bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of LaNi0.8Fe0.2O3-δ and LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3-δ at Thermal Stability and Transport Properties
Authors: Chen Jianying , Rebello Jeanette , Trots Dmytro , Vashook Vladimir , Wang Shao Rong , Wen Ting Lian , Wen Zhaoyin , Guth Ulrich
Published: February 2010

Single-phase LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3-δ and multiphase powder with nominal composition LaNi0.8Fe0.2O3 were prepared by solid state reactions method from initial simple oxides. It was shown that the conductivity of LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3-δ is 2-3 times higher in comparison with LaNi0.8Fe0.2O3 at comparable conditions. Opposite to multiphase ceramics, LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3-δ shows reversible behaviour during heating-cooling treatments up to 800-1000 °C in air and Ar/O2 gas flows at oxygen partial pressure 1-21000 Pa and can be recommended as cathode material for intermediate temperature SOFC.
Electrical Properties Measurement for Interface Research in Silicon Bonding
Authors: Miao Gu-Jin , Zhang Zhao-Hua , Ren Tian-Ling , Zhou Chang-Jian , Chen Tao , Lin Hui-Wang , Liu Li-Tian
Published: February 2010

Bonding process is evaluated by the study of the bonding interface in this paper. Electrical properties measurement is employed for the interface investigation. Distribution of both silicon and oxygen atoms is detected. The resistance of the measurement structure silicon-insulator-silicon (SIS) is obtained by I-V curves. The fixed charges that locate in the bonding interface are given quantitively from C-V curves. It is about 0.5-8.0×1012cm-2 in our samples. As a comparison, some traditional evaluations for bonding process are also presented, including tensile test to measure the bonding strength and IR image to detect the voids. Finally, by comparing the electrical characters and the mechanical performance, the relationship between them is demonstrated. It is found that total fixed charge density and bonding strength changes in the opposite direction.
A model of GLP-1 action on insulin secretion in nondiabetic subjects
Authors: Dalla Man Chiara , Micheletto Francesco , Sathananthan Airani , Rizza Robert A. , Vella Adrian , Cobelli Claudio
Published: February 2010

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapies for diabetes have aroused interest because of their effects on insulin secretion and glycemic control. However, a mechanistic model enabling quantitation of pancreatic response to GLP-1 has never been developed. To develop such a model we studied 88 healthy individuals (age 26.3 ± 0.6 yr, BMI 24.9 ± 0.4 kg/m2) by use of a hyperglycemic clamp. A variable infusion maintained glucose concentrations at 150 mg/dl for 240 min. At 120 min, an intravenous infusion of GLP-1 was started (0.75 pmol·kg−1·min−1from 120–180 min, 1.5 pmol·kg−1·min−1from 181–240 min). Consequently, plasma C-peptide concentration rose from 1,852.0 ± 62.8 pmol/l at 120 min to 4,272.2 ± 176.4 pmol/l at 180 min and to 6,995.8 ± 323.5 pmol/l at 240 min. Four models of GLP-1 action on insulin secretion were considered. All models share the common assumption that insulin secretion is made up of two components, one proportional to glucose rate of change through dynamic responsivity, Φd, and one proportional to glucose through static responsivity, Φs, but differing by modality of GLP-1 control. The model that best fit C-peptide data assumes that above-basal insulin secretion depends linearly on GLP-1 concentration and its rate of change. An index (Π) measuring the percentage increase of secretion due to GLP-1 is derived. Before GLP-1 infusion, Φd= 245.7 ± 15.6 10−9and Φs= 25.2 ± 1.4 10−9min−1. Under GLP-1 stimulus, Π = 12.6 ± 0.71% per pmol/l, meaning that an increase of 5 pmol/l in peripheral GLP-1 concentrations induces an ∼60% increase in over-basal insulin secretion.
Evolutionary Tuning Method for PID Controller Parameters of a Cruise Control System Using Metamodeling
Authors: Ab Malek M. N. , Mohamed Ali M. S.
Published: February 2010

For long time the optimization of controller parameters uses the well-known classical method such as the Ziegler-Nichols and the Cohen-Coon tuning techniques. Despite its effectiveness, these off-line tuning techniques can be time consuming especially for a case of complex nonlinear system. This paper attempts to show a great deal on how Metamodeling techniques can be utilized to tune the PID controller parameters quickly. Note that the plant use in this study is the cruise control system with 2 different models, which are the linear model and the nonlinear model. The difference between both models is that the disturbances were taken into consideration for the nonlinear model, but in the linear model the disturbances were assumed as zero. The Radial Basis Function Neural Network Metamodel is able to prove that it can minimize the time in tuning process as it is able to give a good approximation to the optimum controller parameters in both models of this system.
Phase Conjugation Using Four‐Wave Mixing in Fast Green FCF Dye‐Doped Gelatin Film
Authors: Majles Ara M. H. , Mehrabani S. , Malekfar R.
Published: February 2010

We present optical phase conjugation based on the degenerate four‐wave mixing (DFWM) arrangement in gelatin films doped with acid blue 3 dye (FAST GREEN FCF) using He‐Ne laser of total power 50 mW. Various parameters which influence the phase‐conjugate (PC) signal during the DFWM process were studied (angle of between the forward pump and the probe beam, transition of gelatin film, reflectivity as a function of forward and backward beam). A maximum phase‐conjugate beam reflectivity of about 0.02% has been observed in these dye‐doped gelatin films.
PACS: 42.65.‐k, 42.65.Hw.
Using Florida Keys Reference Sites As a Standard for Restoration of Forest Structure in Everglades Tree Islands
Authors: Ross Michael S. , Ogurcak Danielle E. , Sah Jay P. , Ruiz Pablo L.
Published: February 2010

In south Florida, tropical hardwood forests (hammocks) occur in Everglades tree islands and as more extensive forests in coastal settings in the nearby Florida Keys. Keys hammocks have been less disturbed by humans, and many qualify as “old-growth,” while Everglades hammocks have received much heavier use. With improvement of tree island condition an important element in Everglades restoration efforts, we examined stand structure in 23 Keys hammocks and 69 Everglades tree islands. Based on Stand Density Index and tree diameter distributions, many Everglades hammocks were characterized by low stocking and under-representation in the smaller size classes. In contrast, most Keys forests had the dense canopies and open understories usually associated with old-growth hardwood hammocks. Subject to the same caveats that apply to off-site references elsewhere, structural information from mature Keys hammocks can be helpful in planning and implementing forest restoration in Everglades tree islands. In many of these islands, such restoration might involve supplementing tree stocking by planting native trees to produce more complete site utilization and a more open understory.
Providing Adapted Contextual Information in an Overlay Vehicular Network
Authors: Santa José , Muñoz Andrés , Gómez-Skarmeta Antonio F.
Published: February 2010

Current vehicular networks are developed upon commercial solutions based on cellular networks (CNs) or vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs), both present in numerous research proposals. Current approximations are not enough to cover the communication necessities of several applications at the same time, and they are not suitable for future vehicular pervasive services. The vehicular network presented in this paper fills the existent gap between solutions lacking in flexibility, mainly supported by an infrastructure deployment, and those highly local and distributed, such as sole-VANET approximations. In this manner, an overlay communication platform which can work over the CN basis has been designed and developed. This architecture is complemented by an additional support of an information system located at the infrastructure side. Moreover, since most of the information received from current notification services is not relevant for the driver, an additional subsystem has been devised to provide adapted information to users. This has been carried out by means of an ontology model which represents users' preferences and contextual information. Finally, using a whole prototype of the telematic platform, the performance of this interring process has been evaluated to point out its impact on the system operation.
Characteristics, Performance Measures, and In-Hospital Outcomes of the First One Million Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack Admissions in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke
Authors: Fonarow Gregg C. , Reeves Mathew J. , Smith Eric E. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Zhao Xin , Olson Dai Wai , Hernandez Adrian F. , Peterson Eric D. , Schwamm Lee H.
Published: February 2010

Background—

Stroke results in substantial death and disability. To address this burden, Get With The Guideline (GWTG)-Stroke was developed to facilitate the measurement, tracking, and improvement in quality of care and outcomes for acute stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients in the United States.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed the characteristics, performance measures, and in-hospital outcomes in the first 1 000 000 acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and TIA admissions from 1392 hospitals that participated in the GWTG-Stroke Program 2003 to 2009. Patients were 53.5% women, 73.3% white, and with mean age of 70.1±14.9 years. There were 601 599 (60.2%) ischemic strokes, 108 671 (10.9%) intracerebral hemorrhages, 34 945 (3.5%) subarachnoid hemorrhages, 26 977 (2.7%) strokes not classified, and 227 788 (22.8%) TIAs. Performance measures showed small to moderate differences by cerebrovascular event type. In-hospital mortality rate was highest among intracerebral hemorrhage (25.0%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (20.4%), and intermediate in ischemic stroke (5.5%) patients and lowest among TIA patients (0.3%). Significant improvements over time from 2003 to 2009 in quality of care were observed: all-or-none measure, 44.0% versus 84.3% (+40.3%,
P
<0.0001). After adjustment for patient and hospital variables, the cumulative adjusted odds ratio for the all-or-none measure over the 6 years was 9.4 (95% confidence interval, 8.3 to 10.6,
P
<0.0001). Temporal improvements in length of stay and risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rate (for ischemic stroke and TIA) were also observed.

Conclusions—

With more than 1 million patients enrolled, GWTG-Stroke represents an integrated stroke and TIA registry that supports national surveillance, innovative research, and sustained quality improvement efforts facilitating evidence-based stroke/TIA care.
CD137 (4–1BB) Deficiency Reduces Atherosclerosis in Hyperlipidemic Mice
Authors: Jeon Hyung Jun , Choi Jae-Hoon , Jung In-Hyuk , Park Jong-Gil , Lee Mi-Ran , Lee Mi-Ni , Kim Bora , Yoo Ji-Young , Jeong Se-Jin , Kim Dae-Yong , Park Jeong Euy , Park Hyun-Young , Kwack KyuBum , Choi Beom Kyu , Kwon Byoung S. , Oh Goo Taeg
Published: February 2010

Background—

The tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, which includes CD40, LIGHT, and OX40, plays important roles in atherosclerosis. CD137 (4-1BB), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, has been reported to be expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions. However, limited information is available on the precise role of CD137 in atherosclerosis and the effects of blocking CD137/CD137 ligand signaling on lesion formation.

Methods and Results—

We generated CD137-deficient apolipoprotein E–knockout mice (
ApoE
−/−
CD137
−/−
) and LDL-receptor–knockout mice (
Ldlr
−/−
CD137
−/−
) to investigate the role of CD137 in atherogenesis. The deficiency of CD137 induced a reduction in atherosclerotic plaque lesions in both atherosclerosis mouse models, which was attributed to the downregulation of cytokines such as interferon-γ, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α. CD137 signaling promoted the production of inflammatory molecules, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-6, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, in endothelial cells. Stimulation of CD137 ligand signaling activated monocytes/macrophages and augmented the production of proinflammatory cytokines in atherosclerotic vessels.

Conclusions—

CD137/CD137 ligand signaling plays multiple roles in the progression of atherosclerosis, and thus, blockade of this pathway is a promising therapeutic target for the disease.
Noninstructional Spending Improves Noncognitive Outcomes: Discontinuity Evidence from a Unique Elementary School Counselor Financing System
Authors: Reback Randall
Published: February 2010

Children's noncognitive skills, mental health, and behavior are important predictors of future earnings and educational attainment. Their behavior in the classroom also affects their peers' behavior and achievement. There is limited prior evidence, however, concerning the impact of school resources on student behavior. Some elementary schools employ counselors whose primary purpose is to help improve students' behavior, mental health, and noncognitive skill acquisition. This article estimates regression discontinuity models exploiting Alabama's unique financing system for school counselors. Alabama fully subsidizes counselor appointments for all elementary schools, with the number of appointments based on schools' prior year enrollments using discrete enrollment cutoffs. The results suggest that greater counselor subsidies reduce the frequency of disciplinary incidents but do not strongly influence mean student achievement test scores. Increases in counselors moderate relatively severe behavioral problems without necessarily improving systemic behavior affecting classroom learning.
Mix and Match: What Principals Really Look for When Hiring Teachers
Authors: Harris Douglas N. , Rutledge Stacey A. , Ingle William K. , Thompson Cynthia C.
Published: February 2010

The vast majority of research and policy related to teacher quality focuses on the supply of teachers and ignores teacher demand. In particular, the important role of school principals in hiring teachers is rarely considered. Using interviews of school principals in a midsized Florida school district, we provide an exploratory mixed methods analysis of the teacher characteristics principals prefer. Our findings contradict the conventional wisdom that principals undervalue content knowledge and intelligence. Principals in our study ranked content knowledge third among a list of twelve characteristics. Intelligence does appear less important at first glance, but this is apparently because principals believe all applicants who meet certification requirements meet a minimum threshold on intelligence and because some intelligent teachers have difficulty connecting with students. More generally, we find that principals prefer an “individual mix” of personal and professional qualities. They also create an “organizational mix,” hiring teachers who differ from those already in the school in terms of race, gender, experience, and skills, and an “organizational match,” in which teachers have similar work habits and a high propensity to remain with the school over time. Because of tenure rules, many principals also prefer less experienced (untenured) teachers, even though research suggests that they are less effective.
Influences of the Indian Summer Monsoon on Water Vapor and Ozone Concentrations in the UTLS as Simulated by Chemistry–Climate Models
Authors: Kunze Markus , Braesicke Peter , Langematz Ulrike , Stiller Gabriele , Bekki Slimane , Brühl Christoph , Chipperfield Martyn , Dameris Martin , Garcia Rolando , Giorgetta Marco
Published: February 2010

The representation of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) circulation in some current chemistry–climate models (CCMs) is assessed. The main assessment focuses on the anticyclone that forms in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and the related changes in water vapor and ozone during July and August for the recent past. The synoptic structures are described and CCMs and reanalysis models are compared. Multiannual means and weak versus strong monsoon cases as classified by the Monsoon–Hadley index (MHI) are discussed. The authors find that current CCMs capture the average synoptic structure of the ISM anticyclone well as compared to the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and NCEP–NCAR reanalyses. The associated impact on water vapor and ozone in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere as observed with the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) on Envisat is captured by most models to some degree. The similarities for the strong versus weak monsoon cases are limited, and even for present-day conditions the models do not agree well for extreme events. Nevertheless, some features are present in the reanalyses and more than one CCM, for example, ozone increases at 380 K eastward of the ISM. With the database available for this study, future changes of the ISM are hard to assess. The modeled monsoon activity index used here shows slight weakening of the ISM circulation in a future climate, and some of the modeled water vapor increase seems to be contained in the anticyclone at 360 K and sometimes above. The authors conclude that current CCMs capture the average large-scale synoptic structure of the ISM well during July and August, but large differences for the interannual variability make assessments of likely future changes of the ISM highly uncertain.
Generation and Growth Mechanism of the Natal Pulse
Authors: Tsugawa Motohiko , Hasumi Hiroyasu
Published: February 2010

The Natal pulses, solitary cyclonic meanders in the Agulhas Current, are reproduced in an ocean general circulation model. The model covers the region around the Agulhas Current with a grid fine enough to reproduce major eddies. The features of the reproduced Natal pulses are consistent with observational evidences in the following respects: they are generated at the Natal Bight when anticyclonic eddies come, move downstream along the Agulhas Current at speeds about 20 km day−1, and grow in its horizontal size as they move. The present simulation shows that the generation and growth of the Natal pulse occurs because of the interaction between the mean flow of the Agulhas Current and an anticyclonic eddy. A supplemental simulation, where the topography of the Natal Bight is modified, indicates that the topography of the Natal Bight does not cause the generation of the Natal pulses, contrary to a previous suggestion.
Institutional Feedback and Support for the Welfare State: The Case of National Health Care
Authors: Jordan Jason
Published: February 2010

Researchers interested in the political consequences of the welfare state argue that cross-country variations in the design of social policy institutions produce distinct patterns of public support for the welfare state. This research proposes an institutional feedback effect in which welfare institutions, once created, transform political debate, generate new constituencies, and alter how individuals and interest groups interpret their preferences. Existing research has found mixed results for these proposed institutional feedback effects on public opinion. This project contributes to research on institutional feedback through an analysis of cross-national variation in public support for national health care. National health care provides a unique opportunity for studying institutional feedback by avoiding problems with the measurement of key variables common to previous work in this area. This research offers evidence in support of institutional feedback effects by demonstrating links between the structure of health care institutions and public attitudes.
Advances and Remaining Challenges in Adult Literacy Research
Authors: Miller Brett , McCardle Peggy , Hernandez Ricardo
Published: February 2010

Low literacy levels in adult learners pose an educational and public health challenge to practitioners and the scientific community. Increasing demands placed on literacy can limit opportunities in the workplace and access to health-related resources, negatively affecting public health. Current estimates from the National Center for Education Statistics suggest that more than 40 million adults in the United States possess only the most basic and concrete literacy skills. Despite the estimated number of learners possessing minimal literacy skills in English in the United States, there remains a paucity of research focused on adult learners to inform remediation efforts. This special issue of the Journal of Learning Disabilities represents an important step in highlighting the current scientific knowledge base and the implications for future directions and lines of inquiry with adult learners.
Modeling Child-Based Theoretical Reading Constructs With Struggling Adult Readers
Authors: Nanda Alice O. , Greenberg Daphne , Morris Robin
Published: February 2010

This study examined whether measurement constructs behind reading-related tests for struggling adult readers are similar to what is known about measurement constructs for children. The sample included 371 adults reading between the third-and fifth-grade levels, including 127 men and 153 English speakers of other languages. Using measures of skills and subskills, confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test child-based theoretical measurement models of reading: an achievement model of reading skills, a core deficit model of reading subskills, and an integrated model containing achievement and deficit variables. Although the findings present the best measurement models, the contribution of this article is the description of the difficulties encountered when applying child-based assumptions to developing measurement models for struggling adult readers.
Construct Validity of Reading Measures in Adults With Significant Reading Difficulties
Authors: Fletcher Jack M.
Published: February 2010

The four studies of adult literacy in this special issue of the Journal of Learning Disabilities address measurement issues in adult populations and the relation (by comparison) of similar studies of childhood literacy. Despite differences in selection criteria, tests, and research questions, there is some convergence across studies, especially on construct validity issues. It is reassuring to see evidence of construct invariance across children and adults. The examples of lack of convergence relative to childhood literacy studies are instructive, and investigators should be careful not to extrapolate directly from child to adult models.
Hannah Arendt’s Antiprimitivism
Authors: Casas Klausen Jimmy
Published: February 2010

This essay examines Arendt’s descriptions of “Hottentots” in The Origins of Totalitarianism , especially the comparisons and contrasts she frequently draws between Hottentots and other peoples. In particular, Arendt highlights dehumanization of presumptively “civilized” people in comparing them to African “savages.” Close reading of such analogies demands that we look beyond the racial explanations that other scholars have offered and focus instead on how Arendt’s conception of humanity is bound up with a specific sense of culture that is antiprimitivist—exclusive of peoples without history, primitives. Analysis of her moral anthropology uncovers the Cape Colony discourses and postenlightenment German philosophical supports that inform her antiprimitivism. However, Arendt’s antiprimitivism may not remain confined to Origins. In later essays, Arendt analyzes the various aspects of culture in instructive ways.Yet she also synthesizes culture concepts into a schema that introduces problems for her.
Partner’s Resources and Adjusting Working Hours in the Netherlands: Differences Over Time, Between Levels of Human Capital, and Over the Family Cycle
Authors: Verbakel Ellen
Published: February 2010

We study to what extent adjustments in labor market participation, defined as employment entry and exit, and as increases and reductions of weekly working hours, depend on resources of the partner. Moreover, we investigate whether the influence of the partner depends on historical period, human capital, and children. We are especially interested in the economic-based hypothesis that people are more likely to reduce working hours when their partners have more resources. We use retrospective information on labor market careers of 5,685 respondents and their (ex-)partners (Family Surveys of the Dutch Population 1998-2003). Our results provide little support for the economic hypothesis, and we suggest that family formation and cultural factors are more important predictors for male and female labor market participation adjustments in the Netherlands.
A multidisciplinary group programme in rural settings for community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors and their carers: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Marsden Dianne , Quinn Rhonda , Pond Nicole , Golledge Robyn , Neilson Claire , White Jennifer , McElduff Patrick , Pollack Michael
Published: February 2010

Objectives: To explore whether a group programme for community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors and their carers is feasible in rural settings; to measure the impact of the programme on health-related quality of life and functional performance; and to determine if any benefits gained are maintained.

Design: Randomized, assessor blind, cross-over, controlled trial.

Setting: Rural outpatient.

Subjects: Twenty-five community-dwelling, chronic stroke survivors and 17 carers of participant stroke survivors.

Intervention: The intervention group undertook a once-a-week, seven-week group programme combining physical activity, education, self-management principles and a ‘healthy options’ morning tea. At completion, the control group crossed over to receive the intervention.

Main measures: Stroke Impact Scale (stroke survivors), Health Impact Scale (carers), Six Minute Walk Test, Timed Up and Go, Caregiver Strain Index.

Results: There were insufficient participants for results to reach statistical significance. However between-group trends favoured the intervention group in the majority of outcome measures for stroke survivors and carers. The majority of measures remained above baseline at 12 weeks post programme for stroke survivor participants. The programme was well attended. Of the seven sessions all participants attended four or more and 88% attended six or seven sessions.

Conclusions: This novel programme incorporating physical activity, education and social interaction proved feasible to undertake by a stroke-specific multidisciplinary team in three rural Australian settings. This programme may improve and maintain health-related quality of life and physical functioning for chronic stroke survivors and their carers and warrants further investigation.
Living With the Sins of Their Fathers: An Analysis of Self-Representation of Adolescents Born of War Rape
Authors: Erjavec Karmen , Volčič Zala
Published: February 2010

Children born of war rape continue to be a taboo theme in many post-war societies, also in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). This study is based on in-depth interviews with eleven adolescents born of war rape in BH. The main goal is to present how these adolescents represent themselves and their life-situations. On the basis of the research we identify four key themes: 1) their continued sense of hostility even after the end of the war; 2) the internalized guilt; 3) the role reversal; and 4) the role of reconciling the war enemies. The analysis of life-stories shows new identifications of traumatic events and trauma. More than half of the interviewed girls suffer severe psychological and physical abuses. The research argues that there are three crucial factors influencing girls' self-perception: the role of the mothers, mothers' economic situation and general social exclusion.
Antitumor activity of the water-soluble polysaccharide from Hyriopsis cumingii in vitro
Authors: Shuiqing Qiu  , Shuling Huang  , Juan Huang  , Jianlin Pan  , Weiyun Zhang
Published: February 2010

As a freshwater pearl mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii is widely cultured in China to produce pearls. This study was made to explore the antitumor activity of water-soluble polysaccharide (WSP) from mantles of H. cumingii. Cell viability of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells was estimated by MTT method. Cell cycle analysis was determined by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was observed under fluorescence microscopy and confirmed by DNA fragment assay. Reverse transcriptase-polymerized chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry were carried to evaluate c-myc, bcl-2 and cyclinD1 gene expressions in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed by flow cytometry. After WSP treatment, the growth of HepG2 cells was inhibited and most of cells arrested in G0/G1 phage (p < .01); apoptotic changes in nucleus and cytoplasm were also observed in WSP-treated cells; percentage of apoptotic rate significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001); DNA fragmentation was detected in treated HepG2 cells; The mRNA level and protein level of c-myc, bcl-2 and cyclinD1 were decreased in the treated HepG2 cells. ROS was significantly increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner as well. The results suggested that WSP has potent antitumor activity.
Ameliorative effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on histopathological and biochemical changes induced by cigarette smoke in rat kidney
Authors: Pekmez Hidir , Ogeturk Murat , Ozyurt Huseyin , Sonmez Mehmet Fatih , Colakoglu Neriman , Kus Ilter
Published: February 2010

It was aimed to investigate the histopathological and biochemical changes in kidney tissues of rats exposed to cigarette smoke and possible protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on these changes. Twenty one male Wistar albino rats were divided into three equal groups. Animals in group I were used as control. Rats in group II were exposed to cigarette smoke and rats in group III were exposed to cigarette smoke and daily administration of CAPE. At the end of the 60-day experimental period, all the animals were sacrificed by decapitation. The serum samples obtained from the animals were studied for uric acid, creatinine and blood urine nitrogen (BUN) levels. Following routine histological procedures, kidney tissue specimens were examined under a light microscope. In addition, dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) contents were determined spectrophotometrically in tissue samples. It was found that serum uric acid and BUN levels of the rats exposed to cigarette smoke alone were elevated, although serum creatinine levels did not significantly change. Furthermore, renal SOD, GSH-Px, NO and MDA levels were significantly increased. These increases in serum BUN, and renal SOD, GSH-Px, NO and MDA levels were significantly inhibited by CAPE treatment. In light microscopic observations of tissues from rats exposed to smoke, mesangial cell proliferation in the renal corpuscles, dilatation and congestion in the peritubular capillaries and degenerative alterations in the proximal tubules were noted. There were also atrophic renal corpuscles. However, these histopathological changes were partially disappeared in the rats exposed to cigarette smoke plus CAPE. The present findings indicate that cigarette smoke causes impairment in renal structure and function, which can be prevented by CAPE administration.
Toxicity and bioaccumulation of the booster biocide copper pyrithione, copper 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide, in gill tissues of Salvelinus fontinalis (brook trout)
Authors: Borg Damon Andrew , Trombetta Louis David
Published: February 2010

This investigation studied the acute effects of copper pyrithione (CuPT) exposure on juvenile brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis. Morphologic changes, copper bioaccumulation, and markers of oxidative stress in gill tissue were studied. Juvenile brook trout were treated with one of six experimental doses of CuPT (2—64 μg/L) for 2 hours. A seventh group served as a control population. Inductively coupled plasma atomic absorbance spectrophotometry (ICPAAS) analysis demonstrates significantly increased levels of copper in gill tissue (p < 0.001). Results from scanning electron microscopy and histological analysis demonstrate the formation of club-shaped lamella, edema, fusion of secondary lamella, loss of microridge structures and epithelial exfoliation. Transmission electron microscopy revealed altered morphology of chloride cells, including the swollen appearance of mitochondria with disruption of internal cristae and lipid membrane disruption. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assays demonstrated increased levels of lipid peroxidation products in gill tissue. Assays for the total antioxidant capacity of gill tissue revealed significantly lowered antioxidant levels. This data indicates that CuPT is potentially harmful to nontarget aquatic organisms at environmentally relevant doses.
Distribution and elimination of palladium in rats after 90-day oral administration
Authors: Iavicoli Ivo , Bocca Beatrice , Fontana Luca , Caimi Stefano , Bergamaschi Antonio , Alimonti Alessandro
Published: February 2010

This study determined the distribution in internal organs and the elimination routes in rats after oral administration of potassium hexachloro-palladate. Forty male Wistar rats were exposed for 90 days to 0, 10, 100 and 250 ng/mL of the palladium (Pd) salt in drinking water. Samples of urine and feces were collected on days 1, 30, 60 and 90, while organs (kidney, liver, lung, spleen and bones) and blood were collected at the end of the experiment. Quantification method was based on the sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results indicated that Pd ions were rapidly eliminated from the body. The principal excretion was through the feces (650 ± 72.7 ng/g dry weight, at the Pd dose of 250 ng/mL), but at the higher dosing Pd was also eliminated through the urine (6.16 ± 1.91 ng/mL for the Pd intake of 250 ng/mL). A clear relationship between the Pd ingested dose and the Pd excretion amount was observed mainly in the feces. Absorbed Pd was mostly found in the kidney of rats (124.4 ± 23.0 ng/g dry weight, following the highest dose), while liver, lung, spleen and bones did not accumulate the metal. At the higher dosing, Pd content in the kidney raised proportionally with the Pd dose. Our findings may be useful to help in the understanding of the health impact of Pd dispersed in the environment as well as in identifying appropriate biological indices of Pd exposure.
A Holocene record of sea level, vegetation, people and fire from western Tasmania, Australia
Authors: Fletcher Michael-Shawn , Thomas Ian
Published: February 2010

The analysis of a 10 000 calendar year (cal. ka) pollen record on the west coast of Tasmania has revealed a suite of changes that can be related to sea level, fire and people. Fire-promoted moorland has occupied the site for the entire period and challenges the long-held assumption that rainforest dominated the landscape of western Tasmania through the early to mid Holocene. Changes in wetland taxa and the occurrence of benthic marine diatoms indicate a Holocene sea-level high-stand between 6.3 and 5.8 cal. ka. A significant and sustained rise in charcoal concentration occurs after 6 cal. ka, reflecting the combined effects of anthropogenic burning and hydrological changes that were probably modulated by regional climatic forcing. Finally, European colonisation resulted in a significant decrease in charcoal, rapid peat accumulation and a suite of vegetation changes.
Climate changes in the South Orkney Plateau during the last 8600 years
Authors: Jae Il Lee  , Bak Young-Suk , Yoo Kyu-Cheul , Hyoun Soo Lim  , Ho Il Yoon  , Suk Hee Yoon
Published: February 2010

Climatic and oceanographic changes in the South Orkney Plateau, western Antarctica, during the last 8600 years are reconstructed from a 525 cm long gravity core based on sedimentological, geochemical and diatom analyses. The core sediments are composed mostly of light greyish olive diatomaceous silt and mud with a few diatom ooze laminae in the basal part. The core can be divided at 350 cm into two units (4800 cal. yr BP): the lower unit is characterized by variable total organic carbon (TOC) content and higher CaCO3 content, and the upper unit is characterized by higher TOC and lower CaCO3. The content of biogenic silica varies similar to TOC content in the lower unit but does not increase in the upper unit despite increased TOC. The variations in the organic matter composition and the amount of carbonate suggest that Scotia Sea water had been dominant in the study area prior to 4800 cal. yr BP. Warmer conditions during the middle Holocene are also supported by the fewer sea-ice diatom taxa and a more sub-polar form of Eucampia antarctica in the lower unit. The increased sea ice and decreased influence of Scotia Sea water in the upper unit reflect climate cooling occurred at 4800 cal. yr BP.
The nature and dynamics of frozen ground in alpine and subarctic periglacial environments
Authors: Kneisel Christof
Published: February 2010

A spatial assessment of the complex discontinuous and sporadic permafrost distribution and characteristics in high-altitude alpine and high-latitude subarctic permafrost environments was achieved using a combination of different methodological approaches consisting of traditional (geomorphological mapping) and modern techniques (2D near surface geophysics, surface and subsurface temperature monitoring). For the study of alpine and subarctic mountain permafrost with small-scale heterogeneity of surface and subsurface characteristics electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has proven to be an especially well-suited and multifunctional method. Synoptic comparison of the nature and dynamics of frozen ground in alpine and subarctic periglacial environments confirmed heterogeneous and patchy permafrost occurrences showing a strong relationship to the surface textural characteristics and snow cover distribution and duration. Concerning frozen ground dynamics there is geomorphological and geophysical evidence for permafrost aggradation and degradation. At present both processes are possible in the investigated study areas with small-scale variation of the environmental factors. It can be concluded that permafrost with a timescale varying from several decades to a few thousand years can coexist in close proximity, such as, for instance, subrecent permafrost formation in a recently exposed glacier forefield and Holocene push moraines and rock glaciers. In order to account for the small-scale heterogeneity geomorphological field observations, geophysical mapping and multiple in situ measurements are required to understand complex periglacial environments, to monitor the contemporary permafrost conditions and enable a differentiation between interannual fluctuations from long-term trends. Such integrated approaches are thought to have the potential to improve the understanding of the Holocene and subrecent landscape evolution in complex glacial and periglacial environments which may exhibit active, inactive and relict landforms in close proximity.
Testate amoebae and δ13C of Sphagnum as surface-moisture proxies in Alaskan peatlands
Authors: Markel Erin R. , Booth Robert K. , Yangmin Qin
Published: February 2010

Testate amoebae and stable isotopes have been used as surface-moisture proxies in peatlands. However, adequate modern calibration is critical to successful application and interpretation. Testate amoebae, δ13C of Sphagnum, and environmental conditions were examined at 126 sites within 12 peatlands of south-central and central Alaska to assess the potential of testate amoebae and δ 13C as surface-moisture proxies. Results indicate that water-table depth and pH were both correlated with testate amoeba community composition. However, the relative importance of these two variables varied, with pH more important in wetter habitats and water-table depth more important in drier habitats. Cross-validation of transfer functions indicated that water-table depth and pH can be inferred from testate amoeba communities with mean errors of ~8 cm and ~0.4 pH units, respectively, an improvement over previous calibration work in the region. However, application of these transfer functions should consider potential temporal variability in the relative importance of pH and water-table depth, and we applied our calibration data set to a subfossil testate amoeba record to highlight how knowledge of changes in the relative importance of these environmental variables can inform interpretation. In contrast with testate amoebae, δ13C of Sphagnum was found to be a relatively weak indicator of water-table depth. Variable carbon sources for Sphagnum photosynthesis, such as CO2 released by methanotrophic bacteria, likely complicate the relationship between δ 13C and moisture. Although more work is needed before δ13C of Sphagnum can be used as a proxy for water-table depth, testate amoebae should be useful in paleoenvironmental studies of peatlands in Alaska.
Fostering the Intercultural Dimensions of Internationalisation in Higher Education: Metaphors and Challenges in the Japanese Context
Authors: Whitsed Craig , Volet Simone
Published: February 2010

The sustainability of many Japanese institutions of higher education is dependent on the injection of large numbers of foreigners. This requires addressing the intercultural dimensions of internationalisation. In this article, the authors contrast the literature on internationalisation in Japan ( kokusaika) with the Anglo-European discourse on internationalisation and highlight the limited attention given to intercultural dimensions in the Japanese context. The authors examine how the constrained professional situation of foreign English teachers seems to inhibit the generation of opportunities for promoting reciprocal intercultural understanding. The authors discuss how these teachers’ use of metaphorical constructs, such as uchi/soto and omote/ura, to frame their experience in the Japanese higher education context provide conceptually powerful tools with which to consider internationalisation in the Japanese higher education context. The authors conclude by arguing that metaphors that stress notions of difference and otherness are problematic as they create challenges for addressing the intercultural aspects of internationalisation in the Japanese context.
Compatibility Between Internationalizing and Africanizing Higher Education in South Africa
Authors: Botha Maria Magdalena
Published: February 2010

Internationalisation of the higher education sector across the world has become the norm and this is also true for South African universities. Another dimension has with increasing intension moved into the foreground, namely the need to Africanise South African higher education. The imperatives of these two dimensions are often portrayed as polarised positions and it is thus perceived that the one negates the benefits of the other. This article argues that compatibility exists between internationalisation and Africanisation of higher education in South Africa. To substantiate this argument, the conceptualisation of internationalisation and the Africanising of South African higher education, from selected literature, is presented. Subsequently, it is shown why these two conceptualisations could be perceived as contradictory to each other, and hence some touch points for finding compatibility between them are identified. Some pointers for further research are also indicated.
The heuristic application of explanatory theories in International Relations
Authors: Humphreys Adam R.C.
Published: February 2010

Explanatory theorists increasingly insist that their theories are useful even though they cannot be deductively applied. But if so, then how do such theories contribute to our understanding of international relations? I argue that explanatory theories are typically heuristically applied: theorists’ accounts of specific empirical episodes are shaped by their theories’ thematic content, but are not inferred from putative causal generalizations or covering laws. These accounts therefore gain no weight from their purely rhetorical association with theories’ quasi-deductive arguments: they must be judged on the plausibility of their empirical claims. Moreover, the quasi-deductive form in which explanatory theories are typically presented obscures their actual explanatory role, which is to indicate what sort of explanation may be required, to provide conceptual categories, and to suggest an empirical focus. This account of how theoretical explanations are constructed subverts the nomothetic–idiographic distinction that is often used to distinguish International Relations from History.
Aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) promoter polymorphism as a risk factor for ischaemic stroke in Tunisian Arabs
Authors: Saidi Sarra , Mahjoub Touhami , Almawi Wassim Y
Published: February 2010

Introduction. We investigated the contribution of aldosterone synthase CYP11B2 polymorphism (C—344T) to the age-related changes in blood pressure in stroke patients.

Subjects and methods. Study subjects comprised 329 stroke patients (121 normotensive, 208 hypertensive) and 444 healthy controls. Genotyping was done by PCR-RFLP, and the contribution of CYP11B2 polymorphism to the risk of stroke was analysed by regression analysis.

Results. The T allele, and CT, TT, and CT + TT genotypes, independently of sex and age, were significantly associated with increased stroke risk. Varied distributions of CYP11B2 genotypes were noted among patients with respect to gender, age and hypertension status, being pronounced in hypertensive patients. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were positively correlated with the presence of T allele. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher among young (< 60 years) CT and TT genotype carriers. Regression analysis confirmed the positive association of CT and TT genotypes and systolic blood pressure, and the negative association of diastolic blood pressure with odds of stroke development. Taking normotensive patients as reference, regression analysis identified TT genotype, age and female gender to be independently associated with increased odds of stroke.

Conclusion. Compared to CC genotype, CT and TT CYP11B2 genotypes are independently associated with increased stroke index.
Why Humans Are Unique: Three Theories
Authors: Premack David
Published: February 2010

Three recent papers reject Darwin's claim that there is no fundamental difference between humans and animals. Each offers a unique theory of the difference. The first theory holds that although animals can perceive perceptual relations, humans alone can reinterpret the higher order relations between these relations. The theory offers analogical reasoning as an example of the uniquely human ability to deal with higher order relations between relations. However, chimpanzees are capable of analogical reasoning if the analogies are conceptually simple. The second theory proposes that human intelligence has far better developed social than physical competence—a claim that ignores, and is contradicted by 20 years of infant research showing that the infant's social and physical modules are almost equally developed. The third theory finds that whereas animal abilities are limited adaptations restricted to a single goal, human abilities are domain general and serve indeterminately many goals. This article rejects the first two theories and explains the unique character of domain-general human competence in terms of the interweaving of evolutionarily independent abilities—an interweaving found in humans only.