bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reverse of Age-Dependent Memory Impairment and Mitochondrial DNA Damage in Microglia by an Overexpression of Human Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A in Mice
Authors: Hayashi Yoshinori , Yoshida Masayoshi , Yamato Mayumi , Ide Tomomi , Wu Zhou , Ochi-Shindou Mayumi , Kanki Tomotake , Kang Dongchon , Sunagawa Kenji , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Nakanishi Hiroshi
Published: August 2008

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is highly susceptible to injury induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). During aging, mutations of mtDNA accumulate to induce dysfunction of the respiratory chain, resulting in the enhanced ROS production. Therefore, age-dependent memory impairment may result from oxidative stress derived from the respiratory chain. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) is now known to have roles not only in the replication of mtDNA but also its maintenance. We herein report that an overexpression of TFAM in HeLa cells significantly inhibited rotenone-induced mitochondrial ROS generation and the subsequent NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) nuclear translocation. Furthermore, TFAM transgenic (TG) mice exhibited a prominent amelioration of an age-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and a decline in the activities of complexes I and IV in the brain. In the aged TG mice, deficits of the motor learning memory, the working memory, and the hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) were also significantly improved. The expression level of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and mtDNA damages, which were predominantly found in microglia, significantly decreased in the aged TG mice. The IL-1β amount markedly increased in the brain of the TG mice after treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), whereas its mean amount was significantly lower than that of the LPS-treated aged wild-type mice. At the same time, an increased mtDNA damage in microglia and an impaired hippocampal LTP were also observed in the LPS-treated aged TG mice. Together, an overexpression of TFAM is therefore considered to ameliorate age-dependent impairment of the brain functions through the prevention of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions in microglia.
Dissociation between Rewarding and Psychomotor Effects of Opiates: Differential Roles for Glutamate Receptors within Anterior and Posterior Portions of the Ventral Tegmental Area
Authors: Shabat-Simon Maytal , Levy Dino , Amir Alon , Rehavi Moshe , Zangen Abraham
Published: August 2008

The rewarding effects of drugs of abuse are thought to be dependent on the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, which originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projects into the nucleus accumbens (NAC) and other forebrain regions. Heroin, by inhibiting GABAergic interneurons in the VTA, induces local dopaminergic activation and release in the NAC terminals. The role of other basic neurotransmitter systems, such as glutamate in the VTA, in mediating the rewarding effect of addictive drugs, is less established. We explored whether blockade of glutamate receptors in subregions of the VTA modulate the rewarding properties and/or the development of psychomotor changes induced by opiates. Administration of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX; an AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist) into the anterior VTA blocked the rewarding effects of opiates in both the conditioned place preference and the self-administration paradigms without affecting the gradual increase of the psychomotor response to opiates. In contrast, administration of CNQX into the posterior VTA did not affect the rewarding properties of opiates, but blocked the initial sedative effect of opiates and the gradual increase of the psychomotor response to the drug. These findings suggest a critical role for glutamate receptors in the VTA in opiate reward, as well as behavioral and anatomical dissociation between the rewarding and psychomotor effects of opiates.
Mtap2 Is a Constituent of the Protein Network That Regulates Twik-Related K+Channel Expression and Trafficking
Authors: Sandoz Guillaume , Tardy Magalie P. , Thümmler Susanne , Feliciangeli Sylvain , Lazdunski Michel , Lesage Florian
Published: August 2008

Twik-related K+(TREK) channels produce background currents that regulate cell excitability.In vivo, TREK-1 is involved in neuronal processes including neuroprotection against ischemia, general anesthesia, pain perception, and mood. Recently, we demonstrated that A-kinase anchoring protein AKAP150 binds to a major regulatory domain of TREK-1, promoting drastic changes in channel regulation by polyunsaturated fatty acids, pH, and stretch, and by G-protein-coupled receptors to neurotransmitters and hormones. Here, we show that the microtubule-associated protein Mtap2 is another constituent of native TREK channels in the brain. Mtap2 binding to TREK-1 and TREK-2 does not affect directly channel properties but enhances channel surface expression and current density. This effect relies on Mtap2 binding to microtubules. Mtap2 and AKAP150 interacting sites in TREK-1 are distinct and both proteins can dock simultaneously. Their effects on TREK-1 surface expression and activation are cumulative. In neurons, the three proteins are simultaneously detected in postsynaptic dense bodies. AKAP150 and Mtap2 put TREK channels at the center of a complex protein network that finely tunes channel trafficking, addressing, and regulation.
Structural Plasticity of Circuits in Cortical Neuropil
Authors: Escobar Gina , Fares Tarec , Stepanyants Armen
Published: August 2008

Learning and memory formation in the brain depend on the plasticity of neural circuits. In the adult and developing cerebral cortex, this plasticity can result from the formation and elimination of dendritic spines. New synaptic contacts appear in the neuropil where the gaps between axonal and dendritic branches can be bridged by dendritic spines. Such sites are termed potential synapses. Here, we describe a theoretical framework for the analysis of spine remodeling plasticity. We provide a quantitative description of two models of spine remodeling in which the presence of a bouton is either required or not for the formation of a new synapse. We derive expressions for the density of potential synapses in the neuropil, the connectivity fraction, which is the ratio of actual to potential synapses, and the number of structurally different circuits attainable with spine remodeling. We calculate these parameters in mouse occipital cortex, rat CA1, monkey V1, and human temporal cortex. We find that, on average, a dendritic spine can choose among 4–7 potential targets in rodents and 10–20 potential targets in primates. The potential of neuropil for structural circuit remodeling is highest in rat CA1 (7.1–8.6 bits/μm3) and lowest in monkey V1 (1.3–1.5 bits/μm3). We also evaluate the lower bound of neuron selectivity in the choice of synaptic partners. Postsynaptic excitatory neurons in rodents make synaptic contacts with >21–30% of presynaptic axons encountered with new spine growth. Primate neurons appear to be more selective, making synaptic connections with >7–15% of encountered axons.
A Mechanism Distinct from Highwire for theDrosophilaUbiquitin Conjugase Bendless in Synaptic Growth and Maturation
Authors: Uthaman Smitha B. , Godenschwege Tanja A. , Murphey Rodney K.
Published: August 2008

The signaling mechanisms that allow the conversion of a growth cone into a mature and stable synapse are yet to be completely understood. Ubiquitination plays key regulatory roles in synaptic development and may be involved in this process. Previous studies identified theDrosophilaubiquitin conjugasebendless(ben) to be important for central synapse formation, but the precise role it plays has not been elucidated. Our studies indicate that Ben plays a pivotal role in synaptic growth and maturation. We have determined that an incipient synapse is present with a high penetrance inbenmutants, suggesting that Ben is required for a developmental step after target recognition. We used cell-autonomous rescue experiments to show that Ben has a presynaptic role in synapse growth. We then harnessed the TARGET system to transiently express UAS (upstream activating sequence)–benin abenmutant background and identified a well defined critical period for Ben function in establishing a full-grown, mature synaptic terminal. We demonstrate that the protein must be present at a time point before but not during the actual growth process. We also provide phenotypic evidence demonstrating that Ben is not a part of the signal transduction pathway involving the well characterized ubiquitin ligasehighwire. We conclude that Bendless functions as a novel developmental switch that permits the transition from axonal growth and incipient synapse formation to synaptic growth and maturation in the CNS.
Population Coding of Reward Magnitude in the Orbitofrontal Cortex of the Rat
Authors: van Duuren Esther , Lankelma Jan , Pennartz Cyriel M. A.
Published: August 2008

Although single-cell coding of reward-related information in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) has been characterized to some extent, much less is known about the coding properties of orbitofrontal ensembles. We examined population coding of reward magnitude by performing ensemble recordings in rat OFC while animals learned an olfactory discrimination task in which various reinforcers were associated with predictive odor stimuli. Ensemble activity was found to represent information about reward magnitude during several trial phases, namely when animals moved to the reward site, anticipated reward during an immobile period, and received it. During the anticipation phase, Bayesian and template-matching reconstruction algorithms decoded reward size correctly from the population activity significantly above chance level (highest value of 43 and 48%, respectively; chance level, 33.3%), whereas decoding performance for the reward delivery phase was 76 and 79%, respectively. In the anticipation phase, the decoding score was only weakly dependent on the size of the neuronal group participating in reconstruction, consistent with a redundant, distributed representation of reward information. In contrast, decoding was specific for temporal segments within the structure of a trial. Decoding performance steeply increased across the first few trials for every rewarded odor, an effect that could not be explained by a nonspecific drift in response strength across trials. Finally, when population responses to a negative reinforcer (quinine) were compared with sucrose reinforcement, coding in the delivery phase appeared to be related to reward quality, and thus was not based on ingested liquid volume.
On the Construction of Passive Models from Frequency Response Data (Konstruktion passiver Modelle auf der Basis von Frequenzbereichsdaten)
Authors: Antoulas Athanasios C.
Published: August 2008

In many situations where linear models need to be fitted to measured data, the requirement arises that the resulting model be stable and passive. One such application is model construction from S-parameter measurements. In this note we present an interpolation based method for the direct construction of stable and passive models from frequency response data.
Impedance Identification by POD Model Reduction Techniques (Impedanz-Identifikation mittels POD Modellreduktion)
Authors: Volkwein Stefan , Hepberger Achim
Published: August 2008

Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is a powerful technique for model reduction of nonlinear systems. It is based on a Galerkin type discretization with basis elements created from the nonlinear system itself. In this paper an identification problem arising in car vehicle acoustics is considered. To estimate the impedance from point-wise sound pressure values the identification problem is formulated in terms of an optimal control problem, which is solved by a globalized quasi-Newton method. For the efficient and fast numerical realization, a POD based model reduction is utilized.
Crystal structure of MCM-71 – a new zeolite in the mordenite group
Authors: Dorset Douglas L. , Roth Wieslaw J. , Kennedy Gordon J. , Dhingra Sandeep S.
Published: August 2008

The crystal structure of the aluminosilicate, MCM-71, was determined by a match of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern to one calculated from a theoretically predicted framework model. The unit cell contains 48 T-sites and 96 framework oxygens, where T = 41.1 Si, 6.9 Al. It crystallizes in space group Cmca, a = 7.4422(2), b = 18.5324(5), c = 19.1877(5) Å. The framework contains an elliptical 10-membered ring channel (4.3 × 6.5 Å) and an orthogonal undulating 8-membered ring channel (3.6 × 4.7 Å) to constitute a two-dimensional network of channels. Considering the aluminosilicate framework as a silicate, the crystal density is 1.77 g/cm3 and the T-site framework density is 17.8 T/1000 A3. The structure was refined against Debye-Scherrer and Bragg-Brentano powder synchrotron data by the Rietveld procedure. While non-framework oxygen atoms, consistent with water content, could be justified by TGA measurements, it was not possible to derive an accurate extra-framework model using synchrotron data from hydrated specimens. Refinement against powder data from an anhydrous specimen subsequently detected the presence of extra-framework aluminum, identified also by solid state NMR measurements.
Tracking an Imposed Beat within a Metrical Grid
Authors: Repp Bruno H. , Iversen John R. , Patel Aniruddh D.
Published: August 2008

RHYTHMIC STRUCTURE OFTEN FAVORS a particular beat that is marked by frequent tone onsets and grouping accents. Using rhythms similar to those of Povel and Essens (1985), we asked musically trained participants to tap on physically or mentally imposed beats that either coincided with the favored beat or were phase-shifted relative to it. Surprisingly, tapping was equally stable. Actually, variability tended to be lowest when the imposed beat was in anti-phase with the favored beat; however, this tendency was reversed when participants were instructed to tap in anti-phase with the beat. These results demonstrate that precise on-beat synchronization with different imposed beats can be achieved by locking into the metrical grid defined by a rhythm's basic pulse. The favored beat provides the most stable reference for off-beat tapping but not necessarily for onbeat tapping, which relies to a greater extent on intervening rhythm tones as temporal references.
Voice And Stream: Perceptual And Computational Modeling Of Voice Separation
Authors: Cambouropoulos Emilios
Published: August 2008

LISTENERS ARE THOUGHT TO BE CAPABLE of perceiving multiple voices in music. This paper presents different views of what 'voice' means and how the problem of voice separation can be systematically described, with a view to understanding the problem better and developing a systematic description of the cognitive task of segregating voices in music. Well-established perceptual principles of auditory streaming are examined and then tailored to the more specific problem of voice separation in timbrally undifferentiated music. Adopting a perceptual view of musical voice, a computational prototype is developed that splits a musical score (symbolic musical data) into different voices. A single 'voice' may consist of one or more synchronous notes that are perceived as belonging to the same auditory stream. The proposed model is tested against a small dataset that acts as ground truth. The results support the theoretical viewpoint adopted in the paper.
The combined low-dose dexamethasone suppression corticotropin-releasing hormone test as a tool to rule out Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Reimondo Giuseppe , Bovio Silvia , Allasino Barbara , De Francia Silvia , Zaggia Barbara , Micossi Ilaria , Termine Angela , De Martino Francesca , Paccotti Piero , Di Carlo Francesco , Angeli Alberto , Terzolo Massimo
Published: August 2008

Objective

It remains to be evaluated whether the combined low-dose dexamethasone suppression corticotropin-releasing hormone test (LDDST-CRH test) may add to the diagnostic approach of patients suspected to have Cushing's syndrome (CS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the LDDST-CRH test may have a place in the diagnostic strategy of CS.

Design

Prospective evaluation of a consecutive series of patients with suspected CS from 2004 to 2006.

Methods

All the subjects underwent the same screening protocol including 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test, 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFC), and midnight serum cortisol, followed by the LDDST-CRH test whose results were not used to establish a definitive diagnosis. Plasma dexamethasone concentration was measured 2 h after the last dose of dexamethasone. Patients qualified for CS when at least two screening tests were positive.

Results

Sixteen patients had CS while in the remaining 15 subjects CS was excluded. Even if not statistically significant, the sensitivity and the negative predictive value of the cortisol 15 min after CRH were better than the other tests; on the other hand, the test specificity was lower. All of the patients classified as indeterminate were correctly diagnosed by the LDDST-CRH test. Nevertheless, the repeated assessment of the screening tests and the active follow-up gave the same correct results. In all of the patients misclassified by the LDDST-CRH test, the plasma dexamethasone concentrations were in the normal range.

Conclusions

Based on our findings, we suggest that the LDDST-CRH test may still find a place as a rule-out procedure in patients who present with indeterminate results after screening and may be unavailable to repeat testing during follow-up.
Vesicle-associated protein 1: a novel ovarian immunocontraceptive target in the common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula
Authors: Nation A , Cui S , Selwood L
Published: August 2008

Ovarian-based immunological research is currently restricted to proteins of the zona pellucida. This study examined the immunocontraceptive potential of a novel vesicle-associated protein, VAP1, previously isolated from the vesicle-rich hemisphere of the brushtail possum oocyte. Seven female possums were immunized against recombinant glutathione S-transferase-VAP1 fusion protein. Control animals (n=3) received antigen-free vaccinations. Following immunization, regular blood sampling determined the level and duration of immune response. Animals were monitored daily, pre- and post-immunization, to determine estrous cycling activity and the percentage of reproductive cycles yielding viable young. The reproductive tracts and somatic organs of VAP1-immunized (n=7), control-immunized (n=3) and non-immunized (n=5) animals were collected and examined by histology and transmission electron microscopy. VAP1 immunization caused a strong and sustained immune response. Elevated levels of VAP1 antibody binding were detected in sera following initial injections, and immune titers rose as boosters were administered. Immunization had no adverse effect upon animal behavior or body condition. Immunized females demonstrated no major change in annual estrous cycling activity; however, the percentage of reproductive cycles resulting in pouch young decreased significantly (P<0.05) by 40%. Histological and ultrastructural analyses revealed an abundance of lipid-like degradation bodies within the ooplasm of developing oocytes and the cytoplasm of failing uterine zygotes. Active macrophage invasion of enlarged endometrial glands was observed in the uteri of two females. Reproductive tract changes are discussed in relation to observed fertility decline. The results of this study indicate that VAP1 has exciting potential as an immunocontraceptive target for possum control in New Zealand.
Retinoid X receptor beta (RXRB) expression in Sertoli cells controls cholesterol homeostasis and spermiation
Authors: Vernet Nadège , Dennefeld Christine , Klopfenstein Muriel , Ruiz Alberto , Bok Dean , Ghyselinck Norbert B , Mark Manuel
Published: August 2008

Somatic, targeted inactivation of the retinoid X receptor beta gene (Rxrb) in Sertoli cells (SC; yielding RxrbSer−/− mutants) leads to failure of spermatid release, accumulation of cholesterol esters and, subsequently, testis degeneration. These abnormalities are identical, in their nature and kinetics, to those observed upon inactivating Rxrb in the whole organism, thereby demonstrating that all reproductive functions of RXRB are carried out in SC. The RxrbSer−/− testis degeneration is a consequence of a cholesterol ester cell overload occurring in SC in response to reduced ABCA1- and SCARB1-mediated cholesterol efflux. The failure of spermiation was also reported in mice lacking the retinoic acid (RA) receptor-α (RARA) in SC (RaraSer−/− mutants) and represents, in addition, a feature of vitamin A deficiency that can be readily induced in mice lacking the lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (Lrat−/− mutants). Altogether, these findings support the conclusion that RXRB heterodimerized with a RA-liganded RARA transduces signals required in SC for spermatid release.
Common malformations in fetopathological investigations between 1995 and 2006. Accuracy of ultrasonography confirmed by post mortem investigations
Authors: Joó József Gábor , Beke Artúr , Rab Attila , Csaba Ákos , Berkes Enikő , Papp Zoltán , Papp Csaba , Rigó János
Published: August 2008

A fetopatológiai vizsgálat nagy jelentőségű, hiszen egy következő terhesség vállalásának szempontjait szem előtt tartva az előfordult rendellenesség ismétlődésének kockázatait (is) hivatott megítélni.Célkitűzés:A szerzők tanulmányuk céljaként az ultrahang-diagnosztika hatékonyságának a fetopatológiai vizsgálatok eredményei alapján történő megítélését, elemzését határozták meg a nagyobb prevalenciájú fejlődési rendellenességek tekintetében.Módszer:Vizsgálataik során az 1995–2006 között a klinikán előfordult 683, központi idegrendszert, szív- és érrendszert, húgyúti rendszert, csontvázrendszert, illetve hasfalat/mellkasfalat érintő rendellenességgel járó terhesség adatait dolgozták fel.Eredmények:Szignifikáns különbség az anyai életkor, illetve a diagnózis felállításakor meghatározható gesztációs kor főbb statisztikai jellemzői kapcsán nem volt igazolható. A központi idegrendszert, a cardiovascularis rendszert, valamint a vázrendszert érintő malformációk egynegyedében, míg a húgyúti, illetve hasfalat/mellkasfalat érintő rendellenességek egyhatodában valamilyen terhelő előzményi adat fellelhető volt. A húgyúti, valamint cardiovascularis malformációk fiúmagzatokban lényegesen gyakoribbak voltak, ugyanakkor a központi idegrendszer, illetve a hasfal/mellkasfal rendellenességei esetén mérsékelt leánytúlsúly volt megfigyelhető. A vizsgált öt rendellenesség-csoportból négyben a post mortem vizsgálat eredményének teljesen megfelelő szonográfiai kórismék aránya 70% körül vagy a felett alakult, a húgyúti rendellenesség kapcsán azonban számottevően alacsonyabbnak (38%) bizonyult. A teljes minta alapján a szonográfiai és fetopatológiai diagnózisok teljes egyezésével járó esetek (A csoport) összesített aránya több mint 63%-nak, míg az ezektől való eltéréssel járó terhességek aránya (C csoport) 18%-nak bizonyult. Az ultrahangvizsgálat és a post mortem vizsgálat során nyert diagnózisok részleges egyezésével járó esetek (B csoport) aránya szintén 18%-nak bizonyult.Következtetések:A gyakran következményesen kevesebb magzatvízzel járó húgyúti fejlődési rendellenességek esetén genetikai centrumban történő (akár többszöri) szonográfiai vizsgálat indokolt. Mivel az omphalokele és a kromoszóma-rendellenességek társulási hajlama ismert, annak tükrében, hogy az omphalokelés esetek egy része gastroschisisként kerül kórismézésre, tanácsos lehet a kromoszómavizsgálat elvégzése az ultrahangvizsgálattal gastroschisisként diagnosztizált esetekben is. VSD esetei kapcsán javasolt a magasabb kockázatú terhességekben az echokardiográfiás vizsgálat minden konkrét általános ultrahang-diagnosztikai eltérés nélküli elvégzése.
Late postinfarction rupture of the interventricular septum
Authors: Rashed Aref , Vígh András , Németh Zoltán , Feiler Erzsébet , Alotti Nasri , Simon József
Published: August 2008

A posztinfarktusos kamrai septumruptura az akut myocardialis infarctus szövődményeként alakul ki az esetek 1–2%-ában, és a korai mortalitás 5%-át okozza. Ez a súlyos szövődmény általában két héten belül alakul ki az infarktust követően, és az idősebb betegeket érinti. Beszámolónk egy későn kialakult septumdefektusról szól.
Esetismertetés:
A 75 éves férfi betegben a kamrai septumruptura több mint 2 hónappal egy kiterjedt inferoseptalis myocardialis infarctus után alakult ki, amely a jobb coronaria elzáródása következtében jött létre. A beteg több mint 2 hónapos tünetmentességet követően az infarktus után ismét kórházi felvételre került jobbszívfél-elégtelenség tünetei miatt. A diagnózist az echokardiográfia, az arteria pulmonalis katéterezése és ventrikulográfia biztosította. Koronarográfia is történt. A beteget intraaortikus ballonpumpa védelmében szállítottuk a műtőbe. A septumdefektust kör alakú politetrafluoroetilén folttal zártuk, amelyet teflon-ellen-teflon öltésekkel varrtunk a defektus pereméhez. A szignifikáns mitralisbillentyű-elégtelenség miatt mitralis pozícióba kétlemezes, mechanikus műbillentyűt implantáltunk a teljes billentyűapparátus megtartásával, a bal elülső leszálló coronariaágat vena saphena felhasználásával revascularizáltuk.
Következtetés:
Az eset kapcsán fontos hangsúlyoznunk, hogy lezajlott myocardialis infarctus esetén, amennyiben a beteg később jobbszívfél-elégtelenség tüneteivel kerül felvételre, gondolni kell a késői kamrai septumdefektus kialakulásának lehetőségére.
Eigenfactor: a recent opportunity of measuring scientific journals
Authors: Gracza Tünde
Published: August 2008

A tudományos folyóiratok értékelésének számos módja létezik. Közülük a legismertebbek talán a közlemények hivatkozásaiból kiinduló, a Thomson Scientific által közreadott impaktfaktorlisták és a Schubert András által bemutatott Hirsch-index folyóiratokra. A publikációkra történt hivatkozások számának elemzése már hosszú ideje a legelfogadottabb módja az értékelésnek és a tudományban elfoglalt hely kifejezésének. Az így kapott rangsorok rendkívül fontosak a kutatók számára, amikor azt szeretnék eldönteni, hová is küldjék publikációikat. Napjainkban Carl Bergstrom egy új lehetőséget mutatott be, az Eigenfaktort. Az Eigenfaktor a Google keresőmotor működéséhez hasonló módon rangsorolja a tudományos folyóiratokat. Kiszámításakor nem marad ki egyetlen forrás sem azok közül, amelyek munkája során a kutató látószögébe kerültek. Lehetséges, hogy a tudománymetriában a következő évtizedtől már az Eigenfaktoré lesz a vezető szerep?
Faunas and Cambrian volcanism on the Avalonian marginal platform, southern New Brunswick
Authors: Landing Ed , Johnson Susan C. , Geyer Gerd
Published: August 2008

The Cambrian inlier at Beaver Harbour, southern New Brunswick, is now confidently referred to the marginal platform of the late Proterozoic–Early Paleozoic Avalon microcontinent. The sub-trilobitic Lower Cambrian Chapel Island and Random Formations are unconformably overlain by the mafic volcanic-dominated Wade's Lane Formation (new). Late Early Cambrian trilobites and small shelly taxa in the lowest Wade's Lane demonstrate a long Random–Wade's Lane hiatus (middle Terreneuvian–early Branchian). Latest Early–middle Middle Cambrian pyroclastic volcanism produced a volcanic edifice at Beaver Harbour that is one of three known volcanic centers that extended 550 km along the northwest margin of Avalon. Middle Middle Cambrian sea-level rise, probably in theParadoxides eteminicusChron, mantled the extinct volcanics with gray-green mudstone and limestone of the Fossil Brook Member. Black, dysoxic mudstone of the upper Manuels River Formation (upper Middle Cambrian,P. davidisZone) is the youngest Cambrian unit in the Beaver Harbour inlier.Lapworthella cornu(Wiman, 1903) emend., a senior synonym of the genotypeL. nigra(Cobbold, 1921),Hyolithellus sinuosusCobbold, 1921, and probablyAcrothyra seraMatthew, 1902a, range through the ca. 8 m.y. of the trilobite-bearing upper Lower Cambrian, andH. sinuosusandA. serapersist into the middle Middle Cambrian.Lapworthella cornuandH. sinuosusreplaced the tropical taxaL. schodackensis(Lochman, 1956) andH. micansBillings, 1872, in cool-water Avalon.
Disturbance and the rising tide: the challenge of biodiversity management on low‐island ecosystems
Authors: Ross Michael S , O'Brien Joseph J , Ford R Glenn , Zhang Keqi , Morkill Anne
Published: August 2008

Sea‐level rise presents an imminent threat to freshwater‐dependent ecosystems on small oceanic islands, which often harbor rare and endemic taxa. Conservation of these assemblages is complicated by feedbacks between sea level and recurring pulse disturbances (eg hurricanes, fire). Once sea level reaches a critical level, the transition from a landscape characterized by mesophytic upland forests and freshwater wetlands to one dominated by mangroves can occur suddenly, following a single storm‐surge event. We document such a trajectory, unfolding today in the Florida Keys. With sea level projected to rise substantially during the next century, ex‐situ actions may be needed to conserve individual species of special concern. However, within existing public conservation units, managers have a responsibility to conserve extant biodiversity. We propose a strategy that combines the identification and intensive management of the most defensible core sites within a broader reserve system, in which refugia for biota facing local extirpation may be sought.
Case Studies of Emulsion Behavior at Reservoir Conditions
Authors: Kokal Sunil , Al-Dokhi Mohammad
Published: August 2008

Most emulsion studies are conducted with depressurized crude/water samples. Can emulsions form in the reservoir at high pressures and high temperatures? Generally, the answer to this question is anecdotal. This paper provides a unique method and new data from emulsion studies at high pressures and high temperatures. Two case studies are presented in which emulsions were suspected to be the cause of production challenges in several wells. The experiments were conducted in a special visual pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) cell with the capability of observing emulsion phase behavior at reservoir conditions. The effects of several variables on emulsion behavior were investigated, including shear, pressure, temperature, water cuts, and asphaltene-precipitation tendency of the crude.

The first case study is in a field that produces tight emulsions. The results of this study indicate that emulsions can form at reservoir conditions, with mixing, especially if the crude has a tendency to precipitate asphaltenes. The new data suggest that emulsion behavior is linked closely to the presence of fine solids through in-situ dynamic precipitation of organic solids (asphaltenes) and inorganic salts (scales) as well as through fines migration in the reservoir. In the second case study, a series of emulsion tests was performed on bottomhole and wellhead samples from several wells. The results suggest that the emulsions are relatively loose at bottomhole conditions but become progressively tighter with a reduction in pressure and temperature. The tightness of the emulsions was linked to fine solids that stabilize them. These include primarily calcite and sulfur-rich heavy hydrocarbons like asphaltenes, with trace amounts of silicates (clays and/or fine-grained silica), iron-rich precipitates, and barite.
Effects of Goal Priming and Motive-Goal Congruence on Goal-Related Dreaming
Authors: Langens Thomas A.
Published: August 2008

The present research tested the effects of goal priming and motive-goal congruence on goal-related dream recall. Based on Klinger's induction principle, it was hypothesized that dreams related to a personal goal are most likely to occur when the goal has been primed and when the goal is congruent with a person's implicit motivational needs. Participants reported the most important goal they were currently pursuing and completed a TAT-like measure of implicit motives. Before going to sleep, participants either elaborated fantasies related to their most important goal (goal priming condition) or memories related to their first day of school (school priming condition). Dream reports were collected immediately upon awakening. Results showed that goal priming increased the amount of goal-related dreaming, relative to school priming. However, this effect was most pronounced for participants who pursued a goal which was congruent with their implicit motives.
Cognitive Differences in Dream Content between English Males and Females Attending Dream Seminars Using Quantitative Content Analysis
Authors: Tartz Robert S. , Baker Richard C. , Krippner Stanley
Published: August 2008

This study investigated if dream content differences exist between male and female dreamers in England. One most recent dream report was collected from each of the 100 male and 100 female research participants during dream seminars and a dream research project held in England between 1990 and 2004. The Hall-Van de Castle System of Content Analysis (1966) was used to score each dream report. Major findings showed that English males scored significantly higher on the Aggression/Friendliness index compared to English females. By contrast, English females reported a significantly higher Physical Aggression index compared to males. Females also reported a much higher Bodily Misfortunes percentage compared to males. Although some findings were similar to past studies using American participants, others were unique to this study and may be attributable to the particular sample used in this study (dream seminar attendees), or may suggest actual underlying cultural patterns of contemporary English men and women.
Spiritual Touchstones: Childhood Spiritual Experience in the Development of Influential Historic and Contemporary Figures
Authors: Hart Tobin , Ailoae Catalin
Published: August 2008

A surprising number of influential historic as well as contemporary figures describe spiritual experiences and capacities in childhood that profoundly shaped their development. This article describes five general types of these experiences through the autobiographical accounts of significant figures. Understanding these phenomena may help us recognize heretofore largely unacknowledged influences on development.
Exploring Opportunities to Project a “Responsible Man” Image: Gatekeepers Views of Young Men's Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs in Uttaranchal, India
Authors: Khan M. E. , Mishra Anurag , Morankar Sudhakar
Published: August 2008

Increase in extramarital sex among youths, gender-based violence, lack of contraceptive knowledge among newly married couples and lack of knowledge of protection against diseases like STIs/HIV are the information and service needs of young people that need to be addressed urgently in order to make them future knowledgeable, responsible, and non-violent partners. In addressing these needs the gatekeepers, including parents, formal and informal community leaders and teachers, play a critical role, by facilitating/hindering access to appropriate and correct information about sexual and reproductive health to young people. The study was conducted in a district of Uttaranchal, India. The specific objective was to understand the social context and gatekeepers' views on family planning and sexual and reproductive health needs of young men. Thirty-two in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions were conducted with parents, formal and informal community leaders, teachers, and selected development officials. The findings indicate that gatekeepers are worried about rapid changes in the aspiration, expectation, and behavior of young men. Most of them were seriously concerned about the increasing drinking habit, use of drugs, and changing values of sexuality leading to various risk behaviors among young men. They felt that many of these changes are consequences of wider societal changes, rising aspirations, explosion of electronic media, and globalization of a new youth culture where extramarital sex, alcohol consumption, and violence are expressions of different facets of masculinity and symbols of the affluent class. Overall, there was a feeling that TV/films and their peers now influence more the socialization of young people and parents are losing control in guidance and mentoring of their children.
Community Participation to Refine Measures of Socio-Economic Status in Urban Slum Settings in Kenya
Authors: Ngongo Carrie Jane , Mathingau Florence Alice , Burke Heather , Brieger William , Frick Kevin , Chapman Kimberly , Breiman Robert
Published: August 2008

Ownership of household durable assets can be a useful proxy for determining relative socio-economic status in a community, but the assets that should be measured are not always unambiguous. Often the selection of asset variables has been ad hoc or not well explained in the literature. Although the benefits of conducting focus groups to design surveys are widely recognized, the use of focus groups to adapt community-specific asset indices has not previously been reported in Kenya. This article describes how focus group discussions can allow communities to express how residents value assets and distinguish relative wealth. Focus group discussions were conducted within the informal urban settlement of Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. Participants identified assets that distinguish between the poorest and the least poor in their community. They considered whether they would move away from the slum if they had the opportunity, and many would not, citing reasons ranging from loyalty to the community to greater living expenses on the outside. Local perceptions of relative poverty and mobility provide insight into how quality of life in this setting can be assessed and potentially improved. Moreover, a qualitative approach can lead to the adaptation of a community asset index for use in further research.
Gender and Arrack Drinking among Muslim, Hindu, Santal, and Oraon Communities in North-Western Villages of Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Md. Emaj
Published: August 2008

Arrack, indigenously fermented from palm and date juice, is locally known as tari and commonly consumed by socio-culturally lower economic groups of all communities in northwestern villages of Bangladesh. This study examines and compares gender dimensions of arrack drinking pattern in association with respective community religiosity, and socio-cultural and gender statuses among the Muslims, Hindu, Santal, and Oraon drinkers in the Mongaltara, Akkelpur, Sherpur, and Ekrapara villages of Rasulpur Union of Bangladesh. A total of 391 respondents (Muslim, n = 109, Hindu, n = 103, Santal, n = 89, and Oraon, n = 90) with males and females selected by simple random sampling were intensively interviewed singly by semi-structured questionnaire. The results reveal that there are differences in arrack drinking patterns not only in gender norms, but also among the overall communities. It is argued that a respective community's religiosity, gender norms, and drinker's personality and attitude, and socio-cultural pressure and stress directly influence arrack drinking patterns.
The Effect of Honesty and Superior Authority on Budget Proposals
Authors: Rankin Frederick W. , Schwartz Steven T. , Young Richard A.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT: Research in budgeting suggests that subordinates may exhibit economically significant degrees of honesty, in spite of pecuniary incentives to do otherwise. This study continues the exploration of honesty in budgeting along two dimensions. First, unlike prior experiments, we measure the incremental effect of honesty by manipulating whether budget requests are made in the form of a factual assertion. Second, prior designs may have emphasized the ethical dimension of budgeting by granting the subordinate wide discretion over setting the budget, whereas we manipulate whether the subordinate or the superior has final authority over setting the budget. We find that less slack is created when budget communication requires a factual assertion in the subordinate authority treatment, but not when the superior has final authority. Hence, we find an incremental effect of honesty only when the subordinate has final authority. We conjecture, and provide some evidence, that this is due to subordinates framing the superior authority situation as one of negotiation where each party acts in his or her self-interest, rather than as an ethical dilemma. This view, that budgeting is essentially devoid of ethical considerations, is consistent with some recent characterizations of budget practices.
Determinants and Consequences of Firm Information Technology Budgets
Authors: Kobelsky Kevin W. , Richardson Vernon J. , Smith Rodney E. , Zmud Robert W.
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT: For most firms, the information technology (IT) budget represents a major element in the overall firm budget, and IT budget decisions often have significant operational and strategic impacts on the business processes in the firm’s value chain. In this paper we use a large unique data set to examine the extent to which IT budgets are affected by environmental, organizational, and technological circumstances. We find that our cross-sectional model explains substantial variance in IT budgets, which indicates that contingent environmental, organizational, and technological factors affect managers’ budget decisions. We then examine the extent to which these IT budget levels are related to future firm performance, measured using both broad financial accounting measures, such as operating profit margins and return on assets, and market returns. We find that IT budget levels are positively associated with subsequent firm performance and shareholder returns. We further suggest that IT’s aggregate effect on performance is a weighted average of two very different components: (1) context-driven IT budget levels, which reflect the effects of environmental, organization, and technological factors and the IT budgets resulting from them, and (2) idiosyncratic IT budget levels, which reflect the effect of any marginal firm-specific IT budget expenditures after controlling for these contextual factors. Both components are positively associated with performance, indicating that the specified contextual factors provide an incomplete explanation of firms’ value-relevant IT expenditures. The current study contributes to the accounting information systems and management accounting literatures by assessing the causes and consequences of IT budgets.
Accounting Disclosures of Toxics Release Inventory for 2002
Authors: Freedman Martin , Stagliano A. J.
Published: August 2008

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), published annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, contains a rich collection of data about hazardous chemical emissions of American industrial facilities. Mandated by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, the TRI is a novel attempt at stimulating pollution control through self-reported disclosure of environmental degradation activities. TRI data are collected and reported at the level of the emitting plant. For each reporting location, information is given by chemical type. This study attempts to determine whether mandated TRI disclosures are carried over to financial reports and other publicly available sources of information about the firm's performance.

We examined disclosures of the 200 highest-volume emitters of toxic chemical wastes for 2002 and found no correlation between the level of such releases—as reported in the TRI—and extensiveness of company reporting in non-TRI sources. Separately, we tested for a relationship between the volume of carcinogenic compounds released and financial statement disclosure by these same firms. We found none. Larger companies in our sample (measured by asset size) did appear to be better reporters of their emissions in non-TRI sources than their smaller counterparts in the study.

Companies have little motivation to provide an aggregation of the plant-level data they produce for the TRI. The evidence developed in this research is that stakeholders are not supplied with decision-relevant company-wide data regarding TRI-included data. Since firms do not disclose these data, we believe that the usefulness of the TRI would be significantly enhanced if each emitting facility were identified by its highest corporate-level owner.
Per Âa Asa Hilliard: The Great House of Black Light for Educational Excellence
Authors: Nobles Wade W.
Published: August 2008

This interpretive review draws on a number of Asa G. Hilliard’s Kemetic (ancient Egyptian) writings to examine his conception of educational excellence in ancient Kemet and for African American education today. The review offers an interpretation of Hilliard’s lifelong quest for excellence in education, which is especially revealed in his analysis of the educational implications of Black rulership of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, in the chapter entitled “Waset: The Eye of Ra and the Abode of Maat—The Pinnacle of Black Leadership in the Ancient World.”
Synthesis and characterization of a salt‐resisting superabsorbent based on poly(acrylic acid) with sodium tungstate as a crosslinker
Authors: Liu Chang‐Ying , Zhang Ming‐Jie , Zhu Jie , Ma Shan‐Shan
Published: August 2008

A novel salt‐resistant superabsorbent polymer was synthesized by solution polymerization from the monomer acrylic acid (AA) with potassium persulfate as the initiator. Sodium tungstate was first employed as a crosslinker in the preparation to achieve a better crosslinked polymer (WPAA). In addition to the xerogel WPAA, sodium hydroxide and tris(2‐hydroxyethyl)amine (TEA) were introduced for the preparation of WPAA–sodium and WPAA–TEA hydrogels, respectively. The effect on the water absorbency of factors such as the reaction temperature, degree of neutralization of AA, and amounts of the crosslinker sodium tungstate and the initiator were investigated. The crosslinked xerogels were characterized with infrared spectroscopy. These crosslinked superabsorbent composites with sodium tungstate were characterized with thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The water absorbencies of these superabsorbent composites in water and saline solutions were investigated. Results obtained from this study showed that under the same synthesis conditions, in comparison with superabsorbent composites with an aluminum salt as a crosslinker and styrene as a graft copolymer, the salt resistance of the superabsorbent composite synthesized with sodium tungstate as a crosslinker was obviously enhanced. Moreover, the WPAA–TEA xerogel had absorbency values of 223.6 and 81.9 g/g for distilled water and a 0.9 wt % NaCl solution, respectively, and it showed better salt resistance and a better water‐absorbing rate than the WPAA–sodium xerogel because of the modification with triethanolamine. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008