bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of Salinity Tolerance during Rice Seed Germination by Presoaking with Hemoglobin
Authors: Xu Sheng , Hu Bing , He Ziyi , Ma Fei , Feng Jianfei , Shen Wenbiao , Yang Jie
Published: April 2011

Salinity stress is an important environmental constraint limiting the productivity of many crops worldwide. In this report, experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of seed presoaking by bovine hemoglobin, an inducer of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), on salinity tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa) plants. The results showed that different concentrations of the hemoglobin (0.01, 0.05, 0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 g/L) differentially alleviated the inhibition of rice seed germination and thereafter seedling shoot growth caused by 100 mM NaCl stress, and the responses of 1.0 g/L hemoglobin was the most obvious. Further analyses showed that application of hemoglobin not only increased the HO-1 gene expression, but also differentially induced catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities or transcripts, thus decreasing the lipid peroxidation in germinating rice seeds subjected to salt stress. Compared with non-hemoglobin treatment, hemoglobin presoaking also increased the potassium (K) to sodium (Na) ratio both in the root and shoot parts after salinity stress. The effect is specific for HO-1 since the potent HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX) blocked the positive actions of hemoglobin on seed germination and seedling shoot growth. Overall, these results suggested that hemoglobin performs an advantageous role in enhancement of salinity tolerance during rice seed germination.
Development of Ecological Footprint to an Essential Economic and Political Tool
Authors: Aubauer Hans P.
Published: April 2011

This paper shows how the concept of the Ecological Footprint can be developed by incorporating the six procedures listed below, to create a single indicator of just distribution of the limited natural resources, between and within generations, and become a benchmark for decision-making between alternatives of consumption, life-styles and economic policies. Using this new tool, it should be possible to label every commodity, service and natural resource with the share it claims of the Earth’s surface. This, in turn, can enable the integration of natural limits into the economy through the complete internalization of costs within market prices, while also reducing resource throughput fairly and quickly without an undue loss in GNP. The six procedures are as follows: First, operating within the boundaries of the sustainable local yields of the biologically productive soil and water areas, without any input of non-renewable resources, particularly fossil fuels; Second, taking spatial variations of this yield into account; Third, considering only sustainable CO2-sinks; Fourth, including every exploitation of nature, for instance all material flows; Fifth, taking care of intertemporal effects and depletion; and sixth, preserving the natural habitats necessary for the survival of biodiversity, bearing the species/area relationship in mind.
SWOT METHODOLOGY: A STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW FOR THE PAST, A FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE / SSGG METODOLOGIJA: PRAEITIES IR ATEITIES ANALIZĖ
Authors: Ghazinoory Sepehr , Abdi Mansoureh , Azadegan-Mehr Mandana
Published: April 2011

The SWOT analysis is the process of exploring the internal and external environments of an organization and extracting convenient strategies based on its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This paper presents a literature review of SWOT analysis, based on a reference bank of about 557 papers established through searching various databases. This paper reviews papers that have been published up to the end of 2009. The origination and historical development of SWOT are explained first, followed by a survey on trends & classifications in SWOT papers including journals, countries, years, people & contents. Then a categorical analysis is conducted about application area and scope of SWOT. Also a methodological development of SWOT is discussed. Finally, concluding remarks and a few suggestions and challenges are presented for future studies. It is hoped that the paper can serve the needs of researchers and practitioners for easy references of SWOT studies and applications, and hence promote SWOT future development.

Santrauka

Straipsnyje nagrinejama SSGG metodologijos samprata, apibudinama kaip vidines ir išorines aplinkos tyrimas, pagristas silpnybiu, stiprybiu, galimybiu ir gresmiu identifikavimu. Pateiktoji SSGG analizes literaturos apžvalga yra pagrista 557 straipsniu, pateiktu ivairiose duomenu bazese, analize. Visi nagrineti straipsniai buvo publikuoti 2009 m. Pristatoma SSGG istorine raida, aiškinami tyrimai ir kryptys, klasifikacija, žurnalai, kuriuose publikuojami tokio pobudžio straipsniai, šalys, metai, autoriai, kontekstas, pritaikomumas ir ju sritys. Analizuojama SSGG metodologine raida. Straipsnio pabaigoje pateikiamos išvados ir busimu tyrimu gaires.
EXPORT COMPETITIVENESS AND DOMESTIC PRODUCTIVITY FACETS: CASE OF LITHUANIA / LIETUVOS EKSPORTO KONKURENCINGUMAS IR ŠALIES PRODUKTYVUMO DĖMENYS
Authors: Travkina Irina , Tvaronavičienė Manuela
Published: April 2011

The relationships between export competitiveness and separate productivity factors are complex. Since the late 1990s debates on these relationships have been strongly influenced by the Krugman hypothesis, which states that the competitiveness could be measured directly by productivity. In the paper it is assumed, that export competitiveness is derivative of main factors’ productivities, therefore properly presented and juxtaposed data on labour, capital and energy productivity/intensity would provide with new insights about character of relations between export competitiveness and main production factors productivities. Practical approach for predicting the Lithuanian export competitiveness future change direction by using listed indicators is being suggested. As a result, possible implications of main productivity factors impact on further export competitiveness have been foreseen. Santrauka Straipsnyje analizuojami eksporto konkurencingum lemiantys atskiri gamybos veiksniai. Atlikus Lietuvos pramones šaku pagrindiniu gamybos veiksniu—darbo, kapitalo ir energijos produktyvumo/ intensyvumo rodikliu lyginamj analizê, padaryta prielaida, jog reikalingi sprendimai, kurie padetu pramones šakoms atrasti efektyvu kompleksišk minetu gamybos ištekliu naudojimo bud bei prisidetu prie pramones eksporto konkurencingumo didinimo. Atlikto tyrimo praktinê vertê lemia kelios aplinkybes: pirma, pasiulytos naujos ižvalgos apie pramones eksporto konkurencingumo vertinim; antra, nustatytos tolesniu eksporto konkurencingumo teorijos tyrimu sritys.
SOME ISSUES CONCERNING SECTOR CONCENTRATION. EVIDENCE FROM ROMANIA / VALDYMO SISTEMA DIDŽIOSIOSE MADEIROS SALOS IMONĖSE: REZULTATŲ APSKAITOS SISTEMOS NAUDOJIMO PAVYZDŽIU
Authors: Mărginean Silvia , Toma Ramona
Published: April 2011

This paper examines the dynamics of sector concentration in Romania starting from two basic questions: how concentrated the economic activities are and what factors determine the economic concentration. The lack of availability of concentration ratio series for Romanian economy has limited the research in this field. The paper reports the concentration ratios dynamics in Romania during the period 1996–2004, looking at the differences between industries and offers some possible explanations. We use the simple concentration ratio (CR) for the largest 5 and 20 companies to measure concentration in 25 industries according to the sales figure and the number of employees. Our study has been limited to the processing industry, because the mining industry continues to have a very high level of concentration, without any significant changes in the analysed period; commerce, services and constructions are sectors with low entrance barriers and a strong geographic concentration character, thus their analysis can become irrelevant for the national level. Based on the average values of the concentration coefficients that it was determined for the period 1996–2004 we proposed the map of Romanian industry concentration, as a graphical tool for a synthetic view of the general concentration level in a national economy. Santrauka Nagrinejama tam tikru Rumunijos pramones sektoriu koncentracijos dinamika, atsakant i du pagrindinius klausimus: kokia yra ekonominiu veiklu koncentracija ir kokie veiksniai lemia ju pasiskirstym. Taèiau del kai kuriu ekonominiu apribojimu tyrimo metu nebuvo galimybes ivertinti tam tikru aspektu, nuo kuriu ir buvo atsiribota. Straipsnyje pateikiamas pramones sektoriu koncentracijos santykis, apimantis 1996–2004 metu laikotarpi, buvo nustatyti pramones šaku skirtumai ir pateikti komentarai. Autoriai daugiau demesio skiria apdirbamajai pramonei, nes kasybos pramone ir toliau išlieka viena iš labiausiai koncentruotu veiklos rušiu, dideliu pokyèiu tuose pramones sektoriuose analizuojamu laikotarpiu nebuvo pastebeta. Prekybos, aptarnavimo ir paslaugu bei statybos sektoriai turi nedidelius ribojimus, ir geografine koncentracija yra gera, todel ju analize buvo nustatyta kaip nereikšminga. Gauti tyrimo rezultatai naudoti sudarant Rumunijos pramones koncentracijos žemelapi ir nustatant lyginamji svori bendroje nacionalineje ekonomikoje.
THE USE OF LS-SVM FOR SHORT-TERM PASSENGER FLOW PREDICTION / MAŽIAUSIŲ KVADRATŲ ATRAMINIŲ VEKTORIŲ METODO TAIKYMAS TRUMPALAIKIAM KELEIVIŲ SRAUTUI PROGNOZUOTI / ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ МЕТОДА ОПОРНЫХ ВЕКТОРОВ С КВАДРАТИЧНОЙ ФУНКЦИЕЙ ПОТЕРЬ ДЛЯ ПРОГНОЗИРОВАНИЯ КРАТКОСРОЧНЫХ ПОТОКОВ ПАССАЖИРОВ
Authors: Chen Qian , Li Wenquan , Zhao Jinhuan
Published: April 2011

Transit flow is the basement of transit planning and scheduling. The paper presents a new transit flow prediction model based on Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LS-SVM). With reference to the theory of Support Vector Machine and Genetic Algorithm, a new short-term passenger flow prediction model is built employing LSSVM, and a new evaluation indicator is used for presenting training permanence. An improved genetic algorithm is designed by enhancing crossover and variation in the use of optimizing the penalty parameter γ and kernel parameter s in LS-SVM. By using this method, passenger flow in a certain bus route is predicted in Changchun. The obtained result shows that there is little difference between actual value and prediction, and the majority of the equal coefficients of a training set are larger than 0.90, which shows the validity of the approach.

Santrauka

Tranzito srautas yra tranzito planavimo ir eismo tvarkaraščių sudarymo pagrindas. Straipsnis pateikia naują tranzitinio srauto prognozavimo modelį, grindžiamą mažiausių kvadratų atraminių vektorių metodu (Least Squares Support Vector machine, LS-SVm). Remiantis atraminių vektorių metodu (Support Vector machine) ir genetiniu algoritmu (Genetic Algorithm), sudarytas naujas trumpalaikis keleivių srauto prognozavimo modelis, pasitelkiant LS-SVM ir pristatomas naujas vertinimo rodiklis. Taikant naują metodą prognozuojamas keleivių srautas konkrečiame autobuso maršrute Čangčuno mieste Kinijoje. Gautos prognozės rezultatai lyginami su faktiniais.

Резюме

Транзитный поток – основной фактор при планировании транзита и составлении расписаний движения. В статье представлена новая модель прогноз*а транзитного потока, основанная на методе опорных векторов с квадратичной функцией потерь (Least Squares Support Vector machine – LS-SVm). Представленный новый метод используется для прогноза потока пассажиров на конкретном автобусном маршруте города Чаньчуня (Китай). Результаты прогноза сравниваются с фактическими результатами.
MULTICRITERIA EVALUATION OF OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF FREIGHT DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES ON LITHUANIAN RAILWAYS / LIETUVOS GELEŽINKELIŲ PREKINIŲ ŠILUMVEŽIŲ EKSPLOATAVIMO VEIKSMINGUMO DAUGIAKRITERINIS VERTINIMAS / МНОГОКРИТЕРИАЛЬНАЯ ОЦЕНКА ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ЭКСПЛУАТАЦИИ ГРУЗОВЫХ ТЕПЛОВОЗОВ ЖЕЛЕЗНЫХ ДОРОГ ЛИТВЫ
Authors: Bureika Gintautas
Published: April 2011

The paper analyses and assesses the operating expenses of freight Diesel locomotives 2M62, 2M62K, 2M62M and ER20CF, suggesting the ways of their reduction. Given the damages of the old locomotive M62 and the structure of its operating expenses, some methods of Diesel locomotives’ upgrading are offered. Service life of new generation Diesel locomotives SIEMENS ER20CF and the locomotives 2M62K, 2M62M after the upgrade are determined. The taxes on air pollution by the exhaust gases of Diesel engines are calculated for the locomotives of each series. The effectiveness of operation of freight Diesel locomotives is calculated by three multicriteria evaluation methods and the most efficient freight Diesel locomotive for Lithuanian Railways is determined based on a set of criteria. Basic conclusions are also given. Santrauka Straipsnyje analizuojamos ir vertinamos AB, Lietuvos geležinkeliai” 2M62, 2M62K, 2M62M ir ER20CF serijų prekinių šilumvežių eksploatavimo sąnaudos ir pateikiami būdai joms mažinti. Įvertinus senųjų 2M62 serijos prekinių šilumvežių gedimų ir eksploatavimo išlaidų struktūrą, siūlomos šilumvežių modernizavimo kryptys. Apskaičiuojamos modernizuotų šilumvežių (2M62K ir 2M62M) bei naujos kartos ER20CF serijos šilumvežių lyginamosios degalų sąnaudos ir mokesčiai už oro taršą dyzelių išmetamosiomis dujomis. Trimis metodais atliktas daugiakriterinis tiriamųjų šilumvežių veiksmingumo vertinimas ir pagal pasirinktus parametrus nustatytas racionaliausias AB, Lietuvos geležinkeliai” prekinis šilumvežis. Pateiktos pagrindinės išvados. Резюме Проанализированы и оценены эксплуатационные расходы грузовых тепловозов АО «Литовские железные дороги» серий 2М62, 2M62 K, 2M62M и ER20CF, представлены пути их уменьшения. В результате оценки структуры неисправностей и эксплуатационных расходов старых грузовых тепловозов серии 2М62 предложены способы модернизации упомянутых локомотивов. Рассчитаны удельные расходы топлива и налоги за загрязнение воздуха выхлопными газами дизелей модернизированных локомотивов (2M62 K и 2M62M) и тепловозов нового поколения серии ER20CF. Тремя методами выполнена много критериальная оценка эффективности использования исследуемых тепловозов. На основе выбранных параметров определен наиболее рациональный грузовой тепловоз АО «Литовские железные дороги». Представлены основные выводы.
Des rites autour de l'enfant mort : un être unique, des rites partagés avec les vivants
Authors: Biot Christian
Published: April 2011

Résumé Des rites autour de l’enfant mort : un être unique, des rites partagés avec les vivants – Le décès d’un petit enfant (parfois même avant le terme attendu de l’accouchement) est un moment redoutable pour ses parents et pour ses proches. Devant ce bouleversement des projets et des espérances, que peut-on attendre des rites funéraires ? Quels rites peuvent-ils être mis en action ? A partir de l’expérience d’un groupe lyonnais relié à l’église catholique qui assure, dans les centres funéraires de la ville de Lyon, des célébrations religieuses et des célébrations civiles, nous proposons la réflexion suivante : évocation de la fonction sociale (souvent religieuse) des rites funéraires. Comment les rites se situent-ils entre le silence et le cri ? Regard sur quelques célébrations réalisées soit dans un contexte religieux, soit dans un contexte civil : qu’est-ce qui a guidé le choix des gestes, des prises de paroles, des textes ou de la musique ? Un temps d’échange avec les participants de la rencontre pour préciser la réflexion.
Un groupe de parole pour victimes de « sectes à deux »
Authors: Maes Jean-Claude , Bermudez Encarni , Deklippel Johanne , Hoeylaerts Véronique
Published: April 2011

Résumé En 2007-2008, SOS-Sectes et le CCPFM ont eu l’occasion d’organiser des groupes de paroles pour ex-adeptes de « sectes à deux ». Une « secte à deux », c’est un couple avec un gourou et un adepte. L’objectif de ces groupes étant plus réflexif que purement cathartique, il en ressort une véritable théorie de l’emprise abusive dans le couple.
Questions nouvelles posées à l'éthique chrétienne par les identités sexuelles d'aujourd'hui
Authors: Lemoine Laurent
Published: April 2011

Résumé Les problématiques liées à l’identité ou aux identités sexuelles sont d’une actualité aiguë, rendue possible par l’émancipation féministe et gay des dernières décennies. Cette étude vise à imaginer un dialogue possible mais sans concession avec des thèses qui souvent ont de quoi intimider, mais qui comportent pourtant une réelle richesse conceptuelle. La psychanalyse, elle-même plurielle, permet de mettre du « jeu » dans des identités par trop figées. Ajoutons que les différentes Églises ou communautés chrétiennes n’envisagent pas tout à fait de la même façon ces problématiques.
Les Catégories d'Aristote : instrument ou doctrine ?
Authors: Jaulin Annick
Published: April 2011

Résumé Les catégories dégagées par Aristote sont-elles un instrument formel, ontologiquement neutre, comme pourrait le laisser penser l’usage propédeutique qu’en firent les néoplatoniciens dans leur cursus scolaire ? Si l’on refuse cette hypothèse, est-on contraint de donner aux catégories le statut d’êtres ? L’opposition même entre interprétation ontologique et interprétation formelle devrait être remise en question, car une grille formelle, comme l’est le schéma des catégories, lorsqu’elle possède un ordre, comme c’est le cas avec les catégories, ne saurait être ontologiquement neutre.
Peut-on connaître quelque chose de nouveau ? Variations médiévales sur l'argument du Ménon
Authors: Grellard Christophe
Published: April 2011

Résumé Cet article cherche à préciser les modes d’appropriation médiévale du paradoxe du Ménon (80de) selon lequel il est impossible de rien apprendre, c’est-à-dire de connaître quelque chose de nouveau. Dans un premier temps, on met en évidence les vecteurs de transmission textuelle. Dans la mesure où le dialogue lui-même a été mal connu au Moyen Âge, c’est principalement par l’intermédiaire du résumé qu’en donne Aristote ( Seconds analytiques , 71 a30-b9) que le paradoxe et ses possibles solutions ont été appréhendés. Pour les commentateurs des Seconds analytiques au xiii e  siècle ce paradoxe vient appuyer une conception innéiste de la science (la science est actualisation du virtuel) auquel est opposé un empirisme aristotélicien. Cette opposition est radicalisée par les nominalistes du xiv e  siècle. La réfutation de l’argument de Ménon devient alors l’occasion de développer une conception strictement naturaliste de l’acquisition du savoir.
Repères pour penser le martyre chrétien
Authors: Donard Véronique
Published: April 2011

Cet article propose des outils logiques et métapsychologiques pour comprendre la façon spécifiquement chrétienne de faire face à la mort et de témoigner de son adhésion à la figure et au message du Christ. La notion de martyre étant intimement liée à celle de sacrifice, il traite, dans une première partie, de la question d’un fantasme sacrificiel originaire, celui-ci à visée universelle. Une seconde partie est centrée sur le vécu chrétien et aborde le martyre en rendant compte de ce « style » de vie qu’est la sainteté, puis en tentant de comprendre en quoi la mort du Nazaréen a été comprise et interprétée par ses disciples comme un sacrifice. Cela permet d’expliquer pourquoi l’identification radicale à la figure du Christ peut être comprise comme une invitation à passer par ses mêmes souffrances. Cette étude se termine par une approche de la figure d’Ignace d’Antioche, martyrisé au début du premier siècle, prenant appui sur la lettre qu’il écrivit à la communauté chrétienne de Rome alors que, prisonnier, il faisait route vers la capitale pour y être exécuté.
Martyr(e) Témoin de vie ou témoin de mort ?
Authors: Courban Antoine
Published: April 2011

Le martyr musulman, mort dans le cadre du combat spirituel pour Dieu, va directement au paradis ; il ne meurt pas. La félicité paradisiaque dont il bénéficie n’est pas la vision directe de Dieu qu’il ne peut pas voir. Il est « vu » par Dieu. Dans le martyre chrétien, c’est Dieu qui vient à la rencontre de l’homme. Dans l’islam, c’est l’homme qui va vers Dieu et qui conquiert, dans une sorte de projet prométhéen, la plénitude de sa propre ontologie. C’est donc un acte à caractère politique plus affirmé. Le phénomène du martyr-suicide contemporain n’est pas une spécificité islamique. Il se rencontre dans d’autres cultures religieuses comme chez les Sikhs. Par ailleurs, l’islam n’est pas un tout homogène. C’est dans le monde chiite préférentiellement, marqué par la révolution de Khomeiny où la notion de Malakut ( mundus imaginalis ) a une importance cruciale, que le martyr-suicide pourrait être compris comme un déicide symbolique fondateur d’un ordre politique. Comme témoin de mort, il rend témoignage pour la volonté de puissance, la libido dominandi , qui lui fait commettre l’auto-meurtre, non de soi, mais de cet Autre qui est en lui et qui l’empêcherait de devenir autonome. Comme témoin de vie, il rend témoignage de la pérennité de l’identité du groupe perçue comme une essence intemporelle. Sa mort est un moment de fondation de cette identité collective source des pires violences.
La passion de Husayn Mansûr Al-Hallaj
Authors: Ayouch Soraya
Published: April 2011

Il est difficile de parler du martyr sans évoquer Al-Hallaj, l’un des plus grands mystiques musulmans, condamné à mort après un procès qui dura près de dix ans. Il fut le premier martyr mystique en Islam. Celui que Louis Massignon a fait découvrir dans une œuvre magistrale, La passion d’Al-Hallaj (Gallimard, Paris, 1975, 4 vol.), est aussi connu pour son œuvre poétique. Nous présentons Al-Hallaj, dans sa biographie, ses voyages et sa quête, mettant en relief des traits saillants de son histoire et de son itinéraire. Certains de ses textes mêlent la langue poétique à l’expérience mystique : « Ce qui compte pour l’extatique, c’est que l’Unique le réduise à l’unité » ; ou encore « va prévenir mes amis que je me suis embarqué pour la haute mer... C’est dans l’instance suprême de la croix que je mourrai. » Tous ces textes expliquent, amènent le fameux «  Ana al haqq  » de Hallâj (« je suis la Vérité, je suis Dieu ») qui avait choqué les théologiens et qui lui a valu l’expérience du martyre.
L'écrivain martyr dans le Léviathan de Paul Auster
Authors: Drossart Francis
Published: April 2011

Le roman Léviathan de Paul Auster illustre de façon saisissante la manière dont l’écrivain, confronté à la destructivité et à la terreur sans nom véhiculées par le monde contemporain, trouve une issue sublimatoire au prix d’un clivage de sa personnalité. Ici, en l’occurrence, entre le premier écrivain, le narrateur (Peter) et son double (Ben), écrivain qui renonce à l’écriture pour se lancer dans l’action terroriste qui le conduira à la mort. La trajectoire de Ben, par un jeu hallucinant d’identifications projectives en cascade, étant infléchie par la mauvaise rencontre du terroriste Dimaggio, lui-même identifié (à moins qu’il ne soit un agent provocateur du FBI ?) au sujet de sa thèse d’Histoire, l’anarchiste Berkman. Le drame de la pensée concrète schizophrénique et de l’échec de la sublimation, trouve ici une résolution partielle, au prix du clivage de la personnalité de l’auteur entre ses parties détruites (Ben) et survivantes (Peter).
Les nouveaux martyrs : l'agonie de l'identité
Authors: Barzin Nader
Published: April 2011

Le phénomène d’attentat-suicide n’est pas compréhensible par les approches psychologiques anglo-saxonnes. Pour comprendre les motivations des attaquants, il convient d’analyser leur système de sens et ce que leurs actes accomplissent à la fois sur le plan stratégique mais aussi en termes de besoins psychiques groupals inconscients. Cet article met en lumière l’impact de la mondialisation, les conséquences des attaques-suicides, ainsi que les mécanismes psychiques présents chez les attaquants.
Lascif Saint Sébastien
Authors: Fessaguet Dominique
Published: April 2011

Le martyre de saint Sébastien à un moment de l’histoire de l’art, la Renaissance, est venu porter au travers du nu un trouble sur la représentation du martyr et la teinter d’un érotisme certain. C’est Fra Bartolomeo qui opéra un de ces scandales de l’histoire de l’art, dévot et suppôt de Savonarole. Paradigme de l’évolution des pensées, saint Sébastien nous offre au regard un corps lascif.
Addressing Innovation: Changes in the American Nurses Credentialing Center Accreditation System
Authors: Dickerson Pamela S. , Chappell Kathy
Published: April 2011

In 2010 to 2011, the American Nurses Credentialing Center Accreditation system for continuing nursing education is undergoing major changes to increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of the continuing education provided by accredited organizations and ultimately to improve patient care. This article highlights national drivers that provide supportive evidence for program changes.
Hierarchies of Evidence in Education
Authors: Pilcher Jobeth , Bedford Laurie A.
Published: April 2011

The trend toward providing evidence-based education has emerged in part from the precedent set by the evidence-based practice movement in medicine. Historically, the medical model specified that evidence should be informed by experimental research. However, more contemporary models draw on a variety of evidence to determine best practices. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs, as well as the incorporation of professional expertise, are recognized as acceptable approaches to interpreting evidence in the educational arena. This article describes an integrated level of evidence model to assist educators in identifying the best evidence to inform teaching and learning practices.
Integrating a Professional Apprenticeship Model with Psychiatric Clinical Simulation
Authors: Crider Mark C. , McNiesh Susan G.
Published: April 2011

In this article, we present a theory-based application of clinical simulation in psychiatric-mental health nursing education. As described by Benner, Sutphen, Leonard, and Day, a three-pronged apprenticeship that integrates intellectual, practical, and ethical aspects of the professional role is critical in the development of practical reasoning in nursing education and training. Clinical encounters are often fraught with ambiguity and uncertainty. Therefore, educating for a practice discipline requires experiential and situated learning. Using the three-pronged experiential model in simulated psychiatric-mental health nursing practice supports the development of critical nursing skills, ethics, and theoretical concepts. A clinical scenario is presented that demonstrates the application of this model of professional apprenticeship in psychiatric-mental health education. Applications of the concept presented may be used in training nurses new to the practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Mental Health of the Oldest-Old
Authors: Sorrell Jeanne M.
Published: April 2011

As more individuals live past age 100, it is important for health professionals to better understand characteristics important to the mental health of the oldest-old in our society. Few studies have been conducted on mental health in this group, but current literature suggests these individuals are very resilient with respect to mental health and life satisfaction, despite their health disadvantages. In interviews in a variety of studies, participants talked of the importance of both inner and outer resources for empowerment. Greater understanding of mental health in aging can inform policy makers as they draft new legislation and programs to enhance quality of life for the oldest-old.
Pigmented Free-Floating Vitreous Cyst in a Patient with High Myopia and Uveal Coloboma Simulating Choroidal Melanoma
Authors: Tuncer Samuray , Bayramoglu Sadik
Published: April 2011

A 60-year-old woman was referred for a pigmented fundus lesion in her right eye that was suspected to be a possible choroidal melanoma. She complained of an intermittent floater in the right eye. Funduscopy revealed peripapillary atrophy and posterior staphyloma due to degenerative myopia, large inferior choroidal coloboma, and a cystic pigmented lesion measuring 7 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness located inferiorly when the patient was in the upright position. Following supine positioning, the lesion floated to the macular region. Ultrasonography confirmed that the lesion is cystic and freely mobile. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined, nodular preretinal intraocular lesion that was hypointense in both T1- and T2-weighted, non-contrast axial images. Observation of the benign vitreous cyst was advised. A free-floating pigmented vitreous cyst can be associated with high myopia and uveal coloboma. Its location in the posterior vitreous can lead to a misdiagnosis of a choroidal melanoma.
Enhanced Nerve–Mast Cell Interaction by a Neuronal Short Isoform of Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
Authors: Hagiyama Man , Furuno Tadahide , Hosokawa Yoichiroh , Iino Takanori , Ito Takeshi , Inoue Takao , Nakanishi Mamoru , Murakami Yoshinori , Ito Akihiko
Published: April 2011

Close apposition of nerve and mast cells is viewed as a functional unit of neuro-immune mechanisms, and it is sustained by trans-homophilic binding of cell adhesion molecule-1 (CADM1), an Ig superfamily member. Cerebral nerve–mast cell interaction might be developmentally modulated, because the alternative splicing pattern of four (a–d) types of CADM1 transcripts drastically changed during development of the mouse cerebrum: developing cerebrums expressed CADM1b and CADM1c exclusively, while mature cerebrums expressed CADM1d additionally and predominantly. To probe how individual isoforms are involved in nerve–mast cell interaction, Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells that express CADM1c endogenously were modified to express additionally either CADM1b (Neuro2a-CADM1b) or CADM1d (Neuro2a-CADM1d), and they were cocultured with mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and BMMC-derived cell line IC-2 cells, both of which expressed CADM1c. BMMCs were found to adhere to Neuro2a-CADM1d neurites more firmly than to Neuro2a-CADM1b neurites when the adhesive strengths were estimated from the femtosecond laser-induced impulsive forces minimally required for detaching BMMCs. GFP-tagging and crosslinking experiments revealed that the firmer adhesion site consisted of an assembly of CADM1d cis-homodimers. When Neuro2a cells were specifically activated by histamine, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was increased in 63 and 38% of CADM1c-expressing IC-2 cells that attached to the CADM1d assembly site and elsewhere, respectively. These results indicate that CADM1d is a specific neuronal isoform that enhances nerve–mast cell interaction, and they suggest that nerve–mast cell interaction may be reinforced as the brain grows mature because CADM1d becomes predominant.
Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Promote Host Defense against Acute Pneumovirus Infection via the TLR7–MyD88-Dependent Signaling Pathway
Authors: Davidson Sophia , Kaiko Gerard , Loh Zhixuan , Lalwani Amit , Zhang Vivian , Spann Kirsten , Foo Shen Yun , Hansbro Nicole , Uematsu Satoshi , Akira Shizuo , Matthaei Klaus I. , Rosenberg Helene F. , Foster Paul S. , Phipps Simon
Published: April 2011

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants. In human infants, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are recruited to the nasal compartment during infection and initiate host defense through the secretion of type I IFN, IL-12, and IL-6. However, RSV-infected pDC are refractory to TLR7-mediated activation. In this study, we used the rodent-specific pathogen, pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), to determine the contribution of pDC and TLR7 signaling to the development of the innate inflammatory and early adaptive immune response. In wild-type, but not TLR7- or MyD88-deficient mice, PVM inoculation led to a marked infiltration of pDC and increased expression of type I, II, and III IFNs. The delayed induction of IFNs in the absence of TLR7 or MyD88 was associated with a diminished innate inflammatory response and augmented virus recovery from lung tissue. In the absence of TLR7, PVM-specific CD8+ T cell cytokine production was abrogated. The adoptive transfer of TLR7-sufficient, but not TLR7-deficient pDC to TLR7 gene-deleted mice recapitulated the antiviral responses observed in wild-type mice and promoted virus clearance. In summary, TLR7-mediated signaling by pDC is required for appropriate innate responses to acute pneumovirus infection. It is conceivable that as-yet–unidentified defects in the TLR7 signaling pathway may be associated with elevated levels of RSV-associated morbidity and mortality among otherwise healthy human infants.
Vitamin D and the Regulation of Placental Inflammation
Authors: Liu Nancy Q. , Kaplan Amber T. , Lagishetty Venu , Ouyang Yuxin B. , Ouyang Yi , Simmons Charles F. , Equils Ozlem , Hewison Martin
Published: April 2011

The vitamin D-activating enzyme 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) support anti-inflammatory responses to vitamin D in many tissues. Given the high basal expression of CYP27B1 and VDR in trophoblastic cells from the placenta, we hypothesized that anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D may be particularly important in this organ. Pregnant wild type (WT) mice i.p. injected with LPS showed elevated expression of mouse Cyp27b1 (4-fold) and VDR (6-fold). Similar results were also obtained after ex vivo treatment of WT placentas with LPS. To assess the functional impact of this, we carried out ex vivo studies using placentas −/− for fetal (trophoblastic) Cyp27b1 or VDR. Vehicle-treated −/− placentas showed increased expression of IFN-γ and decreased expression of IL-10 relative to +/+ placentas. LPS-treated −/− placentas showed increased expression of TLR2, IFN-γ, and IL-6. Array analyses identified other inflammatory factors that are dysregulated in Cyp27b1−/− versus Cyp27b1+/+ placentas after LPS challenge. Data highlighted enhanced expression of IL-4, IL-15, and IL-18, as well as several chemokines and their receptors, in Cyp27b1−/− placentas. Similar results for IL-6 expression were observed with placentas −/− for trophoblastic VDR. Finally, ex vivo treatment of WT placentas with the substrate for Cyp27b1, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, suppressed LPS-induced expression of IL-6 and the chemokine Ccl11. These data indicate that fetal (trophoblastic) vitamin D plays a pivotal role in controlling placental inflammation. In humans, this may be a key factor in placental responses to infection and associated adverse outcomes of pregnancy.
Autoantibody-Mediated IL-6–Dependent Endothelin-1 Elevation Underlies Pathogenesis in a Mouse Model of Preeclampsia
Authors: Zhou Cissy Chenyi , Irani Roxanna A. , Dai Yingbo , Blackwell Sean C. , Hicks M. John , Ramin Susan M. , Kellems Rodney E. , Xia Yang
Published: April 2011

Preeclampsia (PE) is a life-threatening hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Elevated circulating endothelin-1 (ET-1) is associated with the disease. However the molecular basis of increased ET-1 production and its role in PE are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the causative factors, pathological role of elevated ET-1 production in PE, and the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we found that IgG from women with PE, in contrast to IgG from normotensive pregnant women, induced preproET-1 mRNA expression via angiotensin II type 1 receptor activation in kidneys and placentas in pregnant mice. The ET-A receptor-specific antagonist BQ123 significantly attenuated autoantibody-induced hypertension, proteinuria, and renal damage in pregnant mice, demonstrating that autoantibody-induced ET-1 production contributes to pathophysiology. Mechanistically, we discovered that IL-6 functioned downstream of TNF-α signaling, contributing to increased ET-1 production in pregnant mice. IL-6 blockade inhibited preeclamptic features in autoantibody-injected pregnant mice. Extending the data to human studies, we found that IL-6 was a key cytokine underlying ET-1 induction mediated by IgG from women with PE in human placental villous explants and that endothelial cells are a key source of ET-1. Overall, we provide human and mouse studies showing that angiotensin II type I receptor-agonistic autoantibody is a novel causative factor responsible for elevated ET-1 production and that increased TNF-α/IL-6 signaling is a key mechanism underlying increased ET-1 production and subsequent maternal features. Significantly, our findings revealed novel factors and signaling cascades involved in ET-1 production, subsequent disease symptom development, and possible therapeutic intervention in the management of PE.
Membrane Incorporation, Channel Formation, and Disruption of Calcium Homeostasis by Alzheimer′s β‐Amyloid Protein
Authors: Kawahara Masahiro , Ohtsuka Isao , Yokoyama Shoko , Kato-Negishi Midori , Sadakane Yutaka
Published: April 2011

Oligomerization, conformational changes, and the consequent neurodegeneration of Alzheimer′s β‐amyloid protein (AβP) play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer′s disease (AD). Mounting evidence suggests that oligomeric AβPs cause the disruption of calcium homeostasis, eventually leading to neuronal death. We have demonstrated that oligomeric AβPs directly incorporate into neuronal membranes, form cation‐sensitive ion channels (“amyloid channels”), and cause the disruption of calcium homeostasis via the amyloid channels. Other disease‐related amyloidogenic proteins, such as prion protein in prion diseases or α‐synuclein in dementia with Lewy bodies, exhibit similarities in the incorporation into membranes and the formation of calcium‐permeable channels. Here, based on our experimental results and those of numerous other studies, we review the current understanding of the direct binding of AβP into membrane surfaces and the formation of calcium‐permeable channels. The implication of composition of membrane lipids and the possible development of new drugs by influencing membrane properties and attenuating amyloid channels for the treatment and prevention of AD is also discussed.
Baculovirus: Molecular Insights on Their Diversity and Conservation
Authors: Miele Solange Ana Belen , Garavaglia Matías Javier , Belaich Mariano Nicolás , Ghiringhelli Pablo Daniel
Published: April 2011

The Baculoviridae is a large group of insect viruses containing circular double-stranded DNA genomes of 80 to 180 kbp. In this study, genome sequences from 57 baculoviruses were analyzed to reevaluate the number and identity of core genes and to understand the distribution of the remaining coding sequences. Thirty one core genes with orthologs in all genomes were identified along with other 895 genes differing in their degrees of representation among reported genomes. Many of these latter genes are common to well-defined lineages, whereas others are unique to one or a few of the viruses. Phylogenetic analyses based on core gene sequences and the gene composition of the genomes supported the current division of the Baculoviridae into 4 genera: Alphabaculovirus, Betabaculovirus, Gammabaculovirus, and Deltabaculovirus.
Insulin Resistance, Obesity, Hypertension, and Renal Sodium Transport
Authors: Horita Shoko , Seki George , Yamada Hideomi , Suzuki Masashi , Koike Kazuhiko , Fujita Toshiro
Published: April 2011

Sodium transport through various nephron segments is quite important in regulating sodium reabsorption and blood pressure. Among several regulators of this process, insulin acts on almost all the nephron segments and is a strong enhancer of sodium reabsorption. Sodium-proton exchanger type 3 (NHE3) is a main regulator of sodium reabsorption in the luminal side of proximal tubule. In the basolateral side of the proximal tubule, sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1) mediates sodium and bicarbonate exit from tubular cells. In the distal nephron and the connecting tubule, epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is of great importance to sodium reabsorption. NHE3, NBCe1, and ENaC are all regulated by insulin. Recently with-no-lysine (WNK) kinases, responsible for familial hypertension, stimulating sodium reabsorption in the distal nephron, have been found to be also regulated by insulin. We will discuss the regulation of renal sodium transport by insulin and its roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension in insulin resistance.
Development of Science and Technology Parks in China, 1988–2008
Authors: Zhang Haiyang , Sonobe Tetsushi
Published: April 2011

In order to investigate the effectiveness of science and technology industrial parks (STIPs), this study examines data on high-tech firms within and outside the STIPs in China, while paying special attention to the issues related to agglomeration and congestion. The main finding is that the negative effect of congestion on productivity is highly likely to outweigh the positive productivity effect of agglomeration economies within the STIPs but not among hightech firms outside the STIPs. The paper also finds that the productivity of high-tech firms, whether within or outside the STIPs, are positively associated with foreign direct investment and the academic activities of local universities in the same city.
A Descriptive Interpretive Analysis of Students’ Oral Verbalization During the Use of Think–Aloud Pair Problem Solving While Troubleshooting
Authors: Pate Michael L. , Miller Greg
Published: April 2011

Researchers assert that the metacognitive nature of think–aloud pair problem solving (TAPPS) improves students’ problem solving by focusing their attention on their own thinking. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe oral verbalizations indicating cognitive processes of secondary–level career and technical education students who used TAPPS while troubleshooting. A task outcome (successful or unsuccessful) was recorded for students who used TAPPS while troubleshooting a small gas engine fault on the basis of whether they were able to identify the correct solution to repair the fault. A qualitative interpretive approach was used to describe and interpret students’ thoughts while they were engaged in TAPPS. A quantitative analysis was used to compare levels of oral verbalization between successful and unsuccessful TAPPS students. The total average percentage of oral verbalizations indicating metacognitive thought was 54% for successful students and 52% for unsuccessful students. The content of students’ oral verbalizations revealed that the metacognitive nature of the TAPPS strategy does not improve problem–solving success when secondary–level career and technical education students do not possess enough domain–specific knowledge. TAPPS can provide school–based agricultural education instructors with a formative assessment tool for checking students thinking and understanding of technical information for problem solving.
Effects of Think–Aloud Pair Problem Solving on Secondary–Level Students’ Performance in Career and Technical Education Courses
Authors: Pate Michael L. , Miller Greg
Published: April 2011

A randomized posttest–only control group experimental design was used to determine the effects of think–aloud pair problem solving (TAPPS) on the troubleshooting performance of 34 secondary–level career and technical education students. There was no significant difference in success rate between TAPPS students and students who worked alone (χ 2 (1) = .747, p = .39, ϕ = .148). There was no significant difference in completion time between students who successfully completed the troubleshooting task using TAPPS and those who were successful working alone (t (9) = –.74, p = .48, d = 0.45). The reserachers tentatively concluded that the use of TAPPS may not be an appropriate strategy at the secondary level if the agricultural instructors’ focus is a higher success rate and a reduction in the time to complete the task. However, agricultural instructors may have other legitimate reasons for using TAPPS such as a way to facilitate collaborative learning or as a way for instructors to identify student misunderstandings that could be used to inform decisions about individualized or even group instructional interventions.
Observation and modelling of OH and HO2 concentrations in the Pearl River Delta 2006: a missing OH source in a VOC rich atmosphere
Authors: Lu K. D. , Rohrer F. , Holland F. , Fuchs H. , Bohn B. , Brauers T. , Chang C. C. , Häseler R. , Hu M. , Kita K. , Kondo Y. , Li X. , Lou S. R. , Nehr S. , Shao M. , Zeng L. M. , Wahner A. , Zhang Y. H. , Hofzumahaus A.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. Ambient OH and HO2 concentrations were measured by laser induced fluorescence (LIF) during the PRIDE-PRD2006 (Program of Regional Integrated Experiments of Air Quality over the Pearl River Delta, 2006) campaign at a rural site downwind of the megacity of Guangzhou in Southern China. The observed OH concentrations reached daily peak values of (15–26) × 106 cm−3 which are among the highest values so far reported for urban and suburban areas. The observed OH shows a consistent high correlation with j(O1D) over a broad range of NOx conditions. The correlation cannot be reproduced by model simulations, indicating that OH stabilizing processes are missing in current models. The observed OH exhibited a weak dependence on NOx in contrast to model predictions. While modelled and measured OH agree well at NO mixing ratios above 1 ppb, a continuously increasing underprediction of the observed OH is found towards lower NO concentrations, reaching a factor of 8 at 0.02 ppb NO. A dependence of the modelled-to-measured OH ratio on isoprene cannot be concluded from the PRD data. However, the magnitude of the ratio fits into the isoprene dependent trend that was reported from other campaigns in forested regions. Hofzumahaus et al. (2009) proposed an unknown OH recycling process without NO, in order to explain the high OH levels at PRD in the presence of high VOC reactivity and low NO. Taking a recently discovered interference in the LIF measurement of HO2 into account, the need for an additional HO2 → OH recycling process persists, but the required source strength may be up to 20% larger than previously determined. Recently postulated isoprene mechanisms by Lelieveld et al. (2008) and Peeters and Müller (2010) lead to significant enhancements of OH expected for PRD, but an underprediction of the observed OH by a factor of two remains at low NO (0.1–0.2 ppb). If the photolysis of hydroperoxy aldehydes from isoprene is as efficient as proposed by Peeters and Müller (2010), the corresponding OH formation at PRD would be more important than the primary OH production from ozone and HONO. While the new isoprene mechanisms need to be confirmed by laboratory experiments, there is probably need for other, so far unidentified chemical processes to explain entirely the high OH levels observed in Southern China.