bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noddings's caring ethics theory applied in a paediatric setting
Authors: Lundqvist Anita , Nilstun Tore
Published: March 2009

Since the 1990s, numerous studies on the relationship between parents and their children have been reported on in the literature and implemented as a philosophy of care in most paediatric units. The purpose of this article is to understand the process of nurses' care for children in a paediatric setting by using Noddings's caring ethics theory. Noddings's theory is in part described from a theoretical perspective outlining the basic idea of the theory followed by a critique of her work. Important conceptions in her theory are natural caring (reception, relation, engrossment, motivational displacement, reciprocity) and ethical caring (physical self, ethical self, and ethical ideal). As a nurse one holds a duty of care to patients and, in exercising this duty, the nurse must be able to develop a relationship with the patient including giving the patient total authenticity in a ‘feeling with’ the patient. Noddings's theory is analysed and described in three examples from the paediatrics. In the first example, the nurse cared for the patient in natural caring while in the second situation, the nurse strived for the ethical caring of the patient. In the third example, the nurse rejected the impulse to care and deliberately turned her back to ethics and abandoned her ethical caring. According to the Noddings's theory, caring for the patient enables the nurse to obtain ethical insights from the specific type of nursing care which forms an important contribution to an overall increase of an ethical consciousness in the nurse.
The pleiotropic effects of the bar gene and glufosinate on the Arabidopsis transcriptome
Authors: Abdeen Ashraf , Miki Brian
Published: March 2009

The Arabidopsis transcriptome was studied using the Affymetrix Arabidopsis ATH1 GeneChip in wild‐type plants and glufosinate‐tolerant transgenic plants expressing the bialaphos resistance (bar) gene. Pleiotropic effects were specifically generated in the transcriptomes of transgenic plants by both the bar gene and glufosinate treatments. In the absence of glufosinate, four genes were differentially expressed in the transgenic lines and another 80 genes were differentially expressed in the presence of glufosinate, 29 of which were specific to transgenic plants. In contrast, the number of differentially expressed genes specific to wild‐type plants was 194 during the early response at 6 h of glufosinate treatment, and increased to 3711 during the late response at 48 h. Although the wild‐type plants undergo extensive transcriptional reprofiling in response to herbicide‐induced stress and, finally, plant death, the transgenic plants appear to activate other detoxification processes to offset the toxic effects of the residual herbicide or its derivatives. This study provides the first description of the pleiotropic effects of the bar gene and glufosinate on the plant transcriptome.
Relationship of business and NGOs: an empirical analysis of strategies and mediators of their private relationship
Authors: Valor Carmen , Merino de Diego Amparo
Published: March 2009

Managing the relationship with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) is a key capability for most companies, because dialogue with stakeholders is a requested feature of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This paper analyses the relationship between businesses and NGOs in Spain. By applying grounded theory, the authors summarize this relationship in the dynamics of conflict and cooperation. NGOs' strategies vis‐à‐vis companies are categorized and the variables explaining different approaches on both companies' and NGOs' side are examined. The paper concludes by placing the private relationship with NGOs in a wider context (the public arena), dominated by the approach‐withdrawal dynamics between firms and NGOs. Finally, this paper presents the theory that results from this research.
Ethical leadership across cultures: a comparative analysis of German and US perspectives
Authors: Martin Gillian S. , Resick Christian J. , Keating Mary A. , Dickson Marcus W.
Published: March 2009

This paper examines beliefs about four aspects of ethical leadership –Character/Integrity, Altruism, Collective Motivation and Encouragement– in Germany and the United States using data from Project GLOBE (Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness) and a supplemental analysis. Within the context of a push toward convergence driven by the demands of globalization and the pull toward divergence underpinned by different cultural values and philosophies in the two countries, we focus on two questions: Do middle managers from the United States and Germany differ in their beliefs about ethical leadership? And, do individuals from these two countries attribute different characteristics to ethical leaders? Results provide evidence that while German and US middle managers, on average, differed in the degree of endorsement for each aspect, they each endorsed Character/Integrity, Collective Motivation and Encouragement as important for effective leadership and had a more neutral view of the importance of Altruism. The findings are reviewed within the social‐cultural context of each country.
Concepts of price fairness: empirical research into the Dutch coffee market
Authors: Gielissen Robert , Graafland Johan
Published: March 2009

This paper researches perceptions of the concept of price fairness in the Dutch coffee market. We distinguish four alternative standards of fair prices based on egalitarian, basic rights, capitalistic and libertarian approaches. We investigate which standards are guiding the perceptions of price fairness of citizens and coffee trade organizations. We find that there is a divergence in views between citizens and key players in the coffee market. Whereas citizens support the concept of fairness derived from the basic rights approach, holding that the price should provide coffee farmers with a minimum level of subsistence, representatives of Dutch coffee traders hold the capitalistic view that the free world market price is fair.
From Assets to School Outcomes
Authors: Destin Mesmin , Oyserman Daphna
Published: March 2009

People do not always take action to attain their desired possible selves—after all, whether consciously or nonconsciously, taking current action makes sense if there is an open path toward attaining the desired self, but not if paths are closed. Following this logic, children from families with fewer assets may lower their expectations for school success and plan to engage in less effort in school. To test this hypothesis, we examined the impact of experimentally manipulating mind-set about college as either “closed” (expensive) or “open” (can be paid for with need-based financial aid) among low-income early adolescents. Adolescents assigned to an open-path condition expected higher grades than those assigned to a closed-path condition (Study 1, n = 48, predominantly Hispanic and Latino seventh graders) and planned to spend more time on homework than those assigned to a no-prime control condition (Study 2, n = 48, predominantly African American seventh graders).
Predicting Party Sizes The 2007 Johan Skytte Prize Lecture
Authors: Taagepera Rein
Published: March 2009

The Skytte Foundation states that I was awarded the Skytte Prize 2008 for ‘profound analysis of the function of electoral systems in representative democracy’. What does this mean? As examples, I would highlight three relationships that qualify as laws in the strongest scientific sense. They do so because they offer a logically supported model as well as agreement with data, which gives them broad predictive ability.
Evaluating the Ability of Tree‐Based Methods and Logistic Regression for the Detection of SNP‐SNP Interaction
Authors: García‐Magariños M. , López‐de‐Ullibarri I. , Cao R. , Salas A.
Published: March 2009

Most common human diseases are likely to have complex etiologies. Methods of analysis that allow for the phenomenon of epistasis are of growing interest in the genetic dissection of complex diseases. By allowing for epistatic interactions between potential disease loci, we may succeed in identifying genetic variants that might otherwise have remained undetected. Here we aimed to analyze the ability of logistic regression (LR) and two tree‐based supervised learning methods, classification and regression trees (CART) and random forest (RF), to detect epistasis. Multifactor‐dimensionality reduction (MDR) was also used for comparison. Our approach involves first the simulation of datasets of autosomal biallelic unphased and unlinked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), each containing a two‐loci interaction (causal SNPs) and 98 ‘noise’ SNPs. We modelled interactions under different scenarios of sample size, missing data, minor allele frequencies (MAF) and several penetrance models: three involving both (indistinguishable) marginal effects and interaction, and two simulating pure interaction effects. In total, we have simulated 99 different scenarios. Although CART, RF, and LR yield similar results in terms of detection of true association, CART and RF perform better than LR with respect to classification error. MAF, penetrance model, and sample size are greater determining factors than percentage of missing data in the ability of the different techniques to detect true association. In pure interaction models, only RF detects association. In conclusion, tree‐based methods and LR are important statistical tools for the detection of unknown interactions among true risk‐associated SNPs with marginal effects and in the presence of a significant number of noise SNPs. In pure interaction models, RF performs reasonably well in the presence of large sample sizes and low percentages of missing data. However, when the study design is suboptimal (unfavourable to detect interaction in terms of e.g. sample size and MAF) there is a high chance of detecting false, spurious associations.
Effects of a communication course for clinicians on parents’ perception of care – a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ammentorp Jette , Sabroe Svend , Kofoed Poul‐Erik , Mainz Jan
Published: March 2009

Introduction:  In paediatric care, it is a great challenge to make sure that all parties feel involved and heard, they all have had the opportunity to take part in the decisions and all the participants experienced that their expectations to the consultation are fulfilled. Previous research in communication skills training has primarily focused on the behavioural changes of clinicians, and only few studies have investigated the effect from the perspective of the user.

Method:  A randomized controlled trial including medical doctors and nurses from paediatric outpatients’ clinics was carried out. The intervention group completed a 5‐day communication course, whereas the control group had no intervention. The intervention was evaluated using questionnaires measuring parents’ perception of the communication and their satisfaction. The questionnaires were filled out by parents to children consulting a clinician in the outpatient’s clinic.

Results:  Before the intervention, 75% (314/419) answered the questionnaire and 65% (271/419) were included in the precourse analysis. After the intervention, 68% (946/1395) answered the questionnaire and 55% (764/1395) were included in the postcourse analysis. There were no significant differences between the satisfaction of parents visiting clinicians from the intervention group and those visiting clinicians from the control group; however, the proportion of parents who had a positive perception of the communication was up to 9.8% higher in the intervention group compared with the control group. For example: ‘the clinician told my child what he/she could do in order to feel better’.

Discussion:  Although no statistically significant differences were found, the study indicates that parents who had visited a clinician from the intervention group have experienced the communication as more positive.
Using connectivity metrics in conservation planning – when does habitat quality matter?
Authors: Visconti Piero , Elkin Ché
Published: March 2009

Aim The objective of conservation planning is often to prioritize patches based on their estimated contribution to metapopulation or metacommunity viability. The contribution that an individual patch makes will depend on its intrinsic characteristics, such as habitat quality, as well as its location relative to other patches, its connectivity. Here we systematically evaluate five patch value metrics to determine the importance of including an estimate of habitat quality into the metrics.

Location We tested the metrics in landscapes designed to represent different degrees of variability in patch quality and different levels of patch aggregation.

Methods In each landscape, we simulated population dynamics using a spatially explicit, continuous time metapopulation model linked to within patch logistic growth models. We tested five metrics that are used to estimate the contribution that a patch makes to metapopulation viability: two versions of the probability of connectivity index, two versions of patch centrality (a graph theory metric) and the metapopulation capacity metric.

Results All metrics performed best in environments where patch quality was very variable and high quality patches were aggregated. Metrics that incorporated some measure of patch quality did better in all environments, but did particularly well in environments with high variance of patch quality and spatial aggregation of good quality patches.

Main conclusions Including an estimate of patch quality significantly increased the ability of a given connectivity metric to rank correctly habitat patches according to their contribution to metapopulation viability. Incorporating patch quality is particularly important in landscapes where habitat quality is highly variable and good quality patches are spatially aggregated. However, caution should be used when applying patch metrics to homogeneous landscapes, even if good estimates of patch quality are available. Our results demonstrate that landscape structure and the degree of variability in patch quality need to be assessed prior to selecting a suitable method for estimating patch value.
The role of nitric oxide‐ and prostacyclin‐independent vasodilatation in the human cutaneous microcirculation: effect of cytochrome P450 2C9 inhibition
Authors: Lenasi Helena
Published: March 2009

The component of the flow‐ or agonist‐dependent vasodilatation, insensitive to inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthases (NOS) or cyclooxygenases (COX), is suggested to reflect the production of an endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). The identity of EDHF in humans remains controversial; in coronary arterioles, it appears to be a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9‐derived metabolite, whereas there are no data for human skin microcirculation. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the role of the NO‐ and prostacyclin (PGI2)‐independent mechanism, particularly the potential involvement of CYP 2C9, in skin microcirculation. We measured skin blood flow on the volar aspect of the forearm in 12 healthy subjects by laser‐Doppler fluxmetry (LDF). The inhibitors of NOS, Nω‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine (L‐NMMA), and cyclooxygenase (COX), diclofenac, as well as sulfaphenazole, the specific CYP 2C9 inhibitor, and saline as control, were administered to the measurement sites by an intradermal microinjection in different combinations. Afterwards, baseline LDF was assessed and iontophoresis of acetycholine (ACh) applied. Combined NOS and COX inhibition had no effect on baseline LDF, whereas it significantly reduced the ACh‐induced increase in LDF (t‐test, P<0·05). Sulfaphenazole did not affect baseline LDF either in the control site or in the L‐NMMA‐ and diclofenac‐pretreated site. In addition, sulfaphenazole did not attenuate the ACh‐induced vasodilatation in either site. We conclude that a NO‐ and PGI2‐independent vasodilator mechanism, potentially attributable to EDHF, contributes substantialy to the ACh‐induced vasodilatation in human skin microcirculation and that it is probably not a CYP 2C9‐derived metabolite.
Correctable and non‐correctable visual impairment among young males: a 12‐year prevalence study of the Military Service in Poland
Authors: Nowak Michal S. , Gos Roman , Jurowski Piotr , Smigielski Janusz
Published: March 2009

Purpose:  To evaluate the prevalence of correctable and non‐correctable visual impairment in a representative sample of young males commissioned for Military Service in Poland.

Material and methods:  Data concerning vision status was retrospectively reviewed in 969 subjects of European Caucasian origin, most of whom live and have lived in Poland. They were selected from the original database comprising 105017 subjects examined in the period 1993–2004. Based on the age of subjects they were divided into two groups; group I aged 18–24 and group II aged 25–34 years. Visual impairment was defined as distance visual acuity of <20/40 in one or both eyes. Non‐correctable impairment was defined as that which was not eliminated by refractive correction.

Results:  A total of 1938 eyes of 969 white males were examined. There was statistically significant association between rates of visual impairment and increasing age (p < 0.001). Visual impairment was found in 128 (13.2%) subjects in at least one eye. Non‐correctable visual impairment was found in 12 (1.2%) subjects. Amblyopia was the main cause, accounting for eight cases (66.67%). Correctable visual impairment was found in the remaining 116 (12.0%) patients. Among them myopia was the most common refractive error and accounted for 75.8%. Differences between age‐specific rates of refractive errors were statistically significant (p = 0.003).

Conclusions:  Appropriate refractive correction improves visual acuity in most subjects presenting with visual impairment. There was a relatively low prevalence of non‐correctable visual impairment in a population of young adults in Poland, and this was mainly due to amblyopia.
Custom‐devised and generic digital enhancement of images for people with maculopathy
Authors: Leat Susan J. , Mei Ming
Published: March 2009

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to compare the effectivity, in terms of the potential usefulness, of digital filters based on either contrast sensitivity (CS) or supra‐threshold contrast matching (CM) in enhancing pictures images for people with maculopathy and to investigate whether generic filters (not based on an individual’s vision loss) are equally as effective. Effectivity is measured by changes in perceived visibility.

Methods:  Thirty‐five subjects with maculopathy, aged 20–92 years, took part [13 atrophic age‐related macular degeneration (ARMD), 14 exudative ARMD, and 8 juvenile macular dystrophy (JMD)]. CS and supra‐threshold CM were measured. A range of CS filters (1 or 2‐octave wide band‐pass filter using a Gabor or polynomial envelope) with different strengths were developed based on the ratio of the individual’s contrast threshold and that of a normal age‐related group. Similarly filters were developed based on CM at 3.6% and 27.9% contrast. The following generic filters were also applied with different ‘strengths’: edge enhancement; sharpening; contrast enhancement; Peli’s adaptive enhancement; difference of Gaussian; and an equi‐emphasis band‐pass filter. The filters were applied to images of faces and general scenes. Subjects were asked to rank the perceived visibility of images (to obtain the best version of each filter) and then to rate the perceived visibility of each image filtered with a particular filter.

Results:  In general, subjects with atrophic ARMD and JMD preferred the weaker versions of most of the filters, while those with exudative ARMD did not show such a clear preference. Generally, images of faces were preferred with less enhancement than scenes. The filters based on CM were rated as giving significant improvement, while those based on CS and peak emphasis were not preferred. Of the generic filters, the Peli adaptive enhancement filter was most frequently rated as giving a significant improvement (p < 0.05) followed by the contrast enhancement filter. They gave the same perceived enhancement as the custom‐devised filters.

Conclusions:  Generic filters, which are easier to apply than the custom‐devised filters, are appropriate for rehabilitation purposes.
Inhibition of inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2 and interleukin‐1β by torilin is mediated by mitogen‐activated protein kinases in microglial BV2 cells
Authors: Choi Y , Lee MK , Lim SY , Sung SH , Kim YC
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose:  Traditionally, the stem and root bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (Ulmaceae) have been known to be anti‐inflammatory in Korea. Anti‐inflammatory effects of torilin, isolated from this plant and the underlying mechanisms were examined by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated microglial BV2 cells.

Experimental approach:  The cells were treated with torilin prior to LPS exposure and the effects on pro‐inflammatory enzymes, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) were analysed by RT‐PCR, Western blot or elisa. To reveal the mechanism of action of torilin we investigated the involvement of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and their downstream transcription factors, nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and cyclic AMP‐responsive element (CRE)‐binding protein (CREB).

Key results:  Torilin significantly reduced the LPS‐induced expression of iNOS, COX‐2 and IL‐1β, and the subsequent release of NO, prostaglandin E2 and IL‐1β into culture medium. LPS stimulation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK was inhibited by torilin. In addition, the inhibitory effect of torilin on NF‐κB and CREB was shown by torilin‐mediated recovery of LPS‐induced degradation of inhibitor κB‐α and suppression of LPS‐induced phosphorylation of CREB respectively.

Conclusion and implications:  This study indicates that torilin inhibited LPS‐induced iNOS, COX‐2 and IL‐1β via down‐regulation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, NF‐κB and CREB and suggests that torilin has a potential as an anti‐inflammatory drug candidate.
NeuralKCNQ(Kv7) channels
Authors: Brown David A , Passmore Gayle M
Published: March 2009

KCNQgenes encode five Kv7 K+channel subunits (Kv7.1–Kv7.5). Four of these (Kv7.2–Kv7.5) are expressed in the nervous system. Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 are the principal molecular components of the slow voltage‐gated M‐channel, which widely regulates neuronal excitability, although other subunits may contribute to M‐like currents in some locations. M‐channels are closed by receptors coupled to Gq such as M1 and M3 muscarinic receptors; this increases neuronal excitability and underlies some forms of cholinergic excitation. Muscarinic closure results from activation of phospholipase C and consequent hydrolysis and depletion of membrane phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate, which is required for channel opening. Some effects of M‐channel closure, determined from transmitter action, selective blocking drugs (linopirdine and XE991) andKCNQ2gene disruption or manipulation, are as follows: (i) insympathetic neurons: facilitation of repetitive discharges and conversion from phasic to tonic firing; (ii) insensory nociceptive systems: facilitation of A‐delta peripheral sensory fibre responses to noxious heat; and (iii) inhippocampal pyramidal neurons: facilitation of repetitive discharges, enhanced after‐depolarization and burst‐firing, and induction of spontaneous firing through a reduction of action potential threshold at the axon initial segment. Several drugs including flupirtine and retigabine enhance neural Kv7/M‐channel activity, principally through a hyperpolarizing shift in their voltage gating. In consequence they reduce neural excitability and can inhibit nociceptive stimulation and transmission. Flupirtine is in use as a central analgesic; retigabine is under clinical trial as a broad‐spectrum anticonvulsant and is an effective analgesic in animal models of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Artemisinin induces doxorubicin resistance in human colon cancer cells via calcium‐dependent activation of HIF‐1α and P‐glycoprotein overexpression
Authors: Riganti C , Doublier S , Viarisio D , Miraglia E , Pescarmona G , Ghigo D , Bosia A
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose:  Artemisinin is an antimalarial drug exerting pleiotropic effects, such as the inhibition of the transcription factor nuclear factor‐kappa B and of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca++‐ATPase (SERCA) of P. falciparum. As the sesquiterpene lactone thapsigargin, a known inhibitor of mammalian SERCA, enhances the expression of P‐glycoprotein (Pgp) by increasing the intracellular Ca++ ([Ca++]i) level, we investigated whether artemisinin and its structural homologue parthenolide could inhibit SERCA in human colon carcinoma HT29 cells and induce a resistance to doxorubicin.

Experimental approach:  HT29 cells were incubated with artemisinin or parthenolide and assessed for SERCA activity, [Ca++]i levels, Pgp expression, doxorubicin accumulation and toxicity, and translocation of the hypoxia‐inducible factor, HIF‐1α.

Key results:  Artemisinin and parthenolide, like the specific SERCA inhibitors thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid, reduced the activity of SERCA. They also increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca++]i) and Pgp expression and decreased doxorubicin accumulation and cytotoxicity. The intracellular Ca++ chelator, 1,2‐bis(2‐aminophenoxy)ethane‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid, and the inhibitor of calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII) KN93 prevented these effects. CaMKII is known to promote the phosphorylation and the activation of HIF‐1α, which may induce Pgp. In HT29 cells, artemisinin and parthenolide induced the phosphorylation of HIF‐1α, which was inhibited by KN93.

Conclusions and implications:  Our results suggest that artemisinin and parthenolide may act as SERCA inhibitors and, like other SERCA inhibitors, induce resistance to doxorubicin in human colon cancer cells, via the CaMKII‐dependent activation of HIF‐1α and the induction of Pgp.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway mediates the oestrogen‐like activities of ginsenoside Rg1 in human breast cancer (MCF‐7) cells
Authors: Lau Wai‐Sum , Chen Wen‐Fang , Chan Robbie Yat‐Kan , Guo De‐An , Wong Man‐Sau
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose:  The present study was designed to determine how ginsenoside Rg1, an active ingredient in ginseng root, exerts its oestrogenic effects. We hypothesize that Rg1 may exert oestrogen‐like actions in MCF‐7 cells by activating the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in a ligand‐independent manner.

Experimental approach:  MCF‐7 cells were co‐incubated with the MAPK inhibitor PD98059 to determine whether the stimulant effects of Rg1 on cell proliferation, the induction of IGF‐IR and pS2, the functional transactivation of oestrogen receptor‐α (ERα), as well as ERα phosphorylation are dependent on MAPK. The time‐dependent responses of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK) to Rg1 in MCF‐7 cells were studied. The responses of MEK phosphorylation to Rg1 in oestrogen receptor (ER)‐negative HEK293 cells were also determined. The effects of Rg1 on cell proliferation and IGF‐IR protein expression were studied in the presence of tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein to elucidate the involvement of tyrosine kinase in mediating these effects.

Key results:  The oestrogenic effects of Rg1 in MCF‐7 cells were abolished in the presence of PD98059. Rg1 could induce MEK protein expression and the phosphorylation level of MEK and ERK significantly in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Rg1 activated MEK phosphorylation in ER‐negative HEK293 cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Rg1 induction of cell proliferation and IGF‐IR protein expression was abolished by co‐treatment with genistein.

Conclusions and implications:  Taken together, these results show that the MAPK pathway is involved in mediating the oestrogen‐like actions of Rg1 in MCF‐7 cells and suggest that Rg1 may activate ERα via MEK/ERK in a ligand‐independent manner.
Party Competition and the Resilience of Corporatism
Authors: Anthonsen Mette , Lindvall Johannes
Published: March 2009

This article argues that after the Golden Age of capitalism, corporatist methods of policy-making have come to depend on specific modes of party competition. In contrast to previous studies of corporatism, which have argued that corporatism depends on strong social democratic parties, this article suggests that the competition between well-defined left-wing and right-wing ‘blocs’ has become detrimental to corporatism. In countries with mixed governments or traditions of power-sharing, on the other hand, corporatism thrives. These conclusions are based on a comparison of four traditionally corporatist countries – Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland – from the early 1970s to the late 1990s.
Party-System Reform in Democracy's Grey Zone: A Response to Moraski
Authors: Wilson Kenneth
Published: March 2009

This article analyses the party-system reforms introduced in Russia during Vladimir Putin's presidency. It contests Byron Moraski's interpretation, published in an earlier edition of this journal, which claims that the reforms introduced in Putin's second term were a response to the 2003 Duma election and were intended to preserve the unity and discipline of United Russia, the regime's ‘party of power’. This article argues that Moraski's explanation of the second-term reforms is flawed and contends that the first- and second-term reforms were part of a wider reform programme designed to centralize Russia's political system, consolidate its party system and contribute to the construction of a façade democracy. The article also challenges Moraski's argument that these reforms, while introduced to advance the regime's interests, could further democratization in the longer term by adding the crucial caveat that stronger opposition parties that could act as a democratizing influence will only emerge if practices of electoral manipulation lessen or fail.
Automated normalized FLAIR imaging in MRI‐negative patients with refractory focal epilepsy
Authors: Focke Niels K. , Bonelli Silvia B. , Yogarajah Mahinda , Scott Catherine , Symms Mark R. , Duncan John S.
Published: March 2009

Background:  Patients with focal epilepsy that is refractory to medical treatment are often considered candidates for resective surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a very important role in the presurgical work‐up of these patients, but is unremarkable in about one‐third of cases. These patients are often deferred from surgery or have a less positive outcome if surgery is eventually undertaken. The aim of this study was to evaluate our recently described voxel‐based technique using routine T2‐FLAIR (fluid‐attenuated inversion‐recovery) scans in MRI‐negative patients and to compare the results with video‐EEG (electroencephalography) telemetry (VT) findings.

Methods:  We identified 70 epilepsy patients with refractory focal seizures who underwent VT and had a normal routine MRI. T2‐FLAIR scans were bias‐corrected, and intensity and spatially normalized (nFSI) using Statistical Parametric Mapping 5 (SPM5) as previously described. Individual scans were then compared against a set of 25 normal controls using a voxel‐based method.

Results:  SPM5 identified 10 patients with suprathreshold clusters (14.3%). In 50% of these there was concordance between the lobe of the most significant cluster and the presumed lobe of seizure onset, as defined by VT. All cases were concordant with respect to lateralization of the putative focus.

Conclusion:  Using nFSI we identified focal structural cerebral abnormalities in 11.4% of patients with refractory focal seizures, and normal conventional MRI, that were fully or partially concordant with scalp VT. This voxel‐based analysis of FLAIR scans, which are widely available, could provide a useful tool in the presurgical evaluation of epilepsy patients. Ongoing work is to compare these imaging findings with the results of intracranial EEG and histology of surgical resections.
Does a SCN1A gene mutation confer earlier age of onset of febrile seizures in GEFS+?
Authors: Sijben Angelique E. J. , Sithinamsuwan Pasiri , Radhakrishnan Ashalata , Badawy Radwa A. B. , Dibbens Leanne , Mazarib Aziz , Lev Dorit , Lerman‐Sagie Tally , Straussberg Rachel , Berkovic Samuel F. , Scheffer Ingrid E.
Published: March 2009

SCN1A is the most clinically relevant epilepsy gene and is associated with generalized epilepsy and febrile seizure plus (GEFS+) and Dravet syndrome. We postulated that earlier onset of febrile seizures in the febrile seizure (FS) and febrile seizure plus (FS+) phenotypes may occur in the presence of a SCN1A mutation. This was because of the age‐related onset of Dravet syndrome, which typically begins in the first year of life. We found that patients with FS and FS+ with SCN1A mutations had earlier median onset of febrile seizures compared to the population median. Patients with GABRG2 mutations had a similar early onset in contrast to patients with SCN1B mutations where onset was later. This study is the first to demonstrate that a specific genetic abnormality directly influences the FS and FS+ phenotype in terms of age of onset.
Long‐term antiepileptic drug therapy contributes to the acceleration of atherosclerosis
Authors: Tan Teng‐Yeow , Lu Cheng‐Hsien , Chuang Hung‐Yi , Lin Tsu‐Kung , Liou Chia‐Wei , Chang Wen‐Neng , Chuang Yao‐Chung
Published: March 2009

Purpose:  Long‐term antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy has been associated with an increase in risk of atherosclerosis. At issue is whether this risk is related to the duration of AED therapy. We evaluated the hypothesis that the cumulative effect of long‐term exposure to AEDs plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in patients with epilepsy.

Methods:  One hundred ninety‐five patients under long‐term AED therapy and 195 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects received measurement of intima media thickness (IMT) at the far wall of the common carotid artery (CCA) by B‐mode ultrasonography to assess the extent of atherosclerosis. Other measurements included body mass index (BMI) and blood lipid profile or homocysteine, folic acid, uric acid, fasting blood sugar, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total reduced thiols.

Results:  CCA IMT was significantly increased in patients with epilepsy, with male subjects exhibiting thicker IMT than their female counterparts. Whereas BMI, homocysteine, hs‐CRP, and TBARS were significantly elevated, folic acid and thiols were significantly reduced in patients with epilepsy. Multiple linear regression analysis further revealed that duration of AED therapy, age, gender, and TBARS level (index for oxidative stress) were independently associated with CCA IMT. In addition, the log‐transformed CCA IMT increased linearly with duration of AED therapy after adjustments for age, gender, and TBARS level.

Discussion:  The duration of AED therapy is significantly associated with the acceleration of atherosclerosis in patients with epilepsy, alongside independent contributions of age, gender, and oxidative stress to the atherosclerotic process.
Neuropsychological and functional MRI studies provide converging evidence of anterior language dysfunction in BECTS
Authors: Lillywhite Leasha M. , Saling Michael M. , Simon Harvey A. , Abbott David F. , Archer John S. , Vears Danya F. , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Jackson Graeme D.
Published: March 2009

Purpose: Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is the most common epilepsy syndrome of childhood and can be associated with language difficulties. The exact profile of these difficulties and their neurofunctional underpinnings, however, are not yet clear.

Methods: To further understand the impact of the BECTS syndrome on language, we assessed language performance using standard neuropsychological measures, and patterns of language lateralization using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in children with typical BECTS (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20).

Results: The fMRI analyses revealed that language‐related activation was less lateralized to the left hemisphere in anterior brain regions in the patients relative to the control group. This finding was consistent with decreased performance in the BECTS group compared to the control group on the neuropsychological measure most dependent on the integrity of anterior aspects of the language axis, namely, sentence production.

Discussion: The converging lines of evidence from the neuropsychological and activation methodologies support the view that BECTS is associated with language difficulties that are regional, and anterior, in nature.
The Role of Acidocalcisomes in Parasitic Protists1
Authors: MORENO SILVIA N. J. , DOCAMPO ROBERTO
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT. Acidocalcisomes are acidic organelles with a high concentration of phosphorus present as pyrophosphate (PPi) and polyphosphate (poly P) complexed with calcium and other cations. The acidocalcisome membrane contains a number of pumps (Ca2+‐ATPase, V‐H+‐ATPase, H+‐PPase), exchangers (Na+/H+, Ca2+/H+), and channels (aquaporins), while its matrix contains enzymes related to PPi and poly P metabolism. Acidocalcisomes have been observed in pathogenic, as well as non‐pathogenic prokaryotes and eukaryotes, e.g. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and Dictyostelium discoideum. Some of the potential functions of the acidocalcisome are the storage of cations and phosphorus, the participation of phosphorus in PPi and poly P metabolism, calcium homeostasis, maintenance of intracellular pH homeostasis, and osmoregulation. In addition, acidocalcisomes resemble lysosome‐related organelles (LRO) from mammalian cells in many of their properties. For example, we found that platelet dense granules, which are LROs, are very similar to acidocalcisomes. They share a similar size, acidic properties, and both contain PPi, poly P, and calcium. Recent work that indicates that they also share the system for targeting of their membrane proteins through adaptor protein 3 reinforces this concept. The fact that acidocalcisomes interact with other organelles in parasitic protists, e.g. the contractile vacuole in Trypanosoma cruzi, and other vacuoles observed in Toxoplasma gondii, suggests that these cellular compartments may be associated with the endosomal/lysosomal pathway.
Dense Nanostructured Hydroxyapatite Coating on Titanium by Aerosol Deposition
Authors: Hahn Byung‐Dong , Park Dong‐Soo , Choi Jong‐Jin , Ryu Jungho , Yoon Woon‐Ha , Kim Ki‐Hoon , Park Chan , Kim Hyoun‐Ee
Published: March 2009

In order to improve biocompatibility of Ti metal substrates, 1‐μm‐thick nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings were deposited on the substrates through aerosol deposition, which sprays HAp powder with an average particle size of 3.2 μm at room temperature in vacuum. The original HAp particles were fractured into nanoscale fragments to form highly dense coating during the deposition process. Density of the HAp coating was 98.5% theoretical density (TD). Transmission electron microscopy observation revealed that the as‐deposited coating consisted of HAp crystallites with average grain size of 16.2 nm and amorphous phase. Tensile adhesion strength between the coating and the substrate was 30.5±1.2 MPa. Annealing up to 500°C in air increased crystallinity and grain size in the coating without any delamination or crack according to X‐ray diffraction analysis and electron microscopy. MTS assay and alkaline phosphatase activity measurements with MC3T3‐E1 preosteoblast cell revealed that the biocompatibility was greatly improved by postdeposition heat treatment at 400°C in air due to well‐crystallized HAp with average grain size of 29.3 nm. However, further heat treatment at 500°C deteriorated biocompatibility due to rapid growth of HAp grains to average size of 99 nm. Cross section of the coating on a commercially available Ti dental implant revealed full coverage of the surface with HAp.
The Synthesis, Properties, and Applications of Columbite Niobates (M2+Nb2O6): A Critical Review
Authors: Pullar Robert C.
Published: March 2009

The binary niobate ceramics, with the formula M2+Nb2O6 where M2+=Ca, Mg, or a transition metal (TM), have the orthorhombic columbite structure. The best‐known members of this group are zinc niobate (ZnNb2O6) and magnesium niobate (MgNb2O6), but Ca, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cd, and Fe 2+ cations can also be included in the columbite structure. The TM columbite niobates have been found to sinter at temperatures of 1100°–1200°C, much lower than the complex perovskites, and this can be lowered even more when Cu2+ is used. The best columbite niobates have Q×f values similar to those of BaZn0.33Nb0.67O3, and all have ɛr between 17 and 25 and negative τf values of <−80 ppm/°C. There is a growing interest in the columbites as microwave dielectric ceramics, due to their lower processing temperatures, less complicated processing due to the simple chemistry of the binary compounds, and the lower cost of niobium compared with tantalum, and with incorporation of Cu2+ they are approaching low‐temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC) temperatures. They have also been investigated combined with other dielectric ceramics (to compensate for the negative τf values), and with additives to lower sintering for LTCC. Furthermore, MgNb2O6 is in wide use as a precursor to synthesize single phase PMN (Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3) in the “columbite” process, and NiNb2O6 is being increasingly investigated as a catalyst for splitting water and organic compounds. CoNb2O6 and other columbites have interesting magnetic properties, and CaNb2O6 and CdNb2O6 have useful optical properties. This review covers the various means of synthesis of these ceramics, and the effects of processing upon structural, physical, electronic, and optical properties. This review will concentrate on the dielectric properties and applications, as this is the greatest area of interest, but will also cover other properties and applications of these ceramics. All available reported microwave dielectric data for columbites is compiled, compared, and assessed.
Low‐Loss Microwave Dielectric Ceramics Using (Mg1−xMnx)2TiO4 (x=0.02–0.1) Solid Solution
Authors: Huang Cheng‐Liang , Chen Jhih‐Yong
Published: March 2009

Composite ceramics in a solid solution of (Mg1−x Mnx)2TiO4 (x=0.02–0.1) have been prepared by the mixed oxide route. Formation of the solid solution was confirmed by the X‐ray diffraction, the EDX analysis, and the measured lattice parameters, which varied linearly from Mg2TiO4 (a=b=c=8.4410 Å) to (Mg0.9 Mn0.1)2TiO4 (a=b=c=8.4445 Å). The XRD analysis also confirmed the co‐existence of a cubic‐structured (Mg1−xMnx)2TiO4 and an ilmenite‐structured second phase (Mg1−xMnx)TiO3. The composition expected to have a maximum Q×f (276 200 GHz at 10.5 GHz) is (Mg0.95Mn0.05)2TiO4 with ɛr∼15.69 and τf∼−52.6 ppm/°C. The existence of the second phase, however, would lead to no significant variation in the dielectric properties of the specimen because it possesses compatible properties compared with that of the main phase.
Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of the Cardiometabolic Syndrome
Authors: Kirk Erik P. , Klein Samuel
Published: March 2009

The cardiometabolic syndrome represents a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The mechanism(s) responsible for developing the cardiometabolic syndrome is not known, but it is likely that multi‐organ insulin resistance, which is a common feature of the cardiometabolic syndrome, is involved. Insulin resistance is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes and can cause vasoconstriction and renal sodium reabsorption, leading to increased blood pressure. Alterations in adipose tissue fatty acid and adipokine metabolism are involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Excessive rates of fatty acid release into the bloodstream can impair the ability of insulin to stimulate muscle glucose uptake and suppress hepatic glucose production. Noninfectious systemic inflammation associated with adipocyte and adipose tissue macrophage cytokine production can also cause insulin resistance. In addition, increased free fatty acid delivery to the liver can stimulate hepatic very low‐density lipoprotein triglyceride production, leading to dyslipidemia.
Efficacy of Combination Drug Pulse Therapy in Maintaining Lipid Levels in Patients Intolerant of Daily Statin Use
Authors: Reddy Kota J. , Singh Manmeet , Batsell Richard R. , Bangit Joey R. , Zaheer Misbah S. , John Shirley , Varghese Shajan , Molinella Ronald
Published: March 2009

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combination drug pulse therapy in maintaining lipid levels in patients intolerant of a daily dose of statins. Twenty‐three patients, previously receiving aggressive statin therapy, were treated twice weekly with rosuvastatin or atorvastatin in different dosages along with ezetimibe as well as daily doses of bile acid sequestrant for a mean period of 4.5 months. The recommended National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III goals had already been achieved in 78% of patients (n=18) before starting combination pulse therapy. This combination therapy significantly increased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol values by 5.82% (t=2.138, P=.044), while the increases in total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein B levels compared with baseline were not statistically significant. Overall, 3 of 23 patients (13%) discontinued the combination therapy because of muscle‐related symptoms over a mean course of 4.5 months of treatment.
Psychotic and behavioural symptoms in a population‐based sample of the very elderly subjects
Authors: Östling S. , Gustafson D. , Waern M.
Published: March 2009

Objective: The aim was to elucidate the relationship between psychotic and behavioural symptoms in the elderly.

Method: A representative sample of 85 year old subjects living in Gothenburg, Sweden (n = 451) was assessed with neuropsychiatric examinations, key informant interviews and record reviews.

Results: Fourteen percent of these very elderly subjects had paranoid symptoms with concomitant anxious agitation and/or irritability/anger. Hallucinations and paranoid symptoms were both associated with a pattern of behavioural symptoms including both anxious agitation and irritability/anger simultaneously in both demented [hallucinations, Odds ratio (OR) 2.8, Confidence interval (CI) 1.2–6.7, paranoid symptoms OR 5.6 CI 2.2–14.2] and non‐demented(hallucinations OR 3.2 CI 1.2–8.3, paranoid symptoms OR 4.8 CI 2.0–11.8).

Conclusion: Psychotic symptoms are associated with behavioural symptoms regardless of dementia status. Since these symptoms lead to decreased ability to function in daily life and increased caregiver burden, it is important for health professionals to identify and treat these symptoms also in non‐demented.
The Concept of Time and Literary Criticism
Authors: Elbro Carsten
Published: March 2009

According to the common (‘realist’) view of time, time is a homogeneous medium that exists in itself independently of anything that might occur “in” time. Major difficulties in the literary criticism that concerns itself with time in literature may be ascribed to this common view. Since this ‘realist’ time is independent of anything that occurs “in” it, nothing can be proved about time, and, consequently, anything can be asserted about it. Even so, time ‘realists’ think everything happens “in” time, and this allows time to be the pivot in at least two persuasive ideological mechanisms (i.e. mechanisms that turn human values into indisputable facts). However, these mechanisms can only be brought to light by means of another view of time, e.g. a ‘relational’ view according to which time is the generalized before‐and‐after relationship between phenomena. The outlines of a sounder critical practice are drawn from this view and from the four ‘present moments’ in literature, i.e. the ‘present moments’ of the writer, the narrator, the characters, and the reader.