bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflections of a Law Professor on Instruction and Research in Public Administration
Authors: Davis Kenneth Culp
Published: May 2006

Both political scientists and lawyers are in quest of better understanding of the same problems about the same processes of the same administrative agencies carrying out the same programs. Yet the two professional groups characteristically work quite independently of each other. Acting in the belief that both lawyers and political scientists should benefit by increased mutual criticism, I propose to record my impressions of that area of political science which overlaps with and is contiguous to administrative law. The point of view will be that of one who is concerned primarily with law and legal education.

This paper is designed (1) to evaluate the case studies edited by Harold Stein, entitled Public Administration and Policy Development, (2) to contrast with the case studies the basic method of instruction marked out by some of the conventional texts on public administration, (3) to criticize the undue emphasis upon broad perspective at the expense of detailed facts in the literature of public administration, (4) to call attention to the inordinate amount of misinformation about administrative law in some of the texts on public administration, (5) to express doubts about the choice of subject matter for some of the texts on public administration, and (6) to attempt constructive suggestions for further research on political science aspects of administrative law problems.
Strategic Interaction and the Statistical Analysis of International Conflict
Authors: Signorino Curtis S.
Published: May 2006

Although strategic interaction is at the heart of most international relations theory, it has largely been missing from much empirical analysis in the field. Typical applications of logit and probit to theories of international conflict generally do not capture the structure of the strategic interdependence implied by those theories. I demonstrate how to derive statistical discrete choice models of international conflict that directly incorporate the theorized strategic interaction. I show this for a simple crisis interaction model and then use Monte Carlo analysis to show that logit provides estimates with incorrect substantive interpretations as well as fitted values that can be far from the true values. Finally, I reanalyze a well-known game-theoretic model of war, Bueno de Mesquita and Lalman's (1992) international interaction game. My results indicate that there is at best modest empirical support for their model.
The Effect of TV Ads and Candidate Appearances on Statewide Presidential Votes, 1988–96
Authors: Shaw Daron R.
Published: May 2006

Although presidential campaigns have been mythologized in literature and cinema, most theories of elections relegate them to a secondary role, presuming they have little effect on outcomes. Direct tests of campaigning's influence on electoral college votes are rare, mostly because statewide data on the allocation of resources and voters' preferences have been hard to obtain. Many studies suggest a minimal effect, but it is possible that a more significant influence might be found with better data on the key dependent and independent variables. This study uses data on presidential candidates' appearances and television advertising purchases to conduct cross-sectional and pooled time-series analyses of their influence on statewide outcomes in 1988, 1992, and 1996. The data demonstrate that, despite the conditioning influence of other factors, campaigning affected statewide preferences as well as the electoral college vote.
Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa: Attributions of Blame and the Struggle over Apartheid
Authors: Gibson James L. , Gouws Amanda
Published: May 2006

In an effort to put its past firmly behind, the New South Africa created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to document human rights abuses under apartheid and to grant amnesty to those confessing their nefarious deeds. South Africa's democratic experiment depends mightily upon whether truth does in fact bring about reconciliation. Consequently, we examine whether ordinary South Africans accept the theories of blame that underlie the truth and reconciliation process. Based on a formal experiment within a representative sample of South Africans, our results confirm some conventional hypotheses (e.g., leaders are judged more responsible for their deeds than followers), repudiate others (noble motives do little to exonerate violent actions), and modify still others (actors are judged by the severity of their action's consequences, although it matters little whether “combatants” or “civilians” were the victims). We conclude that the dark legacy of the apartheid past makes the consolidation of the democratic transformation problematical.
Attitudes toward Economic Reform in Mexico: The Role of Political Orientations
Authors: Kaufman Robert R. , Zuckermann Leo
Published: May 2006

Since the debt crisis of 1982, Mexico has experienced more than a decade of market-oriented economic reform, but research on public opinion toward reform is limited. Drawing on general findings from opinion research in the United States, this study examines how policy preferences of Mexicans are shaped by social background, judgments about the economy, and political loyalties. The effect of these variables is examined across three national surveys, conducted in 1992, 1994, and 1995. We found that favorable orientations toward the president and the ruling party were consistently the strongest predictors of preferences about reform. Furthermore, as in the United States, sociotropic evaluations of the economy outweigh “pocketbook” concerns; despite many years of reform, both expectations and retrospective judgments are important in shaping preferences, particularly since the 1994 crisis; and social background variables have limited direct influence.
The Effects of Canvassing, Telephone Calls, and Direct Mail on Voter Turnout: A Field Experiment
Authors: Gerber Alan S. , Green Donald P.
Published: May 2006

We report the results of a randomized field experiment involving approximately 30,000 registered voters in New Haven, Connecticut. Nonpartisan get-out-the-vote messages were conveyed through personal canvassing, direct mail, and telephone calls shortly before the November 1998 election. A variety of substantive messages were used. Voter turnout was increased substantially by personal canvassing, slightly by direct mail, and not at all by telephone calls. These findings support our hypothesis that the long-term retrenchment in voter turnout is partly attributable to the decline in face-to-face political mobilization.
Reflections on Fear: Montesquieu in Retrieval
Authors: Robin Corey
Published: May 2006

According to most scholars, Montesquieu argues that fear threatens a loss of self. Disconnected from the exercise of reason, fear is an emotion that is supposed to prevent the individual from acting with any kind of moral or rational agency. Fear is also premised on the liquidation of civil society; intermediate institutions and plural social structures are destroyed so that despots can act with unmitigated power and violence. I argue that this view does not capture Montesquieu's theory. In my alternative account, fear is intimately connected to our capacity for reason and to our sense of self. It is built on a network of elites, the rule of law, moral education, and the traditional institutions of civil society. I conclude that twentieth-century social science remains too indebted to conventional interpretations of Montesquieu's views, and contemporary theorists would be better served by the alternative analysis proposed here.
Issues, Economics, and the Dynamics of Multiparty Elections: The British 1987 General Election
Authors: Alvarez R. Michael , Nagler Jonathan , Bowler Shaun
Published: May 2006

We offer a model of multiparty elections that combines voters' retrospective economic evaluations with consideration of parties' issue positions and the issue preferences of voters. We show that both policy issues and the state of the economy matter in British elections. In 1987 voters made a largely retrospective evaluation of the Conservatives based on economic performance; those who rejected the Conservative Party chose between Labour and Alliance based on issue positions. Through simulations we move the parties in the issue space and reestimate vote shares as well as hypothesize an alternative distribution of views on the economy, and we show that Labour had virtually no chance to win with a centrist party as a viable alternative. The predictions from our 1987 simulations are supported in an analysis of the 1992 British election. We argue for multinomial probit in studying three-party elections because it allows for a richer formulation of politics than do competing methods.
Trends in paediatric circumcision and its complications in England between 1997 and 2003
Authors: Cathcart P , Nuttall M , van der Meulen J , Emberton M , Kenny S E
Published: May 2006

Background

It has been suggested that too many English boys undergo circumcision. This report describes how circumcision rates have changed in England between 1997 and 2003, including data on complication rates and on how age, medical indication and surgical specialty affect postoperative haemorrhage rates.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics database of admissions to National Health Service hospitals in England. Patients were included in the study if an Office of Population Censuses and Surveys version 4 code for circumcision was present in any of the operative procedure fields of the database; 75 868 boys below 15 years of age were included in the study.

Results

Circumcision rates declined by about 20 per cent, from 2·6 per 1000 boys per year in 1997 to 2·1 in 2003. Between 2000 and 2003, circumcision rates remained static at 2·1 per 1000 boys per year. Circumcision rates fell by 31·2 per cent for boys aged 0–4 years, 9·3 per cent for boys aged 5–9 years and increased by 7·7 per cent in boys aged 10–14 years; 90·2 per cent of circumcisions were done for phimosis and 1·2 per cent of boys experienced a complication.

Conclusion

Circumcision rates in England continued to fall up until 2000, particularly in those aged under 5 years, in whom pathological phimosis is rare. The circumcision rate remains five times higher than the reported incidence of Phimosis.
The Molecular Mechanism of Bee Venom Phospholipase A2Inactivation by Bolinaquinone
Authors: Monti Maria Chiara , Casapullo Agostino , Santomauro Cosima , D'Auria Maria Valeria , Riccio Raffaele , Gomez‐Paloma Luigi
Published: May 2006

The molecular basis of the inactivation of bee venom PLA2by the marine natural product bolinaquinone (BLQ) was studied by several spectral techniques (CD, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry), biomimetic reactions, and molecular modeling. Our data suggest competitive inhibition based on a BLQ–PLA2noncovalent molecular recognition. However, BLQ is also able to react selectively with Lys133 through conjugate addition followed by a β elimination. The biological implications of both the covalent and noncovalent molecular events are discussed.
Spectroscopic and Theoretical Studies of Optically Active Porphyrin Dimers: A System Uninterpretable by Exciton Coupling Theory
Authors: Muranaka Atsuya , Asano Yoshiaki , Tsuda Akihiko , Osuka Atsuhiro , Kobayashi Nagao
Published: May 2006

The electronic excited states of ameso–mesoβ–β doubly linked bis‐porphyrin are comprehensively investigated by measuring its circular dichroism (CD) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra. The observed spectroscopic properties are rationalized by DFT calculations. The frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) are constructed by the linear combinations of the constituent monomers′ four MOs. Comparison of a theoretical CD spectrum based on time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) with the experimental spectra resulted in the assignment of the helical conformation of the dimer. This assignment is contrary to the previous assignment based on the point‐dipole approximation (exciton coupling theory).
Interaction of Carboranes with Biomolecules: Formation of Dihydrogen Bonds
Authors: Fanfrlík Jindřich , Lepšík Martin , Horinek Dominik , Havlas Zdeněk , Hobza Pavel
Published: May 2006

Noncovalent interactions of the polyhedral carborane 1‐carba‐closo‐dodecaborane (CB11H12)− with building blocks of biomolecules, modelled by glycine (GLY), serine (SER), phenylalanine (PHE), glutamic acid (GLU), lysine (LYS) and arginine (ARG), were investigated in vacuo by molecular dynamics simulations with the UFF empirical potential. Selected structures were further studied by accurate ab initio quantum chemical procedures. Interactions with a peptide bond (GLY‐SER dipeptide) and a nucleic acid building block (guanine) were also considered. The RESP and NPA charges of carboranes and small model systems are compared and their use is discussed. The dominant interaction between carboranes and biomolecules is the formation of unconventional proton–hydride hydrogen bonds (dihydrogen bonds) characterized by a short distance between hydrogen atoms (as close as 1.8 Å) and an average strength in the range of 4.2–5.8 kcal mol−1. The total stabilization energy of complexes investigated is rather large, and the largest value (≈15 kcal mol−1) was found for the carborane complexes with ARG and the GLY‐SER dipeptide. These interactions are ubiquitous under geometrical constraints influencing the strength of the interaction. The carborane forms dihydrogen bonds with biomolecules preferably with the hydrogen atoms of its lower hemisphere (i.e. the part of the cage opposite to the carbon atom). These two geometrical factors can be used to explain the specificity of inhibition of HIV protease by carboranes.
Oxygenated Edge Plane Sites Slow the Electron Transfer of the Ferro‐/Ferricyanide Redox Couple at Graphite Electrodes
Authors: Ji Xiaobo , Banks Craig E. , Crossley Alison , Compton Richard G.
Published: May 2006

The electron transfer kinetics of ferrocyanide, potassium hexachloroiridate(III), hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride, and N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (TMPD) have been examined at basal plane and edge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes which have been allowed to oxidise in air for various periods of time. It is demonstrated via voltammetric and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis that oxygenated species formed at edge plane sites/defects decrease the electron transfer kinetics of ferrocyanide but that the rates for potassium hexachloroiridate(III), hexaammineruthenium(III) chloride and TMPD are insensitive to the oxygenated species. The behaviour of the ferro‐/ferricyanide couple contrasts with that seen on single‐walled carbon nanotubes where oxygenation of the tube ends is known to speed up the electron transfer kinetics (A. Chou, T. Bocking, N. K. Singh, J. J. Gooding, Chem. Commun. 2005, 842); the possible reasons for this contrasting behaviour are discussed.
Zinc Thiolate Complexes [ZnLn(SR)]+ with Azamacrocyclic Ligands, Part II: Mechanism of the Reaction with CS2
Authors: Notni Johannes , Schenk Stephan , Roth Arne , Plass Winfried , Görls Helmar , Uhlemann Ute , Walter Angela , Schmitt Michael , Popp Jürgen , Chatzipapadopoulos Susana , Emmler Thomas , Breitzke Hergen , Leppert Jörg , Buntkowsky Gerd , Kempe Kristian , Anders Ernst
Published: May 2006

The thiolate complexes [Zn([15]aneN4)(S–CH2–C6H5)]ClO4 (1) ([15]aneN4 = 1,4,8,12‐tetraazacyclopentadecane) and [Zn(i‐[14]aneN4)(S–CH2–C6H5)]ClO4 (2) (i‐[14]aneN4 = 1,4,7,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane) have been reacted with carbon disulfide. The trithiocarbonate complexes [Zn([15]aneN4){S–C(S)–S–CH2–C6H5}]ClO4 {1a, monoclinic, space group P21/n, Z = 8, a = 13.2338(1) Å, b = 12.9251(2) Å, c = 30.1669(4) Å, β = 101.463(1)°, V = 5057.1(1) Å3} and [Zn(i‐[14]aneN4){S–C(S)–S–CH2–C6H5}]ClO4 {2a, orthorhombic, space group P212121, Z = 8, a = 9.9936(1) Å, b = 22.1261(4) Å, c = 22.3192(4) Å, V = 4935.2(1) Å3} were obtained. The reaction of 1 with CS2 is second order with a rate constant of k = (57.6 ± 2.4) × 10–3 M–1·s–1 at 25 °C. The experimentally determined Eyring activation barrier is ΔHexp‡ = 65.3 ± 0.7 kJ·mol–1(ΔSexp‡ = –49.9 ± 2.5 J·mol–1·K–1) and a free energy of activation of ΔG‡ = 80.2 ± 1.5 kJ·mol–1 at 25 °C. To discriminate between an associative and a dissociative mechanism the barriers for both processes were calculated using density functional theory at the C‐PCM(B98/G3MP2Large)//B3LYP/6‐311+G(d) level. The associative mechanism is clearly favored with a difference in free energies of activation ofδΔG‡ ≈ 80 kJ·mol–1. Its calculated barrier ΔGtheor‡ = 114.3 kJ·mol–1 is in reasonable agreement with the experimental value. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Monocyclic 1,2,3‐Triazin‐4(3H)‐ones: Synthesis, Structure and Photochemical Behaviour
Authors: Celli Angela Maria , Ferrini Serena , Ponticelli Fabio
Published: May 2006

Oxidation of the easily available 1‐(alkylamino)pyrazolones allows the preparation of the title compounds, which are a new class of heterocycles, in good yields. The structure of these compounds is assigned on the basis of HR mass spectroscopy and sodium borohydride reduction to (Z,E)‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenyl‐N‐(1‐phenylethyl)acrylamide. Ring contraction/rearrangement to 2‐alkyl‐2H‐1,2,3‐triazole is observed under UV irradiation. A possible mechanistic rationalisation of the observed processes is proposed.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
DNA damage and repair measurements from cryopreserved lymphocytes without cell culture—A reproducible assay for intervention studies
Authors: Chang Jyh‐Lurn , Chen Gang , Lampe Johanna W. , Ulrich Cornelia M.
Published: May 2006

Single‐cell gel electrophoresis (the Comet assay) can be used to measure DNA damage and DNA repair capacity (DRC). However, to test DRC of cryopreserved lymphocytes, published methods include steps for cell culturing and phytohemagglutinin stimulation, which may limit use of this assay in intervention studies. We developed a modified Comet assay protocol that allows us to measure DRC from cryopreserved lymphocytes without these in vitro manipulations. Assay reproducibility was evaluated by performing the assay six times on different dates using six aliquots from one blood draw of one individual. The interindividual variation was assessed by performing the assay using one aliquot from six individuals. When γ‐irradiation was used as the mutagen, intra‐assay coefficients of variation (CVs.) for baseline DNA damage, damage after γ‐irradiation exposure, and DRC—measured as tail moment—were 8, 31, and 10%, respectively. Interindividual CVs. were higher. When H2O2 was used as the mutagen, intra‐assay CVs. for damage measurements were lower for a protocol modification that included damage and repair at 37°C (CVs. ranging from 8 to 35%) than for the more standard 4°C protocol. Analyzing moment arm—the average distance of DNA migration within the tail—yielded similar results. DNA repair was successfully detected in each experiment. Comparing freshly isolated lymphocytes to cryopreserved lymphocytes from the same individuals' blood draw indicated that DRC was highly correlated when determined using moment arm values. This modified protocol extends the use of the Comet assay to measuring DRC in intervention studies (e.g., dietary interventions) in that it assesses cellular response after cryopreservation without cell culture or other extensive manipulation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recovery of lactic acid by batch reactive distillation
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Mahajani Sanjay M , Nanavati Hemant , Noronha Santosh B
Published: May 2006

Lactic acid, being virtually a non‐boiling compound, is difficult to separate from its aqueous solution by conventional methods such as distillation. It is necessary to convert it to the relatively volatile ester and the separation of the ester, followed by hydrolysis, is recommended as an appropriate method of recovery. In the present work, we explore and investigate a novel reactive distillation strategy to perform esterification, distillation and hydrolysis in a single unit. The experiments were performed in a batch reactive distillation set‐up and the results have been explained with the help of an appropriate model. An unsteady state mathematical model based on an equilibrium stage concept was developed for batch reactive distillation. A pseudo‐homogeneous model was used for the determination of reaction kinetics. The effect of operating parameters such as feed concentration, mole ratio, catalyst loading, boil‐up rate, etc. on the recovery of lactic acid was studied with the help of simulation and experimental results. The feasibility issue of reactive distillation has been discussed based on the results obtained. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of a semi‐quantitative method for estimation of the rejection of organic compounds in aqueous solution in nanofiltration
Authors: Van der Bruggen Bart , Verliefde Arne , Braeken Leen , Cornelissen Emile R , Moons Kathleen , Verberk Jasper QJC , van Dijk Hans JC , Amy Gary
Published: May 2006

A large number of different mechanisms describing the retention of dissolved organic compounds in nanofiltration have been proposed. A recent review identified the parameters possibly involved in the separation performance and suggested a qualitative classification of dissolved compounds. Continuing this approach, a semi‐quantitative assessment of the observed rejections in nanofiltration is given in this paper, based on threshold values of key parameters such as molecular weight and molecular weight cut‐off (MWCO), molecular size, pH and pKa, hydrophobicity (logKow) and membrane charge. Experimental values and literature data were used to provide a broad basis for comparison. It was concluded that (a) all categories that contain hydrophobic components are badly defined, in particular for small components, with rejections varying from low to very high, (b) all components that contain hydrophilic components have relatively high rejections and (c) all categories that contain charged components have well‐defined, high rejections (intermediate for membranes with low surface charge). In all cases, the average rejection is higher when the component's molecular weight is larger than the MWCO of the membrane and when the molecular size is larger than the pore size of the membrane. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Ceftriaxone‐associated biliary pseudolithiasis in children
Authors: Biner Betül , Öner Naci , Çeltik Coşkun , Bostancioğlu Musa , Tunçbilek Nermin , Güzel Ahmet , Karasalihoğlu Serap
Published: May 2006

Purpose.

Ceftriaxone is known to induce reversible precipitations, known as pseudolithiasis, in the gallbladder and urinary tract. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and predisposing factors that contribute to this side effect.

Methods.

A prospective study was conducted in 156 children admitted for the treatment of various infections with different daily ceftriaxone doses (50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg). Sonographic examinations of the gallbladder and urinary tract were performed before treatment on the third and seventh day of therapy, and at the first and second month after the end of treatment. Patients with positive findings were followed with weekly sonographic examinations until the abnormality resolved.

Results.

Abnormal gallbladder sonograms were demonstrated in 27 children (17%); 16 of them (10%) had gallbladder lithiasis, 11 had gallbladder sludge (7%) (n = 4 on the third day, n = 23 on the seventh day), and 1 developed urolithiasis (0.6%). Five children (19%) were symptomatic. The abnormalities resolved after a mean of 16 days (range 10–30 days). Patients with pseudolithiasis were older and treated with higher drug doses than those with normal sonographic findings (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions.

Biliary pseudolithiasis (and infrequently nephrolithiasis) usually occurs in children receiving high doses of ceftriaxone. It is generally asymptomatic. When this reversible complication becomes symptomatic, unnecessary cholecystectomy should be avoided. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 34:217–222, 2006
Magnetic resonance imaging with T1 dispersion contrast
Authors: Ungersma Sharon E. , Matter Nathaniel I. , Hardy Jonathan W. , Venook Ross D. , Macovski Albert , Conolly Steven M. , Scott Greig C.
Published: May 2006

Prepolarized MRI uses pulsed magnetic fields to produce MR images by polarizing the sample at one field strength (∼0.5 T) before imaging at a much lower field (∼50 mT). Contrast reflecting the T1 of the sample at an intermediate field strength is achieved by polarizing the sample and then allowing the magnetization to decay at a chosen “evolution” field before imaging. For tissues whose T1 varies with field strength (T1 dispersion), the difference between two images collected with different evolution fields yields an image with contrast reflecting the slope of the T1 dispersion curve between those fields. Tissues with high protein content, such as muscle, exhibit rapid changes in their T1 dispersion curves at 49 and 65 mT due to cross‐relaxation with nitrogen nuclei in protein backbones. Tissues without protein, such as fat, have fairly constant T1 over this range; subtracting images with two different evolution fields eliminates signal from flat T1 dispersion species. T1 dispersion protein‐content images of the human wrist and foot are presented, showing clear differentiation between muscle and fat. This technique may prove useful for delineating regions of muscle tissue in the extremities of patients with diseases affecting muscle viability, such as diabetic neuropathy, and for visualizing the protein content of tissues in vivo. Magn Reson Med 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
α‐tocopherol affects neuronal plasticity in adult rat dentate gyrus: The possible role of PKCδ
Authors: Ferri Paola , Cecchini Tiziana , Ambrogini Patrizia , Betti Michele , Cuppini Riccardo , Grande Paolo Del , Ciaroni Sandra
Published: May 2006

Hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG) is characterized by neuronal plasticity processes in adulthood, and polysialylation of NCAM promotes neuronal plasticity. In previous investigations we found that α‐tocopherol increased the PSA‐NCAM‐positive granule cell number in adult rat DG, suggesting that α‐tocopherol may enhance neuronal plasticity. To verify this hypothesis, in the present study, structural remodeling in adult rat DG was investigated under α‐tocopherol supplementation conditions. PSA‐NCAM expression was evaluated by Western blotting, evaluation of PSA‐NCAM‐positive granule cell density, and morphometric analysis of PSA‐NCAM‐positive processes. In addition, the optical density of synaptophysin immunoreactivity and the synaptic profile density, examined by electron microscopy, were evaluated. Moreover, considering that PSA‐NCAM expression has been found to be related to PKCδ activity and α‐tocopherol has been shown to inhibit PKC activity in vitro, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry followed by densitometry were used to analyze PKC. Our results demonstrated that an increase in PSA‐NCAM expression and optical density of DG molecular layer synaptophysin immunoreactivity occurred in α‐tocopherol‐treated rats. Electron microscopy analysis showed that the increase in synaptophysin expression was related to an increase in synaptic profile density. In addition, Western blotting revealed a decrease in phospho‐PKC Pan and phospho‐PKCδ, demonstrating that α‐tocopherol is also able to inhibit PKC activity in vivo. Likewise, immunoreactivity for the active form of PKCδ was lower in α‐tocopherol‐treated rats than in controls, while no changes were found in PKCδ expression. These results demonstrate that α‐tocopherol is an exogenous factor affecting neuronal plasticity in adult rat DG, possibly through PKCδ inhibition. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006
Development and topography of the lateral olfactory tract in the mouse: Imaging by genetically encoded and injected fluorescent markers
Authors: Walz Andreas , Omura Masayo , Mombaerts Peter
Published: May 2006

In mammals, conventional odorants are detected by OSNs located in the main olfactory epithelium of the nose. These neurons project their axons to glomeruli, which are specialized structures of neuropil in the olfactory bulb. Within glomeruli, axons synapse onto dendrites of projection neurons, the mitral and tufted (M/T) cells. Genetic approaches to visualize axons of OSNs expressing a given odorant receptor have proven very useful in elucidating the organization of these projections to the olfactory bulb. Much less is known about the development and connectivity of the lateral olfactory tract (LOT), which is formed by axons of M/T cells connecting the olfactory bulb to central neural regions. Here, we have extended our genetic approach to mark M/T cells of the main olfactory bulb and their axons in the mouse, by targeted insertion of IRES‐tauGFP in the neurotensin locus. In NT‐GFP mice, we find that M/T cells of the main olfactory bulb mature and project axons as early as embryonic day 11.5. Final innervation of central areas is accomplished before the end of the second postnatal week. M/T cell axons that originate from small defined areas within the main olfactory bulb, as visualized by localized injections of fluorescent tracers in wild‐type mice at postnatal days 1 to 3, follow a dual trajectory: a branch of tightly packed axons along the dorsal aspect of the LOT, and a more diffuse branch along the ventral aspect. The dorsal, but not the ventral, subdivision of the LOT exhibits a topographical segregation of axons coming from the dorsal versus ventral main olfactory bulb. The NT‐GFP mouse strain should prove useful in further studies of development and topography of the LOT, from E11.5 until 2 weeks after birth. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006
Mechanical behavior of films of miscible polyamide 6/polyamide 6I‐6T blends
Authors: Persyn O. , Miri V. , Lefebvre J.‐M. , Ferreiro V. , Brink T. , Stroeks A.
Published: May 2006

The deformation behavior of miscible PA6/aPA blends films under uniaxial and biaxial tensile drawing has been investigated in relation to blend composition. Whatever be the composition, the initial crystalline structure is ill‐ordered and no evidence of spherulitic morphology was shown. At temperatures beyond the activation of the viscoelastic α relaxation, a ductility improvement upon addition of aPA has been revealed in both uniaxial and biaxial stretching. The decrease in the yield stress with increasing aPA content mainly originates from the reduction in crystal fraction. Regarding the observed evolution in ultimate drawability and strain hardening upon addition of aPA, the latter component of the blend is considered to act as a diluent of the macromolecular network, and the experimental data are fairly well accounted for according to Graessley's theory. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1690–1701, 2006
Bulk and surface spin excitations in thin films of manganites
Authors: Aleshkevych P. , Baran M. , Dyakonov V. , Szymczak R. , Szymczak H. , Baberschke K. , Lindner J. , Lenz K.
Published: May 2006

A review of experimental studies of magnon excitations in manganites is presented. A microwave resonance technique, in particular a spin‐wave resonance (SWR) technique, is shown to allow the study of not only bulk properties but also surface properties of manganite films. There are two main theoretical approaches used to interpret the SWR spectra: the volume inhomogeneity and the surface inhomogeneity models. The latter, introduced by Puszkarski, allows the interpretation of the observed surface magnon excitations in thin films. It is found that SWR spectra show evidence of manganites, besides bulk spin‐wave modes, and also of surface spin‐waves. This observation is used to determine the surface magnetic anisotropy. The effect of surface anisotropy on the spin‐wave excitation conditions in epitaxial La0.7Mn1.3O3–δ films is investigated in detail. SWR data give indirect evidence of periodic charge‐ordered stripe forma‐tion. A strong effect of thermal annealing on stripe structure is observed and discussed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Hydrogen Bonds as Essential Elements in the Crystal Structures of Three Piperidinium Thiotungstates
Authors: Siemeling Ulrich , Bretthauer Frauke , Bruhn Clemens
Published: May 2006

The crystal structures of [pipH]2[WS4] (1) and the new compounds [pipH]3[WS4](HS) (2) and [pipH]4[WS4][WOS3] (3) (pip = piperidine) were determined. Hydrogen bonds between the piperidinium cations and the thiotungstate anions play a dominant structural role. Their strength and number correlates with the degree of distortion found for the tetrahedral anions. Unshared hydrogen bonds have a considerably stronger effect than bifurcated ones; the effect of trifurcated hydrogen bonds is extremely weak. HS− and [WOS3]2− are considerably stronger H bond acceptors than the [WS4]2− anion.
Synthesen und Strukturen von Übergangsmetall‐Komplexen mit Dithiophosphinato‐ und Trithiophosphonato‐Liganden
Authors: Shafaei‐Fallah Maryam , Shi Weifeng , Fenske Dieter , Rothenberger Alexander
Published: May 2006

Syntheses and Structures of Transition Metal Complexes with Dithiophosphinato and Trithiophosphinato Ligands

The reactions of MnCl2 with Ph2P(S)(SSiMe3) produced [Mn(S2PPh2)2(thf)2] (1) and [Mn(S2PPh2)2(dme)] (2) (DME = 1,2‐Dimethoxyethane). The compounds [Co6(S3PPh)2(μ4‐S)2(μ3‐S)2(PPh3)4] (3), [Co2(S3PPh)2(PPh3)2] (4), [Ni(S2PPh)(PPhEt2)2] (5), [Ni(S3PPh)(PPhEt2)2] (6) and [Cu4(S3PPh)2(dppp)2] (8) [dppp = 1,3‐Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)propane] were obtained from reactions of first‐row transition metal halides with PhP(S)(SSiMe3)2 in the presence of tertiary phosphines. In a reaction of PhP(S)(SSiMe3)2 with PhPEt2 PhPEt2PS2Ph (7) was isolated. All compounds were characterized by X‐ray crystallography.
Akt1 is dynamically modified with O‐GlcNAc following treatments with PUGNAc and insulin‐like growth factor‐1
Authors: Gandy Johanna C. , Rountree Abigail E. , Bijur Gautam N.
Published: May 2006

The Ser/Thr kinase Akt1 is activated by growth factors subsequent to its phosphorylation on Thr308 and Ser473. In the present study, Akt1 was found to be constitutively modified with O‐GlcNAc. Treatment of SH‐SY5Y cells with O(2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucopyranosylidene)amino‐N‐phenylcarbamate (PUGNAc), which inhibits the enzymatic removal of O‐GlcNAc from proteins, increased cytosolic O‐GlcNAc‐Akt1 levels. Treatment of cells with insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) also increased O‐GlcNAc‐Akt1 levels and increased Akt1 phosphorylation. PUGNAc treatment did not attenuate IGF‐1 induced Akt1 phosphorylation. These results indicate that Akt1 can be simultaneously modified with O‐GlcNAc and phosphorylated. However, PUGNAc induced the nuclear accumulation of Akt1 suggesting that the O‐GlcNAc‐modification on Akt1 may play a role in Akt1 nuclear localization.
Nischarin as a functional imidazoline (I1) receptor
Authors: Zhang Jian , Abdel-Rahman Abdel A.
Published: May 2006

Gene matching shows that Nischarin is a mouse homologue of human imidazoline receptor antisera‐selective (IRAS) protein, a viable candidate of the imidazoline (I1) receptor. Nischarin and IRAS share the functions of enhancing cell survival, growth and migration. Bioinformatics modeling indicates that the IRAS and Nischarin may be transmembrane proteins and the convergence information raises the interesting possibility that Nischarin might serve as the I1‐receptor. To test this hypothesis, we developed antibodies against the Nischarin protein, and conducted signal transduction (functional) studies with the I1‐receptor agonist rilmenidine in the presence and absence of Nischarin antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). NIH3T3 cells transfected with the Nischarin cDNA and incubated with the newly synthesized antibody expressed a 190 kD band. The antibody identified endogenous Nischarin in differentiated PC12 cells around 210 kD, which is consistent with reported findings in other cells of neuronal origin. The immunoflourescence findings showed the targeted protein to be associated with the cell membrane in PC12 cells. Nischarin ODNs abolished the expression of Nischarin in PC12 cells. Equally important, the Nischarin ODNs eliminated the production of MAPKp42/44, a recognized signal transduction product generated by I1‐receptor activation in differentiated PC12 cells. Together, the present findings suggest that Nischarin may serve as the functional I1‐receptor or at least share a common signaling pathway in the differentiated PC12 cells.
CLIP‐region mediated interaction of Invariant chain with MHC class I molecules
Authors: Powis Simon J.
Published: May 2006

An association between the MHC class II chaperone molecule Invariant chain (Ii) and MHC class I molecules is known to occur, but the basis of the interaction is undetermined. Evidence is presented here that the CLIP region of Ii is involved in this interaction. A peptide encoding residues 91–99 of CLIP (MRMATPLLM) stabilised multiple MHC class I alleles, with the methionine residue at position 99 having a crucial role in binding to H2‐Kb, whereas methionine at position 91 also appeared important in binding to RT1‐Aa. Ii can also be detected in the class I MHC peptide loading complex. These data provide an explanation for the association of Ii and MHC class I molecules.
Communication Between Functional and Denervated Muscles Using Radiofrequency
Authors: Jacob Doreen K. , Stefko Susan Tonya , Hackworth Steven A. , Lovell Michael R. , Mickle Marlin H.
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE

This article focuses on establishing communication between a functional muscle and a denervated muscle using a radiofrequency communications link. The ultimate objective of the project is to restore the eye blink in patients with facial nerve paralysis.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Two sets of experiments were conducted using the gastrocnemius leg muscles of Sprague‐Dawley rats. In the initial tests, varying magnitudes of voltages ranging from 0.85 to 2.5 V were applied directly to a denervated muscle to determine the voltage required to produce visible contraction. The second set of experiments was then conducted to determine the voltage output from an in vivo muscle contraction that could be sensed and used to coordinate a signal for actuation of a muscle in a separate limb. After designing the appropriate external communication circuitry, a third experiment was performed to verify that a signal between a functional and a denervated muscle can be generated and used as a stimulus.

RESULTS

Voltages below 2 V at a 10‐millisecond pulse width elicited a gentle, controlled contraction of the denervated muscle in vivo. It was also observed that with longer pulse widths, higher stimulation voltages were required to produce sufficient contractions.

CONCLUSION

It is possible to detect contraction of a muscle, use this to generate a signal to an external base station, and subsequently cause a separate, denervated muscle to contract in response to the signal.

SIGNIFICANCE

This demonstration in vivo of a signaling system for pacing of electrical stimulation of 1 muscle to spontaneous contraction of another, separate muscle, using radiofrequency communication without direct connection, may be used in numerous ways to overcome nerve damage.
Effects of Topical Application of Methotrexate on Nasal Mucosa in Rats: A Preclinical Assessment Study
Authors: Ercan Ibrahim , Cakir Burak Ömür , Başak Tülay , Özbal Eltaf Ayça , Şahin Atilla , Balci Gürhan , Turgut Suat
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate dose‐dependent effect of the topical application of methotrexate (MTX) in rats on the normal nasal mucosa, liver tissue, liver enzymes, and hemoglobin levels.

STUDY DESIGN

Preclinical animal study.

SETTING

Twenty male adult wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 5). A single puff of MTX (2.5 μg) was applied to both nasal cavities 2 times a day. The animals were given MTX 1 day a week in group 1, 3 days a week in group 2, and 5 days a week in group 3. Control group animals were given 1 puff of physiologic saline to both nasal cavities 5 days a week and 2 times a day. After 28 days, liver biopsies, blood samples, and 5 nasal mucosal biopsies were taken. Histological examination was made with respect to certain parameters semiquantitatively (grade 0‐3). The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and hemoglobin counts were studied from blood samples.

RESULTS

There are no statistically significant differences with respect to histopathological parameters between the control group and the groups 1‐3 (P > 0.05). Histopathological examination of liver tissue did not reveal any evident difference between the control and study groups. Mean AST and ALT as liver function tests and hemoglobin counts were within normal limits. Topical application of MTX at these doses has no toxic effect on the nasal mucosa, the liver tissue, AST and ALT levels, and hemoglobin level.

CONCLUSIONS

These results have been encouraging to investigate use of the topical application of MTX in nasal manifestation of autoimmune disease or addition of the topical application of MTX to the steroid treatment in cases with massive nasal polyposis resistant to steroids and prone to recurrence.
The unsteady lift on a swept blade tip
Authors: Peake N.
Published: May 2006

Highly swept blades are now commonly used in modern aeroengines, and in this paper we solve a model problem of relevance to the understanding and prediction of noise generation by the interaction between incident vortical disturbances and such a blade. In order to include the potentially significant effects of the blade-tip region, we consider a (semi-infinite span) quarter-plane aligned at a non-zero sweep angle to supersonic mean flow, with a single harmonic gust incident on the quarterplane from upstream. The solution is completed using a novel application of the Wiener–Hopf technique, in which the usual factorisation is carried out with respect to two independent complex variables separately, and closed-form expressions for the practically important lift per unit span are derived for both the subsonic and the supersonic leading-edge regimes. The dependence of the unsteady response on the sweep angle and the gust wavenumbers is examined, and in particular we demonstrate that the magnitude of the effects of the tip region is significantly reduced by increasing the blade sweep or by considering gusts of higher frequency. It also becomes clear that the magnitude of the unsteady response can be either decreased or increased by sweeping the blade, in a way which proves highly dependent on the particular values of the flow parameters. In addition, we consider the two critical values of the gust trace speed along the leading edge which correspond to the sonic velocities in the two spanwise directions, and for which the chordwise oscillation of the unsteady lift distribution on an infinite-span blade vanishes. In these two cases, the lift per unit span (integrated over the infinite chord) is clearly singular, but we demonstrate that the effect of including the blade tip is to smooth out just one of these singularities, and replace it instead by a relatively large, but finite, value.
Effects of melt depletion on the density and seismic velocity of garnet and spinel lherzolite
Authors: Schutt D. L. , Lesher C. E.
Published: May 2006

We examine the effects of melt depletion on density and anharmonic VP and VS on the basis of the melting relations of fertile peridotite between 1 and 7 GPa. We incorporate the effects of variable mineral mode and composition into a parameterization of mantle residuum density and velocity, using a new compilation of mantle mineral physics results. The effect of melt depletion on mantle density changes with pressure, and at 20% melt removal, residue density changes are −0.42%, −0.46%, −0.90%, −1.14%, −0.95%, −0.66%, and −0.57%, for pressures of 1, 3, 3.5, 4, 6, and 7 GPa, respectively. We note that at adiabatic temperatures, realistic composition upper mantle has a higher thermal expansivity than olivine, ranging from α = 4.91 to 3.47 × 10−5 K−1 between 1 and 7 GPa. This implies that 1% melt depletion is equivalent in density effect as a 3–15° increase in temperature, depending on pressure. Under Archean cratons, where cold melt‐depleted mantle generally has been considered to have the same density as fertile adiabatic mantle (i.e., is isopycnic), we find subcratonic mantle formed above ∼110 km is negatively buoyant with respect to adiabatic mantle. This suggests that vertical transport of residues initially formed above 110 km may play a role in the stabilization of subcratonic mantle. Regarding VP and VS, melt depletion has almost no effect, except for a small −0.5% change in VP at 20% melting of spinel peridotite. The major element effects of melt depletion are thus insufficient to produce the high mantle velocities imaged beneath cratons or to cause significant velocity variations.
Tracking the extent of the South Pacific Convergence Zone since the early 1600s
Authors: Linsley Braddock K. , Kaplan Alexey , Gouriou Yves , Salinger Jim , deMenocal Peter B. , Wellington Gerard M. , Howe Stephen S.
Published: May 2006

The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) is the largest and most persistent spur of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. At the southeastern edge of the SPCZ near 170°W and 15°–20°S a surface ocean salinity frontal zone exists that separates fresher Western Pacific Warm Pool water from saltier and cooler waters in the east. This salinity front is known to shift east and west with the phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. We have generated subannually resolved and replicated coral oxygen isotopic time series from Fiji (17°S, 179°E) and Rarotonga (21.5°S, 160°W) that have recorded interannual displacements of the salinity front over the last 380 years and also indicate that at lower frequencies the decadal mean position of the salinity front, and eastern extent of the SPCZ, has shifted east‐west through 10° to 20° of longitude three times during this interval. The most recent and largest shift began in the mid 1800s as the salinity front progressively moved eastward and salinity decreased at both sites. Our results suggest that sea surface salinity at these sites is now at the lowest levels recorded and is evidence for an unprecedented expansion of the SPCZ since the mid 1800s. The expansion of the SPCZ implies a gradual change in the South Pacific to more La Niña‐like long‐term mean conditions. This observation is consistent with the ocean thermostat mechanism for the Pacific coupled ocean‐atmosphere system, whereby exogenous heating of the atmosphere would result in greater warming in the western Pacific and a greater east‐west surface temperature gradient.
New boundary conditions for the West Antarctic ice sheet: Subglacial topography beneath Pine Island Glacier
Authors: Vaughan David G. , Corr Hugh F. J. , Ferraccioli Fausto , Frearson Nicholas , O'Hare Aidan , Mach Dieter , Holt John W. , Blankenship Donald D. , Morse David L. , Young Duncan A.
Published: May 2006

Predictions about future changes in the Amundsen Sea sector of the West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS) have been hampered by poorly known subglacial topography. Extensive airborne survey has allowed us to derive improved subglacial topography for the Pine Island Glacier basin. The trunk of this glacier lies in a narrow, 250‐km long, 500‐m deep sub‐glacial trough, suggesting a long‐lived and constrained ice stream. Two tributaries lie in similar troughs, others lie in less defined, shallower troughs. The lower basin of the glacier is surrounded by bedrock, which, after deglaciation and isostatic rebound, could rise above sea level. This feature would impede ice‐sheet collapse initiated near the grounding line of this glacier, and prevent its progress into the deepest portions of WAIS. The inland‐slope of the bed beneath the trunk of the glacier, however, confirms potential instability of the lower basin, containing sufficient ice to raise global sea by ∼24 cm.