bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of adipokines as regulators of skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism and insulin sensitivity
Authors: Dyck D. J. , Heigenhauser G. J. F. , Bruce C. R.
Published: December 2005

Several adipose‐derived cytokines (adipokines) have been suggested to act as a link between accumulated fat mass and altered insulin sensitivity. Resistin and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) have been implicated in impairing insulin sensitivity in rodents; conversely, two other adipokines, leptin and adiponectin, increase insulin sensitivity in lean and obese rodents. Currently, there is considerable focus on the concept that lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle leads to the development of insulin resistance. Adiponectin and leptin have each been demonstrated to increase rates of fatty acid (FA) oxidation and decrease muscle lipid content, which may in part be the underlying mechanism to their insulin sensitizing effect. These effects on FA metabolism appear to be mediated in part through the activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase. Evidence derived from animal and human studies suggests that the ability of leptin and adiponectin to stimulate FA oxidation in muscle is impaired in the obese condition. Thus, leptin and adiponectin resistance may be an initiating factor in the accumulation of intramuscular lipids, such as diacylglyerol and ceramide, and the ensuing development of insulin resistance. Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise are able to restore the sensitivity of muscle to leptin. The actual physiological roles of resistin and TNF‐α in altering muscle lipid metabolism are more controversial, but each has been shown to directly impair insulin signalling and consequently, insulin stimulated glucose uptake in muscle. However, the possibility that resistin and TNF‐α reduces insulin sensitivity in muscle by directly impairing FA metabolism in this tissue leading to lipid accumulation, has been virtually unexamined. Thus, the contribution of various adipokines to the development of insulin resistance is complex and not fully understood. Finally, the effects of these adipokines on metabolism and insulin sensitivity are generally studied in isolation, making it difficult to predict the interactive effects and the net impact on insulin sensitivity.
Endogenous signalling system involved in parotid gland adenosine A1receptor‐amylase release
Authors: Finkelberg A. , Busch L. , Reina S. , Sterin‐Borda L. , Borda E.
Published: December 2005

Aim: In this study, we have determined signalling pathways involved in adenosine A1receptor (A1receptor)‐dependent stimulation of amylase release in rat parotid gland.

Methods: Amylase release, binding and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assays, inositol phosphates (IPs) production and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the presence of cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropylxanthine (CPA) alone or in the presence of different inhibitory drugs were performed.

Results: The binding parameters of specific A1antagonist [3H]‐cyclopentyl 1,3‐dipropilxanthine ([3H]‐DPCPX) in parotid gland membranes show a population of high affinity sites withKd(nm) 0.53 ± 0.06 andBmax(fmol mg−1protein) 122.6 ± 10.2. CPA stimulation of A1receptor exerts an increase in amylase release, IPs accumulation, cAMP production and NOS activity. All these A1agonist effects were blocked by the A1receptor antagonist DPCPX. Inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC), calcium/calmodulin (CaM), protein kinase C (PKC), and adenylate cyclase, but not NOS, activities attenuated the CPA stimulatory effect on amylase release. The effect of CPA on amylase release significantly correlated with its action either on cAMP or on IPs accumulation.

Conclusion: These results suggest that CPA activation of parotid gland A1receptor induces a stimulatory effect on amylase release associated with increased production of cAMP and IPs accumulation. The mechanism appears to occur secondarily to stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover via PLC activation. This, in turn, triggers cascade reactions involving CaM and PKC. The CPA stimulation of NOS does not appear to participate in amylase release.
Human skeletal muscle myosin function at physiological and non‐physiological temperatures
Authors: Lionikas A. , Li M. , Larsson L.
Published: December 2005

Aim:  The aim of the study was to assess the function of human skeletal muscle myosin across a wide range of temperatures, including physiological.

Methods:  We used a single fibre in vitro motility assay. The in vitro motility speed of actin filaments propelled by myosin extracted from fibres expressing type I myosin heavy chain (MyHC; n = 9), IIa MyHC (n = 6), IIax MyHC (n = 4) and I/IIa MyHC (n = 1) was measured at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C.

Results:  The motility speed between groups of fibres expressing different MyHC differed significantly (P ≪ 0.001). The increase in motility speed with an increase in temperature was statistically significant (P ≪ 0.001) between all temperatures. The relative difference in motility speed between the slow type I and the fast IIax MyHC fibres decreased with increasing temperature, i.e. a 7.5‐fold difference at 15 °C was reduced to twofold at 35 °C. Furthermore, the twofold difference in motility speed between type IIa and IIax MyHC at 15 °C disappeared completely at 35 °C. The activation energy, EA, and temperature coefficient, Q10, over the 15–35 °C temperature range was higher for type I MyHC, 54.47 ± 4.37 kJ mol−1 and 2.09 ± 0.12, respectively, than for type IIa MyHC, 45.41 ± 3.12 kJ mol−1 (P < 0.001) and 1.85 ± 0.08 (P < 0.001), or IIax MyHC, 34.71 ± 1.75 kJ mol−1 (P ≪ 0.001) and 1.60 ± 0.04 (P ≪ 0.001).

Conclusion:  The present results suggest a significantly reduced difference in shortening velocity between different human muscle fibre types at physiological temperature than previously reported at lower temperatures (12 or 15 °C) with implications for human in vivo muscle function.
Archimedes' Principle: A Classroom Demonstration with a Twist
Authors: Clouter M. J.
Published: December 2005

When an object is immersed in (or floating on) a fluid, Archimedes' principle states that “the buoyant force acting on the object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.” While this can be readily verified as a quantitative exercise in the laboratory, there are few qualitative demonstrations of the effect that would be appropriate for the classroom. The following describes one such demonstration that requires the students to think carefully about the precise statement of the principle. The demonstration assumes access to a supply of liquid nitrogen.
Appendage Regeneration in Adult Vertebrates and Implications for Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Brockes Jeremy P. , Kumar Anoop
Published: December 2005

The regeneration of complex structures in adult salamanders depends on mechanisms that offer pointers for regenerative medicine. These include the plasticity of differentiated cells and the retention in regenerative cells of local cues such as positional identity. Limb regeneration proceeds by the local formation of a blastema, a growth zone of mesenchymal stem cells on the stump. The blastema can regenerate autonomously as a self-organizing system over variable linear dimensions. Here we consider the prospects for limb regeneration in mammals from this viewpoint.
Diversity and Function of Adaptive Immune Receptors in a Jawless Vertebrate
Authors: Alder Matthew N. , Rogozin Igor B. , Iyer Lakshminarayan M. , Glazko Galina V. , Cooper Max D. , Pancer Zeev
Published: December 2005

Instead of the immunoglobulin-type antigen receptors of jawed vertebrates, jawless fish have variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs), which consist of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) modules. Somatic diversification of the
VLR
gene is shown here to occur through a multistep assembly of LRR modules randomly selected from a large bank of flanking cassettes. The predicted concave surface of the VLR is lined with hypervariable positively selected residues, and computational analysis suggests a repertoire of about 10
14
unique receptors. Lamprey immunized with anthrax spores responded with the production of soluble antigen-specific VLRs. These findings reveal that two strikingly different modes of antigen recognition through rearranged lymphocyte receptors have evolved in the jawless and jawed vertebrates.
X-ray Structure of the EmrE Multidrug Transporter in Complex with a Substrate
Authors: Pornillos Owen , Chen Yen-Ju , Chen Andy P. , Chang Geoffrey
Published: December 2005

EmrE is a prototype of the Small Multidrug Resistance family of efflux transporters and actively expels positively charged hydrophobic drugs across the inner membrane of
Escherichia coli
. Here, we report the x-ray crystal structure, at 3.7 angstrom resolution, of one conformational state of the EmrE transporter in complex with a translocation substrate, tetraphenylphosphonium. Two EmrE polypeptides form a homodimeric transporter that binds substrate at the dimerization interface. The two subunits have opposite orientations in the membrane and adopt slightly different folds, forming an asymmetric antiparallel dimer. This unusual architecture likely confers unidirectionality to transport by creating an asymmetric substrate translocation pathway. On the basis of available structural data, we propose a model for the proton-dependent drug efflux mechanism of EmrE.
Synthesis of Imido Analogs of the Uranyl Ion
Authors: Hayton Trevor W. , Boncella James M. , Scott Brian L. , Palmer Phillip D. , Batista Enrique R. , Hay P. Jeffrey
Published: December 2005

Here we describe the synthesis of two imido analogs of the uranyl ion, UO
2+
2
, in which the oxygens are replaced by divalent alkyl or aryl nitrogen groups: U(N
t
Bu)
2
I
2
(THF)
2
(1) and U(NPh)
2
I
2
(THF)
3
(2) (where
t
Bu is
tert
-butyl and THF is tetrahydrofuran). Both compounds have been fully characterized by standard analytical techniques, including x-ray crystallography, and the chemical bonding between the metal center and the nitrogen ligands was quantified by using hybrid density functional theory calculations. As expected for a uranyl analog, these complexes exhibit linear N-U-N linkages and very short U-N bonds. In addition, the theoretical calculations show strong involvement of the 5f and 6d electrons in the U-N bonding.
Bioethics and health and human rights: a critical view
Authors: Benatar D
Published: December 2005

Recent decades have seen the emergence of two new fields of inquiry into ethical issues in medicine. These are the fields of bioethics and of health and human rights. In this critical review of these fields, the author argues that bioethics, partly because it has been construed so broadly, suffers from quality control problems. The author also argues that the field of health and human rights is superfluous because it does nothing that cannot be done by either bioethics of the law.
Body art and medical need
Authors: Brassington I
Published: December 2005

A company called Biojewellery has proposed to take a sample of bone tissue from a couple and to grow this sample into wedding rings. One of the ethical problems that such a proposal faces is that it implies surgery without medical need. To this end, only couples with a prior need for surgery are being considered. This paper examines the question of whether such a stipulation is necessary. It is suggested that, though medical need and the provision of health and wellbeing is overwhelmingly the warrant for surgical intervention, there is no reason in principle why other, non-medical, projects such as jewellery creation might not also warrant surgical intervention. Implicitly, this line of thought forces us to consider the proper place of surgical intervention—that is, to ask what surgeons are for.
Brief report on the experience of using proxy consent for incapacitated adults
Authors: Mason S , Barrow H , Phillips A , Eddison G , Nelson A , Cullum N , Nixon J
Published: December 2005

The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004, which came into force in the UK in May 2004, cover the conduct of clinical trials on medicinal products. They allow a legal representative (a person not connected with the conduct of the trial) to consent to the participation of incompetent adults in medical research. Currently, very little is known about how such representatives will make their decisions.

We have experience with proxy consent for older adults in a large, national trial. From 2445 potentially eligible but incapacitated patients, proxy, relative assent resulted in trial participation of only 87 (3.6%) patients. The reasons for this were that a large number of incapacitated patients had no relative available for assent (2286), but also a high proportion of relatives approached refused to provide assent (72/159, 45.3%). In comparison, 17.7% of patients declined participation in the trial.

Proxy consent allowed only a small increase in trial recruitment of incapacitated patients. The fact that a greater proportion of relatives than patients refused to provide assent implies that they were more cautious than the patients themselves, or perhaps used different criteria, when making their decision.

In future research involving incapacitated older patients there is likely to be heavy reliance on proxy consent provision by legal representatives. Our findings imply that consent decisions of legal representatives will not necessarily reflect those of patients themselves.
SURVIVING OPINIONS IN SZNAJD MODELS ON COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: RODRIGUES F. A. , DA F. COSTA L.
Published: December 2005

The Sznajd model has been largely applied to simulate many sociophysical phenomena. In this paper, we applied the Sznajd model with more than two opinions on three different network topologies and observed the evolution of surviving opinions after many interactions among the nodes. As result, we obtained a scaling law which depends of the network size and the number of possible opinions. We also observed that this scaling law is not the same for all network topologies, being quite similar between scale-free networks and Sznajd networks but different for random networks.
RELAXATION UNDER OUTFLOW DYNAMICS WITH RANDOM SEQUENTIAL UPDATING
Authors: KRUPA SYLWIA , SZNAJD-WERON KATARZYNA
Published: December 2005

In this paper we compare the relaxation in several versions of the Sznajd model (SM) with random sequential updating on the chain and square lattice. We start by reviewing briefly all proposed one-dimensional versions of SM. Next, we compare the results obtained from Monte Carlo simulations with the mean field results obtained by Slanina and Lavicka. Finally, we investigate the relaxation on the square lattice and compare two generalizations of SM, one suggested by Stauffer et al. and another by Galam. We show that there are no qualitative differences between these two approaches, although the relaxation within the Galam rule is faster than within the well known Stauffer et al. rule.
GENETIC ALGORITHMS, FLOATING POINT NUMBERS AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: HARDY YORICK , STEEB WILLI-HANS , STOOP RUEDI
Published: December 2005

The core in most genetic algorithms is the bitwise manipulations of bit strings. We show that one can directly manipulate the bits in floating point numbers. This means the main bitwise operations in genetic algorithm mutations and crossings are directly done inside the floating point number. Thus the interval under consideration does not need to be known in advance. For applications, we consider the roots of polynomials and finding solutions of linear equations.
INTRODUCTION TO YANGIAN SYMMETRY IN INTEGRABLE FIELD THEORY
Authors: MACKAY N. J.
Published: December 2005

An introduction to Yangians and their representations, to Yangian symmetry in 1+1 D integrable (bulk) field theory, and to the effect of a boundary on this symmetry.
RENORMALIZED NEW SOLUTIONS FOR THE MASSLESS THIRRING MODEL
Authors: CASANA R.
Published: December 2005

We present a nonperturbative study of the (1+1)-dimensional massless Thirring model by using path integral methods. The regularization ambiguities — coming from the computation of the fermionic determinant — allow to find new solution types for the model. At quantum level the Ward identity for the 1PI 2-point function for the fermionic current separates such solutions in two phases or sectors, the first one has a local gauge symmetry that is implemented at quantum level and the other one without this symmetry. The symmetric phase is a new solution which is unrelated to the previous studies of the model and, in the nonsymmetric phase there are solutions that for some values of the ambiguity parameter are related to well-known solutions of the model. We construct the Schwinger–Dyson equations and the Ward identities. We make a detailed analysis of their UV divergence structure and, after, we perform a nonperturbative regularization and renormalization of the model.
AN ANALYTIC APPROACH TO THE LATE ISW EFFECT IN A Λ DOMINATED UNIVERSE
Authors: CZINNER VIKTOR , VASÚTH MÁTYÁS , LUKÁCS ÁRPÁD
Published: December 2005

The integrated Sachs–Wolfe (ISW) effect in a Λ dominated universe can be an important factor in the evolution of cosmic microwave background fluctuations. With the inclusion of cosmological constant we present the complete analytic solution of the covariant linear perturbations of the Einstein equations in the Newtonian gauge, in the case of a spatially flat (K = 0), Friedman–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe, filled with pressureless ideal fluid. We use the analytic time dependence of the perturbation potentials to derive the anisotropy power spectrum of the late ISW effect. We choose the scale invariant Harrison–Zeldovich spectrum for obtaining the Cℓ momenta and show the agreement of our results with earlier, numeric calculations.
BIFURCATION, EXACT SOLUTIONS AND NONSMOOTH BEHAVIOR OF SOLITARY WAVES IN THE GENERALIZED NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION
Authors: WANG WEI , SUN JIANHUA , CHEN GUANRONG
Published: December 2005

In this paper, the generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation (GNLS) is studied. The bifurcation of solitary waves of the equation is discussed first, by using the bifurcation theory of planar dynamical systems. Then, the respective numbers of solitary waves are derived under different conditions on the equation parameters. Exact solutions of smooth solitary waves are obtained in the explicit form of a(ξ)ei(ψ(ξ)-ωt), ξ = x - vt by qualitatively seeking the homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits for a class of Liénard equations. Finally, nonsmooth solitary wave solutions of the GNLS are investigated.
ON THE EXISTENCE OF PATTERNS FOR A DIFFUSION EQUATION ON A CONVEX DOMAIN WITH NONLINEAR BOUNDARY REACTION
Authors: CÓNSUL NEUS , JORBA ÀNGEL
Published: December 2005

We consider a diffusion equation on a domain Ω with a cubic reaction at the boundary. It is known that there are no patterns when the domain Ω is a ball, but the existence of such patterns is still unkown in the more general case in which Ω is convex. The goal of this paper is to present numerical evidence of the existence of nonconstant stable equilibria when Ω is the unit square. These patterns are found by continuation of families of unstable equilibria that bifurcate from constant solutions.
EXISTENCE OF HORSESHOES AND HOMOCLINIC CONNECTIONS IN DC/DC CONVERTERS
Authors: DAI DONG , MA YUE , TSE CHI K.
Published: December 2005

In this letter, chaos in a current-mode controlled boost converter is studied. Firstly, the existence of chaos is proven theoretically in this system. The proof consists of showing that the dynamics of the system is semiconjugate to that of a one-sided shift map, which implies positive entropy of the system and hence chaotic behavior. The essential tool is the horseshoe hypotheses proposed by Kennedy and Yorke, which will be reviewed prior to the discussion of the main finding. Then, the existence of chaos is illustrated in the light of homoclinic connection. Furthermore, global chaos resulting from homoclinic intersection of stable and unstable manifolds are illustrated numerically.
EVIDENCE FOR NEGLECTED LINEARITY IN NOISY CHAOTIC MODELS
Authors: KYRTSOU CATHERINE
Published: December 2005

In practice it is very difficult to distinguish between stochastic and chaotic nonlinearity. It is also difficult to identify nonlinear structures in time series when the hidden dynamics are complex. In this paper, we provide evidence that in the presence of specific high-dimensional underlying structures, White [1989] and Theiler et al. [1992] tests fail to detect nonlinearity.
ON CHAOTIC BEHAVIORS OF INCOMPRESSIBLE FLUID FLOWS IN TRIANGULAR DRIVEN CAVITIES
Authors: WANG SONG
Published: December 2005

In this paper we investigate numerically chaotic behaviors of incompressible fluid flows at large Reynolds numbers in triangular driven cavities. The problem is first formulated as incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with appropriate boundary and initial conditions. The equations are then solved numerically by an exponentially fitted finite volume method for various Reynolds numbers up to 107. Numerical experiments on flows in triangular cavities with different depths are performed. The numerical results show clearly that the transitions of the flows from lamina to turbulence/chaos follow some conventional routes to chaos.
ON THE DYNAMICAL DEGRADATION OF DIGITAL PIECEWISE LINEAR CHAOTIC MAPS
Authors: LI SHUJUN , CHEN GUANRONG , MOU XUANQIN
Published: December 2005

When chaotic systems are realized with finite precisions in digital computers, their dynamical properties are often found to be entirely different from the original versions in the continuous setting. In the literature, there does not seem to be much work on quantitative analysis of such degradation of digitized chaos and how to reduce its negative influence on chaos-based digital systems. Focusing on 1D piecewise linear chaotic maps (PWLCM), this paper reports some findings on a new series of dynamical indicators, which can quantitatively reflect the degradation effects on a digital PWLCM realized with a fixed-point finite precision. On top of that, the paper introduces a new method for studying digital chaos from an algorithmic point of view. In addition, the theoretical results obtained in this paper should be very helpful for the consideration of reducing negative influence of dynamical degradation in real design of various digital chaotic systems. As typical examples, the proposed dynamical indicators are applied to the performance comparison of different remedies for improving dynamical degradation, cryptanalysis of digital chaotic ciphers based on 1D PWLCM, and design of chaotic pseudo-random number generators with desired characteristics.
BIFURCATION ANALYSIS OF A ROTATING ARM WITH SATURATED HAMILTONIAN CONTROL LAWS
Authors: SALAS F. , PONCE E. , ARACIL J. , GORDILLO F.
Published: December 2005

The actuator saturation effects on the global state space structure of a rotating arm with a Hamiltonian control law are studied via bifurcation analysis. In addition to other well-known codimension-two bifurcation points, some saturation-induced "fan-like" bifurcation points are detected. The dynamical complexity found in this seemingly simple example is remarkable.
TRANSFORMING SUBHARMONIC CHAOS TO HOMOCLINIC CHAOS SUITABLE FOR PATTERN RECOGNITION
Authors: DE FEO OSCAR
Published: December 2005

Various forms of chaotic synchronization have been proposed as ways of realizing associative memories and/or pattern recognizers. To exploit this kind of synchronization phenomena in temporal pattern recognition, a chaotic dynamical system representing the class of signals that are to be recognized must be established. As shown recently [De Feo, 2003], this system can be determined by means of identification techniques where chaos emerges by itself to model the diversity of nearly periodic signals. However, the emerging chaotic behavior is subharmonic, i.e. period doubling-like, and therefore, as explained in [De Feo, 2004a, 2004b], it is not suitable for a synchronization-based pattern recognition technique. Nevertheless, as shown here, bifurcation theory and continuation techniques can be combined to modify a subharmonic chaotic system and drive it to homoclinic conditions; obtaining in this way a model suitable for synchronization-based pattern recognition.
Autocrine loop between TGF-β1 and IL-1β through Smad3- and ERK-dependent pathways in rat pancreatic stellate cells
Authors: Aoki Hiroyoshi , Ohnishi Hirohide , Hama Kouji , Ishijima Takako , Satoh Yukihiro , Hanatsuka Kazunobu , Ohashi Akira , Wada Shinichi , Miyata Tomohiko , Kita Hiroto , Yamamoto Hironori , Osawa Hiroyuki , Sato Kiichi , Tamada Kiichi , Yasuda Hiroshi , Mashima Hirosato , Sugano Kentaro
Published: December 2005

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are activated during pancreatitis and promote pancreatic fibrosis by producing and secreting ECMs such as collagen and fibronectin. IL-1β has been assumed to participate in pancreatic fibrosis by activating PSCs. Activated PSCs secrete various cytokines that regulate PSC function. In this study, we have examined IL-1β secretion from culture-activated PSCs as well as its regulatory mechanism. RT-PCR and ELISA have demonstrated that PSCs express IL-1β mRNA and secrete IL-1β peptide. Inhibition of TGF-β1 activity secreted from PSCs by TGF-β1-neutralizing antibody attenuated IL-1β secretion from PSCs. Exogenous TGF-β1 increased IL-1β expression and secretion by PSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Adenovirus-mediated expression of dominant-negative (dn)Smad2/3 expression reduced both basal and TGF-β1-stimulated IL-1β expression and secretion by PSCs. Coexpression of Smad3 with dnSmad2/3 restored IL-1β expression and secretion by PSCs, which were attenuated by dnSmad2/3 expression. In contrast, coexpression of Smad2 with dnSmad2/3 did not alter them. Furthermore, inhibition of IL-1β activity secreted from PSCs by IL-1β-neutralizing antibody attenuated TGF-β1 secretion from PSCs. Exogenous IL-1β enhanced TGF-β1 expression and secretion by PSCs. IL-1β activated ERK, and PD-98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, blocked IL-1β enhancement of TGF-β1 expression and secretion by PSCs. We propose that an autocrine loop exists between TGF-β1 and IL-1β in activated PSCs through Smad3- and ERK-dependent pathways.
The circadian clock within the heart: potential influence on myocardial gene expression, metabolism, and function
Authors: Young Martin E.
Published: December 2005

It is becoming increasingly clear that the intrinsic properties of both the heart and vasculature exhibit dramatic oscillations over the course of the day. Diurnal variations in the responsiveness of the cardiovascular system to environmental stimuli are mediated by a complex interplay between extracellular (i.e., neurohumoral factors) and intracellular (i.e., circadian clock) influences. The intracellular circadian clock is composed of a series of transcriptional modulators that together allow the cell to perceive the time of day, thereby enabling preparation for an anticipated stimulus. These molecular timepieces have been characterized recently within both vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes, giving rise to a multitude of hypotheses relating to the potential role(s) of the circadian clock as a modulator of physiological and pathophysiological cardiovascular events. For example, evidence strongly supports the hypothesis that the circadian clock within the heart modulates myocardial metabolism, which in turn facilitates anticipation of diurnal variations in workload, substrate availability, and/or the energy supply-to-demand ratio. The purpose of this review is therefore to summarize our current understanding of the molecular events governing diurnal variations in the intrinsic properties of the heart, with special emphasis on the intramyocardial circadian clock. Whether impairment of this molecular mechanism contributes toward cardiovascular disease associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, shift work, sleep apnea, and/or obesity will be discussed.
Cardiac endocrine function is an essential component of the homeostatic regulation network: physiological and clinical implications
Authors: Clerico Aldo , Recchia Fabio A. , Passino Claudio , Emdin Michele
Published: December 2005

The discovery of cardiac natriuretic hormones required a profound revision of the concept of heart function. The heart should no longer be considered only as a pump but rather as a multifunctional and interactive organ that is part of a complex network and active component of the integrated systems of the body. In this review, we first consider the cross-talk between endocrine and contractile function of the heart. Then, based on the existing literature, we propose the hypothesis that cardiac endocrine function is an essential component of the integrated systems of the body and thus plays a pivotal role in fluid, electrolyte, and hemodynamic homeostasis. We highlight those studies indicating how alterations in cardiac endocrine function can better explain the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases and, in particular of heart failure, in which several target organs develop a resistance to the biological action of cardiac natriuretic peptides. Finally, we emphasize the concept that a complete knowledge of the cardiac endocrine function and of its relation with other neurohormonal regulatory systems of the body is crucial to correctly interpret changes in circulating natriuretic hormones, especially the brain natriuretic peptide.
Differences in the Accuracy of Human Visuospatial Memory After Yaw and Roll Rotations
Authors: Klier Eliana M. , Hess Bernhard J. M. , Angelaki Dora E.
Published: December 2005

Our ability to keep track of objects in the environment, even as we move, has been attributed to various cues including efference copies, vestibular signals, proprioception, and gravitational cues. However, the presence of some cues, such as gravity, may not be used to the same extent by different axes of motion (e.g., yaw vs. roll). We tested whether changes in gravitational cues can be used to improve visuospatial updating performance for yaw rotations as previously shown for roll. We found differences in updating for yaw and roll rotations in that yaw updating is not only associated with larger systematic errors but is also not facilitated by gravity in the same way as roll updating.
The Autonomous, the Universal and the Future of Sociology
Authors: Alatas Syed Hussein
Published: December 2005

The universal concepts of sociology are those that form the basic foundation of the discipline found in all human societies and valid for all times. Examples are the concepts of sanction, class, social stratification, social mobility, group, culture, values, religion, custom and others. These concepts are universally valid in the general and abstract sense but their historical and concrete manifestations are conditioned by their temporal, spatial and cultural frameworks. It is in the studies of these unique historical phenomena that the autonomous tradition has its roots. What is lacking in the non-western world is an autonomous social science tradition, generated and developed by local scholars, guided by the selection of problems from within the society, applying an independent concept of relevance in the collection and accumulation of research data and comparative attention to problems outside the country or region.
Internet-Mediated Networking and Academic Dependency in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States
Authors: Thompson Eric C.
Published: December 2005

Academic networks, sometimes described as ‘invisible colleges’, are known to be important in the production and dissemination of scholarship and knowledge. This article examines the shape of international academic networking via email in the field of Southeast Asian studies. Evidence from a survey of academic Internet users in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the US shows an empirical correspondence to the centre–periphery framework of academic dependency proposed by Syed Farid Alatas and others. At the same time, the results suggest the need for a more fine-grained, institutional-level analysis of these networks. The effects of Internet access and communications also highlight the question of whether this medium promotes broader participation in scholarship or entrenches relationships of academic dependency.
Making Sense of Constant Change
Authors: Kalekin-Fishman Devorah
Published: December 2005

Since its foundation in 1948, Israel has been undergoing constant change associated with the government policy of in-migration, the ‘ingathering of the exiles’ along with the efforts of the state to meet the challenges of a modern, globalizing economy. For a long time, the contribution of sociologists was in the vein of apologetics. They formulated functionalist explanations to show that new immigrants had to be pressured into assimilation. Homogenization of the increasingly variegated Jewish population was presented as a scientifically warranted goal, while groups who were not of ‘western’ origin and those defined as minority groups could be relegated to ‘otherness’ and ‘difference’. The self-presentation of Israel as ‘Jewish and democratic’ was supported by sociological theorizing about Israel as a ‘unique’ sociopolitical phenomenon. The patent theoretical and practical contradictions of the ideology tended to be explained away and for several decades of the state's existence, the official ideology was all but unchallenged. With the growth of the academic community of sociologists, and, paradoxically, with the dynamic right-wing changes in politics, economics and culture in train since the 1980s, sociology is increasingly coming into its own. More researchers now attempt to make sense of the changes in ways that are attuned to contradictions. They look at (Israeli) society as a universal multi-factor processthat is subject to discoverable social laws; take as subject matter not what society oughtto be, but primarily what society actually is; and increasingly sift statements and conclusions founded on empirical datain their aspiration to scientific truth.
Problematizing Received Categories
Authors: Sinha Vineeta
Published: December 2005

In this article, the author's objective is to problematize a number of categories that constitute the intellectual heritage of students of Hinduism. Social science approaches to analysing Indian society, including religion in general, and Hinduism, in particular, have generated an anthology of sense-making tools – a body of categories, concepts, schemas and dichotomies. It is instructive to ask if these received categories continue to be appropriate. The author embarks on such questioning by focusing on the categories ‘folk Hinduism’ and ‘Sanskritization’. These have been pivotal in sociological and anthropological accounts of India and continue to provide an analytical framework for studying Hinduism today. Yet, these categories have been neither historicized sufficiently nor received rigorous, intellectual attention, but continue to be accepted rather uncritically. The categories ‘folk Hinduism’ and ‘Sanskritization’ share a historical and analytical relationship and thus must be appraised jointly. In these discussions, it is also important to historicize the category ‘folk’ and assess its conceptual utility. The author's approach here is to deconstruct these categories utilizing ethnography to raise questions about the continued value of using the named categories for making sense of empirical, everyday manifestations of ‘Hinduism’ in contemporary societies, especially among Hindu communities in the diaspora.
Some Recent Commentaries on the Pastoral Epistles
Authors: Marshall I. Howard
Published: December 2005

The article briefly describes and evaluates recent commentaries on the Pastoral Epistles by R. F. Collins, L. T. Johnson, W. L. Liefeld, W. D. Mounce, and J. D. Quinn, all of which contribute to our understanding. The cases for closely associating the letters with Paul and interpreting them as later, pseudonymous works both continue to be vigorously prosecuted.
The Price of Change: The Role of CEO Compensation in Strategic Variation and Deviation From Industry Strategy Norms
Authors: Carpenter Mason A.
Published: December 2005

This research tests the proposition that changes in CEO pay will be reflected in strategic change—viewed as variation in firm strategy and deviation from industry strategic norms. Changes in total CEO pay, long-term pay, and long-term pay structure were found to affect strategic change in a sample of large U.S. firms. However, the effects of pay on change were positive when firm performance was low; the relationships were negative among the highest performing firms.
Belaboring the Not-So-Obvious: Consensus, Commitment, and Strategy Implementation Speed and Success
Authors: Dooley Robert S. , Fryxell Gerald E. , Judge William Q.
Published: December 2005

One of the accepted beliefs among strategic management researchers is that strategic decision consensus among decision-makers facilitates decision implementation speed and implementation success. Despite this belief, there has been little empirical research directly examining these relationships. Using hierarchical regression, this study examines the effects of strategic decision consensus and commitment on decision implementation speed and success. Results from a sample of 68 intact strategic decision-making teams in Southeastern United States hospitals support the normatively accepted ideal that decision consensus helps build decision commitment, which in turn positively affects implementation success. Contrary to our expectations, however, decision commitment serves to slow implementation speed. The implications of these results for consensus and implementation research are discussed.
Conducting and Integrating Strategy Research at the International, Corporate, and Business Levels: Issues and Directions
Authors: Dess Gregory G. , Gupta Anil , Hennart Jean-Francois , Hill Charles W.L.
Published: December 2005

This paper identifies important research issues at the international, corporate, and business levels of strategy research. In addition, research questions that require integration across multiple levels of strategy as well as the incorporation of both the content and process dimensions of strategy are addressed.
Board Composition, Stock Ownership and the Exemption of Directors from Liability
Authors: Mallette Paul , Hogler Raymond L.
Published: December 2005

This research examined the relationships between board composition, stock ownership, and the existence of director liability protection in a sample of industrial manufacturing firms. Results indicate that the impact of board leadership on liability protection depends on the proportion of independent directors on the board. Findings suggest that high levels of independent directors compromise the governing effectiveness of independent board leadership. Results demonstrate that stock ownership patterns affect liability protection as well. High levels of institutional ownership are associated with liability protection. While the theoretical paradigm of organizational economics predicts that the decision to provide protection is based on economic advantage, this study shows that liability protection for directors involves social dimensions as well as economic ones.
The Influence of Employee Involvement Program Membership During Downsizing: Attitudes Toward the Employer and the Union
Authors: Martin Christopher L. , Parsons Charles K. , Bennett Nathan
Published: December 2005

This study investigates the influence of employee involvement (EI) program membership on attitudes towards an organization, its management, and the union during organizational downsizing. Respondents were 147 union members who had been notified of their discharge from a large manufacturer. EI membership had significant effects on worker commitment to the organization, attitudes towards management, perceived fairness and attributions of blame, but not on attitudes toward the union. However, EI members displace somewhat greater blame for the layoff on the union.
A Review of Scale Development Practices in the Study of Organizations
Authors: Hinkin Timothy R.
Published: December 2005

Questionnaires are the most commonly used method of data collection infield research (Stone, 1978). Problems with the reliability and validity of measures used on questionnaires has often led to difficulties in interpreting the results of field research (Cook, Hepworth, Wall & Wart-, 1981; Schriesheim, Powers, Scandura, Gardiner & Lankau, 1993). This article reviews scale development procedures for 277 measures used in 75 articles published in leading academic journals from 1989 to 1994. It points out some of the problems encountered and provides examples of what could be considered “best practices “in scale development and reporting. Based on the review, recommendations are made to improve the scale development process.
Estimating La tent Variable Interactions and Quadratics: The State of This Art
Authors: Ping Robert A.
Published: December 2005

Because there is little guidance for substantive researchers, the paper reviews the techniques for detecting latent variable interactions and quadratics. After examining plausible research situations where including these nonlinear variables might be appropriate, the paper describes the available detection techniques. Recent advances in nonlinear structural equation analysis are given particular attention, and suggestions for substantive researchers are made.
Pre-Startup Planning and the Survival of New Small Businesses: Theoretical Linkages
Authors: Castrogiovanni Gary J.
Published: December 2005

Although eyidence is equivocal and often contradictory, prospective business founders are generally advised to develop formal plans of their proposed ventures. Consistent with this advice, some scholars have suggested that the high mortality of new small businesses could be reduced through greater pre-startup planning. However, there is an emerging view that the value of planning is context-dependent. This view is elaborated here as it applies to new small businesses. First, ways in which pre-startup planning can facilitate survival are delineated. Then, contextual conditions that can limit these impacts are described. Finally, suggestions are offered which show how this view can be used to guide future research and extend the body of knowledge.
Contrasting Perspectives on Strategic Leaders: Toward a More Realistic View of Top Managers
Authors: Cannella Albert A. , Monroe Martin J.
Published: December 2005

Previous empirical studies of top managers tend to draw from either positive agency theory or strategic leadership theory. This manuscript reviews and critiques these two approaches, outlining their advantages and inherent limitations. Because each is inherently limited, we suggest that developments in personality theory, transformational leadership theory, and visionary leadership theory can contribute to a more realistic view of top managers. Consequently, we contrast these three alternative perspectives with the two more dominant approaches in this manuscript. As a result, we identify future research directions for scholars interested in studying strategic leadership.
The Social Scientific Study of Leadership: Quo Vadis?
Authors: House Robert J. , Aditya Ram N.
Published: December 2005

In this article, we review the history of the social scientific study of leadership and the prevailing theories of leadership that enjoy empirical support. We demonstrate that the development of knowledge concerning leadership phenomena has been truly cumulative and that much is currently known about leadership. We identify the contributions of the trait, behavioral, contingency and neocharismatic paradigms and the results of empirical research on prevailing theories. Issues that warrant research in each of the paradigms and theories are described. Ten additional topics for further investigation are discussed and specific recommendations are made with regard to future research on each of these topics.
Old Friends, New Faces: Motivation Research in the 1990s
Authors: Ambrose Maureen L. , Kulik Carol T.
Published: December 2005

This article reports the principal findings of over 200 studies of work motivation published between January 1990 and December 1997. We examined research relevant to seven traditional motivational theories (Motives and Needs, Expectancy Theory, Equity Theory, Goal-Setting, Cognitive Evaluation Theory, Work Design, and Reinforcement Theory) and three emerging topic areas (Creativity, Groups, and Culture). For each area, we summarize the research, identify trends and discuss issues that deserve further research attention. We conclude by examining trends in research in the field overall and considering the implications of these trends for the future role of motivation in organizational behavior research.
The Embeddedness of Organizations: Dialogue & Directions
Authors: Dacin M. Tina , Ventresca Marc J. , Beal Brent D.
Published: December 2005

We review research on organizations to highlight prevailing and emerging conceptions for embeddedness. An integrated framework that considers the sources, mechanisms, outcomes, and strategic implications of embeddedness is presented. Also, promising research directions for embeddedness approaches, including cross-level issues (such as collective cognition and nesting), as well as issues related to temporality, networks, and methodology are identified.
Seller Responsiveness to the Need to Divest
Authors: Buchholtz Ann K. , Lubatkin Michael , O’Neill Hugh M.
Published: December 2005

Little theoretical attention has been given to divestiture; that is, to the question of why two firms that face similar environments make different selling decisions and reap different performance outcomes from a sale. This article proposes a framework of divestiture built around the core concept of seller responsiveness, which is defined as the readiness of the management at the selling firm to respond to the need to divest. The data show how divestiture context, management characteristics, and governance attributes influence seller responsiveness and, in turn, the price the divesting firm receives. Finally, the framework’s implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Manager Giveth, the Manager Taketh Away: Variation in Distribution/Recovery Rules Due to Resource Type and Cultural Orientation
Authors: Parks Judi McLean , Conlon Donald E. , Ang Soon , Bontempo Robert
Published: December 2005

Although the resource allocation literature has frequently examined the decision rules used to distribute monetary resources, many other types of resources have not been systematically studied. In addition, very little is known about the allocation rules that might be used when resources are recovered (i.e., taken away) as opposed to distributed. As managers frequently face decisions regarding the distribution or recovery of different resources, developing a greater understanding of the rules they might use to give or take away resources is important. This study examined the difficulty of resource allocation decisions and allocation rule choices. Our results suggest need rules are generally preferred by allocators, although rule preferences were affected by both the type of resource and whether the resource was being distributed rather than recovered. In particular, the preference for equality rules was stronger when resources were recovered. Our findings also suggest that managers may find recovery decisions more difficult than distribution decisions, and that monetary and affiliative resources are among the most difficult to allocate.