bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
`A mess' and `rows': evaluation in prime-time TV news discourse and the shaping of public opinion
Authors: Patrona Marianna
Published: May 2009

This article examines a recent shift in the organization of prime-time news on Greek private television, from the `one-way' dissemination of information to an interactive format, where the news genre meets the talk show. By drawing on Hunston's model of evaluation in written academic discourse, it is argued that this conversational news format serves as a vehicle for evaluation, allowing the anchorpersons and journalist panels more freedom to voice concrete views. More specifically, prime-time news is generally cast in terms of two major sub-genres, namely the debate and the structured panel discussion. These sub-genres particularly lend themselves to the performance of acts of evaluation by TV journalists. Far from merely reporting events, journalists unequivocally show that their main task is to jointly interpret reality (news events and the actions of news makers) on behalf of the viewer audience. They set about this task by explicitly encoding their personal attitudes, while directly challenging government spokespersons and policies. It is argued that, in so doing, media personalities in effect shape audience opinions. The data attest to the increasing empowerment of the Greek media, and illustrate the ways in which conversational processes bring into being the continuously evolving public sphere in contemporary Greece.
Acquisition of proteinaceous contamination through the handling of surgical instruments by hospital staff in sterile service departments
Authors: Howlin RP , Harrison J. , Secker T. , Keevil CW
Published: May 2009

Using Episcopic Differential Interference Contrast (EDIC) microscopy, this study has investigated the potential reapplication of prote ina ceouscontami napotential reapplication of proteinaceous contamination onto surgical instruments following a washer-disinfector cycle through the handling of staff within the clean room. The deposition of 0.51 ng/mm2 of protein onto surgical grade stainless steel by one finger print alone has been demonstrated. Moreover, using a previously described contamination index, a 5 to 10-fold increase in protein present on surgical instruments was noted following handling by clean-room staff under current departmental practices, relative to instruments handled by staff wearing gloves. While unlikely to pose a direct risk to patient health, subsequent sterilisation will fix protein to an instrument surface thereby decreasing the effectiveness of further decontamination cycles. Current guidelines make no recommendations surrounding the use of gloves by staff working within the clean room. However it is clear that this matter must be reviewed to limit the unnecessary transference of protein to surgical instruments.
Charting the existence and approaches to management of the tattooing and body piercing industry — a historical overview
Authors: Chalmers Claire
Published: May 2009

Tattooing and body piercing as ancient body arts have existed throughout the centuries. Wholly human phenomena, they are activities that have human phenomena, they are activities that have been practised in almost all cultures at one time or another (Caplan, 2000) and continue and grow in popularity in modern day Western societies (Camphausen, 1997; Rush 2005).

The first of a three-part series of articles on the topical issue of tattooing and body piercing, this paper considers the history of tattooing and body piercing. It charts the existence of tattooing and body piercing throughout history and provides an overview of techniques and functions of such activities. Touching on the global revival of tattooing and body piercing, the paper continues by discussing the approaches to management of this industry, highlighting the trend towards state-controlled regulation as the current strategy of choice for controlling industry practices.
Inhibitory Coupling between Inhibitory Interneurons in the Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn
Authors: Labrakakis Charalampos , Lorenzo Louis-Etienne , Bories Cyril , Ribeiro-da-Silva Alfredo , De Koninck Yves
Published: May 2009

Local inhibitory interneurons in the dorsal horn play an important role in the control of excitability at the segmental level and thus determine how nociceptive information is relayed to higher structures. Regulation of inhibitory interneuron activity may therefore have critical consequences on pain perception. Indeed, disinhibition of dorsal horn neuronal networks disrupts the balance between excitation and inhibition and is believed to be a key mechanism underlying different forms of pain hypersensitivity and chronic pain states. In this context, studying the source and the synaptic properties of the inhibitory inputs that the inhibitory interneurons receive is important in order to predict the impact of drug action at the network level. To address this, we studied inhibitory synaptic transmission in lamina II inhibitory interneurons identified under visual guidance in spinal slices taken from transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the GAD promoter. The majority of these cells fired tonically to a long depolarizing current pulse. Monosynaptically evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) in these cells were mediated by both GABAA and glycine receptors. Consistent with this, both GABAA and glycine receptor-mediated miniature IPSCs were recorded in all of the cells. These inhibitory inputs originated at least in part from local lamina II interneurons as verified by simultaneous recordings from pairs of EGFP+ cells. These synapses appeared to have low release probability and displayed potentiation and asynchronous release upon repeated activation. In summary, we report on a previously unexamined component of the dorsal horn circuitry that likely constitutes an essential element of the fine tuning of nociception.
The multiplex bead array approach to identifying serum biomarkers associated with breast cancer
Authors: Kim Byoung Kwon , Lee Jong Won , Park Pil Je , Shin Yong Sung , Lee Won Young , Lee Kyung Ae , Ye Sena , Hyun Heesun , Kang Kyung Nam , Yeo Donghwa , Kim Youngdai , Ohn Sung Yup , Noh Dong Young , Kim Chul Woo
Published: May 2009

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer seen in women in western countries. Thus, diagnostic modalities sensitive to early-stage breast cancer are needed. Antibody-based array platforms of a data-driven type, which are expected to facilitate more rapid and sensitive detection of novel biomarkers, have emerged as a direct, rapid means for profiling cancer-specific signatures using small samples. In line with this concept, our group constructed an antibody bead array panel for 35 analytes that were selected during the discovery step. This study was aimed at testing the performance of this 35-plex array panel in profiling signatures specific for primary non-metastatic breast cancer and validating its diagnostic utility in this independent population.

Methods

Thirty-five analytes were selected from more than 50 markers through screening steps using a serum bank consisting of 4,500 samples from various types of cancer. An antibody-bead array of 35 markers was constructed using the Luminex™ bead array platform. A study population consisting of 98 breast cancer patients and 96 normal subjects was analysed using this panel. Multivariate classification algorithms were used to find discriminating biomarkers and validated with another independent population of 90 breast cancer and 79 healthy controls.

Results

Serum concentrations of epidermal growth factor, soluble CD40-ligand and proapolipoprotein A1 were increased in breast cancer patients. High-molecular-weight-kininogen, apolipoprotein A1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, vitamin-D binding protein and vitronectin were decreased in the cancer group. Multivariate classification algorithms distinguished breast cancer patients from the normal population with high accuracy (91.8% with random forest, 91.5% with support vector machine, 87.6% with linear discriminant analysis). Combinatorial markers also detected breast cancer at an early stage with greater sensitivity.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrated the usefulness of the antibody-bead array approach in finding signatures specific for primary non-metastatic breast cancer and illustrated the potential for early, high sensitivity detection of breast cancer. Further validation is required before array-based technology is used routinely for early detection of breast cancer.
Insights into the regulation of intrinsically disordered proteins in the human proteome by analyzing sequence and gene expression data
Authors: Edwards Yvonne JK , Lobley Anna E , Pentony Melissa M , Jones David T
Published: May 2009

Background

Disordered proteins need to be expressed to carry out specified functions; however, their accumulation in the cell can potentially cause major problems through protein misfolding and aggregation. Gene expression levels, mRNA decay rates, microRNA (miRNA) targeting and ubiquitination have critical roles in the degradation and disposal of human proteins and transcripts. Here, we describe a study examining these features to gain insights into the regulation of disordered proteins.

Results

In comparison with ordered proteins, disordered proteins have a greater proportion of predicted ubiquitination sites. The transcripts encoding disordered proteins also have higher proportions of predicted miRNA target sites and higher mRNA decay rates, both of which are indicative of the observed lower gene expression levels. The results suggest that the disordered proteins and their transcripts are present in the cell at low levels and/or for a short time before being targeted for disposal. Surprisingly, we find that for a significant proportion of highly disordered proteins, all four of these trends are reversed. Predicted estimates for miRNA targets, ubiquitination and mRNA decay rate are low in the highly disordered proteins that are constitutively and/or highly expressed.

Conclusions

Mechanisms are in place to protect the cell from these potentially dangerous proteins. The evidence suggests that the enrichment of signals for miRNA targeting and ubiquitination may help prevent the accumulation of disordered proteins in the cell. Our data also provide evidence for a mechanism by which a significant proportion of highly disordered proteins (with high expression levels) can escape rapid degradation to allow them to successfully carry out their function.
Genomic and genetic analyses of diversity and plant interactions of Pseudomonas fluorescens
Authors: Silby Mark W , Cerdeño-Tárraga Ana M , Vernikos Georgios S , Giddens Stephen R , Jackson Robert W , Preston Gail M , Zhang Xue-Xian , Moon Christina D , Gehrig Stefanie M , Godfrey Scott AC , Knight Christopher G , Malone Jacob G , Robinson Zena , Spiers Andrew J , Harris Simon , Challis Gregory L , Yaxley Alice M , Harris David , Seeger Kathy , Murphy Lee , Rutter Simon , Squares Rob , Quail Michael A , Saunders Elizabeth , Mavromatis Konstantinos , Brettin Thomas S , Bentley Stephen D , Hothersall Joanne , Stephens Elton , Thomas Christopher M , Parkhill Julian , Levy Stuart B , Rainey Paul B , Thomson Nicholas R
Published: May 2009

Background

Pseudomonas fluorescens are common soil bacteria that can improve plant health through nutrient cycling, pathogen antagonism and induction of plant defenses. The genome sequences of strains SBW25 and Pf0-1 were determined and compared to each other and with P. fluorescens Pf-5. A functional genomic in vivo expression technology (IVET) screen provided insight into genes used by P. fluorescens in its natural environment and an improved understanding of the ecological significance of diversity within this species.

Results

Comparisons of three P. fluorescens genomes (SBW25, Pf0-1, Pf-5) revealed considerable divergence: 61% of genes are shared, the majority located near the replication origin. Phylogenetic and average amino acid identity analyses showed a low overall relationship. A functional screen of SBW25 defined 125 plant-induced genes including a range of functions specific to the plant environment. Orthologues of 83 of these exist in Pf0-1 and Pf-5, with 73 shared by both strains. The P. fluorescens genomes carry numerous complex repetitive DNA sequences, some resembling Miniature Inverted-repeat Transposable Elements (MITEs). In SBW25, repeat density and distribution revealed 'repeat deserts' lacking repeats, covering approximately 40% of the genome.

Conclusions

P. fluorescens genomes are highly diverse. Strain-specific regions around the replication terminus suggest genome compartmentalization. The genomic heterogeneity among the three strains is reminiscent of a species complex rather than a single species. That 42% of plant-inducible genes were not shared by all strains reinforces this conclusion and shows that ecological success requires specialized and core functions. The diversity also indicates the significant size of genetic information within the Pseudomonas pan genome.
Highly Stable Mesoporous Aluminosilicates with a Dual Pore System: Simultaneous Formation of Mesophase with Zeolitic Building Units
Authors: Laha Subhash C , Sakthivel Ayyamprmaul , Komura Kenichi , Huang Shing-Jong , Wu Pei-Hao , Liu Shang-Bin , Sasaki Yukichi , Kobayashi Midori , Sugi Yoshihiro
Published: May 2009

Highly stable Al-MCM-48 with zeolitic secondary building units (SBU) and varied SiO2/Al2O3 were synthesized by direct hydrothermal methods using tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) as the SBU promoting agent. Porosity characterization by hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe NMR spectroscopy revealed the existence of two distinct types of pore system with unique micro- and mesostructures.
Experimental Construction of a Free-Form Shell Structure in Masonry
Authors: Wendland David
Published: May 2009

In a free-form shell structure, the possibilities of masonry construction beyond vertical plane wall elements are explored. The shape has been developed in an iterative process, employing sculptural design methods and numerical modelling to obtain the final stable shell shape. In the construction in full scale, the practical feasibility could be demonstrated.

The project shows the capability of masonry to assume complex shapes, and how this can be achieved using current building material and fulfilling the codes. In particular, the feasibility of shell structures with pronounced double curvature is shown.

A further aspect of the project is the design process, with the attempt to establish a continuous information flow from design to realization, by means of Information Technology – integrating shape development on physical models and CAD, numerical modelling, and realization.

Design and realization took place as seminars with students of Architecture, following the didactic approach of “learning by doing”.
Study on the Accuracy of Response Spectrum Method for Long-span Reticulated Shells
Authors: Yin Yue , Huang Xin , Han Qinghua , Bai Linjia
Published: May 2009

Due to large number of degrees of freedom, long-span reticulated shells have densely distributed natural frequencies and complex vibration modes. The accuracy of response spectrum method (RSM) is then often doubted for this kind of structures. In this paper, the seismic design of Laoshan Cycling Gymnasium for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was taken as a case study. The result of RSM was verified by comparing with that of time history analysis. Modal effective mass was defined for reticulated structures to illustrate the direction of mode vibration and identify effective modes along specific directions. The required number of modes to ensure the accuracy of RSM for long-span reticulated shells was then determined based on effective mass ratio along the excitation direction. It was concluded that if the effective mass ratio exceeds 90%, the result of RSM with CQC as the modal combination rule will be accurate enough for practical seismic design of long-span reticulated shells.
Cracking and Tension Stiffening Behavior of High-Strength Concrete Tension Members Subjected to Axial Load
Authors: Lee Gi-Yeol , Kim Woo
Published: May 2009

This paper presents the test results of 35 direct tensile specimens to investigate the effect of concrete strength on the tension stiffening effect and cracking response in axially loaded reinforced concrete tensile members. Three concrete strengths 25, 60 and 80 MPa were included as a major experimental parameter together with six concrete cover thickness ratios. The results showed that as higher strength concrete was employed, not only splitting cracks along the reinforcement more extensive, but also the transverse crack spacing became smaller. Thereby, the effective tensile stiffness of the high-strength concrete specimens at the stabilized cracking stage was much smaller than those of normal-strength concrete specimens. This observation is contrary to the current design provisions, and the reduction in the tension stiffening effect by employment of high-strength concrete is much greater than that would be expected. Based on the present results, a modification factor is proposed to account for the effect of the cover thickness and the concrete strength.
Parametric Identification of Structures with Nonlinearities Using Global and Substructure Approaches in the Time Domain
Authors: Kumar R. Kishore , Shankar K.
Published: May 2009

This paper presents further research on the parametric identification of structures with non-linearities in stiffness and damping properties. Parametric identification is carried out using acceleration responses in the time domain and is useful for structural health monitoring. Cubic nonlinearities in springs and quadratic nonlinearities in dampers are considered. Structural parametric identification is modeled as an inverse problem, based on minimizing the difference between measured responses and calculated responses from a mathematical model. The results of both global and substructural identification approaches are compared. The substructural approach allows us to identify a smaller domain while ignoring external parameters, resulting in a reduced model, but on the other hand the formulation is more complex. Genetic algorithms (GA) are used for filtering the unknown parameter values from within a given range. Simple real coded GA as well as a superior hybrid version obtained by combining with the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) have been studied. Several numerical examples, including variations of a 10 DOF non-linear lumped mass system and a 12 member truss with several non-linear tuned mass dampers have been studied. The effect of measurement noise have been considered. The substructural method is shown to be superior overall in terms of speed, accuracy and economy (number of sensors) although the global identification approach implemented in conjunction with hybrid GA performs well in some cases.
Experimental and Numerical Results from the Seismic Study of a Masonry Bell Tower
Authors: Ivorra Salvador , Pallarés Francisco J. , Adam José M.
Published: May 2009

This paper describes studies carried out to characterize the seismic behaviour of the San Nicolas bell tower in Valencia (Spain), built of masonry between the 17th and 18th centuries. A complete geometric description of the bell tower was carried out and a numerical model developed to obtain the seismic response and its relationship to the seismic Spanish Standard. The model was first calibrated by means of dynamic tests performed directly on the real structure. The calculations were carried out to fit a non-linear behaviour and a failure criterion which included smeared cracking was considered to model cracks on the tower. Five different synthetic accelerograms were introduced at the tower's base level to represent the seismic forces. The numerical simulations showed satisfactory performance of the tower as to the basic seismic acceleration proposed by the Spanish Standard. The earthquakes were also scaled until high levels of damage were achieved.
Progressive Collapse-Resisting Capacity of Steel Moment Frames considering Panel Zone Deformation
Authors: Kim Taewan , Kim Jinkoo
Published: May 2009

Panel zone deformation is known to be a major parameter affecting the nonlinear behaviour of moment resisting steel frames subjected to earthquake loads, especially in weak column-strong beam conditions. In this study, the reinforcing effect of the panel zone on the progressive collapse and the capacity of moment resisting steel frames was investigated with the aid of nonlinear dynamic analysis. Both gravity load-resisting system structures with weak panel zones and lateral load-resisting system structures with strong panel zones were studied. The analysis results show that the panel zone deformation is highly dependent on the location of removed columns. The panel zone deformation turns out to be very significant when a column adjacent to an exterior panel zone is removed. On the other hand, the panel zone effect is not significant if a column adjacent to an interior panel zone is removed. As the number of stories increases, the effect of a weak panel zone on the overall behaviour decreases regardless of the panel zone strength and the location of any column removed.
Eigensolution of Symmetric Space Frames by Factorization of Their Graph Models
Authors: Kaveh A. , Salimbahrami B.
Published: May 2009

In this paper the graph models of space frames with different symmetries are factorized by decomposition followed by healing. The eigensolution of a structure is then obtained by evaluating the eigen values and eigenvectors of its factors. These methods simplify the calculation of the natural frequencies and natural modes of the space frames with different types of symmetry by reducing the size of the eigensolution problems involved. This is achieved by decomposing a symmetric model into smaller sub models followed by their healing to obtain the factors of the model. The methods of this paper provide a mathematical foundation and a logical means for dealing with symmetry, in place of looking for various boundary conditions to be imposed on symmetric structures, as in the traditional methods. Examples are provided to illustrate the simplicity and efficiency of the present method.
Comparison of Higher-Order Numerical Schemes and Several Filtering Methods Applied to Navier-Stokes Equations with Applications to Computational Aeroacoustics
Authors: Lai L.S. , Djambazov G.S. , Lai C.-H. , Pericleous K.A.
Published: May 2009

In computational acoustics, fluid-acoustic coupling methods for the computation of sound have been widely used by researchers for the last five decades. In the first part of the coupling procedure, the fully unsteady incompressible or compressible flow equations for the near-field of the unsteady flow are solved by using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique, such as Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS), Large Eddy Simulation (LES) or unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) the CFD predictions are then used to calculate sound sources using the acoustic analogy or solving a set of acoustic perturbation equations (APE) leading to the solution of the acoustic field. It is possible to use a 2-D reduced problem to provide a preliminary understanding of many acoustic problems. Unfortunately 2-D CFD simulations using a fine-mesh-small-time-step-LES-alike numerical method cannot be considered as LES, which applies to 3-D simulations only. Therefore it is necessary to understand the similarities and the effect between filters applied to unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations and the combined effect of high-order schemes and mesh size. The aim of this study is to provide suitable LES-alike methods for 2-D simulations. An efficient software implementation of high-order schemes is also proposed. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate these statistical similarities.
Fast Convergent Image Inpainting Method Based on BSCB Model
Authors: Zeng Chao , Wang Meiqing
Published: May 2009

Digital image inpainting technique has been widely used in many socioeconomic areas and methods based on partial differential equations (PDE) attract intensive research in the hope of an automatic inpainting methodology. However the methods based on PDE are very time-consuming because they need to be solved by numerical integration along the temporal axis. In this paper, a fast convergent image inpainting method is proposed by combining Richardson extrapolation with an improved BSCB inpainting model, which improves the convergence rate of the numerical iterations. Experimental results show that the new model is effective and efficient.
Accounting for the hero: A critical psycho‐discursive approach to children's experience of domestic violence and the construction of masculinities
Authors: Dryden Caroline , Doherty Kathy , Nicolson Paula
Published: May 2009

This article employs a critical psycho‐discursive approach to social identity processes and subjectivity in an important and under‐researched area; the psychological impact of domestic violence on children. We use a case study of interview interaction with two teenage brothers talking about their father's past violent behaviour to show that a highly idealised, dominant form of hegemonic masculinity – ‘heroic protection discourse’ (HPD) – was a major organising principle framing both brothers' understandings of events. However, significant differences occurred in how each boy identified and made sense of self and others within this discourse. We discuss our findings in terms of (1) the destructive power of HPD to position sons as responsible for a father's violent behaviour and (2) the utility of our approach for developing a better understanding of when, if or why psychological and behavioural problems associated with domestic violence are likely to develop in a particular child. In so doing, we hope to contribute to theoretical debates in social psychology on identity and subjectivity by showing how it is possible to make sense of the ‘collision’ between structure and agency through the study of social interaction.
Solitary Intracerebral Plasmacytoma in a Dog: Microscopic, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Features
Authors: Van Wettere A. J. , Linder K. E. , Suter S. E. , Olby N. J.
Published: May 2009

A primary intracerebral plasmacytoma was identified in a 7-year-old spayed female Boston Terrier. Grossly, a well-demarcated, 2 cm in diameter, roughly spherical tumor was in the rostral aspect of the left cerebral hemisphere. Histologically, the neoplasm was composed of sheets of round cells with distinct plasmacytoid features and marked anisocytosis and anisokaryosis. Cells were positive for vimentin, CD18, CD79a, and lambda light-chain, and negative for kappa light chain, cytokeratin, lysozyme, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and S100 protein. Clonally rearranged B-cell antigen receptor genes were detected by PARR (polymerase chain reaction for antigen receptor rearrangements), confirming clonal proliferation of B lymphocytes. Although primary solitary intracerebral plasmacytoma is rare in dogs and other species, it should be included in the differential diagnosis for central nervous system round-cell neoplasms. Clonality testing can be utilized to support the histological diagnosis of this neoplasm type.
Expression of Hepatocyte Growth Factor and the Proto-oncogenic Receptor c-Met in Canine Osteosarcoma
Authors: Fieten H. , Spee B. , IJzer J. , Kik M. J. , Penning L. C. , Kirpensteijn J.
Published: May 2009

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and the proto-oncogenic receptor c-Met are implicated in growth, invasion, and metastasis in human cancer. Little information is available on the expression and role of both gene products in canine osteosarcoma. We hypothesized that the expression of c-Met is associated with malignant histologic characteristics, a short survival time, and a reduced disease-free interval in canine osteosarcoma. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of both HGF and c-Met in 59 canine osteosarcoma samples. The relationship between HGF and c-Met expression, patient outcome, and histologic characteristics of the tumor were studied. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the presence of active HGF protein. The expression pattern of c-Met in 16 slides of canine osteosarcoma was identified by immunohistochemistry. Coexpression of HGF and c-Met mRNA in all canine osteosarcoma samples suggested autocrine or paracrine receptor activation. A significant, moderately positive correlation was found between c-Met and HGF mRNA expression. c-Met mRNA expression was not associated with survival time or disease-free interval. Expression of c-Met was significantly associated with metastasis via the lymphogenic route. Immunolabeling with c-Met revealed a cytoplasmic staining pattern in all osteosarcoma cell types. In this study, c-Met mRNA expression in canine osteosarcoma was found to be of no influence on survival time and disease-free interval. Further studies are necessary to confirm the involvement of the c-Met pathway in the lymphogenic route of metastasis.
Pathology of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) Infection in Canada Geese (Branta canadensis); Preliminary Studies
Authors: Neufeld J. L. , Embury-Hyatt C. , Berhane Y. , Manning L. , Ganske S. , Pasick J.
Published: May 2009

Susceptibility of Canada geese ( Branta canadensis) to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus (H5N1) infection was studied by inoculating 10 naïve (antibody-negative) animals (5 adults and 5 juveniles) with A/chicken/Vietnam/14/05 (H5N1) virus. In the adults, 1 of 5 became infected, and 4 of 5 remained normal; in the juvenile group, 5 of 5 became infected. The pathology observed in the affected animals was similar to that reported in natural occurrences. Peripheral and parasympathetic nervous systems were examined and found infected, as well as cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons. In some locations with significant virus infection in cells, the expected inflammatory reaction was absent or very mild. Immunohistochemistry was used to locate influenza A virus nucleoprotein in brain, spinal cord, respiratory and digestive systems, pancreas, heart, and peripheral and parasympathetic nervous systems. Further studies are needed to explain age-related differences in susceptibility.
Granulomatous Pneumonia Caused by Mycobacterium genavense in a Dwarf Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Ludwig E. , Reischl U. , Janik D. , Hermanns W.
Published: May 2009

A juvenile dwarf rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus) with clinical signs of dyspnea and suspected ascites was submitted for necropsy. The main macroscopic findings were a watery red pleural effusion and some whitish striated foci in the lungs. In addition, there were multifocal scars in the cortex of the kidneys. The histologic examination of the lungs showed a severe granulomatous pneumonia with detection of acid-fast bacilli, in the kidneys, an interstitial chronic lymphoplasmacellular nephritis with interstitial fibrosis, and in the brain, a multifocal granulomatous and partly necrotizing encephalitis with detection of spores, suggestive of encephalitozoonosis. In the lungs, Mycobacterium genavense was verified by polymerase chain reaction and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an M. genavense infection in a rabbit, with the lungs being the only affected organ. Therefore, an aerogen infection seems to be the most contemplable way of infection.
Retinal Function and Morphology Are Altered in Cattle Infected with the Prion Disease Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy
Authors: Smith J. D. , Greenlee J. J. , Hamir A. N. , Richt J. A. , Greenlee M. H. West
Published: May 2009

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of diseases that result in progressive and invariably fatal neurologic disease in both animals and humans. TSEs are characterized by the accumulation of an abnormal protease-resistant form of the prion protein in the central nervous system. Transmission of infectious TSEs is believed to occur via ingestion of prion protein–contaminated material. This material is also involved in the transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (“mad cow disease”) to humans, which resulted in the variant form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Abnormal prion protein has been reported in the retina of TSE-affected cattle, but despite these observations, the specific effect of abnormal prion protein on retinal morphology and function has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize potential functional and morphologic abnormalities in the retinas of cattle infected with a bovine-adapted isolate of transmissible mink encephalopathy. We used electroretinography and immunohistochemistry to examine retinas from 10 noninoculated and 5 transmissible mink encephalopathy–inoculated adult Holstein steers. Here we show altered retinal function, as evidenced by prolonged implicit time of the electroretinogram b-wave, in transmissible mink encephalopathy–infected cattle before the onset of clinical illness. We also demonstrate disruption of rod bipolar cell synaptic terminals, indicated by decreased immunoreactivity for the alpha isoform of protein kinase C and vesicular glutamate transporter 1, and activation of Müller glia, as evidenced by increased glial fibrillary acidic protein and glutamine synthetase expression, in the retinas of these cattle at the time of euthanasia due to clinical deterioration. This is the first study to identify both functional and morphologic alterations in the retinas of TSE-infected cattle. Our results support future efforts to focus on the retina for the development of new strategies for the diagnosis of TSEs.
Ectopic (Subcutaneous) Paragonimus miyazakii Infection in a Dog
Authors: Madarame H. , Suzuki H. , Saitoh Y. , Tachibana M. , Habe S. , Uchida A. , Sugiyama H.
Published: May 2009

Ectopic infection with Paragonimus miyazakii was determined to be the cause of a subcutaneous inguinal mass in a 15-month-old, male, boar-hunting dog. On histologic examination, the mass comprised granulomatous panniculitis, intralesional adult trematodes and eggs, and lymphadenitis. Extrapulmonary paragonimosis in animals is rare. This appears to be the first report in a dog of ectopic P. miyazakii infection with mature trematodes and eggs that involved the inguinofemoral lymphocenter and surrounding subcutis.
Mycoplasma pulmonis and Lymphoma in Bioassays in Rats
Authors: Schoeb T. R. , McConnell E. E. , Juliana M. M. , Davis J. K. , Davidson M. K. , Lindsey J. R.
Published: May 2009

Lymphomas were reported to be induced in rats in bioassays of aspartame, methyl- tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), and other chemicals conducted by a nonprofit cancer research organization. European regulatory authorities concluded that lymphomas in the aspartame study were caused by Mycoplasma pulmonis and suggested that this also was the case for the MTBE bioassay. To assess the role of M. pulmonis in these bioassays, we reviewed the tumor data for the aspartame and MTBE bioassays and, additionally, the organization's bioassay of methanol. For all 3 studies, the most frequently reported hematopoietic neoplasm was lympho-immunoblastic lymphoma, the most frequently affected organ was the lung, and, in almost half of the rats with this diagnosis, the lung was the only affected organ. Lesions diagnosed as lymphoma in published illustrations had pleomorphic cellular morphology and appeared to contain neutrophils. Information from these reports and other sources indicated that lesions typical of M. pulmonis disease were prevalent among the aspartame and MTBE study rats and that the rats were not specific-pathogen-free. Because the lymphoma type, cellular morphology, and organ distribution reported in these studies are atypical of lymphoma in rats, because lymphocyte and plasma cell accumulation in the lung is characteristic of M. pulmonis disease, and because M. pulmonis disease can be exacerbated by experimental manipulations, including chemical treatment, we suggest that a plausible alternative explanation for the reported results of these bioassays is that the studies were confounded by M. pulmonis disease and that lesions of the disease were interpreted as lymphoma.
Cross-contamination in the Molecular Detection of Bartonella from Paraffin-embedded Tissues
Authors: Varanat M. , Maggi R. G. , Linder K. E. , Horton S. , Breitschwerdt E. B.
Published: May 2009

The genus Bartonella comprises a group of gram-negative, fastidious bacteria. Because of diagnostic limitations of culture and serologic testing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become a powerful tool for the detection of Bartonella spp. in blood and tissue samples. However, because many wild and domestic animals harbor Bartonella spp., transfer of Bartonella DNA during sample collection or histologic processing could result in false-positive PCR test results. In this study, we describe evidence of Bartonella DNA dissemination and transfer in the necropsy room and during the subsequent processing of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Bartonella DNA was amplified from different areas of the necropsy room, from the liquid paraffin in the tissue processor, and from different parts of the microtome. Unless stringent procedures are established and followed to avoid cross-contamination, the molecular detection of Bartonella spp. from tissue samples obtained at necropsy or processed in a multispecies histopathology laboratory will not be reliable.
Expression of Connexins in Normal and Neoplastic Canine Bone Tissue
Authors: Sanches D. S. , Pires C. G. , Fukumasu H. , Cogliati B. , Matsuzaki P. , Chaible L. M. , Torres L. N. , Ferrigno C. R. A. , Dagli M. L. Z.
Published: May 2009

Previous studies showed that intercellular communication by gap junctions has a role in bone formation. The main connexin involved in the development, differentiation, and regulation of bone tissue is connexin (Cx) 43. In addition, Cx46 is also expressed, mostly localized within the trans-Golgi region. Alterations in the expression pattern and aberrant location of these connexins are associated with oncogenesis, demonstrating a deficient gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) capacity in neoplastic tissues. In this study, we evaluated normal and neoplastic bone tissues regarding the expression of Cx43 and Cx46 by immunofluorescence, gene expression of these connexins by real-time PCR, and their correlation with cell proliferation index and deposition of collagen. Fourteen neoplastic bone lesions, including 13 osteosarcomas and 1 multilobular tumor of bone, were studied. The mRNA levels of Cx43 were similar between normal and neoplastic bone tissue. In normal bone tissue, the Cx43 protein was found mainly in the intercellular membranes. However, in all bone tumors studied here, the Cx43 was present in both cell membranes and also aberrantly in the cytoplasm. Regarding only tumor samples, we determined a possible inverse correlation between Cx43 expression and cellular proliferation, although a positive correlation between Cx43 expression and collagen deposition was also noted. In contrast, Cx46 had lower levels of expression in neoplastic bone tissues when compared with normal bone and was found retained in the perinuclear region. Even though there are differences between these two connexins regarding expression in neoplastic versus normal tissues, we concluded that there are differences regarding the subcellular location of these connexins in normal and neoplastic dog bone tissues and suggest a possible correlation between these findings and some aspects of cellular proliferation and possibly differentiation.
Reduced PTEN Protein Expression and Its Prognostic Implications in Canine and Feline Mammary Tumors
Authors: Ressel L. , Millanta F. , Caleri E. , Innocenti V. M. , Poli A.
Published: May 2009

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) belongs to the group of gatekeeper tumor suppressor genes and is involved in multiple mechanisms leading to cellular defense against neoplastic transformation and progression. Twenty-four dogs and 17 cats were submitted to a 2-year follow-up study, and clinicopathologic features were recorded and compared with immunohistochemical PTEN staining. PTEN-negative status occurred in 33% of canine and 76% of feline mammary carcinomas. In canine mammary carcinomas, there was a significant ( P < .05) correlation between loss of PTEN protein expression and simple carcinoma histotype, lymphatic vessel invasion, lymph node metastases, distant organ metastases, tumor dedifferentiation, tumor recurrence, and shorter overall survival. In feline mammary tumors, a significant correlation between loss of PTEN protein expression and lymphatic vessel invasion was found. Loss of PTEN expression could be a useful prognostic marker in canine mammary carcinomas.
Histologic Grade Predicts Recurrence for Marginally Excised Canine Subcutaneous Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Authors: McSporran K. D.
Published: May 2009

Local recurrence of marginally excised subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas is variable and difficult to predict. This study aimed to identify predictors of local recurrence after excisional biopsy. Medical records of 236 dogs from which tumors had been received between 2004 and 2007 were analyzed. Medium- to large-breed dogs, median age 10 years, were most commonly affected. A total of 139 tumors were graded histologically: 71 were grade 1 (51%); 59, grade 2 (42%); and 9, grade 3 (7%). Of these, 34 tumors (25%) were completely excised, and 104 (75%) were marginally excised. None of 30 completely excised tumors with follow-up information recurred. Three of 41 grade 1 tumors (7%), 14 of 41 grade 2 tumors (34%), and 3 out of 4 grade 3 tumors recurred after marginal excision. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to evaluate survival and the tumor-free interval. The log-rank test and log-rank test for trend were used for comparisons. Tumor recurrence-free intervals for dogs with grade 1 and 2 tumors and for those with grade 1 and 3 tumors differed significantly ( P = .0027 and .0001, respectively) and overall were inversely related to tumor grade ( P = .0007). Kaplan-Meier survival curves, regardless of recurrence, for patients with grade 1, 2, or 3 tumors treated by marginal excision did not differ significantly, and none differed from the survival curves of patients treated by complete excision. In conclusion, histologic grade is a strong predictor for recurrence of marginally excised subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas. Clean margins predict nonrecurrence. Tumor recurrence did not significantly reduce survival time.
Diagnostic Exercise: Myocarditis Due to Histophilus somni in Feedlot and Backgrounded Cattle
Authors: O'Toole D. , Allen T. , Hunter R. , Corbeil L. B.
Published: May 2009

A backgrounding operation for calves in Wyoming identified a disease syndrome presenting as lethargy, fever, and death between November and January each year. An unfixed heart was submitted for examination, along with samples of lung. There was focal red discoloration in papillary muscle of the left ventricular myocardium. Histologically, the lesion corresponded to acute necrotizing myocarditis with myriad intravascular and intralesional Gram-negative coccobacilli. Histophilus somni was detected by bacterial culture and immunohistochemistry. Focal myocarditis due to H. somni occurs in fall-placed cattle in western provinces and states of North America, and it can be an appreciable source of death loss. Gross lesions are readily detected in affected hearts. The presence of such changes in papillary muscles of left ventricular myocardium in feedlot or backgrounded cattle should prompt a differential diagnosis of H. somni myocarditis.
Festivals
Authors: Stephens Liz , Portis Larry , Kramer Gary M
Published: May 2009

Margaret Mead Film Festival: 1416 November 2008 Celebrating the pioneers of modern anthropology: examining the severe consequences of global warming, and tales of human perseverance A report by Liz Stephens

Cinema, the Mediterranean and the Middle East The Mediterranean
Film Festival, Montpellier, France, 24 October2 November 2008 A report by Larry Portis

Toronto International Film Festival, 413 September 2008 A report by Gary M. Kramer
Alter-Rights: Haiti and the singularization of universal human rights, 18042004
Authors: Nesbitt Nick
Published: May 2009

To rethink human rights when they have become little more than hollow ideology in the hands not only of nation-states but of the UN as well requires a radical change in perspective. This article will thus look back to one of the key moments in the history of human emancipation the Haitian
Revolution to ask whether it might hold, in its unfulfilled potential, implications for overcoming the contemporary impasse of human rights discourse. Unlike the earlier French and US revolutions, which extended putatively universal rights only to limited categories of citizens (typically
white, adult, male property-holders) Haiti was alone in the early-modern world in its implementation of an unqualified, immediate ban on human slavery. For all its daring originality, however, the Haitian intervention never lived up to its historical promise. Both internal political divisions
and the international pressure of contemporary slave-holding states such as France and the United States consistently undermined the Haitian initiative throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In the second part of this article, analysis of this historical process will lead me to
consider the ways in which the works of Edwidge Danticat and Peter Hallward stand as contemporary interventions that remain faithful to this unfulfilled legacy of 1804.
Everyday resistance on the internet: the Palestinian context
Authors: Aouragh Miriyam
Published: May 2009

A political assessment related to the internet portrays how Palestinian political agency transcends into virtual reality. This article offers an insight into the increasing role of the internet for Palestinians in the diaspora and studies the effects of these practices within the context
of occupation and exile. Online political activism fills an important gap for what is absent offline. Through multi-sited fieldwork (Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan) this research demonstrates how the internet gave birth to a Palestine in cyberspace and has altered the traditional tactics of activists.
Online communication has strengthened social and political agency. It clearly evoked a new type of media activism an giving the permission to narrate: an important development considering the stereotyped portrayals of Palestinians trapped in either terrorists or victims. Fieldwork research
conducted between 2001 and 2005 uncovered the dialectic impact of internet access/usage on the politics of resistance, specifically related to local/global political mobilization. The contradiction between online and offline political participation is tackled in this article with regards to
a new amalgam of media activism which I term cyber intifada. Much attention is paid on the everyday manifestations of this agency, whether organizing a street candle vigil or lighting a virtual candle online; with these recollections this article therefore illustrates a view
from within.
Book Reviews
Authors: Khoury-Machool Makram , al-Saud Bader S. M
Published: May 2009

Modern Arab Journalism: Problems and Perspectives, Noha Mellor, (2007)Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 242 pp., ISBN 9780748634118 (pbk), Price: 17.99

The Internet in the Arab World: Egypt and Beyond, Rasha A. Abdulla, (2007)New York: Peter Lang, 175 pp., ISBNs 1526-3169, 978-0-8204-8673-4 (hardcover) 33.