bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycine-extended gastrin inhibits apoptosis in Barrett's oesophageal and oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells through JAK2/STAT3 activation
Authors: Beales Ian L P , Ogunwobi Olorunseun O
Published: January 2009

Barrett's oesophagus (BO) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) are regarded as complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, although all the factors that contribute to the development of these lesions are unknown. Acid suppressive drugs are widely used for symptomatic therapy of reflux disease but may induce hypersecretion of gastrin peptides. Amidated gastrin (G-17) has been shown to be a growth factor for OAC cells. We have examined the effects of glycine-extended gastrin (G-Gly), an alternative product of progastrin processing on apoptosis in the QhERT Barrett's oesophageal cell line and OE33 and BIC-1 OAC cells. G-Gly inhibited serum-starvation and camptothecin-induced apoptosis in all three cell lines, G-17 was only effective in OE33 cells. By contrast to the effects of G-17, the anti-apoptotic effect of G-Gly was independent of both the CCK2 receptor and cyclo-oxygenase-2 activity. G-Gly stimulated JAK2 phosphorylation and kinase activity and JAK2-dependent STAT3 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity. G-Gly also increased mRNA and protein levels of the anti-apoptotic proteins survivin and BCL2L1 but did not affect the levels of BAD, BAX or BCL-2. Novel small molecule inhibitors of JAK2 and STAT3 as well as STAT3 siRNA blocked the anti-apoptotic effects of G-Gly and inhibited the induction of survivin and BCL2L1 in OE33 cells. We conclude that G-Gly inhibits apoptosis in BO and OAC via mechanisms distinct from those activated by G-17 and involving JAK2 and STAT3 activation. Release of gastrin peptides in response to acid suppressive therapy may adversely influence the dynamics of the epithelium in BO.
Re-evaluation of the prolactin receptor expression in human breast cancer
Authors: Galsgaard Elisabeth Douglas , Rasmussen Birgitte Bruun , Folkesson Charlotta Grånäs , Rasmussen Louise Maymann , Berchtold Martin Werner , Christensen Leif , Panina Svetlana
Published: January 2009

The pituitary hormone PRL is involved in tumorigenesis in rodents and humans. PRL promotes proliferation, survival and migration of cancer cells acting via the PRL receptor (PRLR). Aiming to perform a large-scale immunohistochemical (IHC) screening of human mammary carcinomas for PRLR expression, we evaluated the specificity of commercially available anti-human PRLR antibodies (B6.2, U5, PRLRi pAb, 1A2B1, 250448 and H-300). The latter three antibodies were found to specifically recognise PRLR. The relative PRLR expression level detected with these antibodies closely reflected the level of 125I-PRL binding to the cell surface. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) 250448 was specific for the N-glycosylated form of PRLR and blocked PRL binding and signalling. The PRLRi polyclonal antibody recognised cytokeratin-18. The mAb B6.2, previously used in a number of studies, was found to lack specificity for PRLR and to rather recognise a PRLR-associated protein. The mAb U5 raised against the rat PRLR did not cross-react with the human receptor. Only one mAb, 1A2B1, was found useful for detection of PRLR in IHC applications. This antibody recognised PRLR expressed in human breast cancer cell lines and decidual cells in tissue sections of human placenta. Screening of 160 mammary adenocarcinomas demonstrated significant immunoreactivity in only four tumours, indicating that PRLR is generally not strongly upregulated in human breast cancer. However, even a very low level of PRLR expression was found to be sufficient to mediate PRL responsiveness in breast cancer cell lines.
Chemical analysis of endolymph and the growing otolith: Fractionation of metals in freshwater fish species
Authors: Melancon Sonia , Fryer Brian J. , Markham James L.
Published: January 2009

The fractionation of metals from water to otolith is an area of research that has received relatively limited attention, especially in freshwater systems. The objectives of the present research were to study the metal partitioning between otolith and endolymph of two freshwater species: Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and burbot (Lota lota). We also included the chemical analyses of water and blood from fish of the same species collected in the same area but during different years. These results provide insight regarding the partition of metals between water and fish. This is one of the first studies to provide a range of trace metal concentrations for endolymph and the growing otolith (both aragonite and vaterite) and to directly measure otolith—endolymph partition coefficients for freshwater fish. The trace elements (Mg, Sr, and Ba) most often used as otolith elemental tracers were the ones with the lowest uptake from water to blood. We found that endolymph and whole blood had similar metal concentrations, with Mg and Fe being the only elements enriched in whole blood. Results showed few significant differences in trace metal content between wild lake trout and burbot endolymph (except for K, Mg, and Ba), but significant differences existed between their aragonitic otoliths. These results suggest two different crystallization processes in these species or the presence of different proteins (and/or organic matrices) that would selectively influence elemental incorporation in the otoliths.
Lag phase, dynamic alpha factor and ammonium adsorption behaviour: introduction of special activated sludge characteristics in the ASM3 + EAWAG-BioP-model
Authors: Alex J. , Holm N. C. , Rönner-Holm S. G. E.
Published: January 2009

In five full-scale municipal sequential batch reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) indications for lag phases, a dynamic alpha factor and ammonium adsorption behaviour of the activated sludge were found. A dynamic simulation analysis of all WWTPs showed the need to implement these characteristics into the model in order to improve the calibration procedure, to meet better results for optimisation studies and even to calculate better fitting running costs including the aeration energy. Even if these effects could be characterised as minor effects, it is planned to utilise the knowledge about these effects for further optimisation of the SBR process and to achieve significant improvements.
Investigation of river eutrophication as part of a low dissolved oxygen total maximum daily load implementation
Authors: Stringfellow William , Herr Joel , Litton Gary , Brunell Mark , Borglin Sharon , Hanlon Jeremy , Chen Carl , Graham Justin , Burks Remie , Dahlgren Randy , Kendall Carol , Brown Russ , Quinn Nigel
Published: January 2009

In the United States, environmentally impaired rivers are subject to regulation under total maximum daily load (TMDL) regulations that specify watershed wide water quality standards. In California, the setting of TMDL standards is accompanied by the development of scientific and management plans directed at achieving specific water quality objectives. The San Joaquin River (SJR) in the Central Valley of California now has a TMDL for dissolved oxygen (DO). Low DO conditions in the SJR are caused in part by excessive phytoplankton growth (eutrophication) in the shallow, upstream portion of the river that create oxygen demand in the deeper estuary. This paper reports on scientific studies that were conducted to develop a mass balance on nutrients and phytoplankton in the SJR. A mass balance model was developed using WARMF, a model specifically designed for use in TMDL management applications. It was demonstrated that phytoplankton biomass accumulates rapidly in a 88 km reach where plankton from small, slow moving tributaries are diluted and combined with fresh nutrient inputs in faster moving water. The SJR-WARMF model was demonstrated to accurately predict phytoplankton growth in the SJR. Model results suggest that modest reductions in nutrients alone will not limit algal biomass accumulation, but that combined strategies of nutrient reduction and algal control in tributaries may have benefit. The SJR-WARMF model provides stakeholders a practical, scientific tool for setting remediation priorities on a watershed scale.
Performic acid (PFA): tests on an advanced primary effluent show promising disinfection performance
Authors: Gehr R. , Chen D. , Moreau M.
Published: January 2009

Performic acid, or PFA (CH2O3), is a well-known oxidizing agent and disinfectant in the medical field and food industry. It has recently become available on a commercial scale for potential use in wastewater disinfection. This study investigated its application to an advanced primary effluent which is recalcitrant to disinfection by UV and peracetic acid (PAA). Methods were developed for determining PFA concentrations in stock solutions as well as in residual concentrations in the wastewater. Batch and continuous-flow pilot studies showed a correlation between log fecal coliform removals and PFA doses. A PFA dose of approximately 3.4 mg/L and a contact time of 45 minutes could achieve 3-logs removal, and almost total disinfection could be achieved using a dose of 6 mg/L. The by-products of PFA addition are hydrogen peroxide and formic acid (CHOOH), neither of which is considered to be toxic to aquatic fauna at the doses required for disinfection.
Characterization and modeling of turbidity density plume induced into stratified reservoir by flood runoffs
Authors: Chung S. W. , Lee H. S.
Published: January 2009

In monsoon climate area, turbidity flows typically induced by flood runoffs cause numerous environmental impacts such as impairment of fish habitat and river attraction, and degradation of water supply efficiency. This study was aimed to characterize the physical dynamics of turbidity plume induced into a stratified reservoir using field monitoring and numerical simulations, and to assess the effect of different withdrawal scenarios on the control of downstream water quality. Three different turbidity models (RUN1, RUN2, RUN3) were developed based on a two-dimensional laterally averaged hydrodynamic and transport model, and validated against field data. RUN1 assumed constant settling velocity of suspended sediment, while RUN2 estimated the settling velocity as a function of particle size, density, and water temperature to consider vertical stratification. RUN3 included a lumped first-order turbidity attenuation rate taking into account the effects of particles aggregation and degradable organic particles. RUN3 showed best performance in replicating the observed variations of in-reservoir and release turbidity. Numerical experiments implemented to assess the effectiveness of different withdrawal depths showed that the alterations of withdrawal depth can modify the pathway and flow regimes of the turbidity plume, but its effect on the control of release water quality could be trivial.
An objective test of stochastic behavior in riverine water quality models
Authors: Parker G. T. , Droste R. L. , Rennie C. D.
Published: January 2009

Predictions of river water quality models are subject to substantial uncertainties, which depend not only on parameterization and calibration strategies but also on the structure of the conceptual model itself. To evaluate the importance of this effect and associated implications for stochastic models, investigations were conducted based on a segment of the Potomac River in the eastern USA. Two commonly used conceptual representations of real-world processes were used, and their simulation of DO, BOD and NH4 components scrutinized. A GLUE approach to the inverse problem was then used to examine how uncertainty changed along the river network for each conceptual model. Differences were observed not only between deterministic instances of each conceptual model, but also between their response surfaces as a whole. Uncertainties within the river network are substantially influenced by the selection of calibration data used, as well as the primary source of the constituent examined. The suggested methodology can be used to test conceptual model validity for specific applications. The results of this study will help users select and assess models for varied problems, and refine appropriate data collection and monitoring schemes.
Reclamation and agricultural reuse of wastewater: the experience of the Cagliari sewage treatment plant (Sardinia, Italy)
Authors: Botti P. , Virdis A. , Solinas G. , Buscarinu P. , Ferralis M. , Marras G. , Spanu P. , Vacca S.
Published: January 2009

In Sardinia, as in many other Mediterranean regions, recurrent droughts and climate change have dramatically reduced available water resources. As a result of this critical situation, in 1995 the Italian Government declared a state of emergency and drew up a program for financial support by the State and local authorities with the aim of reducing this serious deficit. One of the actions focused on reclaiming and reusing the effluent from the sewage treatment plant of Cagliari. This article reports on the multidisciplinary preliminary study performed by the Ente Acque della Sardegna (ENAS) to evaluate the suitability of reusing Is Arenas effluent for irrigation and on the operation of the tertiary treatment plant.
Comparative performance evaluation of full-scale anaerobic and aerobic wastewater treatment processes in Brazil
Authors: von Sperling M. , Oliveira S. C.
Published: January 2009

This article evaluates and compares the actual behavior of 166 full-scale anaerobic and aerobic wastewater treatment plants in operation in Brazil, providing information on the performance of the processes in terms of the quality of the generated effluent and the removal efficiency achieved. The observed results of effluent concentrations and removal efficiencies of the constituents BOD, COD, TSS (total suspended solids), TN (total nitrogen), TP (total phosphorus) and FC (faecal or thermotolerant coliforms) have been compared with the typical expected performance reported in the literature. The treatment technologies selected for study were: (a) predominantly anaerobic: (i) septic tank + anaerobic filter (ST + AF), (ii) UASB reactor without post-treatment (UASB) and (iii) UASB reactor followed by several post-treatment processes (UASB + POST); (b) predominantly aerobic: (iv) facultative pond (FP), (v) anaerobic pond followed by facultative pond (AP + FP) and (vi) activated sludge (AS). The results, confirmed by statistical tests, showed that, in general, the best performance was achieved by AS, but closely followed by UASB reactor, when operating with any kind of post-treatment. The effluent quality of the anaerobic processes ST + AF and UASB reactor without post-treatment was very similar to the one presented by facultative pond, a simpler aerobic process, regarding organic matter.
The aims of galliforms release and choice of techniques
Authors: Sokos Christos K. , Birtsas Periklis K. , Tsachalidis Efstathios P.
Published: January 2009

Release of Galliformes species is common management practice in Europe and North America. Here, we attempt to synthesise available information on the release of wild‐caught and captive‐reared galliforms, and discuss how rearing and release techniques affect release success. Galliforms are released into the wild to increase hunted populations with after‐hunting‐season releases, to establish new populations, to augment threatened populations, and to be used for ‘put and take’ shooting. We conclude that the release of artificially reared galliforms after the hunting season is not suitable practice to increase an already viable population. Release for ‘put and take’ shooting is an alienated form of hunting, and it raises ethical questions. ‘Put and take’ should be strictly examined in the context of wildlife conservation, hunting culture, philosophy and economy. In the case of population establishment and augmentation, translocation of wild‐caught birds is by far the best choice. The alternative choice is release of naturally or semi‐naturally reared birds and anti‐predator trained birds. Galliform release should not be a stereotyped process with many failures, but rather a practice in which correct techniques are used for the pursued aim.
Reproduction parameters of the Iberian hare Lepus granatensis at the edge of its range
Authors: Fernandez Alfonso , Soriguer Ramón , Castien Enrique , Carro Francisco
Published: January 2009

In order to provide a basis for the sustainable exploitation of the heavily hunted Iberian hare Lepus granatensis, we compared its reproductive parameters at the northern edge of its range, where it occurs at low densities, with those reported in other studies elsewhere within the species' range. Monthly samples totalling 212 Iberian hares (104 males and 108 females) were collected in the province of Navarra during November 2001 ‐ December 2002. Reproductive parameters varied only slightly from season to season. Sexually competent males, defined by the presence of epididymal spermatozoa, were present in all bimonthly periods. Reproductively active adult females were also present in all the bimonthly periods, although a slight seasonality was detected: the highest incidence of pregnancy and lactation (100%) occurred in March‐April, while the lowest incidence of adult females that were neither pregnant nor lactating (15%) occurred in September‐December. Mean annual litter size was 2.09 and the theoretical value of annual young production per female was estimated to be 16.1, which is much higher than estimates reported in studies of L. granatensis in Portugal and southern Spain. In Navarra, which is at the northern limit of the species' range, densities are low due to intense hunting. However, the observed reproductive potential was surprisingly high and facilitates recruitment to the population which could, to a certain extent, make up for the high hunting pressure in the area.
Receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and soluble RAGE (sRAGE): cardiovascular implications
Authors: Lindsey Jason B , Cipollone Francesco , Abdullah Shuaib M , Mcguire Darren K
Published: January 2009

Disorders of glucose metabolism are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) complications, including coronary, peripheral and cerebral arterial disease, that account for the majority of morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). These associations between glucose and CVD risk extend continuously well below the glycaemic thresholds established for the diagnosis of diabetes, including significantly increased risk associated with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and even high normal glucose concentrations. While these epidemiological observations have established a clear association between cardiovascular disease and dysglycaemia and suggest a direct causal link, the mechanisms by which hyperglycaemia may contribute to the development, progression and instability of atherosclerosis remain unclear. A number of recent advances in the realm of vascular biology have identified several novel, plausible pathways that might link hyperglycaemia with atherosclerosis, individually or in aggregate. Key among them are the interaction between advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and the receptor for AGEs (RAGE), which exists as a trans-membrane signalling receptor and as a circulating form, soluble RAGE (sRAGE).

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the present understanding of RAGE and sRAGE, their plausible role linking perturbed glucose metabolism with the development, progression and instability of atherosclerosis, and the potential therapeutic implications of modulation of this biological system.
Circulating soluble CD36 is associated with glucose metabolism and interleukin-6 in glucose-intolerant men
Authors: Handberg Aase , Lopez-Bermejo Abel , Bassols Judit , Vendrell Joan , Ricart Wifredo , Fernandez-Real Jose M
Published: January 2009

Recently, soluble CD36 (sCD36) levels were reported to be elevated in type 2 diabetes, and to be tightly correlated with insulin resistance. Our aim was to obtain further insight into the relationship between insulin sensitivity, low-grade inflammation and sCD36.

We studied glucose-tolerant (n=90) and glucose-intolerant (n=57) moderately obese men. Insulin sensitivity was measured by the frequent sample intravenous glucose tolerance test, and sCD36 by an in-house ELISA assay.

In glucose-intolerant subjects, sCD36 was negatively associated with insulin sensitivity and positively with interleukin-6 (IL-6), fasting glucose, fasting triglycerides, fat-free mass and platelet count. On multiple linear regression analyses, insulin sensitivity contributed 22% of sCD36 variance, independent of age, body mass index (BMI) and IL-6, in glucose-intolerant subjects. The level of sCD36 in subjects with glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) above the mean was higher than in those with HbA1C values below the mean.

Insulin sensitivity is a predictor of sCD36 in men with impaired glucose tolerance. IL-6 is related to sCD36 but does not predict sCD36 independent of insulin sensitivity and BMI.
Is nuclear magnetic resonance lipoprotein subclass related to diabetic retinopathy? The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Kreis Andreas J , Wong Tien Yin , Islam FM Amirul , Klein Ronald , Klein Barbara EK , Cotch Mary Frances , Jenkins Alicia J , Shea Steven , Wang Jie Jin
Published: January 2009

Objective

To examine the associations between nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) defined lipoproteins and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a population-based sample of adults with type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods

In all, 921 persons with diabetes in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) were included. DR was assessed from retinal photographs. Lipoproteins were measured by NMR spectroscopy.

Results

After controlling for age, race/ethnicity, study centre and diabetes and vascular risk factors, no consistent patterns of associations between NMR-defined lipoprotein particle concentrations and subclass with DR were evident.

Conclusion

The lack of association between NMR-defined lipoproteins and DR does not support clinical use of NMR spectroscopy for management of patients with DR.
Contestation over Resources: The Farmer-Miner Dispute in Colonial Zimbabwe, 1903-1939
Authors: Musemwa Muchaparara
Published: January 2009

The formative years of settler occupation in colonial Zimbabwe were characterised by conflict at various levels of the economic and governmental structures. While historians have explored some of these conflicts, the history and environmental implications of the long-standing dispute between miners and farmers over timber, water, grazing rights and land damage caused by mining operations on farms on the Gold Belt, have received astonishingly little attention from either historians or other social scientists. Focusing on the period, 1903-1939, the study argues that when farmers raised concerns about miners' activities, this was not about 'precautionary stewardship' of the environment designed to stop entrepreneurial practices harmful to the environment. This was a struggle over the ownership of the means of production by two competing forms of capitalism - a characteristic intra-class as well as intra-racial conflict. This dispute simultaneously represents an ecological narrative of settler colonisation and entrenchment in colonial Zimbabwe.
Book Reviews
Authors: Musemwa Muchapara , Satya Laxman D. , Robin Libby , Balzaretti Ross , Dobrovolny Susanne
Published: January 2009

Diana K. Davis, Resurrecting the Granary of Rome: Environmental History and French Colonial Expansion in North Africa (MUCHAPARARA MUSEMWA)
Neena Ambre Rao, Forest Ecology in India: Colonial Maharashtra, 1850-1950 (LAXMAN D. SATYA)
Paige West, Conservation is our Government Now: The Politics of Ecology in Papua New Guinea (LIBBY ROBIN)
John Elder, Pilgrimage to Vallombrosa. From Vermont to Italy in the Footsteps of George Perkins Marsh (ROSS BALZARETTI)
Gregory S. Aldrete, Floods of the Tiber in Ancient Rome (SUSANNE DOBROVOLNY)
Visionary Dances: Ashton's Ballets of the Second World War
Authors: MORRIS GERALDINE
Published: January 2009

Save for a cursory reference, art history tends to ignore dance and in particular the work made by Graham Sutherland and John Piper for the choreographer Frederick Ashton during the early 1940s. By overlooking dance and its designs, other than those for the Ballets Russes, the art world is wasting a valuable resource. In the following article I consider how the collaborations between Ashton, Sutherland and Piper illuminate the extent to which both the ballets and their designs were products not only of the circumstances of the 1939–1945 war but also, in particular, the propaganda of the period. This article considers how the particular discursive formations that shaped Ashton's ballets and the work of the artists led to dances and designs that were unique in both Ashton's output and that of the two painters.
Passions and Actions: Deleuze's CinematographicCogito
Authors: Rushton Richard
Published: January 2009

When writing about cinema does Deleuze have a conception of cinema spectatorship? In New Philosophy for New Media, Mark Hansen argues that Deleuze does have a conception of cinema spectatorship but that the subjectivity central to that spectatorship is weak and impoverished. This article argues against Hansen's reductive interpretation of Deleuze. In doing so, it relies on the three syntheses of time developed in Difference and Repetition alongside an elaboration of Deleuze's notion of a ‘cinematographic Cogito’. In this way, the article offers a way of understanding the processes of cinema spectatorship from a Deleuzian perspective.
Painting as Hysteria: Deleuze on Bacon
Authors: Geyskens Tomas
Published: January 2009

Deleuze's work on Francis Bacon is an aesthetic clinic of hysteria and an implicit critique of the psychoanalytic conception of hysteria. Bacon's paintings reveal what is at stake in hysteria: not the symbolic expression of unconscious representations, but the pure presence of the body, the experience of the body under the organism. Inspired by the work of the phenomenologist Henri Maldiney, Deleuze argues that Bacon's paintings become non-figurative without being abstract. In this way, painting shows the hysterical struggle of the body to escape from itself in the rhythm of its movement.
The Determination of Sense via Deleuze and Blanchot: Paradoxes of the Habitual, the Immemorial, and the Eternal Return
Authors: Young Eugene Brently
Published: January 2009

Eternal return is the paradox that accounts for the interplay between difference and repetition, a dynamic at the heart of Deleuze's philosophy, and Blanchot's approach to this paradox, even and especially through what it elides, further illuminates it. Deleuze draws on Blanchot's characterisations of difference, forgetting, and the unlivable to depict the ‘sense’ produced via eternal return, which, for Blanchot, is where repetition implicates or ‘carries’ pure difference. However, for Deleuze, difference and the unlivable are also developed by the living repetition or ‘contraction’ of habit, which results in his distinctive characterization of ‘force’, ‘levity’, and sense in eternal return.
Exochelin Production in Mycobacterium neoaurum
Authors: Chan Kok-Gan
Published: January 2009

Mycobacterium neoaurum is a soil saprophyte and obligate aerobic bacterium. This group of mycobacterium is relatively fast-growing. They form colonies on nutrient agar at 37ºC within 3 – 4 days. In natural soil habitats, bioavailability of iron is limited. To facilitate iron uptake, most mycobacteria produce siderophores. One example is exochelin, which is extracellular and water-soluble. In this report, the production of exochelin in M. neoaurum was induced in iron-deficiency, but repressed under iron-sufficiency growth conditions. It is however not induced under zinc-deficiency growth conditions. The growth of this mycobacterium was correlated with exochelin secretion under iron-deficiency culture conditions. When M. neoaurum was grown in defined medium containing 0.04 μg Fe(III)/mL (final concentration), the production of exochelin reached a maximum and the corresponding cell growth was comparable to that under iron-sufficiency conditions. In this study, exochelin was purified from spent supernatant of M. neoaurum bysemi-preparative chromatography. When saturated ferric chloride solution was added into the purified exochelin, a ferri-exochelin complex was formed. It is proposed that iron uptake in M. neoaurum is exochelin-mediated.
An Approach for Rapid Assessment of Seismic Hazards in Turkey by Continuous GPS Data
Authors: Ozener Haluk , Dogru Asli , Unlutepe Ahmet
Published: January 2009

The Earth is being monitored every day by all kinds of sensors. This leads an overflow of data in all branches of science nowadays, especially in Earth Sciences. Data storage and data processing are the problems to be solved by current technologies, as well as by those accessing and analyzing these large data sources. Once solutions have been created for collecting, storing and accessing data, then the challenge becomes how to effectively share data, applications and processing resources across many locations. The Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors are being used as geodetic instruments to precisely detect crustal motion in the Earth’s surface. Rapid access to data provided by GPS sensors is becoming increasingly important for deformation monitoring and rapid hazard assessments. Today, reliable and fast collection and distribution of data is a challenge and advances in Internet technologies have made it easier to provide the needed data. This study describes a system which will be able to generate strain maps using data from continuous GPS stations for seismic hazard analysis. Strain rates are a key factor in seismic hazard analyses. Turkey is a country prone to earthquakes with a long history of seismic hazards and disasters. This situation has resulted in the studies by Earth scientists that focus on Turkey in order to improve their understanding of the Earth’s crust structure and seismic hazards. Nevertheless, the construction of models, data access and analysis are often not fast as expected, but the combination of Internet technologies with continuous GPS sensors can be a solution to overcome this problem. This system would have the potential to answer many important questions to assess seismic hazards such as how much stretching, squashing and shearing is taking place in different parts of Turkey, and how do velocities change from place to place? Seismic hazard estimation is the most effective way to reduce earthquake losses. It is clear that reliability of data and on-line services will support the preparation of strategies for disaster management and planning to cope with hazards.
WHAT COMES AFTER THE NATION? POSSIBLE SCENARIOS OF POSTNATIONALISM IN CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE (THE CASE OF LITHUANIA)
Authors: Savukynas Virginijus
Published: January 2009

The article analyses possible transformations of nationalism in contemporary Lithuania. The author argues that two forces influence the national identity. On the one hand, local identities have been strengthening. Currently, an attempt to revive / create a Samogitian identity based on certain political goals is rather visible in Lithuania. On the other hand, an opposite process can also be observed: it is a wish to revive a region corresponding to the boundaries of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The article concludes that due to globalization processes national identity receives pressure both from the “above” and “below”, i.e. alternative identity models are being offered in relation to either local identities or regional identities covering several states.
NATIONAL AND EUROPEAN IDENTITY
Authors: Lendvai Ferenc L.
Published: January 2009

According to a generally accepted conception, members of a nation foster their national identity through assorting their memories of the past, elaborating and preserving their symbols collectively. We have to look for the original unity forming the basis of national unity either in the cohesive force of common origin and residence, or in the self‐conscious contracts of the individuals, or in both. The European Union as such does not have sovereignty; those of the Member States overrule its legislative and executive institutions. Perhaps we can speak about the European Union as a community on a cultural basis. This will raise the question of multiculturalism. Recently an interesting polemic has been developing on the concept and role of Leitkultur. In antiquity the Imperium Romanum, in the Middle Ages the Republica Christiana seem to have been the multicultural forerunners of the European Union.
IS POLICY OF MEMORY POSSIBLE AND HOW?
Authors: Kowalska ioletta Małgorzata
Published: January 2009

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept and possibility of the democratic policy of collective memory in national and trans‐national, or European, contexts. The presupposition of the paper is that memory, while largely unintentional, is also intentional and even partially constructed and, as such, always subjected to influences, even manipulations, i.e. to different policies. Memory is no doubt a “political question” and every policy deals with it, trying to shape social memory according to some political and ideological objectives. In particular, communism implied a very strong policy of memory aiming at destroying many sorts and layers of memory in favour of another. After the fall of communism there have also been many attempts at reshaping collective memory. These recent attempts have been certainly much more democratic than the communist manipulations but far from being based on the democratic principle of equality of different perspectives and discussion. The attempt was rather, namely in Poland, to replace, once again, one kind of “official” memory by another. The really democratic policy of collective memory should imply, on the contrary, a free confrontation of different and sometimes opposing memories in the open public sphere where no “symbolic violence” has place and where all participants not only treat each other as equals but are also ready to modify the meaning of their particular memory and look for mutual comprehension, if not for agreement. The question is whether such democratic policy can ever be more than a moral postulation.
THE CULTURAL-HISTORICAL MEMORY OF THE GRAND DUCHY OF LITHUANIA AS AN EXPRESSION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY AND AS A CULTURAL CAPITAL FACILITATING INTEGRATION INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION
Authors: Andrijauskas Antanas
Published: January 2009

The object of the article is the duality of the cultural‐historical memory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania between the worlds of the Latin West and the Byzantine Slavic East, strongly affected the historical memory and mentality of the Lithuanian nation and shaped many of the forms of cultural and national self‐identification, forms which are historically changing and characteristic for a border culture. After concisely discussing various aspects of the cultural history of the GDL, that have strongly affected Lithuanian historical memory, it is possible to state that homogeneity was alien for Lithuanian culture, which had insinuated itself between the Latin West and the Byzantine East and which, from the first century of the appearance of the state, was distinguished by a heterogeneous cultural orientation with diverse directions.
THE MORAL PSYCHOLOGY OF EUROPEANNESS: DIVERSIFIED, HORIZONTAL AFFECTIVITY
Authors: Brown Eric , Szalai Judit
Published: January 2009

The question the authors of this paper raise is what kind of positive emotional attitudes the sustained, fruitful existence of the European Union (EU) takes on the part of its citizens. It is argued that the EU as a polity is an inappropriate object for patriotism. The emotions the authors envisage as constituting the necessary affective basis for the political community are based on developing horizontal relationships among citizens and their relationships to institutions that the EU makes possible.
REGIONAL MODELS OF URBANIZATION AND NATIONAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT (CASE STUDY OF BELARUS)
Authors: Danskikh Siarhei
Published: January 2009

The article discusses the influence of the process of urbanization on the Belarusian nationality. Due to some historical conditions the Western cities‐communes have not formed in Belarus. At the beginning of the New Ages the Belarusian city has had Magdeburgian law and the trading relations, it has been the centre of the political life, the residence of the State officials and the provinces. Through the social‐economical backwardness of the Russian empire the peasants of Belarus could not move into the towns from the country. The towns and the cities in Belarus were not Belarusian but Jewish and Polish ones. Due to the World War II there have emerged the Polish Holocaust, repatriation and the Soviet industrialization which have made some auspicious conditions for the overtaking modernization in Belarus. During only one generation the peasant Belarusian nation has become the urban one. Such overtaking process of the urbanization has been preventing the formation of the standards and the traditions of the Belarusian city. The basis of the social and cultural life of Belarusians has been forming the traditions of the Soviet culture. That is why we can come to the conclusion that the overtaking modernization is closely related to the radical changes of the national identity. The more overtaking is modernization of the cities and the whole State, the more dangerous is the deprivation of the national peculiarity. The nation whose spiritual life is not utterly formed can hardly successfully adapt itself to the social and economical changes, which are determined by the overtaking modernization. These alterations do absolutely not correspond to its spiritual way of life.
BELARUSIAN-POLISH-LITHUANIAN BORDERLANDS: PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Biaspamiatnych Mikalai
Published: January 2009

The paper presents opportunities of the phenomenological approach towards the Belarusian‐Polish‐Lithuanian borderlands. Such approach is based upon the principles of understanding of social reality elaborated in phenomenology (E. Husserl, M. Heidegger) and phenomenological sociology (A. Schutz) and presents a different view of the borderlands as compared with the traditional (classical) sociology. The social and cultural space of the borderlands is reflected in the modes of distance (close ‐ distant), temporality (now ‐ then) and the “presence of the Other” (local ‐ stranger), as well as their interrelated modifications. It helps to understand the degree of the acquisition / alienation of various cultural and political phenomena of the historical past and the present‐day life. The historical events and personalities, as well as existing monuments of culture in the borderlands are reflected in “our / alien” dichotomy. This results in the representation of the identities of the borderlands as liquid and plural constructs and the matters of interpretation.
The use of higher dose clofarabine in adults with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: McGregor Bradley A. , Brown Alexander W. , Osswald Michael B. , Savona Michael R.
Published: January 2009

The standard dose of clofarabine is 52 mg/m2 for pediatrics and 40 mg/m2 in adults. Clofarabine dosed at 52 mg/m2 was used in adult patients with refractory ALL to maximize response before allo‐HSCT. All patients had a significant response to therapy. Published pharmacokinetic analysis revealed no difference in peak plasma or intracellular concentrations at clofarabine dosed above 40 mg/m2, yet inhibition of replication in leukemia cells was only sustained over 24 hr at 55 mg/m2. Despite this, there have been no reports of high dose clofarabine used in this setting. Our experience implies that there may be a niche role for clofarabine in reducing disease burden before allo‐HSCT for adults with relapsed ALL. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Size‐Dependent Ordering of Liquid Crystals Observed in Polymeric Capsules with Micrometer and Smaller Diameters
Authors: Gupta Jugal K. , Sivakumar Sri , Caruso Frank , Abbott Nicholas L.
Published: January 2009

Wässrige Dispersionen von polymerverkapselten Flüssigkristall(LC)‐Tröpfchen mit definierten Grenzflächen und Größen im Mikro‐ und Submikrometerbereich zeigen eine größenabhängige LC‐Anordnung. Der konkurrierende Einfluss von Größe und Grenzflächeneigenschaften auf die LC‐Anordnung wurde untersucht, sodass solche LC‐Tröpfchen in der Photonik oder Sensorik zur Anwendung kommen könnten.

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Brückenschlag in der Katalyse: Immobilisierung von molekularen Katalysatoren in funktionellen Materialien
Authors: Thomas Arne , Driess Matthias
Published: January 2009

Zwei Welten vereint: Viel Forschungsarbeit wurde bereits investiert, um das Potenzial molekularer Katalysatoren mit dem funktioneller Trägermaterialien zu verbinden. Ein Ansatz zur Vereinigung von Homogen‐ und Heterogenkatalysatoren ist die Einbettung eines metallorganischen Katalysators in eine Metallmatrix. Dies führt zu definierten Kompositmaterialien, die als Heterogenkatalysatoren zur Hydrierung von Styrol und Diphenylacetylen verwendet wurden.

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Supramolecular “Double‐Propeller” Dimers of Hexanuclear CuII/LnIII Complexes: A {Cu3Dy3}2 Single‐Molecule Magnet
Authors: Novitchi Ghenadie , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang , Chibotaru Liviu F. , Costes Jean‐Pierre , Anson Christopher E. , Powell Annie K.
Published: January 2009

Verstärkt magnetisch: Eine außergewöhnliche supramolekulare Organisation führt zu einem zwölfkernigen dimeren {Cu3Dy3}2‐Cluster mit der Form eines Doppelpropellers (siehe Bild). Sowohl die intramolekularen als auch die supramolekularen Verknüpfungen der CuDy‐Einheiten scheinen für die beobachtete drastische Veränderung des Einzelmolekülmagnetismus ausschlaggebend zu sein.

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Artificial Ribozyme Switches Containing Natural Riboswitch Aptamer Domains
Authors: Wieland Markus , Benz Armin , Klauser Benedikt , Hartig Jörg S.
Published: January 2009

RNA‐Lego: Die Verwendung von natürlichen RNA‐Schalter‐Aptameren in synthetischen RNA‐Schaltern (siehe Bild) dürfte die Bandbreite künstlicher RNA‐Regulatoren enorm vergrößern. Es wird gezeigt, dass Thiaminpyrophosphat‐Aptamere in gentechnisch veränderten Funktionseinheiten als hochempfindliche Schalter der Genexpression in nichtmodifizierten Organismen eingesetzt werden können. Der Ansatz illustriert, dass intrinsische Metabolite als externe Effektoren zellulärer Funktionen nutzbar sind.

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Plugging a Molecular Wire into Photosystem I: Reconstitution of the Photoelectric Conversion System on a Gold Electrode
Authors: Terasaki Nao , Yamamoto Noritaka , Hiraga Takashi , Yamanoi Yoshinori , Yonezawa Tetsu , Nishihara Hiroshi , Ohmori Tsutomu , Sakai Makoto , Fujii Masaaki , Tohri Akihiko , Iwai Masako , Inoue Yasunori , Yoneyama Satoshi , Minakata Makoto , Enami Isao
Published: January 2009

Nach Anregung mit Licht überträgt das P700 des Photosystems I (PS I) Elektronen auf eine Goldoberfläche (siehe Bild). Dabei kommt ein neuartiges molekulares Verbindersystem zum Einsatz, in dem ein künstlicher molekularer Draht, der auf der Goldoberfläche angeordnet ist, durch Rekonstitution mit PS I verbunden wurde. Die Analyse der Kinetik des Photoelektronentransfers belegt die Abgabe von Elektronen aus PS I sowie die Effektivität des molekularen Drahts.

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Electronic Absorption Spectra and Redox Properties of C Type Cytochromes in Living Microbes
Authors: Nakamura Ryuhei , Ishii Kazuyuki , Hashimoto Kazuhito
Published: January 2009

Shewanella is an electrogenic microbe that has significant content of c type cytochromes (ca. 0.5 mM). This feature allows the optical absorption spectra of the cell‐membrane‐associated proteins to be monitored in vivo in the course of extracellular respiratory electron‐transfer reactions. The results show significant differences to those obtained in vitro with purified proteins.

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Bridging the Materials Gap in Catalysis: Entrapment of Molecular Catalysts in Functional Supports and Beyond
Authors: Thomas Arne , Driess Matthias
Published: January 2009

Rising sun of the materials world: Tremendous efforts are being made to combine the potential of molecular catalysts with that of functional supports. An approach towards unifying homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis is the entrapment of organometallic catalysts in a metal matrix, which leads to well‐defined composites that are suitable as heterogeneous catalysts for hydrogenation of styrene and diphenylacetylene.

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A Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Spiroacetals through a One‐Pot Multicomponent Cascade Reaction
Authors: Barluenga José , Mendoza Abraham , Rodríguez Félix , Fañanás Francisco J.
Published: January 2009

Functionalized spiroacetals have been easily prepared in a one‐pot three‐component coupling process that involves the reaction of pentynol derivatives, salicylaldehydes, and amines in the presence of catalytic amounts of a palladium(II) complex (see scheme). Alternatively, oxygen‐substituted spiroacetals can be obtained by using orthoesters as the third component.

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Direct CH Metalation with Chromium(II) and Iron(II): Transition‐Metal Host / Benzenediide Guest Magnetic Inverse‐Crown Complexes
Authors: Alborés Pablo , Carrella Luca M. , Clegg William , García‐Álvarez Pablo , Kennedy Alan R. , Klett Jan , Mulvey Robert E. , Rentschler Eva , Russo Luca
Published: January 2009

Check M(etal)ate: The chessboard and the figures represent a special reaction in which different low‐polarity metals can metalate arenes directly when they are brought into the right position. In a combination of queen (sodium) and knight (chromium or iron), it is possible for the knight (usually the weaker piece) to make a direct deadly hit on the king (benzene) in this game of elemental chess.

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A sheep in wolf's clothing: do carrion and dung odours of flowers not only attract pollinators but also deter herbivores?
Authors: Lev‐Yadun Simcha , Ne'eman Gidi , Shanas Uri
Published: January 2009

Carrion and dung odours of various flowers have traditionally been considered an adaptation for attracting the flies and beetles that pollinate them. While we accept the role of such odours in pollinator attraction, we propose that they may also have another, overlooked, anti‐herbivore defensive function. We suggest that such odours may deter mammalian herbivores, especially during the critical period of flowering. Carrion odour is a good predictor for two potential dangers to mammalian herbivores: (1) pathogenic microbes, (2) proximity of carnivores. Similarly, dung odour predicts faeces‐contaminated habitats that present high risks of parasitism. These are two new types of repulsive olfactory aposematic mimicry by plants: (1) olfactory feigning of carcass (thanatosis), a well‐known behavioural defensive strategy in animals, (2) olfactory mimicry of faeces, which also has a defensive visual parallel in animals.
Quantitative regulation of alternative splicing in evolution and development
Authors: Irimia Manuel , Rukov Jakob L. , Roy Scott W. , Vinther Jeppe , Garcia‐Fernandez Jordi
Published: January 2009

Alternative splicing (AS) is a widespread mechanism with an important role in increasing transcriptome and proteome diversity by generating multiple different products from the same gene. Evolutionary studies of AS have focused primarily on the conservation of alternatively spliced sequences or of the AS pattern of those sequences itself. Less is known about the evolution of the regulation of AS, but several studies, working from different perspectives, have recently made significant progress. Here, we categorize the different levels of AS evolution, and summarize the studies on evolution of AS regulation, which point to a high level of evolutionary conservation of the regulation of AS events conserved between related species. This suggests that the quantitative regulation of AS is an intrinsic part of AS function. We discuss the potential role of changes in developmental regulation of AS as an additional layer in complex gene regulatory networks and in the emergence of genetic novelties.