bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simple Synthesis of Functionalized Superparamagnetic Magnetite/Silica Core/Shell Nanoparticles and their Application as Magnetically Separable High‐Performance Biocatalysts
Authors: Lee Jinwoo , Lee Youjin , Youn Jong Kyu , Na Hyon Bin , Yu Taekyung , Kim Hwan , Lee Sang‐Mok , Koo Yoon‐Mo , Kwak Ja Hun , Park Hyun Gyu , Chang Ho Nam , Hwang Misun , Park Je‐Geun , Kim Jungbae , Hyeon Taeghwan
Published: January 2008

Uniformly sized silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles (magnetite@silica) are synthesized in a simple one‐pot process using reverse micelles as nanoreactors. The core diameter of the magnetic nanoparticles is easily controlled by adjusting the w value ([polar solvent]/[surfactant]) in the reverse‐micelle solution, and the thickness of the silica shell is easily controlled by varying the amount of tetraethyl orthosilicate added after the synthesis of the magnetite cores. Several grams of monodisperse magnetite@silica nanoparticles can be synthesized without going through any size‐selection process. When crosslinked enzyme molecules form clusters on the surfaces of the magnetite@silica nanoparticles, the resulting hybrid composites are magnetically separable, highly active, and stable under harsh shaking conditions for more than 15 days. Conversely, covalently attached enzymes on the surface of the magnetite@silica nanoparticles are deactivated under the same conditions.
New tribometer designed for the characterisation of the friction properties at the tool/chip/workpiece interfaces in machining
Authors: Zemzemi F. , Bensalem W. , Rech J. , Dogui A. , Kapsa P.
Published: January 2008

This work deals with the development of a new tribometer designed for the characterisation of the frictional properties at the tool/chip/workpiece interfaces in cutting processes. Based on a plane–sphere contact configuration, the experimental set‐up enables a continuous regeneration of the pin–workmaterial contact. The average contact pressure can be selected up to 3 GPa under sliding velocities reaching 16 m/s. Under such severe conditions, which are not reachable with conventional tribometers, the apparent friction coefficient is quantified in parallel to the heat flux transmitted to the pin. This new system has been applied to the characterisation of the frictional properties during the dry machining of a 27MnCr5 annealed steel with a carbide cutting tool. The influence of the sliding velocity and of an additional TiN layer deposited by PVD on the carbide pins has been investigated in dry conditions. It has been shown that the sliding velocity is the more influential parameter, followed by the coating. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zoo and aquarium research: priority setting for the coming decades
Authors: Hutchins Michael , Thompson Steven D.
Published: January 2008

Scientific study within contemporary zoos and aquariums has developed ad hoc as an extremely broad, academically oriented mixture of basic and applied research spanning a wide array of concepts and disciplines. Several papers have considered prioritization of present or future research efforts within disciplines, but only a few have touched on prioritization across institutions, disciplines, and species. This lack of prioritization across institutions and disciplines is surprising given the growing interdependence of zoos and aquariums to maintain populations through exchange of animals, standardization of animal care procedures, and maintenance of self‐sustaining populations. The purpose of this paper is to explore prioritization of scientific research, and support of that prioritized research, within and among the professionally managed zoo and aquarium members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Zoo Biol 27:488–497, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Captive breeding of the barndoor skate (Dipturus laevis) at the Montreal Biodome, with comparison notes on two other captive‐bred skate species
Authors: Parent Serge , Pépin Serge , Genet Jean‐Pierre , Misserey Laurent , Rojas Salvador
Published: January 2008

In 1997, the Montreal Biodome obtained five barndoor skates (Dipturus laevis) from the waters off Boston, Massachusetts. Six years later, those specimens began reproducing, and the first egg case was collected in November 2003. Since then, 73 hatchlings have been born and raised. Egg cases were observed year round, and annual fecundity was measured for the first time: one female laid 69 eggs in 2005, 85 in 2006 and 115 in 2007. Egg incubation was longer than believed previously, ranging from 342 to 494 days. Hatching occurred throughout the year. Hatchlings averaged 193 mm total length and 128 mm disk width and weighed 32 g. They were fed krill and diced fish. All but one survived the first month. A photo identification system was useful in recognizing two groups of 10 specimens during their first year, and transponders could be inserted in the wing muscles of 1‐year‐old skates. Total lengths at birth and at age 2 were similar to the data reported from the wild, suggesting a similar growth pattern in captivity. The reproduction characteristics of the barndoor skate were compared with those of two other skate species currently bred at the Montreal Biodome, the winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata) and the thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata). Zoo Biol 27:145–153, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of an OsPR10a promoter region responsive to salicylic acid
Authors: Hwang Seon-Hee , Lee In Ah , Yie Se Won , Hwang Duk-Ju
Published: January 2008

Orysa sativa pathogenesis-related protein 10a (OsPR10a) was induced by pathogens, salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethephon, abscisic acid (ABA), and NaCl. We tried to analyze the OsPR10a promoter to investigate the transcriptional regulation of OsPR10a by SA. We demonstrated the inducibility of OsPR10a promoter by SA using transgenic Arabidopsis carrying OsPR10a:GFP as well as by transient expression assays in rice. To further identify the promoter region responsible for its induction by SA, four different deletions of the OsPR10a promoter were made, and their activities were measured by transient assays. The construct containing 687-bp OsPR10a promoter from its start codon exhibited a six-fold increase of induction compared to the control in response to SA. Mutation in the W-box like element 1 (WLE 1) between 687 and 637-bp from TGACA to TGAAA completely abolished induction of the OsPR10a promoter by SA, indicating that the WLE 1 between −687 and −637 of OsPR10a promoter is important in SA-mediated OsPR10a expression. We show for the first time that the W-box like element plays a role in SA mediated PR gene expression.
Fungal colonization and decomposition ofCastanopsis sieboldiileaves in a subtropical forest
Authors: Osono Takashi , Ishii Yukari , Hirose Dai
Published: January 2008

Fungi play a crucial role in the decomposition of lignin in fallen leaves but few studies have examined the functional roles of ligninolytic fungi associated with the decomposition of fallen leaves on tropical forest soils. This study examined fungal populations responsible for lignin decomposition inCastanopsis sieboldiileaves in a subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest in southern Japan. Fallen leaves ofC. sieboldiiare characterized by the occurrence of bleached portions attributable to fungal colonization of leaf tissues and decomposition of lignin. The bleached area accounted for 29.7%, on average, of the total area ofC. sieboldiifallen leaves in the study site. Leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and lignin content were lower in the bleached area than in the surrounding nonbleached area of the same leaves, indicating that removal of lignin enhanced mass loss from leaf tissues and created small‐scale heterogeneity of decomposition within single leaves. An unidentified species of Lachnocladiaceae (Basidiomycetes) was isolated frequently from the bleached area and caused selective decomposition of lignin in leaves under pure culture conditions, indicating that this fungus was responsible for the bleaching. The greater hyphal length of basidiomycetes in the bleached area than in the nonbleached area supported the finding that this Lachnocladiaceae sp. was associated with the bleaching. The relatively rapid decomposition ofC. sieboldiileaves on the subtropical forest soil is partly attributable to colonization of the litter by this Lachnocladiaceae sp.
Culture, intercultural dialogue and the role of religion
Authors: Figel Ján
Published: January 2008

Europe cannot be built by bricks and mortar alone. A strong cultural sector is vital to the completion of the grand project the European Union was meant to be. The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue is an opportunity to achieve these goals. This article explores the ways in which a broadly based cultural perspective can strengthen European cooperation.
The role and consequences of religion in former communist countries
Authors: Orbán Viktor
Published: January 2008

Much has been written on the collapse of communism and on the rapid reconstruction of society in Eastern European countries that followed. This article points out how the church promoted reform and how crucial the religious communities were for social revival in the period following 1989. The Eastern European experience is a powerful argument for why the church and religious communities should regain a strong voice at the political level.
The challenge of a single Muslim authority in Europe
Authors: Ceric Mustafa
Published: January 2008

A single Muslim authority is slowly developing in Europe today. The author discusses the preconditions for such an authority and the advantages it might bring both to Muslims and to Europe as a whole.
Religion has never left politics
Authors: Donner Piet Hein
Published: January 2008

The author examines why religion is increasingly important in the twenty-first century, both for individuals and for countries. He also addresses ways in which citizens can live together in societies with diverse religious beliefs.
Commentary: The New Secularism
Authors: Berlusconi Silvio
Published: January 2008

This article aims to assess the impact of Christian religious values on the development of Western societies and on Western concepts of freedom and democracy. The author calls for a stronger presence of religion in politics, in which Christian values can continue to be at the heart of policymaking.
Present and future dialogue between the EPP-ED and the Orthodox Church
Authors: Peterle Alojz
Published: January 2008

This essay offers insight into the cooperation and dialogue taking place between the Orthodox Church and the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament. By addressing the increasing diversity and multiculturalism in society, this ongoing series of formal dialogues has contributed to the realisation of the European vision of peace and integration. The author briefly points out how the church has promoted democracy and the inclusion of former communist countries in the European project
Mitochondrial ROS burst as an early sign in sarsasapogenin‐induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells
Authors: Ni Yuan , Gong Xing‐guo , Lu Min , Chen Han‐min , Wang Yong
Published: January 2008

Sarsasapogenin is a steroidal sapogenin with antitumor properties. To explain the mechanism of its apoptotic effect, mitochondrial activity was assessed via a 3,(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to estimate the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and cellular‐reduced glutathione (GSH) level. Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) recorded instantaneous ROS burst after application of sarsasapogenin. Western blotting was used to determine the expression level and intracellular distribution of cytochrome c (cyt c). It is demonstrated that during apoptosis, ROS burst acted as an early event followed by depolarization of MMP, prolonged ROS generation, and significantly declined GSH level. Cyt c was upregulated and released from mitochondria to cytosol during the process. These findings show that a mitochondrial ROS burst is an early upstream apoptotic signal which may trigger the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and play a vital role in sarsasapogenin‐induced HepG2 cell apoptosis.
β‐Catenin can bind directly to CRM1 independently of adenomatous polyposis coli, which affects its nuclear localization and LEF‐1/β‐catenin‐dependent gene expression
Authors: Ki Hyunkyoung , Oh Minsoo , Chung Su Wol , Kim Kwonseop
Published: January 2008

Nuclear β‐catenin affects the developmental process and progression of tumors. However, the precise mechanism for the nuclear export of β‐catenin is not completely understood. We found that β‐catenin can bind directly to CRM1 through its central armadillo (ARM) repeats region, independently of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein. CRM1 overexpression transports nuclear β‐catenin into the cytoplasm and decreases LEF‐1/β‐catenin‐dependent transcriptional activity, which is also affected by the co‐overexpression of E‐cadherin. CRM1 competed with E‐cadherin and LEF‐1 for binding to β‐catenin. β‐catenin could interact directly with APC through its essential sequences between amino acids 342 and 350. The site‐directed β‐catenin mutant (NES2−), which could interact with CRM1, but not with APC, still retained its ability to export from the nucleus and its transactivational activity. This suggests that CRM1 can function as an efficient nuclear exporter for β‐catenin independently of APC. These results strongly suggest that the CRM1‐mediated pathway is involved in the efficient transport of nuclear β‐catenin in the nucleus of cells.
Involvement of peroxiredoxin IV in the 16α‐hydroxyestrone‐induced proliferation of human MCF‐7 breast cancer cells
Authors: Lee Su‐Ui , Rhee Myung Chull , Min Yong Ki , Kim Seong Hwan
Published: January 2008

A variety of investigations on peroxiredoxins (Prxs) in different types of cancer have been carried out, but the estrogen‐related function of Prxs in breast cancer has not yet been studied. In order to study the involvement of Prxs in the growth of breast cancer cells by estrogen, we evaluated the effect of mitogenic estrogen metabolites on the expression of Prx isoforms (I to VI) in MCF‐7 cells and found that the transcript/protein expression of Prx IV was significantly induced by 16α‐hydroxyestrone (OHE1) under both serum‐free and serum conditions. In addition, treatment with Prx IV‐specific siRNA significantly inhibited the 16α‐OHE1‐induced proliferation of MCF‐7 cells. These results suggested that Prx IV involved in the 16α‐OHE1‐induced proliferation of MCF‐7 cells has a proliferative effect and may be related to cancer development or progression.
Androgens act synergistically to enhance estrogen‐induced upregulation of human tissue kallikreins 10, 11, and 14 in breast cancer cells via a membrane bound androgen receptor
Authors: Paliouras Miltiadis , Diamandis Eleftherios P.
Published: January 2008

The regulation of gene expression by steroid hormones plays an important role in the normal development and function of many organs, as well as in the pathogenesis of endocrine‐related cancers, especially breast cancer. However, clinical data suggest that combined testosterone and estrogen treatments on post‐menopausal women increase the risk of breast cancer. Experiments have shown that many, if not all kallikreins are under steroid hormone regulation in breast cancer cell lines. Their implication as prognostic and diagnostic markers has also been well‐documented. Thus, we investigated the effect of combined hormone stimulation with androgens and 17β‐estradiol on the ductal caricinoma cell line BT474. This cell line has been shown to be sensitive to both, androgens (secreting PSA) and estrogens (secreting a number of kallikreins including KLK10, 11, and KLK14). We found that PSA expression was downregulated upon combined hormone stimulation, confirming reports that estrogen can antagonize and block the activity of the androgen receptor. Upon analysis of estrogen‐sensitive kallikreins 10, 11, and 14, all showed to be synergistically enhanced in their expression three‐ to fourfold, upon joint hormone treatment versus individual hormone stimulation. The enhancement is dependent upon the action of androgens as treatment with the androgen receptor antagonist cyproterone actetate normalized the expression of KLK10, 11, and KLK14 to estrogen‐stimulation levels. The synergistic effects between estrogens and androgens on estrogen‐sensitive genes may have implications on the role of the kallikreins in associated risk of breast cancer and progression.
Feeding pregnant rats a protein-restricted diet persistently alters the methylation of specific cytosines in the hepatic PPARα promoter of the offspring
Authors: Lillycrop Karen A. , Phillips Emma S. , Torrens Christopher , Hanson Mark A. , Jackson Alan A. , Burdge Graham C.
Published: January 2008

Induction of an altered phenotype by prenatal under-nutrition involves changes in the epigenetic regulation of specific genes. We investigated the effect of feeding pregnant rats a protein-restricted (PR) diet with different amounts of folic acid on the methylation of individual CpG dinucleotides in the hepatic PPARα promoter in juvenile offspring, and the effect of the maternal PR diet on CpG methylation in adult offspring. Pregnant rats (five per group) were fed 180 g/kg casein (control) or 90 g/kg casein with 1 mg/kg folic acid (PR), or 90 g/kg casein and 5 mg/kg folic acid (PRF). Offspring were killed on postnatal day 34 (five males and females per group) and day 80 (five males per group). Methylation of sixteen CpG dinucleotides in the PPARα promoter was measured by pyrosequencing. Mean PPARα promoter methylation in the PR offspring (4·5 %) was 26 % lower than controls (6·1 %) due to specific reduction at CpG dinucleotides 2 (40 %), 3 (43 %), 4 (33 %) and 16 (48 %) (P < 0·05). There was no significant difference in methylation at these CpG between control and PRF offspring. Methylation of CpG 5 and 8 was higher (47 and 63 %, respectively, P < 0·05) in the PRF offspring than control or PR offspring. The methylation pattern in day 80 PR offspring was comparable to day 34 PR offspring. These data show for the first time that prenatal nutrition induces differential changes to the methylation of individual CpG dinucleotides in juvenile rats which persist in adults.
Low bioavailability of dietary epoxyxanthophylls in humans
Authors: Asai Akira , Yonekura Lina , Nagao Akihiko
Published: January 2008

Epoxyxanthophylls (epoxide-containing xanthophylls), a group of carotenoids, are ubiquitously distributed in edible plants. Among them, neoxanthin in green leafy vegetables and fucoxanthin in brown algae have been reported to exhibit an antiproliferative effect on several human cancer cells in vitro. However, there is little information about the intestinal absorption and metabolic fate of dietary epoxyxanthophylls in humans. To estimate the intestinal absorption of neoxanthin and fucoxanthin in humans, we evaluated the plasma epoxyxanthophyll concentrations before and after 1-week dietary interventions with spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and wakame (Undaria pinnatifida). The epoxyxanthophylls and their metabolites in the plasma extracts were determined by HPLC after partial purification and concentration with solid-phase extraction cartridges. Even after 1 week of spinach intake (3·0 mg neoxanthin/d), the plasma concentrations of neoxanthin and its metabolites (neochrome stereoisomers) remained very low (about 1 nmol/l), whereas those of β-carotene and lutein were markedly increased. Similarly, the plasma concentration of fucoxanthinol, a gastrointestinal metabolite of fucoxanthin, was < 1 nmol/l after 1 week of wakame intake (6·1 mg fucoxanthin/d). These results indicated that the plasma response to dietary epoxyxanthophylls was very low in humans even after 1-week intake of epoxyxanthophyll-rich diets.
Motivation in the Nyāyasūtra and Brahmasiddhi
Authors: FRAMARIN CHRISTOPHER G.
Published: January 2008

One common interpretation of the orthodox Indian prohibition on desire is that it is a prohibition on phenomenologically salient desires. The Nyāyasūtra and Brahmasiddhi seem to support this view. I argue that this interpretation is mistaken. The Vedāntins draw a distinction between counting some fact as a reason for acting (icchā) and counting one's desire (rāga) as a reason for acting, and prohibit the latter. The Naiyāyikas draw a distinction between desiring to avoid some state of affairs (dveṣa) and believing that some state of affairs is unimportant (vairāgya), and advocate the latter. Both deny that the state to which the English word ‘desire’ refers is a necessary condition of acting.
A user's guide to design arguments
Authors: DOUGHERTY TRENT , POSTON TED
Published: January 2008

We argue that there is a tension between two types of design arguments: the fine-tuning argument (FTA) and the biological design argument (BDA). The tension arises because the strength of each argument is inversely proportional to the value of a certain currently unknown probability. Since the value of that probability is currently unknown, we investigate the properties of the FTA and BDA on different hypothetical values of this probability. If our central claim is correct this suggests three results: (1) It is not very plausible that a cumulative case for theism include both the FTA and the BDA (with one possible qualification); (2) Self-organization scenarios do not threaten theism but in fact provide the materials for a good FTA; (3) A plausible design argument of one sort or another (either FTA or BDA) will be available for a wide variety of values of the key probability.
The accessibility property of expansive geodesic flows without conjugate points
Authors: RUGGIERO RAFAEL OSWALDO
Published: January 2008

Let (M,g) be a compact, smooth Riemannian manifold without conjugate points whose geodesic flow is expansive. We show that the geodesic flow of (M,g) has the accessibility property, namely, given two pointsθ1,θ2in the unit tangent bundle, there exists a continuous path joiningθ1,θ2formed by the union of a finite number of continuous curves, each of which is contained either in a strong stable set or in a strong unstable set of the dynamics. Since expansive geodesic flows of compact surfaces have no conjugate points, the accessibility property holds for every two-dimensional expansive geodesic flow.
The singularity spectrum of the fish’s boundary
Authors: BRÉMONT JULIEN , SEURET STÉPHANE
Published: January 2008

Let ${\mathcal M}(\T ^1,T)$ be the convex set of Borel probability measures on the circle $\T ^1$ invariant under the action of the transformation $T:x\mapsto 2x$ (mod 1). Its projection on the complex plane by the application $\mu \mapsto \int e^{2i\pi x}\, d\mu (x)$ is a compact convex subset of the unit disc, symmetric with respect to the x-axis, called the ‘fish’ by Bousch. Seeing the boundary of the upper half-fish as a function, we focus on its local regularity. We show that its multifractal spectrum is concentrated at $\infty $, but that every pointwise regularity $\alpha \in [1,\infty ]$ is realized in an uncountable dense set of points. The results rely on fine properties of Sturm measures.
Genericity in topological dynamics
Authors: HOCHMAN MICHAEL
Published: January 2008

We study genericity of dynamical properties in the space of homeomorphisms of the Cantor set and in the space of subshifts of a suitably large shift space. These rather different settings are related by a Glasner–King type correspondence: genericity in one is equivalent to genericity in the other. By applying symbolic techniques in the shift-space model we derive new results about genericity of dynamical properties for transitive and totally transitive homeomorphisms of the Cantor set. We show that the isomorphism class of the universal odometer is generic in the space of transitive systems. On the other hand, the space of totally transitive systems displays much more varied dynamics. In particular, we show that in this space the isomorphism class of every Cantor system without periodic points is dense and the following properties are generic: minimality, zero entropy, disjointness from a fixed totally transitive system, weak mixing, strong mixing and minimal self joinings. The latter two stand in striking contrast to the situation in the measure-preserving category. We also prove a correspondence between genericity of dynamical properties in the measure-preserving category and genericity of systems supporting an invariant measure with the same property.
Empowering Salafis and Islamists Against Al-Qaeda: A
London Counterterrorism Case Study
Authors: Lambert Robert
Published: January 2008

If it is assessed against an objective of reducing the number of
Muslims recruited or inspired to commit terrorist acts in the name
of al-Qaeda, then the U.S.-led, UK-backed war on terror launched in
the aftermath of 9/11 has failed demonstrably. This
performance-related assessment, as William Tupman and Carina
O'Reilly argue, favors examining counterterrorism experience and the
consistency of government conduct during the war on terror (Tupman
and O'Reilly 2004). Such an approach,
however, tends to expose the disregard the architects of the war on
terror had for counterterrorism experience and policy-makers in the
U.S. or UK have not adopted it in the six years since 9/11.
Performance measurement may be routine in other areas of
government-sponsored activity, but the war on terror has always been
presented as a separate and exceptional activity dealing with an
extraordinary enemy where familiar rules of engagement and
conventional government behavior do not apply. However, in writing
this introduction on 9/11 in 2007, it is apparent that the failure
of the response to the world's most dramatic terrorist attack has
finally become clear to many who supported it for the major part of
its duration. Not that there is a consensus about the nature and
extent of the failure. Nor is there a willingness to look to prior
counterterrorism experience that might have been used to promote a
measured, effective, and counterintuitive response to 9/11. Rather,
notwithstanding moves to re-brand the war on terror in softer tones
with particular emphasis on counterinsurgency “hearts and minds”
approaches (Kilcullen 2006), the sixth
anniversary of 9/11 marks the culmination of a poorly targeted
military led response that has unintentionally boosted al-Qaeda
credibility and recruitment.
Middlemen No More? Emergent Patterns in Congressional Leadership Selection
Authors: Harris Douglas B. , Nelson Garrison
Published: January 2008

For a quarter-century, conservative Republicans have used the “San Francisco liberal” label to place Democrats as outside the American mainstream. Imagine their dismay as the 110thCongress opened in January 2007 and Nancy Pelosi, a San Francisco Democrat well to the left of most of her party, ascended to the podium as speaker of the United States House of Representatives. This was, to be sure, a departure. Traditionally, House Democrats had selected ideological “middlemen” for top leadership posts (Truman 1959), particularly those from the “Austin-Boston alliance” that held unbroken sway in House Democratic leadership selection from the initial teaming of Speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas and Majority Leader John McCormack of Boston in 1940 to that of Tip O'Neill of Boston and Texan Jim Wright in the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, Democrats “almost never” selected “‘Americans for Democratic Action-type’ liberals” as leaders (Peabody 1976, 470).
Who is Nancy Pelosi?
Authors: Rosenthal Cindy Simon , Peters Ronald M.
Published: January 2008

The election of a Democratic majority to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 110thCongress paved the way for Nancy Pelosi of California to become the first woman speaker. As the incumbent Democratic leader, Pelosi was well known on Capitol Hill. Yet as the incoming speaker, and the first woman speaker, she faced the certainty of receiving extensive media scrutiny in the run up to the 2006 election, during the transition period, and during her first year in office. How would she become viewed by the American people? And who would shape the public's perception of her? What role would gender and her status as the historic first woman speaker play in focusing the lens of media attention?
Leading the Senate in the 110th
Congress
Authors: Frisch Scott A. , Kelly Sean Q
Published: January 2008

The 2006 midterm elections were nothing short of stunning.
Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress. More
surprising than Democratic gains in the House were their gains in
the Senate. In order to achieve a majority in the Senate the
Democrats needed to reelect all of their incumbents and elect
Democrats in three out of four competitive states, all of which had
supported George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential elections
(Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, and Virginia). Riding a wave of
public discontent associated with the president's Iraq War policy,
Democrats beat incumbents in Missouri, Montana, and Virginia to take
a slim one-seat majority in the Senate. Democrats organized the
Senate in the 110th Congress, with the support of two
independents—Bernie Sanders (VT) and Independent Democrat Joseph
Lieberman (CT). The authors thank Doug
Harris for encouraging us to pursue this project and including
it in the forum. Our analysis benefits from our separate
experiences as participant-observers in the Senate. While a
Presidential Management Intern, Frisch served in the Senate
Office of Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); Kelly was an APSA
Congressional Fellow and worked for the Senate Democratic
Leadership in the Democratic Policy Committee. nominate
data used in this paper are made available by Keith Poole and
Howard Rosenthal at www.voteview.com. Data on
campaign contributions were supplied by Jamie Pimlott to whom we
owe a debt of gratitude.
All Politics are Still Local: The Iraq War and the 2006
Midterm Elections
Authors: Gartner Scott Sigmund , Segura Gary M.
Published: January 2008

Both scholars and pundits alike have attributed the Democrats'
success in gaining control of the House and Senate in 2006 to their
“nationalization” of the election and their success in connecting
Republican candidates to both the war in Iraq and the highly
unpopular George W. Bush presidency. The “election has been
nationalized around two standards that could not be more unfavorable
to the GOP: an unpopular war and an unpopular president” (Novak
2006). Many have gone so far as to say
that the election results provide evidence that former House Speaker
Tip O'Neil's famous aphorism, “all politics are local,” has been
“swept aside” (Lambro 2006) and does not
apply during wartime. “If one trend emerged this year when 435 House
seats and 33 Senate seats were at stake, it was this: All politics
are not local” (Israel 2006). We would like to thank Francisco I.
Pedraza for his research assistance.
Rural Voters and the Polarization of American Presidential Elections
Authors: McKee Seth C.
Published: January 2008

In political science, urban politics is a well-established subfield. And more recently, suburban political behavior has received a fair amount of attention (Gainsborough 2001; 2005; McKee and Shaw 2003; Oliver 2001). But with a few exceptions (see Francia and Baumgartner 2005–2006; Gimpel and Karnes 2006), the political behavior of rural residents has been conspicuously absent thus far in a growing literature on the political role of place. This is quite surprising given the clamoring in the popular press about “red states” versus “blue states” in the most recent presidential contests. All of the post-presidential election maps that highlight red Republican counties and blue Democratic counties display a sea of red covering the vast swaths of rural, middle America. The ocean of Republican red is enough to make one ask: What's the Matter with Kansas? (Frank 2004)—one of those thinly populated plains states with hardly a glimmer of blue on a county-level map of the 2004 presidential election.
Perceptions of Candidate Character Traits and the
Presidential Vote in 2004
Authors: Prysby Charles
Published: January 2008

Many media pundits explained Bush's victory in the 2004 presidential
election as due in large part to an advantage that he held over
Kerry in personal characteristics or character traits, at least as
perceived by the voters. By these accounts, Kerry was seen by many
voters as aloof, humorless, vacillating, and indecisive. In
contrast, Bush was viewed as warm, authentic, and a strong leader.
Such interpretations were expressed by a wide range of journalists.
For example, New York Times Op-Ed columnist David
Brooks (2004a) claimed that if “… the
Democrats had nominated Dick Gephardt, this election wouldn't be
close, but character is destiny, and Kerry's could be debilitating
…” Also in the New York Times, Kate Zernike and
John Broder (2004) found that in
interviews around the country taken the day after the election, “the
voices of voters … fairly shouted that the outcome was … about a
fundamental question of character.” Leadership was the trait most
commonly cited as one of Bush's strengths. As one voter whom they
interviewed put it, “People say George Bush is a cowboy … People say
he shoots quick … sometimes you have to do that, you have to be
decisive. Kerry never projected that.” Kerry was also faulted for
being dull and uninspiring. Brooks (New York Times2004b) felt that Kerry talked “like a
manager or an engineer.” Others felt that Kerry lacked the personal
warmth or charm that would allow voters to relate to him. Klein
(2006, 221) felt that Kerry “…
remained aloof, a distant figure, a politician in all the worst
senses of the word.” Perhaps the worst insult was hurled by one of
my students, who called Kerry “too professorial.” Author's note: I appreciate the
comments provided by two of my colleagues, David Holian and Greg
McAvoy.
The Importance of Being Early: Presidential Primary
Front-Loading and the Impact of the Proposed Western Regional
Primary
Authors: Ridout Travis N. , Rottinghaus Brandon
Published: January 2008

Every state wants to be “the” state that selects the next president.
Every state wants the attention of the presidential candidates and
wants its voters to have a say in the presidential nomination
process. But since the early 1980s, presidential nomination events
in more and more states have essentially been meaningless as the
parties' nominations have effectively been wrapped up before
citizens have cast their primary ballots or attended their local
caucuses.
Predicting and Dissecting the Seats-Votes Curve in the
2006 U.S. House Election
Authors: Kastellec Jonathan P. , Gelman Andrew , Chandler Jamie P.
Published: January 2008

As the 2006 midterm elections approached, pollsters, scholars, and
journalists attempted to predict whether the Democrats would take
back the House, Senate, or both. Much media attention was paid to
President George W. Bush's declining popularity and the public's
dissatisfaction with the Republican-controlled Congress (see e.g.,
Cook 2006). With most attention paid to
the immediate political dynamics of the campaign, less noticed
(though not entirely neglected) was the fact that the Democrats
faced a significant structural disadvantage in their effort to
retake both houses of Congress. The Democrats faced an uphill battle
to control the Senate simply due to the small number of seats that
were seriously contested. Their hurdle to taking over the House was
subtler but perhaps just as high: as we show here, they needed to
win well over half the vote share in order to have an even chance of
winning 50% of the seats, thereby overcoming a structural advantage
enjoyed by Republicans leading up to Election Day. We thank Gary Jacobson and Walt Borges for
generously sharing their data, Robert Erikson, Eduardo Leoni,
Robert Shapiro, David Epstein, and two anonymous reviewers for
helpful comments, and the National Science Foundation for
financial support. Replication datasets and statistical code are
available at
www.columbia.edu/∼jpk2004/house2006.html.
Diagnosing the Leaky Pipeline: Continuing Barriers to the
Retention of Latinas and Latinos in Political
Science
Authors: Monforti Jessica Lavariega , Michelson Melissa R.
Published: January 2008

Despite comprising a large and increasing proportion of the United
States population—about 14.7%, according to March 2006 Census Bureau
estimates—Latinos continue to be severely underrepresented in
political science, and today comprise less than 2% of the academy
(Census Bureau 2006; Michelson 2007). Increased recent attention to the
issues of recruitment and retention of Latino political scientists
by professional associations such as the American Political Science
Association (APSA) notwithstanding, the number of Latino scholars in
the field continues to lag behind that of other racial and ethnic
groups. But just where in the pipeline does the problem exist? Are
not enough Latinos being recruited for graduate study? Are Latinos
being successfully recruited but then not finishing their degrees?
Or is the leak occurring later in scholars' careers, perhaps between
graduation and tenure? Avalos (1991) noted
that Latinas were particularly underrepresented, with few women
entering or completing Ph.D. programs. More than 16 years later,
does a gender gap persist among Latino political scientists? Do
leaks in the pipeline differ for Latinos and Latinas? These are the
questions that drive this research. An
earlier version of this research was presented at the 2007
Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. We
would like to thank Maria Chavez, Patricia Jamarillo, Lisa
García Bedolla, Celeste Montoya, Luis Fraga, Anna Sampaio, and
Juan Carlos Huerta for their helpful comments, as well as
Michael Jackson and Lilly Montalvo for their research
assistance. We are also indebted to all of the respondents for
their cooperation. All errors, of course, remain our
own.
Survey of African American Portrayal in Introductory
Textbooks in American Government/Politics: A Report of the APSA
Standing Committee on the Status of Blacks in the
Profession
Authors: Wallace Sherri L. , Allen Marcus D.
Published: January 2008

This study surveys recent editions of circulating introductory texts
for teaching American government/politics courses. Most of the major
textbooks used for these courses utilize the traditional
institutional and behavioral approaches to the study of American
government, which have historically treated the African American
political experience as separate from mainstream American politics;
thus, relegating its discussions to a separate chapter on “civil
rights” or “equal rights.” Modeling our textbook reviews after the
APSA Standing Committee on the Status of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals,
and Transgendered in the Profession (Novkov and Gossett 2007) and the non-published 2006 report to
the APSA Standing Committee on the Status of Blacks in the
Profession, we analyze 27 circulating introductory American
government/politics textbooks to examine to what extent African
Americans are integrated into the study of American politics. This report was commissioned and
supported by the American Political Science Association's
Standing Committee on the Status of Blacks in the Profession.
The Committee reviewed earlier drafts and accepted the final
report for publication and distribution. The Committee members
include James Jennings, co-chair (Tufts University); Angela K.
Lewis, co-chair (University of Alabama, Birmingham); Kerry L.
Haynie (Duke University); Alice Jackson (Morgan State
University); Mark Q. Sawyer (University of California, Berkley);
Rogers M. Smith (University of Pennsylvania); Robert Starks
(Northeastern Illinois University); and Toni-Michelle Travis
(George Mason University).
Critical Race Pedagogy: Teaching About Race and Racism
through Legal Learning Strategies
Authors: Alexander-Floyd Nikol
Published: January 2008

Student resistance to learning about race and racism is pervasive and
well-documented. Scholars have noted an array of direct and indirect
resistance tactics. These range from withdrawal from class
discussion or course withdrawal; questioning professorial authority
in classrooms; and verbal and physical harassment and assault
(Painter 2000; Tatum 2001; Tusmith and Reddy 2002;
Lee and Johnson-Bailey 2004). In response,
scholars have developed a variety of pedagogical approaches and
techniques for confronting student resistance and/or providing the
optimal context for teaching on race and other sensitive subjects.
These responses to resistance to learning about race and racism
include, but are not limited to: “frontloading” (i.e., providing a
substantial amount of data establishing the reality of social
inequality at the beginning of the course, and telling students
ahead of time that they will be engaging in difficult subjects, and
to expect discomfort) (Samuels, Fervber, and Herrera 2003); setting ground rules for discussion
to ensure respect in the classroom (Allen, Floyd-Thomas, and Gillman
2001); assigning privilege inventories
and/or other exercises, such as journaling, that encourage
self-examination (Allen, Floyd-Thomas, and Gillman 2001; Sue 2003);
and creating opportunities for self-generated knowledge (e.g.,
assigning interviews on racial topics) (Tatum 2001). Thanks to my two
anonymous reviewers, Gena Chandler, and Emily Satterwhite for
their helpful comments on the manuscript. Also, this work was
presented as a faculty development workshop in 2004 sponsored by
Virginia Tech's Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
and at a panel on teaching and learning at the 2006 Annual
Meeting of the APSA.
Teaching Critical Analysis Skills with Analysis Briefs:
What They are and How They Work
Authors: Alex-Assensoh Yvette M.
Published: January 2008

Critical analysis, which is defined as the reasoned and logical
process of skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing,
synthesizing, and/or evaluating information (Scriven and Paul 2001), is at the heart of the research
process that propels our profession's knowledge-base forward. In
this essay, I describe an effective method that I developed to help
inculcate and hone students' critical analysis skills. Indeed,
critical analysis skills are crucial foundational skills necessary
for all students, especially those who intend to thrive successfully
as researchers in our profession. I am
grateful to A.B. Assensoh, Joan Middendorf and the three
anonymous reviewers, respectively, who offered helpful comments
on earlier versions of this essay.
New Frontiers of Public Administration: The Practice of
Theory and the Theory of Practice
Authors: Lynn Laurence E.
Published: January 2008

The 2007 John Gaus Lecture was presented at the American Political
Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, on August 31,
2007.
Review of: Genetic variation at the CYP19A1 locus predicts circulating estrogen levels but not breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women
Authors: Severi G.
Published: January 2008

Citation of original article:

C. A. Haiman, L. Dossus, V. W. Setiawan, D. O. Stram, A. M. Dunning, G. Thomas, M. J. Thun, D. Albanes, D. Altshuler, E. Ardanaz, H. Boeing, J. Buring, N. Burtt, E. E. Calle, S. Chanock, F. Clavel-Chapelon, G. A. Colditz, D. G. Cox, H. S. Feigelson, S. E. Hankinson, R. B. Hayes, B. E. Henderson, J. N. Hirschhorn, R. Hoover, D. J. Hunter, R. Kaaks, L. N. Kolonel, L. Le Marchand, P. Lenner, E. Lund, S. Panico, P. H. Peeters, M. C. Pike, E. Riboli, A. Tjonneland, R. Travis, D. Trichopoulos, S. Wacholder, R. G. Ziegler. Cancer Research 2007; 67(5): 1893–1897.

Abstract of the original article:

The CYP19A1 gene encodes the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for the final step in the biosynthesis of estrogens. In this study, we used a systematic two-step approach that included gene resequencing and a haplotype-based analysis to comprehensively survey common genetic variation across the CYP19A1 locus in relation to circulating postmenopausal steroid hormone levels and breast cancer risk. This study was conducted among 5,356 invasive breast cancer cases and 7,129 controls comprised primarily of White women of European descent drawn from five large prospective cohorts within the National Cancer Institute Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium. A high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) map of 103 common SNPs (⩾5% frequency) was used to identify the linkage disequilibrium and haplotype patterns across the CYP19A1 locus, and 19 haplotype-tagging SNPs were selected to provide high predictability of the common haplotype patterns. We found haplotype-tagging SNPs and common haplotypes spanning the coding and proximal 5′ region of CYP19A1 to be significantly associated with a 10% to 20% increase in endogenous estrogen levels in postmenopausal women [effect per copy of the two-SNP haplotype rs749292-rs727479 (A-A) versus noncarriers; P = 4.4 × 10(−15)]. No significant associations were observed, however, with these SNPs or common haplotypes and breast cancer risk. Thus, although genetic variation in CYP19A1 produces measurable differences in estrogen levels among postmenopausal women, the magnitude of the change was insufficient to contribute detectably to breast cancer.
Ring Around 1987 Supernova Provides a New Yardstick
Authors: Schwarzschild Bertram
Published: January 2008

The picture at right shows a gaseous ring, 1.37 light-years in diameter, surrounding the remnant of supernova 1987A. This image, taken by the European Space Agency's Faint Object Camera aboard the Hubble Space Telescope, achieves a diffraction-limited resolution of 0.07 arcseconds, despite the Hubble's much lamented spherical aberration.
Will Users Have to Pay Fees?
Authors: Levi Barbara Goss
Published: January 2008

The US has built and operated many large facilities such as the synchrotron radiation facilities for the benefit of public users. These users are not charged for their time on the machines, provided they publish the results of their experiments in the scientific or technical literature. But Congress is now looking at the large expenditures on such user facilities and wondering if more of the costs should be shouldered by users. Thus a provision in the Budget Reconciliation Act instructs the Department of Energy to explore ways “to reasonably increase revenues to the United States through users fees” and report back this spring. The study is to include facilities of all agencies, not just DOE.
Atoms are the New Wave in Interferometers
Authors: Levi Barbara Goss
Published: January 2008

Interferometers based on matter waves are just the kind of precision tools needed to hone the cutting edge of physics. The de Broglie wavelengths of atoms, for example, are about 10 000 times shorter than those of light, and they offer correspondingly greater sensitivity. Electron and neutron interferometers have been around for some time, but atom interferometers have remained just out of grasp.
Brookhaven Starts Building the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider
Authors: Schwarzschild Bertram
Published: January 2008

Brookhaven has finally been allowed to start building RHIC, the relativistic heavy-ion collider designed to occupy the 4-km-circumference tunnel left vacant eight years ago by the cancellation of the Colliding Beam Accelerator project. CBA, née Isabelle, was to have been a 200×200-GeV proton-proton collider, but construction never got beyond the civil engineering stage.