bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions among 18O2, C2H4, and NO on the surface of stepped Pt(332)
Authors: Hu Yuhai , Griffiths Keith
Published: January 2008

The influence of co-adsorbed 18O2 (18O) on NO/C2H4 reactions on the surface of stepped Pt(332) has been investigated using Fourier transform infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy (FTIR-RAS) and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). The presence of 18O2 (18O) results in changes in C2H4 dissociation behavior, with formation of ethylidyne taking place at surface temperature much higher than that in the absence of 18O2 (18O). Pre-annealing 18O2/C2H4 co-adlayers to 250 and 300 K does not lead to significantly different IR spectra, but a variety of spectra are observed when the 250 K and 300 K 18O/C2H4 co-adlayers are further exposed to 0.8 L NO at 90 K, depending on the 18O2 pre-exposure. NO adsorption in bridge sites, both on steps and on terraces is more significantly suppressed for the co-adlayers in which 18O2/C2H4 is pre-annealed to 250 K. This site-blocking effect is enhanced with increasing 18O2 exposure. However, no new surface species, which are intermediates for N2 production, are detected. Thermal desorption spectra indicate that various species are produced, but only N2 and H2 desorption have intensities that can be reliably analyzed (that is to be able to quantitatively elucidate how the yields of these two species vary with change in the ratios of NO to C2H4 and 18O2). Desorption of both N2 and H2 is more strongly dependent on 18O2 exposure than on the temperature to which 18O2/C2H4 adlayers are pre-annealed. The presence of 18O2, irrespective of the dosing sequence, suppresses N2 desorption, but this effect is much weaker when 18O2 is post-dosed. For the case with 18O2 pre-dosed, irrespective of the annealing temperature (250 K or 300 K), N2 desorption is greatly suppressed at an 18O2 exposure of 0.2 L, but thereafter remains almost unchanged with increasing 18O2 exposure from 0.4 to 1.6 L. This feature of N2 desorption is explained by the restoration of the adsorption of NO onto steps and the subsequent NO dissociation on these sites. In contrast, H2 desorption decreases continuously and disappears at 0.8 L 18O2 and higher. It is concluded that the presence of 18O2 in the reaction of NO with C2H4 on the surface of Pt(332) does not play any role of activating the surface reactants.Key words: NO, platinum, C2H4, deNOx, hydrocarbon, selective catalytic reduction.
Synthesis of β-amino alcohols using MgO as a new catalyst under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Hosseini-Sarvari Mona
Published: January 2008

MgO catalyzed efficiently the ring opening of epoxides with a range of aromatic and aliphatic amines to produce β-substituted alcohols in high yields under solvent-free conditions. Exclusive trans stereoselectivity is observed for cyclic epoxide.Key words: MgO, β-amino alcohols, solvent-free, epoxide, amine.
Influence of two site preparation treatments on ecophysiology of planted Piceaengelmannii × glauca seedlings
Authors: Bassman John H.
Published: January 2008

The effects of mounding and soil scarification on microclimate, water relations, photosynthesis, and growth of planted Piceaengelmannii × glauca seedlings were evaluated over three growing seasons. Mounding increased soil temperatures by up to 40% at depths of 5 and 12 cm, but not at 30 cm, during periods of dry, clear weather. Scarification resulted in small increases in soil temperature only at the 5 cm depth. Soil water potential and soil water content were lower in mounds, but similar in scarified patches and controls from midsummer through fall. Transpiration, leaf conductance, and xylem pressure potentials were generally reduced by mounding and to a much lesser extent by scarification compared with controls. However, these responses were complicated by interactions with leaf to air vapor density differences and possibly by soil temperatures. Treatments had no significant effects on diurnal or light responses of photosynthesis. Mounding increased stem and needle weights during the first one-half of the growing season in the first 2 years after planting, but growth was reduced later in the season, probably as a result of increased water stress. Root growth in mounds was significantly greater than scarified patches and controls in all 3 years. Growth patterns for seedlings planted in scarified patches and control treatments were similar to each other. By the end of the third growing season after planting, seedlings in mound treatments had greater stem diameters and total seedling weight was more than double that of controls, but there was little difference in height. Seedlings in scarified patches were similar to controls in diameter and height, but had slightly greater total weights. Results suggest that the positive effects of improved soil temperatures and root growth in mound treatments were negated to a large extent by increased water stress in the first two seasons. By the third growing season, roots were beyond significant drying influence of the mound and their greater length and mass served to increase seedling biomass substantially.
Effect of GA3 treatment timing in relation to natural day length on flowering and sex expression in Chamaecyparisnootkatensis
Authors: Bower R. C. , Ross S. D. , Dunsworth B. G.
Published: January 2008

Experiments on field-grown and potted trees investigated the effect of timing of gibberellin A3 treatment in relation to natural day length on flowering and sex expression in Chamaecyparisnootkatensis. When gibberellin A3 treatment began was more important than the number of weekly sprays (two to eight), and the optimal time of treatment was similar for promotion of seed and pollen cone buds. The optimal treatment time was independent of photoperiod or its direction of change, but instead appeared to be related to a specific stage of ontogeny during early development of the bud apex. Trees growing at progressively lower elevations attained this stage earlier in spring, suggesting that the mechanism triggering initiation of bud development involved heat sums. A higher concentration of gibberellin A3 was required to initiate seed cone buds (200 mg•L−1) than pollen cone buds (100 mg•L−1), and the average weekly dosage was more important than whether gibberellin A3 was applied weekly or biweekly. Young, potted trees within a greenhouse flowered more profusely than larger but similarly treated field-grown trees, indicating that the species is a good candidate for containerized seed orchards.
PROSPECTS OF MEDIUM TOMOGRAPHY USING 2-, 3- AND 4-PARTICLE CORRELATIONS FOR A (SEMI)-HARD TRIGGER
Authors: RENK THORSTEN , RUPPERT JÖRG
Published: January 2008

Hard partons propagating through hot and dense matter lose energy, leading to the observed depletion of hard hadron spectra in nucleus nucleus collision as compared to scaled proton proton collisions. This lost energy has to be redistributed in the medium due to the conservation of energy, which is manifest in the pT dependence of the angular correlation pattern of hadrons associate with a (semi-) hard trigger. While at low pT a splitting of a broad peak is observed, at high pT the structure shows vacuum width, albeit with reduced yield. This sugests a transfer of energy from hard partons to a collectively recoiling medium. We present a systematic study of these phenomena using a realistic medium evolution and a Monte-Carlo simulation of the experimental trigger and show what information about the medium can be derived from multiparticle correlations.
THE TWO TYPES OF CHERENKOV GLUONS AT LHC ENERGIES
Authors: DREMIN I. M.
Published: January 2008

Beside comparatively low energy Cherenkov gluons observed at RHIC, there could be high energy gluons at LHC, related to the high energy region of positive real part of the forward scattering amplitude. In both cases they give rise to particles emitted along some cone. The characteristics of the cones produced by these two types of gluons are different. Therefore different experiments are needed to detect them. The cosmic ray event which initiated this idea is described in detail.
A NLO ANALYSIS ON AZIMUTHAL ANISOTROPY OF HIGH pT HADRON IN HEAVY-ION COLLISIONS
Authors: ZHANG HANZHONG , WANG ENKE
Published: January 2008

The azimuthal anisotropy of high pT hadron in high energy A + A collisions is studied within the next-to-leading order (NLO) perturbative QCD parton model. The effect of jet quenching is incorporated via a model for modified jet fragmentation functions due to radiative parton energy loss in dense medium. Because NLO contributions behave with stronger quenching effect than LO contributions, the NLO elliptic flow parameter is found to be larger than the LO in the medium pT region.
OVERVIEW OF EVENT-BY-EVENT ANALYSIS OF HIGH ENERGY NUCLEAR COLLISIONS
Authors: NAYAK TAPAN K.
Published: January 2008

The event-by-event analysis of high energy nuclear collisions aims at revealing the richness of the underlying event structures and provide unique measures of dynamical fluctuations associated with QGP phase transition. The major challenge in these studies is to separate the dynamical fluctuations from the many other sources which contribute to the measured values. We present the fluctuations in terms of event multiplicity, mean transverse momentum, elliptic flow, source sizes, particle ratios and net charge distributions. In addition, we discuss the effect of long range correlations, disoriented chiral condensates and presence of jets. A brief review of various probes used for fluctuation studies and available experimental results are presented.
ELLIPTIC FLOW FLUCTUATIONS IN AU+AU COLLISIONS AT $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200\, {\rm GeV}$
Authors:   for the PHOBOS Collaboration, ALVER BURAK
Published: January 2008

This paper presents a measurement of event-by-event fluctuations of charged particle elliptic flow in Au + Au collisions at [Formula: see text] as a function of collision centrality. The relative non-statistical fluctuations of the elliptic flow coefficient, v2, are found to be approximately 40%. The magnitude of the observed relative fluctuations in v2 agrees with predictions based on spatial fluctuations of the participating nucleons in the initial nuclear overlap region. These results are consistent with a scenario where v2 is directly proportional to the eccentricity of the initial matter distribution on an event-by-event basis. The subsequent evolution of the system does not change this in any measurable way, consistent with hydrodynamic evolution with a very low viscosity. The agreement of the results with event-by-event eccentricity calculations indicates that matter in the initial stage of the collision is produced with a transverse granularity similar to that of the participant nucleons.
NET CHARGE FLUCTUATION AS A MEASURE OF LOCAL CHARGE CONSERVATION
Authors: JINGHUA FU
Published: January 2008

It is demonstrated in this paper that, in terms of a schematic multiperipheral model, net charge fluctuation satisfies the same Quigg–Thomas relation as satisfied by charge transfer fluctuation. Net charge fluctuations measured in finite rapidity windows depend on both the local charge correlation length and the size of the observation window. When the observation window is larger than the local charge correlation length, the net charge fluctuation only depends on the local charge correlation length and can be used as a measure of local charge correlation length.
ON THE RELATION BETWEEN THE WIDTH OF CHARGE BALANCE FUNCTION AND HADRONIZATION TIME IN RELATIVISTIC HEAVY ION COLLISION
Authors: JIAXIN DU , NA LI , LIANSHOU LIU
Published: January 2008

A Monte Carlo study on the charge balance function in high energy hadron-hadron and relativistic heavy ion collisions are carried out using the Monte Carlo generators PYTHIA and AMPT, respectively. A strong dependence of the width of balance function on multiplicity is found in both cases. Using the mean parton-freeze-out time of a heavy-ion-collision event as the characteristic hadronization time for the event, it is found that for a fixed multiplicity interval the width of balance function is consistent with being independent of hadronization time.
RAPIDITY AND AZIMUTHAL CORRELATION PATTERNS IN NUCLEON-NUCLEON AND RELATIVISTIC HEAVY ION COLLISIONS AT $\sqrt{s} = 200\, {\rm GeV}$
Authors: WANG MEIJUAN , WU YUANFANG
Published: January 2008

Rapidity and azimuthal correlation patterns for nucleon and relativistic heavy ion collisions are systematically studied by using PYTHIA for pp collisions, RQMD and AMPT for Au − Au collisions at [Formula: see text], respectively. The results show that the measures are sensitive to the collision particles, system size and production mechanism of the system.
Novel anti-inflammatory mechanisms ofN-Acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro in hypertension-induced target organ damage
Authors: Sharma Umesh , Rhaleb Nour-Eddine , Pokharel Saraswati , Harding Pamela , Rasoul Saman , Peng Hongmei , Carretero Oscar A.
Published: January 2008

High blood pressure (HBP) is an important risk factor for cardiac, renal, and vascular dysfunction. Excess inflammation is the major pathogenic mechanism for HBP-induced target organ damage (TOD). N-acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro (Ac-SDKP), a tetrapeptide specifically degraded by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), reduces inflammation, fibrosis, and TOD induced by HBP. Our hypothesis is that Ac-SDKP exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting: 1) differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) to macrophages, 2) activation and migration of macrophages, and 3) release of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α by activated macrophages. BMSC were freshly isolated and cultured in macrophage growth medium. Differentiation of murine BMSC to macrophages was analyzed by flow cytometry using F4/80 as a marker of macrophage maturation. Macrophage migration was measured in a modified Boyden chamber. TNF-α release by activated macrophages in culture was measured by ELISA. Myocardial macrophage activation in mice with ANG II-induced hypertension was studied by Western blotting of Mac-2 (galectin-3) protein. Interstitial collagen deposition was measured by picrosirius red staining. We found that Ac-SDKP (10 nM) reduced differentiation of cultured BMSC to mature macrophages by 24.5% [F4/80 positivity: 14.09 ± 1.06 mean fluorescent intensity for vehicle and 10.63 ± 0.35 for Ac-SDKP; P < 0.05]. Ac-SDKP also decreased galectin-3 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor-dependent macrophage migration. In addition, Ac-SDKP decreased secretion of TNF-α by macrophages stimulated with bacterial LPS. In mice with ANG II-induced hypertension, Ac-SDKP reduced expression of galectin-3, a protein produced by infiltrating macrophages in the myocardium, and interstitial collagen deposition. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that part of the anti-inflammatory effect of Ac-SDKP is due to its direct effect on BMSC and macrophage, inhibiting their differentiation, activation, and cytokine release. These effects explain some of the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties of Ac-SDKP in hypertension.
Epac/Rap1 pathway regulates microvascular hyperpermeability induced by PAF in rat mesentery
Authors: Adamson R. H. , Ly J. C. , Sarai R. K. , Lenz J. F. , Altangerel A. , Drenckhahn D. , Curry F. E.
Published: January 2008

Experiments in cultured endothelial cell monolayers demonstrate that increased intracellular cAMP strongly inhibits the acute permeability responses by both protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent and -independent pathways. The contribution of the PKA-independent pathways to the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of cAMP in intact mammalian microvessels has not been systematically investigated. We evaluated the role of the cAMP-dependent activation of the exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the small GTPase Rap1, in rat venular microvessels exposed to the platelet-activating factor (PAF). The cAMP analog 8-pCPT-2′- O-methyl-cAMP ( O-Me-cAMP), which stimulates the Epac/Rap1 pathway but has no effect on PKA, significantly attenuated the PAF increase in microvessel permeability as measured by hydraulic conductivity ( Lp). We also demonstrated that PAF induced a rearrangement of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin seen as numerous lateral spikes and frequent short breaks in the otherwise continuous peripheral immunofluorescent label. Pretreatment with O-Me-cAMP completely prevented the PAF-induced rearrangement of VE-cadherin. We conclude that the action of the Epac/Rap1 pathway to stabilize cell-cell adhesion is a significant component of the activity of cAMP to attenuate an acute increase in vascular permeability. Our results indicate that increased permeability in intact microvessels by acute inflammatory agents such as PAF is the result of the decreased effectiveness of the Epac/Rap1 pathway modulation of cell-cell adhesion.
Ischemia-induced activation of AMPK does not increase glucose uptake in glycogen-replete isolated working rat hearts
Authors: Omar Mohamed A. , Fraser Heather , Clanachan Alexander S.
Published: January 2008

Alterations in myocardial glucose metabolism are a key determinant of ischemia-induced depression of left ventricular mechanical function. Since myocardial glycogen is an important source of endogenous glucose, we compared the effects of ischemia on glucose uptake and utilization in isolated working rat hearts in which glycogen content was either replete (G replete, 114 μmol/g dry wt) or partially depleted (G depleted, 71 μmol/g dry wt). The effects of low-flow ischemia (LFI, 0.5 ml/min) on glucose uptake, glycogen turnover (glycogenolysis and glycogen synthesis), glycolysis, adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, and GLUT4 translocation were measured. Relative to preischemic values, LFI caused a time-dependent reduction in glycogen content in both G-replete and G-depleted groups due to an acceleration of glycogenolysis (by 12-fold and 6-fold, respectively). In G-replete hearts, LFI (15 min) decreased glucose uptake (by 59%) and did not affect GLUT4 translocation. In G-depleted hearts, LFI also decreased initially glucose uptake (by 90%) and glycogen synthesis, but after 15 min, when glycogenolysis slowed due to exhaustion of glycogen content, glucose uptake increased (by 31%) in association with an increase in GLUT4 translocation. After 60 min of LFI, glucose uptake, glycogenolysis, and glycolysis recovered to near-preischemic values in both groups. LFI increased AMPK activity in a time-dependent manner in both groups (by 6-fold and 4-fold, respectively). Thus, when glycogen stores are replete before ischemia, ischemia-induced AMPK activation is not sufficient to increase glucose uptake. Under these conditions, an acceleration of glycogen degradation provides sufficient endogenous substrate for glycolysis during ischemia.
Microtubule-dependent distribution of mRNA in adult cardiocytes
Authors: Scholz Dimitri , Baicu Catalin F. , Tuxworth William J. , Xu Lin , Kasiganesan Harinath , Menick Donald R. , Cooper George
Published: January 2008

Synthesis of myofibrillar proteins in the diffusion-restricted adult cardiocyte requires microtubule-based active transport of mRNAs as part of messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) to translation sites adjacent to nascent myofibrils. This is especially important for compensatory hypertrophy in response to hemodynamic overloading. The hypothesis tested here is that excessive microtubule decoration by microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4) after cardiac pressure overloading could disrupt mRNP transport and thus hypertrophic growth. MAP4-overexpressing and pressure-overload hypertrophied adult feline cardiocytes were infected with an adenovirus encoding zipcode-binding protein 1-enhanced yellow fluorescent protein fusion protein, which is incorporated into mRNPs, to allow imaging of these particles. Speed and distance of particle movement were measured via time-lapse microscopy. Microtubule depolymerization was used to study microtubule-based transport and distribution of mRNPs. Protein synthesis was assessed as radioautographic incorporation of [3H]phenylalanine. After microtubule depolymerization, mRNPs persist only perinuclearly and apparent mRNP production and protein synthesis decrease. Reestablishing microtubules restores mRNP production and transport as well as protein synthesis. MAP4 overdecoration of microtubules via adenovirus infection in vitro or following pressure overloading in vivo reduces the speed and average distance of mRNP movement. Thus cardiocyte microtubules are required for mRNP transport and structural protein synthesis, and MAP4 decoration of microtubules, whether directly imposed or accompanying pressure-overload hypertrophy, causes disruption of mRNP transport and protein synthesis. The dense, highly MAP4-decorated microtubule network seen in severe pressure-overload hypertrophy both may cause contractile dysfunction and, perhaps even more importantly, may prevent a fully compensatory growth response to hemodynamic overloading.
Sensitization of isolated rat vagal pulmonary sensory neurons by eosinophil-derived cationic proteins
Authors: Gu Qihai , Wiggers Michelle E. , Gleich Gerald J. , Lee Lu-Yuan
Published: January 2008

It has been shown that airway exposure to eosinophil-derived cationic proteins stimulated vagal pulmonary C fibers and markedly potentiated their responses to lung inflation in anesthetized rats (Lee LY, Gu Q, Gleich GJ, J Appl Physiol 91: 1318–1326, 2001). However, whether the effects resulted from a direct action of these proteins on the sensory nerves was not known. The present study was therefore carried out to determine the effects of these proteins on isolated rat vagal pulmonary sensory neurons. Our results obtained from perforated whole cell patch-clamp recordings showed that pretreatment with eosinophil major basic protein (MBP; 2 μM, 60 s) significantly increased the capsaicin-evoked inward current in these neurons; this effect peaked ∼10 min after MBP and lasted for >60 min; in current-clamp mode, MBP substantially increased the number of action potentials evoked by both capsaicin and electrical stimulation. Pretreatment with MBP did not significantly alter the input resistance of these sensory neurons. In addition, the sensitizing effect of MBP was completely abolished when its cationic charge was neutralized by mixing with a polyanion, such as low-molecular-weight heparin or poly-l-glutamic or poly-l-aspartic acid, before its delivery to the neurons. Moreover, a similar sensitizing effect was also generated by other eosinophil granule-derived proteins (e.g., eosinophil peroxidase). These results demonstrate a direct, charge-dependent, and long-lasting sensitizing effect of cationic proteins on pulmonary sensory neurons, which may contribute to the airway hyperresponsiveness associated with airway infiltration of eosinophils under pathophysiological conditions.
Apoptosis in the lung: induction, clearance and detection
Authors: Henson P. M. , Tuder R. M.
Published: January 2008

Apoptosis and other forms of programmed cell death are important contributors to lung pathophysiology. In this brief review, we discuss some of the implications of finding apoptotic cells in the lung and methods for their detection. The balance between induction of apoptosis and the normally highly efficient clearance of such cells shows that these are highly dynamic processes and suggests that abnormalities of apoptotic cell clearance may be an alternative explanation for their detection. Because recognition of apoptotic cells by other lung cells has additional effects on inflammation, immunity, and tissue repair, local responses to the dying cells may also have important consequences in addition to the cell death itself.
Effect of increasing temperature on TRPV1-mediated responses in isolated rat pulmonary sensory neurons
Authors: Ni Dan , Lee Lu-Yuan
Published: January 2008

Hyperthermia has been shown to sensitize vagal pulmonary C-fibers in anesthetized rats. However, it was not clear whether the effect was due to a direct action of hyperthermia on these sensory neurons. To answer this question, we carried out this study to determine the effect of increasing temperature on the responses to various chemical stimuli in isolated nodose and jugular ganglion neurons innervating the rat lungs. In the whole cell perforated patch-clamp study, when the temperature was increased from normal (∼36°C) to hyperthermic (∼40.6°C) level of the rat body temperature, the inward currents evoked by capsaicin, a selective activator of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1), and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), a nonselective activator of TRPV1–3 receptors, were both significantly increased. This potentiating effect was clearly present even at a moderate level of hyperthermia (∼39°C). However, only the slow, sustained component of acid-evoked current mediated through the TRPV1 receptor was potentiated by hyperthermia, whereas the rapid, transient component was inhibited. In contrast, the currents evoked by adenosine 5′-triphosphate and acetylcholine, neither of which is known to activate the TRPV1 channel, did not increase when the same temperature elevation was applied. Furthermore, the hyperthermia-induced potentiation of the cell response to 2-APB was significantly attenuated by either capsazepine or AMG 9810, selective TRPV1 antagonists. In conclusion, increasing temperature within the physiological range exerts a potentiating effect on the response to TRPV1 activators in these neurons, which is probably mediated through a positive interaction between hyperthermia and these chemical activators at the TRPV1 channel.
Sharing Meals with Non-Christians in Canon Law Commentaries, Circa 1160-1260: A Case Study in Legal Development
Authors: Freidenreich David
Published: January 2008

Canon law scholarship flourished in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and its practitioners left a remarkable paper trail. Surviving documents capture the intellectual evolution that occurred during this formative period and offer historians a rare opportunity to trace legal development in premodern times. This article examines the evolution of laws regulating the sharing of meals with non-Christians, with particular attention to the ways in which medieval canonists conceptualized foreigners. These canonists struggle to fit Islam into traditional legal categories, concluding that Muslims are "judaizing pagans" on account of their dietary practices. This outcome, and its implications for the way canonists understood not only commensality with Muslims but also with Jews and pagans, reflects the degree to which medieval scholars of canon law were both unfamiliar with other religious traditions and uninterested in acquiring such knowledge. The ideas of these scholars about non-Christians reflect their detatchment from realia and their commitment, as participants in the canon law tradition, to the conservation of existing paradigms, laws, and interpretations. This case study thus sheds light both on medieval Christian conceptions of foreigners and on the ways in which great works of premodern law developed.
Qoheleth and the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch
Authors: Henze Matthias
Published: January 2008

The roots of early Jewish apocalypticism are diverse. Within the realm of ancient Israel, one of the main contributory streams is the wisdom tradition. The present essay examines the impact of Israel's sapiential tradition, and specifically of that of the book of Qoheleth, on the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch, a Jewish apocalypse of the late first century C.E. My thesis is that, while both authors agree in their assessment of the present human condition, they draw dramatically different conclusions. Qoheleth persistently points to the limits and fallibility of this world and advises his readers to enjoy life before they die, whereas the author of 2 Baruch looks to the world to come and, in the meantime, calls on his readers to live their lives in compliance with the Mosaic Torah.
Die Rede des Rabsake vor Jerusalem (2 Kön. xviii / Jes. xxxvi) im Kontext anderer Kapitulationsforderungen
Authors: Höffken Peter
Published: January 2008

The speech of the Rabshakeh in 2 Kings xviii has its counterparts in a number of texts from Egypt, Greece, Assyria, and in Josephus Flavius. These texts allow to interpret the speech of the Rabshakeh in some distance to the military needs and questions, which such speeches usually try to answer or to solve. The Josephan version of the speech of the Rabshakeh testifies to this military-oriented form of speech.
The Restrictive Syntax of Genesis i 1
Authors: Holmstedt Robert
Published: January 2008

Although many Hebraists have departed from the traditional understanding of in Gen i 1 as an independent phrase with grammatical reference to "THE beginning," it is a view that continues to thrive, and is reflected by the majority of modern translations. Even advocates of the dependent phrase position (e.g., "when God began") struggle with a precise and compelling linguistic analysis. In this article I offer a linguistic argument that will both provide a simpler analysis of the grammar of Gen i 1 and make it clear that the traditional understanding of a reference to an 'absolute beginning' cannot be derived from the grammar of the verse. Instead, the syntax of the verse, based on well-attested features within biblical Hebrew grammar, dictates that there were potentially multiple periods or stages to God's creative work.
Aux commencements des livres grecs d'Esther: Le songe de Mardochée
Authors: Vialle Catherine
Published: January 2008

Though mainly known in its Hebrew version, the book of Esther have also come to us in three Greek textual forms, the three of them significantly diverging from each other as well as from the MT. As biblical scholars know, they open with a chapter commonly referred to as "Addition A". I intend in this essay to compare this addition and especially the three following topics: the space and time structure, the narrative of the dream, and the characterization of Mordecai. In all three Greek versions, the very presence of the dream (its meaning however remains rather obscure) installs the reader in the same position as Mordecai: he has to wait to see what happens next in order to perceive some elements of interpretation and fulfilment.
Impact of Globalization on Core Engineering Education in India
Authors: Arun-Kumar Duru
Published: January 2008

The education system in India continued to be based on the colonial legacy of bureaucratic administration even after fifty years of independence. But, under globalization and liberalization policies of the government, engineering higher education has acquired a new interpretation of increasing credential value, where the degree per se is more important for securing a high-paying job, primarily in the software and information technology sector, than for acquiring specific knowledge and skills. This is reflected in the employment pattern of the graduates with a core engineering background.
University Policies for the Knowledge Society: Global Standardization, Local Reinvention
Authors: Beerkens Eric
Published: January 2008

Although the ideas of the knowledge society and knowledge-based economy originate from the 1960s and 1970s, they became popular as a policy idea especially at the end of the twentieth century. Developed and less developed countries alike portray the path towards the knowledge society as the way forward, bringing economic prosperity and social advancement. In adapting to this move towards knowledge societies, universities apply specific organizational forms that have gradually evolved into global models. This spread of globalized models shows an inherent tendency towards processes of convergence, isomorphism, or homogenization. On the surface, a convergence of higher education and science policies seems to have occurred in the past decade or so. A closer look at organizational practices, however, might reveal more local variation in the adoption of these global university models for the knowledge society.
A Simple Predictive Tool for Lower Brahmaputra River Basin Monsoon Flooding
Authors: Kamal-Heikman Shithi , Derry Louis A. , Stedinger Jery R. , Duncan Christopher C.
Published: January 2008

The Brahmaputra River of South Asia is the fourth largest river in the world in terms of annual discharge. The lower Brahmaputra River basin is susceptible to catastrophic flooding with major social, economic, and public health impacts. There is relatively little rainfall and snowpack information for the watershed, and the system is poorly understood hydrologically. Using a combination of available remotely sensed and gauge data, this study analyzes snow cover, rainfall, and monsoon period discharge for a 14-yr time period (1986–99). It is found that interannual rainfall variability is low and is a weak predictor of monsoon discharge volumes. Strong evidence is found, however, that maximum spring snow cover in the upper Brahmaputra basin is a good predictor of the monsoon flood volume. Despite the temporal and spatial limitations of the data, this study’s analysis demonstrates the potential for developing an empirical tool for predicting large flood events that may allow an annual early window for mitigating flood damages in the lower Brahmaputra basin, home to 300 million people.
African Americans and Welfare Time Limits
Authors: Brock Nailah R.
Published: January 2008

This study examines state lifetime limit policies for the receipt of cash assistance under the 1996 welfare reform law. It performs cross-tabulation and correlational analysis to determine whether a relationship exists between the racial composition of African Americans in a state and lifetime limit policies under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity and Reconciliation Act. Findings indicate a relationship and show that a majority of the states with a large population of African Americans have adopted some of the harshest lifetime limit policies for receipt of cash assistance.
Being in and out of Africa
Authors: Jalata Asafa
Published: January 2008

This article critically examines how the duality inherent in the concept of Ethiopianism shifts back and forth between claims of a “Semitic” identity when appealing to the White, Christian, ethnocentric, occidental hegemonic power center and claims of an African identity when cultivating the support of sub-Saharan Africans and the African diaspora while, at the same time, ruthlessly suppressing the history and culture of non-Semitic Africans of the various colonized peoples, such as Oromos. Successive Ethiopian state elites have used their Blackness to mobilize other Africans and the African diaspora for their political projects by confusing original Africa, Ethiopia, or the Black world with contemporary Ethiopia (former Abyssinia) and at the same time have allied with Euro-American powers and practiced racism, state terrorism, genocide, and continued subjugation on the indigenous Africans who are, today, struggling for self-determination and multinational democracy. Exposing the racist discourse of Ethiopianism and liberating the mentality of all Africans and the African diaspora from this “social cancer” must be one of the tasks of a critical paradigm of Afrocentricity. Developing Oromummaa (Oromo culture, identity, and nationalism), the Oromo national movement engages in such a liberation project.
Heavy Metal and Hip-Hop Style Preferences and Externalizing Problem Behavior
Authors: Selfhout Maarten H. W. , Delsing Marc J. M. H. , ter Bogt Tom F. M. , Meeus Wim H. J.
Published: January 2008

This study examines (a) the stability of Dutch adolescents' preferences for heavy metal and hip-hop youth culture styles, (b) longitudinal associations between their preferences and externalizing problem behavior, and (c) the moderating role of gender in these associations. Questionnaire data were gathered from 931 adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years in two waves with a 2-year interval. Results suggest that preferences for heavy metal and hip-hop youth culture styles are moderately stable over a 2-year period. Preference for the hip-hop style was found to predict later externalizing problems in both boys and girls. Preference for the heavy metal style predicted later externalizing problems exclusively in boys. Adolescents' externalizing problems did not predict later preferences for hip-hop or heavy metal.
Going Beyond Green: The “Why and How” of Integrating Sustainability Into the Marketing Curriculum
Authors: Bridges Claudia M. , Wilhelm Wendy Bryce
Published: January 2008

Teaching sustainable marketing practices requires that curricula advocate a “triple bottom line” approach to personal and marketing decision making, emphasizing requirements for a sustainable lifestyle, company, economy, and society. These requirements include environmental/ecological stewardship (maintenance and renewal of “natural capital”), social stewardship (equitable distribution of resources, human, and community well-being), and economic stewardship (valuing financial continuity over profit). In this article, the authors suggest how marketing educators might incorporate these sustainability principles into marketing pedagogy. Toward that end, the authors (a) offer a formal definition of the term sustainability , (b) examine the current role of sustainability in marketing strategy at the firm level, (c) present a brief history of academic literature relevant to this topic and review current initiatives at academic institutions, (d) offer resources for integrating sustainability into marketing curricula, and (e) propose and describe the implementation of an MBA-level marketing elective dedicated to the topic of sustainability.
Waste Management in Developing Asia
Authors: Ray Amit
Published: January 2008

The problems relating to mounting solid waste are fast acquiring gigantic proportions in the developing countries of Asia. Most of the countries, nevertheless, continue to primarily focus on achieving high economic growth and pay scant attention to waste management. This article takes a detailed look at the inadequacies of waste management in Asia and underscores the need for greater international engagement in tackling the menace. In this context, the article critically examines the factors behind increasing trade in recyclable wastes involving Asian nations and finds that the adverse economic and environmental impacts resulting from such trade far outweigh the proclaimed benefits. The article concludes by saying that a high degree of bilateral, regional, or multilateral cooperation, rather than trade in wastes, may be a better option for these countries, as it may enable them to develop appropriate capacities, expertise, and techniques required for establishing a modern and environmentally sound waste-management model.
Constructing Corporatist Science: Reconstituting the Soul of American Higher Education
Authors: Cannella Gaile S. , Miller Lisa L.
Published: January 2008

The authors critique the ways that science and higher education are being revisioned and reconstituted as servants of profiteering and fundamentalist power agendas. This discussion recognizes that higher education, while generating all manner of "discovery"-oriented research, has also been the sight of contestation, debate, critiques of science, and even zealous philosophical disagreements regarding science. Higher education has been the accepted location of the postmodern turn; the recognition of diverse scientific paradigms such as constructivist, feminist, and critical sciences; and major critiques of positivist science. This academic work is not perfect and is certainly not without power struggles but is absolutely necessary. Reconstituting American higher education into a fundamentalist, corporatist institution will certainly narrow and potentially eliminate critique, philosophical diversity and science itself. Faculty in academia must take action, rather than succumbing "to the new spirit of the age, (which seems to be) gain(ing) wealth, and forgetting all but self."
Distinct roles of sphingosine kinases 1 and 2 in human mast-cell functions
Authors: Oskeritzian Carole A. , Alvarez Sergio E. , Hait Nitai C. , Price Megan M. , Milstien Sheldon , Spiegel Sarah
Published: January 2008

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is now emerging as a potent lipid mediator produced by mast cells that contributes to inflammatory and allergic responses. In contrast to its weak effect on degranulation of murine mast cells, S1P potently induced degranulation of the human LAD2 mast-cell line and cord blood–derived human mast cells (hMCs). S1P also stimulated production and secretion of cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6, and markedly enhanced secretion of a chemokine, CCL2/MCP-1, important modulators of inflammation. S1P is produced in mast cells by the 2 sphingosine kinases, SphK1 and SphK2. SphK1 but not SphK2 plays a critical role in IgE/Ag-induced degranulation, migration toward antigen, and CCL2 secretion from hMCs, as determined by specifically down-regulating their expression. However, both isoenzymes were required for efficient TNF-α secretion. Taken together, our data suggest that differential formation of S1P by SphK1 and SphK2 has distinct and important actions in hMCs.
Neurotransmittors act as platelet activators
Authors: Akkerman Jan Willem N.
Published: January 2008

Thromboxane A2 and ADP act as important feedback activators of platelet function. The secretion of neuropeptides reveals a novel feedback loop that is not targeted specifically by aspirin and clopidogrel.
HHT is not a TGFβ disease
Authors: Bailly Sabine
Published: January 2008

TGFβ has been considered the most likely ALK1 ligand related to hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). New research reports that TGFβR2 and ALK5 are not required for HHT disease suggesting that HHT might not be a TGFβ subfamily disease.
Targeting dendritic cell signaling to regulate the response to immunization
Authors: Escors David , Lopes Luciene , Lin Rongtuan , Hiscott John , Akira Shizuo , Davis Roger J. , Collins Mary K.
Published: January 2008

Dendritic cells (DCs) are key regulators of the immune system; they capture antigens and then can either stimulate an immune response or induce tolerance. Our aim was to activate individual DC signaling pathways to regulate the immune response. We therefore expressed constitutive activators of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways or the interferon pathway, together with tumor antigens, using lentivectors. Triggering of p38 activated DCs substantially enhanced the antitumor immune response and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. Activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) increased TGF-β expression while expression of a constitutively activated interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF3) stimulated IL-10 secretion by DCs. ERK and IRF3 suppressed the immune response and stimulated expansion of regulatory T cells. These results provide a toolkit to regulate immune responses to viral vector or DC immunization; vaccine responses to foreign or tumor antigens can be enhanced and harmful responses to self-antigens or introduced transgenes can be reduced.
EndoS from Streptococcus pyogenes is hydrolyzed by the cysteine proteinase SpeB and requires glutamic acid 235 and tryptophans for IgG glycan-hydrolyzing activity
Authors: Allhorn Maria , Olsén Arne , Collin Mattias
Published: January 2008

Background

The endoglycosidase EndoS and the cysteine proteinase SpeB from the human pathogenStreptococcus pyogenesare functionally related in that they both hydrolyze IgG leading to impairment of opsonizing antibodies and thus enhance bacterial survival in human blood. In this study, we further investigated the relationship between EndoS and SpeB by examining theirin vitrotemporal production and stability and activity of EndoS. Furthermore, theoretical structure modeling of EndoS combined with site-directed mutagenesis and chemical blocking of amino acids was used to identify amino acids required for the IgG glycan-hydrolyzing activity of EndoS.

Results

We could show that during growthin vitro S. pyogenessecretes the IgG glycan-hydrolyzing endoglycosidase EndoS prior to the cysteine proteinase SpeB. Upon maturation SpeB hydrolyzes EndoS that then loses its IgG glycan-hydrolyzing activity. Sequence analysis and structural homology modeling of EndoS provided a basis for further analysis of the prerequisites for IgG glycan-hydrolysis. Site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification of amino acids revealed that glutamic acid 235 is an essential catalytic residue, and that tryptophan residues, but not the abundant lysine or the single cysteine residues, are important for EndoS activity.

Conclusion

We present novel information about the amino acid requirements for IgG glycan-hydrolyzing activity of the immunomodulating enzyme EndoS. Furthermore, we show that the cysteine proteinase SpeB processes/degrades EndoS and thus emphasize the importance of the SpeB as a degrading/processing enzyme of proteins from the bacterium itself.
PlantDB – a versatile database for managing plant research
Authors: Exner Vivien , Hirsch-Hoffmann Matthias , Gruissem Wilhelm , Hennig Lars
Published: January 2008

Background

Research in plant science laboratories often involves usage of many different species, cultivars, ecotypes, mutants, alleles or transgenic lines. This creates a great challenge to keep track of the identity of experimental plants and stored samples or seeds.

Results

Here, we describe PlantDB – a Microsoft® Office Access database – with a user-friendly front-end for managing information relevant for experimental plants. PlantDB can hold information about plants of different species, cultivars or genetic composition. Introduction of a concise identifier system allows easy generation of pedigree trees. In addition, all information about any experimental plant – from growth conditions and dates over extracted samples such as RNA to files containing images of the plants – can be linked unequivocally.

Conclusion

We have been using PlantDB for several years in our laboratory and found that it greatly facilitates access to relevant information.
Phase I-II Study of Oxaliplatin, Fludarabine, Cytarabine, and Rituximab Combination Therapy in Patients With Richter's Syndrome or Fludarabine-Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Tsimberidou Apostolia M. , Wierda William G. , Plunkett William , Kurzrock Razelle , O'Brien Susan , Wen Sijin , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Ravandi-Kashani Farhad , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Estrov Zeev , Kipps Thomas J. , Brown Jennifer R. , Fiorentino Albert , Lerner Susan , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Keating Michael J.
Published: January 2008

Purpose

Richter's syndrome (RS) and fludarabine-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are associated with poor clinical outcomes. We conducted a phase I-II trial of oxaliplatin, fludarabine, cytarabine, and rituximab (OFAR) in these diseases.

Patients and Methods

The OFAR regimen consisted of increasing doses of oxaliplatin (17.5, 20, or 25 mg/m2/d) on days 1 to 4 (phase I), fludarabine 30 mg/m2 on days 2 to 3, cytarabine 1 g/m2 on days 2 to 3, rituximab 375 mg/m2 on day 3 of cycle 1 and day 1 of subsequent cycles, and pegfilgrastim 6 mg on day 6, every 4 weeks for a maximum of six courses. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as any nonhematologic, treatment-related toxicity ≥ grade 3.

Results

Fifty patients were treated (20 patients had RS, and 30 had CLL). The highest tolerated oxaliplatin dose was 25 mg/m2, which was the highest dose tested. DLT was not observed. Pharmacodynamic analyses demonstrated enhanced leukemia cell killing by oxaliplatin in the presence of fludarabine and cytarabine. The overall response rates were 50% in RS and 33% in fludarabine-refractory CLL. The overall response rate in 14 patients with age ≥ 70 years was 50%. Responses were achieved in seven (35%) of 20 patients with 17p deletion, two (29%) of seven patients with 11q deletion, all four patients with trisomy 12, and two (40%) of five patients with 13q deletion. The median response duration was 10 months. Toxicities were mainly hematologic; prolonged myelosuppression was not observed.

Conclusion

The OFAR regimen is highly active in RS and has activity in fludarabine-refractory patients with CLL. This regimen warrants further investigation in the treatment of these disorders.