bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the process of becoming and working as a practice development unit
Authors: Bray Lucy , Brown Jeremy , Prescott Trish , Moen Charlotte
Published: November 2009

This study aimed to explore the perspective of multidisciplinary staff on the process of becoming and working as a practice development unit (PDU). PDUs are reported as positive initiatives within health care. It is important to understand the process of becoming a PDU and the ongoing effects of the process to the staff working within the unit. This project engaged with multidisciplinary staff working on six PDU units throughout the north‐west of England. Data collection was in two phases: a self‐completion questionnaire distributed to all staff within the PDUs (n = 625, 28.2% response rate) followed by 17 semi‐structured telephone interviews. The majority of questionnaire respondents (n = 114, 64%) indicated that they would recommend PDU accreditation to other units. The main themes arising from the project focus on accreditation having a positive influence on multidisciplinary team working, evidence‐based practice and improving opportunities for professional development. Issues were raised during the interviews regarding the increased development of staff leading to high turnover, the high workload involved in leading the accreditation and the inequitable involvement of professions in the process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid chromatography at the critical condition: Thermodynamic significance and influence of pore size
Authors: Abdulahad Asem I. , Ryu Chang Y.
Published: November 2009

Liquid chromatography at the critical condition (LCCC) is a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique that lies between size exclusion chromatography and adsorption‐based interaction chromatography, where the elution of polymers becomes independent of polymer molecular weight. At LCCC, the balance between the entropic exclusion and the enthalpic adsorption interactions between polymers and stationary phases results in the simultaneous HPLC elution of polymers regardless of molecular weight. Using C18‐bonded silica chromatographic columns with 5 μm particle size and different average pore size (diameter = 300 Å, 120 Å, 100 Å, and 50 Å), we report (1) the thermodynamic significance of LCCC conditions and (2) the influence of column pore size on the determination of critical conditions for linear polymer chains. Specifically, we used mixtures of monodisperse polystyrene samples ranging in molecular weight from 162 to 371,100 g/mol and controlled the temperature of the HPLC columns at a fixed composition of a mobile phase consisting of 57(v/v)% methylene chloride and 43(v/v)% acetonitrile. It was found that, at the fixed mobile phase composition, the temperature of LCCC (TLCCC) is higher for C18‐bonded chromatographic columns with larger average pore size. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2533–2540, 2009
A Monte Carlo study of the coil‐to‐globule transition of model polymer chains near an attractive surface
Authors: Rissanou Anastassia N. , Anastasiadis Spiros H. , Bitsanis Ioannis A.
Published: November 2009

When a polymer chain in solution interacts with an atomically smooth solid substrate, its conformational properties are strongly modified and deviate substantially from those of chains in bulk. In this work, the interplay of two competing transitions that affect the conformations of polymer chains near an energetically attractive surface is studied by means of Monte Carlo simulations on a cubic lattice. The transition from an extended to a compact conformation of a polymer chain near an attractive wall, as solubility deteriorates, exhibits characteristics akin to the “coil‐to‐globule” transition in bulk. An effective θ‐temperature is determined. Its role as the transition point is confirmed in a variety of ways. The nature of the coil‐to‐compact transition is not qualitatively different from that in the bulk. Adsorbed polymer chains may assume “globular” or “pancake” configurations depending on the competition among adsorption strength, cohesive energy, and entropy. In a very relevant range of conditions, the dependence of the adsorbate thickness on chain‐length is intermediate between that of 3‐d (“semidroplets”) and 2‐d (“pancake”) objects. The focus of this study is on rather long polymer chains. Several crucial features of the transitions of the adsorbed chains areN‐dependent and various aspects of the adsorption and “dissolution” process are manifested clearly only at the “long chain” limit. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2462–2476, 2009
Monte Carlo studies of tethered chains
Authors: Karaiskos Emmanuel , Bitsanis Ioannis A. , Anastasiadis Spiros H.
Published: November 2009

Monte Carlo computer simulations of end‐tethered chains grafted onto a hard wall have been performed. The chains were modeled as self‐avoiding chains on a cubic lattice at athermal solvent conditions. The simulations spanned a wide range of chain lengths, N (100–1000, i.e., up to molecular weights of a few hundred thousands), and anchoring densities, σ (2 × 10−4 to 0.4), to properly chart the relevant parameter space. It is shown that the reduced surface coverage σ* = σπR is the most appropriate variable that quantitatively determines the mushroom, overlapping mushroom and brush regimes, where Rg is the radius of gyration of a free chain in solution. The simulation data are analyzed to determine the conformational characteristics and shape of the anchored chains and to compare them with the predictions of the analytical self consistent field theory. The strong stretching limit of the theoretical predictions is obtained only for σ* > 8. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47:2449–2461, 2009
Elimination of Homo‐polypeptides of Amino Acids from Surfaces by means of Low Pressure Inductively Coupled Plasma Discharge
Authors: Kylián Ondřej , Rauscher Hubert , Denis Benjamin , Ceriotti Laura , Rossi François
Published: November 2009

The action of low‐pressure inductively coupled plasma discharge on selected homo‐polypeptides of amino acids, i.e., fundamental building blocks of proteins, has been investigated in order to evaluate their removal rates under different treatment conditions. It has been found that the removal rates of the homo‐polypeptides studied are strongly linked to the composition of the plasma discharges, but they are almost insensitive to their chemical composition. This provides an indication that all proteins could be removed at similar rates by a given plasma discharge, which is a finding of paramount importance mainly with respect to decontamination of surfaces and elimination of infectious proteins like prions.

magnified image
The Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Modified by Ar Ion Beam Irradiation
Authors: Ahmed Sk. Faruque , Yi Jin Woo , Moon Myoung‐Woon , Jang Yong‐Jun , Park Bong‐Hyun , Lee Seong‐Hoon , Lee Kwang‐Ryeol
Published: November 2009

This study examined the surface morphological evolution of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) irradiated with an Ar ion beam using an ion beam system. PC was not affected by the Ar ion beam treatment at a lower ion beam treatment times but the ABS portion formed a foam‐like nanostructure at the surface. On the other hand, both PC and ABS formed nanostructures with length of 100 to 120 nm and a mean diameter of ≈35 nm at longer beam treatment times. The Raman and FTIR spectra revealed polymer chain scissioning. Nanoindentation showed that the hardness and elastic modulus of the PC/ABS decreases from 0.22 to 0.18 GPa and from 3.39 to 2.98 GPa, respectively with increasing Ar ion beam treatment time due to the surface nano‐structures formed by Ar ion beam.

magnified image
Plasma‐Induced Direct‐Grafting on Polytetrafluoroethylene Films by Quasi‐Glow Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Wan Jun , Wang Shouguo , Song Mingwei , Jia Xianghong , Yang Jinghua
Published: November 2009

Structurally well‐defined poly(acrylic acid)s have been direct‐grafted on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films by a quasi‐glow discharge (QGD) using argon and acrylic acid. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy provided obvious evidence for a high retention of the carboxylic acid group on PTFE surface, up to 77.5% of all carboxylic acid functional group. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) indicated that polymerization proceeds predominantly via an opening of the CC bonds. The modified PTFE films were found to exhibit low water contact angle values and good ageing behavior. The mechanisms of plasma‐induced direct‐graft polymerization of acrylic acid on PTFE films were discussed combining with the real‐time electrical and optical diagnostics of the QGD plasma.

magnified image
Construction of human monoclonal single‐chain Fv antibodies against small‐cell lung cancer by phage display libraries derived from cell‐immunized SCID mice engrafted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes
Authors: Douguchi Junya , Hashiguchi Akinori , Sakamoto Michiie
Published: November 2009

In this study, we describe a phage display strategy to obtain human monoclonal single‐chain Fv (scFv) antibodies binding target cancer cell surface proteins. By developing a cancer cell immunization protocol for SCID mice engrafted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes in combination with an antibody phage display method, we have isolated phage antibodies binding small‐cell lung cancer cell line H889 by subtractive selection. One of the isolated scFv antibodies, 12EAb, recognized the E2 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC‐E2) by immunoprecipitation according to MALDI‐TOF MS analysis. Furthermore, we have confirmed the plasma membrane localization of PDC‐E2 in small‐cell lung cancer cells by immunocytochemistry and cell surface protein biotinylation, although PDC‐E2 is usually located in the mitochondrial matrix. These results, including unique localization of identified antigens, were obtained by proteomic approaches. The present methods can be applied to generate human monoclonal scFv antibodies against tumor cells and to identify new molecular targets for immunotherapy and markers for diagnosis.
Study of TATP: Influence of Reaction Conditions on Product Composition
Authors: Matyáš Robert , Pachman Jiri
Published: November 2009

The influence of reaction conditions (temperature, catalyst type, catalyst concentration – represented as molar ratio catalyst/acetone nc/na) on the composition of the product formed from the reaction of acetone and hydrogen peroxide (30%) under acid catalysis was studied. 3,3,6,6,9,9‐Hexamethyl‐1,2,4,5,7,8‐hexoxonane (TATP) was found to be the major product when the content of the catalyst in the reaction mixture is low (nc/na ≤ 0.5). A single side product (peak 10.2) in an amount ranging from 1.5 to 8% of the total peak area was present in all the prepared samples. Three other side products were found when catalyzing by hydrochloric and nitric acids. Temperature and catalyst type did not have a significant influence on the composition of the product at low catalyst concentration. Increasing the catalyst concentration led to the formation of 3,3,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1,2,4,5‐tetroxane (DADP) either as a co‐product of TATP or as an exclusive product depending on the concentration of the catalyst.
Replication of prostate cancer risk loci on 8q24, 11q13, 17q12, 19q33, and Xp11 in African Americans
Authors: Hooker Stanley , Hernandez Wenndy , Chen Hankui , Robbins Christiane , Torres Jada Benn , Ahaghotu Chiledum , Carpten John , Kittles Rick A.
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (Pca) is a common malignancy that disproportionately affects African American men (AA). Recently there have been several genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) implicating new prostate cancer risk loci along chromosomes 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 17, 19, and X in populations of European ancestry. Given the higher incidence and mortality for AAs, and differences in allele frequencies and haplotype structures between African and European descent populations, it is important to assess the impact of these candidate risk loci in AAs.

METHODS

Here we evaluated 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with prostate cancer risk in recent GWAS studies, in AA prostate cancer cases and controls.

RESULTS

We replicated five of the SNPs in our AA population, rs10896449 on 11q13.2 (P = 0.009), rs2735839 on 19q33.33 region, (P = 0.04), rs443076 on chromosome 17q12 (P = 0.008), rs5945572 on Xp11.22 (P = 0.05), as well as the rare variant specific to west African ancestry, bd11934905 in region 2 of 8q24 (P = 1 × 10−4).

CONCLUSIONS

While we were able to replicate a few of the previous GWAS SNPs, we were not able to confirm the vast majority of these associations in our AA population. This finding further supports the need to perform GWAS and additional fine mapping in AAs to locate additional susceptibility loci. Prostate 70: 270–275, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chimeric adenoviral vectors incorporating a fiber of human adenovirus 3 efficiently mediate gene transfer into prostate cancer cells
Authors: Murakami Miho , Ugai Hideyo , Belousova Natalya , Pereboev Alexander , Dent Paul , Fisher Paul B. , Everts Maaike , Curiel David T.
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND

We have developed a range of adenoviral (Ad) vectors based on human adenovirus serotype 5 (HAdV‐5) displaying the fiber shaft and knob domains of species B viruses (HAdV‐3, ‐11, or ‐35). These species B Ads utilize different cellular receptors than HAdV‐5 for infection. We evaluated whether Ad vectors displaying species B fiber shaft and knob domains (Ad5F3Luc1, Ad5F11Luc1, and Ad5F35Luc1) would efficiently infect cancer cells of distinct origins, including prostate cancer.

METHODS

The fiber chimeric Ad vectors were genetically generated and compared with the original Ad vector (Ad5Luc1) for transductional efficiency in a variety of cancer cell lines, including prostate cancer cells and primary prostate epithelial cells (PrEC), using luciferase as a reporter gene.

RESULTS

Prostate cancer cell lines infected with Ad5F3Luc1 expressed higher levels of luciferase than Ad5Luc1, as well as the other chimeric Ad vectors. We also analyzed the transductional efficiency via monitoring of luciferase activity in prostate cancer cells when expressed as a fraction of the gene transfer in PrEC cells. In the PC‐3 and DU145 cell lines, the gene transfer ratio of cancer cells versus PrEC was once again highest for Ad5F3Luc1.

CONCLUSION

Of the investigated chimeric HAdV‐5/species B vectors, Ad5F3Luc1 was judged to be the most suitable for targeting prostate cancer cells as it showed the highest transductional efficiency in these cells. It is foreseeable that an Ad vector incorporating the HAdV‐3 fiber could potentially be used for prostate cancer gene therapy. Prostate 70: 362–376, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatial decorrelation of the conductive nanotube network in a polymer melt
Authors: Lellinger Dirk , Skipa Tetyana , Böhm Wolfgang , Alig Ingo
Published: November 2009

Time resolved electrical conductivities of a polycarbonate (PC) composite melt filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were measured in a rheometer equipped with ring electrodes. Strain was applied to the melt in trapezoidal shape, i.e., as a first positive shear pulse, followed by a pause of varying duration, and finally a negative shear pulse was applied. It is well known that applying shear to a conductive melt containing nanotubes causes a conductivity decrease due to the destruction of the nanotube network during shear. This effect should be independent on the direction of shear. However, if there was only a short pause between positive and negative shear pulses, one observes an increase of conductivity during the negative shear pulse. For longer pauses, this effect diminishes, and finally, the expected conductivity decrease can be seen. The effect will be explained by the spatial de‐correlation of the nanotubes related to their agglomeration in the melt during the pause. Normalized conductivity of polycarbonate melt with MWNT during the negative shear pulse for varying duration of the pause between positive and negative shear.

magnified image
Peapod synthesis depending on the number of nanotube sidewalls
Authors: Spudat C. , Meyer C. , Goss K. , Schneider C. M.
Published: November 2009

In this paper we demonstrate filling of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) directly on Si3N4 TEM grids. The CNTs are synthesized at different growth temperatures TCVD providing different numbers of sidewalls and diameters. We characterize each step of the peapod synthesis and focus on the opening of as‐grown CNTs, which is necessary for filling them with guest molecules like C60. Thus, the creation of defects during peapod synthesis and the resulting peapods are studied using high resolution TEM and Raman spectroscopy.
The thermodynamic stability and simulated STM images of graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Wassmann T. , Seitsonen A. P. , Saitta A. M. , Lazzeri M. , Mauri F.
Published: November 2009

In this study, we investigated the edge formation energy of hydrogen‐terminated graphene nanoribbons as a function of the chemical potential of the environment as well as their electronic and magnetic properties by means of density functional theory. The single‐hydrogen‐terminated zigzag ribbons, well known for their antiferromagnetic edge states, were found to be stable only under extremely low vacuum pressures. At more standard conditions, the most stable structures are the single‐ and double‐hydrogenated armchair edges and a zigzag edge configuration with one double‐ and two single‐hydrogenated sites. At high hydrogen pressure, the edge formation energy becomes negative, meaning that graphene spontaneously breaks into ribbons. Clar type bond formulas proved to be an excellent tool for the rationale behind the stability, existence of edge states, and appearance of magnetism, and they are in perfect agreement with simulated scanning tunneling microscope (STM) images of the ribbons.

Bond formulas and simulated STM images show an identical pattern of Clar sextets. Left: single‐hydrogen‐terminated armchair ribbon. Right: double‐hydrogen‐terminated armchair ribbon. U = −0.5 V, sample–tip distance fixed at 3 Å.

magnified image
Electronic and optical properties of alkali metal doped carbon nanotubes
Authors: Kramberger Christian , Rauf Hendrik , Knupfer Martin , Shiozawa Hidetsugu , Batchelor David , Kataura Hiromichi , Pichler Thomas
Published: November 2009

Macroscopic samples of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are a nano meshed composite of interacting semiconducting and metallic nanotubes. They are a showcase example to study molecular semiconductor/metal interfaces, which are of fundamental relevance for molecular electronics and device architecture. Potassium intercalation of mixed bundles of SWNT offers facile means to tickle the delicate balance of internal charge transfer and Fermi level pinning in these systems. Moreover, the effective dimensionality of the metallic phase can be tailored from a Tomonaga–Luttinger liquid in one‐dimensional channels to a bulk Fermi liquid.
Morphological and electrical changes in TiO2 memristive devices induced by electroforming and switching
Authors: Münstermann Ruth , Yang J. Joshua , Strachan John Paul , Medeiros‐Ribeiro Gilberto , Dittmann Regina , Waser Rainer
Published: November 2009

Combining delamination technique with conductive AFM, we have been able to reveal spatially resolved morphology and conductance changes in TiO2 memristive junctions after electroforming and switching. Being able to distinguish between effects caused by electroforming and switching, respectively, we could demonstrate that electroforming results in the creation of localized conductance channels induced by oxygen evolution while subsequent resistive switching causes an additional conducting structure next to the forming spot. We observe that the lateral extent of this structure depends on the number of switching cycles indicating an ongoing breaking of existing and creation of neighbouring current channels during subsequent switching. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On‐line solid‐phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the determination of trace tributyltin and triphenyltin in water samples
Authors: Sun Qian , Chen Zuliang , Yuan Dongxing , Megharaj Mallavarapu , Naidu Ravendra
Published: November 2009

On‐line solid‐phase extraction (SPE) for pre‐concentration and sample cleanup is one strategy to reduce matrix effects and to simultaneously improve detection sensitivity in liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). This paper describes an on‐line SPE‐LC/MS method for the determination of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) at trace levels in water samples. The direct coupling of an on‐line C18 pre‐column to LC/MS was used to pre‐concentrate TBT and TPhT at trace levels from waters and to remove interfering matrix effects. Pre‐concentration was followed by separation of TBT and TPhT on a C18 column using a mobile phase containing 0.1% (v/v) HCOOH/5 mM HCOONH4 and methanol. While both electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) can be interfaced with MS for the detection of TBT and TPhT, ESI‐MS was preferred for this application. The calibration curve for the targets was linear in the concentration range 0.1–30 µg L−1. The detection limit (signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratio = 3) was 0.02 µg L−1 when 3.0 mL of sample was enriched on the C18 pre‐column. The recoveries of TBT and TPhT in spiked waters were from 81.0 to 101.9%. The reproducibilities for the analysis of the standard mixture (10 µg L−1) for TBT and TPhT were 13.1 and 5.0%, respectively. The developed method was an easy and fast way to analyze TBT and TPhT in water samples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attending to student epistemological framing in a science classroom
Authors: Hutchison Paul , Hammer David
Published: November 2009

Studies of learning in school settings indicate that many students frame activities in science classes as the production of answers for the teacher or test, rather than as making new sense of the natural world. A case study of an episode from a class taught by the first author demonstrates what productive and unproductive student framing can look like in a science classroom. The case study demonstrates how some student activity commonly seen as undesirable may be evidence of productive framing, and activity commonly viewed as desirable may be seen as evidence of unproductive framing. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 94:506–524, 2010
Governance, ownership structure, and performance of IPO firms: the impact of different types of private equity investors and institutional environments
Authors: Bruton Garry D. , Filatotchev Igor , Chahine Salim , Wright Mike
Published: November 2009

This paper examines performance effects of ownership concentration and two types of private equity investors (venture capitalists and business angels) in firms that have recently undergone an initial public offering (IPO) in the United Kingdom and France. We expand and contextualize nascent understanding of multiple agency theory by examining heterogeneity of private equity investors and by suggesting that multiple agency relationships are affected by different institutional contexts. We employ a unique, hand‐collected dataset of 224 matched IPOs (112 in each country). Controlling for the endogeneity of private equity investors' retained share ownership, we find support for the agency theory argument that concentrated ownership improves IPOs' performance. The research also shows that the two types of private equity investors have a differential impact on performance, and the legal institutions in a given country moderate this impact. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reputation gaps and the performance of service organizations
Authors: Davies Gary , Chun Rosa , Kamins Michael A.
Published: November 2009

Links between the reputation of organizations and their financial performance are intuitively attractive to assume, but often difficult to demonstrate convincingly. Gaps between employee and customer perceptions of corporate reputation have traditionally been associated with poor performance. In the context of service business and applying assimilation‐contrast theory, we hypothesize that the nature of such gaps will, in reality, have a differential effect on future revenue depending on the size and valence of the gap. The effects of small gaps should be assimilated by customers, but larger ones have a greater potential of creating a contrast effect resulting in significant increases or decreases in subsequent sales. In businesses where employees have a more positive view of the company reputation than customers, we hypothesize a growth in future sales, and where they have a relatively more negative view, a decline. We test the effects of what we label as reputation gaps in 56 business units drawn from nine service organizations and confirm our hypotheses. Among the implications of our findings are that managing reputation by elevating employee perceptions of a company's reputation above those perceived by its customers holds the potential to enhance future sales. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enrichment of (8,4) Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Through Coextraction with Heparin
Authors: Yan Liang Yu , Li Weifeng , Fan Xiao Feng , Wei Li , Chen Yuan , Kuo Jer‐Lai , Li Lain‐Jong , Kwak Sang Kyu , Mu Yuguang , Chan‐Park M. B.
Published: November 2009

Heparin sodium salt is investigated as a dispersant for dispersing single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy is used for identification and abundance estimation of the chiral species. It is found that heparin sodium salt preferentially disperses larger‐diameter Hipco SWNTs. When used to disperse CoMoCAT nanotube samples, heparin has a strong preference for (8,4) tubes, which have larger diameter than the predominant (6,5) in pristine CoMoCAT samples. PLE intensity due to (8,4) tubes increases from 7% to 60% of the total after threefold extractions. Computer modeling verifies that the complex of (8,4) SWNTs and heparin has the lowest binding energy amongst the four semiconducting species present in CoMoCAT. Network field‐effect transistors are successfully made with CoMoCAT/heparin and CoMoCAT/sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS)–heparin (x3), confirming the easy removability of heparin.
Excision of Reprogramming Transgenes Improves the Differentiation Potential of iPS Cells Generated with a Single Excisable Vector
Authors: Sommer Cesar A. , Sommer Andreia Gianotti , Longmire Tyler A. , Christodoulou Constantina , Thomas Dolly D. , Gostissa Monica , Alt Fred W. , Murphy George J. , Kotton Darrell N. , Mostoslavsky Gustavo
Published: November 2009

The residual presence of integrated transgenes following the derivation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is highly undesirable. Here we demonstrate efficient derivation of iPS cells free of exogenous reprogramming transgenes using an excisable polycistronic lentiviral vector. A novel version of this vector containing a reporter fluorochrome allows direct visualization of vector excision in living iPS cells in real time. We find that removal of the reprogramming vector markedly improves the developmental potential of iPS cells and significantly augments their capacity to undergo directed differentiation in vitro. We further propose that methods to efficiently excise reprogramming transgenes with minimal culture passaging, such as those demonstrated here, are critical since we find that iPS cells may acquire chromosomal abnormalities, such as trisomy of chromosome 8, similar to embryonic stem cells after expansion in culture. Our findings illustrate an efficient method for the generation of transgene-free iPS cells and emphasize the potential beneficial effects that may result from elimination of integrated reprogramming factors. In addition, our results underscore the consequences of long-term culture that will need to be taken into account for the clinical application of iPS cells.
Proving linearizability with temporal logic
Authors: Bäumler Simon , Schellhorn Gerhard , Tofan Bogdan , Reif Wolfgang
Published: November 2009

Linearizability is a global correctness criterion for concurrent systems. One technique to prove linearizability is applying a composition theorem which reduces the proof of a property of the overall system to sufficient rely-guarantee conditions for single processes. In this paper, we describe how the temporal logic framework implemented in the KIV interactive theorem prover can be used to model concurrent systems and to prove such a composition theorem. Finally, we show how this generic theorem can be instantiated to prove linearizability of two classic lock-free implementations: a Treiber-like stack and a slightly improved version of Michael and Scott’s queue.
Examining the Relationship Between Genetic Counselors’ Attitudes Toward Deaf People and the Genetic Counseling Session
Authors: Enns Emily E. , Boudreault Patrick , Palmer Christina G. S.
Published: November 2009

Given the medical and cultural perspectives on deafness it is important to determine if genetic counselors’ attitudes toward deaf people can affect counseling sessions for deafness genes. One hundred fifty‐eight genetic counselors recruited through the National Society of Genetic Counselors Listserv completed an online survey assessing attitudes toward deaf people and scenario‐specific comfort levels discussing and offering genetic testing for deafness. Respondents with deaf/Deaf friends or who work in prenatal or pediatric settings had more positive attitudes toward deaf people than those without deaf/Deaf friends or those working in ‘other’ settings. More positive attitudes toward deaf people correlated with higher comfort level talking about genetic testing for the two scenarios involving culturally Deaf clients; and correlated with higher comfort level offering genetic testing to culturally Deaf clients wishing to have a deaf child. Attitudes and comfort level were not correlated in the scenarios involving hearing or non‐culturally deaf clients. These results suggest that genetic counselors’ attitudes could affect information provision and the decision making process of culturally Deaf clients. Cultural sensitivity workshops in genetic counseling training programs that incorporate personal interactions with culturally Deaf individuals are recommended. Additional suggestions for fostering personal interactions are provided.
Books of physiology and hygiene published in late Qing Dynasty and their readers
Authors: Zhongmin ZHANG
Published: November 2009

There were numerous books of physiology and hygiene published in the cultural market of the late Qing Dynasty. Their writing and translating purposes, hygienic concepts and hygienic identification in these books displayed the intellectual elites’ efforts in constructing “hygienic modernity” and establishing a national state. Books of physiology and hygiene published in the late Qing Dynasty were firstly translated and edited by missionaries and it was not until 1894 that many Chinese began to edit, translate, and write books of this kind. About one hundred and thirty varieties of books of physiology and hygiene were published in the late Qing Dynasty, most of them were textbooks widely read by people and commonly accepted as books of “hygiene” or “medical science” together with the then published books of Western medical science and books on how to keep a good health. At that time, hygiene was not only a guideline for people’s life and consumption, but also became an ideology to distinguish civilization and savageness with its significance gradually connected with race and nation.
Inter-port transshipment between Shanghai and Hankou in foreign trade: 1864–1930
Authors: Qiaotian TANG
Published: November 2009

Shanghai and Hankou are located at separate ends of the most prosperous watercourse of Yangtze River. The transshipment in foreign trade between the two ports shows the limitation of Hankou as an inland port. Though the port grew due to independent direct imports and exports, Hankou was never completely independent from Shanghai. In contrast, Shanghai is of great importance to the inland ports of Yangtze River which is different to its effect on the ports of coastal areas of Northern China. Also, the region along Yangtze River is very important to Shanghai as its hinterland. The trading and transshipment between Shanghai and Hankou is critical to the whole region of Yangtze River and the development of Chinese economy. Related topics worth studying are commerce, finance, population mobility and urbanization, etc.
Revealing the Dao of Heaven through the Dao of humans: Sincerity in The Doctrine of the Mean
Authors: Yun CHEN
Published: November 2009

In Zhongyong 中庸 (The Doctrine of the Mean), cheng 诚 (sincerity) is the “Dao of all Daos”, the “virtue of all virtues”, and thus connects the Dao of humans and that of Heaven. The Dao of humans can reveal the sincerity in the Dao of Heaven in two approaches: to contemplate on sincerity and to conduct in sincerity. Meanwhile, sincerity in the Dao of Heaven is unfolded in everything’s seeking for its own nature and destiny, thus the most fundamental approach for the Dao of humans to reveal the sincerity in the Dao of Heaven is for humans to seek for everything’s own nature and destiny.
Synthesis and Photoluminescence Property of Silicon Carbide Nanowires Via Carbothermic Reduction of Silica
Authors: Luo Xiaogang , Ma Wenhui , Zhou Yang , Liu Dachun , Yang Bin , Dai Yongnian
Published: November 2009

Silicon carbide nanowires have been synthesized at 1400 °C by carbothermic reduction of silica with bamboo carbon under normal atmosphere pressure without metallic catalyst. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the silicon carbide nanowires. The results show that the silicon carbide nanowires have a core–shell structure and grow along <111> direction. The diameter of silicon carbide nanowires is about 50–200 nm and the length from tens to hundreds of micrometers. The vapor–solid mechanism is proposed to elucidate the growth process. The photoluminescence of the synthesized silicon carbide nanowires shows significant blueshifts, which is resulted from the existence of oxygen defects in amorphous layer and the special rough core–shell interface.
Viewing the world with a Dharma eye: The influence of Zen Buddhism viewpoints upon artistic concepts in the late Northern Song dynasty
Authors: Yukai ZHOU
Published: November 2009

Zen Buddhism viewpoints exerted great influence on the world’s outlook of the poets of the late Northern Song dynasty. The essay aims to discuss the poetic and artistic concepts put forward by poets of the Song dynasty in the philosophical nature of Zen Buddhism. The Zen concepts that have enlightened the Song poets include “equality for all”, “being all-pervasive and all-inclusive”, “mastering the secrets”, “turning things around” and “the communication of the six roots”.
A study of the sources of fiction manuscripts by the block-printing workshops in the Ming dynasty
Authors: Guofu CHENG
Published: November 2009

The Ming dynasty was the prime time for workshop-produced, block-printed novels. This paper discusses the sources of fictional manuscripts from block-printing workshops: purchased novels, solicited contributions, organized writings and compilations in the workshops, novels compiled by block-printing workshop owners, and expounds on the subtle relationship between hand-copied editions and block-printed ones from four perspectives. Through analysis of the integration of block-printing workshops and lower scholars, it states that the existence of lower scholars represented by Deng Zhimo 邓志谟 was significant in the history of Chinese fiction, and marked the formation of the earliest professional novelist community’s in the history of ancient, original fiction in China. This paper places the characters shown into three classifications: the block-printing workshop owners’ sharp consciousness of participation, the dependence on older fiction editions, and the use local authors as the sources of fiction manuscripts for different publishing centers.
Dianjianglu: Literary criticism with distinct Chinese characteristics
Authors: Yaquan ZHANG
Published: November 2009

Dianjianglu 点将录 (the record of the ranked poets) should be considered a method of literary criticism with distinct characteristics in terms of its form and content. Dianjianglu has an independent form, an inclusive content and openness. It has both the casualness of traditional poetic verse and the commentary and preciseness of modern essays and books. In addition, dianjianglu expresses the essence of traditional Chinese literary criticism and also maintained a flexible form. Thus, the national characteristics and the modern significance of dianjianglu should be given more attention.
The Tapestry Vision of Canadian Multiculturalism
Authors: Wilson V. Seymour
Published: November 2009

Cultural and racial pluralism have increasingly become a “riveting reality” of contemporary Canadian society. Various dimensions of this reality are explored and critical observations are made about the contribution of Canadian political science to an understanding of the phenomenon and its impact on our political life. The increasing polyethnicity of Canadian society has pressured our decision-makers into articulating both a vision and a policy of multiculturalism. However, since the early 1980s both vision and policy have come under siege. The motives of the critics of multiculturalism are questioned, and an endorsement is made of policies which continue to seek answers in pursuit of the democratic ideals of procedural justice, human equality and mutual respect.
Re-imagining Confederation: Moving Beyond the Trudeau-Lévesque Debate
Authors: LaSelva Samuel V.
Published: November 2009

The Trudeau-Lévesque debate has created a political deadlock that threatens not only Confederation but federalism as well. At the core of the political deadlock is a philosophical dispute about language, in which liberty is set against community, and particularism becomes opposed to universalism. Not only does the Trudeau-Lévesque deadlock presuppose an antagonism between basic values that is difficult to justify, but it has also diverted attention from important dimensions of Canadian federalism. An exploration of the Trudeau-Lévesque debate provides insights as to how the deadlock can be dissolved, thereby facilitating the re-imagination of Confederation.
Une Allemagne, deux sociétés distinctes: les causes et conséquences culturelles de la réunification
Authors: McFalls Laurence H.
Published: November 2009

This article proposes a political culture explanation of the collapse of Communism in the GDR and of the current crisis of democracy in reunited Germany. Based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of an original survey, it argues that the erosion of values that had stabilized East German society motivated the popular revolution of 1989. The conflict of surviving distinct values with those of the West has poisoned the socio-political climate in Germany and contributed to the rise of xenophobia. A constitutional debate accompanying reunification might have mitigated this conflict and the present crisis.
Explaining Election Outcomes in Canada: Economy and Politics
Authors: Nadeau Richard , Blais André
Published: November 2009

The article proposes a simple model to explain election outcomes in Canadian federal elections. The model hypothesizes that the share of the vote obtained by the Liberal party depends on deviations from the average rate of unemployment, inflation and income growth, and on the presence or absence of a party leader from Quebec. The results confirm the hypotheses regarding the impact of unemployment and party leader, but inflation and income growth prove to be nonsignificant. The evidence also suggests that the model may be less satisfactory for elections involving governments that had been in place for less than a year (1958 and 1980).
Homophobia, Class and Party in England
Authors: Rayside David M.
Published: November 2009

Institutionalized homophobia in England has been intensified over the last decade, linked to concerns about “permissiveness” so prominent within the lower middle classes so courted by the modern Conservative party. However, anti-gay norms have long been embedded in working-class and middle-class cultures, more than in continental European and North American societies. Moralistic crusades against homosexuality have been common in England, and are still reinforced by the police, the courts and especially the tabloid press. Opposition has been roused within Labour party and Liberal/Liberal Democratic circles, but often reluctantly, and framed by a limited form of tolerance.
Energy Politics in Canada, 1980–1981: Threat Power in a Sequential Game
Authors: James Patrick
Published: November 2009

Over a decade ago, the federal Liberal government announced one of the most controversial policy initiatives in Canadian history, the National Energy Program (NEP). The bargaining that followed the NEP's announcement on October 28, 1980 is easily recalled; intense disagreements focussed on economic, partisan and, ultimately, constitutional issues. While these events have stimulated a wide range of investigations, a prominent gap exists in the scholarship: very few studies adopt a game-theoretic perspective. In seeking to explain strategic interaction over energy policy, such an approach might increase understanding of the difficult political processes surrounding the NEP in a wider context.

These are five stages to the game-theoretic investigation that follows. First, a brief history of the phase of confrontation is provided. Second, the game-theoretic interpretation is presented in general terms, including participants, strategies and potential outcomes. Relevant measurements are derived in the third phase. In the fourth stage, the process of a sequential game is analyzed, in both abstract and operational terms. Fifth, and finally, policy-related implications of the analysis are discussed, along with possible directions for further research.
Göran Therborn's Universalizing Comparisons: A Note on Methodology
Authors: Porter Ann
Published: November 2009

This article critically assesses Göran Therborn's approach to comparative politics. It argues that while Therborn's work represents a significant advance over much of the comparative politics literature, it remains limited by a methodology of “universalizing comparisons” involving large numbers of countries. This choice of methodology means that he is unable to achieve his goals of examining the dynamics of social processes and social patterns of determination, and in turn that his analysis does not allow for an adequate understanding of the current conjuncture and political strategies that might result from it.
Resource and Social Learning Theories of Political Participation: Ethnic Patterns in Australia
Authors: McAllister Ian , Makkai Toni
Published: November 2009

Political participation is central to liberal democracy, yet there are substantial variations in the levels of participation observable among different social groups. Empirical theories explain these variations by the different socio-economic resources individuals possess and by their resulting levels of trust and efficacy in the political system. By contrast, social learning theories see these differences in participation as stemming from the values that individuals absorb from the political culture. This article uses Australia—an established liberal democracy with a large immigrant population—as a case study to evaluate these two theories. The results show that immigrants socialized in countries lacking continuous democratic traditions have greater political trust, but also display more authoritarian values. Differences emerge not only in the type of participation being analyzed, but among ethnic groups. The findings support the view that the resource and social learning theories are complementary rather than exclusive explanations for political participation.
Like-minded Nations and Contrasting Diplomatic Styles: Australian and Canadian Approaches to Agricultural Trade
Authors: Cooper Andrew Fenton
Published: November 2009

The pairing of Australia and Canada has become a rich source of comparative studies with respect to foreign economic policy. This matching has been largely inspired by the like-mindedness of the two countries. Yet, if Australia and Canada may be said to have similar objectives in terms of the international system, the methods through which they have attempted to pursue these objectives have differed sharply. Using international-level and domestic-level modes of analysis, this article explains the reasons for the contrasting style in the case of agricultural trade. It is demonstrated that a number of mutually reinforcing factors combine to give a tough-minded quality to Australia's approach. In contrast, because of both a greater complexity in the domestic policy-making process and the range of foreign policy options, Canada's style in the agricultural trade issue has become increasingly nuanced.
The Scholar and the Expert
Authors: Lemieux Vincent
Published: November 2009

Many political scientists are adding the role of expert to their role as university professors. They are consultants for various organizations, committees or commissions, and they express themselves through the media or they participate in meetings or conferences oriented toward problem-solving. There are some disconnected experts and some naive technocrats among them. There are also alleged experts who are openly partisan. Fortunately some political scientists while acting as experts remain true scholars. They limit themselves to highlight the choices to be made rather than trying to impose one of them. Their experiences as experts enrich their teaching, research and writing activities as well as the training of young researchers. Somewhat like the presidents of the Canadian Political Science Association they are not in place for too long. And it is a good thing, too.
Equal Freedom and Unequal Property: A Critique of Nozick's Libertarian Case
Authors: Nock Christopher John
Published: November 2009

Robert Nozick argues that inviolable capitalist property rights are a necessary corollary of the free society. This view is grounded in his commitment to the classical liberal principle of equal liberty. This article tests the internal coherence of Nozick's perspective with reference to the demands set by this principle. It is argued that his laissez-faire proposals cannot satisfy these demands. This prompts a consideration of the type of socio-economic arrangements that could respond to the dilemmas posed by the equal liberty principle, the suggestion being that a participatory democratic framework would promote a response superior to Nozick's.
The Charter in the Supreme Court of Canada: The Importance of Which Judges Hear an Appeal
Authors: Heard Andrew D.
Published: November 2009

A traditional focus on the collective, institutional operation of the Supreme Court of Canada has obscured the practical impact on the Charter of Rights of the personal views held by the individual members of the Court. A study of all the Charter cases decided by the Supreme Court from 1983 to 1989 reveals a profound divergence of opinions within the Court. The differences are seen not only in each judge's overall support for Charter claims but also in the patterns of agreement between bilateral pairings of judges who have heard the same cases. The use of subsets of judges to sit on panels to hear Charter cases has meant that both the outcome of Charter cases and the content of our rights have depended to a large extent upon which judges happened to sit on the panels that heard the cases.