bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The provision and uptake of different types of recasts in child and adult ESL learners
Authors: Oliver Rhonda , Grote Ellen
Published: December 2010

The role of conversational interaction in second language research has increasingly been seen as playing a facilitative role in second language learning. As such there have been a number of studies focussing on different types of interaction, including feedback such as recasts, and their potential role in second language learning. In this study, using Sheen’s (2006) taxonomy, we compare various types of recasts delivered to child ESL learners. Further, we examine two variables: context (teacher-fronted classrooms versus pair work, including NNS-NNS and NNS-NS dyads) and age (the results of this study with children are compared with the results from Sheen’s (2006) study of adults) and the impact these factors have on this form of feedback. We also examine the opportunity for, and the actual uptake that may follow these recasts, for child ESL learners. The findings suggest that age and context make a difference, both in relation to the provision of recasts (in terms of their type and characteristics), as well as in relation to their uptake, though to a lesser extent. Context also influences the opportunity for uptake afforded to child learners. The theoretical and pedagogical implications of these results are outlined at the conclusion of this paper.
Rehearsing, conversing, working it out
Authors: Tognini Rita , Philp Jenefer , Oliver Rhonda
Published: December 2010

This paper reports on a study of peer interaction in ten foreign language (FL) classes, six secondary and four primary, over a period of four months. The focus of this paper is the nature of peer interaction, including the purposes of second language use, and language choice. The data, comprising observation, audio and video recordings of five lessons from each of the classes, and interviews with learners, indicates multiple uses peers make of their time together, and different potential outcomes for learning. The findings suggest second language use varies in purpose and includes both formulaic pattern practice and communication of new information or ideas, and at the same time creates a context for the co-construction of language and a grappling with form-meaning connections in the target language. By exploring peer interaction as a context for second language use and development, this research brings together different perspectives on interaction and second language acquisition and builds on recent calls for a greater awareness of the interdependence of social and cognitive factors in the process of language learning.
Learner language analytic methods and pedagogical implications
Authors: Dyson Bronwen Patricia
Published: December 2010

Methods for analysing interlanguage have long aimed to capture learner language in its own right. By surveying the cognitive methods of Error Analysis, Obligatory Occasion Analysis and Frequency Analysis, this paper traces reformulations to attain this goal. The paper then focuses on Emergence Analysis, which fine-tunes learner language analysis by measuring the ‘onset’ of spoken grammar as hypothesised in Processability Theory (PT) (Pienemann, 1998, 2005a). Since doubts have been expressed regarding the emergence approach’s rigour and pedagogical relevance, a study is presented which aims to provide a more in-depth and wide-ranging account of the ‘onset’ of. English grammar. Having sketched and amplified Processability Theory’s predictions, the paper applies emergence analysis to the longitudinal development of two adolescent ESL learners. As well as exemplifying the rigour of the emergence procedures, the results show overall support for the more comprehensive predictions. The paper concludes that learner language analysis does not have a deficit emphasis on transition to the target language, as claimed by Firth and Wagner (1997, 2007). Indeed, such methods have a role in assessing developmental readiness in a learner-oriented approach to grammar teaching.
Photocatalytic Degradation of Eriochrome Black Dye in a Rotating Corrugated Drum Photocatalytic Reactor
Authors: Ho Nathalie , Gamage Joanne D , Zhang Zisheng Jason
Published: December 2010

Advanced oxidation processes have been investigated as a viable means of treatment for the degradation and removal of dye-containing effluents. In this work, the degradation of an azo dye, Eriochrome black, was studied using a novel photocatalytic reactor in which TiO2 is immobilized on a rotating corrugated drum. The degradation of the dye via the photocatalytic method was confirmed, and degradation rates were compared using different drum designs. Catalyst deactivation was observed, and this process of irreversibility was found to increase with increasing initial dye concentration in the water. A Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic analysis was applied, and it was found to agree well with the data in the initial parts of the reaction but diverged with increasing time. The discrepancy was thought to be due to the presence of unquantified reaction intermediates which may only be broken down slowly by the photocatalytic process.
Short-time measurements of interception in mountain spruce forest
Authors: Holko Ladislav
Published: December 2010

Short-time measurements of interception in mountain spruce forest

Open area rainfall and throughfall measurements in the Western Tatra Mountains (altitude about 1500 m a.s.l.) made by tipping bucket gauges were used to estimate the usefulness of the short-time data in analysis of spruce interception. The 10-minute data from period 13 May-13 October 2009 did not reveal meaningful correlations between the open area rainfall and throughfall. Aggregated measurements representing individual rainfall events were more useful. They showed linear relationship between open area rainfall and throughfall for events with total rainfall depth in the open area exceeding 5 mm. Correlation between open area rainfall and throughfall for rainfall events with duration above 120 minutes was significantly better than for the shorter ones. Mean values of interception (percentage of open area rainfall which did not appear in throughfall) of individual rainfall events was high. When we excluded events for which throughfall was higher than the open area rainfall, mean interception for larger and longer rainfall events was 46% and 48%, respectively. For smaller (runoff depth below 5 mm) and shorter events (duration below 2 hours) the mean interception was 70% and 72%, respectively. However, the data revealed very high variability of interception.
Assessing the retention capacity of a floodplain using a 2D numerical model
Authors: Valentová Jana , Valenta Petr , Weyskrabová Lenka
Published: December 2010

Assessing the retention capacity of a floodplain using a 2D numerical model

This paper presents a method for assessing the retention capacity of a floodplain in the course of flooding and for estimating the significance of its water storage for transforming a flood wave. The method is based on two-dimensional numerical modeling of the flood flow in a river channel and in the adjacent floodplains, and is suitable for cases when the morphology of the flooding area is variable and complex, e.g. broad inundation areas with meandering channels. The approach adopted here enables us to quantify the retention capacity for inundation areas of various characters and with various land uses, and provides a tool for estimating the efficiency of possible measures for increasing the water storage capacity of a floodplain. The retention capacity is estimated using an evaluation of a series of detailed flood flow modeling results; the flood wave transformation effect is predicted with the aim of creating a non-linear reservoir model. A parametric study of the floodplain retention capacity for the upper branch of the Lužnice River is presented here, and the results for the current state and for various hypothetical scenarios of changes in geometry and land use are evaluated and compared.
Estimating Flow Characteristics of Different Weir Types and Optimum Dimensions of Downstream Receiving Pool
Authors: Emiroglu M.
Published: December 2010

Estimating Flow Characteristics of Different Weir Types and Optimum Dimensions of Downstream Receiving Pool

This paper presents the results of a laboratory study on the flow characteristics of sharp-crested weirs, broad-crested weirs, and labyrinth weirs. The variation of the maximum bubble penetration depth for different weir types is investigated depending on overfall jet expansion, discharge, and drop height. Moreover, most efficient depth, length and width of the downstream receiving pool in an open channel system are studied by considering the penetration depth, overfall jet expansion, jet trajectory and the bubble zone. The results show that overfall jet expansion at the labyrinth weirs is significantly wider than the rectangular sharp-crested weirs and the trapezoidal sharp-crested weir. It is demonstrated that the labyrinth weirs have the lowest values of bubble penetration depth among the weirs tested. Furthermore, it is found that the rectangular and the trapezoidal weirs are observed to have the highest bubble penetration depth among all weirs. Consequently, empirical equations are obtained for predicting the maximum penetration depth of bubbles, trajectory of free overfall nappe, jet expansion of free overfall nappe, and the length of the bubble zone.
Comparison of the monitored and modeled soil water storage of the upper soil layer: the influence of soil properties and groundwater table level
Authors: Šútor Július , Štekauerová Vlasta , Nagy Viliam
Published: December 2010

Comparison of the monitored and modeled soil water storage of the upper soil layer: the influence of soil properties and groundwater table level

In the study ofTomlain(1997) a soil water balance model was applied to evaluate the climate change impacts on the soil water storage in the Hurbanovo locality (Southwestern Slovakia), using the climate change scenarios of Slovakia for the years 2010, 2030, and 2075 by the global circulation models CCCM, GISS and GFD3. These calculations did not take into consideration neither the various soil properties, nor the groundwater table influence on soil water content. In this study, their calculated data were compared with those monitored at the same sites. There were found significant differences between resulting soil water storage of the upper 100 cm soil layer, most probably due to cappilary rise from groundwater at sites 2 and 3. It was shown, that the soil properties and groundwater table depth are importat features strongly influencing soil water content of the upper soil layer; thus the application of the soil water balance equation (Eq. (1)), neglecting the above mentioned factors, could lead to the results far from reality.
The spherical harmonic representation of the gravitational field quantities generated by the ice density contrast
Authors: Tenzer Robert , Abdalla Ahmed , Vajda Peter ,   Hamayun
Published: December 2010

The spherical harmonic representation of the gravitational field quantities generated by the ice density contrast

We derive the expressions for computing the ice density contrast stripping corrections to the topography corrected gravity field quantities by means of the spherical harmonics. The expressions in the spectral representation utilize two types of the spherical functions, namely the spherical height functions and the newly introduced lower-bound ice functions. The spherical height functions describe the global geometry of the upper topographic bound. The spherical lower-bound ice functions combined with the spherical height functions describe the global thickness of the continental ice sheet. The newly derived formulas are utilized in the forward modelling of the gravitational field quantities generated by the ice density contrast. The 30×30 arc-sec global elevation data from GTOPO30 are used to generate the global elevation model (GEM) coefficients. The spatially averaged global elevation data from GTOPO30 and the 2×2 arc-deg ice-thickness data from the CRUST 2.0 global crustal model are used to generate the global lower-bound ice model (GIM) coefficients. The mean value of the ice density contrast 1753 kg/m3(i.e., difference of the reference constant density of the continental upper crust 2670 kg/m3and the density of glacial ice 917 kg/m3) is adopted. The numerical examples are given for the gravitational potential and attraction generated by the ice density contrast computed globally with a low-degree spectral resolution complete to degree and order 90 of the GEM and GIM coefficients.
Soft bottom macrofauna of an All Taxa Biodiversity Site: Hornsund (77○N, Svalbard)
Authors: Kędra Monika , Gromisz Sławomira , Jaskuła Radomir , Legeżyńska Joanna , Maciejewska Barbara , Malec Edyta , Opanowski Artur , Ostrowska Karolina , Włodarska-Kowalczuk Maria , Węsławski Jan
Published: December 2010

Soft bottom macrofauna of an All Taxa Biodiversity Site: Hornsund (77○N, Svalbard)

Hornsund, an Arctic fjord in the west coast of Spitsbergen (Svalbard), was selected as All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) site under EU 5th Framework Concerted Action BIOMARE (2000-2002), especially due to its pristine, undisturbed natural character. On the base of large material (89 stations located throughout the fjord and 129 Van Veen grab samples) collected during cruises of RVOceaniain July in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007 and literature search a comprehensive list of species recorded within Hornsund area, on the soft bottom with depth range of 30-250 m is provided. Over 220 species were identified including 93 species of Polychaeta, 62 species of Mollusca and 58 species of Crustacea. Species list is supported by information on the zoogeographical status, body length and biological traits of dominant species. Need for further research on Hornsund soft bottom fauna with more sampling effort is highlighted.
Summer 2009 thermal and bioclimatic conditions in Ebba Valley, central Spitsbergen
Authors: Bednorz Ewa , Kolendowicz Leszek
Published: December 2010

Summer 2009 thermal and bioclimatic conditions in Ebba Valley, central Spitsbergen

The thermal, anemometric and bioclimatic conditions on the topoclimatic scale were investigated in the summer season in the EbbaValley region in central Spitsbergen. Eight measurement sites, representing different ecosystems and different types of active surfaces typical of Spitsbergen, were chosen and automatic, hourly recorded, measurements were performed at the sites between 11 and 25 of July 2009. The analysis of the spatial distribution of the air temperature and thewind-chill temperature, both for the dayswith radiation and non-radiation weather, indicates that the most favorable regions in the interior of Spitsbergen are those situated in the shielded central parts of the valleys and in the lower parts of the slopes with southern exposure. The thermal and wind conditions are definitely less favorable at the tops of elevations and on the glacier. Large differences between the air temperature and the wind-chill temperature were noted, particularly during the unfavorable non-radiation weather, on the glacier and on open peaks due to a large horizontal and vertical wind-chill temperature gradient. The thermal inversions observed in the Ebba Valley in July 2009 were not of the typical, glacier katabatic wind origin. They appeared during the western air circulation, which brings advection of cooled air from above the cold waters of Petunia Bay. The cold air penetrates into the valley and pushes upwards themass of warmer air in the valley, creating a rather thin inversion layer, whose upper edge is marked with thin Stratus clouds.
Impact of Vitamins C and E Dietary Supplementation on Leukocyte Profile of Layer Hens Exposed to High Ambient Temperature and Humidity
Authors: Ajakaiye Joachim Joseph , Perez-Bello Alcides , Mollineda-Trujillo Angel
Published: December 2010

A 30-day experiment involving 720 White Leghorn layer hens was carried out to evaluate the effects of vitamins C and E on leukocyte and heterophil/lymphocytes ratios of the layer hens during the natural summer conditions. The birds were divided into 4 groups, one control with basal diet and three experimental with diet supplemented with vitamin C, vitamin E, or combination of both vitamins. Each group was divided into 4 subgroups. Exposure of layer hens to 31 ± 3 °C and 33 ± 0 °C ambient temperature and 84.6% and 81.5% relative humidity during the experiment caused an increase in the value of temperature humidity index of 15.5 above the threshold value of 70 established for this species. Total white blood cells, lymphocytes, and eosinophil levels were significantly (p< 0.001) higher in all treated groups compared to control. Similarly, heterophil/lymphocyte ratios of 0.51, 0.52, and 0.50 for groups with diet supplemented with vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamins C + E, respectively, were significantly (p< 0.001) lower compared to 0.59 recorded in the control group. However, heterophil, basophil and monocyte values were significantly (p< 0.001) higher in the control group compared to all treated groups. The results of the present study showed that dietary supplementation of vitamins C and E, or their combination, reduces the harmful effect of high ambient temperature and humidity on the leukocyte indicators of exposed layer hens, thereby alleviating the stress imposed on their thermoregulatory mechanism and physiological status.
The Effect of Low Dose Ionizing Radiation and Cadmium Chloride on Glucose Metabolism in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Daňová Denisa , Kafka Igor , Kaleničová Zuzana , Nováková Jaroslava
Published: December 2010

The aim of the study was to observe the effect of ionizing radiation and cadmium chloride on glucose metabolism in broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on 28-day-old chickens divided into four groups (A, B, C and D). The first group (A) served as control, groups 2 (B) and 3 (C) were irradiated with a single, whole body dose of gamma rays (3 Gy, input 1.14 Gy·min-1) and group 3 (C) was administered a water solution of CdCl2 intraperitoneally at a dose of 6 mg·kg-1 body weight. Group 4 (D) was administered a water solution of CdCl2 intraperitoneally at the same dose as group 3 but chickens of this group were not irradiated with gamma rays. The serum glucose concentration in the chickens that were irradiated and administered CdCl2 solution (C) was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) on days 7, 14 and 21 (p < 0.01) of the experiment compared to control (A). The serum glucose concentration in the chickens administered only CdCl2 (D) was decreased significantly on day 7 compared to control (A). No significant changes in serum glucose concentrations were observed in the remaining group. The results of our experiment indicate that a combined influence of ionizing radiation and administered cadmium chloride resulted in a significant decrease in serum glucose concentration and the influence was more evident than that caused either by cadmium chloride or irradiation alone. The changes in serum glucose concentration observed on days 7 and 14 in gamma-irradiated chickens were lower than those induced only by administration of cadmium chloride.
Isolation and Characterization of Brachyspira spp. from Dogs in the Czech Republic
Authors: Šperling Daniel , Čada František , Čížek Alois
Published: December 2010

The objectives of this study were to establish the prevalence of intestinal Spirochetes of the genusBrachyspirain Czech dogs and to determine the susceptibility of obtainedB. pilosicoliisolates to selected antibacterial substances. Spirochetes were diagnosed microscopically in 23 out of 1139 samples of dogs’ excrements, primarily intended for a parasitological testing. The cultivation of positive samples provided 10 brachyspira isolates, which were, on the basis of their biochemical activity and the results of the species-specific PCR, identified asB. pilosicoli(9 isolates) andB. hyodysenteriae(1 isolate). These dogs came from households. All the 7 tested isolatesB. pilosicoliwere sensitive to metronidazole and doxycycline, uniformly resistant to erythromycin, partly sensitive to cefazoline, lincomicine and ampicilline except for one isolate ofB. pilosicoli, which was resistant to ampicilline. The second part of study was focused on dogs with diarrhoea that came from animal shelters, where a high prevalence of 58% (10/17) ofB. pilosicoliwas found.
A Survey on Dirofilaria immitis Occurence in Stray Dogs of Tabriz (Iran)
Authors: Nematollahi Ahmad , Barazandeh Mohammad Ali Javidi
Published: December 2010

To determine the prevalence of microfilariaeDirofilaria immitis(canine heart worm) infection in Tabriz (East-Azarbaijan province, Iran), blood samples from 63 male and 37 female stray dogs of six age groups (< 1 years, 1-3 years, 3-5 years, 5-7 years, 7-9 years and > 9 years) were analyzed by means of the Knott method.Dirofilaria immitisinfection was found in 30 of 100 tested dogs (30%). Male dogs (33.3%) were more infected than females (24.3%), but this difference was not significant. Higher prevalence was found in > 9 years old dogs than in other age groups, but this difference was not statistically significant. It would be useful to apply prevention measures to controlDirofilaria immitisinfection in the canine population of Tabriz.
Surgical Treatment of Displaced Abomasum in Cattle Using Ljubljana Method
Authors: Starič Jože , Biricik Halil Selcuk , Aksoy Gurbuz , Zadnik Tomaž
Published: December 2010

Displacement of the abomasum (DA) is an increasingly common disease in dairy cattle in intensive production. This study presents surgical treatment of DA using Ljubljana method in years 2005 and 2006. Slovenian Black and White dairy cows (n = 30) with left DA in 19 cows, right DA in four cows, anterior DA in two cows and abomasal volvulus in five cows were used. The surgical treatment was successful in 28 cows, 2 had to be euthanized due to complications associated with left DA and abomasal volvulus. One month after the surgery all 28 cows were productive. Omentopexy using Ljubljana method can be used as a clinical procedure as well as procedure performed in ambulatory practice.
Size-relative Effectiveness of Clove Oil as an Anaesthetic for Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792) and Goldfish (Carassius auratus Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Perdikaris Costas , Nathanailides Cosmas , Gouva Evangelia , Gabriel Ugwemorubong Ujagwung , Bitchava Konstantina , Athanasopoulou Fotini , Paschou Ageliki , Paschos Ioannis
Published: December 2010

The purpose of this work was to investigate the size-relative effectiveness of clove oil as an anaesthetic for rainbow trout and goldfish. In total, 128 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (two groups of 20-23 and 30-33 cm mean fork length) and 160 goldfish (Carassius auratus) (four size groups of 1.5-2.5, 5-7, 11-15 and 20-25 cm) were anaesthetized at different clove oil concentrations of 50, 100, 150 mg·l-1 for trouts and 75, 100, 150 mg·l-1 for goldfish. Rainbow trout exhibited total loss of balance and no response to external stimuli with shorter induction time as dosage increased (120.5 s, 64.4 s and 44.3 s, respectively). Goldfish exhibited total loss of balance and no response to external stimuli after induction time that varied with dosage used and body size of fish. The small fish (1.5-7 cm) exhibited shorter induction time which ranged from 84.28 s at 75 mg·l-1 clove oil to 41.14 s at 150 mg·l-1 clove oil. The larger fish had a longer induction time inversely related to the dosage. Recovery time was longer than induction time in both species. Both species recovered within 6 min after anaesthesia at 150 mg·l-1 clove oil. Clove oil did not produce marked changes (P < 0.05) in the physiological indicators of goldfish compared to the control. However, marked changes (P < 0.05) were exhibited in the haematocrit of treated rainbow trout that also exhibited hyperkalaemia and hyperglycaemia (P > 0.05). For both fish species, clove oil was effective, producing minimum stress and zero mortalities, and can be recommended as an effective anaesthetic.
Outliers in Questionnaire Data
Authors: Zijlstra Wobbe P. , van der Ark L. Andries , Sijtsma Klaas
Published: December 2010

Outliers in questionnaire data are unusual observations, which may bias statistical results, and outlier statistics may be used to detect such outliers. The authors investigated the effect outliers have on the specificity and the sensitivity of each of six different outlier statistics. The Mahalanobis distance and the item-pair based outlier statistics were found to have the best combination of specificity and sensitivity. Next, it was investigated how outliers influenced the bias in the percentile rank score, Cronbach’s alpha, and the validity coefficient. Outliers due to random responding and faking produced considerable bias, and outliers due to extreme responding produced little bias. Finally, the influence of removing discordant observations on bias was studied. Removing observations due to random responding identified by means of the Mahalanobis distance, the local outlier factor, and the item-pair based outlier statistic reduced bias.
An International Comparison of Female and Male Students’ Attitudes to the Use of Animals
Authors: Phillips Clive , Izmirli Serdar , Aldavood Javid , Alonso Marta , Choe Bi , Hanlon Alison , Handziska Anastasija , Illmann Gudrun , Keeling Linda , Kennedy Mark , Lee Gwi , Lund Vonne , Mejdell Cecilie , Pelagic Veselinas , Rehn Therese
Published: December 2010

Previous research has demonstrated that in households where the male partner is more dominant, there is convergence in male and female attitudes towards animals, whereas if the female partner is empowered they exhibit greater empathy towards animals than the male partner. We tested this theory of ‘female empowered empathy’ internationally in a survey of female and male students’ attitudes towards use of animals, conducted in 11 Eurasian countries: China, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Iran, Ireland, South Korea, Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Spain and Sweden. Gender empowerment was estimated for each country using the Gender Empowerment Measure designed by the United Nations. The survey was administered via the internet in universities within countries, and 1,902 female and 1,530 male student responses from 102 universities were received. Respondents rated the acceptability of 43 major concerns about human use of animals, and the importance of 13 world social issues, including animal protection, environmental protection and sustainable development. Females had greater concern for animal welfare and rights than males. There was a positive correlation between the Gender Empowerment Measure and the ratio of female to male concern for animal welfare and rights, but not for other world issues. Thus in countries where females were more empowered, principally Sweden, Norway and Great Britain, females had much greater concern than males for animal issues, whereas in other countries the responses of males and females were more similar. Across countries female students were more likely to avoid meat and less likely to avoid eggs, milk and seafood than male students, and were more likely to have kept pets than males. Females rated cats as more sentient than males did. The results demonstrate that females have greater concern for animal welfare and rights than males, and that this is more likely to be expressed in countries where females are relatively empowered, suggesting that ‘emancipated female empathy’ operates across countries as well as at a local level.
A Mangifera indica L. Extract Could Be Used to Treat Neuropathic Pain and Implication of Mangiferin
Authors: Garrido-Suárez Bárbara B. , Garrido Gabino , Delgado Rene , Bosch Fe , Rabí María del C.
Published: December 2010

It has been accepted that neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and glial activation are involved in the central sensitization underlying neuropathic pain. Vimang is an aqueous extract of Mangifera indica L. traditionally used in Cuba for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Several formulations are available, and also for mangiferin, its major component. Preclinical studies demonstrated that these products prevented tumor necrosis factor α -induced IκB degradation and the binding of nuclear factor κB to DNA, which induces the transcription of genes implicated in the expression of some mediators and enzymes involved in inflammation, pain, oxidative stress and synaptic plasticity. In this paper we propose its potential utility in the neuropathic pain treatment. This hypothesis is supported in the cumulus of preclinical and clinical evidence around the extract and mangiferin, its major component, and speculates about the possible mechanism of action according to recent advances in the physiopathology of neuropathic pain.
Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids May Be Beneficial for Reducing Obesity—A Review
Authors: Buckley Jonathan D. , Howe Peter R. C.
Published: December 2010

Current recommendations for counteracting obesity advocate the consumption of a healthy diet and participation in regular physical activity, but many individuals have difficulty complying with these recommendations. Studies in rodents and humans have indicated that long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) potentially elicit a number of effects which might be useful for reducing obesity, including suppression of appetite, improvements in circulation which might facilitate nutrient delivery to skeletal muscle and changes in gene expression which shift metabolism toward increased accretion of lean tissue, enhanced fat oxidation and energy expenditure and reduced fat deposition. While LC n-3 PUFA supplementation has been shown to reduce obesity in rodents, evidence in humans is limited. Epidemiological associations between LC n-3 PUFA intakes and obesity are inconclusive but small cross-sectional studies have demonstrated inverse relationships between markers of LC n-3 PUFA status and markers of obesity. Human intervention trials indicate potential benefits of LC n-3 PUFA supplementation, especially when combined with energy-restricted diets or exercise, but more well-controlled and long-term trials are needed to confirm these effects and identify mechanisms of action.
Simvastatin Release from Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Membrane Scaffolds
Authors: Rashidi Hassan , Ellis Marianne J. , Cartmell Sarah H. , Chaudhuri Julian B.
Published: December 2010

Statins, a group of potent inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase in cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, have been widely used as a cholesterol lowering drug. The plieotrophic effect of statins on bone metabolism in long-term usage has been begun to be studied during recent years and several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of statins to promote expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and reduction of osteoporotic fractures risk. The high liver specificity and low oral bioavailability of statins, leading to poor peripheral distribution, are the main obstacles to benefit anabolic effects of hydrophobic statins on bone formation. Therefore, developing new administration roots for direct delivery to achieve optimum concentration in the bone microenvironment is of interest. Here we present and compare two approaches of combining statins with bone tissue engineering scaffolds. Simvastatin was combined with a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) membrane scaffold for diffusion-controlled release by dissolving simvastatin (dis-sim) in the membrane casting dope, and for degradation-controlled release by covalently bonding saponifiedsimvastatin (sap-sim) to the PLGA in the spinning dope. Rheological and concentration-dependent membrane morphology changes were observed with saponifiedsimvastatin, suggesting ester bond cleavage and covalent bonding of the statin to the PLGA, but not with dissolved simvastatin. Dissolved simvastatin membranes showed a logarithmic decay release profile while the saponifiedsimvastatin membranes showed constant release. It can be concluded that the covalent bonding of simvastatinto PLGA scaffolds is showing potential for use as a controlled releasescaffold for bone tissue engineering.
Fucoidan Therapy Decreases the Proviral Load in Patients with Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type-1-Associated Neurological Disease
Authors: Araya Natsumi , Takahashi Katsunori , Sato Tomoo , Nakamura Tatsufumi , Sawa Chika , Hasegawa Daisuke , Ando Hitoshi , Aratani Satoko , Yagishita Naoko , Fujii Ryoji , Oka Hiroshi , Nishioka Kusuki , Nakajima Toshihiro , Mori Naoki , Yamano Yoshihisa
Published: December 2010

Background

Human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is a human retrovirus that causes HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and adult T-cell leukaemia (ATL). A higher viral load in individuals with HTLV-1 infection increases their risk of developing HAM/TSP and ATL. Moreover, the high proviral load is associated with the clinical progression of HAM/TSP. Reduction of the number of HTLV-1-infected cells is therefore crucial for preventing and treating HTLV-1-associated diseases. Recently, fucoidan, a complex sulphated polysaccharide derived from marine seaweed, has been demonstrated to exert inhibitory effects on HTLV-1 infection in vitro. In this study, we examined the in vivo effects of fucoidan on HTLV-1 infection.

Methods

In this single-centre open-label trial, 13 patients with HAM/TSP were treated with 6 g fucoidan daily for 6–13 months. The HTLV-1 proviral DNA load and frequencies of HTLV-1-specific CD8+ T-cells, natural killer cells, invariant natural killer T-cells and dendritic cells in the peripheral blood were analysed. Furthermore, the in vitro inhibitory effect of fucoidan on cell-to-cell HTLV-1 infection was examined by using luciferase reporter cell assays.

Results

Fucoidan inhibited the cell-to-cell transmission of HTLV-1 in vitro. Furthermore, fucoidan therapy resulted in a 42.4% decrease in the HTLV-1 proviral load without affecting the host immune cells. During the treatment, no exacerbation was observed. Four patients with HAM/TSP developed diarrhoea, which improved immediately after stopping fucoidan administration.

Conclusions

Fucoidan is a new potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of HTLV-1-associated diseases.
Deficiency of IL-22 Contributes to a Chronic Inflammatory Disease: Pathogenetic Mechanisms in Acne Inversa
Authors: Wolk Kerstin , Warszawska Katarzyna , Hoeflich Conny , Witte Ellen , Schneider-Burrus Sylke , Witte Katrin , Kunz Stefanie , Buss Annette , Roewert Hans Joachim , Krause Markus , Lukowsky Ansgar , Volk Hans-Dieter , Sterry Wolfram , Sabat Robert
Published: December 2010

Overexpression of the T cell cytokine IL-22 is linked to the development of some chronic diseases, but little is known about IL-22 deficiency in humans. As demonstrated in this study, acne inversa (AI; also designated as Hidradenitis suppurativa) lesions show a relative deficiency of IL-22 and IL-20, but not of IL-17A, IL-26, IFN-γ, IL-24, or IL-1β. Moreover, AI lesions had reduced expression of membranous IL-22 and IL-20 receptors and increased expression of the natural IL-22 inhibitor, IL-22 binding protein. AI is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with prevalence up to 4% of the population and in which cutaneous bacterial persistence represents an important pathogenetic factor. Accordingly, we also found a relative deficiency of antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) in AI lesions and a positive correlation between lesional IL-22 and IL-20 versus AMP levels. IL-22, like its tissue cell downstream mediator IL-20, upregulated AMPs in reconstituted human epidermis and was critical for increased AMP levels under inflammatory conditions. The relative IL-22 deficiency in AI was not linked to lesional T cell numbers or Th22/Th1/Th17 subset markers and -inducing cytokines. However, IL-10 was highly expressed in AI lesions and correlated negatively with IL-22 expression. Moreover, IL-10 inhibited IL-22 but not IL-17 production in vitro. The IL-10 overexpression, in turn, was not associated with an elevated presence of regulatory T cells but with the enhanced presence of an IL-10–inducing cytokine. We conclude that IL-22 deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of certain chronic disorders as postulated in this paper for AI.
Retinoic Acid-Induced CCR9 Expression Requires Transient TCR Stimulation and Cooperativity between NFATc2 and the Retinoic Acid Receptor/Retinoid X Receptor Complex
Authors: Ohoka Yoshiharu , Yokota Aya , Takeuchi Hajime , Maeda Naoko , Iwata Makoto
Published: December 2010

Retinoic acid (RA) imprints gut-homing specificity on T cells upon activation by inducing the expression of chemokine receptor CCR9 and integrin α4β7. CCR9 expression seemed to be more highly dependent on RA than was the α4β7 expression, but its molecular mechanism remained unclear. In this article, we show that NFAT isoforms NFATc1 and NFATc2 directly interact with RA receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) but play differential roles in RA-induced CCR9 expression on murine naive CD4+ T cells. TCR stimulation for 6–24 h was required for the acquisition of responsiveness to RA and induced activation of NFATc1 and NFATc2. However, RA failed to induce CCR9 expression as long as TCR stimulation continued. After terminating TCR stimulation or adding cyclosporin A to the culture, Ccr9 gene transcription was induced, accompanied by inactivation of NFATc1 and sustained activation of NFATc2. Reporter and DNA-affinity precipitation assays demonstrated that the binding of NFATc2 to two NFAT-binding sites and that of the RAR/RXR complex to an RA response element half-site in the 5′-flanking region of the mouse Ccr9 gene were critical for RA-induced promoter activity. NFATc2 directly bound to RARα and RXRα, and it enhanced the binding of RARα to the RA response element half-site. NFATc1 also bound to the NFAT-binding sites and directly to RARα and RXRα, but it inhibited the NFATc2-dependent promoter activity. These results suggest that the cooperativity between NFATc2 and the RAR/RXR complex is essential for CCR9 expression on T cells and that NFATc1 interferes with the action of NFATc2.
Successful Colon Cancer Eradication after Chemoimmunotherapy Is Associated with Profound Phenotypic Change of Intratumoral Myeloid Cells
Authors: Medina-Echeverz José , Fioravanti Jessica , Zabala Maider , Ardaiz Nuria , Prieto Jesús , Berraondo Pedro
Published: December 2010

IL-12 is a potent immunostimulatory cytokine, but its impact as an antitumor drug in clinical practice is limited. Upsurge of regulatory T cells (Treg) in the tumor milieu has been proposed to limit the efficacy of the treatment. In this paper, two drugs (cyclophosphamide [CPA] and anti-CD25 mAb) widely used to eliminate Treg were used in an attempt to enhance the antitumor effect of IL-12 gene therapy. Both anti-CD25 and CPA combined with IL-12 were able to deplete intratumoral Treg and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), but only IL-12 plus CPA achieved significant antitumor activity in mice with large established s.c. colon carcinoma. This therapeutic effect was associated with the emergence of a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells within the tumor, termed inflammatory myeloid cells (IMC), composed of Ly6ChighLy6Glow inflammatory monocytes and Ly6GhighLy6C+ neutrophils. IMC showed a distinctive pattern of cytokine/chemokine production, and in contrast to MDSC, they did not induce conversion of naive CD4+ T cells into Treg. The appearance of IMC coincided with intense tumor infiltration by effector T cells, which was abrogated by elimination of IMC by anti-Gr1 mAb, a maneuver that abolished the antitumor effect of the therapy. Therefore, the combination of IL-12 and CPA eliminates intratumoral Treg and MDSC, while it induces the appearance of IMC within the tumor microenvironment. The latter effect is essential to facilitate effector T cell infiltration and subsequent tumor elimination.
NLRC5 Deficiency Does Not Influence Cytokine Induction by Virus and Bacteria Infections
Authors: Kumar Himanshu , Pandey Surya , Zou Jian , Kumagai Yutaro , Takahashi Ken , Akira Shizuo , Kawai Taro
Published: December 2010

Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine rich repeat containing gene family receptors (NLRs) are cytosolic proteins that respond to a variety of pathogen and host components to induce inflammatory cytokines. NLRC5 is a recently identified member of the NLR family that has been implicated in positive and negative regulation of antiviral innate immune responses. To clarify whether NLRC5 controls antiviral innate immunity in vivo, we generated NLRC5-deficient mice. Macrophages and dendritic cells derived from NLRC5-deficient mice induced relatively normal levels of IFN-β, IL-6, and TNF-α after treatment with RNA viruses, DNA viruses, and bacteria. The serum cytokine levels after polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid infection were also comparable between control and NLRC5-deficient mice. NLRC5 overexpression promoted IL-1β production via caspase-1, suggesting that NLRC5 constitutes an inflammasome. However, there was no reduction of IL-1β in NLRC5-deficient cells in response to known inflammasome activators, suggesting that NLRC5 controls IL-1β production through an unidentified pathway. These findings indicate that NLRC5 is dispensable for cytokine induction in virus and bacterial infections under physiologic conditions.
Reasons and strategies associated with positive interaction between work and home amongst managers: An exploratory study
Authors: Oosthuizen Janet , Mostert Karina
Published: December 2010

Orientation: In order to facilitate positive interaction between work and home, it is necessary to understand the reasons for and strategies used by managerial employees to manage this interaction.Research purpose: The objectives of this study were to determine, (1) reasons why employees experience high or low positive work–home interaction and (2) strategies that employees with high and low positive interaction use.Motivation for the study: Positive interaction between work and home, particularly in managerial employees, is becoming increasingly more important with a view to ensuring a stable and healthy work–home life.Research design, approach and method: A random clustered sample (n = 275) was taken from managerial employees in a multinational organisation and the Survey Work–Home Interaction-Nijmegen (SWING) was administered to identify participants with high and low positive interaction between work and home respectively. Thereafter, exploratory qualitative interviews were conducted with selected participants (n = 32) to deduce themes for the above-mentioned objectives. Content analysis was used to analyse, quantify and interpret the research data.Main findings: Reasons for high or low positive interaction were identified in conjunction with previous research. Ten successful strategies for positive interaction between work and home were identified and reported.Managerial/practical implications: Organisational recommendations made include changing the organisational culture to being more supportive, developing employees for future positions and creating social networks. In addition, individual strategies and recommendations for future research are identified.Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the limited research on strategies for positive interaction between work and home among managerial employees.
Seasonal cycle, size dependencies, and source analyses of aerosol optical properties at the SMEAR II measurement station in Hyytiälä, Finland
Authors: Virkkula A. , Backman J. , Aalto P. P. , Hulkkonen M. , Riuttanen L. , Nieminen T. , dal Maso M. , Sogacheva L. , de Leeuw G. , Kulmala M.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. Scattering and absorption were measured at the SMEAR II station in Hyytiälä, Finland, from October 2006 to May 2009. The average scattering coefficient σSP (λ=550 nm) 18 Mm−1 was about twice as much as at the Pallas GAW station in Finnish Lapland. The average absorption coefficient σAP (λ=550 nm) was 2.1 Mm−1. The seasonal cycles were analyzed from hourly-averaged data classified according to the measurement month. The ratio of the highest to the lowest average σSP and σAP was ~1.8 and ~2.8, respectively. The average single-scattering albedo (ω0) was 0.86 in winter and 0.91 in summer. σSP was highly correlated with the volume concentrations calculated from number size distributions in the size range 0.003–10 μm yielding PM10 mass scattering efficiency of 2.75 ± 0.01 g m−2 at λ=550 nm. Scattering coefficients were also calculated from the number size distributions by using a Mie code and the refractive index of ammonium sulfate. The linear regression yielded σSP(modelled)=1.04×σSP(measured) but there were also large deviations from the regression line: 10% of the σSP(modelled)-to-σSP(measured) ratios, calculated for each hour, were smaller than 0.9 and 10% of them were larger than 1.27. The scattering size distributions were bimodal, with a large submicrometer mode with geometric mean diameters Dg between ~300 and 400 nm and a smaller supermicrometer mode with Dg at ~1.5–1.9 μm. The contribution of submicrometer particles to scattering was ~90%. The Ångström exponent of scattering, αSP, was compared with the following weighted mean diameters: count mean diameter (CMD), surface mean diameter (SMD), scattering mean diameter (ScMD), condensation sink mean diameter (CsMD), and volume mean diameter (VMD). If αSP is to be used for estimating some measure of the size of particles, the best choice would be ScMD, then SMD, and then VMD. In all of these the qualitative relationship is similar: the larger the Ångström exponent, the smaller the weighted mean diameter. Contrary to these, CMD increased with increasing αSP and CsMD did not have any clear relationship with αSP. Source regions were estimated with backtrajectories and trajectory statistics. The geometric mean σSP and σAP associated with the grid cells in Eastern Europe were in the range 20–40 Mm−1 and 4–6 Mm−1, respectively. The respective geometric means of σSP and σAP in the grid cells over Norwegian Sea were in the range 5–10 Mm−1 and <1 Mm−1. The source areas associated with high αSP values were norther than those for σSP and σAP. The trajectory statistical approach and a simple wind sector classification agreed well.