bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EVALUATION OF FINE AIRBORNE PARTICULATE MATTER AT TOLUCA, ESTADO DE MEXICO, USING PIXE
Authors: ALDAPE F. , FLORES J. M. , MARTÍNEZ-PONTÓN A. A.
Published: February 2009

Fine airborne particulate matter (FAPM) samples were collected at an urban site (19° 17' 33.47" N, 99° 38' 50.55" W and 2670 m asl) in Toluca, the capital city of the State of Mexico. The samples, a total of 143, were collected every third day from March 2006 to April 2007 on Teflon® filters, with 24 h time resolution, using an U.S. EPA designation BGI PQ200 air sampler. The PIXE elemental analysis revealed the presence and the mass concentrations of 18 elements (S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb), thirteen of which (S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As) were consistently detected in most of the samples, and five of them (Se, Br, Rb, Sr and Pb) appeared occasionally. So, only those consistently detected were considered significant for the analysis. In order to verify whether the fine particulate concentrations complied with the FAPM Mexican Official Standard of 65 µg/m3, the filters were weighed before and after the sampling using a Cahn™ 33 microbalance with a 0.1 µg resolution, following the EPA procedures. The one year study was divided into three parts in accordance with the three climatic seasons identified in the city: dry-cold, dry-hot and rainy seasons. Results on the elemental and mass concentrations, as well as seasonal and time variations are presented. Correlations between concentrations of pairs of elements were also calculated, and the results obtained were found in good agreement with the enrichment factors determined for each season. Some pollution sources are suggested based on the analysis performed on the database and also from information obtained in a wide survey of the area. This paper presents the results of the first assessment of atmospheric pollution in this size of particle in this important city.
CHARACTERIZATION OF AEROSOL PARTICLES IN A MECHANICAL WORKSHOP ENVIRONMENT
Authors: MATSUYAMA S. , ISHII K. , YAMAZAKI H. , KIKUCHI Y. , FUJIWARA M. , KAWAMURA Y. , YAMANAKA K. , WATANABE M. , TSUBOI S. , PELICON P. , ŽITNIK M.
Published: February 2009

Indoor aerosols are directly affecting human lives. Especially aerosols in workshops, factories, and laboratories, where many chemical substances are used in treatment and production processes, might contain toxic elements: special care must be taken to alleviate air pollution and assure a clean breathing environment for the workers. For this study, size segregated aerosol particle sampling with a cascade impactor was performed in the machine workshop of Jožef Stefan Institute. The samples, collected during weekdays and weekend were analyzed with a microbeam facility at Tohoku University. Bulk PIXE analysis with scanning over the whole sample area was conducted along with multimodal microanalysis with microscopic scanning. Using bulk analysis, high concentrations of Pb and Ba were detected on weekend days, which was related to the removal of an old white paint from the furniture. On weekdays, concentrations of W and of soil origin elements increased, probably because of the machine operations and worker movements. At the same time high concentration of sulfur was detected. A microscopic multimodal analysis shows that it stems from a lubricant oil vapor. The combination of bulk and microanalysis of the size selected samples is an effective approach to aerosol characterization in the working environment.
PIXE STUDY ON ABSORPTION OF ARSENATE AND ARSENITE BY ARSENIC HYPERACCUMULATING FERN (PTERIS VITTATA)
Authors: YAMAZAKI H. , ISHII K. , MATSUYAMA S. , KIKUCHI Y. , TAKAHASHI Y. , TERAKAWA A. , KAWAMURA Y. , YAMANAKA K. , WATANABE M. , TSUBOI S. , TASHIRO K. , SATOH T. , INOUE C.
Published: February 2009

Pytoremediation using an arsenic hyperaccumulator, Petris vittata L., has generated an increasing interest worldwide due to both environmentally sound and cost effectiveness. However the mechanism of arsenic accumulation by this fern is not clear at this time. This study examined the uptake of arsenate (As(V)) and arsenite (As(III)) by a hydroponic culture of Pteris vittata using both in-air submilli-PIXE for different parts of the fern and in-air micro-PIXE for the tissue cells. These PIXE analysis systems used 3 MeV proton beams from a 4.5-MV single-ended Dynamitron accelerator at Tohoku University, Japan. The fern took up both arsenate and arsenite from hydroponic solutions which were spiked with 50 mg of arsenic per litter. Final amount of arsenic accumulation in the fern is 1,500 mg per kg (wet weight) of the plant biomass in arsenite treatment and 1,100 mg per kg in arsenate treatment. Arsenic accumulation was not observed at the root parts of the ferns. The in-vivo mapping of elements by submilli-PIXE analyses on the fern laminas showed the arsenic accumulation in the edges of a pinna. The micro-PIXE analyses revealed arsenic maps homogeneously distributed in cells of the lamina, stem and rhizome of the fern. These results indicate that arsenic, both arsenate and arsenite in a contaminated medium are translocated quickly from roots to fronds of Pteris vittata, and distributes homogeneously into tissue cells of the fern laminas.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF PEANUTS PLANTED IN JAPAN AND IMPORTED FROM ABROAD
Authors: TERAKAWA A. , ISHII K. , ARIKAWA J. , KAWAMURA Y. , FUJIKAWA M. , MATSUYAMA S. , TAKAHASHI Y. , YAMAZAKI H. , SASAKI H. , MAEDA K. , SERA K.
Published: February 2009

Elemental concentrations in Chinese peanuts have been analyzed and compared with those in Japanese peanuts by means of a PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) technique with an internal standard method to investigate traces of residual agricultural chemicals or toxic elements in them because frequent detection of excessive agrochemical residues in food imported from China has posed serious health concerns to Japanese people. We prepared the samples by separating the peanut seed into two cotyledons (seed leaves) and an embryo. Significant differences in elemental concentrations between Chinese and Japanese peanuts have not been observed as far as the peanut seeds used in the present measurement are concerned. The concentrations of the several elements in the embryo are higher than those in the cotyledon.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF UMEBOSHI (DRIED PLUM)
Authors: TSUBOI S. , ISHII K. , MATSUYAMA S. , TERAKAWA A. , KIKUCHI Y. , FUJIWARA M. , KAWAMURA Y. , WATANABE M. , YAMANAKA K. , ARIKAWA J. , OKURA S. , FUJIKAWA M. , YAMAZAKI H.
Published: February 2009

In recent years, the self-sufficiency ratio of food in Japan has gradually decreased and 60% of foods are now imported from abroad. Japanese people rely strongly upon imported food and should take care of their safety, but what is happening now is that soil pollution in country of origin grows into a serious problem and can affect imported food. Umeboshi is one of the traditional pickled food in Japan and very popular. In the case of umeboshi, more than 65% of it is imported. We analyzed imported umeboshi and domestic ones by using in-air PIXE system and submili-PIXE camera at Tohoku University. In this experiment, the concentrations of toxic heavy metals such as As, Cd, Hg and Pb were lower than standard values given by a food hygiene law. Concentrations of elements heavier than Ca show similar trend among each sample. On the other hand, lighter elements than Ca show large differences, which is related to food coloring or processing technique.
ELEMENTAL PIXE ANALYSIS OF OOLONG TEA
Authors: WATANABE M. , ISHII K. , MATSUYAMA S. , TERAKAWA A. , KIKUCHI Y. , FUJIWARA M. , KAWAMURA Y. , TSUBOI S. , YAMANAKA K. , OKURA S. , FUJIKAWA M. , YAMAZAKI H.
Published: February 2009

The contamination of heavy metals in food becomes a serious problem. We analyzed oolong tea from different production areas by PIXE using very simple sample preparation and examined trace elements contained in these samples. From the results of this experiment, we could know oolong tea which analyzed in this experiment contains various minerals such as K, Ca, P, S, Cl, Fe, Mn, Cu and Cr but not toxic element of As which detection limit of PIXE was lower than the standard values given by the food hygiene law in Japan.
CAYLEY AUTOMATON SEMIGROUPS
Authors: MALTCEV VICTOR
Published: February 2009

In this paper we characterize when a Cayley automaton semigroup is finite, is free, is a left zero semigroup, is a right zero semigroup, is a group, or is trivial. We also introduce dual Cayley automaton semigroups and discuss when they are finite.
LONG TIME SIMULATION OF A BEAM IN A PERIODIC FOCUSING CHANNEL VIA A TWO-SCALE PIC-METHOD
Authors: FRÉNOD EMMANUEL , SALVARANI FRANCESCO , SONNENDRÜCKER ERIC
Published: February 2009

We study the two-scale asymptotics for a charged beam under the action of a rapidly oscillating external electric field. After proving the convergence to the correct asymptotic state, we develop a numerical method for solving the limit model involving two time scales and validate its efficiency for the simulation of long time beam evolution.
TRANSPORT EQUATIONS WITH UNBOUNDED FORCE FIELDS AND APPLICATION TO THE VLASOV–POISSON EQUATION
Authors: SALORT DELPHINE
Published: February 2009

The aim of this paper is to give new dispersive tools for certain kinetic equations. As an application, we study the three-dimensional Vlasov–Poisson equation for initial data having strictly less than six moments in [Formula: see text] where the nonlinear term E is a priori unbounded. We prove via new dispersive effects that in fact the force field E is smooth in space at the cost of a localization in a ball and an averaging in time. We deduce new conditions to bound the density ρ in L∞ and to have existence and uniqueness of global weak solutions of the Vlasov–Poisson equation with bounded density for initial data strictly less than six moments in [Formula: see text]. The proof is based on a new approach which consists in establishing a priori dispersion estimates (moment effects) on the one hand for linear transport equations with unbounded force fields and on the other hand along the trajectories of the Vlasov–Poisson equation.
QUASISTATIC EVOLUTION IN THE THEORY OF PERFECTLY ELASTO-PLASTIC PLATES PART I: EXISTENCE OF A WEAK SOLUTION
Authors: DEMYANOV ALEXEY
Published: February 2009

The existence of weak solutions to the quasistatic problems in the theory of perfectly elasto-plastic plates is studied in the framework of the variational theory for rate-independent processes. Approximate solutions are constructed by means of incremental variational problems in spaces of functions with bounded hessian. The constructed weak solution is shown to be absolutely continuous in time. A strong formulation of the flow rule is obtained.
MATHEMATICAL MODELLING OF CANCER INVASION OF TISSUE: THE ROLE AND EFFECT OF NONLOCAL INTERACTIONS
Authors: SZYMAŃSKA ZUZANNA , RODRIGO CRISTIAN MORALES , LACHOWICZ MIROSŁAW , CHAPLAIN MARK A. J.
Published: February 2009

In this paper we consider a mathematical model of cancer cell invasion of tissue (extracellular matrix). Two crucial components of tissue invasion are (i) cancer cell proliferation, and (ii) over-expression and secretion of proteolytic enzymes by the cancer cells. The proteolytic enzymes are responsible for the degradation of the tissue, enabling the proliferating cancer cells to actively invade and migrate into the degraded tissue. Our model focuses on the role of nonlocal kinetic terms modelling competition for space and degradation. The model consists of a system of reaction-diffusion-taxis partial differential equations, with nonlocal (integral) terms describing the interactions between cancer cells and the host tissue. First of all we prove results concerning the local existence, uniqueness and regularity of solutions. We then prove global existence. Using Green's functions, we transform our original nonlocal equations into a coupled system of parabolic and elliptic equations and we undertake a numerical analysis of this equivalent system, presenting computational simulation results from our model showing the effect of the nonlocal terms (travelling waves we observed have the shape closely linked to the nonlocal terms). Finally, in the discussion section, concluding remarks are made and open problems are indicated.
GRAVITY FROM LOCAL POINCARÉ GAUGE INVARIANCE
Authors: CAPOZZIELLO S. , DE LAURENTIS M.
Published: February 2009

A compact, self-contained approach to gravitation, based on the local Poincaré gauge invariance, is proposed. Starting from the general invariance principle, we discuss the global and the local Poincaré invariance developing the spinor, vector and tetrad formalisms. These tools allow to construct the curvature, torsion and metric tensors by the Fock–Ivanenko covariant derivative. The resulting Einstein–Cartan theory describes a space endowed with non-vanishing curvature and torsion while the gravitational field equations are similar to the Yang–Mills equations of motion with the torsion tensor playing the role of the Yang–Mills field strength.
SMOOTH LOOPS AND FIBER BUNDLES: THEORY OF PRINCIPAL Q-BUNDLES
Authors: NESTEROV ALEXANDER I.
Published: February 2009

A nonassociative generalization of the principal fiber bundles with a smooth loop mapping on the fiber is presented. Our approach allows us to construct a new kind of gauge theories that involve higher "nonassociative" symmetries.
A VARIATIONAL FORMULATION OF ELECTRODYNAMICS WITH EXTERNAL SOURCES
Authors: DE NICOLA ANTONIO , TULCZYJEW WŁODZIMIERZ M.
Published: February 2009

We present a variational formulation of electrodynamics using de Rham even and odd differential forms. Our formulation relies on a variational principle more complete than the Hamilton principle and thus leads to field equations with external sources and permits the derivation of the constitutive relations. We interpret a domain in space-time as an odd de Rham 4-current. This permits a treatment of different types of boundary problems in an unified way. In particular we obtain a smooth transition to the infinitesimal version by using a current with a one point support.
A difficult, unforgettable idea
Authors: Frenkel Karen A.
Published: February 2009

On the 40th anniversary of Douglas C. Engelbart's "The Mother of All Demos," computer scientists discuss the event's influence---and imagine what could have been.
ACM Fellows honored
Authors: CACM Staff
Published: February 2009

Forty-four men and women are being inducted this year as 2008 ACM Fellows.
Review of "Pro Web 2.0 Application Development with GWT by S. Balaraman," Jeff Dwyer, Apress, 2008, $44.99, ISBN: 9781590599853
Authors: Balaraman S.
Published: February 2009

Review of "Pro Web 2.0 Application Development with GWT by S. Balaraman," Jeff Dwyer, Apress, 2008, $44.99, ISBN: 9781590599853
Link-alike
Authors: Jakubczak Szymon , Andersen David G. , Kaminsky Michael , Papagiannaki Konstantina , Seshan Srinivasan
Published: February 2009

Asymmetric broadband connections in the home provide a limited upstream pipe to the Internet. This limitation makes various applications, such as remote backup and sharing high definition video, impractical. However, homes in a neighborhood often have high bandwidth wireless networks, whose bandwidth exceeds that of a single wired uplink. Moreover, most (wired and wireless) connections are idle most of the time.

In this paper, we examine the fundamental requirements of a system that aggregates upstream broadband connections in a neighborhood using wireless communication between homes. A scheme addressing this problem must operate efficiently in an environment that is: i) highly lossy; ii) broadcast in nature; and iii) half-duplex. We propose a novel scheme, Link-alike, that addresses those three challenges using opportunistic wireless reception, a novel wireless broadcast rate control scheme, and preferential use of the wired downlink. Through analytical and experimental evaluation, we demonstrate that our approach provides significantly better throughput than previous solutions based on TCP or UDP unicast.
Architecture and signaling protocol for migration to cognitive reconfigurable post-3G mobile systems
Authors: Boufidis Zachos , Alonistioti Nancy , Merakos Lazaros
Published: February 2009

The advent of software-defined radio products and recent advances in cognitive radio research will facilitate the preservation or even improvement of user perception in volatile radio conditions while optimizing the use of network resources. Based on cognition techniques, the autonomic communication paradigm attempts to pave the way towards self-governed systems that will alleviate the shortcomings of present remotely managed user devices. This article identifies the challenges for such cognitive reconfigurable systems and introduces CORPS, a new end-to-end architecture that unifies software and cognitive radio themes enriched by self-ware capabilities. The manuscript discusses the adopted network-agnostic protocol-independent modeling approach, which is in line with best common practices in the industry, and presents the system architecture in terms of functional specification and UML modeling. Next, the CORPS functional architecture is mapped to the evolved-UMTS system under development in 3GPP. Finally, the paper proposes and evaluates CREST, a novel signaling protocol for improving the quality of service of existing bearers in a post-3G network through radio-access-technology switching and coordinated dynamic spectrum access.
Chemoresistant Colorectal Cancer Cells, the Cancer Stem Cell Phenotype, and Increased Sensitivity to Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Receptor Inhibition
Authors: Dallas Nikolaos A. , Xia Ling , Fan Fan , Gray Michael J. , Gaur Puja , van Buren George , Samuel Shaija , Kim Michael P. , Lim Sherry J. , Ellis Lee M.
Published: February 2009

5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and oxaliplatin are standard therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), but the development of chemoresistance is inevitable. Because cancer stem cells (CSC) are hypothesized to be chemoresistant, we investigated CSC properties in newly developed chemoresistant CRC cell lines and sought to identify targets for therapy. The human CRC cell line HT29 was exposed to increasing doses of 5FU (HT29/5FU-R) or oxaliplatin (HT29/OxR) to achieve resistance at clinically relevant doses. Western blotting and flow cytometry were done to determine molecular alterations. The insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) AVE-1642 was used to inhibit signaling in vitro and in vivo using murine xenograft models. HT29/5FU-R and HT29/OxR showed 16- to 30-fold enrichment of CD133+ cells and 2-fold enrichment of CD44+ cells (putative CRC CSC markers). Resistant cells were enriched 5- to 22-fold for double-positive (CD133+/CD44+) cells. Consistent with the CSC phenotype, resistant cells exhibited a decrease in cellular proliferation in vitro (47–59%; P < 0.05). Phosphorylated and total IGF-IR levels were increased in resistant cell lines. HT29/5FU-R and HT29/OxR cells were ∼5-fold more responsive to IGF-IR inhibition relative to parental cells (P < 0.01) in vitro. Tumors derived from HT29/OxR cells showed significantly greater growth inhibition in response to an IGF-IR mAb than did parental cells (P < 0.05). Chemoresistant CRC cells are enriched for CSC markers and the CSC phenotype. Chemotherapy-induced IGF-IR activation provided for enhanced sensitivity to IGF-IR–targeted therapy. Identification of CSC targets presents a novel therapeutic approach in this disease. [Cancer Res 2009;69(5):1951–7]
Long-Term Effects of Valproic Acid on Reproductive Endocrine Functions in Turkish Women with Epilepsy
Authors: Gorkemli Huseyin , Genc Bulent Oguz , Dogan Ebru Apaydın , Genc Emine , Ozdemir Suna
Published: February 2009

The long-term effects of valproic acid (VPA) on reproductive endocrine functions in women with epilepsy (WWE) were studied. Serum reproductive hormone concentrations, clinical findings and ovarian morphology were analyzed in 71 WWE who had been receiving antiepileptic drugs (AED) for a minimum of 2 years. Of the 71 WWE, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (p = 0.011) and menstrual irregularities (p = 0.009) were found to be more prevalent in women receiving VPA treatment when compared to women on non-VPA treatment. There was no statistically significant dose or duration-related rise of risk for patients who developed PCOS and menstrual irregularities and those who were not on long-term VPA therapy. The lack of a duration-related reproductive dysfunction in this patient population may support the hypothesis of early occurring VPA-associated metabolic and endocrine changes.
11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases Are Regulated during the Pulmonary Granulomatous Response to the Mycobacterial Glycolipid Trehalose-6,6′-Dimycolate
Authors: Abbott A.N. , Guidry T.V. , Welsh K.J. , Thomas A.M. , Kling M.A. , Hunter R.L. , Actor J.K.
Published: February 2009

Objective: Tuberculosis has a staggering influence on world health, resulting in nearly 2 million deaths per year. The influence of glucocorticoids during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection has been under investigation for decades; however, the identity of mycobacterial factors and the mechanism by which glucocorticoids are tissue specifically regulated to influence immune function during acute granuloma formation are unknown. Methods: One factor implicated in initiating immunopathology during M. tuberculosis infection is trehalose-6,6′-dimycolate (TDM), a glycolipid component of the mycobacterial cell wall. Intravenous administration of TDM causes inflammatory responses in lungs of mice similar to M. tuberculosis infection and has been used as a successful model to examine proinflammatory regulation and early events involved in the manifestation of pathology. Results and Conclusion: IL-6, IL-1α and TNF-α mRNA and protein peaked during the initiation of granuloma formation. Pulmonary corticosterone levels were elevated when the proinflammatory response was greatest, dropping to half of that upon the establishment of granuloma pathology on day 7. It is hypothesized that once corticosterone reaches the site of inflammation, the enzymes 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11βHSDs) can influence bioavailability by interconverting corticosterone and the inert metabolite 11-dehydrocorticosterone. RT-PCR demonstrated that pulmonary 11βHSD type 1 mRNA decreased 4-fold and 11βHSD type 2 (11βHSD2) mRNA expression increased 2.5-fold on day 3 after injection, suggesting that corticosterone regulation in the lung, specifically the reduction of active corticosterone by 11βHSD2, may influence the progression of granuloma formation in response to the mycobacterial glycolipid.
Blockade of Nitric Oxide Synthesis Modulates Rat Immunoglobulin A
Authors: Budeč Mirela , Marković Dragana , Djikić Dragoslava , Mitrović Olivera , Drndarević Neda , Koko Vesna , Todorović Vera
Published: February 2009

Objective: Nitric oxide (NO) is known as a regulator of inflammation and immunity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of this signal molecule on the rat immunoglobulin A (IgA) system using Nω-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), which inhibits the activity of all isoforms of NO synthase. Methods: The experiments were performed on adult female Wistar rats showing diestrus day 1 that were treated with L-NAME (30 or 50 mg/kg, s.c.). Untreated and saline-injected animals were used as controls. The rats were sacrificed 3 h following L-NAME or saline administration. The concentration of IgA in serum and intestinal extracts was determined by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The number of IgA-expressing cells per area unit of Peyer’s patches and the intestinal lamina propria was evaluated using stereological analysis. Results: The results showed that L-NAME decreased the level of IgA in serum and elevated its concentration in intestinal extracts. Additionally, the increased number of IgA+ cells was found in the intestinal lamina propria in both experimental groups. Conclusion: Obtained findings imply that endogenous NO may modulate the IgA system in the rat.
Nurr1 Expression and Its Modulation in Microglia
Authors: Fan Xiaolan , Luo Guangrui , Ming Ming , Pu Pu , Li Liang , Yang Dehua , Le Weidong
Published: February 2009

Objective:Nurr1, a transcription factor essential for the differentiation and maturation of central dopaminergic cells, is primarily expressed in neurons of the central nervous system. In this study, we intend to determine the expression and modulation of Nurr1 in cultured microglia. Methods: Nurr1 expression in cultured primary mouse microglia was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunofluorescent staining. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to activate microglia. Specific inhibitors were used to investigate whether the mitogen- activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), MAPK/Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), P38 MAPK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathways were involved in the modulation of Nurr1 expression.Results: Nurr1 was found to be located at both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the microglia. After LPS stimulation, the expression of Nurr1 was significantly increased, which could be partially blocked by inhibitors of ERK, JNK and PI3K/Akt, but not by the P38 MAPK inhibitor; the ERK inhibitor can partially block the translocation of Nurr1 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Conclusion: Nurr1 is found to be expressed in cultured mouse microglia. The expression of Nurr1 is increased and the protein is translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus after activation by LPS, which could be modulated by the ERK, JNK and PI3K/Akt pathways.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Modulates Immune System Function via the Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway in Murine Raw264.7 Macrophages
Authors: Min Joo Young , Park Moon Ho , Lee Jae Kwan , Kim Hai Joong , Park Yong Kyun
Published: February 2009

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which was originally found to be involved in the reproductive process, has also been implicated in the modulation of immune system function. However, the underlying mechanisms of this involvement remain largely unclear. In this study, we found that GnRH increased the intracellular calcium levels in murine Raw264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the production of nitric oxide, costimulated with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ, was suppressed by exposure to GnRH. Moreover, the modulatory effects of GnRH on calcium and nitric oxide were observed in freshly isolated primary peritoneal macrophages. In addition, the activity of nuclear factor-κB was suppressed by GnRH exposure. On the other hand, the phosphorylation of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway was not affected by cotreatment with GnRH. Taken together, these results demonstrate that GnRH participates in the macrophage function and indicate that the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway may be responsible for GnRH-mediated immune system modulation.
Strain Differences in Extracellular Amino Acid Neurotransmitter Levels in the Hippocampi of Major Histocompatibility Complex Congenic Mice in Response to Toluene Exposure
Authors: Win-Shwe Tin-Tin , Mitsushima Dai , Yamamoto Shoji , Funabashi Toshiya , Fujimaki Hidekazu
Published: February 2009

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible role of the major histocompatibility complex locus in neurotransmitter systems in the mouse hippocampus following toluene exposure. Methods: We compared the changes in toluene-induced extracellular amino acid neurotransmitter levels in the hippocampi of 2 strains of male congenic mice, C57BL/10 (H-2b) and B10.BR/Sg (H-2k). In vivo microdialysis was performed in each freely moving mouse after a single intraperitoneal injection of toluene (300 mg/kg), and neurotransmitters in the hippocampal microdialysates were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The basal extracelluar glutamate and glycine levels in the hippocampi of the C57BL mice were significantly higher than those in the B10.BR mice. However, the basal extracellular taurine levels in the hippocampi of the C57BL mice were significantly lower than those in the B10.BR mice. Although no changes in the glutamate levels were observed after toluene injection in either strain, the glycine levels increased significantly after toluene injection in the C57BL mice. On the other hand, significantly lower taurine levels were observed after toluene injection in both strains of mice. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate the existence of a relationship between H-2 haplotypes and hippocampal neurotransmitter levels in mice.
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) Decreases Neutrophil Activity and Alters Leukocyte Distribution in Bone Marrow, Spleen and Blood
Authors: Ferraz de Paula Viviane , Ribeiro Alison , Pinheiro Milena L. , Sakai Mônica , Lacava Mariana C.R. , Lapachinske Silvio F. , Moreau Regina L.M. , Palermo-Neto João
Published: February 2009

Objective: Looking for possible neuroimmune relationships, we analyzed the effects of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration on neuroendocrine, neutrophil activity and leukocyte distribution in mice. Methods: Five experiments were performed. In the first, mice were treated with MDMA (10 mg/kg) 30, 60 min and 24 h prior to blood sample collection for neutrophil activity analysis. In the second experiment, the blood of naïve mice was collected and incubated with MDMA for neutrophil activity in vitro analysis. In the third and fourth experiments, mice were injected with MDMA (10 mg/kg) and 60 min later, blood and brain were collected to analyze corticosterone serum levels and hypothalamic noradrenaline (NA) levels and turnover. In the last experiment, mice were injected with MDMA 10 mg/kg and 60 min later, blood, bone marrow and spleen were collected for leukocyte distribution analysis. Results: Results showed an increase in hypothalamic NA turnover and corticosterone serum levels 60 min after MDMA (10 mg/kg) administration, a decrease in peripheral blood neutrophil oxidative burst and a decrease in the percentage and intensity of neutrophil phagocytosis. It was further found that MDMA (10 mg/kg) treatment also altered leukocyte distribution in blood, bone marrow and spleen. In addition, no effects were observed for MDMA after in vitro exposure both in neutrophil oxidative burst and phagocytosis. Conclusion: The effects of MDMA administration (10 mg/kg) on neutrophil activity and leukocyte distribution might have been induced indirectly through noradrenergic neurons and/or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activations.
Inertial Particle Dynamics in a Hurricane
Authors: Sapsis Themistoklis , Haller George
Published: February 2009

The motion of inertial (i.e., finite-size) particles is analyzed in a three-dimensional unsteady simulation of Hurricane Isabel. As established recently, the long-term dynamics of inertial particles in a fluid is governed by a reduced-order inertial equation, obtained as a small perturbation of passive fluid advection on a globally attracting slow manifold in the phase space of particle motions. Use of the inertial equation enables the visualization of three-dimensional inertial Lagrangian coherent structures (ILCS) on the slow manifold. These ILCS govern the asymptotic behavior of finite-size particles within a hurricane. A comparison of the attracting ILCS with conventional Eulerian fields reveals the Lagrangian footprint of the hurricane eyewall and of a large rainband. By contrast, repelling ILCS within the eye region admit a more complex geometry that cannot be compared directly with Eulerian features.
Comments on “A Common Misunderstanding about the Voigt Line Profile”
Authors: Schreier Franz
Published: February 2009

In a recent paper, it was argued that some of the illustrations in popular textbooks comparing the Lorentz and Gaussian profiles with the “corresponding” Voigt profile are incorrect. These “misunderstandings” are shown to be a result of ambiguous specifications of the Voigt profile (i.e., there is no unique corresponding Voigt profile). Additionally, some comments on half-widths, numerics, and visualization are given.
Numerical Simulation of Cloud–Clear Air Interfacial Mixing: Homogeneous versus Inhomogeneous Mixing
Authors: Andrejczuk Miroslaw , Grabowski Wojciech W. , Malinowski Szymon P. , Smolarkiewicz Piotr K.
Published: February 2009

This note presents an analysis of several dozens of direct numerical simulations of the cloud–clear air mixing in a setup of decaying moist turbulence with bin microphysics. The goal is to assess the instantaneous relationship between the homogeneity of mixing and the ratio of the time scales of droplet evaporation and turbulent homogenization. Such a relationship is important for developing improved microphysical parameterizations for large-eddy simulation of clouds. The analysis suggests a robust relationship for the range of time scale ratios between 0.5 and 10. Outside this range, the scatter of numerical data is significant, with smaller and larger time scale ratios corresponding to mixing scenarios that approach the extremely inhomogeneous and homogeneous limits, respectively. This is consistent with the heuristic argument relating the homogeneity of mixing to the time scale ratio.
Predictability of SST-Modulated Westerly Wind Bursts
Authors: Gebbie Geoffrey , Tziperman Eli
Published: February 2009

Westerly wind bursts (WWBs), a significant player in ENSO dynamics, are modeled using an observationally motivated statistical approach that relates the characteristics of WWBs to the large-scale sea surface temperature. Although the WWB wind stress at a given location may be a nonlinear function of SST, the characteristics of WWBs are well described as a linear function of SST. Over 50% of the interannual variance in the WWB likelihood, zonal location, duration, and fetch is explained by changes in SST. The model captures what is seen in a 17-yr record of satellite-derived winds: the eastward migration and increased occurrence of wind bursts as the western Pacific warm pool extends. The WWB model shows significant skill in predicting the interannual variability of the characteristics of WWBs, while the prediction skill of the WWB seasonal cycle is limited by the record length of available data. The novel formulation of the WWB model can be implemented in a stochastic or deterministic mode, where the deterministic mode predicts the ensemble-mean WWB characteristics. Therefore, the WWB model is especially appropriate for ensemble prediction experiments with existing ENSO models that are not capable of simulating realistic WWBs on their own. Should only the slowly varying component of WWBs be important for ENSO prediction, this WWB model allows a shortcut to directly compute the slowly varying ensemble-mean wind field without performing many realizations.
Initializing Decadal Climate Predictions with the GECCO Oceanic Synthesis: Effects on the North Atlantic
Authors: Pohlmann Holger , Jungclaus Johann H. , Köhl Armin , Stammer Detlef , Marotzke Jochem
Published: February 2009

This study aims at improving the forecast skill of climate predictions through the use of ocean synthesis data for initial conditions of a coupled climate model. For this purpose, the coupled model of the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Meteorology, which consists of the atmosphere model ECHAM5 and the MPI Ocean Model (MPI-OM), is initialized with oceanic synthesis fields available from the German contribution to Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (GECCO) project. The use of an anomaly coupling scheme during the initialization avoids the main problems with drift in the climate predictions. Thus, the coupled model is continuously forced to follow the density anomalies of the GECCO synthesis over the period 1952–2001. Hindcast experiments are initialized from this experiment at constant intervals. The results show predictive skill through the initialization up to the decadal time scale, particularly over the North Atlantic. Viewed over the time scales analyzed here (annual, 5-yr, and 10-yr mean), greater skill for the North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) is obtained in the hindcast experiments than in either a damped persistence or trend forecast. The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation hindcast closely follows that of the GECCO oceanic synthesis. Hindcasts of global-mean temperature do not obtain greater skill than either damped persistence or a trend forecast, owing to the SST errors in the GECCO synthesis, outside the North Atlantic. An ensemble of forecast experiments is subsequently performed over the period 2002–11. North Atlantic SST from the forecast experiment agrees well with observations until the year 2007, and it is higher than if simulated without the oceanic initialization (averaged over the forecast period). The results confirm that both the initial and the boundary conditions must be accounted for in decadal climate predictions.
The Materiality and Neutrality of Neutral Density and Orthobaric Density
Authors: de Szoeke Roland A. , Springer Scott R.
Published: February 2009

The materiality and neutrality of neutral density and several forms of orthobaric density are calculated and compared using a simple idealization of the warm-sphere water mass properties of the Atlantic Ocean. Materiality is the value of the material derivative, expressed as a quasi-vertical velocity, following the motion of each of the variables: zero materiality denotes perfect conservation. Neutrality is the difference between the dip in the isopleth surfaces of the respective variables and the dip in the neutral planes. The materiality and neutrality of the neutral density of a water sample are composed of contributions from the following: (I) how closely the sample’s temperature and salinity lie in relation to the local reference θ–S relation, (II) the spatial variation of the reference θ–S relation, (III) the neutrality of the underlying reference neutral density surfaces, and (IV) irreversible exchanges of heat and salinity. Type II contributions dominate but have been neglected in previous assessments of neutral density properties. The materiality and neutrality of surfaces of simple orthobaric density, defined using a spatially uniform θ–S relation, have contributions analogous to types I and IV, but lack any of types II or III. Extending the concept of orthobaric density to permit spatial variation of the θ–S relation diminishes the type I contributions, but the effect is counterbalanced by the emergence of type II contributions. Discrete analogs of extended orthobaric density, based on regionally averaged θ–S relations matched at interregional boundaries, reveal a close analogy between the extended orthobaric density and the practical neutral density. Neutral density is not superior, even to simple orthobaric density, in terms of materiality or neutrality.
Midlatitude Baroclinic Rossby Waves in a High-Resolution OGCM Simulation
Authors: Aoki Kunihiro , Kubokawa Atsushi , Sasaki Hideharu , Sasai Yoshikazu
Published: February 2009

The effects of background baroclinic zonal flow and bottom pressure decoupling on midlatitude oceanic Rossby wave dynamics using a high-resolution OGCM simulation are investigated. To examine these effects, the phase speed and vertical structure of the simulated wave are compared with each of the different linear Rossby wave solutions obtained for two different circumstances (with or without background flow) and two different boundary conditions (a flat bottom or a bottom pressure decoupling condition). First, a frequency–wavenumber spectrum is examined for depth anomaly of the permanent thermocline (27.0σθ surface) along 32°S. Most of the energy is distributed along the theoretical dispersion curve including the effects of background flow and bottom pressure decoupling. The authors focus on a secondary dominant peak (appearing at a frequency greater than 1 cycle per year) at which the differences between the dispersion curves are large enough to discuss the relation between the spectral peak and the dispersion curves. The phase speed of this peak is nearly 1.5 times larger than that of the standard long-wave theory (flat bottom and no background flow), which is similar to results from previous observational studies. The extended long-wave theory including background flow and bottom pressure decoupling effects overestimates the phase speed. However, taking into account finite wavelength effects, this theory provides a phase speed much closer to that of the secondary dominant peak. The vertical structure corresponding to the wave of the secondary dominant peak extracted by composite analysis is intensified in the surface layer, a result similar to that from the theory including background flow and bottom pressure decoupling effects. The authors also compare the latitudinal distribution of midlatitude phase speed estimated by the frequency–wavenumber spectrum with theoretical results. The theory including background flow, bottom pressure decoupling, and finite wavelength effects reproduces the latitudinal distribution well, suggesting that these effects are important for explaining Rossby wave speed. The dominant factor enhancing the phase speed is bottom pressure decoupling related to rough bottom topography, while north of 30°N the background flow makes a strong contribution to the phase speed enhancement.
Redéfinition des frontières Église—État à Chypre après 1878. Perspective historique sur l'Église orthodoxe chypriote
Authors: Roudometof Victor , Michael Michalis N.
Published: February 2009

À Chypre, le colonialisme britannique a profondément influencé les relations entre l'Église et l'État. Lors de la période précédente, sous domination ottomane, les membres du haut clergé remplissaient des obligations administratives et politiques, conjuguant ainsi fonctions religieuses et administratives laïques. À partir de 1856, ils obtinrent même davantage de reconnaissance pour leur fonction politique. Pourtant, dès 1878, l'administration britannique considéra l'Église et l'État comme des organes séparés. Cette perspective entraîna inéluctablement une perte d'autorité politique des membres du clergé. Les autorités britanniques refusèrent la reconnaissance du régime traditionnel de l'Église, qui lui accordait des propriétés et privilèges fonciers, ainsi que la jouissance d'une partie de l'impôt. Les auteurs retracent les implications à long terme de cette redéfinition des frontières entre Église et État au sein de l'Église chypriote. Suite à leur perte de légitimité politique, qui s'amorça dès 1878, les ecclésiastiques cherchèrent à infléchir la tendance. Ils se présentèrent ainsi aux élections du conseil législatif local et essayèrent d'obtenir, dans le nouveau système, une voix en tant que représentants populaires. Le discours religieux adopta des caractéristiques nationalistes contemporaines, faisant des hiérarques les représentants privilégiés d'un groupe ethnique national. En cela se trouvaient déjà les germes de l'ethnarchie qui marqua la société chypriote grecque du 20ème siècle.
Islam and the Turkish Cypriots
Authors: Yeşilada Birol
Published: February 2009

Turkish Cypriots represent some of the most secular Muslims in the world. While they consider themselves as part of the Hanefi school of Sunni Islam and hold strong belief in God, most do not follow a lifestyle that reflects the characteristics of their ethnic compatriots in Turkey. Turkish Cypriots do not seem to be influenced by organized religion, rarely attend mosques, and adhere to a very strict form of secularism (laiklik). The author provides a brief overview of Turkish Cypriots' background and examines their religious values based on the results of the 2006 World Values Survey conducted in Cyprus. The findings show that while almost all of the Turkish Cypriots believe in importance of God in their lives and consider themselves as moderately religious individuals, very few attend regular mosque service. Furthermore, the majority do not believe that religious institutions provide answers to problems individuals face in their personal or societal realms. This rather complex attitude towards religion among Turkish Cypriots raises important questions concerning their cultural background that seem clearly to set them apart from most Turks elsewhere and support the argument that a sizable number of the Turkish Cypriot community are either descendents of Alevi settlers from Anatolia or Bektaşi Janissaries, who held religious values that are different from those of their Sunni Ottoman relatives.
Ethno-Religious Coexistence and Plurality in Cyprus under British Rule (1878—1960)
Authors: Dietzel Irene , Makrides Vasilios N.
Published: February 2009

The island of Cyprus is, historically speaking, quite diverse and plural in religious terms. Due to its strategic geographical position in the Eastern Mediterranean and its occupation by several rulers, it is not accidental that various ethno-religious communities (Byzantine and Greek Orthodox, Maronites, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Armenians, Anglicans, Jews) settled at various periods in Cyprus and sometimes acquired firm footholds. This very fact poses the question about their coexistence with the dominant religious institution of the island, namely the Orthodox Church. The authors will assess this issue while specifically taking into consideration the situation under British rule. They look first at the plural religious field in Cyprus and its maintenance, drawing on theoretical as well as historical sources. Second, they focus on the multifaceted factors that substantially affected religious coexistence and tolerance under British rule, including the development of a religiously motivated nationalism among Greek Cypriots. Finally, they explore the role of the Orthodox Church as a factor in both peace and conflict during this period, and its relationship to the religious and cultural plurality on the island.
Passé et futur de la sociologie des religions en Turquie
Authors: Akyüz Niyazi
Published: February 2009

En Turquie, l'intérêt pour la sociologie des religions coïncide, d'une part, avec la traduction d'œuvres majeures dans le domaine et, d'autre part, avec la publication des études de Ziya Gökalp, Selahaddin Asım, Necmeddin Sadak et H. Ziya Ülken. L'année 1949 marque d'ailleurs un tournant, puisqu'à cette date la Faculté de théologie d'Ankara introduisit la sociologie des religions 1 comme nouvelle discipline académique. Dans une approche identique à celle prévalant à l'époque dans les universités occidentales, un important travail en sociologie des religions a alors pu rayonner. Au point qu'à l'heure actuelle, on compte vingt-trois sections de sociologie des religions dans les différentes facultés de théologie du pays. Ce champ peut également compter sur un nombre croissant de recherches dans le domaine pour asseoir son développement. Actuellement, les sociologues turcs du champ religieux tentent d'obtenir des publications, des opportunités de communication et de débats dans les colloques.
God, Gifts and Poor People: On Charity in Islam
Authors: Kochuyt Thierry
Published: February 2009

Islam asks the faithful to help the poor. Outlining the ideal type of this religious charity—known as the zakat—the author will analyse these alms as gifts. After identifying those who contribute and those who are eligible, he moves on to the beneficial effects of this solidarity. To assess the social mechanisms by which the community of faith is being built, the author refers throughout the article to the writings of Mauss, Sahlins and Bourdieu as regards gift giving and reciprocity. This analytical input permits him eventually to develop a triadic model of religiously-inspired charity that includes the divine protagonist who asks us to be generous.