bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mediating with Heart in Mind: Addressing Emotion in Mediation Practice
Authors: Jones Tricia S. , Bodtker Andrea
Published: July 2007

Given the centrality of emotion and emotional communication to conflict interaction, the lack of attention to emotion in mediation is particularly surprising. This essay suggests that mediation practice can – and should – be informed by the wealth of existing theory and research on emotion in the social sciences. The authors define emotion and argue the centrality of its place in conflict. They address issues germane to the cognitive, expressive, and physiological aspects of emotion and their relevance to mediatio practice. Within each area, they discuss the implications of the emotional experience of the disputant and the emotional experience of the mediator.
Renegotiating Existing Agreements: How to Deal with “Life Struggling Against Form”
Authors: Salacuse Jeswald W.
Published: July 2007

Renegotiation of existing agreements is constant in all areas of life. In this article, the author examines the nature and causes of renegotiation and offers guidance to persons involved in the renegotiation process. He identifies three distinct types of renegotiations – post‐deal, intra‐deal, and extra‐deal renegotiation. Each of the three types poses particular problems and opportunities and each requires different techniques to deal with those problems and opportunities.
Electronically‐Mediated Dispute Resolution and E‐Commerce
Authors: Nadler Janice
Published: July 2007

Although the volume of internet commerce continues to increase, some consumers hesitate to conduct business transactions on the internet because of concerns about the trustworthiness of on‐line merchants. The presence of readily available, on‐line dispute resolution services can send a reassuring signal to consumers that allays their fears and encourages them to do business on‐line. However, on‐line dispute resolution systems designed to address disputes arising from e‐commerce transactions rely on a communication medium that is impoverished, which can lead to lower trust in the process, and to the escalation of negative emotion and negative attributions about the other participants in the dispute resolution process, making successful resolution of the dispute more difficult. A mediator or arbitrator in an online setting who is aware of these potential problems can try to avert them by engaging in simple rapport‐building procedures. However, facilitating acceptance of on‐line dispute resolution decisions may be more difficult than in a traditional face‐to‐face environment because of the absence of cues that communicate the trustworthiness and neutrality of the third party, as well as acknowledgment of the societal standing of the disputant.
A Systematic Approach to Evaluating the Effects of Collaborative Negotiation Training on Individuals and Groups
Authors: Coleman Peter T. , Joanne Lim Ying Ying
Published: July 2007

Negotiation training evaluation tends to be short‐term, aspectual and piecemeal; evaluations often focus on only one or two salient outcomes of training. This essay presents a model for negotiation training evaluation research that offers a broad conceptualization of the hypothesized individual and group‐level effects of training in collaborative negotiation. The model assesses change at the individual level in conflict‐related cognitions, attitudes, affect and behaviors; and at the group level in conflict outcomes and work climate. The Negotiation Evaluation Survey (NES), a timedelayed, multi‐source feedback approach to assessment and development, is presented as a means of addressing some of the conceptual and methodological problems inherent in more common methods of training evaluation. An illustrative assessment of one model of collaborative negotiation training for adults, the Coleman/Raider Model, is presented. The results, implications, and future research challenges are discussed.
Measuring the Long‐Term Impact of a Community Conflict Resolution Process: A Case Study Using Content Analysis of Public Documents
Authors: Gwartney Patricia A. , Fessenden Lynne , Landt Gayle
Published: July 2007

What are the enduring effects of community‐based conflict resolution processes? According to the research reported here, lessons participants learn in conflict resolution processes disseminate to their communities; secondly, such dissemination can be measured by content analysis of participants’ constituent organization newsletters. The authors illustrate their findings with a case study of the New Community Meeting conflict resolution model (NCM), implemented 1997–98 in an Oregon community to address business‐environmental conflict over growth and sustainable development. Content analysis of business and environmental newsletters over 21 months, including before and after NCM, shows increasing positive and decreasing negative references to former adversaries over the period, together with advocacy for collaboration. The authors frame this study using social exchange theory, and conclude that this theoretical paradigm fits conflict resolution and consensus‐building processes well.
Improving Third‐Party Decisions at Choice Points: A Cyprus Case Study
Authors: Broome Benjamin J. , Murray John S.
Published: July 2007

Third parties are often required to make process decisions under considerable psychological pressure, within the stressful view of interested parties, often with high stakes and inadequate information, on very short notice, and without an opportunity for extended research or even much reflection. Therefore, a valuable goal in preparing for intervention is to develop the ability to spot patterns or cues in the context of the dispute that can immediately suggest techniques or process options that could be successful. This essay focuses on conditions at important choice points in an intervention and the third‐party decisions made in response. It discusses how third parties make decisions on process issues and suggests ways to learn how to make better decisions. Next, it applies this decision framework to an actual intervention, using an effort by a co‐author to build interaction between the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus during the mid‐1990s. Finally, the authors jointly evaluate the Cyprus experience to capture lessons learned for improving third‐party conflict resolution practice.
Highlights of Mediation at Work: Studies of the National REDRESS Evaluation Project
Authors: Bingham Lisa B. , Pitts David W.
Published: July 2007

This research report reviews some of the highlights of the ongoing longitudinal evaluation of the REDRESS® program at the United States Postal Service, the world's largest employment dispute resolution program. These results represent the first systematic data on how a mediation program can function in the workplace setting. This synopsis of the REDRESS® evaluation compares results between the outside neutral and inside neutral conflict resolution systems, explores the role of representation in mediation, and examines the impact of mediation on formal EEO discrimination complaint filings.
Identity‐Based Conflicts: A Systemic Approach
Authors: Smyth Leo F.
Published: July 2007

Some of the most difficult conflicts of all are those grounded in identity, which can be analyzed in both personal and societal contexts. The author's goal is to conceptualize identity‐based conflict from a systems perspective. He uses ideas from psychology, social psychology, and organization theory, connecting them to concepts of “cybernetic control.” As is the case with Social Identity Theory, a major challenge for the negotiation field is to provide a better understanding of destructive forms of intergroup behavior and how belief systems allow group members to justify bad treatment of outgroup members.
A Proposal to Use Mediation and “Night Correspondents” to Curb Urban Violence in Cergy, France
Authors: de Carlo Laurence
Published: July 2007

Mediators, called “night correspondents,” have been hired by some French municipalities to reduce violence in the neighborhoods, using dialogue and daily help (in repairing things in particular). Night correspondents seem to be especially appropriate to reduce incivility, i.e. daily nonrespectful behavior. This essay reports on the results of two surveys conducted in Cergy by MBA students of two seminars at ESSEC business school. Although the recommendation of hiring night correspondents has not been followed yet in Cergy, several decisions have been taken by the social lessors and other public actors in the neighborhoods aimed at reducing violence, through mediation processes.
Social Psychology's Contributions to the Study of Conflict Resolution
Authors: Deutsch Morton
Published: July 2007

This essay presents an indication of the major research questions addressed in the literature of social psychology related to conflict resolution, as well as a historical perspective to see what progress has been made in this area. Highlighted at the conclusion of a section on contemporary themes in conflict studies is the author's consideration of what we know (and need to know) about conflict resolution and overcoming oppression. The author also offers an assessment of the progress thus far in the methodological, conceptual, empirical, and technological domains in the social psychological study of conflict.
Framing New Directions for Theory from the Experience of Practitioners
Authors: Gadlin Howard
Published: July 2007

Parallel, powerful tensions exist both in mediation and in the general worlds of the scholar and the practitioner. One response to balancing these tensions, which could be called “practice romanticism,” has evolved from the reflective practitioner model. But more could be done to improve our analysis and build practice‐oriented theory. A key ingredient in this investigation is a healthy critical approach.
Some Minor Reflections on Conflict Resolution: The State of the Field as a Moving Target
Authors: Warfield Wallace
Published: July 2007

Based on several recent meetings between the scholarly and practice communities of the conflict resolution field, the author observes that our understanding of what we consider to be conflict resolution is changing rapidly, and that the context of a particular dispute is often determining. To continue to build knowledge in the field, scholars and reflective practitioners should examine such topic areas as the nature of practice; differences between in‐house and external mediation; expectations of all parties about change and outcomes; and the ethics of intervention.
Preventing War Through Nation‐Building: A Self‐Interested Approach to Peace
Authors: Hamburg David
Published: July 2007

The author, in this adaptation of his talk at the Hewlett Centers meeting, reflects on the post‐September 11 world and the critical need to develop peacemaking processes in the 21st Century. One key area that needs attention is nation‐building, or sharing the knowledge, skills, and democratic resources of the well‐developed countries with less‐developed nations. Such development activity is not only morally and ethically correct; it is in our own nation's self‐interest as a security measure. Other important post‐9/11 considerations include paying attention to what our critics are saying; understanding the media's pivotal role; working with NGOs; and encouraigng conflict resolution education.
Dispute Resolution and the Politics of Cultural Generalization
Authors: Kahane David
Published: July 2007

This essay argues that generalizations about cultural identities and values should play a key role in designing procedures to resolve disputes. Generalizations about cultures are risky given the complexity of memberships and group boundaries, not to mention the power dynamics within and between social groups. But it is important to take the risk: attempts to avoid or transcend culture in resolving disputes pose an even greater danger, of reiterating the understandings of dominant cultural groups under the guise of neutrality. The author explores the “politics of cultural generalization” in theoretical terms, then considers its implications for concrete elements of dispute resolution training and process design.
Cross‐Cultural Considerations in Complex Peace Operations
Authors: Rubinstein Robert A.
Published: July 2007

Peace operations create the potential for culturally‐based problems in interactions among different organizational actors and with local populations. Because it is impossible to catalog all of the different groups and cultures that may participate in peace operations, it is necessary to develop a general approach to culture and peacekeeping. The author presents a view of culture as a model for understanding and action, and describes some ways in which cultural models are manifest. Specific cultural differences between military and humanitarian participants in peace operations are discussed, as are areas of potential cultural concern for interaction with local populations. Suggestions about approaching these cross‐cultural considerations are offered.
The Illusion of Transparency in Negotiations
Authors: Boven Leaf Van , Gilovich Thomas , Medvec Victoria Husted
Published: July 2007

The authors examined whether negotiators are prone to an “illusion of transparency,” or the belief that their private thoughts and feelings are more discernible to their negotiation partners than they actually are. In Study One, negotiators who were trying to conceal their preferences thought that their preferences had “leaked out” more than they actually did. In Study Two, experienced negotiators who were trying to convey information about some of their preferences overestimated their partners' ability to discern them. The results of Study Three rule out the possibility that the findings are simply the result of the curse of knowledge, or the projection of one's own knowledge onto others. Discussion explores how the illusion of transparency might impede negotiators' success.
Ready for Prime Time: The When, Who, and Why of International Mediation
Authors: Crocker Chester A. , Hampson Fen Osler , Aall Pamela R.
Published: July 2007

Most of the literature on international dispute resolution emphasizes timing and “ripeness” when considering whether or not a dispute is suitable for mediation. In addition to this focus, the authors believe analysts should consider whether a particular mediator is “ready for prime time.” Their framework posits that one may gauge the appropriateness of a mediator for a particular dispute along three different types of considerations: operational and political; strategic and diplomatic; and relationship and cultural “fit.” They provide numerous case examples illustrating how the choice of a mediator might apply in each dimension.
What Would You Do — With a Taniwha at the Table?
Authors: Macduff Ian
Published: July 2007

In New Zealand, a complicating factor in some disputes may involve the presence (whether one believes it or not) of a “taniwha,” or spirit, as a major part of the negotiations. What advice would you have for mediators who face such significant cross‐cultural, identity‐based issues? The author hopes readers of this journal will be able to provide some insighful advice.
Part II: What Would You Do–With a Taniwha at the Table?
Authors: Macduff Ian
Published: July 2007

In the last issues of Negotiation Journal, the author explored the complicating factor of having a “taniwha” or spirit at the negotiating table in a New Zeland case. He challenged his readers to give him suggestions about how negotiators might grapple with often preplexing problems posed by the spiritual valus of their counterparts.
Trust and Other‐Anxiety in Negotiations: Dynamics Across Boundaries of Self and Culture
Authors: Wu Jenai , Laws David
Published: July 2007

A condition of trust between parties negotiating from positions of separate interest can make the difference between desired and undesirable outcomes, not to mention the processes leading up to them. We posit that trust is multiply determined, relational, and deeply embedded in the psychological processes of individual negotiating parties and the social psychological processes between them. How self and other are experienced, and the personal and cultural processes by which the Other Party becomes perceived as having shared boundaries such that trust is possible, is the topic of this essay. We examine an exchange of email between two members of a Russian and Argentine software joint venture, to illustrate how the sense of Otherness can escalate conflict and decrease trust. Inherent in our exposition are prescriptions for avoiding such escalation and polarizing of self and other parties, through such mechanisms as deliberate contact, respect, and awareness of one's own psychological processes in presenting self and perceiving Other.
Thinking Globally and Acting Locally
Authors: Wanis‐St. John Anthony
Published: July 2007

The literature of negotiation and conflict resolution continues to build on and move away from traditional emphases on transactions and decision making. Topics such as the impact of culture on negotiation once aroused debate but are no longer even controversial. Enough scholars in our large and multidisciplinary field have benefited from the insights of complementary social sciences so that few serious scholars or practitioners doubt that identity and culture are dynamic factors affecting negotiations. Some have moved beyond the quest for distributional efficiency that characterized so much early research and now advocate nothing less than social transformation and empowerment through conflict resolution methodologies. Several recent contributions to the negotiation literature ‐ Negotiating Globally, and Reaching for Higher Ground in Conflict Resolution ‐ are evidence that literature in the field is pushing new frontiers.
Axillary lymph node micrometastases in invasive breast cancer: national figures on incidence and overall survival
Authors: GRABAU D. , JENSEN M. B. , RANK F. , BLICHERT‐TOFT M.
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence and prognostic value of axillary lymph node micrometastases (Nmic) of 2 mm or less in breast carcinomas. Results are based on data from the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG). The study was carried out as a nationwide, population‐based trial with a study series consisting of 6,959 women under 75 years of age registered in the national DBCG data base from 1 January 1990 to 31 October 1994. All patients had contracted operable primary breast carcinoma, stage I–III, classified according to the TNM system as T1‐T3, N0‐N1, M0. Women with four or more metastatic axillary lymph nodes were excluded. All patients were treated systematically according to approved national guidelines and treatment protocols. Metastases were recognized microscopically on haematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections. In case of doubt immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin was performed. There was no serial sectioning. Micrometastases were tumour deposits of 2 mm or smaller, and accordingly included deposits of 0.2 mm and smaller. With a median observation time of 10 years and 2 months, women with Nmic (N=427) experienced a significantly worse overall survival (OS) compared with node‐negative (Nneg) women (N=4,767) (relative risk (RR)=1.20, 95% CI: 1.01–1.43), irrespective of menopausal status. Women with macrometastases (Nmac) (N=1,765) had significantly worse final outcome than women with Nmic (RR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.29–1.85), irrespective of menopausal status. Multivariate analysis adjusted for patient‐, histopathologic‐, and loco‐regional therapeutic variables showed that cases with Nmic had a significantly higher risk of death relative to Nneg cases (adjusted RR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.18–1.90). Interaction analysis showed that the number of nodes examined had a significant impact on adjusted relative risk of death according to axillary status. Furthermore, the number of nodes involved significantly influenced adjusted risk of death in the Nmic compared to the Nmac series. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed worse final outcome in women with Nmic compared with Nneg, where all Nmic cases received adjuvant systemic treatment. Interaction analysis showed that the number of retrieved axillary nodes and the number of affected nodes had a different influence on survival related to axillary status. The different risk pattern in Nmic vs Nmac patients indicates that Nmic cases do not show the traditional risk pattern as revealed by the Nmac cases, in which increasing number of positive nodes is associated with an orderly increasing adjusted RR.
Claudins 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 in esophageal cancer: loss of claudin 3 and 4 expression is associated with metastatic behavior
Authors: TAKALA H. , SAARNIO J. , WIIK H. , SOINI Y.
Published: July 2007

The aim of the study was to elucidate the significance of claudins in surgically treated esophageal carcinoma. The expression of claudins 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 was studied by immunohistochemistry. Tumor proliferation was assessed with Ki67 immunostaining and apoptosis by the TUNEL method and immunostaining of fragmented caspase 3. Adenocarcinomas showed significantly more cases with moderate or strong claudin 3 (p<0.001) and claudin 5 positivity (p=0.031) compared to squamous cell carcinomas. Loss of claudin 3 expression was associated with the presence of distant metastases (p=0.039). Claudins 3, 4 and 7 had a significant association with either a high apoptotic index or a high number of caspase 3‐positive cells, while claudin 5 was associated with increased proliferation. In esophageal carcinoma, claudin expression may vary along with the histology of the tumor. Claudin expression may also be associated with apoptosis or proliferation, suggesting that claudins may contribute to tumor behavior and growth.
Patterns of T‐cell reconstitution by assessment of T‐cell receptor excision circle and T‐cell receptor clonal repertoire after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in leukemia patients – a study in Chinese patients
Authors: Fu Yue Wen , Wu De Pei , Cen Jian Nong , Feng Yu Feng , Chang Wei Rong , Zhu Zi Ling , Qiu Qiao Chen , Zhu Ping
Published: July 2007

Objective:  Successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) requires reconstitution normal T‐cell immunity. Measurement of T‐cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and T‐cell receptor β (TCRBV) CDR3 repertoire is a means of quantifying recent thymic T‐cell production and reflecting antigen‐specific T‐cell clones proliferation.

Methods:  We used real‐time quantitative PCR to detect TRECs from 43 Chinese patients who underwent three kind of allo‐HSCT without T‐cell depletion. RT‐PCR was performed to amplify 24 subfamily genes of TCRBV in 24 patients of them.

Results:  For haploidentical‐D group, the TRECs numbers were lower up to 24 months. For matched‐sibling donor (MSD) group, the recovery of TRECs was faster than those of other two groups. TRECs values in matched‐unrelated donor (MUD) were in the middle. During 2–19 months after transplantation, there were 6–16 BV subfamilies expressed and 33–48% of them were polyclones. The usage rate of TCRBV and percentage of polyclones in haploidentical‐D were less than those of other two groups. Twenty‐three CDR3 molecules were obtained from nine patients who were potentially associated with GVHD or CMV infection.

Conclusions:  Analyzing the changes of TCRBV repertoire and measuring TRECs during immune reconstitution would be useful to determine the host’s current immune status and ability of T‐cell immune reconstitution and also to find antigen‐specific T‐cell clones in the three kinds of HSCT.
The PY Motif of ENaC, Mutated in Liddle Syndrome, Regulates Channel Internalization, Sorting and Mobilization from Subapical Pool
Authors: Lu Chen , Pribanic Sandra , Debonneville Anne , Jiang Chong , Rotin Daniela
Published: July 2007

The epithelial‐Na+‐channel (αβγENaC) regulates kidney salt‐transport and blood pressure. Each ENaC subunit contains a PY motif (PPxY) and its mutation in β/γENaC causes Liddle syndrome, a hereditary hypertension. These (extended) PY motifs (PP616xY618xxL621) serve as binding sites for the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4‐2, which decreases cell‐surface expression of ENaC by unknown route(s). Using polarized kidney epithelia [Madin‐Darby canine kidney I (MDCK‐I)] cells stably expressing extracellularly myc‐tagged wild type (WT) or PY‐motif mutants of βENaC (P616A, Y618A or L621A, with WT‐αγENaC), and live‐imaging plus enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)‐type assays to analyze routes/rates of ENaC internalization/recycling, we show here that cell‐surface half‐life of all PY mutants was fourfold longer than WT‐ENaC (∼120 versus 30 minutes), reflecting primarily reduced channel internalization but also attenuated replenishment of cell‐surface ENaC from a large subapical pool. The Y618A mutant revealed more severe internalization and replenishment defects than the other PY mutants. Internalized WT‐ENaC was detected in sorting/recycling and late endosomes/lysosomes, while the Y618A mutant accumulated in the former. Nedd4‐2 ubiquitinated ENaC at the apical membrane causing channel internalization and degradation. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) accelerated mobilization of subapical ENaC to the cell surface and long‐term ENaC recycling, but only mobilization, not recycling, was inhibited in the PY mutants. These results suggest that the ENaC PY motifs (and Nedd4‐2) primarily regulate channel internalization but also affect cAMP‐dependent replenishment, providing important insight into the Liddle syndrome defects.
Potential Role of Tubulin Acetylation and Microtubule‐Based Protein Trafficking in Familial Dysautonomia
Authors: Gardiner John , Barton Deborah , Marc Jan , Overall Robyn
Published: July 2007

Familial dysautonomia (FD), a disease of the autonomic and sensory nervous systems, involves mutations in the protein IκB kinase complex‐associated protein, which is a component of the human Elongator acetylase complex. We suggest a hypothesis in which defects in tubulin acetylation and impairment of microtubule‐based protein trafficking may be an underlying cause of FD. In addition, an Arabidopsis homolog of the Elongator subunit ELP3 has been found to bind to the αβ‐tubulin heterodimer, suggesting that α‐tubulin may be a cytoplasmic target of Elongator acetylase activity. Studies of synergistic double mutants in yeast indicate a novel role for Elongator in cytoskeletal dynamics, although this is probably because of an effect on actin rather than microtubules. Finally, we suggest that tubulin deacetylase inhibitors may prove useful in the treatment of FD.
Crystal structures of a family 19 chitinase from Brassica juncea show flexibility of binding cleft loops
Authors: Ubhayasekera Wimal , Tang Ce Mun , Ho Sharon W. T. , Berglund Gunnar , Bergfors Terese , Chye Mee‐Len , Mowbray Sherry L.
Published: July 2007

Brassica juncea chitinase is an endo‐acting, pathogenesis‐related protein that is classified into glycoside hydrolase family 19, with highest homology (50–60%) in its catalytic domain to class I plant chitinases. Here we report X‐ray structures of the chitinase catalytic domain from wild‐type (apo, as well as with chloride ions bound) and a Glu234Ala mutant enzyme, solved by molecular replacement and refined at 1.53, 1.8 and 1.7 Å resolution, respectively. Confirming our earlier mutagenesis studies, the active‐site residues are identified as Glu212 and Glu234. Glu212 is believed to be the catalytic acid in the reaction, whereas Glu234 is thought to have a dual role, both activating a water molecule in its attack on the anomeric carbon, and stabilizing the charged intermediate. The molecules in the various structures differ significantly in the conformation of a number of loops that border the active‐site cleft. The differences suggest an opening and closing of the enzyme during the catalytic cycle. Chitin is expected to dock first near Glu212, which will protonate it. Conformational changes then bring Glu234 closer, allowing it to assist in the following steps. These observations provide important insights into catalysis in family 19 chitinases.
A kinetic approach to the dependence of dissimilatory metal reduction by Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 on the outer membrane cytochromes c OmcA and OmcB
Authors: Borloo Jimmy , Vergauwen Bjorn , De Smet Lina , Brigé Ann , Motte Bart , Devreese Bart , Van Beeumen Jozef
Published: July 2007

The Gram‐negative bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 shows a remarkably versatile anaerobic respiratory metabolism. One of its hallmarks is its ability to grow and survive through the reduction of metallic compounds. Among other proteins, outer membrane decaheme cytochromes c OmcA and OmcB have been identified as key players in metal reduction. In fact, both of these cytochromes have been proposed to be terminal Fe(III) and Mn(IV) reductases, although their role in the reduction of other metals is less well understood. To obtain more insight into this, we constructed and analyzed omcA, omcB and omcA/omcB insertion mutants of S. oneidensis MR‐1. Anaerobic growth on Fe(III), V(V), Se(VI) and U(VI) revealed a requirement for both OmcA and OmcB in Fe(III) reduction, a redundant function in V(V) reduction, and no apparent involvement in Se(VI) and U(VI) reduction. Growth of the omcB– mutant on Fe(III) was more affected than growth of the omcA– mutant, suggesting OmcB to be the principal Fe(III) reductase. This result was corroborated through the examination of whole cell kinetics of OmcA‐ and OmcB‐dependent Fe(III)‐nitrilotriacetic acid reduction, showing that OmcB is ∼ 11.5 and ∼ 6.3 times faster than OmcA at saturating and low nonsaturating concentrations of Fe(III)‐nitrilotriacetic acid, respectively, whereas the omcA– omcB– double mutant was devoid of Fe(III)‐nitrilotriacetic acid reduction activity. These experiments reveal, for the first time, that OmcA and OmcB are the sole terminal Fe(III) reductases present in S. oneidensis MR‐1. Kinetic inhibition experiments further revealed vanadate (V2O5) to be a competitive and mixed‐type inhibitor of OmcA and OmcB, respectively, showing similar affinities relative to Fe(III)‐nitrilotriacetic acid. Neither sodium selenate nor uranyl acetate were found to inhibit OmcA‐ and OmcB‐dependent Fe(III)‐nitrilotriacetic acid reduction. Taken together with our growth experiments, this suggests that proteins other than OmcA and OmcB play key roles in anaerobic Se(VI) and U(VI) respiration.
The hepoxilin connection in the epidermis
Authors: Brash Alan R. , Yu Zheyong , Boeglin William E. , Schneider Claus
Published: July 2007

The recent convergence of genetic and biochemical evidence on the activities of lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes has implicated the production of hepoxilin derivatives (fatty acid epoxyalcohols) in the pathways leading to formation of the water‐impermeable barrier of the outer epidermis. The enzymes 12R‐LOX and eLOX3 are mutated in a rare form of congenital ichthyosis, and, in vitro, the two enzymes function together to convert arachidonic acid to a specific hepoxilin. Taken together, these lines of evidence suggest an involvement of these enzymes and their products in skin barrier function in all normal subjects. The natural occurrence of the specific hepoxilin products, and their biological role, whether structural or signaling, remain to be defined.
Structure, biochemistry and biology of hepoxilins
Authors: Nigam Santosh , Zafiriou Maria‐Patapia , Deva Rupal , Ciccoli Roberto , Roux‐Van der Merwe Renate
Published: July 2007

Hepoxilins are biologically relevant epoxy‐hydroxy eicosanoids synthesized through the 12S‐lipoxygenase (12S‐LOX) pathway of the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. The pathway is bifurcated at the level of 12S‐hydroperoxy‐eicosatetraenoic acid (12S‐HpETE), which can either be reduced to 12S‐hydro‐eicosatetraenoic acid (12S‐HETE) or converted to hepoxilins. The present review gives an update on the biochemistry, biology and clinical aspects of hepoxilin‐based drug development. The isolation, cloning and characterization of a rat leukocyte‐type 12S‐LOX from rat insulinoma RINm5F cells revealed a 12S‐LOX possessing an intrinsic 8S/R‐hydroxy‐11,12‐epoxyeicosa‐5Z,9E,14Z‐trienoic acid (HXA3) synthase activity. Site‐directed mutagenesis studies on rat 12S‐LOX showed that the HXA3 synthase activity was impaired when the positional specificity of AA was altered. Interestingly, amino acid Leu353, and not conventional sequence determinants Met419 and Ile418, was found to be a crucial sequence determinant for AA oxygenation. The regulation of HXA3 formation is dependent on the cellular overall peroxide tone. Cellular glutathione peroxidases (cGPxs) compete with HXA3 synthase for 12S‐HpETE as substrate either to reduce to 12S‐HETE or to convert to HXA3, respectively. Therefore, RINm5F cells, which are devoid of GPxs, are capable of converting AA or 12S‐HpETE to HXA3 under basal conditions, whereas cells overexpressing cGPx are unable to do so. HXA3 exhibits a myriad of biological effects, most of which are associated with the stimulation of intracellular calcium or the transport of calcium across the membrane. The activation of HXA3–G‐protein‐coupled receptors explains many of the extracellular effects of HXA3, including AA‐ and diacylglycerol (DAG) release in human neutrophils, insulin secretion in rat pancreatic β‐cells or islets, and synaptic actions in the brain. The availability of stable analogs of HXA3, termed 10‐hydroxy‐11,12‐cyclopropyl‐eicosa‐5Z,8Z,14Z‐trienoic acid derivatives (PBTs), recently made several animal studies possible and explored the role of HXA3 as a therapeutic in treatment of diseases. Thus, PBT‐3 induced apoptosis in K562 tumour cells and inhibited growth of K562 CML solid tumours in nude mice. HXA3 inhibited bleomycin‐evoked lung fibrosis and inflammation in mice and the raised insulin level in the circulation of rats. At low glucose concentrations (0–3 mm), HXA3 also stimulated insulin secretion in RINm5F cells through the activation of IRE1α, an endoplasmic reticulum‐resident kinase. The latter regulates the protein folding for insulin biosynthesis. In conclusion, HXA3‐mediated signaling may be involved in normal physiological functions, and hepoxilin‐based drugs may serve as therapeutics in diseases such as type II diabetes and idiopathic lung fibrosis.
Bacterial‐induced hepoxilin A3 secretion as a pro‐inflammatory mediator
Authors: McCormick Beth A.
Published: July 2007

Bacterial infections at epithelial surfaces, such as those that line the gut and the lung, stimulate the migration of neutrophils through the co‐ordinated actions of chemoattractants secreted from pathogen‐stimulated epithelial cells. One such factor involved in attracting polymorphonuclear leukocytes across the epithelium and into the lumen has until recently remained elusive. In 2004, we identified the eicosanoid, hepoxilin A3, to be selectively secreted from the apical surface of human intestinal or lung epithelial cells stimulated with Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. In this role, the function of hepoxilin A3 is to guide neutrophils, via the establishment of a gradient, across the epithelial tight junction complex. Interestingly, interruption of the synthetic pathway of hepoxilin A3 blocks the apical release of hepoxilin A3in vitro and the transmigration of neutrophils induced by S. typhimurium both in in vitro and in vivo models of inflammation. Such results have led to the discovery of a completely novel pathway that is not only critical for responses to bacterial pathogens but also has broad implications for inflammatory responses affecting mucosal surfaces in general. Thus, the objective of this review was to highlight the recent findings that implicate hepoxilin A3 as a key regulator of mucosal inflammation.
Co‐inheritance of haemoglobin A2′ and beta‐thalassaemia in cis
Authors: VERMEERSCH P. , PHILIPPE M. , GOOSSENS W.
Published: July 2007

HbA2′ is a haematologically silent δ chain variant that elutes in the S‐region on high performance liquid chromatography. The major clinical significance of HbA2′ is that failure to detect it might lead to failure to recognize β‐thalassaemia minor. Co‐inheritance of HbA2′ and β‐thalassaemia in cis has been described only once in a family from Suriname. We describe a new case of co‐inheritance in cis of HbA2′ and β‐thalassaemia in a family from Ghanaian origin with a HbA2′ of more than 3%. Molecular investigation revealed the same mutations as in the family from Suriname, suggesting a common origin of both families.
Comparison of Stormwater Lag Times for Low Impact and Traditional Residential Development1
Authors: Hood Mark J. , Clausen John C. , Warner Glenn S.
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  This study compared lag time characteristics of low impact residential development with traditional residential development. Also compared were runoff volume, peak discharge, hydrograph kurtosis, runoff coefficient, and runoff threshold. Low impact development (LID) had a significantly greater centroid lag‐to‐peak, centroid lag, lag‐to‐peak, and peak lag‐to‐peak times than traditional development. Traditional development had a significantly greater depth of discharge and runoff coefficient than LID. The peak discharge in runoff from the traditional development was 1,100% greater than from the LID. The runoff threshold of the LID (6.0 mm) was 100% greater than the traditional development (3.0 mm). The hydrograph shape for the LID watershed had a negative value of kurtosis indicating a leptokurtic distribution, while traditional development had a positive value of kurtosis indicating a platykurtic distribution. The lag times of the LID were significantly greater than the traditional watershed for small (<25.4 mm) but not large (≥25.4 mm) storms; short duration (<4 h) but not long duration (≥4 h) storms; and low antecedent moisture condition (AMC; <25.4 mm) storms but not high AMC (≥25.4 mm) storms. This study indicates that LID resulted in lowered peak discharge depth, runoff coefficient, and discharge volume and increased lag times and runoff threshold compared with traditional residential development.
The Use of Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes to Study Watershed Erosion Processes1
Authors: Fox James F. , Papanicolaou Athanasios N.
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Tracer studies are needed to better understand watershed soil erosion and calibrate watershed erosion models. For the first time, stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) and the carbon to nitrogen atomic ratio (C/N) natural tracers are used to investigate temporal and spatial variability of erosion processes within a sub‐watershed. Temporal variability was assessed by comparing δ15N, δ13C, and C/N of eroded‐soils from a non‐equilibrium erosion event immediately following freezing and thawing of surface soils with two erosion events characterized by equilibrium conditions with erosion downcutting. Spatial variability was assessed for the equilibrium events by using the δ15N and δ13C signatures of eroded‐soils to measure the fraction of eroded‐soil derived from rill/interrill erosion on upland hillslopes as compared to headcut erosion on floodplains. In order to perform this study, a number of tasks were carried out including: (1) sampling source‐soils from upland hillslopes and floodplains, (2) sampling eroded‐soils with an in situ trap in the stream of the sub‐watershed, (3) isotopic and elemental analysis of the samples using isotope ratio mass spectrometry, (4) fractioning eroded‐soil to its upland rill/interrill and floodplain headcut end‐members using an unmixing model within a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo framework, and (5) evaluating tracer unmixing model results by comparison with process‐based erosion prediction models for rill/interrill and headcut erosion processes. Results showed that finer soil particles eroded during the non‐equilibrium event were enriched in δ15N and δ13C tracers and depleted in C/N tracer relative to coarser soil particles eroded during the equilibrium events. Correlation of tracer signature with soil particle size was explainable based on known biogeochemical processes. δ15N and δ13C were also able to distinguish between upland rill/interrill erosion and floodplain headcut erosion, which was due to different plant cover at the erosion sources. Results from the tracer unmixing model highlighted future needs for coupling rill/interrill and headcut erosion prediction models.
Hydrologic Modeling Uncertainty Resulting From Land Cover Misclassification1
Authors: Miller Scott N. , Phillip Guertin D. , Goodrich David C.
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  A stochastic, spatially explicit method for assessing the impact of land cover classification error on distributed hydrologic modeling is presented. One‐hundred land cover realizations were created by systematically altering the North American Landscape Characterization land cover data according to the dataset’s misclassification matrix. The matrix indicates the probability of errors of omission in land cover classes and is used to assess the uncertainty in hydrologic runoff simulation resulting from parameter estimation based on land cover. These land cover realizations were used in the GIS‐based Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment tool in conjunction with topography and soils data to generate input to the physically‐based Kinematic Runoff and Erosion model. Uncertainties in modeled runoff volumes resulting from these land cover realizations were evaluated in the Upper San Pedro River basin for 40 watersheds ranging in size from 10 to 100 km2 under two rainfall events of differing magnitudes and intensities. Simulation results show that model sensitivity to classification error varies directly with respect to watershed scale, inversely to rainfall magnitude and are mitigated or magnified by landscape variability depending on landscape composition.
Modeling the Influence of Material Structure on Deformation Induced Surface Roughening in AA7050 Thick Plate
Authors: Turner T. J. , Miller M. P.
Published: July 2007

A methodology for incorporating a description of material structure into a finite element formulation is presented. This work describes an experiment/simulation - based methodology for characterizing attributes of material structure, and then incorporating those attributes into a modeling framework. The modeling framework was used to study the development of deformation induced surface roughening in thin sheets machined from AA 7050 thick plate. Predicting this roughening phenomenon necessitates the quantification and representation of material structure and processes that exist over several size scales. Electron backscatter diffraction experiments were used for material structure characterization, which included crystallographic texture, distributions in grain sizes, and a distribution in intragrain misorientation. These distributions in structure were incorporated in digital microstructures which represented virtual specimens composed of finite element-discretized crystals. A continuum slip-polycrystal plasticity model was coupled with the digital microstructures to study the differences in roughening seen in specimens deformed along the rolling direction and transverse direction of the plate material. The success of these simulations build additional insight into how to incorporate material structure into deformation simulations, and build representative virtual specimens that can be used to study the complicated processes that underlie deformation mechanics in polycrystalline materials.
Image‐guided patient positioning: If one cannot correct for rotational offsets in external‐beam radiotherapy setup, how should rotational offsets be managed?
Authors: Murphy Martin J.
Published: July 2007

When setting up patients via image‐guided positioning for external‐beam radiotherapy, one can often determine the rotational corrections needed for optimal alignment, but once measured, they are not always applied. However, in rigid‐body setup calculations the optimal translational component of the setup correction will be different depending on whether rotations are included or excluded from the correction procedure. Furthermore, if rotations go uncorrected then the optimal translation becomes dependent on the relative locations of the registration landmarks, the treatment site, and the rotational axes. If one is not going to make rotational adjustments to the patient position, then two guidelines should be followed: (1) the registration landmarks should closely demarcate the treatment site, and (2) rotational degrees of freedom should not be included in the calculation of setup adjustments.
Microcalcification detection based on wavelet domain hidden Markov tree model: Study for inclusion to computer aided diagnostic prompting system
Authors: Regentova Emma , Zhang Lei , Zheng Jun , Veni Gopalkrishna
Published: July 2007

In this paper we investigate the performance of statistical modeling of digital mammograms by means of wavelet domain hidden Markov trees for its inclusion to a computer‐aided diagnostic prompting system. The system is designed for detecting clusters of microcalcifications. Their further discrimination as benign or malignant is to be done by radiologists. The model is used for segmenting images based on the maximum likelihood classifier enhanced by the weighting technique. Further classification incorporates spatial filtering for a single microcalcification (MC) and microcalcification cluster (MCC) detection. Contrast filtering applied for the digital database for screening mammography (DDSM) dataset prior to spatial filtering greatly improves the classification accuracy. For all MC clusters of 40 mammograms from the mini‐MIAS database of Mammographic Image Analysis Society, 92.5%–100% of true positive cases can be detected under 2–3 false positives per image. For 150 cases of DDSM cases, the designed system is capable to detect up to 98% of true positives under 3.3% of false positive cases.
Weight‐matrix structured regularization provides optimal generalized least‐squares estimate in diffuse optical tomography
Authors: Yalavarthy Phaneendra K. , Pogue Brian W. , Dehghani Hamid , Paulsen Keith D.
Published: July 2007

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) involves estimation of tissue optical properties using noninvasive boundary measurements. The image reconstruction procedure is a nonlinear, ill‐posed, and ill‐determined problem, so overcoming these difficulties requires regularization of the solution. While the methods developed for solving the DOT image reconstruction procedure have a long history, there is less direct evidence on the optimal regularization methods, or exploring a common theoretical framework for techniques which uses least‐squares (LS) minimization. A generalized least‐squares (GLS) method is discussed here, which takes into account the variances and covariances among the individual data points and optical properties in the image into a structured weight matrix. It is shown that most of the least‐squares techniques applied in DOT can be considered as special cases of this more generalized LS approach. The performance of three minimization techniques using the same implementation scheme is compared using test problems with increasing noise level and increasing complexity within the imaging field. Techniques that use spatial‐prior information as constraints can be also incorporated into the GLS formalism. It is also illustrated that inclusion of spatial priors reduces the image error by at least a factor of 2. The improvement of GLS minimization is even more apparent when the noise level in the data is high (as high as 10%), indicating that the benefits of this approach are important for reconstruction of data in a routine setting where the data variance can be known based upon the signal to noise properties of the instruments.
Monte Carlo characterization of the M‐19 high dose rate Iridium‐192 brachytherapy source
Authors: Medich David C. , Munro John J.
Published: July 2007

The MCNP5 Monte Carlo code was used to simulate the dosimetry of an M‐19 iridium‐192 high dose rate brachytherapy source in both air/vacuum and water environments with the in‐air photon spectrum filtered to remove low‐energy photons below . Dosimetric data was organized into an away‐along table and was used to derive the updated AAPM Task Group Report No. 43 (TG‐43U1) parameters including , , , , , , and and their respective statistical uncertainties.