bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perfluorocarbon Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide- and α-Toxin-Induced Interleukin-8 Release from Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Authors: Nakata Setsuko , Yasui Kozo , Nakamura Tomohiko , Kubota Noriko , Baba Atsushi
Published: November 2006

Background/Aims: Human pulmonary alveolar epithelial (A549) cells release interleukin-8 (IL-8) on stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and α-toxin. We hypothesised that the perfluorocarbons (PFCs), perflubron and FC-84, would block stimulation of A549 cells by these toxins. Methods: The levels of IL-8 production in A549 cells were measured following exposure to toxins for 24 h with or without PFC. The amount of IL-8 released from A549 cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the level of IL-8 mRNA was measured by real-time RT-PCR. Results: When stimulated with LPS or α-toxin, IL-8 release from A549 cells increased. There were no significant differences in level of IL-8 release between cells pre-incubated for 24 h with or without PFC after toxin stimulation for 24 h. When PFC was administered along with LPS stimulation, the level of IL-8 release was decreased (LPS control, 1,398 ± 110 pg/well; FC-84, 686 ± 50 pg/well; perflubron, 749 ± 137 pg/well; p < 0.05). Levels of IL-8 mRNA expression were significantly higher with than without LPS, and those with LPS and perflubron were significantly lower than those with LPS alone. Conclusions: The results show that PFCs block stimulation of A549 cells by LPS or α-toxin. PFC may be useful clinically in treatment of pulmonary inflammation in the alveolar space.
Cochlear Pharmacokinetics with Local Inner Ear Drug Delivery Using a Three-Dimensional Finite-Element Computer Model
Authors: Plontke Stefan K. , Siedow Norbert , Wegener Raimund , Zenner Hans-Peter , Salt Alec N.
Published: November 2006

Hypothesis: Cochlear fluid pharmacokinetics can be better represented by three-dimensional (3D) finite-element simulations of drug dispersal. Background: Local drug deliveries to the round window membrane are increasingly being used to treat inner ear disorders. Crucial to the development of safe therapies is knowledge of drug distribution in the inner ear with different delivery methods. Computer simulations allow application protocols and drug delivery systems to be evaluated, and may permit animal studies to be extrapolated to the larger cochlea of the human. Methods: A finite-element 3D model of the cochlea was constructed based on geometric dimensions of the guinea pig cochlea. Drug propagation along and between compartments was described by passive diffusion. To demonstrate the potential value of the model, methylprednisolone distribution in the cochlea was calculated for two clinically relevant application protocols using pharmacokinetic parameters derived from a prior one-dimensional (1D) model. In addition, a simplified geometry was used to compare results from 3D with 1D simulations. Results: For the simplified geometry, calculated concentration profiles with distance were in excellent agreement between the 1D and the 3D models. Different drug delivery strategies produce very different concentration time courses, peak concentrations and basal-apical concentration gradients of drug. In addition, 3D computations demonstrate the existence of substantial gradients across the scalae in the basal turn. Conclusion: The 3D model clearly shows the presence of drug gradients across the basal scalae of guinea pigs, demonstrating the necessity of a 3D approach to predict drug movements across and between scalae with larger cross-sectional areas, such as the human, with accuracy. This is the first model to incorporate the volume of the spiral ligament and to calculate diffusion through this structure. Further development of the 3D model will have to incorporate a more accurate geometry of the entire inner ear and incorporate more of the specific processes that contribute to drug removal from the inner ear fluids. Appropriate computer models may assist in both drug and drug delivery system design and can thus accelerate the development of a rationale-based local drug delivery to the inner ear and its successful establishment in clinical practice.
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Newborns
Authors: Chen Chun-Nan , Wang Shou-Jen , Wang Chi-Te , Hsieh Wu-Shiun , Young Yi-Ho
Published: November 2006

This study presents a novel method for recording vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) in newborns, used to investigate the maturation of sacculocollic reflex at birth.Twenty full-term newborns aged 2–5 days old were enrolled in this study. During natural sleep, each newborn underwent distortion product otoacoustic emission test, and VEMP test using the head rotation method. For comparison, 20 healthy adults also underwent VEMP test using the same method. Based on adult criteria, 40 newborn ears revealed normal VEMPs in 40%, prolonged VEMPs in 35%, and absent VEMPs in 25%, indicating that great variation exists in the maturation of the sacculocollic reflex at birth. Comparison of VEMP characteristics between healthy newborns and adults revealed nonsignificant difference in the response rate and the latency of n23. However, significant differences existed in the latency of p13, interpeak p13-n23 interval and p13-n23 amplitude between newborns and adults. In conclusion, VEMPs in newborns can be easily recorded by the head rotation method. Prolonged or absent VEMPs in newborns may reflect incomplete maturity of the sacculocollic reflex pathway, especially the myelination. A further large number of newborns receiving MRI scan for other reasons may undergo VEMP test to verify this hypothesis.
Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Widimský Jr. Jiri
Published: November 2006

Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) is considered to be a rare cause of hypertension. However, if left untreated, PHEOs may lead to fatal hypertensive crises during anesthesia and other stresses. The diagnosis of PHEO is therefore extremely important. A 24-hour blood pressure (BP) pattern per se might be of some diagnostic value due to frequently observed higher BP variability as well as an attenuated night-time BP decrease. So far, germline mutations in five genes have been identified to be responsible for familial PHEOs: the von Hippel-Lindau gene, which causes von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, the RET gene leading to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, the neurofibromatosis type 1 gene, which is associated with von Recklinghausen’s disease and the genes encoding the B and D subunits of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDHB, SDHD), which are associated with familial paragangliomas and PHEOs. Genetic analysis should be offered to those patients with confirmed PHEO who are 50 years old or younger. Plasma-free metanephrines or urinary fractionated metanephrines seem to have higher diagnostic values compared to plasma or urinary catecholamines for the biochemical diagnosis of PHEO. Imaging with 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine or 18F-fluorodopamine PET, if available, are in addition to CT/MRI useful for the detection of multifocal/extra-adrenal forms. Appropriate pharmacologic treatment with subsequent laparoscopic extirpation of PHEO is usually successful in benign forms. There is, however, no convincingly effective mode of treatment in malignant PHEOs.
Long-Term Erythropoietin Therapy Decreases CC-Chemokine Levels and Intima-Media Thickness in Hemodialyzed Patients
Authors: Pawlak Krystyna , Pawlak Dariusz , Mysliwiec Michal
Published: November 2006

Background: CC-chemokines are now widely accepted in the recruitment of leukocytes from the blood compartment into tissues, and their role in the progression of atherosclerosis has been documented. Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) has become widely used to treat anemic HD patients. However, little is known about the effect of EPO on the plasma CC-chemokine levels and intima-media thickness (IMT) in HD patients. Methods: Assessment of CC-chemokines: monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP-1α, MIP-1β), regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and IMT were performed in 26 stable HD patients and 15 healthy controls. The patients were divided into 3 groups: group I (n = 8, without EPO), group II (n = 9, EPO at a mean dose of 76 ± 48 U/kg/week for more than 4 months), and group III (n = 9, EPO at a mean dose of 110.5 ± 21 U/kg/week for more than 12 months), none of them on iron therapy. Results: MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and IMT values were significantly higher, whereas RANTES were significantly lower in HD patients without EPO therapy than those in healthy controls. CC-chemokine levels were found to be significantly lower in patients administered EPO when compared to subjects without EPO. In the patients treated with EPO for more than 12 months IMT values were significantly decreased compared to patients not receiving this hormone. Conclusion: These results suggest that long-term EPO therapy decreased CC-chemokine and IMT values in patients undergoing regular HD in the absence of concomitant iron supplementation.
Disruption, Continuity, and the Social Lives of Things: Navajo Folk Art and/as Performance
Authors: Hamera Judith
Published: November 2006

Contemporary Navajo artworks bind together communicative competence, history, and affect within the commodity situation. Exploring the dynamic character of the object and its social trajectories, the author demonstrates how Navajo art objects are not static entities, but invested and infused with infinite performative powers. The object “speaks”; it animates relations of exchange even as it is, itself, animated.
Mutant Enunciations
Authors: Lepecki André
Published: November 2006

The articles in this first installment of a series on choreography that considers the relationship between philosophy and dance interrogate conceptions of the body, movement, and language. Translated for the first time into English, the selection by José Gil reads the dancing body as paradoxical through the writings of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari; and the chapter by Peter Sloterdijk examines modernity's impulse toward movement and posits a critical theory of mobilization. An interview with choreographer Hooman Sharifi accompanies a meditation on his recent performance.
Reflections on Failure
Authors: Joy Jenn
Published: November 2006

The articles in this first installment of a series on choreography that considers the relationship between philosophy and dance interrogate conceptions of the body, movement, and language. Translated for the first time into English, the selection by José Gil reads the dancing body as paradoxical through the writings of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari; and the chapter by Peter Sloterdijk examines modernity's impulse toward movement and posits a critical theory of mobilization. An interview with choreographer Hooman Sharifi accompanies a meditation on his recent performance.
China Under Reform
Authors: Shaw Victor N.
Published: November 2006

This article examines social problems in Chinese rural society as it undergoes economic reform and social transformations on an unprecedented scale. First is a historical review of social change in rural China under communist rule. Second is a systematic categorisation and description of social problems and their essential characteristics in rural regions. Third is an analytic explanation of rural social problems in relation to larger social structures and processes. The last part explores strategies and tactics that can be taken to deal with social problems in rural society. To preserve rural China as a peaceful living environment for the majority of the Chinese population, this article suggests that education be improved, business opportunities be created, the outflow of surplus labour be curbed, law enforcement be strengthened, governmental behaviour be regulated, grass-roots organisations be maintained, conflict resolution be promoted and self-defence be guided, across rural communities.
Decentralisation as a Developmental Strategy in China
Authors: Raman G. Venkat
Published: November 2006

The premise of this article is that although the central role of the State in developing economies is indispensable, decentralisation of decision-making authority is inevitable in the governance of territorially large societies such as the People's Republic of China (PRC). A key component in the developmental experience of the PRC, as regards the two distinct models of development—Maoist and Dengist—has been a marked decentralisation of power and authority, an inevitable requirement in a territorially large and diverse country like China. The crucial point, however, is that during the Maoist and the Dengist eras, the strategies of development were distinguished by, among other features, two very distinct types of decentralisation.

Whereas the Maoist developmental strategy was predominantly administrative, the Dengist strategy of decentralisation is predominantly market-driven. Besides, it is highly imperative to note that there are a great many points of departure between the Maoist and the Dengist developmental strategies. This article briefly traces the origins of decentralisation in post-1949 China and compares the Maoist and Dengist policies with regard to decentralisation. It essentially focuses on decentralisation strategies in the period of market reforms and the significance of the Chinese model of development for the developing countries.
The Sino-Israeli Marriage
Authors: Kumaraswamy P.R.
Published: November 2006

The establishment of full diplomatic relations in January 1992 between the People's Republic of China and the State of Israel did not follow the normal pattern in that if did not result in a significant improvement of relations. Their desire for closer and mutually beneficial relations came into conflict with a growing American desire to impede such a relationship. As a result, while the Israeli overtures towards China were not only long, tedious and at times frustrating, the normalisation of relations as well failed to match up to the expectations. Indeed, the Sino-Israeli relations appear to have been better off before they were formalised. This third party intervention by the United States inhibits both Israel and China from reaping the fruits of normalisation and pursuing new avenues of cooperation.
Investment Opportunities in Madhya Pradesh Relative to Other Indian States in the WTO Regime
Authors: Dubey Jayashree , Dubey Rajesh
Published: November 2006

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has set rules for international trade, with the objective to provide maximum benefits to the consumers. One of its aims is to remove trade barriers to international competition. The Organization is based on the principles of free trade; predictability through binding and transparency; national treatment (treating foreigners and locals equally); granting most favored nation status; dismantling trade barriers, for example, removal of quota restrictions and tariff bindings; and promoting fair competition. At the same time developed nations have used their power while negotiating the rules of trade, and this has posed a great challenge to developing countries. It can be claimed that the rules have been framed in a way which gives opportunities to serve customers of the WTO countries. Only companies with a competitive advantage can survive in the global arena, and this also applies to Indian industries. Since the WTO prevents the use of subsidies and other protective measures, the economic environment will change. This requires bringing major changes in the business system in India. Under this system, the textile, food processing and leather industries will benefit. Although there is confusion among the Indian pharmaceutical companies at present, in this area also India can take the opportunity to grow. Madhya Pradesh needs to create a welcoming atmosphere for these companies. This article presents the economic conditions in Madhya Pradesh and discusses the reasons for the backwardness. It makes a comparison of the industrial potential specific to the pharmaceutical industry of Madhya Pradesh with other developed states in India.
LRBT Hospital, Lahore
Authors: Rana Arif , Asad Usman
Published: November 2006

It was 11 January 2003. Justice Amir Raza,1 the President of the Hospital Executive Committee, Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust (LRBT) Free Eye Care and Cancer Hospital at Township, Lahore, was on his way back from Karachi after attending the annual budget meeting with the administration of LRBT Base Hospital (also the head office). As usual the meeting had gone smoothly for the most part, except during the discussion on capital expenses. The head office administration felt that the Lahore Hospital should be able to make do with lower-cost equipment since the hospital was after all a charity-funded institution.
Distinct subdomain organization and molecular composition of a tight junction with adherens junction features
Authors: Nunes Fabio D. , Lopez Lanier N. , Lin Harrison W. , Davies Caroline , Azevedo Ricardo B. , Gow Alexander , Kachar Bechara
Published: November 2006

Most polarized epithelia constrain solute diffusion between luminal and interstitial compartments using tight junctions and generate mechanical strength using adherens junctions. These intercellular junctions are typically portrayed as incongruent macromolecular complexes with distinct protein components. Herein, we delineate the molecular composition and subdomain architecture of an intercellular junction between sensory and non-sensory cells of the inner ear. In this junction, claudins partition into claudin-14 and claudin-9/6 subdomains that are distinguishable by strand morphology, which contrasts with in vitro data that most claudins co-assemble into heteromeric strands. Surprisingly, canonical adherens junction proteins (p120ctn, α- and β-catenins) colocalize with the claudin-9/6 subdomain and recruit a dense cytoskeletal network. We also find that catenins colocalize with claudin-9 and claudin-6, but not claudin-14, in a heterologous system. Together, our data demonstrate that canonical tight junction and adherens junction proteins can be recruited to a single junction in which claudins partition into subdomains and form a novel hybrid tight junction with adherens junction organization.
All in the CCN family: essential matricellular signaling modulators emerge from the bunker
Authors: Leask Andrew , Abraham David J.
Published: November 2006

The CCN family is a group of six secreted proteins that specifically associate with the extracellular matrix. Structurally, CCN proteins are modular, containing up to four distinct functional domains. CCN family members are induced by growth factors and cytokines such as TGFβ and endothelin 1 and cellular stress such as hypoxia, and are overexpressed in pathological conditions that affect connective tissues, including scarring, fibrosis and cancer. Although CCN family members were discovered over a decade ago, the precise biological role, mechanism of action and physiological function of these proteins has remained elusive until recently, when several key mechanistic insights into the CCN family emerged. The CCNs have been shown to have key roles as matricellular proteins, serving as adaptor molecules connecting the cell surface and extracellular matrix (ECM). Although they appear not to have specific high-affinity receptors, they signal through integrins and proteoglycans. Furthermore, in addition to having inherent adhesive abilities that modulate focal adhesions and control cell attachment and migration, they execute their functions by modulating the activity of a variety of different growth factors, such as TGFβ. CCN proteins not only regulate crucial biological processes including cell differentiation, proliferation, adhesion, migration, apoptosis, ECM production, chondrogenesis and angiogenesis, but also have more sinister roles promoting conditions such as fibrogenesis.
Synthesis of Thiepin-annulated Pyrone and Coumarin Heterocycles by Grubbs’ Second Generation Catalyst Mediated Enyne Metathesis
Authors: Majumdar K C , Muhuri S , Rahaman H , Islam R , Roy B
Published: November 2006

Synthesis of thiepin-annulated pyrone and coumarin derivatives has been achieved by the ring-closing enyne metathesis using the second generation Grubbs’ catalyst under a nitrogen atmosphere.
Paget's Disease of Bone in the French Population: Novel SQSTM1 Mutations, Functional Analysis, and Genotype–Phenotype Correlations
Authors: Collet Corinne , Michou Laëtitia , Audran Maurice , Chasseigneaux Stéphanie , Hilliquin Pascal , Bardin Thomas , Lemaire Isabelle , Cornélis François , Launay Jean-Marie , Orcel Philippe , Laplanche Jean-Louis
Published: November 2006

Mutation screening of the SQSTM1 gene in 94 French patients with PDB revealed two novel point-mutations (A381V and L413F) and two new compound heterozygous genotypes (P392L/A381V and P392L/A390X). Functional analysis showed an increased level of SQSTM1/p62 protein in PDB patients and truncated forms of the protein encoded by the A390X allele. Clinical data indicate that PDB patients with SQSTM1 mutation are younger at PDB diagnosis and have more extensive bone lesions.

Introduction: Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a common chronic disease of the skeleton, with a strong genetic component. A recurrent mutation (P392L) was first identified on chromosome 5, in the Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) gene. Several other mutations of the SQSTM1 gene have been described in PDB patients, affecting the ubiquitin-associated domain (UBA) of the SQSTM1/p62 protein. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency of the SQSTM1 mutations in French PBD patients, to study the expression of the SQSTM1/p62 protein, and to search for genotype–phenotype correlations.

Materials and Methods: Blood was obtained from 94 unrelated French PDB patients and 100 controls for mutation screening of exons 7 and 8, encoding for the UBA domain of SQSTM1. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized B-cell lymphocytes were established from 13 patients, giving access to functional analysis of the gene and the SQSTM1/p62 expressions using real-time PCR and Western blot.

Results: Mutations of the SQSTM1 gene were identified in 12 of the 94 PDB patients (13%). Eight patients carried P392L. Two novel missense mutations were identified: L413F and A381V. This A381V mutation and A390X were found in distinct patients already carriers of P392L. The SQSTM1/p62 protein expression in PDB patients increased when zero, one, or two mutations were present, and SQSTM1 truncated forms were associated with the A390X mutation. The mean age of PDB diagnosis was younger in patients with the SQSTM1 mutation. PDB was more extensive in patients who carried a SQSTM1 mutation.

Conclusions: Mutations of SQSTM1 are present in the French population. PDB patients with and without the SQSTM1 mutation have an increased level of SQSTM1/p62, caused by overproduction of the protein, probably involved in the pathophysiology of PDB. The presence of the SQSTM1 mutation may be a worsening factor for PDB.
Changes to Osteoporosis Prevalence According to Method of Risk Assessment
Authors: Richards J Brent , Leslie William D , Joseph Lawrence , Siminoski Kerry , Hanley David A , Adachi Jonathan D , Brown Jacques P , Morin Suzanne , Papaioannou Alexandra , Josse Robert G , Prior Jerilynn C , Davison K Shawn , Tenenhouse Alan , Goltzman David
Published: November 2006

The impact of clinical risk factor–based absolute risk methods on the prevalence of high risk for osteoporotic fracture is unknown. We applied absolute risk methods to 6646 subjects and found that the prevalence of elderly women deemed to be at high risk increased substantially, whereas the overall prevalence was highly dependent on the threshold used to designate high risk.

Introduction: Many groups have advocated using absolute risk methods that incorporate clinical risk factors to target patients for osteoporosis therapy. We examined how the application of such absolute risk classification systems influences the prevalence of those considered to be at high risk for osteoporotic fracture and compared these systems to one based solely on BMD.

Materials and Methods: Using 6646 subjects from the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos), a prospective, randomly selected, population-based cohort, we assessed three different systems for determining prevalence of high risk for osteoporotic fracture: a BMD-based system; a simplified risk factor system incorporating age, sex, BMD, and two clinical risk factors; and a comprehensive system, incorporating age, sex, BMD, and seven clinical risk factors. The 10-year absolute risks of incident fragility fracture were compared across systems using three different high-risk thresholds.

Results: The prevalence of a T score ≤ −2.5 was 18.8% (95% CI: 17.7–19.9%) in women and 3.9% (95% CI: 3.0–4.7%) in men. Using a 15% 10-year risk of fracture threshold, the prevalence of women at high risk increased to 46.9% (95% CI: 45.4–48.4) and 42.5% (95% CI: 41.1–43.9) when the comprehensive and simplified risk factor classification systems were used, respectively. Using a 25% 10-year absolute risk threshold, the prevalence of high risk was similar to that of the BMD-based system, whereas the 20% threshold gave intermediate rates. All thresholds analyzed resulted in an increased prevalence of older women at high risk for fracture, whereas only the 15% 10-year risk of fracture threshold resulted in an increase in the prevalence of men at high risk.

Conclusions: The application of risk factor–based systems results in an increased prevalence of older women at high risk. The prevalence of individuals at high risk may increase with changes to the methods used to determine those who are eligible for therapy. These data have important implications for the pattern of care and costs of treating osteoporotic fractures.
Obstacles or motors of Europeanization? German media and the transnationalization of public debate
Authors: Koopmans Ruud , Pfetsch Barbara
Published: November 2006

This article aims to contribute to the discussion on the Europeanization of public spheres. It is the starting point for an investigation into the role of the media in transnational debate in Germany. The study aims to determine whether the media function as either a motor of or an obstacle to Europeanization of national public debate, compared to other actors. Drawing on empirical data from the project ‘The transformation of political mobilisation and communication in European public spheres’ (Europub.com), we analyze the communications through which political actors, civil society actors, and the media in Germany make public demands on European issues. Sources on which this investigation was built were the news and editorial section of two national quality newspapers (center-left, center-right), one tabloid and one regional newspaper in the period between 2000 and 2002. The findings show that the demands made by the media are generally more European in scope than those made by other political actors. Regarding the evaluation of EU integration and the frames that are advocated, the German press and the political elite are rather convergent.
Transcending Uses and Gratifications: Media use as social action and the use of event history analysis
Authors: Westerik Henk , Renckstorf Karsten , Lammers Jan , Wester Fred
Published: November 2006

It is argued that since its institutionalization in the 1970s, Uses and Gratifications research has been heavily influenced by applied economic theories about Expectancy Value and Subjective Expected Utility. Underlying these theories are assumptions about the acting individual having full mastery of situations. This idea is contrasted with the way in which action theory portrays action. Here, mastery of situations is not assumed at forehand, but depends on the situation and is something that has to be achieved. Action theories further emphasize the influence of others. Applying these ideas to the study of media use means that more attention has to be paid to processes of gaining mastery, to situational influences, and to the influence of others. It is argued that discrete-time event history analysis may be a valuable tool to accomplish this. This may contribute to the study of several important questions in communication research, regarding audience flow and audience selectivity, and the social uses of media use.
“It took time to understand Greek newspapers”. The media experience of Swedish women in Greece
Authors: Sjöberg Ulrika
Published: November 2006

This article tackles the media experience of ten Swedish women living in Greece. It focuses on the relation between their media experience and culture. This is examined by looking specifically at their use of Greek media during their first years in Greece as a way of learning a new culture, how they use Swedish media to maintain a link with Swedish culture and society, their concerns about children's media use, and how they view the importance of media in introducing the Swedish culture and language to their children. Finally, the presence of culture in these women's media experience is also seen in how they perceive Greek media output, which is discussed in terms of violent contents, sensational news, public service versus commercial channels, and the representation of women.
Theoretical approaches of the knowledge society at UNESCO
Authors: Joux Alexandre
Published: November 2006

When it comes to the development of communication networks and the global information society, UNESCO is torn between its will to defend the free flow of thoughts, the pluralism of cultures, and the need for regulation of exchanges, if it wants to defend development in the most deprived countries. Behind rhetorical conflicts which mask diplomatic stakes, it seems that the organization seeks today to trace an original, but problematic, path regarding communication policies.
What constitutes a good online news site? A comparative analysis of American and European awards
Authors: Beyers Hans
Published: November 2006

Nowadays, many Internet awards are given to Web sites for best design, most interactive Web site, etc. This is also the case for online journalism, which has developed its own awards over the past few years. Based on existing research and theory on multimedia, interactivity, and hypertext, this study compared American and European news sites nominated for selected awards by means of a predominantly exploratory and descriptive qualitative content analysis (16 criteria) to see whether there are any striking differences in approach and composition. In addition, it aimed to retrieve possible differences between the ultimate ‘winners’ and ‘losers’. The results showed that the differences between European and American sites can largely be contributed to two factors, namely the presence or absence of photo galleries on the one hand and mobile services on the other. The nominees for the American awards more frequently offered multimedia – especially (enhanced) photo galleries – and PDA versions. SMS services were found more frequently on the European news sites. The best sites scored on 15 out of our 16 criteria; the top 12 contained 8 sites from the U.S.
Design effects in people-meter panel research
Authors: Hoogendoorn Adriaan W
Published: November 2006

In the world of television-making, the media industry relies on measurements from a people-meter panel in order to find out how many people watch a certain program or commercial on television. A people-meter panel is a special-purpose panel in which the television-watching behavior of household members is measured using a special device attached to television sets. The measuring device can also register the television-watching behavior of guests to the panel homes. The reliability of estimates based on the people-meter panel primarily depends on the sample size. Due to the complexity of the sample design, the effective sample size cannot be determined straightforwardly. This is even more the case when one incorporates the viewing behavior of guests. This paper describes a methodology that determines effective sample sizes by computing design effects and which extends the methodology in such a way that it incorporates ‘guest viewing’.
Between Al-Jazeera and CNN: Indicators of media use by Belgian ethnic minority youth
Authors: Sinardet Dave , Mortelmans Dimitri
Published: November 2006

Media use by ethnic minorities is increasingly becoming a politicized matter, appearing regularly in discussions on multiculturalism and integration. In a globalizing media-landscape, the rise of ethnic and global ethnic media paradoxically enables ethnic minorities to maintain links with forms of ethnic identity. Especially interesting in this respect is media use by adolescents, often on the crossroads between different cultures. This article departs from the notion concerned with the extent to which media use of adolescents from ethnic minorities actually differs from that of their Belgian counterparts, and instead focuses on the role ethnicity plays as a determinant of media use when weighed up against other socio-economic or education-related variables. Based on a large-scale Belgian survey of 12- to 18-year-olds, this article shows, amongst other results, that the importance of ethnic-cultural background as an indicator for media use by adolescents from ethnic minorities ought to be placed into perspective.
Revisiting analyses of media-war relationships in times of contingency and fluidity
Authors: Carpentier Nico
Published: November 2006

The review essay deals with two recent publications on media-war relationships: Tumber and Palmer's ‘Media at war. The Iraq crisis’ (2004) and Thussu and Freedman's ‘War and the media. Reporting conflict 24/7’ (2003/2005). Two questions are raised in this essay. First, is it still relevant to look back at two publications on media-war relationships when (at least some of) the wars they focus on have fundamentally altered? And even more importantly, is there a convincing reason for actually reading them? Answering these questions allows for a more fundamental reflection on the importance of academic activities in relationship to issues of media and war. Three answers are suggested: the importance and necessity of documenting, analyzing and archiving war, the facilitation of academic and societal dialogue on the issues of war, and the analyses of the political, economical, cultural, technological and ideological contexts that transcend singular wars. Especially the last domain is considered crucial. Although each war is characterized by a high degree of specificity and contingency, which unavoidably influences and alters the media-war-military relationships, the contextual analyses enable uncovering the presence of more structural aspects in these relationships. More specifically, these contextual analyses teach us most about the role of power and ideology in the representational processes that deal with war. These analyses again show the powerlessness of media and media professionals to escape from the dichotomized ideological model of war and from the (direct or indirect) legitimization of what Knightley termed ‘the institution of war’.
Visiting the Digital Divide: Women Entrepreneurs in Central America
Authors: Tapper Helena
Published: November 2006

Micro and small enterprises comprise approximately 60–70% of enterprises in South and Central America. Most of these enterprises, particularly micro enterprises, are managed and owned by women. These women for the most part lack both skills and training in the use of computers and the Internet, and access to the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). At the same time they have extensive experience in running their businesses. The connectivity of enterprises is generally fairly low, and the lack of computer literacy is high. The challenge is to provide an infrastructure and connectivity to these enterprises, as well as sustainable technological support and financing for the connectivity. This study analyzes some aspects of the training of women entrepreneurs in the use of ICT and the impacts of this training. It also focuses on lessons learned during the process of design and implementation of the training. The focus is particularly on female micro and small entrepreneurs' ICT training in Costa Rica. This study also includes comparative data from Bolivia, a country with one of the lowest teledensities in Latin America and a low level of connectivity of enterprises. The impact of training has been evaluated and recommendations presented for sustainability of this kind of training. Three main recommendations resulting from this study were: training has to be connected to the needs of entrepreneurs; technological support has to be provided on a continuous basis; and financing of investments needs to be accessible and feasible.
Translocalisation over the Net: Digitalisation, Information Technology and Local Cultures in Melanesia
Authors: Kupiainen Jari
Published: November 2006

In the Western Pacific, the People First Network project has since 2001 been building a growing network of rural email stations across the conflict-ridden Solomon Islands. These stations are based on robust technology and consist of solar panels, shortwave radios and compatible modems, laptop computers and printers to provide email communication to rural people across the archipelago. The email stations are connected to the project's Internet Center located in the capital city, Honiara, which operates as the ‘central email post office’ of the Solomon Islands and channels the traffic between the rural stations and the Internet. From the outset, the project has proved to be not only a local but an international success, receiving attention from various quarters. The project has significantly improved rural people's opportunities in developing their grassroots businesses, connections with friends and relatives, and participation in national affairs. In the male-dominated local communities, a particular advancement has been the notable activity of women in using the email stations. The article analyses the project's outcomes especially from the perspectives of translocalisation and social network models, and outlines experiences relevant to other regions and communities elsewhere.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Open Access Village Telecenter Initiatives: The Case of Akshaya
Authors: Pal Joyojeet , Nedevschi Sergiu , Patra Rabin K. , Brewer Eric A.
Published: November 2006

The Akshaya project in the rural Malappuram district of Kerala, India is home to the first and largest district-wide e-literacy project in India, and one of the largest known Internet Protocol-based networks. Through a network of 600 kiosks, the project has been designed to reach computer literacy into over 600,000 households, and bring 3.6 million residents of the district into regular affordable access to computer use. This study uses a regional analysis of Malappuram, and its parent state, to understand the context within which the project is situated and consider questions of generalizability from inferences drawn here. Second, the authors examine the technical network itself and read logs of how residents of the district are actually using the kiosks to discuss the case for content tailored to low-income users, and the larger case of state-underwritten shared-access computer centers.
PC Kiosk Trends in Rural India
Authors: Toyama Kentaro , Kiri Karishma , Menon Deepak , Sethi Suneet , Pal Joyojeet , Srinivasan Janaki
Published: November 2006

This article presents a series of preliminary, quantitative results on rural PC kiosks in India. An analysis of the data confirms many expected trends and correlations and shows that kiosks still face the challenge of sustainability as a business. This study is based on questionnaires presented to kiosk operators and customers of kiosks operated or franchised by Drishtee and n-Logue, two for-profit rural kiosk companies that operate in various geographies throughout India. Recurring surveys are being run with three questionnaires concerning the daily operation and demographic context of the kiosks. The recurring questionnaires will be repeated once a quarter for three years; the results for this article are from the first two sets only.
Applying Open Source Software in a Development Context: Expectations and Experiences. A Case Study of a University in Uganda
Authors: Van Reijswoud Victor , Mulo Emmanuel
Published: November 2006

Over recent years the issue of free and open source software (FOSS) for development in less developed countries (LDCs) has received increasing attention. In the beginning the benefits of FOSS for lower developed countries was only stressed by small groups of idealists like Richard Stallman. Now, however, it is moving into the hands of large international organizations like the World Bank, European Union and United Nations. At present FOSS is on the agendas of the donor organizations and international nongovernmental organizations but not on the agendas of the decision makers in LDCs. There are growing numbers of initiatives to promote FOSS for developing countries in general and Africa in particular. At the same time there are very few organizations considering and actually implementing FOSS. The article describes the experiences of adopting FOSS in a university in Uganda with the aim of evaluating the promises made by the donor organizations and the FOSS community. The article concludes with an agenda for improving the effectiveness of adopting FOSS in LDCs.
Digital Empowerment as a Process for Enhancing Citizens' Participation
Authors: Mäkinen Maarit
Published: November 2006

The author proposes a citizen-and community-oriented approach to using information technology, whereby people are considered as participant members of the society. This empowering approach views people as subjects and actors who have abilities to develop, not as objects who lack these abilities and need one-way help from authorities. Empowerment of individuals and communities means increased control over life and coping skills. With information technology people gain new abilities and ways to participate and express themselves in a networked society. This can be called digital empowerment, which is not a direct consequence of having and using the technical facilities, but a multi-phased process to gain better networking, communication and cooperation opportunities, and to increase the competence of individuals and communities to act as influential participants in the information society. In this article empowerment is used in the sense of enablement – enabling people to do what is important to them, and enabling people to grow as competent subjects who have control over their lives and surroundings. When added to policies and programmes, this approach could bridge some of the democratic, cultural and content divides by bringing in more aspects.
Configuring Knowledge: An Essay on Knowledge in the Information Age
Authors: Jha Avinash
Published: November 2006

This article attempts to articulate in broad outline the post-industrial regime of knowledge and information and point out its fatal flaw. The Internet is treated as a socio-technological complex animated by capital and information. The notion of information is interrogated and an alternative notion closer to our everyday intuitions is proposed. Through this idea of information and ‘being informed’ a bridge is found to ways of talking about knowledge that are valid in different realms. A brief narrative of the development of knowledge in the context of society is provided. This article locates the key to the new regime of knowledge in the normative framework of ‘knowledge management’ that is reflected in the practices of big corporations and governments. The absence of a model of knowledge quest in this framework is noted, and it is argued that this will eventually undermine this regime. The article concludes by affirming the possibilities of constructive knowledge work.
Why Would Information and Communications Technology Contribute to Development at All? An Ethical Inquiry into the Possibilities of ICT in Development
Authors: Lanki Jari
Published: November 2006

This article looks at the ethical implications of the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in bringing about development in developing societies. Any proposed means to enhance development has costs as well as benefits. Hence, the evaluation of a given means to development should always be a matter of ‘applied ethics’. When ICT is fully functional, it can help to overcome many problems of material resources that plague developing societies. However, reaching this point requires a lot of resources. As a complex technological system, ICT requires substantial material requisites before it is able to function within a given context. Further, the ability to use ICT will require investments in human capital resources, such as in people's ability to read and write. The article concludes that ICT does indeed have many beneficial applications in the context of developing societies. However, a chosen means for bringing about development always excludes other possible means towards achieving the same goal. As ICT has very substantial requisites, its current use should be recommended with caution in many contexts, and always with the other possible means to development in mind.
Global Justice and Intellectual Property Rights: Reforming the International IPR Regime for Balanced Development
Authors: Salokannel Marjut
Published: November 2006

Today it is widely recognized that a uniform global intellectual property (IP) system requiring a high level of protection is inherently unjust and affects countries differently depending upon their level of technological and economic development. This article analyzes the functioning of the current international treaty framework having intellectual property connections — the TRIPS (Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Convention on Biological Diversity, bilateral trade and investment agreement and UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions — from the perspective of how it could promote a more socially and economically just international intellectual property framework. The article also brings forth some new initiatives which have been proposed to address some of the most critical issues related to the current system: providing an alternative to a patent-driven inventive system for medical research and development and a treaty proposal for access to knowledge and technology. The article points out that the problems faced by developing countries with regard to, for example, access to medicines, can be similar to those faced by those developed countries that are net importers of patented medicines. The main message of this article is that it is no longer possible to maintain a unitary IP system at the international level without grave economic and social losses to, in particular, developing countries. What is needed is a more fragmentary IP protection framework making it possible for each country to adapt it to its national level of economic, technological and social development.
Internet Co-Governance: Towards a Multilayer Multiplayer Mechanism of Consultation, Coordination and Cooperation (M3C3)
Authors: Kleinwächter Wolfgang
Published: November 2006

This article addresses issues central to the task of Internet governance and, especially, to the management of the Internet's core resources. Early conceptions of the Internet as a virtual space that required no regulation resisted initial governance activity. More recently, work by people like Lawrence Lessig has clarified the complex relationship between code and the regulation of cyberspace, revealing on one hand a problem of how public policy is framed inside the global Internet infrastructure and, on the other, a problem of how the technical architecture of the Internet is designed. Cutting across such problems is the complex relationship between ‘real places’ (bordered) and ‘virtual spaces’ (unbordered), which are irreducible yet inseparable in the information age. The article explores concrete steps taken during the past 15 years toward developing a workable approach to Internet governance and looks ahead to consider the prospects of the Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) established in 2004.