bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Dynamics of Collective Deliberation in the 1996 Election: Campaign Effects on Accessibility, Certainty, and Accuracy
Authors: Huckfeldt Robert , Sprague John , Levine Jeffrey
Published: May 2006

We examine the effectiveness of political communication and deliberation among citizens during a presidential election campaign. In order for communication to be effective, messages conveyed through social interaction must be unambiguous, and the recipient must readily, confidently, and accurately perceive the intent of the sender. We address a number of factors that may influence communication effectiveness: the accessibility and extremity of political preferences, the distribution of preferences in the surrounding environment, disagreement between the senders and receivers of political messages, and the dynamic of the election campaign. The analysis is based on a study of the 1996 campaign, which interviewed citizens and discussion partners between March 1996 and January 1997. The citizens are a random sample of registered voters in the Indianapolis and St. Louis areas, and these registered voters identified the discussion partners as people with whom they discuss either “government, elections, and politics” or “important matters.”
International Law and State Behavior: Commitment and Compliance in International Monetary Affairs
Authors: Simmons Beth A.
Published: May 2006

Why do sovereign governments make international legal commitments, and what effect does international law have on state behavior? Very little empirical research tries to answer these questions in a systematic way. This article examines patterns of commitment to and compliance with international monetary law. I consider the signal governments try to send by committing themselves through international legal commitments, and I argue that reputational concerns explain patterns of compliance. One of the most important findings is that governments commit to and comply with legal obligations if other countries in their region do so. Competitive market forces, rather than overt policy pressure from the International Monetary Fund, are the most likely “enforcement” mechanism. Legal commitment has an extremely positive effect on governments that have recently removed restrictive policies, which indicates a desire to reestablish a reputation for compliance.
The Competence of Political Science: “Progress in Political Research” RevisitedPresidential Address, American Political Science Association, 1999
Authors: Holden Matthew
Published: May 2006

Political science is two realms, the intellectual and the organizational, and the task is to consider how the organizational realm might be adapted to the highest improvement of the intellectual realm. Political science has a certain competence (domain) in the study of politics as the organization of power. It also seeks to expand competence as capability. Charles Merriam provides a point of departure Merriam's most successful idea has been that of enhancing competence through improvements in “the field of method.” Competence, however, now demands methodological flexibility, so as to probe more into theexerciseof power. Four fields are strategic: public administration, political interests, urbanization, and the interpenetration of politics and economics. Competence also leads into unorthodox subjects, such as force and foolish, irrational, and pathological decision making (or “the Oxenstierna-Mullins Effect”). Finally, competence demands (and is enhanced by) the reach of political science into serious practical problems of human affairs.
Die neue Neckarbrücke Mannheim – Bauwerksgestaltung und deren Umsetzung
Authors: Osieja Martin , Habersbrunner Sybille
Published: May 2006

Es wird über den Neubau der Neckarbrücke Mannheim im Zuge der Bundesautobahn A6 berichtet. Beim Bauwerksentwurf wurde besonderes Augenmerk auf die Gestaltung gerichtet. Zur Ausführung kam eine 6feldrige bereichsweise gevoutete Spannbetonbrücke mit zwei Überbauten, bestehend aus einem verhältnismäßig schmalen Hohlkasten und einer weit auskragenden, auf Streben ruhenden Fahrbahnplatte. Insbesondere werden konstruktive und statische Aspekte bei der Umsetzung des Entwurfs beleuchtet. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma gene expression profiles
Authors: Martinez‐Delgado B.
Published: May 2006

Expression profiling using DNA microarrays has been very helpful to improve our knowledge of the pathobiology of many tumour types, including lymphomas. Peripheral T‐cell lymphomas (PTCL) constitute an heterogeneous group of tumours with different morphologic, immunophenotypic, and clinical characteristics. Their complexity and their low frequency in the western countries have made difficult the identification of molecular events responsible of the development of these tumours. The first studies on expression profiling of PTCL have also revealed heterogeneity at this level, mainly regarding the PTCL NOS subgroup. Different molecular subgroups within PTCL unspecified have been identified associated to different expression profiles. However, the clinical significance of this molecular sub‐classification remains to be probed in studies involving larger number of samples. In addition, the expression level of NF‐kB pathway genes allowed to differentiate two PTCL subgroups, and this difference could have clinical interest. In general, PTCL expression profiles are difficult to interpret due to the significant proportion of other infiltrating cells accompanying the tumour. However, microarrays are being a helpful tool in the initial task of dissecting the PTCL expression profile. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface integrity and removal mechanism in simulated dental finishing of a feldspathic porcelain
Authors: Yin Ling , Song X. F. , Qu S. F. , Han Y. G. , Wang H.
Published: May 2006

Dental abrasive finishing of a fine‐grained feldspathic porcelain was performed on a computer‐assisted apparatus for simulation of a 2‐degrees‐of‐freedom restorative operation with a dental handpiece and a coarse diamond bur of grit size of 106–125 μm. Finishing forces, surface roughness, and morphology were investigated as functions of finishing conditions. The tangential and normal forces were measured using a piezoelectric dynamometer and a data processing system. The results indicated that these forces increased with either the depth of cut or with the feed rate, in the ranges of 0.12–0.31 N and 0.45–1.09 N, respectively. However, an increase in either depth of cut or feed rate affected neither the surface roughness measured using a stylus profilometer nor the morphology observed under a scanning electron microscope. The finished porcelain surfaces were found to consist of the microfracture and chipping areas, ductile removal areas, smeared areas, and debris. Irregular fracture and chipping resulted from the extension of lateral/median cracks; ductile micromachining was attributed to the plastic deformation accompanied by distributed microcracks. It was determined that a combination of the microfracture and ductile micromachining was the primary mechanism for material removal. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
A note on the wave action density of a a viscous instability mode on a laminar free-shear flow
Authors: Balsa Thomas F.
Published: May 2006

Using the assumptions of an incompressible and viscous flow at large Reynolds number, we derive the evolution equation for the wave action density of an instability wave travelling on top of a laminar free-shear flow. The instability is considered to be viscous; the purpose of the present work is to include the cumulative effect of the (locally) small viscous correction to the wave, over length and time scales on which the underlying base flow appears inhomogeneous owing to its viscous diffusion. As such, we generalize our previous work for inviscid waves. This generalization appears as an additional (but usually non-negligible) term in the equation for the wave action. The basic structure of the equation remains unaltered.
Nighttime D region electron density profiles and variabilities inferred from broadband measurements using VLF radio emissions from lightning
Authors: Cheng Zhenggang , Cummer Steven A. , Baker Daniel N. , Kanekal Shrikanth G.
Published: May 2006

Lightning discharges radiate most of their electromagnetic energy in the very low frequency (VLF, 3–30 kHz) and extremely low frequency (ELF, 3–3000 Hz) bands and are, consequently, an effective tool for remotely sensing the nighttime ionospheric D region electron density profile. Using broadband lightning‐generated VLF signals, we derived the night‐to‐night variations of the midlatitude ionospheric D region electron density profiles. For 16 nights, between 1 July and 4 August 2004, we examined measured VLF data from lightning occurring near the United States east coast (∼530–860 km away from Duke University) and received at Duke University from 0400 to 0600 UT. From these observed VLF radio atmospherics (sferics), we extracted the nighttime D region electron density profiles covering the range of electron densities from 100 to 103 cm−3, in the altitude range of approximately 70–95 km, using a two‐dimensional, laterally homogenous model of VLF propagation in the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide. The inferred electron density profile variabilities were in good agreement with those from past nighttime rocket experiments at similar latitudes. Using the rocket‐measured profiles in our propagation simulations, we determined that the two‐parameter exponential D region electron density profiles we inferred were the best exponential fit, in the electron density range of ∼3 to ∼500 cm−3, to the rocket‐measured D region electron density profiles. In an initial effort to determine the sources of the observed variabilities, we compared the SAMPEX precipitating electron measurements to the electron density profiles inferred during July 2000. The results indicate that high‐energy electron precipitation might account for at least part of the night‐to‐night variations of the D region electron densities at the midlatitudes.
Acoustic bed velocity and bed load dynamics in a large sand bed river
Authors: Gaeuman David , Jacobson Robert B.
Published: May 2006

Development of a practical technology for rapid quantification of bed load transport in large rivers would represent a revolutionary advance for sediment monitoring and the investigation of fluvial dynamics. Measurement of bed load motion with acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) has emerged as a promising approach for evaluating bed load transport. However, a better understanding of how ADCP data relate to conditions near the stream bed is necessary to make the method practical for quantitative applications. In this paper, we discuss the response of ADCP bed velocity measurements, defined as the near‐bed sediment velocity detected by the instrument's bottom‐tracking feature, to changing sediment‐transporting conditions in the lower Missouri River. Bed velocity represents a weighted average of backscatter from moving bed load particles and spectral reflections from the immobile bed. The ratio of bed velocity to mean bed load particle velocity depends on the concentration of the particles moving in the bed load layer, the bed load layer thickness, and the backscatter strength from a unit area of moving particles relative to the echo strength from a unit area of unobstructed bed. A model based on existing bed load transport theory predicted measured bed velocities from hydraulic and grain size measurements with reasonable success. Bed velocities become more variable and increase more rapidly with shear stress when the transport stage, defined as the ratio of skin friction to the critical shear stress for particle entrainment, exceeds a threshold of about 17. This transition in bed velocity response appears to be associated with the appearance of longer, flatter bed forms at high transport stages.
Study of strong cross-field sheared flow with the vorticity probe in the Large Plasma Device
Authors: Perez Jean C. , Horton W. , Bengtson Roger D. , Carter Troy
Published: May 2006

This work reports evidence for the existence of coherent structures in steady-state shear-flow driven plasmas in the Large Plasma Device [W. Gekelman et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)] facility at UCLA. The measurements are performed with the vorticity probe (VP), a probe that directly measures the plasma vorticity associated with the E×B shear flow by means of a method that is both simpler and more accurate than the methods used in neutral fluids. Because the rate of change of vorticity is a key quantity in nonlinear models, as in the Hasegawa-Mima equation, its direct measurement is critical for verification purposes. The physical origin of the rate of change of plasma vorticity from E×B flow is the divergence of the ion polarization current. Vortex coherent structures occur when the vorticity is a nonlinear function of the stream function. Statistical properties of vorticity are reported and shown to be consistent with the types of coherent structures created by the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Comparisons of the measured vortex characteristics with the results from nonlinear simulations of the systems is described.
Weakly collisional Landau damping and three-dimensional Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal modes: New results on old problems
Authors: Ng C. S. , Bhattacharjee A. , Skiff F.
Published: May 2006

Landau damping and Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal (BGK) modes are among the most fundamental concepts in plasma physics. While the former describes the surprising damping of linear plasma waves in a collisionless plasma, the latter describes exact undamped nonlinear solutions of the Vlasov equation. There does exist a relationship between the two: Landau damping can be described as the phase mixing of undamped eigenmodes, the so-called Case–Van Kampen modes, which can be viewed as BGK modes in the linear limit. While these concepts have been around for a long time, unexpected new results are still being discovered. For Landau damping, we show that the textbook picture of phase mixing is altered profoundly in the presence of collision. In particular, the continuous spectrum of Case–Van Kampen modes is eliminated and replaced by a discrete spectrum, even in the limit of zero collision. Furthermore, we show that these discrete eigenmodes form a complete set of solutions. Landau-damped solutions are then recovered as true eigenmodes (which they are not in the collisionless theory). For BGK modes, our interest is motivated by recent discoveries of electrostatic solitary waves in magnetospheric plasmas. While one-dimensional BGK theory is quite mature, there appear to be no exact three-dimensional solutions in the literature (except for the limiting case when the magnetic field is sufficiently strong so that one can apply the guiding-center approximation). We show, in fact, that two- and three-dimensional solutions that depend only on energy do not exist. However, if solutions depend on both energy and angular momentum, we can construct exact three-dimensional solutions for the unmagnetized case, and two-dimensional solutions for the case with a finite magnetic field. The latter are shown to be exact, fully electromagnetic solutions of the steady-state Vlasov-Poisson-Ampère system.
Influence of the porosity on diffusion and lifetime in porous TiO2 layers
Authors: Dittrich Th. , Ofir A. , Tirosh S. , Grinis L. , Zaban A.
Published: May 2006

Photocurrent transients were investigated on pressed and sintered porous TiO2 layers which were immersed in electrolyte during the measurements. Unpressed porous TiO2 layers were prepared by electrophoretic deposition. The porosity of the layers was changed systematically by pressing. The surfaces of the TiO2 nanoparticles and the intimate contact between them were identically conditioned by sintering in air at 450°C after pressing. With decreasing porosity, the diffusion coefficient increased while the electron lifetime decreased. The results are discussed on the base of the change of the mean coordination number between TiO2 nanoparticles.
Sediment sources and delivery following plantation harvesting in a weathered volcanic terrain, Coromandel Peninsula, North Island, New Zealand
Authors: Marden Michael , Rowan Donna , Phillips Chris
Published: May 2006

Sediment generation and vegetation recovery was measured over a 2-year post-harvest period in a 36-ha catchment of exotic forest located in andesitic terrain, Whangapoua Forest (36.46°S, 175.36°E), Coromandel, New Zealand. Slopewash, soil scraping (on-slope removal of the regolith by the repeated dragging of logs), and storm-initiated landsliding were identified as the principal sediment-generating processes. Slopewash and vegetation recovery rates were measured using field-based plots located on sites of shallow- and deep-disturbance and a regression relationship was established between sedimentation rate (accumulation (g)/day.mm rain.m2) and per cent vegetation cover for both plot types. At the basin scale, slopewash was calculated using the plot-based rates times the total area of deep- and shallow-disturbance sites as identified from a ground-based, transect survey and using sequential aerial photography. Sediment production, by soil scraping and landsliding, was determined by multiplying mean scar depth by the total affected area. In the first post-harvest year deep-disturbance sites generated 92% of total slopewash produced from both disturbance classes combined, and in year 2, slopewash halved. Half of the first post-harvest year’s slopewash-derived sediment was generated within the first 7 months following the completion of harvesting and before the application of desiccant. Thereafter, on deep-disturbance sites, slopewash rates declined further as sites became hardened against the generation of new sediment (i.e. sites became sediment limited). In contrast, during both the initial post-harvest recovery period and the post-desiccation period, the decline in sediment production on shallow-disturbance sites was more a consequence of site recolonisation. Sediment generated and redistributed by scalping and by landsliding occurred at the time of the respective events and coincided with the early part of the first post-harvest year. Collectively, soil scraping, slopewash, and landslides generated 1864 t (52 t/ha) of sediment, 88% of which remained on-slope. Of the sediment delivered to streams (228 t), landslides contributed 72%, soil scraping 26%, and slopewash 2%. For this harvested basin a single, storm-initiated, landsliding event was the most important hillslope process responsible for the generation of sediment and its delivery to streams, and slopewash was the least important.
Integrated analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic data of Desulfovibrio vulgaris: zero-inflated Poisson regression models to predict abundance of undetected proteins
Authors: Nie Lei , Wu Gang , Brockman Fred J. , Zhang Weiwen
Published: May 2006

Motivation: Integrated analysis of global scale transcriptomic and proteomic data can provide important insights into the metabolic mechanisms underlying complex biological systems. However, because the relationship between protein abundance and mRNA expression level is complicated by many cellular and physical processes, sophisticated statistical models need to be developed to capture their relationship.

Results: In this study, we describe a novel data-driven statistical model to integrate whole-genome microarray and proteomic data collected from Desulfovibrio vulgaris grown under three different conditions. Based on the Poisson distribution pattern of proteomic data and the fact that a large number of proteins were undetected (excess zeros), zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP)-based models were proposed to define the correlation pattern between mRNA and protein abundance. In addition, by assuming that there is a probability mass at zero representing unexpressed genes and expressed proteins that were undetected owing to technical limitations, a Potential ZIP model was established. Two significant improvements introduced by this approach are (1) the predicted protein abundance level values for experimentally detected proteins are corrected by considering their mRNA levels and (2) protein abundance values can be predicted for undetected proteins (in the case of this study, ∼83% of the proteins in the D.vulgaris genome) for better biological interpretation. We demonstrated the use of these statistical models by comparatively analyzing proteomic and microarray results from D.vulgaris grown on lactate-based versus formate-based media. These models correctly predicted increased expression of Ech hydrogenase and decreased expression of Coo hydrogenase for D.vulgaris grown on formate.

Contact: Weiwen.Zhang@pnl.gov

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Model predicting dynamics of biomass, structure and digestibility of herbage in managed permanent pastures. 1. Model description
Authors: Jouven M. , Carrère P. , Baumont R.
Published: May 2006

To investigate seasonal and annual interactions between management and grassland dynamics, a simple mechanistic model of the dynamics of production, structure and digestibility in permanent pastures was constructed. The model is designed to respond to various defoliation regimes, perform multiple‐year simulations and produce simple outputs that are easy to use as inputs for a model of ruminant livestock production. Grassland communities are described using a set of average functional traits of their constituent grass groups. The sward is subdivided into four structural compartments: green leaves and sheath, dead leaves and sheath, green stems and flowers, and dead stems and flowers. Each compartment is characterized by its biomass, age and digestibility. Only above‐ground growth is modelled, using a light‐utilization efficiency approach modulated by a seasonal pattern of storage and mobilization of reserves. Ageing of plant parts is driven by cumulative thermal time from 1 January and by biomass flows. Age affects senescence, abscission and digestibility of green compartments and, therefore, the quality of green leaves and stems can increase or decrease over time in relation to net growth and defoliation dynamics. The functional traits having the greatest impact on model outputs are seasonal effects, period of reproductive growth and effects of temperature on photosynthetic efficiency.

The functional traits of the grass groups were parameterized for temperate pastures of the Auvergne region in France. The other model inputs are few: proportion of functional groups, basic weather data (incident photosynthetically active radiation, mean daily temperature, precipitation and potential evapotranspiration) and site characteristics (nitrogen nutrition index, soil water‐holding capacity). In the context of a whole‐farm simulator, the model can be applied at a field scale.
Model predicting dynamics of biomass, structure and digestibility of herbage in managed permanent pastures. 2. Model evaluation
Authors: Jouven M. , Carrère P. , Baumont R.
Published: May 2006

A mechanistic model, simulating the dynamics of production, structure and digestibility of managed permanent pastures, was developed. Its evaluation consisted of (i) studying model response to a range of grassland communities, cutting frequencies and site characteristics, and (ii) testing the model against experimental data, focusing on biomass accumulation and digestibility during three different cutting cycles, herbage production under a frequent cutting regime, and sward dynamics during the winter. The model realistically predicted the dynamics of biomass, structure and digestibility of herbage for various communities of permanent pastures, in different sites and under different management conditions for upland areas of the Auvergne region in France. The predicted responses to environmental conditions and cutting regimes were close to field observations and experimental results. Although the model successfully predicted the dynamics of average herbage production, it lacked precision in predicting the low biomass production observed in relation to the weather conditions found in a few specific years. The model was able to predict the dynamics of the sward during winter and is, therefore, fit for producing multiple‐year simulations. To improve the prediction of variability of biomass production and to predict the medium‐ to long‐term dynamics of permanent pastures, the model could be refined by adding seasonal and multiple‐year variation in nitrogen availability and in the proportion of grass functional groups in the grassland community.
Upregulation of gene encoding adipogenic transcriptional factors C/EBPα and PPARγ2 in denervated muscle
Authors: Wagatsuma A.
Published: May 2006

Muscle denervation induces fatty degeneration in skeletal muscle. However, the possible mechanism(s) remains to be elucidated. To gain insight into the regulation of this process, this study was designed to characterize the expression pattern of genes encoding transcriptional factors that regulate adipogenesis and the terminal differentiation marker of adipocytes in denervated muscle. Female mice underwent surgery to transect the sciatic nerve, and then the gastrocnemius muscles were harvested 5, 10, 20 or 30 days after surgery. The extent of fatty degeneration was assessed as lipid accumulation by Oil Red O staining. The cellular localization of CCCAT/enhancer‐binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2), which play an important role in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation, was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels were analysed using a real‐time polymerase chain reaction. After muscle denervation, most muscle fibres atrophied pathologically, and lipid accumulation was observed in the superficial region of the gastrocnemius muscle, suggesting that fatty degeneration occurs in this model. Both C/EBPα and PPARγ2 proteins were observed in the interstitial space of denervated muscle but detected in small amounts in normal muscle. The expression levels of C/EBPα and PPARγ2 were significantly upregulated 30 days after muscle denervation. The expression levels of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), which reflects fatty acid metabolism, were decreased slightly at 5 and 10 days and then returned to control levels 30 days after muscle denervation. These findings suggest that muscle denervation‐induced fatty degeneration may be mediated through C/EBPα and PPARγ2.
Transcapillary fluid balance consequences of missing initial lymphatics studied in a mouse model of primary lymphoedema
Authors: Karlsen Tine V. , Karkkainen Marika J. , Alitalo Kari , Wiig Helge
Published: May 2006

To investigate the phenotypic consequences of a deranged lymphangiogenesis in relation to tissue fluid accumulation and the possible role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of lymphoedema, we measured determinants of transcapillary fluid filtration and inflammatory mediators in the interstitial fluid in genetically engineered Chy mice, a model for primary congenital lymphoedema (Milroy's disease). Although initial lymphatics were not present in dermis in any of the areas studied (fore paw, hind paw, thigh and back skin) interstitial fluid pressure (Pif), measured with micropipettes, and tissue fluid volumes were significantly increased only in the areas with visible swelling – the fore and hind paw, whereas interstitial colloid osmotic pressure (COPif) was increased in all the skin areas examined. A volume load of 15% of body weight resulted in a more pronounced increase in Pif as well as a four‐fold increase in interstitial fluid volume in Chy relative to wild‐type (wt) mice, showing the quantitative importance of lymphatics for fluid homeostasis during acute perturbations. A similar level of proinflammatory markers in interstitial fluid in early established lymphoedema (3–4 months) in Chy and wt suggests that inflammation does not have a major pathogenetic role for the development of lymphoedema, whereas a reduced level of the immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)‐4 may result in a reduced immunological defence ability and thus lead to the increase in inflammatory cytokines IL‐2 and IL‐6 observed at a later stage (11–13 months). Our data suggest that primary lymphoedema results in a high interstitial fluid protein concentration that does not induce an interstitial inflammatory reaction per se, and furthermore shows the paramount importance of the initial lymphatics in tissue fluid homeostasis, especially during perturbations of transcapillary fluid balance.
Use of amino terminal type III procollagen peptide (P3NP) assay in methotrexate therapy for psoriasis
Authors: Khan S , Subedi D , Chowdhury M M U
Published: May 2006

Hepatic fibrosis continues to be a risk in patients receiving methotrexate for psoriasis. Measurement of amino terminal levels of type III procollagen (P3NP) has been advocated as an effective non-invasive test for ongoing hepatic fibrogenesis that could avoid liver biopsies. An audit was conducted to assess the practice of P3NP monitoring using guidelines produced by Manchester and whether the agreed levels correlate with histological severity. Sixty five patients with 174 P3NP assays and 30 liver biopsies were reviewed between the years 1999 and 2003. Total number of patient-methotrexate years was 278.9 and the mean cumulative dose of methotrexate received was 2000 (SD 1838) mg. A higher cumulative dose of methotrexate correlated significantly with high mean and maximum P3NP levels. Of the 30 liver biopsies, 26 (86.6%) showed normal histology or mild to moderate steatosis, three had focal fibrosis, and one had early cirrhosis. A median P3NP value of 5.8 μg/l or higher had a stronger correlation with histological severity. It is concluded that P3NP assay is a valuable adjunct to the clinical management of patients receiving long term methotrexate that can avoid or reduce unnecessary liver biopsies.
PHYSICS AT FUTURE LINEAR COLLIDERS
Authors: MÖNIG KLAUS
Published: May 2006

This article summarizes the physics at future linear colliders. It will be shown that in all studied physics scenarios a 1 TeV linear collider in addition to the LHC will enhance our knowledge significantly and helps to reconstruct the model of new physics nature has chosen.
The thioredoxin system in aging muscle: key role of mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase in the protective effects of caloric restriction?
Authors: Rohrbach Susanne , Gruenler Stefanie , Teschner Mirja , Holtz Juergen
Published: May 2006

Cellular redox balance is maintained by various antioxidative systems. Among those is the thioredoxin system, consisting of thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, and NADPH. In the present study, we examined the effects of caloric restriction (2 mo) on the expression of the cytosolic and mitochondrial thioredoxin system in skeletal muscle and heart of senescent and young rats. Mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase (TrxR2) is significantly reduced in aging skeletal and cardiac muscle and renormalized after caloric restriction, while the cytosolic isoform remains unchanged. Thioredoxins (mitochondrial Trx2, cytosolic Trx1) are not influenced by caloric restriction. In skeletal and cardiac muscle of young rats, caloric restriction has no effect on the expression of thioredoxins or thioredoxin reductases. Enforced reduction of TrxR2 (small interfering RNA) in myoblasts under exposure to ceramide or TNF-α causes a dramatic enhancement of nucleosomal DNA cleavage, caspase 9 activation, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species release, together with reduced cell viability, while this TrxR2 reduction is without effect in unstimulated myoblasts under basal conditions. Oxidative stress in vitro (H2O2in C2C12myoblasts and myotubes) results in different changes: TrxR2, Trx2, and Trx1 are induced without alterations in the cytosolic thioredoxin reductase isoforms. Thus aging is associated with a TrxR2 reduction in skeletal muscle and heart, which enhances susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli but is renormalized after short-term caloric restriction. Exogenous oxidative stress does not result in these age-related changes of TrxR2.
Pulmonary sensory and reflex responses in the mouse
Authors: Zhang J. W. , Walker J. F. , Guardiola J. , Yu J.
Published: May 2006

Mouse model research is proliferating because of its readiness for genetic manipulation. Little is known about pulmonary vagal afferents in mice, however. The purpose of this study was to determine whether their pulmonary afferents are similar to those in large animals. Single-unit activity was recorded in the cervical vagus nerve of anesthetized, open-chest, and mechanically ventilated mice. We evaluated airway sensory activity in 153 single units; 141 were mechanosensitive, with 134 inflation receptors and 7 deflation receptors. The remaining 12 receptors were chemosensitive and mechanically insensitive, showing low basal firing frequency and behaving like C-fiber or high-threshold Aδ-receptors. In separate studies, phrenic activity was recorded as an index of respiratory drive to assess pulmonary reflexes. Lung inflation produced a typical Hering-Breuer reflex, and intravenous injection of phenylbiguanide produced the typical chemoreflex resulting in apnea, bradycardia, and hypotension. These reflexes were blocked by bilateral vagotomy. We conclude that mice possess a similar set of airway sensors and pulmonary reflexes as typically found in larger animals.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation Stimulates Differentiation of Oligodendroglia Cells
Authors: van Meeteren M.E. , Baron W. , Beermann C. , Dijkstra C.D. , van Tol E.A.F.
Published: May 2006

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been postulated as alternative supportive treatment for multiple sclerosis, since they may promote myelin repair. We set out to study the effect of supplementation with n-3 and n-6 PUFAs on OLN-93 oligodendroglia and rat primary oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro. It appeared that OLN-93 cells actively incorporate and metabolise the supplemented PUFAs in their cell membrane. The effect of PUFAs on OLN-93 differentiation was further assessed by morphological and Western blot evaluation of markers of oligodendroglia differentiation: 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNP), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG). Supplementation of the OLN-93 cells with n-3 and n-6 PUFAs increased the degree of differentiation determined by morphological analysis. Moreover, CNP protein expression was significantly increased by γ-linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n-6) supplementation. In accordance with the OLN-93 results, studies with rat primary oligodendrocytes, a more advanced model of cell differentiation, showed GLA supplementation to promote oligodendrocyte differentiation. Following GLA supplementation, increased numbers of proteolipid protein (PLP)-positive oligodendrocytes and increased myelin sheet formation was observed during differentiation of primary oligodendrocytes. Moreover, increased CNP, and enhanced PLP and myelin basic protein expression were found after GLA administration. These studies provide support for the dietary supplementation of specific PUFAs to support oligodendrocyte differentiation and function.
Cerebellar Neurons and Glial Cells Are Transducible by Lentiviral Vectors without Decrease of Cerebellar Functions
Authors: Croci C. , Fasano S. , Superchi D. , Perani L. , Martellosio A. , Brambilla R. , Consalez G. , Bongarzone E.R.
Published: May 2006

Due to the profuse connections of the cerebellum to the rest of the central nervous system, cerebellar dysfunction impacts tremendously on movement coordination, maintenance of equilibrium, muscle tone and motor memory. Efficient gene transfer of therapeutic genes to this central nervous system structure would constitute a relevant step ahead the design of treatments to ameliorate cerebellar dysfunction. Lentiviral vectors (LVs) have been used as efficient vehicles to integrate transgenes into dividing and non-dividing cells, such as postmitotic adult neurons, with minimal toxicity and immune response. This study aimed to use LVs carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) cDNA for transduction of cerebellar cells in vivo without compromising neurological cerebellar functions. Our results indicate that LVs, injected in the lobulus simplex, transduced different cerebellar neurons including stellate, Purkinje cells, granular neurons and glial cells such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and that this gene transfer approach was not accompanied by cerebellar deficits.
Detection of PEDF in Subretinal Fluid of Retinal Detachment: Possible Role in the Prevention of Subretinal Neovascularization
Authors: Abdiu Oran , Olivestedt Göran , Berglin Lennart , van Setten Gysbert
Published: May 2006

PEDF (pigment-epithelium-derived factor) is a member of the serpin family of protease inhibitors. It is considered to be an important regulator of human eye disease and is known to inhibit angiogenesis. We have therefore investigated the presence of PEDF in the subretinal fluid of patients with retinal detachment. Methods: Eighteen samples from SRF were collected from patients during retinal detachment surgery. Specific ELISA analysis was performed with specific IgG against human PEDF. Results: PEDF was detected in the subretinal fluid of all cases. The mean concentration of PEDF was 33.9 ng/ml (SD 23.7 ng/ml; range 5.3–74.7 ng/ml). The majority of samples had however a concentration of more than 22 ng PEDF/ml fluid. Conclusion: PEDF appears to be a constant component of the fluid accumulating in the subretinal space after retinal detachment. The known effects of PEDF, however, suggest that it may be involved in physiological processes of wound healing in the subretinal space.
Intraretinal Immunohistochemistry Findings in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy with Retinal Shortening
Authors: Pastor J. Carlos , Méndez M. Carmen , De la Fuente Miguel A. , Coco Rosa M. , García-Arumí José , Rodríguez de la Rúa Enrique , Fernández Nieves , Saornil M. Antonia , Gayoso Manuel J.
Published: May 2006

To report the major intraretinal pathological changes in retinas with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and retinal shortening, 13 human retinal samples from postoperative PVR after primary surgery for retinal detachment were immunostained for vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cytokeratins, and CD68. One more sample was studied with electron microscopy. Retinal disorganization, neuronal loss, and gliosis were observed in 12 out of 13 samples, but all 13 were positive for GFAP. Müller cell processes showed different degrees of intermediate filament hyperplasia. CD68-positive cells were present in 11 of 13 retinal samples. Conclusion: A gliotic response plays a major role in retinal shortening in PVR. In addition, the presence of macrophage-like cells in retinal tissues suggests a possible role of these cells in the pathogenesis of this variety of PVR.
Association of μ-Opioid Receptor Gene Polymorphism A118G with Alcohol Dependence in a Japanese Population
Authors: Nishizawa Daisuke , Han Wenhua , Hasegawa Junko , Ishida Takafumi , Numata Yukio , Sato Tadahiro , Kawai Atsuko , Ikeda Kazutaka
Published: May 2006

Ethanol is considered to activate the brain reward system by increasing the release of an endogenous opioid receptor ligand, β-endorphin. The polymorphism A118G in the µ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) causes the amino acid change Asn40Asp and has been reported to affect the affinity of the ligand for the receptor. The association of this polymorphism with the vulnerability to alcohol dependence has been studied in many populations, but not yet in Japanese people. In the present study, we compared the frequencies of the polymorphism OPRM1 A118G between patients with alcohol dependence and healthy control subjects living in a Japanese provincial prefecture. We also genotyped a polymorphism, G1510A, in the acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (ALDH2), in which the A allele causes poor metabolism of acetaldehyde, a major metabolite of alcohol. Both OPRM1 118G and ALDH2 1510G were significantly associated with alcohol dependence. These results suggest that OPRM1 118G in addition to ALDH2 1510G might be one of the risk factors for alcohol dependence in Japanese people.
Auditory Fear Conditioning and Conditioned Stress Raise NO3– Level in the Amygdala
Authors: Sato Taku , Suzuki Eiji , Yokoyama Masamoto , Watanabe Shigeru , Miyaoka Hitoshi
Published: May 2006

Background: The conditioned fear response is considered to be acquired by experimental animals when tone information is combined with that of an electrical foot shock (unconditioned stimulus) in the amygdala. Nitric oxide biosynthesized in the brain is reportedly involved in several kinds of learning. Methods: In this study, we continuously monitored the NO3– level, as a marker of nitric oxide production, in the amygdala starting before the application of tone and electrical foot shock stimuli together (conditioned group) or the tone stimulus alone (control group) on day 1, until after the tone information was given (both groups) on day 2, using the in vivo microdialysis method. Results: The NO3– level of the conditioned group was increased on both day 1 and day 2, while that of the control group was not elevated on either day. Freezing behavior was observed in the conditioned but not the control rats. Conclusions: Although the sources of NO3– remain uncertain, these results suggest that nitric oxide is associated with auditory fear conditioning and the response to a conditioned stimulus.
Over-Complete Discrete Wavelet Transformation of the Normal Auditory Brainstem Response Improves Prediction of Outcome following Severe Acute Closed Head Injury
Authors: Wilson Wayne J. , Chapple Jane A. , Phillips Kate M. , Snell Kylie T. , Bradley Andrew P. , Darnell Ross
Published: May 2006

Previous research has shown that complex statistical analysis (discriminant function analysis) of a ‘normal’ auditory brainstem response (ABR) result can improve this measure’s ability to predict subject outcome following severe acute closed head injury (ACHI). We hypothesized that adding the ABR’s time-frequency information to such an analysis would improve this predictive value even further. ‘Normal’ ABR results were sampled from 69 severe ACHI subjects (22 of whom died and 47 of whom lived) and their time-frequency information extracted using an over-complete discrete wavelet transformation (OCDWT). A series of logistic regression analyses then showed correct predictions of death and survival as follows: ABR measures only 72 and 89% (respectively), ABR OCDWT measures only 82 and 89% (respectively), and ABR and ABR OCDWT measures combined 86 and 93% (respectively). These results showed that the addition of time-frequency information can improve the ability of the ‘normal’ ABR result to predict outcome following severe ACHI.
The Scientific Spirit in Politics
Authors: Macy Jesse
Published: May 2006

Comparison between the methods prevailing in science and in politics began as early as the presidential campaign of 1872. Already there was a distinctly recognized scientific world which was demanding recognition in colleges and universities. The terms scientific spirit and scientific method were becoming clearly defined. The men who were at the time responsible for the conduct of public affairs were in a better position to appreciate the change involved than any after generation can be. To those abreast with the times, Darwin's Origin of Species came as a great revelation. They themselves actually experienced the transition from dogmatism and authority to experiment and demonstration. For the first time in history men had planted their feet firmly upon the solid earth; and they refused to be moved. Scientific devotees became informally pledged to each other to use their utmost endeavor to know all that man may know in the realm of nature, regardless of any moral, religious or extraneous influence of any sort. In this limited field they made truth, or actuality, their single goal. All liars, all blunderers, and all who had a disposition to believe a false report, disappeared from the ranks of the promoters of science.
Aerial Jurisdiction
Authors: Wilson George Grafton
Published: May 2006

As a legal concept jurisdiction may be considered the right to exercise state authority. Story says that it may be “laid down as a general proposition that all persons and property within the territorial jurisdiction of a sovereign are amenable to the jurisdiction of himself or his courts; and that the exceptions to this rule are such only as by common usage and public policy have been allowed, in order to preserve the peace and harmony of nations, and to regulate their intercourse in a manner best suited to their dignity and rights.” (Santissima Trinidad 7 Wheat. 354) It is fully recognized that all land and the marginal sea, to a distance of a marine league at least, is subject to territorial jurisdiction and that the open sea is not within the jurisdiction of any state though vessels sailing upon such seas are within the jurisdiction of the state whose flag they rightfully fly. As Story says exceptions to this rule of exclusive jurisdiction are such “as by common usage and public policy have been allowed, in order to preserve the peace and harmony of nations, and to regulate their intercourse, in a manner best suited to their dignity and rights.”
A Review of Labor Legislation in the United States for the year 1909
Authors: Osgood Irene
Published: May 2006

The greatest need in the field of labor legislation is the establishment of scientific standards. The chaotic condition of such legislation in this country is everywhere recognized. This lack of uniformity is due partly to the fact that, where England, for instance, has one body enacting legislation, we have fifty bodies politic, each with different industrial conditions and with different ideas as to what is constitutional. It is significant that this lack of uniformity has led to the organization of a special national association to promote scientific study of labor legislation. Forty-two states held legislative sessions during 1909. A flood of labor bills were introduced and nearly four hundred were enacted into law.
The Federal Constitution and the Defects of the Confederation
Authors: Farrand Max
Published: May 2006

While it has frequently been stated that in framing the Constitution of the United States the federal convention of 1787 was engaged in a very practical piece of work, it never seems to have been realized how completely the members of that convention were dependent upon their own experience. With the Declaration of Independence the colonies organized themselves as States, framing and adopting constitutions. In the course of the Revolution, those States united under the Articles of Confederation. When this latter instrument of government proved to be inadequate, a fresh essay was made and our present Constitution was the result. That the Constitution was framed because of defects in the Articles of Confederation is universally accepted, but it does not seem to be recognized that experience had shown certain specific defects to exist, that the convention was called for the purpose of correcting those specific defects, and that the Constitution embodied in itself little more than the remedies for those defects.

In order to appreciate this point of view, which it is believed is the true historical interpretation of the action of the federal convention in framing our Constitution, it is necessary to divest oneself of preconceived ideas and prejudices due to modern misinterpretation.