bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidermal caspase‐3 cleavage associated with interferon‐γ‐expressing lymphocytes in acute atopic dermatitis lesions
Authors: Simon Dagmar , Lindberg Raija L. P. , Kozlowski Evelyne , Braathen Lasse R. , Simon Hans‐Uwe
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  Keratinocyte apoptosis mediated by Fas/Fas ligand molecular interactions and subsequent caspase activation is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), in particular for the formation of spongiosis. To estimate epidermal caspase activation in normal and AD skin under in vivo conditions, we analysed caspase‐3 cleavage by immunohistology. In normal skin as well as non‐lesional AD skin, we detected caspase‐3 cleavage in single cells of the basal layer. In contrast, in acute lesional AD skin, we not only obtained evidence for increased expression of cleaved caspase‐3 in keratinocytes of the basal layer but also observed caspase‐3 cleavage in one or more layers of the spinous cell layer, in particular in spongiotic areas. Short‐term topical treatment of the skin lesions with tacrolimus or pimecrolimus abolished the expression of cleaved caspase‐3 in the spinous layer. Moreover, epidermal caspase‐3 cleavage correlated with the numbers of dermal interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐expressing CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in skin lesions of AD patients, supporting the view that IFN‐γ is important for the activation of proapoptotic pathways in keratinocytes. This is also confirmed by the observation of increased Fas expression on keratinocytes in acute AD lesions that was markedly reduced following topical calcineurin inhibitor treatment. These data suggest that caspase‐3 cleavage in the spinous layer of the epidermis is a pathologic event contributing to spongiosis formation in AD, whereas cleavage of caspase‐3 in basal cells might represent a physiologic mechanism within the process of epidermal renewal.
In situ profiling and quantification of cytokines released during ultraviolet B‐induced inflammation by combining dermal microdialysis and protein microarrays
Authors: Averbeck Marco , Beilharz Simone , Bauer Matthias , Gebhardt Carl , Hartmann Alexandra , Hochleitner Klaus , Kauer Friederike , Voith Ursula , Simon Jan C. , Termeer Christian
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  In skin, an evolving inflammatory or immune response is triggered by early release of a cytokine cascade into the extracellular space. Investigation of extracellular cytokine secretion in situ has been limited by low cut‐off filtering membranes and sample volume size and the inability to monitor changes in cytokine protein levels in real‐time in situ. Here, we combine for the first time the methods of intradermal microdialysis and antibody protein arraying to profile the early cascade of multiple cytokines in a complex inflammatory response exemplified by ultraviolet B (UVB)‐induced inflammation. We observed significant differences of the cytokine and growth factor responses after tissue injury by catheter placement and UVB‐induced inflammation. UVB irradiation initiates a rapid proinflammatory response followed by a mixed TH1/TH2 response in which ultimately TH2 cytokines IL‐4 and IL10 predominated after 24 h. This most likely indicates the termination and self limitation of the inflammatory response. We conclude that the combination of dermal microdialysis and protein microarray offers a powerful tool to analyze in real‐time the complex and rapidly changing interstitial protein milieu during cutaneous inflammatory responses.
Glucocorticoid therapy‐induced skin atrophy
Authors: Schoepe Stefanie , Schäcke Heike , May Ekkehard , Asadullah Khusru
Published: May 2006

Abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are highly effective for the topical treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Their long‐term use, however, is often accompanied by severe and partially irreversible adverse effects, with atrophy being the most prominent limitation. Progress in the understanding of GC‐mediated molecular action as well as some advances in technologies to determine the atrophogenic potential of compounds has been made recently. It is likely that the detailed mechanisms of GC‐induced skin atrophy will be discovered andin vitromodels for the reliable prediction of atrophy will be established in the foreseeable future. This knowledge will not only facilitate safety profiling of established drugs but will also foster further drug discovery by improving compound characterization processes. New insights into GC modes of action will guide optimization strategies aiming at novel GC receptor ligands with improved effect/side effect profile.
Root respiration in temperate mountain grasslands differing in land use
Authors: BAHN MICHAEL , KNAPP MARGIT , GARAJOVA ZOFIA , PFAHRINGER NADINE , CERNUSCA ALEXANDER
Published: May 2006

In grasslands the proportionally largest emission of CO2 comes from the soil. This study aimed to assess how root respiration, a major flux component, is affected by land management and changes in land use. Respiration of roots, separated to classes of different diameter, was measured in 11 temperate mountain grasslands, including meadows, pastures and abandoned sites at three geographic locations. Specific root respiration was affected by nitrogen (N) concentration, root class and land use. The relationship between root N concentration and respiration differed between locations. With increasing root diameter there was a decrease in root respiration, N concentration, respiration per unit N and Q10. In grasslands abandoned for several years specific root respiration was lower than in meadows, pastures and a recently abandoned site. This was due to lower root N concentrations and/or lower respiration rates per unit N within each root class. Since root biomass was higher on abandoned grasslands, total ecosystem root respiration did not differ consistently between sites. Ecosystem root respiration showed distinct seasonal changes due to changes in root biomass, which were less pronounced on abandoned grasslands. Fine roots generally made up the largest portion of ecosystem root respiration, their contribution varying between 35% and 96%. On meadows, clipping increased soil and root respiration by increasing soil temperature. When corrected for temperature effects soil respiration was reduced by 20–50%, whilst root respiration was little affected, suggesting that carbohydrate reserves sustained root metabolism for several days and that microbial respiration strongly responded to short‐term changes in assimilate supply.
Temperature and biomass influences on interannual changes in CO2 exchange in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau
Authors: KATO TOMOMICHI , TANG YANHONG , GU SONG , HIROTA MITSURU , DU MINGYUAN , LI YINGNIAN , ZHAO XINQUAN
Published: May 2006

Three years of eddy covariance measurements were used to characterize the seasonal and interannual variability of the CO2 fluxes above an alpine meadow (3250 m a.s.l.) on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, China. This alpine meadow was a weak sink for atmospheric CO2, with a net ecosystem production (NEP) of 78.5, 91.7, and 192.5 g C m−2 yr−1 in 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively. The prominent, high NEP in 2004 resulted from the combination of high gross primary production (GPP) and low ecosystem respiration (Re) during the growing season. The period of net absorption of CO2 in 2004, 179 days, was 10 days longer than that in 2002 and 5 days longer than that in 2003. Moreover, the date on which the mean air temperature first exceeded 5.0°C was 10 days earlier in 2004 (DOY110) than in 2002 or 2003. This date agrees well with that on which the green aboveground biomass (Green AGB) started to increase. The relationship between light‐use efficiency and Green AGB was similar among the three years. In 2002, however, earlier senescence possibly caused low autumn GPP, and thus the annual NEP, to be lower. The low summertime Re in 2004 was apparently caused by lower soil temperatures and the relatively lower temperature dependence of Re in comparison with the other years. These results suggest that (1) the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau plays a potentially significant role in global carbon sequestration, because alpine meadow covers about one‐third of this vast plateau, and (2) the annual NEP in the alpine meadow was comprehensively controlled by the temperature environment, including its effect on biomass growth.
Flexible responses of insects to changing environmental temperature – early season development of Craspedolepta species on fireweed
Authors: HODKINSON IAN D. , BIRD JEREMY M.
Published: May 2006

Developmental response to temperature during the critical early season growing period was investigated in two congeneric species of Craspedolepta feeding on Epilobium angustifolium at three sites at different altitudes in Norway and the UK. The larval development reaction norm to temperature, measured as accumulated day degrees, was not significantly different between Craspedolepta nebulosa and Craspedolepta subpunctata at sites where they co‐occurred but C. nebulosa development was consistently more advanced at any site. For individual species the reaction norms at the lowest site (Ainsdale, UK) were similar to the intermediate site (Geilo, Norway): and there were no differences between years. Insect size remained relatively constant. However, at the highest site (Haugastøl, Norway), where C. subpunctata is unable to complete its development, the reaction norm for C. nebulosa was significantly higher than at Geilo and the individual insects produced were smaller. These adaptations allow life‐history completion under limiting temperature conditions. An experiment at Ainsdale, to raise the mean temperature by around 2.5°C during the early growing season, resulted in accelerated development in both C. nebulosa and C. subpunctata but development in C. nebulosa was accelerated proportionately more. C. nebulosa thus displays the greater plasticity in developmental response to environmental temperature that allows it to occupy a greater altitudinal and latitudinal range than C. subpunctata, in which the response is less plastic and more canalized. The likely individualistic responses of the two species to climate warming are considered.
Wood properties of two silver birch clones exposed to elevated CO2 and O3
Authors: KOSTIAINEN KATRI , JALKANEN HANNA , KAAKINEN SEIJA , SARANPÄÄ PEKKA , VAPAAVUORI ELINA
Published: May 2006

Effects of elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) on wood properties of two initially 7‐year‐old silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) clones were studied after a fumigation during three growing seasons. Forty trees, representing two fast‐growing clones (4 and 80), were exposed in open‐top chambers to the following treatments: outside control, chamber control, 2 × ambient [CO2], 2 × ambient [O3] and 2 × ambient [CO2]+2 × ambient [O3]. After the 3‐year exposure, the trees were felled and wood properties were analyzed. The treatments affected both stem wood structure and chemistry. Elevated [CO2] increased annual ring width, and concentrations of extractives and starch, and decreased concentrations of cellulose and gravimetric lignin. Elevated O3 decreased vessel percentage and increased cell wall percentage in clone 80. In vessel percentage, elevated CO2 ameliorated the O3‐induced decrease. In clone 4, elevated O3 decreased nitrogen concentration of wood. The two clones had different wood properties. In clone 4, the concentrations of extractives, starch, soluble sugars and nitrogen were greater than in clone 80, while in clone 80 the concentrations of cellulose and acid‐soluble lignin were higher. Clone 4 also had slightly longer fibres, greater vessel lumen diameter and vessel percentage than clone 80, while in clone 80 cell wall percentage was greater. Our results show that wood properties of young silver birch trees were altered under elevated CO2 in both clones, whereas the effects of O3 depended on clone.
Hair of grazing cattle provides an integrated measure of the effects of site conditions and interannual weather variability on δ13C of temperate humid grassland
Authors: SCHNYDER HANS , SCHWERTL MICHAEL , AUERSWALD KARL , SCHÄUFELE RUDI
Published: May 2006

The carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of C3 ecosystems is sensitive to water availability, and provides important information for the assessment of terrestrial carbon (C) sink/source activity. Here, we report the effects of plant available soil water (PAW) on community 13C signatures of temperate humid grassland. The 5‐year study was conducted on pastures exhibiting a large range of PAW capacity that were located on two site types: peat and mineral soils. The data set included the centennial drought year 2003, and data from wet years (2000 and 2002). Seasonal variation of PAW was modeled using PAW capacity of each pasture, precipitation inputs and evapotranspiration estimates. Community 13C signatures were derived from the δ13C of vegetation and segments of tail switch hair of cattle grown while grazing pastures. Hair 13C signatures provided an assimilation‐weighted 13C signal that integrated both spatial (paddock‐scale) and temporal (grazing season) variation of 13C signatures on a pasture. The δ13C of hair and vegetation increased with decreasing modeled PAW in the same way on mineral and peat soils. But, at a given PAW, the δ13C of hair was 2.6‰ less negative than that of vegetation, reflecting the diet‐hair isotopic shift. Furthermore, the δ13C of hair and vegetation on peat soil pastures was 0.5‰ more negative than on pastures situated on mineral soil. This may have resulted from a ∼10 ppm CO2 enrichment of canopy air derived from ongoing peat mineralization. Community‐scale season‐mean 13C discrimination (Δ) exhibited a saturation‐type response towards season‐mean modeled PAW (r2=0.78), and ranged between 19.8‰ on soils with low PAW capacity during the drought year of 2003, and 21.4‰ on soils with high PAW capacity in a wet year. This indicated relatively small variation in season‐mean assimilation‐weighted pi/pa (0.68–0.75) between contrasting sites and years. However, this range is similar to that reported in other studies, which encompass the range from subtropical arid to humid temperate grassland. Furthermore, the tight relationship between season‐mean Δ and modeled mean PAW suggests that PAW may be used as proxy for Δ.
Learning styles and formative assessment strategy: enhancing student achievement in Web‐based learning
Authors: Wang K.H. , Wang T.H. , Wang W. L. , Huang S. C.
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of formative assessment and learning style on student achievement in a Web‐based learning environment. A quasi‐experimental research design was used. Participants were 455 seventh grade students from 12 classes of six junior high schools. A Web‐based course, named BioCAL, combining three different formative assessment strategies was developed. The formative assessment strategies included Formative Assessment Module of the Web‐Based Assessment and Test Analysis system (FAM‐WATA) (with six Web‐based formative assessment strategies), Normal Module of Web‐Based Assessment and Test Analysis system (N‐WATA) (only with partial Web‐based formative assessment strategy) and Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) (without Web‐based formative assessment strategy). Subjects were tested using Kolb's Learning Style Inventory, and assigned randomly by class into three groups. Each group took Web‐based courses using one of the formative assessment strategies. Pre‐ and post‐achievement testing was carried out. A one‐way ANCOVA analysis showed that both learning style and formative assessment strategy are significant factors affecting student achievement in a Web‐based learning environment. However, there is no interaction between these two factors. A post hoc comparison showed that performances of the FAM‐WATA group are higher than the N‐WATA and PPT groups. Learners with a ‘Diverger’ learning style performed best followed by, ‘Assimilator’, ‘Accommodator’, and ‘Converger’, respectively. Finally, FAM‐WATA group students are satisfied with six strategies of the FAM‐WATA.
Describing online learning content to facilitate resource discovery and sharing:the development of the RU LOM Core
Authors: Krull G. E. , Mallinson B. J. , Sewry D. A.
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The development of Internet technologies has the ability to provide a new era of easily accessible and personalised learning, facilitated through the flexible deployment of small, reusable pieces of digital learning content over networks. Higher education institutions can share and reuse digital learning resources in order to improve their educational offerings. Descriptive language (known as metadata) is required to facilitate the search and retrieval of learning content. Various research offerings have been proposed to promote interoperable educational metadata. However, current metadata standards cannot accommodate the requirements of every community of users. This paper describes the development of an educational metadata application profile for describing learning resources within a South African higher education context.
Taking the Sincerity Out of Saying Sorry: Restorative Justice as Ritual
Authors: BENNETT CHRISTOPHER
Published: May 2006

abstract  In this paper I take seriously von Hirsch's view that sanctions imposed on offenders need to be compatible with their dignity, and argue that some versions of restorative justice — notably that defended by Braithwaite — can put offenders in the humiliating position of having to make apologies that they do not believe in in order to avoid further bad consequences. Drawing on recent work by Duff I argue that this problem can be avoided by conceiving of restorative justice as an apologetic ritual. This view gives some ground to von Hirsch but presents a view of criminal justice that is distinctively restorative. I conclude by drawing out the differences between my account and that of Duff.
Effect of sulphonation level upon the fixation and build up properties of reactive dyes
Authors: Biolchi F , Kawabata A , Taylor J A
Published: May 2006

A number of closely related dyes, each possessing a single β‐sulphatoethyl sulphonyl reactive group and a variable number of sulphonate residues, were prepared and their dyeing behaviour evaluated. As the level of sulphonation of the dyes increased, both fixation efficiency and build up on cotton were reduced. These observations were attributed to increased electrostatic repulsion, between dye and fibre, as the anionicity, or level of sulphonation, of the dyes was increased. In support of this, the build up of a monosulphonated dye with one reactive group, was as good as that of a market leading bireactive disulphonated dye.
Interaction between an acid dye and bolaform electrolytes containing a benzene ring as a spacer group
Authors: Yamada Ryuji , Hamada Kunihiro
Published: May 2006

The binding behaviour of an acid dye, sodium 1‐phenylazo‐2‐hydroxy‐6‐naphthalenesulphonate, with bolaform electrolytes containing a benzene ring as a spacer group in aqueous solutions was investigated by means of visible absorption spectroscopy. The spectral change of the aqueous dye solutions was strongly dependent on the structure of the terminal groups. The bolaform electrolytes, having various N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐alkylammonium pyridinium terminal groups, formed 1:1 complexes with the dye. The binding constant of the dye with the bolaform electrolyte‐containing 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)pyridinium was the largest because of its structure. The thermodynamic parameters for binding were also affected by the structure of the terminal groups. The length of the terminal alkyl chains of the bolaform electrolytes affected the spectral properties. Electrolytes with 10 carbon atoms formed supramolecular complexes (two dyes to one electrolyte). It is concluded that the structure of the bolaform electrolytes is strongly connected with the supramolecular structure of the complexes formed by the dye and the bolaform electrolytes.
Up‐temperature flow of surface‐derived fluids in the mid‐crust: the role of pre‐orogenic burial of hydrated fault rocks
Authors: CLARK C. , HAND M. , FAURE K. , MUMM A. SCHMIDT
Published: May 2006

The Walter‐Outalpa shear zone in the southern Curnamona Province of NE South Australia is an example of a shear zone that has undergone intensely focused fluid flow and alteration at mid‐crustal depths. Results from this study have demonstrated that the intense deformation and ductile shear zone reactivation, at amphibolite facies conditions of 534 ± 20 °C and 500 ± 82 MPa, that overprint the Proterozoic Willyama Supergroup occurred during the Delamerian Orogeny (c. 500 Ma) (EPMA monazite ages of 501 ± 16 and 491 ± 19 Ma). This is in contrast to the general belief that the majority of basement deformation and alteration in the southern Curnamona Province occurred during the waning stages of the Olarian Orogeny (c. 1610–1580 Ma). These shear zones contain hydrous mineral assemblages that cut wall rocks that have experienced amphibolite facies metamorphism during the Olarian Orogeny. The shear zone rock volumes have much lower δ18O values (as low as 1‰) than their unsheared counterparts (7–9‰), and calculated fluid δ18O values (5–8‰) consistent with a surface‐derived fluid source. Hydrous minerals show a decrease in δD(H2O) from −14 to −22‰, for minerals outside the shear zones, to −28 to −40‰, for minerals within the shear zones consistent with a contribution from a meteoric source. It is unclear how near‐surface fluids initially under hydrostatic pressure penetrate into the middle crust where fluid pressures approach lithostatic, and where fluid flow is expected to be dominantly upward because of pressure gradients. We propose a mechanism whereby faulting during basin formation associated with the Adelaidean Rift Complex (c. 700 Ma) created broad hydrous zones containing mineral assemblages in equilibrium with surface waters. These panels of fault rock were subsequently buried to depths where the onset of metamorphism begins to dehydrate the fault rock volumes evolving a low δ18O fluid that is channelled through shear zones related to Delamerian Orogenic activity.
Age‐Related Macular Degeneration: A Practical Approach to a Challenging Disease
Authors: Bourla Dan H. , Young Tara A.
Published: May 2006

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in older North Americans. The clinical spectrum, risk factors, pathophysiology, and potential therapeutic options for AMD warrant a careful review. Despite the growth in treatment options for this disease, there is no current curative therapy. Of critical importance is attention to modifiable risk factors—improvements in cardiovascular status, including smoking cessation, and routine ophthalmic monitoring for opportunities to provide early intervention. In addition, a low‐vision assessment to investigate the potential use of visual assistive devices may be beneficial to any patient who has experienced a decrease in vision. Finally, education regarding the clinical course of age‐related macular degeneration and accurate information with respect to the known benefits of available treatments will impart a better understanding of this disease to patients.
Reintegrative Shaming, Shame, and Criminal Justice
Authors: Harris Nathan
Published: May 2006

This study tested the implication of reintegrative shaming theory (RST) (

Braithwaite, 1989

) that social disapproval (shaming) has an effect on the emotions that offenders feel. Interviews were conducted with 720 participants who had recently attended a court case or family group conference in the Australian Capital Territory, having been apprehended for driving while over the legal alcohol limit. Analyses show that shame‐related emotions were predicted by perceptions of social disapproval, but that the relationship was more complex than expected. Differences between the shame‐related emotions may have implications for theory. Comparisons between the court cases and family group conferences were consistent with expectations that restorative justice interventions would be more reintegrative, but also showed that they were not perceived as less stigmatizing.
School Bullying and Restorative Justice: Toward a Theoretical Understanding of the Role of Respect, Pride, and Shame
Authors: Morrison Brenda
Published: May 2006

The adverse effects of school bullying and victimization have been well documented; yet, there has been little theoretical development in understanding these heterogeneous behavior patterns. This study integrates three theories that support the practice of restorative justice in responding to school bullying: Scheff's theory of unacknowledged shame, Braithwaite's reintegrative shaming theory; and Tyler's procedural justice theory. Specifically, the aim is to test the constructs of shame management (shame acknowledgment and shame displacement) and group value (pride, respect, and emotional group value) in explaining differences across four bullying status groups: nonbully/nonvictim, victim, bully, bully/victim. The results reveal different, but predictable, patterns of social and emotional disconnection from school across these groups. The importance of being emotionally intelligent when addressing bullying behaviors is discussed.
Doing Justice Intelligently in Civil Society
Authors: Braithwaite John
Published: May 2006

Empirically, justice might be immanently holistic—with procedural, distributive, restorative, and social justice positively correlated. Restorative justice may be about creating spaces where the various imperfectly correlated facets of holistic justice might cohere. State institutions of justice (such as criminal courts) with deeply embedded traditions of narrowing the meaning of justice (to proportional punishment, for example) are less fertile soil for holistic justice than civil society. Beyond a move to holism and to civil society, the contributions to this special issue imply a move to what Sherman calls “emotionally intelligent justice.” This means nurturing the expression of vulnerable emotions and trying to avert the provocation of aggressive or stigmatizing emotions.
Intervention Development and Cultural Adaptation Research With Diverse Families
Authors: BERNAL GUILLERMO
Published: May 2006

This article provides an introduction to the special issue on intervention development and cultural adaptation research with diverse families. The need for research on intervention development and on cultural adaptation of interventions is presented, followed by a discussion of frameworks on treatment development. Seven articles included in this special issue serve as examples of the stages of treatment and intervention development, and of the procedures employed in the cultural adaptation with diverse families. An overview of the seven articles is provided to illustrate the treatment development process and the use of pluralistic research methods. We conclude with a call to the field for creative and innovative intervention development research with diverse families to contribute to the body of evidence‐based practice with these populations.
Brief Strategic Family Therapy: Lessons Learned in Efficacy Research and Challenges to Blending Research and Practice
Authors: SANTISTEBAN DANIEL A. , SUAREZ‐MORALES LOURDES , ROBBINS MICHAEL S. , SZAPOCZNIK JOSÉ
Published: May 2006

In this article, we present key lessons that we have learned from (1) a long program of research on an empirically supported treatment, brief strategic family therapy (BSFT), and (2) our ongoing research and training efforts related to transporting BSFT to the front lines of practice. After briefly presenting the rationale for working with the family when addressing behavior problems and substance abuse in adolescent populations, particularly among Hispanic adolescents, we summarize key findings from our 30‐year program of research. The article closes by identifying barriers to the widespread adoption of empirically supported treatments and by presenting current work within the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Clinical Trials Network that attempts to address these barriers and obstacles.
Isolated extramedullary relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a submandibular salivary gland
Authors: AL‐ANAZI Khalid Ahmed , AL‐OMAR Hamad M , AL‐SHANQEETI Ali S , AL‐MUBARAKI Abdullah , AL‐SULTAN Osama , MOURAD Walid A
Published: May 2006

Salivary glands are uncommonly involved in leukemia. Moreover, isolated leukemic relapse in salivary glands is an extremely rare event. We report a young adult male with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who presented with an isolated extramedullary relapse of his leukemia in a left sided submandibular salivary gland just before his planned allogeneic bone marrow transplant. The patient underwent a wide surgical excision of the involved salivary gland then he received a conditioning protocol composed of total body irradiation and cyclophosphamide followed by a successful allograft.
Calibration of gamma-ray burst luminosity indicators
Authors: Liang Enwei , Zhang Bing
Published: May 2006

Several gamma-ray burst (GRB) luminosity indicators have been proposed which can be generally written in the form of , where c is the coefficient, xi is the ith observable, and ai is its corresponding power-law index. Unlike in Type Ia supernovae, calibration of GRB luminosity indicators using a low-redshift sample is difficult. This is because the GRB rate drops rapidly at low redshifts, and some nearby GRBs may be different from their cosmological brethren. Calibrating the standard candles using GRBs in a narrow redshift range (Δz) near a fiducial redshift has been proposed recently. Here we elaborate such a possibility and propose to calibrate {ai} based on the Bayesian theory and to marginalize the c value over a reasonable range of cosmological parameters. We take our newly discovered multivariable GRB luminosity indicator, Eiso = cEa1pta2b, as an example and test the validity of this approach through simulations, where Eiso is the isotropic energy of prompt gamma-rays, Ep is the spectral break energy, and tb is the temporal break time of the optical afterglow light curve. We show that while c strongly depends on the cosmological parameters, neither a1 nor a2 does as long as Δz is small enough. The selection of Δz for a particular GRB sample could be judged according to the size and the observational uncertainty of the sample. There is no preferable redshift to perform the calibration of the indices {ai}, while a lower redshift is preferable for c-marginalization. The best strategy would be to collect GRBs within a narrow redshift bin around a fiducial intermediate redshift (e.g. zc ∼ 1 or zc ∼ 2), as the observed GRB redshift distribution is found to peak around this range. Our simulation suggests that with the current observational precisions of measuring Eiso, Ep and tb, 25 GRBs within a redshift bin of Δz ∼ 0.30 would give fine calibration to the Liang–Zhang luminosity indicator.
Fatty acid transport and FAT/CD36 are increased in red but not in white skeletal muscle of ZDF rats
Authors: Chabowski Adrian , Chatham John C. , Tandon Narendra N. , Calles-Escandon Jorge , Glatz Jan F. C. , Luiken Joost J. F. P. , Bonen Arend
Published: May 2006

An increased rate of fatty acid transport into skeletal muscle has been has been linked to the accumulation of intramuscular lipids and insulin resistance, and red muscles are more susceptible than white muscles in developing fatty acid-mediated insulin resistance. Therefore, we examined in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, relative to lean rats, 1) whether rates of fatty acid transport and transporters (FAT/CD36 and FABPpm) were upregulated in skeletal muscle during the transition from insulin resistance ( week 6) to type 2 diabetes ( weeks 12 and 24), 2) whether such changes occurred primarily in red skeletal muscle, and 3) whether changes in FAT/CD36 and GLUT4 were correlated. In red muscles of ZDF compared with lean rats, the rates of fatty acid transport were upregulated (+66%) early in life ( week 6). Compared with the increase in fatty acid transport in lean red muscle from weeks 12–24 (+57%), the increase in fatty acid transport rate in ZDF red muscle was 50% greater during this same period. In contrast, no differences in fatty acid transport rates were observed in the white muscles of lean and ZDF rats at any time ( weeks 6–24). In red muscle only, there was an inverse relationship between FAT/CD36 and GLUT4 protein expression as well as their plasmalemmal content. These studies have shown that, 1) before the onset of diabetes, as well as during diabetes, fatty acid transport and FAT/CD36 expression and plasmalemmal content are upregulated in ZDF rats, but importantly, 2) these changes occurred only in red, not white, muscles of ZDF rats.
The release of GLP-1 and ghrelin, but not GIP and CCK, by glucose is dependent upon the length of small intestine exposed
Authors: Little Tanya J. , Doran Selena , Meyer James H. , Smout Andre J. P. M. , O'Donovan Deirdre G. , Wu Keng-Liang , Jones Karen L. , Wishart Judith , Rayner Christopher K. , Horowitz Michael , Feinle-Bisset Christine
Published: May 2006

Previous observations suggest that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is released into the bloodstream only when dietary carbohydrate enters the duodenum at rates that exceed the absorptive capacity of the proximal small intestine to contact GLP-1 bearing mucosa in more distal bowel. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of modifying the length of small intestine exposed to glucose on plasma concentrations of GLP-1 and also glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), insulin, cholecystokinin (CCK) and ghrelin, and antropyloric pressures. Glucose was infused at 3.5 kcal/min into the duodenum of eight healthy males (age 18–59 yr) over 60 min on the first day into an isolated 60-cm segment of the proximal small intestine (“short-segment infusion”); on the second day, the same amount of glucose was infused with access to the entire small intestine (“long-segment infusion”). Plasma GLP-1 increased and ghrelin decreased ( P < 0.05 for both) during the long-, but not the short-, segment infusion. By contrast, increases in plasma CCK and GIP did not differ between days. The rises in blood glucose and plasma insulin were greater during the long- than during the short-segment infusion ( P < 0.05). During the long- but not the short-segment infusion, antral pressure waves (PWs) were suppressed ( P < 0.05). Isolated pyloric PWs and basal pyloric pressure were stimulated on both days. In conclusion, the release of GLP-1 and ghrelin, but not CCK and GIP, is dependent upon >60 cm of the intestine being exposed to glucose.
MEKK3-mediated signaling to p38 kinase and TonE in hypertonically stressed kidney cells
Authors: Padda Ranjit , Wamsley-Davis Ann , Gustin Michael C. , Ross Rebekah , Yu Christina , Sheikh-Hamad David
Published: May 2006

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades contain a trio of kinases, MAPK kinase kinase (MKKK) → MAPK kinase (MKK) → MAPK, that mediate a variety of cellular responses to different signals including hypertonicity. The signaling response to hypertonicity is conserved across evolution from yeast to mammals in that it involves activation of p38/SAPK. However, very little is known about which upstream protein kinases mediate activation of p38 by hypertonicity in mammals. The MKKKs, MEKK3 and MEKK4, are upstream regulators of p38 in many cells. To investigate these signaling proteins as potential activators of p38 in the hypertonicity response, we generated stably transfected MDCK cells that express activated versions of MEKK3 or MEKK4, utilized RNA interference to deplete MEKK3, and employed pharmacological inhibition of p38 kinase. MEKK3-transfected cells demonstrated increased betaine transporter (BGT1) mRNA levels and upregulated tonicity enhancer (TonE)-driven luciferase activity under isotonic (basal) and hypertonic conditions compared with empty vector-transfected controls; small-interference RNA-mediated depletion of MEKK3 downregulated the activity of p38 kinase and decreased the expression of BGT1 mRNA. p38 Kinase inhibition abolished the effects of MEKK3 activation on BGT1 induction. In contrast, the response to hypertonicity in MEKK4-kA-transfected cells was similar to that observed in empty vector-transfected controls. Our data are consistent with the existence of an input from MEKK3 →→ p38 kinase →→ TonE.
MMP-9 Is Differentially Expressed in Primary Human Colorectal Adenocarcinomas and Their Metastases
Authors: Illemann Martin , Bird Nigel , Majeed Ali , Sehested Maxwell , Laerum Ole D. , Lund Leif R. , Danø Keld , Nielsen Boye Schnack
Published: May 2006

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is up-regulated in macrophages in various human cancer types. In human colon cancer, MMP-9 is expressed in a macrophage subpopulation located at the tumor edge, indicating a specific induction of MMP-9 in macrophages in direct association with cancer invasion. To test whether MMP-9 is also induced in tumor edge macrophages in metastases from colorectal adenocarcinomas, we have compared the expression pattern of MMP-9 in primary colorectal adenocarcinomas (n = 15) with that in liver metastases (n = 15) and local lymph node metastases (n = 7) from the same patients by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. In all the colorectal adenocarcinomas, the expression of MMP-9 mRNA and immunoreactivity in macrophages was located at the invasive front. In contrast, only 3 of the 15 liver metastases had MMP-9 mRNA and immunoreactivity at the periphery, and this expression was confined to small foci of macrophages located either among lymphocytes or in a dense desmoplastic stroma. Expression of MMP-9 mRNA and immunoreactivity was in all liver metastases seen in macrophages located in the lumen of malignant glandular structures and in central necrotic tissue. In all the 7 lymph node metastases, MMP-9 mRNA and immunoreactivity was seen in macrophages located in the stromal tissue surrounding the metastases. We conclude that MMP-9 is not up-regulated in tumor edge macrophages in liver metastases like in their primary tumor and local lymph node metastases, suggesting that disseminating colorectal cancer cells can adopt alternative proteolytic mechanisms for invasion depending on the local microenvironment. (Mol Cancer Res 2006;4(5):293–302)
Evaluation of the Multiscale Modeling Framework Using Data from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program
Authors: Ovtchinnikov Mikhail , Ackerman Thomas , Marchand Roger , Khairoutdinov Marat
Published: May 2006

In a recently developed approach to climate modeling, called the multiscale modeling framework (MMF), a two-dimensional cloud-resolving model (CRM) is embedded into each grid column of the Community Atmospheric Model (CAM), replacing traditional cloud and radiation parameterizations. This study presents an evaluation of the MMF through a comparison of its output with the output from the CAM and with data from two observational sites operated by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program, one at the Southern Great Plains (SGP) in Oklahoma and one at the island of Nauru in the tropical western Pacific (TWP) region.

Two sets of one-year-long simulations are considered: one using climatological sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and another using 1999 SST. Each set includes a run with the MMF as well as a CAM run with traditional or standard cloud and radiation treatments. Time series of cloud fraction, precipitation intensity, and downwelling solar radiation flux at the surface are analyzed. For the TWP site, the distributions of these variables from the MMF run are shown to be more consistent with observation than those from the CAM run. This change is attributed to the improved representation of convective clouds in the MMF compared to the conventional climate model. For the SGP, the MMF shows little to no improvement in predicting the same quantities. Possible causes of this lack of improvement are discussed.
Spatial Variability of Liquid Water Path in Marine Low Cloud: The Importance of Mesoscale Cellular Convection
Authors: Wood Robert , Hartmann Dennis L.
Published: May 2006

Liquid water path (LWP) mesoscale spatial variability in marine low cloud over the eastern subtropical oceans is examined using two months of daytime retrievals from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the NASA Terra satellite. Approximately 20 000 scenes of size 256 km × 256 km are used in the analysis. It is found that cloud fraction is strongly linked with the LWP variability in the cloudy fraction of the scene. It is shown here that in most cases LWP spatial variance is dominated by horizontal scales of 10–50 km, and increases as the variance-containing scale increases, indicating the importance of organized mesoscale cellular convection (MCC). A neural network technique is used to classify MODIS scenes by the spatial variability type (no MCC, closed MCC, open MCC, cellular but disorganized). It is shown how the different types tend to occupy distinct geographical regions and different physical regimes within the subtropics, although the results suggest considerable overlap of the large-scale meteorological conditions associated with each scene type. It is demonstrated that both the frequency of occurrence, and the variance-containing horizontal scale of the MCC increases as the marine boundary layer (MBL) depth increases. However, for the deepest MBLs, the MCC tends to be replaced by clouds containing cells but lacking organization. In regions where MCC is prevalent, a lack of sensitivity of the MCC type (open or closed) to the large-scale meteorology was found, suggesting a mechanism internal to the MBL may be important in determining MCC type. The results indicate that knowledge of the physics of MCC will be required to completely understand and predict low cloud coverage and variability in the subtropics.
Transporting the European Social Partnership Model to Australia
Authors: Gollan Paul J. , Patmore Glenn
Published: May 2006

There has been a long tradition of debate over workplace democracy in Australia. Yet, workplace democracy remains one of the great unfulfilled promises of Australian labour law. While the current focus on enterprise bargaining in the workplace might encourage us to think about new information and consultation mechanisms at work, there are no legislative provisions imminent. We argue that the voluntary approach of recent Australian governments has failed to create a generally available right to information and consultation at work. In this article we therefore consider how information and consultation procedures could be introduced into Australia, drawing upon the European social partnership model and the Australian experience with employee consultation mechanisms. In particular, the article assesses employee consultation procedures in light of good workplace relations practices. The article examines how the Workplace Relations Act could be amended to incorporate a new model, and assesses its likely effectiveness in the current Australian industrial relations context.
A Comparison of Parent and Teacher Ratings of Adaptive Behavior Using a Universal Measure
Authors: Noland Ramona M. , McCallum R. Steve
Published: May 2006

Parent and teacher ratings of adaptive behavior were compared using a new instrument designed to measure adaptive functioning for limited-English-proficient children: the Universal Brief Adaptive Behavior Index (UBABI). The UBABI was designed to briefly assess constructs of adaptive behavior for all children, and particularly for at-risk children who have limited use of the English language. The instrument measures adaptive functioning in 10 areas in accordance with the 1992 AAMR definition of adaptive behavior. Participants were 135 teachers and 115 parents of students in elementary, middle, and high schools from six states. Students were selected randomly from regular education classrooms. UBABIs were first completed by the parents and, upon return of the completed parent form, then completed by the classroom teacher. Cronbach alpha correlation coefficients provided evidence of the UBABI's reliability and ranged from .86 to .90 for the 10 domains. The reliability for the composite score was .98. UBABI scores differentiated between teacher ratings of regular education and identified mentally retarded students based on domain and composite scores. Coefficients between parent and teacher ratings ranged from .18 to .50 for the 10 domains. All but five of these correlations were significant at the p < .01 level. The mean differences between the parent and teacher samples for each domain were not statistically significant(p > .05). Implications are discussed.
Nonverbal Assessment of IQ, Attention, and Memory Abilities in Children with Fragile-X Syndrome Using the Leiter-R
Authors: Hooper Stephen R. , Hatton Deborah D. , Baranek Grace T. , Roberts Jennifer P. , Bailey Donald B.
Published: May 2006

This study examined the clinical utility of the recently revised Leiter International Performance Scale (Leiter-R) with a sample of children with fragile-X syndrome. The sample included 25 male children ranging in age from 4.0 to 12.8 years and was 92% European American. All subjects were administered the entire Attention and Memory Battery, and the four subtests from the Visualization and Reasoning Battery that comprise the Brief IQ composite. These tasks were selected to address specific concerns pertaining to memory and attention in individuals with fragile-X. Initial examination of the data revealed that all of the children completed the subtests comprising the Brief IQ and, outside of the Attention Divided subtest, over 80% of the children completed most of the subtests on the Attention and Memory Battery. Findings from the Leiter-R were generally consistent with previously reported assessment results with this population. Overall, the sample fell within the mild to moderate range of mental retardation, with over 80% of the group at or below this range of functioning. As a group, relative difficulty was noted on tasks tapping selective attention and working memory. Ipsatively, a relative strength was apparent across cases on the Associated Pairs subtest. Chronological age had a significant moderate positive correlation with the Leiter-R growth score for the composite scales and a significant strong negative correlation with the age-based standard score for Brief IQ. These findings are discussed with respect to the clinical and research applications of the Leiter-R for children with fragile-X as well as for children with other developmental disabilities.
Determining Random Responding to Objective Tests
Authors: Charter Richard A.
Published: May 2006

Formulas are presented for use in determining if an examinee's test score is different from responding at a random (chance) level to test items. The formulas can be used to test an individual examinee's score or to construct confidence intervals around the expected random score. Examples using standardized and teacher-made tests, and implications for test construction are provided.
The Factor Structure of DSM-IV Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Symptoms: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the ADHD-SRS
Authors: Collett Brent R. , Crowley Susan L. , Gimpel Gretchen A. , Greenson Jessica N.
Published: May 2006

Since the inception of DSM-IV considerable research has focused on the conceptualization of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a multidimensional construct. This study utilized confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine the adequacy of fit for the two-factor model (hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention) previously specified for the ADHD Symptoms Rating Scale (ADHD-SRS), Parent Version. The invariance of this model across gender was then examined using a second, independent sample of children. The results indicate that a two-factor model provides the best fit for the data using the ADHD-SRS. Additionally, findings suggested that this model is invariant across gender. These results provide support both for the psychometric properties of the ADHD-SRS and the subtypes of ADHD specified in the DSM-IV