bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of presynaptic glucocorticoid receptors on glutamate release from rat hippocampal nerve terminals
Authors: Wang Chia‐Chuan , Wang Su‐Jane
Published: May 2009

In this study, we have examined the role of corticosterone (CORT) in the regulation of neuronal glutamate release using nerve terminals (synaptosomes) isolated from the rat hippocampus. Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats received either a chronic systemic administration of CORT (daily 25 mg/kg in sesame oil, subcutaneously) or long‐term bilateral adrenalectomy (ADX) (3–4 weeks), and then the release of 4‐aminopyridine (4AP)‐evoked endogenous glutamate and the levels of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression from hippocampal nerve terminals were studied. Chronic administration of CORT resulted in a significant increase of 4AP‐evoked glutamate release from hippocampal nerve terminals, whereas ADX reduced 4AP‐evoked glutamate release. In addition, chronic administration of CORT and ADX induced a significant reduction and increase in GR expression in hippocampal synaptosomes, respectively, as detected by Western blots. Furthermore, acute treatment of CORT or dexamethasone facilitated 4AP‐evoked glutamate release from synaptosomes freshly isolated from naïve rat hippocampus and this effect can be significantly prevented by pretreatment of GR antagonist mifepristone, but not by mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist RU28318. Together, our results strongly support the presence of GRs on presynaptic nerve terminals in the rat hippocampus acting to facilitate the release of neuronal glutamate. Synapse 63:745–751, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of Oil Extracted from Buriti Fruit (Mauritia flexuosa) Grown in the Brazilian Amazon Region
Authors: Silva Simone M. , Sampaio Klicia A. , Taham Thiago , Rocco Silvana A. , Ceriani Roberta , Meirelles Antonio J. A.
Published: May 2009

Five samples of buriti oil from industrial and artisanal suppliers were characterized in terms of nutritional quality parameters (nutraceutical levels) and acidity. As a first screening, each sample was analyzed by titration, spectrophotometry and an HPLC method, and the results were compared. As expected, artisanal samples showed lower acidity and higher levels of carotenes and tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols). A blend of industrial and artisanal samples in suitable proportions was completely characterized in terms of analytical and physico‐chemical properties, i.e., fatty acid composition, iodine value, partial and total acylglycerol contents, refractive index (40 °C), saponification value, unsaponifiable matter, acidity (expressed as % of oleic acid), peroxide value, phosphorus content, oil stability index, tocol and carotene concentrations. The results of the present study showed that buriti oil is a valuable source of monounsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins A and E. No previous work in the literature has analyzed buriti oil to this extent. The chromatographic method using HPLC was effective in qualifying and quantifying tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenes.
Evoked potentials generated by noxious stimulation in the human infant brain
Authors: Slater Rebeccah , Worley Alan , Fabrizi Lorenzo , Roberts Siân , Meek Judith , Boyd Stewart , Fitzgerald Maria
Published: May 2009

While human infants can display distinctive behavioural and physiological spinal cord and brainstem responses to noxious stimulation, it is not known whether cortical neurons are specifically activated by noxious stimuli in newborns. Here, using a novel approach to time‐lock an EEG recording to a clinically required heel lance, we show the presence of a distinct nociceptive‐specific potential in newborn infants (35–39 weeks postmenstrual age). The potential can be observed in single trials in the central electrodes (Cz and CPz) and using principal component analysis is characterised by a positivity that occurs at approximately 560 ms post‐stimulus (N420–P560; P, positive; N, negative). The magnitude of the nociceptive‐specific potential is not dependent on sleep state, whereas an earlier potential (N150–P260–N430), which is sleep‐state dependent, is evoked by both noxious and non‐noxious stimulation. These results provide the first direct evidence of specific noxious‐evoked neural activity in the infant brain and suggest that newborn infants are capable of the sensory‐discriminative aspects of pain experience.
A murine model of neonatal diabetes mellitus in Glis3‐deficient mice
Authors: Watanabe Naoki , Hiramatsu Kentaro , Miyamoto Rieko , Yasuda Kaoru , Suzuki Norihiko , Oshima Naoko , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Shiba Dai , Nishio Saori , Mochizuki Toshio , Yokoyama Takahiko , Maruyama Shoichi , Matsuo Seiichi , Wakamatsu Yuko , Hashimoto Hisashi
Published: May 2009

Glis3 is a member of the Gli‐similar subfamily. GLIS3 mutations in humans lead to neonatal diabetes, hypothyroidism, and cystic kidney disease. We generated Glis3‐deficient mice by gene‐targeting. The Glis3
−/− mice had significant increases in the basal blood sugar level during the first few days after birth. The high levels of blood sugar are attributed to a decrease in the Insulin mRNA level in the pancreas that is caused by impaired islet development and the subsequent impairment of Insulin‐producing cell formation. The pancreatic phenotypes indicate that the Glis3‐deficient mice are a model for GLIS3 mutation and diabetes mellitus in humans.
Diet, health and globalization: five key questions
Authors: Lang Tim
Published: May 2009

The present paper explores possible implications of the globalization of the food system for diet and health. The paper poses five key questions to clarify the relationship between food and globalization. The first question is what is globalization. The paper suggests that it is helpful to distinguish between economic, political, ideological and cultural processes. Globalization is also marked by internal oppositional dynamics: there are re-localization and regional tendencies which counter the global. The second question is whether there is anything new about globalization. Food has been a much traded commodity for millennia. The paper concludes that what is new about the current phases of globalization is the pace and scale of the change, and the fact that power is being concentrated into so few hands. New marketing techniques and supply-chain management consolidate these features. The third question is who is in control of the globalization era and who benefits and loses from the processes of globalization. It is argued that modern food economies are hypermarket rather than market economies, with power accruing to the distributor more than has been recognized. The fourth question concerns governance of the food system. Historically, systems of local and national government have regulated the food supply where appropriate. Now, new international systems are emerging, partly using existing bodies and partly creating new ones. The final question is of the future. Globalization is a value-laden area of study, yet its implications for dietary change and for health are considerable. The paper argues that dimensions of change can be discerned, although it would be rash to bet on which end of each dimension will emerge as dominant in the 21st century.
Gamma-ray bursts as a threat to life on Earth
Authors: Thomas B.C.
Published: May 2009

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are likely to have made a number of significant impacts on the Earth during the last billion years. The gamma radiation from a burst within a few kiloparsecs would quickly deplete much of the Earth's protective ozone layer, allowing an increase in solar ultraviolet radiation reaching the surface. This radiation is harmful to life, damaging DNA and causing sunburn. In addition, NO2 produced in the atmosphere would cause a decrease in visible sunlight reaching the surface and could cause global cooling. Nitric acid rain could stress portions of the biosphere, but the increased nitrate deposition could be helpful to land plants. We have used a two-dimensional atmospheric model to investigate the effects on the Earth's atmosphere of GRBs delivering a range of fluences, at various latitudes, at the equinoxes and solstices, and at different times of day. We have estimated DNA damage levels caused by increased solar UVB radiation, reduction in solar visible light due to NO2 opacity, and deposition of nitrates through rainout of HNO3. In this paper we give a concise review of this work and discuss current and future work on extending and improving our estimates of the terrestrial impact of a GRB.
Structure and evolution of tidal starting jet vortices at idealized barotropic inlets
Authors: Nicolau del Roure Francisco , Socolofsky Scott A. , Chang Kuang‐An
Published: May 2009

We present laboratory experiments for tidal starting jet vortices forming at idealized barotropic inlets using dye visualization and particle image velocimetry (PIV) of the surface velocity field. Vortices are identified in the PIV data using the local swirl strength, and metrics are calculated for each identified vortex, including position, equivalent circular diameter, maximum vorticity, circulation, and upwelling potential. These quantitative metrics are presented for four different inlet layouts, including narrow and wide barrier islands and short and long jetties. In each case, starting jet eddies initially form attached to the inlet mouth, with a rapid increase in vorticity, circulation, and size as water exiting the inlet flows directly into the starting jet dipole. Once the vortices reach a critical size, they are entrained into the tidal jet and detach from the inlet. As they advect away from the inlet, their size remains steady while the maximum vorticity and circulation gradually decrease because of the effect of bottom friction and the reduction of input to the vortices from the tidal flow as a result of their advection within the tidal jet. Secondary vortices shed from the inlet during the quasi‐steady tidal jet are also entrained into the starting jet vortices, decreasing the overall rate at which their vorticity and circulation decay downstream of the inlet. The quantitative results indicate that the starting jet eddies grow, detach from the inlet mouth, and decay at predictable non‐dimensional rates and times.
Impact of biomass burning aerosol on the monsoon circulation transition over Amazonia
Authors: Zhang Yan , Fu Rong , Yu Hongbin , Qian Yun , Dickinson Robert , Silva Dias Maria Assunção F. , da Silva Dias Pedro L. , Fernandes Kátia
Published: May 2009

Ensemble simulations of a regional climate model (RegCM3) forced by aerosol radiative forcing suggest that biomass burning aerosols can work against the seasonal monsoon circulation transition, thus re‐enforce the dry season rainfall pattern for Southern Amazonia. Strongly absorbing smoke aerosols warm and stabilize the lower troposphere within the smoke center in southern Amazonia (where aerosol optical depth >0.3). These changes increase the surface pressure in the smoke center, weaken the southward surface pressure gradient between northern and southern Amazonia, and consequently induce an anomalous moisture divergence in the smoke center and an anomalous convergence in northwestern Amazonia (5°S‐5°N, 60°W‐70°W). The increased atmospheric thermodynamic stability, surface pressure, and divergent flow in Southern Amazonia may inhibit synoptic cyclonic activities propagated from extratropical South America, and re‐enforce winter‐like synoptic cyclonic activities and rainfall in southeastern Brazil, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina.
Transfer of satellite rainfall error from gaged to ungaged locations: How realistic will it be for the Global Precipitation Mission?
Authors: Tang Ling , Hossain Faisal
Published: May 2009

In this study, we investigate the fundamental open question facing the satellite rainfall data community today ‐ If “error” is defined on the basis of independent ground validation (GV) rainfall data, how are these error metrics estimated for a satellite rainfall data product without the need for much extensive GV data? Using a six‐year database of high resolution (0.25 degree and 3 hourly) satellite rainfall data over the United States and an optimal spatial interpolation method (ordinary kriging), we demonstrate that most error metrics (such as bias and probability of detection) are amenable for ‘transfer’ from gaged to ungaged locations than others. Our findings also indicate that a continuously‐calibrated and regionalized error transfer scheme is technically feasible within the neighborhood of a gaged region if more research is carried out on the role played by different interpolation methods and the temporal structure of error.
Y‐box protein‐1 is actively secreted through a non‐classical pathway and acts as an extracellular mitogen
Authors: Frye Björn C , Halfter Sarah , Djudjaj Sonja , Muehlenberg Philipp , Weber Susanne , Raffetseder Ute , En‐Nia Abdelaziz , Knott Hanna , Baron Jens M , Dooley Steven , Bernhagen Jürgen , Mertens Peter R
Published: May 2009

Y‐box protein (YB)‐1 of the cold‐shock protein family functions in gene transcription and RNA processing. Extracellular functions have not been reported, but the YB‐1 staining pattern in inflammatory glomerular diseases, without adherence to cell boundaries, suggests an extracellular occurrence. Here, we show the secretion of YB‐1 by mesangial and monocytic cells after inflammatory challenges. It should be noted that YB‐1 was secreted through a non‐classical mode resembling that of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor. YB‐1 release requires ATP‐binding cassette transporters, and microvesicles protect YB‐1 from protease degradation. Two lysine residues in the YB‐1 carboxy‐terminal domain are crucial for its release, probably because of post‐translational modifications. The addition of purified recombinant YB‐1 protein to different cell types results in increased DNA synthesis, cell proliferation and migration. Thus, the non‐classically secreted YB‐1 has extracellular functions and exerts mitogenic as well as promigratory effects in inflammation.
Effects of pulse bias duty cycle on fullerenelike nanostructure and mechanical properties of hydrogenated carbon films prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method
Authors: Ji Li , Li Hongxuan , Zhao Fei , Quan Weilong , Chen Jianmin , Zhou Huidi
Published: May 2009

Fullerenelike hydrogenated carbon films were produced by pulse bias-assisted rf inductively coupled plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (ICPECVD). The effects of pulse duty cycle on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the resultant films were investigated by means of high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopy, nanoindentation, and stress measurement. The low pulse duty cycle was found the key in the formation of fullerenelike structure in hydrogenated carbon films, and thus increased the hardness, elasticity, and internal stress of the films. The role of pulse duty cycle in evolution of fullerenelike structure was also discussed in terms of ion bombardment, hydrogen removal, and “annealing” effects.
Fast discharge in a plasma gun with hemispherical insulator
Authors: Antsiferov P. S. , Dorokhin L. A. , Sidelnikov Yu. V. , Koshelev K. N.
Published: May 2009

A method of creation of hot dense plasma is proposed. It is based on cumulation of a shockwave, which originates on a hemispherical surface of insulator of plasma gun. The results of first experiments are presented. The shock wave is driven by fast electrical discharge (dI/dt>1012 A/s). The inductive storage with semiconductor opening switch is used as a current driver. Time resolved pin-hole images and vacuum ultraviolet (vuv) spectra are studied. Shockwaves from hemispherical insulator with 4 mm radius create plasma with a form of column about 1 mm diameter and 3–4 mm length. vuv spectra contain the lines of Ar ions that corresponds to the electron temperature about 20 eV. Possible practical application is discussed.
Arbitrary bending of electromagnetic waves using isotropic materials
Authors: Mei Zhong Lei , Cui Tie Jun
Published: May 2009

We propose the design of arbitrary waveguide bends using the theory of geometrical optics. The designed electromagnetic wave bending structures are filled with inhomogeneous and isotropic materials, whose parameters can be linearly tuned for easy implementation. Dielectric materials can be used if reflection does not pose a problem. Full-wave simulation results validate the correctness of the design. Compared with the counterparts realized by the optical transformation, the proposed arbitrary bends are much easier for experimental verification and practical implementation.
Frequency response of periodically sheared homogeneous turbulence
Authors: Hamlington Peter E. , Dahm Werner J. A.
Published: May 2009

A detailed parametric study is presented for the dynamics of initially isotropic homogeneous turbulence subjected to periodic shear with magnitude S and frequency ω. The study is based on a quasianalytical solution to the anisotropy transport equation, which is shown to provide results for the shear anisotropy in this flow that agree well with direct numerical simulation (DNS), and for some key aspects of the dynamics agree better than do the most widely used second-order moment closures. The present analytical approach allows a more detailed parametric study than is practical via DNS, and provides direct insights into the parametric origins of the resulting dynamics. The long-time limit form of the shear anisotropy provides an analytical expression for the phase lag. The general solution also provides simple scalings in the full equilibrium limit as well as in the quasiequilibrium and saturated nonequilibrium regimes. The transition to the saturated nonequilibrium regime is shown to occur over a narrow range of ω around a critical frequency ωcr, for which an analytical expression is also obtained. The fundamental change in the dynamics of the turbulence kinetic energy k(t) and the turbulence relaxation time scale Λ(t) as ω increases beyond ωcr is additionally addressed.
Tests of collision operators using laboratory measurements of shear Alfvén wave dispersion and damping
Authors: Thuecks D. J. , Kletzing C. A. , Skiff F. , Bounds S. R. , Vincena S.
Published: May 2009

Measurements of shear Alfvén waves are used to test the predictions of a variety of different electron collision operators, including several Krook collision operators as well as a Lorentz collision operator. New expressions for the collisional warm-plasma dielectric tensor resulting from the use of the fully magnetized collisional Boltzmann equation are presented here. Theoretical predictions for the parallel phase velocity and damping as a function of perpendicular wave number k⊥ are derived from the dielectric tensor. Laboratory measurements of the parallel phase velocity and damping of shear Alfvén waves were made to test these theoretical predictions in both the kinetic (vte⪢vA) and inertial (vte⪡vA) parameter regimes and at several wave frequencies (ω<ωci). Results show that, in the inertial regime, the best match between measurements and theory occur when any of the Krook operators are used to describe electron collisions. In contrast, the best agreement in the kinetic regime is found when collisions are completely ignored.
Phase separation in star-linear polymer mixtures
Authors: Camargo Manuel , Likos Christos N.
Published: May 2009

We study mixtures of star polymers and linear chains in good solvent conditions. We consider the effect of the addition of small chains on the equilibrium structure as well as on the phase behavior of low- and intermediate-functionality star solutions. By using a recently introduced effective cross interaction between stars and chains [C. Mayer and C. N. Likos, Macromolecules 40, 1196 (2007)], we solve the two-component Ornstein–Zernike equation, finding evidence for cluster formation, which is accompanied by a spinodal instability at moderate chain concentrations. The binodal lines are numerically calculated and the dependence of the observed phenomena on functionality, size, and concentrations is rationalized by considering the attractive contribution, which is displayed by the effective, chain-modified star-star interaction potential.
Hole mobility on isolated chains of poly(3-hexylthiophene) by microwave conductivity measurement
Authors: Liu Ching-Yang , Chen Show-An
Published: May 2009

We demonstrate a facile method to investigate intrinsic charge mobility on isolated chains of conjugated polymers by use of microwave absorption method. Hole carriers are generated on conjugated polymer chains in dilute solution by doping with the p-type dopants NOSbF6, instead of using excitation sources of pulsed laser and electron beam as reported in the literature. The number of hole carriers can be easily estimated by doping level. Measurements on poly(3-hexylthiophene) in benzene with various doping levels from 0.1% to 3% indicate that the hole mobility can be divided into two ranges. In the doping level 0.1%–0.3%, the hole mobility maintains at the constant level 0.03 cm2/V s, which can be regarded as that on an isolated chain since the average number of hole carriers per chain is only around one. As the doping level is higher than 0.3%, a presence of multiple hole carriers on a chain occurs, which results in a repulsion of hole carriers and leads to a reduced hole mobility.
Effects of positron density and temperature on ion-acoustic solitary waves in a magnetized electron-positron-ion plasma: Oblique propagation
Authors: Esfandyari-Kalejahi A. , Mehdipoor M. , Akbari-Moghanjoughi M.
Published: May 2009

Ion-acoustic (IA) solitary waves are investigated in a magnetized three-component plasma consisting of cold ions, isothermal hot electrons, and positrons. The basic set of fluid equations is reduced to the Korteweg de Vries equation using the standard reductive perturbation (multiple-scale) technique. Theoretical and numerical analyses confirm significant effects of the presence of positrons and the dependence of the electron to positron temperature ratio on the amplitude and the width of IA solitary waves. It is shown that the rarefactive and compressive IA solitary excitations can propagate when the propagation angle θ satisfies 0≤θ<π/2 and π/2<θ≤π, respectively. Also, it is remarked that the amplitude of the rarefactive and compressive IA solitary excitations is not affected by the magnitude of external magnetic field B0, whereas their width depends strictly on B0. The numerical analysis has been done based on the typical numerical data from a pulsar magnetosphere.
A high sensitivity momentum flux measuring instrument for plasma thruster exhausts and diffusive plasmas
Authors: West Michael D. , Charles Christine , Boswell Rod W.
Published: May 2009

A high sensitivity momentum flux measuring instrument based on a compound pendulum has been developed for use with electric propulsion devices and radio frequency driven plasmas. A laser displacement system, which builds upon techniques used by the materials science community for surface stress measurements, is used to measure with high sensitivity the displacement of a target plate placed in a plasma thruster exhaust. The instrument has been installed inside a vacuum chamber and calibrated via two different methods and is able to measure forces in the range of 0.02–0.5mN with a resolution of 15μN. Measurements have been made of the force produced from the cold gas flow and with a discharge ignited using argon propellant. The plasma is generated using a Helicon Double Layer Thruster prototype. The instrument target is placed about 1 mean free path for ion-neutral charge exchange collisions downstream of the thruster exit. At this position, the plasma consists of a low density ion beam (10%) and a much larger downstream component (90%). The results are in good agreement with those determined from the plasma parameters measured with diagnostic probes. Measurements at various flow rates show that variations in ion beam velocity and plasma density and the resulting momentum flux can be measured with this instrument. The instrument target is a simple, low cost device, and since the laser displacement system used is located outside the vacuum chamber, the measurement technique is free from radio frequency interference and thermal effects. It could be used to measure the thrust in the exhaust of other electric propulsion devices and the momentum flux of ion beams formed by expanding plasmas or fusion experiments.
Self-assembled nanoparticle spirals from two-dimensional compositional banding in thin films
Authors: Venkatachalam Dinesh K. , Fletcher Neville H. , Sood Dinesh K. , Elliman Robert G.
Published: May 2009

A self-assembly process is reported in which spiral patterns of gold nanoparticles form on silicon surfaces during the epitaxial crystallization of thin gold-silicon alloy layers. This behavior is observed only for gold concentrations above a critical value and is shown to result from two-dimensional compositional banding of a liquid alloy layer during the crystallization process. The compositional banding consists of alternate gold-rich and silicon-rich alloy bands, which are shown to be a direct consequence of free energy minimization, the band spacing being that which gives the maximum diffusive composition-separation rate. Gold nanoparticles subsequently form by Ostwald ripening on the surface of the gold-rich bands to give rise to the observed spiral patterns.
First-principles calculations of electron mobilities in silicon: Phonon and Coulomb scattering
Authors: Restrepo O. D. , Varga K. , Pantelides S. T.
Published: May 2009

Electron mobilities limited by phonon and ionized impurity scattering have traditionally been modeled by suppressing atomic-scale detail, relying on empirical deformation potentials and either effective-mass theory or bulk energy bands to describe electron velocities. Parameter fitting to experimental data is needed. As modern technologies require modeling of transport at the nanoscale and unprecedented materials are introduced, predictive parameter-free mobility modeling becomes necessary. Here we report the development of first-principles quantum-mechanical methods to calculate scattering rates and electronic mobilities limited by phonon and ionized-impurity scattering. We report results for n-doped silicon that are in good agreement with experiment.
Reduction in Shockley–Read–Hall generation-recombination in AlInSb light-emitting-diodes using spatial patterning of the depletion region
Authors: Nash G. R. , Ashley T.
Published: May 2009

A technique for the reduction in Shockley–Read–Hall recombination in semiconductor diodes, in which areas of the depletion region are removed, is described and preliminary results obtained using AlInSb light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) are presented. Both the electrical and optical characteristics of the devices were significantly improved by removing parts of the depletion region using dry etching, with an average increase in the zero bias differential resistance and LED emission at low currents by a factor of 2.
Tackling Social Exclusion in Greece: Citizenship and Participatory Governance
Authors: Chorianopoulos Ioannis
Published: May 2009

The spatial concentration of socioeconomic disadvantage as a result of discriminatory practices presents a challenging scenario for policy intervention. In this paper I examine the European Union (EU) social exclusion approach in addressing socioeconomic disadvantage in deprived urban areas. I look at the Greek city of Komotini, a society fragmented along ethnic lines. I focus on the Turkish minority community and explore the creation of local governance structures aiming at tackling exclusion through enhanced participation in decision making. The concept of citizenship rights that guided local ‘exclusion’ policies exposes the differences in the de jure and the de facto rights of different groups in the city. The governance mode of participation, however, puts emphasis on coordination and consensus at the expense of local realities. EU participatory principles that take local networking dynamics for granted do not travel well in centralized governance frameworks.
Vocal behaviour of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)
Authors: Sharpe David J. , Goldingay Ross L.
Published: May 2009

We describe the vocal behaviour of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) from 465 h of observation across five sites in north-east New South Wales and south-east Queensland. A monosyllabic or polysyllabic nasal grunt was the most frequent call (56% of 208 calls); it ranged from single calls to sequences of up to 20-min duration (mean 2.1 min ± 0.6, s.e.) and was heard on 34% of nights (n = 83) at two sites. The rate of the nasal grunt showed a positive relationship with population density at one site. The nasal grunt was typically made when conspecifics were near the caller, but responses were infrequent (7% of observations). Call playback produced no discernable change in call response. The nasal grunt appears to regulate individual spacing by facilitating mutual avoidance, a function hypothesised to be an evolutionary precursor to the use of calls in territorial defence. Threatening calls were the next most common vocalisation (17% of calls) and were accompanied by scuffles and/or chases. They were also used when gliders were preyed upon and during animal handling. The calling behaviour of the squirrel glider confirms the importance of vocal communication among petaurid gliders.
The development of neural synchrony reflects late maturation and restructuring of functional networks in humans
Authors: Uhlhaas Peter J. , Roux Frederic , Singer Wolf , Haenschel Corinna , Sireteanu Ruxandra , Rodriguez Eugenio
Published: May 2009

Brain development is characterized by maturational processes that span the period from childhood through adolescence to adulthood, but little is known whether and how developmental processes differ during these phases. We analyzed the development of functional networks by measuring neural synchrony in EEG recordings during a Gestalt perception task in 68 participants ranging in age from 6 to 21 years. Until early adolescence, developmental improvements in cognitive performance were accompanied by increases in neural synchrony. This developmental phase was followed by an unexpected decrease in neural synchrony that occurred during late adolescence and was associated with reduced performance. After this period of destabilization, we observed a reorganization of synchronization patterns that was accompanied by pronounced increases in gamma-band power and in theta and beta phase synchrony. These findings provide evidence for the relationship between neural synchrony and late brain development that has important implications for the understanding of adolescence as a critical period of brain maturation.
On the origin of terrestrial homochirality for nucleosides and amino acids
Authors: Breslow Ronald , Cheng Zhan-Ling
Published: May 2009

Before life could start on earth, it was important that the amino acid building blocks be present in a predominant handedness called the L configuration and that the ribose of RNA be predominantly in the D configuration. Because ordinary chemical processes would produce them in equal L and D amounts, it has long been a puzzle how the needed selectivities could have arisen. Carbonaceous chondrites such as the Murchison meteorite, which landed in Australia in 1969, brought some unusual amino acids with a methyl group replacing their α hydrogen. They cannot racemize and have a small but real excess of those with the L configuration. We have shown that they can partake in a synthesis of normal L amino acids under credible prebiotic conditions. We and others showed that small preferences can be amplified into solutions with very high dominance of the L amino acids because of the higher solubility of the pure L form than of the more stable DL racemic compound crystal. Here, we show that such solubility-based amplification of small excesses of three D nucleosides, uridine, adenosine, and cytidine, can also occur to form solutions with very high D dominance under credible prebiotic conditions. Guanosine crystallizes as a conglomerate and does not amplify in this way. However, under prebiotic conditions it could have been formed from homochiral D ribose from the hydrolysis of amplified adenosine or cytidine.
Spirituality and business: one scholar’s perspective
Authors: Delbecq Andre L.
Published: May 2009

In this essay a senior scholar reflects on the evolution of spirituality as a subject within management studies. The author traces the development of scholarly interest in the Academy of Management. He suggests areas of increasing understanding and aspects in need of further development.
He offers encouragement but also admonishes caution for scholars who wish to address the tender interface of spirituality and leadership.
Burgeoning workplace spirituality? A textual analysis of momentum and directions
Authors: Oswick Cliff
Published: May 2009

This paper provides a text‐based exploration of the extant discourse of workplace spirituality. A bibliometric analysis of more than two decades of books (n = 72), social science articles (n = 3129) and management articles (n = 232) is undertaken to examine
the general trajectory of the phenomenon. A narrative approach, based on thematic analysis, is also applied to the sample of books. The analysis reveals a marked increase in workplace spirituality output in recent years and a classification of contributions based upon three dominant discursive
themes (i.e. self‐help, spiritual leadership, and institutional and social change) is presented. The implications for future spiritually informed work in management are also discussed.
Spirits, nature and pilgrimage: the “other” dimension in Javanese domestic tourism
Authors: Cochrane Janet
Published: May 2009

Domestic tourism in Asia receives little research attention, yet movements within the people's own country far outnumber overseas visits. A strong motivating factor for the Javanese is visiting sacred sites such as caves or mountain peaks to pray or meditate. The significance of many
sites pre‐dates modern religions, and they are linked to continuing awareness of a spiritual dimension to everyday life. While in the West, belief in an intangible cohort of active entities which can interface with humans has disappeared through scientific rationalism, in Java such
beliefs retain a deep hold and influence several areas of behaviour, including choice of leisure activity. Many favoured sites are located in protected areas, and may even be responsible for the area remaining ecologically unscathed for long enough to be protected under modern planning schemes.
At popular sites, large crowds can arrive – for instance, on a particular night in the Javanese calendar when the spirits are especially cooperative – and pose management challenges. This paper examines the relevance of Javanese spirituality for tourism.
Catalysts for change? Museums of religion in a pluralist society
Authors: Carnegie Elizabeth
Published: May 2009

Changing attitudes to religion in society have allowed museums to review the way their collections of artefacts, which have religious relevance and resonance, are displayed and interpreted. Yet, despite the fact that religion has been one of the key defining factors of cultures, there
are very few museums which actually interpret multi‐faith. This paper argues that museums have the potential to create a forum for visitors to explore the role of faith in their own lives and to develop a fuller understanding of social and cultural change as it affects religious identities
in the modern world. It focuses on three key contrasting museums of religion, which have developed because of cultural and religious change. They are The St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, Glasgow; the Museum of World Religions (MWR), Taiwan; and the State Museum of the History of
Religion, St Petersburg. Their intended role and purpose is determined to establish how or if they succeed in delivering a multi‐faith museum experience whilst being subject to the social/cultural and religious biases inherent in their organisational structure. Lastly, some consideration
is given to whether they act as museums or religious spaces. The paper concludes that they function as secular and therefore cultural spaces in which visitors may seek to explore their own religious or spiritual feelings.
The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture in Developing Countries
Authors: Mendelsohn Robert
Published: May 2009

The largest known economic impact of climate change is upon agriculture because of the size and sensitivity of the sector. Warming causes the greatest harm to agriculture in developing countries primarily because many farms in the low latitudes already endure climates that are too hot. This paper reviews several studies that measure the size of the impact of warming on farms in developing countries. Even though adaptation will blunt some of the worst predicted outcomes, warming is expected to cause large damages to agriculture in developing countries over the next century.
Rent-Maximization Versus Competition in the Western and Central Pacific Tuna Fishery
Authors: Hannesson Rögnvaldur , Kennedy John
Published: May 2009

The potential for achieving sustainable and efficient harvesting of three species of migratory tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean is examined. The stocks reside in exclusive economic zones (mainly those of Pacific island countries) and in the high seas. Most harvesting is carried out by distant water fishing nations, including the USA, Japan, Taiwan, China, and Korea. Problems of achieving sustainability and efficiency in the harvesting of the stocks by disparate countries are made more difficult due to changes in the harvesting levels of one fleet affecting the rents of another fleet through changes in the age distribution of stock. These types of problem are under review by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Results from an age-structured steady-state bioeconomic model are used to show: the changes in fleet rents and catches of tuna if all fleets form a cooperative grand coalition to deploy fishing effort to maximize rents over the region; the likely non-stability of the grand coalition; and the inferior Nash Equilibria outcomes if fleets fish non-cooperatively to maximize their own rents.
Quantifying the Airshed for Fine Particles: Using Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing Data, andIn SituMonitoring
Authors: Rush Alan C.
Published: May 2009

The advances in remote sensing and the need for air pollution data in remote areas highlighted the need to examine the current capabilities to fill gaps in ambient air monitoring. This paper describes delineating the boundaries of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) nonattainment areas by integrating PM ambient data and satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) with geostatistical kriging. Correlation between the ground and satellites for the three year average was adequate in the upper Midwest and northeast (greater than r = .57) and typically very poor in the rest of the country (less than r = .20). To improve the geospatial prediction of the extent of aerosols, satellite AOD data from the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor was used. This addition of daily air quality data aids prediction of air pollution extent, making the approximation of fine particle airsheds possible.
Payment for Environmental Services: Estimating Demand Within a Tropical Watershed
Authors: Ortega-Pacheco Daniel V. , Lupi Frank , Kaplowitz Michael D.
Published: May 2009

The long-term success of payment for environmental services (PES) schemes depends on adequate demand for services and sustainable financing. We examine the viability of using locally financed payments to protect watershed services in rural eastern Costa Rica. Using dichotomous choice contingent valuation, we measure households' willingness to pay higher water bills for a local PES programme to adjust upstream land use practices to protect downstream water quality. We found that every income segment of the local population of water-users exhibited significant demand and willingness to finance the PES programme to protect local water quality.
Analysis of performance of the optimized divertor in ITER
Authors: Kukushkin A.S. , Pacher H.D. , Loarte A. , Komarov V. , Kotov V. , Merola M. , Pacher G.W. , Reiter D.
Published: May 2009

The paper describes the results of a physics analysis of a modified divertor cassette for ITER. The issues addressed are the impact on the operational window, the effect of gas leaks through the broader gaps between the divertor cassettes and radiation power loading of different components of the cassettes. The analysis shows that the new design ensuring more flexibility for ITER operation remains acceptable within the framework of the usual trade-off between the target power loading and helium removal efficiency. The radiation load on the side walls of the cassette structures in the inter-cassette gaps is identified as a design constraint not previously considered.
Induction of Dlk1 by PTTG1 Inhibits Adipocyte Differentiation and Correlates with Malignant Transformation
Authors: Espina Águeda G. , Méndez-Vidal Cristina , Moreno-Mateos Miguel A. , Sáez Carmen , Romero-Franco Ana , Japón Miguel A. , Pintor-Toro José A.
Published: May 2009

Pituitary tumor-transforming gene-1 (PTTG1) is an oncogene highly expressed in a variety of endocrine, as well as nonendocrine-related cancers. Several tumorigenic mechanisms for PTTG1 have been proposed, one of the best characterized being its capacity to act as a transcriptional activator. To identify novel downstream target genes, we have established cell lines with inducible expression of PTTG1 and a differential display approach to analyze gene expression changes after PTTG1 induction. We identified dlk1 (also known as pref-1) as one of the most abundantly expressed PTTG1 targets. Dlk1 is known to participate in several differentiation processes, including adipogenesis, adrenal gland development, and wound healing. Dlk1 is also highly expressed in neuroendocrine tumors. Here, we show that PTTG1 overexpression inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and that this effect is accomplished by promoting the stability and accumulation of Dlk1 mRNA, supporting a role for PTTG1 in posttranscriptional regulation. Moreover, both pttg1 and dlk1 genes show concomitant expression in fetal liver and placenta, as well as in pituitary adenomas, breast adenocarcinomas, and neuroblastomas, suggesting that PTTG1 and DLK1 are involved in cell differentiation and transformation.
The First Propeller Domain of LRP6 Regulates Sensitivity to DKK1
Authors: Binnerts Minke E. , Tomasevic Nenad , Bright Jessica M. , Leung John , Ahn Victoria E. , Kim Kyung-Ah , Zhan Xiaoming , Liu Shouchun , Yonkovich Shirlee , Williams Jason , Zhou Mei , Gros Delphine , Dixon Melissa , Korver Wouter , Weis William I. , Abo Arie
Published: May 2009

The Wnt coreceptor LRP6 is required for canonical Wnt signaling. To understand the molecular regulation of LRP6 function, we generated a series of monoclonal antibodies against the extra cellular domain (ECD) of LRP6 and selected a high-affinity mAb (mAb135) that recognizes cell surface expression of endogenous LRP6. mAb135 enhanced Wnt dependent TCF reporter activation and antagonized DKK1 dependent inhibition of Wnt3A signaling, suggesting a role in modulation of LRP6 function. Detailed analysis of LRP6 domain mutants identified Ser 243 in the first propeller domain of LRP6 as a critical residue for mAb135 binding, implicating this domain in regulating the sensitivity of LRP6 to DKK1. In agreement with this notion, mAb135 directly disrupted the interaction of DKK1 with recombinant ECD LRP6 and a truncated form of the LRP6 ECD containing only repeats 1 and 2. Finally, we found that mAb135 completely protected LRP6 from DKK1 dependent internalization. Together, these results identify the first propeller domain as a novel regulatory domain for DKK1 binding to LRP6 and show that mAb against the first propeller domain of LRP6 can be used to modulate this interaction.
Redox-regulated Export of the Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I-Peptide Complexes from the Endoplasmic Reticulum
Authors: Lee Sungwook , Park Boyoun , Kang Kwonyoon , Ahn Kwangseog
Published: May 2009

In contrast to the fairly well-characterized mechanism of assembly of MHC class I-peptide complexes, the disassembly mechanism by which peptide-loaded MHC class I molecules are released from the peptide-loading complex and exit the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is poorly understood. Optimal peptide binding by MHC class I molecules is assumed to be sufficient for triggering exit of peptide-filled MHC class I molecules from the ER. We now show that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) controls MHC class I disassembly by regulating dissociation of the tapasin-ERp57 disulfide conjugate. PDI acts as a peptide-dependent molecular switch; in the peptide-bound state, it binds to tapasin and ERp57 and induces dissociation of the tapasin-ERp57 conjugate. In the peptide-free state, PDI is incompetent to bind to tapasin or ERp57 and fails to dissociate the tapasin-ERp57 conjugates, resulting in ER retention of MHC class I molecules. Thus, our results indicate that even after optimal peptide loading, MHC class I disassembly does not occur by default but, rather, is a regulated process involving PDI-mediated interactions within the peptide-loading complex.
Isolation and characterization of multipotent stem cells from human cruciate ligaments
Authors: Cheng M‐T. , Yang H‐W. , Chen T‐H. , Lee O. K‐S.
Published: May 2009

Objectives:  Mesenchymal stem cells have great potential for tissue regeneration, and these cells can be harvested from a variety of tissues; however, up to now it has not been clear whether stem cells could be isolated from cruciate ligaments of the knee joint. The aim of our study was to isolate and characterize stem cells from both anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL) of humans.

Materials and methods:  Cruciate igaments were obtained from patients receiving total knee arthroplasty for advanced osteoarthritis and plastic‐adherent cells were serially passaged. In vitro chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic abilities of the cells were evaluated by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and histological study. Karyotyping and surface immunophenotyping of the cells were performed.

Results:  It was found that a population of ligament‐derived cells could be expanded and subcultured extensively. These cells were able to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes under appropriate inductions. Their phenotypic characteristics were similar to those of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Karyotyping was normal after serial passage.

Conclusions:  In summary, our study demonstrates that human multipotent stem cells can be isolated and expanded from human ACL and PCL, which are easily obtained from patients following total knee or cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery. Self‐renewal and mesodermal differentiation potential of these cells make them a viable alternative source for use in regenerative medicine.