environment
Authors: Wang X. , Zhang Y. C.
Published: December 2004

The response histories and distribution of dynamic interlaminar stresses in laminated plates with one side fixed support and others simply supported, under free vibration and thermal environment is investigated based on thermally dynamic differential equations. The layer number and stacking sequence of the laminated plates may be arbitrary. The dynamic mode of displacements takes account of the triangle series. First, the plane stresses are calculated by using geometric equations and generalized Hooke’s law. Then, the interlaminar stresses are derived by integrating the 3-D equations of dynamic equilibrium, and utilizing the given complexes boundary conditions and the continuity conditions between layers. The response histories and distribution of interlaminar stress in the laminated plates under thermal environment are presented considering various vibration modes and stacking sequence. In example calculations, some results are carried out and discussed. From the knowledge of the response histories of interlaminar stresses in the laminated plates under thermal environment, we can evaluate the interlaminar intensity of various composite laminated structures under various vibration modes, stacking sequence, and thermal environment.
Flame Retardancy of Nanocomposites – from Research to Technical Products
Authors: Beyer Günter
Published: December 2004

Flame-retardant nanocomposites are synthesized by melt-blending ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers with modified layered silicates as nanofillers. Thermogravimetric analysis performed under air demonstrates a clear increase in the thermal stability of the layered silicate-based nanocomposites. The cone calorimeter is used to investigate fire hazards. The nanocomposites cause a large decrease in the peak of heat release rates. Char formation is the main important factor for the improvement of flame retardancy and its function is outlined. Further improvements of the flame retardancy by combinations of nanofillers and traditional flame-retardant additives based on metal hydroxides are also studied. The nanocomposites based on nanofillers and aluminum trihydrate can be used as very efficient systems for flame-retardant cables. The corresponding results are outlined for a coaxial cable fulfilling the UL 1666 riser test.
Battered Women in Shelters: Internal Resources, Well-Being, and Integration
Authors: Itzhaky Haya , Porat Anat Ben
Published: December 2004

This study examines changes in internal resources (empowerment and self-esteem), well-being (life satisfaction and hope), and integration in the shelter (participation and commitment) experienced by women at domestic violence shelters in Israel. The participants were compared at two points in time—1 week and 3 months after their arrival at the shelter. Small but significant differences were found in all measures, except those concerning participation in and commitment to the shelter and one of the empowerment components—the ability to accept help and take advantage of professional services.
Advances in the Assessment and Prediction of Interpersonal Violence
Authors: Mills Jeremy F.
Published: December 2004

This article underscores the weakness of clinical judgment as a mechanism for prediction with examples from other areas in the psychological literature. Clinical judgment has as its Achilles’heel the reliance on a person to incorporate multiple pieces of information while overcoming human judgment errors—a feat insurmountable thus far. The actuarial approach to risk assessment has overcome many of the weaknesses of clinical judgment and has been shown to be a much superior method. Nonetheless, the static/historical nature of the risk factors associated with most actuarial approaches is limiting. Advances in risk prediction will be found in part in the development of dynamic actuarial instruments that will measure both static/historical and changeable risk factors. The dynamic risk factors can be reevaluated on an ongoing basis, and it is proposed that the level of change in dynamic factors necessary to represent a significant change in overall risk will be an interactive function with static risk factors.
Possibilities of the Positive Following Violence and Trauma
Authors: Ai Amy L. , Park Crystal L.
Published: December 2004

The effects of trauma and violence may be better understood by taking a broader perspective that includes resilience and recovery as well as damage and symptomatology. Based on this broader view, this article describes three interrelated, cutting-edge trends in mental health research: (a) the positive psychology movement, (b) the recognition of the role of spirituality and religion in health and well-being, and (c) stress-related growth. The integration of these trends into mainstream studies of trauma and violence will provide a counterbalance to the predominant orientation of victimization and pathology currently evidenced in the literature. All three have important implications for survivors of violence and trauma.
Violence or Nonviolence: Which do We Choose?
Authors: Schafer John
Published: December 2004

A large mass of research on violence now exists, yet the utilitarian value of this vast amount of scientific endeavor may be rated as low, comparing it to the levels of violence at all levels abounding in the world today. The author calls for centralizing funding and work on violence at the national level in the United States, perhaps forming a separate National Institute for Violence. In addition to focusing on violence, nonviolence must be studied with more vigor for scientific work in this area to increase in utilitarian value.
Predicting Violence Among Forensic-Correctional Populations
Authors: Loza Wagdy , Dhaliwal Gurmeet K.
Published: December 2004

Research on violence prediction during the past 2 decades has evolved appreciably in terms of depicting determinants of violence and developing psychometrically sound actuarial measures to predict the probability of future violent behavior. This article provides a brief synopsis of information on predicting violence gained in the past 2 decades, the methodological advances evolved, and finally significant gaps in violence prediction that still exist for future research endeavors.
Teaching with and through Teams: Student-Written, Instructor-Facilitated Case Writing and the Signatory Code
Authors: Bailey James , Sass Mary , Swiercz Paul M. , Seal Craig , Kayes D. Christopher
Published: December 2004

Modern organizations prize teamwork. Management schools have responded to this reality by integrating teamwork into the curriculum. Two important challenges associated with integrating teams in the management classroom include (a) designing teamwork assignments that achieve multiple, sophisticated learning outcomes and (b) instruction in, and management of, the classic social loafing problem. This article addresses these two challenges. First, it provides a method for designing teamwork assignments using Student Written–Instructor Facilitated (SWIF) case learning. SWIF provides the ideal vehicle for achieving all six of Bloom’s (1956) Educational Objectives— knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Second, it demonstrates the use of the Signatory Code, a team-contracting device that helps teams minimize social loafing. Survey results from 112 students speak to the efficacy of this tandem teaching methodology for blending complex management concepts with genuine team experience.
Control of Longitudinal Wave Propagation in Conical Periodic Structures
Authors: Tongele T. N. , Chen T.
Published: December 2004

Conical periodic structure with single cells and multiple subcells is used to control longitudinal wave motion. It is well known that periodic structures by nature act as mechanical filters, allowing waves to propagate within specific frequency bands called pass bands, and blocking wave propagation within other frequency bands called stop bands. However, the conical geometry of cells and the use of conical subcells provide a conical periodic structure with the possibility of adjusting its impedance mismatch without the use of conventional active devices such as electromechanical, electrohydraulic, or piezoelectric actuators. The behavior of such a conical periodic structure is evaluated using single cells and cells with two, three, and four subcells. Theoretical predictions obtained by means of finite element modeling are compared with experimental results. Both experimental and theoretical results have converged in pointing to the effectiveness and the potential of using conical cells, and the concept of cells with subcells as tools for controlling longitudinal wave propagation in a periodic structure.
Effective Sensor Placements for the Estimation of Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Mode Coefficients in von Karman Vortex Street
Authors: Cohen Kelly , Siegel Stefan , Wetlesen Dave , Cameron Jeff , Sick Aaron
Published: December 2004

For feedback control using low-dimensional proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) models, the mode amplitudes of the POD mode coefficients need to be estimated based on sensor readings. This paper is aimed at suppressing the von Kairman vortex street in the wake of a circular cylinder using a low-dimensional approach based on POD. We compare sensor placement methods based on the spatial distribution of the POD modes to arbitrary ad hoc methods. Flow field data were obtained from Navier-Stokes simulation as well as particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. A low-dimensional POD was applied to the snapshot ensembles from the experiment and simulation. Linear stochastic estimation was used to map the sensor readings of the velocity field on the POD mode coefficients. We studied 53 sensor placement configurations, 32 of which were based on POD eigenfunctions and the others using ad hoc methods. The effectiveness of the sensor configurations was investigated at Re = 100 for the computational fluid dynamic data, and for a Reynolds number range of 82-99 for the water tunnel PIV data. Results show that a five-sensor configuration can keep the root mean square estimation error, for the amplitudes of the first two modes to within 4% for simulation data and within 10% for the PIV data. This level of error is acceptable for a moderately robust controller The POD-based design was found to be simpler. more effective, and robust compared to the ad hoc methods examined.
Bioremediation of Food Industry Effluents: Recent Applications of Free and Immobilised Polyphenoloxidases
Authors: Chiacchierini E. , Restuccia D. , Vinci G.
Published: December 2004

Enzymes are specific biological catalysts able to react under mild conditions of temperature and pH and their use in food industry for bioremediation is well known. Research in recent years has been intense, much of it elicited by the great number of different exploitable enzymes. Employment of enzymes in many bioremediation processes is made in order to protect the environment from damage caused by industrial polluting effluents. In particular, the food industry is one of the most important sectors among the manufacturing industries as far as production values are concerned; indeed, food industry processes involve large amounts of water and contribute to pollution loads discharged into water resources. In particular the presence of phenols in agroindustrial effluents has attracted interest for laccases and tyrosinases use in wastewater treatment and bioremediation. The presence of phenolic compounds in drinking and irrigation water or in cultivated land represents a significant health and/or environmental hazard and, therefore, the development of methods for their removal and transformation have received increased attention in recent years. The main purpose of this paper was to present the most recent results dealing with the fundamental and applied aspects of free and immobilised polyphenoloxidases for food industry wastewater processing.
An Evaluation of Data Reduction Methods for Opening Mode Fracture Toughness of Sandwich Panels
Authors: Shivakumar Kunigal , Chen Huanchun , Smith Steven A.
Published: December 2004

The interfacial bond toughness between the face sheet and the core continues to be a limiting parameter in the design of sandwich structures. An accurate method of measurement and data reduction of interfacial fracture toughness is essential to minimize the potential for errors and uncertainty. The cracked sandwich beam (CSB) specimen along with compliance calibration (CC) method is commonly used to measure the opening mode fracture toughness of sandwich panels. In this paper two alternative methods, namely modified beam theory (MBT) and modified compliance calibration method (MCC) are validated for data reduction of the CSB specimen. Both MBT and MCC were found to be valid and gave almost identical results. The simplicity of MBT method compels it to be recommended for data reduction of CSB test.
Plastic paddies vs. master racers
Authors: Arrowsmith Aidan
Published: December 2004

This article focuses upon three key moments in the interlinked history of ‘soccer’ and Irish nationalism. In 2002 the Gaelic Athletic Association de-railed the Football Association of Ireland’s bid to stage the 2008 European Football Championships. The GAA’s intransigence contrasts with the apparently more inclusive Irish identity symbolized by the emergence during the 1980s and 1990s of the multi-cultural Republic of Ireland team and its diasporic supporters. The clash between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy at the 2002 World Cup, however, indicates that these two discourses may not be entirely distinct, sharing as they do an uncomfortable reliance on the notion of authenticity.
Angiogenesis Inhibitor IM862 Is Ineffective Against AIDS-Kaposi's Sarcoma in a Phase III Trial, but Demonstrates Sustained, Potent Effect of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: From the AIDS Malignancy Consortium and IM862 Study Team
Authors: Noy Ariela , Scadden David T. , Lee Jeannette , Dezube Bruce J. , Aboulafia David , Tulpule Anil , Walmsley Sharon , Gill Parkash
Published: December 2004

Purpose

IM862 is a synthetic dipeptide (l-glutamine l-tryptophan) with in vitro and in vivo antiangiogenic properties. Phase I/II studies showed minimal toxicity and a response rate of 36% in AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma. We report a 24-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase III trial with the phase II dose, 5 mg intranasally every other day.

Patients and Methods

Two hundred two HIV-positive patients were enrolled, 104 on IM862 and 98 on placebo.

Results

Baseline characteristics were comparable except current antiretroviral therapy: 88% versus 96% (IM862 v placebo group; P = .042). The median treatment durations were 19.5 versus 24 weeks (IM862 v placebo). No significant difference was detected in response rate (IM862, 23%; 95% CI, 15% to 32% v placebo, 21%; 95% CI, 14% to 31%; P = .46), time to response (8.5 weeks v 14 weeks; P = .024), or duration of response. However, IM862 was associated with both a shorter time to response (8.5 weeks v 14 weeks; P = .024) and shorter median time to progression (16 weeks, 95% CI, 13 to 27 weeks v 35 weeks, 95% CI, 26 to 114 weeks; P = .012).

Conclusion

Despite promising phase I and phase II studies, IM862 5 mg every other day was not superior to placebo and may accelerate time to progression. Highly active antiretroviral therapy alone was associated with a substantial rate of sustained tumor response and may have contributed to prior estimates of IM862 response. Therapeutic trials for AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma must account for ongoing immune reconstitution in the setting of concurrent highly active antiretroviral therapy that may confound estimates of therapeutic activity.
The Role of Central Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 in Mediating the Effects of Visceral Illness: Differential Effects in Rats and Mice
Authors: Lachey Jennifer L. , D’Alessio David A. , Rinaman Linda , Elmquist Joel K. , Drucker Daniel J. , Seeley Randy J.
Published: December 2004

In rats, central administration of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) elicits symptoms of visceral illness like those caused by the toxin lithium chloride (LiCl), including anorexia, conditioned taste aversion (CTA) formation, and neural activation in the hypothalamus and hindbrain including activation of brainstem preproglucagon cells. Most compellingly, pharmacological antagonists of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) block several effects of LiCl in rat. The major goal of these experiments was to further test the hypothesis that the central nervous system GLP-1 system is critical to the visceral illness actions of LiCl by using mice with a targeted disruption of the only described GLP-1R. First, we observed that, like the rat, LiCl activates preproglucagon neurons in wild-type mice. Second, GLP-1R −/− mice demonstrated normal anorexic and CTA responses to LiCl. To test the possibility that alternate GLP-1Rs mediate aversive effects, we examined the ability of GLP-1 to produce a CTA in GLP1R −/− mice. Although lateral ventricular GLP-1 produced a CTA in wild-type mice, it did not produce a CTA in GLP-1R −/− mice. Furthermore, the same GLP-1R antagonist that can block the aversive effects of LiCl in the rat failed to do so in the mouse. These results support the conclusion that in mouse, unlike in rat, GLP-1R signaling is not required for the visceral illness response to LiCl. Such species differences are an important consideration when comparing results from rat and mouse studies.
Epidermal Growth Factor Family Members: Endogenous Mediators of the Ovulatory Response
Authors: Ashkenazi H. , Cao X. , Motola S. , Popliker M. , Conti M. , Tsafriri A.
Published: December 2004

Previous studies showed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) and TGFα mimic the action of LH on the resumption of oocyte maturation. We tested whether EGF-like agents, such as amphiregulin (AR), epiregulin (ER), and betacellulin (BTC), also mediate the LH stimulation of the ovulatory response in the rat. LH induced transient follicular expression of AR, ER, and BTC mRNA, reaching a maximum after 3-h incubation. Furthermore, the addition of ER, AR, and BTC to the culture medium could mimic some of LH actions. AR and ER fully simulated LH-induced resumption of meiosis in vitro, whereas BTC was less effective. To study the putative involvement of EGF-like factors in mediation of LH signal, the effect of the EGF receptor kinase inhibitor AG1478 was tested. When added with LH, AG1478, but not its inactive analog AG43, reduced EGF receptor phosphorylation and oocyte maturation compared with follicles treated with LH only. In addition to the inhibition of resumption of meiosis, AG1478 administration into the bursa (3 μg/bursa) resulted in 51% (P < 0.0005) inhibition of ovulation in the treated ovaries, compared with the untreated contralateral ones, as well as to the vehicle-treated ovaries (P < 0.02). LH, as well as ER, induced the expression of genes associated with the ovulatory response like rat hyaluronan synthase-2, cycloxygenase-2, and TNFα-stimulated gene 6 mRNA, whereas AG1478 inhibited this effect of LH. Release of EGF-like factors from the membrane is dependent on activated metalloproteases. Indeed, Galardin, a broad-spectrum metalloprotease inhibitor, but not a specific matrix metalloprotease 2 and 9 inhibitor, suppressed meiotic maturation induced by LH. Conversely, meiotic maturation induced by ER was not affected by Galardin, thus, supporting the notion that LH releases follicular membrane-bound EGF-like agents. In summary, EGF-like factors such as ER, AR, and BTC seem to mediate, at least partially, the LH stimulation of oocyte maturation, ovulatory enzyme expression, and ovulation.
Stimulation of Cortisol Release by the N Terminus of Teleost Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein in Interrenal Cells in Vitro
Authors: Rotllant J. , Guerreiro P. M. , Anjos L. , Redruello B. , Canario A. V. M. , Power D. M.
Published: December 2004

The mode of action of PTHrP in the regulation of sea bream (Sparus auratus) interrenal cortisol production was studied in vitro using a dynamic superfusion system. Piscine (1–34)PTHrP (10−6–10−11m) stimulated cortisol production in a dose-dependent manner. The ED50 of (1–34)PTHrP was 2.8 times higher than that of (1–39)ACTH, and maximum increase in cortisol production in response to 10−8m of (1–34)PTHrP was approximately 7-fold lower than for 10−8m of (1–39)ACTH. In contrast to (1–34)PTHrP, piscine (10–20)PTHrP, (79–93)PTHrP, and (100–125)PTHrP (10−9–10−7m) did not stimulate cortisol production. The effect of piscine (1–34)PTHrP on cortisol production was abolished by N-terminal peptides in which the first amino acid (Ser) was absent and by simultaneous addition of inhibitors of the adenylyl cyclase-protein kinase A and phospholipase C-protein kinase C intracellular pathways but not by each separately. The PTHrP-induced signal transduction was further investigated by measurements of cAMP production and [H3]myo-inositol incorporation in an interrenal cell suspension. Piscine (1–34)PTHrP increased cAMP and total inositol phosphate accumulation, which is indicative that the mechanism of action of PTHrP in interrenal tissue involves the activation of both the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP and phospholipase C-inositol phosphate signaling pathways. These results, together with the expression of mRNA for PTHrP and for PTH receptor (PTHR) type 1 and PTHR type 3 receptors in sea bream interrenal tissue, suggest a specific paracrine or autocrine steroidogenic action of PTHrP mediated by the PTHRs.