bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Deletion in Hepatocytes of Rejecting Liver Allografts in Rats: Role of TNF-α *
Authors: Nagakawa Yuichi , Williams George Melville , Zheng Qizhi , Tsuchida Akihiko , Aoki Tatsuya , Montgomery Robert A. , Klein Andrew S. , Sun Zhaoli
Published: June 2005

An orthotopic liver transplant model in the rat was used to evaluate the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in liver transplant rejection. There were significantly increased levels of TNF-α mRNA and parallel increases in 8-hydroxy-2′ deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) indicative of oxidative DNA damage present 7 to 12 days after transplantation. Cells staining positively for 8-OHdG were localized to the cytoplasm of hepatocytes adjacent to the TNF-α expressing inflammatory cells in the portal areas or in patches surrounded by inflammatory cells in the hepatic sinusoids. Significantly more cells staining for 8-OHdG were found in the allogeneic grafts that were strongly rejected than in the syngeneic controls or in the grafts placed in species that accepted the allograft permanently after a rejection episode. TUNEL reactivity lagged 2 days behind peak reactivity for 8-OHdG. On day 12 after transplantation, many cells stained for both 8-OHdG and TUNEL, indicating that the cells suffering oxidative DNA injury were undergoing apoptosis or death. Oxidative injury resulted in mtDNA deletion consisting of 4,834 base-pairs. Studies of hepatocytes cultured from normal rats displayed dose-dependent relationships between TNF-α concentration and 8-OHdG and mtDNA mutation. Repetitive intraperitoneal injection of Enbrel, a TNF receptor blocker, significantly decreased hepatocyte 8-OHdG levels and the frequency of deleted mtDNA while greatly extending graft survival time.
In conclusion
, the data presented implicate TNF-α as being capable of causing oxidative DNA damage and mtDNA mutation in hepatocytes. (Hepatology 2005;42:208–215.)
Activation and Function of Hepatocyte NF-κB in Postischemic Liver Injury *
Authors: Lentsch Alex B. , Jaeschke Hartmut , Mullen Kevin , Moradpour Darius
Published: June 2005

The inhibitor of NF-κB (I-κB) kinase (IKK) complex consists of 3 subunits, IKK1, IKK2, and NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), and is involved in the activation of NF-κB by various stimuli. IKK2 or NEMO constitutive knockout mice die during embryogenesis as a result of massive hepatic apoptosis. Therefore, we examined the role of IKK2 in TNF-induced apoptosis and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the liver by using conditional knockout mice. Hepatocyte-specific ablation of IKK2 did not lead to impaired activation of NF-κB or increased apoptosis after TNF-alpha stimulation whereas conditional NEMO knockout resulted in complete block of NF-κB activation and massive hepatocyte apoptosis. In a model of partial hepatic I/R injury, mice lacking IKK2 in hepatocytes displayed significantly reduced liver necrosis and inflammation than wild-type mice. AS602868, a novel chemical inhibitor of IKK2, protected mice from liver injury due to I/R without sensitizing them toward TNF-induced apoptosis and could therefore emerge as a new pharmacological therapy for liver resection, hemorrhagic shock, or transplantation surgery.
Farnesylthiosalicylic acid blocks mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in breast cancer cells
Authors: Yue Wei , Wang Jiping , Li Yuebai , Fan Ping , Santen Richard J.
Published: June 2005

Estradiol (E2) stimulates proliferation of hormone‐dependent breast cancer and exerts downstream effects on growth factors and their receptors. Key among the pathways' mediating growth factor action is the MAP kinase signaling cascade and the PI‐3 kinase pathway with its downstream effector mTOR. We postulated that farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS), a novel anti‐Ras drug, could effectively inhibit hormone‐dependent breast cancer because Ras activates both the MAP kinase and the PI3 kinase pathways. Wild‐type MCF‐7 cells and a long‐term estrogen‐deprived subline (LTED) were used to examine the effect of FTS on cell growth and on several biochemical parameters. FTS inhibited growth of both cell lines by reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis. These effects correlated best with blockade of phosphorylation of PHAS‐I and p70 S6 kinase, 2 downstream effectors of mTOR. We observed only minimal inhibition of Akt, an effector upstream of mTOR. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a novel effect of FTS to inhibit mTOR signaling and also suggest that mTOR has a key role in breast cancer cell proliferation. Unexpectedly, only minimal inhibition of MAP kinase occurred in response to FTS at concentrations that markedly reduced cell growth. These later data provide support for the concept that FTS exerts its effects predominantly by blocking mTOR and to a lesser effect by inhibition of MAP kinase in breast cancer cells. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the International Journal of Cancer website at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0020‐7136/suppmat/index.html. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alcohol consumption and risk of renal cell carcinoma: A prospective study of Swedish women
Authors: Rashidkhani Bahram , Åkesson Agneta , Lindblad Per , Wolk Alicja
Published: June 2005

Previous literature, although not consistent, suggests that moderate alcohol consumption might be associated with decreased risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in women. Thus, we examined the association between alcohol intake and the incidence of RCC by analyzing data from the Swedish Mammography Cohort, a population‐based prospective cohort of 59,237 women, aged 40–76 years, who, at baseline in 1987–1990, were cancer free and had completed a food‐frequency questionnaire including questions about alcohol consumption. Through June 30, 2004, 132 incident cases of RCC were diagnosed. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to estimate age and body mass index (BMI) adjusted rate ratios (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Women who consumed >4.3 grams per day of alcohol (ethanol) had nonsignificantly lower risk of RCC than did women who consumed <2.5 g/d (RR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.42–1.19); among women ≥55 years of age at entry into the cohort, corresponding risk estimates were RR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.10–1.05, p for trend = 0.04 and among women with BMI >25 kg/m2, RR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.09–0.97, p for trend = 0.04. Consistent with these findings, women who drank 1 or more servings of total alcoholic beverages per week had lower RCC risk than did women who drank less (RR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.41–0.94); the corresponding estimate for women ≥55 years of age was RR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.22–0.88. Results from our prospective cohort study of middle‐aged and elderly women indicate that moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with decreased risk of RCC. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
α5β1 integrin stimulates Bcl‐2 expression and cell survival through Akt, focal adhesion kinase, and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase IV
Authors: Lee Byung‐Heon , Ruoslahti Erkki
Published: June 2005

CHO cells expressing α5β1 integrin are more resistant to apoptosis and express more Bcl‐2 than the same cells engineered to express αvβ1 or cytoplasmically truncated α5Δcβ1 integrin as their main fibronectin receptor. The Bcl‐2 up‐regulation by α5β1 is mediated, at least in part, by the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathways. Here, we show that integrin‐mediated activation of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase (CaMK) IV, and the NF‐κB and CREB transcription factors also enhance the integrin‐dependent regulation of Bcl‐2 expression in the α5β1cells. A forkhead transcription factor, which is inactivated by Akt, blocked Bcl‐2 expression. The FAK pathway was found to be defective in both the αvβ1 and α5Δcβ1 cells. These cell lines differed from one another in two Bcl‐2‐regulating pathways: adhesion through αvβ1 failed to activate Akt, allowing forkhead to suppress Bcl‐2 transcription, whereas α5Δcβ1 did not activate NF‐κB and CREB, presumably because CaMK IV was not activated. Our results indicate that three pathways, the FAK, PI3K/Akt, and CaMK IV mediate the survival‐supporting activity of α5β1 integrin. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of serine/cysteine protease inhibitor α1‐antitripsin from meconium‐instilled rabbit lungs
Authors: Zagariya A.M. , Bhat R. , Zhabotynsky E. , Chari G. , Navale S. , Xu Q. , Keiderling T.A. , Vidyasagar D.
Published: June 2005

We have recently purified from meconium‐instilled rabbit lungs a novel serine proteinase inhibitor, with an apparent molecular mass of 50 kDa, which we assign to be α1‐antitripsin. We hypothesize that serpin may attenuate pulmonary inflammation and improve surfactant function after meconium aspiration. α1‐antitripsin is a member of the proteinase inhibitor (serpin) superfamily and inhibitor of neutrophil elastase, and it can be identified as a member of the family by its amino acid sequence due to the high degree of conserved residues. α1‐antitripsin is synthesized by epithelial cells, macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils. Deficiency in α1‐antitripsin leads to exposure of lungs to uncontrolled proteolytic attack from neutrophil elastase or other damaging factors culminating in lung destruction and cell apoptosis. We hypothesize that accumulation of α1‐antitripsin in the lungs serves as a predisposed protection against meconium‐induced lung injury. In this paper, we show how this knowledge can lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for treatment of MAS. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of parathyroid hormone on Wnt signaling pathway in bone
Authors: Kulkarni N.H. , Halladay D.L. , Miles R.R. , Gilbert L.M. , Frolik C.A. , Galvin R.J.S. , Martin T.J. , Gillespie M.T. , Onyia J.E.
Published: June 2005

The Wnt signaling pathway has recently been demonstrated to play an important role in bone cell function. In previous studies using DNA microarray analyses, we observed a change in some of the molecular components of the canonical Wnt pathway namely, frizzled‐1 (FZD‐1) and axil, in response to continuous parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment in rats. In the present study, we further explored other components of the Wnt signaling pathway in rat distal metaphyseal bone in vivo, and rat osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells (UMR 106) in culture. Several Wnt pathway components, including low‐density lipoprotein‐receptor‐related protein 5 (LRP5), LRP6, FZD‐1, Dickkopf‐1 (Dkk‐1), and Kremen‐1 (KRM‐1), were expressed in bone in vivo and in osteoblasts in vitro. Continuous exposure to PTH (1–38) both in vivo and in vitro upregulated the mRNA expression of LRP6 and FZD‐1 and decreased LRP5 and Dkk‐1. These effects in UMR 106 cells were associated with an increase in β‐catenin as measured by Western blots and resulted in functional activation (three to six‐fold) of a downstream Wnt responsive TBE6‐luciferase (TCF/LEF‐binding element) reporter gene. Activation of the TBE6‐luciferase reporter gene by PTH (1–38) in UMR 106 cells was inhibited by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H89. Activation was mimicked by PTH (1–31), PTH‐related protein (1–34), and forskolin, but both PTH (3–34) and (7–34) had no effect. These findings suggest that the effect of PTH on the canonical Wnt signaling pathway occurs at least in part via the cAMP‐PKA pathway through the differential regulation of the receptor complex proteins (FZD‐1/LRP5 or LRP6) and the antagonist (Dkk‐1). Taken together, these results reveal a possible role for the Wnt signaling pathway in PTH actions in bone. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On structural descriptions of lower ideals of trees
Authors: Nigussie Yared , Robertson Neil
Published: June 2005

A finite structural description for proper lower ideals of trees was found in [5] by Robertson, Seymour, and Thomas. They proved existence of a specific description satisfying three axioms. We present our result starting from this fundamental construction. In an attempt to make their description unique and efficient, they introduced a fourth axiom, which conflicts with one of the prior axioms. In this paper, we make use of their valid constructive result and prove the desired uniqueness and efficiency using a different set of axioms. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory
Production of Nanocrystalline RDX by Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions
Authors: Stepanov Victor , Krasnoperov Lev N. , Elkina Inga B. , Zhang Xuyean
Published: June 2005

Nanoscale crystals of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) were produced by Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions (RESS). The experiments were performed by expansion of supercritical solutions of RDX in carbon dioxide through sapphire nozzles (ID: 100 and 150  μm) at pressures of 15.0–29.5 MPa and temperatures of 343–348 K. Recrystallized particles were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X‐ray diffraction, HPLC and melting point analysis. The process produced particles with a mean size in the range 110–220 nm and a narrow size distribution. The product was crystalline as determined by X‐ray diffraction. The effect of process conditions (T, P, nozzle diameter) on the crystal size distribution was determined.
Alkali Dinitramide Salts. Part 1: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Berger Beat , Bircher Hansruedi , Studer Martin , Wälchli Marcel
Published: June 2005

Starting from commercially available ammonium dinitramide (ADN), which was dissolved either in water or in methanol, the sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium dinitramide were synthesized in yields >70% by adding the corresponding alkali metal hydroxide. The basic equation for the reaction is the following:
An Investigation of the Dynamic Response of Thermocouples in Inert and Reacting Condensed Phase Energetic Materials
Authors: Asay Blaine W. , Son Steven F. , Dickson Peter M. , Smilowitz Laura B. , Henson Bryan F.
Published: June 2005

Thermocouples are widely used to measure both transient and steady state temperatures in many different materials. Bead diameters range from a few micrometers to several millimeters. During steady state operations, dynamic response is not an issue. However, during fluctuating conditions, the temporal response of the thermocouple must be taken into account. Several different techniques have been developed to measure the response characteristics of measurements in inert gases and liquids, but to the authors' knowledge, relatively little work has been conducted in condensed phase reacting materials. This report presents an initial survey of the topic.
Annealing crystallization of a‐Ge/Al/Si and a‐Ge/Si thin films
Authors: Fajardo F. , Zanatta A. R. , Chambouleyron I.
Published: June 2005

This work describes the temperature‐induced crystallization of amorphous Ge (a‐Ge) as a function of the thickness of the a‐Ge films (in the 12–2600 nm range), which were deposited both onto c‐Si substrates and c‐Si substrates covered with aluminium. After deposition, the samples were submitted to cumulative thermal annealing treatments. It is shown that the temperature of crystallization depends on the thickness of the a‐Ge films and to the presence (or not) of the Al layer. For an annealing temperature (Ta) of ∼700 °C, for example, the Raman spectra of films thinner than ∼1000 nm and deposited onto c‐Si substrates are completely dominated by the sharp phonon mode of crystalline Si. Films with thicknesses equal to 300, 1000 and 2600 nm, deposited onto Al/c‐Si, and treated at Ta = 600 °C, on the other hand, clearly display two additional peaks at 405 and 490 cm–1. They correspond to the Raman modes of Si–Ge and Si–Si modes, suggesting the formation of a SiGe alloy during the thermal anneal of the films. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Simultaneously quantifying parent drugs and screening for metabolites in plasma pharmacokinetic samples using selected reaction monitoring information‐dependent acquisition on a QTrap instrument
Authors: Li Austin C. , Alton Dennis , Bryant Matthew S. , Shou Wilson Z.
Published: June 2005

Bioanalytical support of plasma pharmacokinetic (PK) studies for drug discovery programs primarily involves the quantitative analysis of dosed compounds using liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) operated in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. However, there is a growing need for information on the metabolism of new chemical entities (NCEs), in addition to the time‐concentration profiles from these studies. In this paper, we present a novel approach to not only quantify parent drugs with SRM, but also simultaneously screen for metabolites using a hybrid triple quadrupole/linear ion trap (QqQLIT) instrument. This was achieved by incorporating both the conventional SRM‐only acquisition of parent compounds and the SRM‐triggered information‐dependent acquisition (IDA) of potential metabolites within the same scan cycle during the same LC/MS/MS run. Two test compounds were used to demonstrate the applicability of this approach. Plasma samples from PK studies were processed by simple protein precipitation and the supernatant was diluted with water before injection. The fast scanning capability of the linear ion trap allowed for the information‐dependent acquisition of metabolite MS/MS spectra (< 1 s/scan), in addition to the collection of adequate data points for SRM‐only channels. The MS/MS spectra obtained from potential metabolites in post‐dose samples correlated well with the spectra of the parent compounds studied, therefore providing additional confirmatory structure information without the need for repetitive analyses. Relative quantitative time‐concentration profiles of identified metabolites were also obtained. Furthermore, this articulated SRM + SRM‐IDA approach generated equivalent quantitative results for parent compounds to those obtained by conventional SRM‐only analysis. This approach has been successfully used to support discovery PK screening programs. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gas‐phase synthesis and detection of the benzenediazonium ion, C6H5N. A joint atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and guided ion beam experiment
Authors: Guella Graziano , Ascenzi Daniela , Franceschi Pietro , Tosi Paolo
Published: June 2005

An ion of formula C6H5N (m/z 105) has been produced by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) of benzene and clearly detected in the corresponding positive ion mass spectrum. Its elemental composition has been established by the mass shift at m/z 110 observed when measurements were carried out with hexadeuterated benzene. MS2 experiments performed in the ion‐trap analyzer, and guided ion beam (GIB) experiments on the reaction of the phenyl cation with nitrogen molecules, allow us to establish that the detected C6H5N ion is the benzenediazonium ion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the gas‐phase total synthesis of the benzenediazonium ion within the APCI source. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a skew µ lower bound
Authors: Holland Rod , Young Peter , Zhu Chuanjiang
Published: June 2005

Exploitation of the NP hard, mixed µ problem structure provides a polynomial time algorithm that approximates µ with usually reasonable answers. When the problem is extended to the skew µ problem an extension of the existing method to the skew µ formulation is required. The focus of this paper is to extend the µ lower bound derivation to the skew µ lower bound and show its direct computation by way of a power algorithm. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface study of hexagonal boron nitride powder by diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Huang Mitchell T. , Ishida Hatsuo
Published: June 2005

The surface chemistry of hexagonal boron nitride powder is examined. Surface functional groups are found to consist of a mixture of primary and secondary amine groups as well as hydroxyl groups. The surface has a net basic character indicating that the amine contribution to the overall surface chemistry is greater than that of the acidic hydroxyl contribution. A chemical surface treatment also is performed to modify the surface chemistry of hexagonal boron nitride powder. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radio link enhancement using an open flexible protocol stack framework
Authors: Farnham Tim
Published: June 2005

This paper explores radio link enhancement utilising dynamic run‐time software download and configuration. In particular, the insertion of virtual medium access control (MAC), hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) and compression enhancement layers are considered in this paper. This is made possible with a flexible protocol stack framework, which permits the insertion of protocol layers and configuring them in a platform‐independent manner. A general purpose central processing unit (CPU) environment is used in order to assess performance and power consumption of this proposed approach. The results presented indicate that there are scenarios in which this approach is attractive and that execution environment optimisations for performing generic protocol functions can increase the applicability to more scenarios.

Currently protocols, and in particular link layer protocols, are designed to support specific traffic and underlying radio propagation characteristics and network topologies that are expected to be observed in a range of deployment scenarios in a manner that is determined at a system design time. As a result, this leads to many different solutions that are tailored to the particular and quite specific requirements such as short range personal area networks (PAN) based on bluetooth or ultra wide band (UWB), local area networks (LAN) based on 802.11 and of course many wide area cellular networks. These solutions cannot be changed to support traffic characteristics and radio performance observed in scenarios that were not envisaged at the time of standardisation. Hence, many new releases of standards are generated to incorporate these new and often optional features that often cannot be used because not all devices support these features. A flexible protocol stack framework has been proposed to provide the ability to insert and configure new software protocol implementations at run time. The overall benefit of this is that new optional features can be exploited before or without standardisation. In addition, dynamic optimisation can be performed to tailor the protocol configuration to specific scenarios and adapt to the changing radio environment. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to minimize the TCP effect in a UMTS‐HSDPA system?
Authors: Assaad Mohamad , Zeghlache Djamal
Published: June 2005

This paper focuses on the interaction between the transmission control protocol (TCP) layer and the radio interface in a 3G wireless system. An analytical model to evaluate the impact of TCP on the UMTS‐HSDPA capacity is presented. A method to minimize the effect of TCP on wireless networks using shared channels is also proposed. High speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) is an evolution of the UMTS standard over the air interface to achieve higher aggregate bit rates through the introduction of adaptive modulation and coding, hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ), fast scheduling, fast cell selection, and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) (space time coding and blast) techniques. The proposed model is used to evaluate the effect of the TCP protocol on the bit rate of various data services (at 64 and 128 kbps). As expected, the bit rate per flow decreases strongly if the congestion frequency in the wired network increases. However, the overall capacity achieved by HSDPA is not as affected by the TCP layer. Using this result, a method to maintain the bit rate per TCP flow at a given value without loosing much cell capacity is proposed. The findings are supported by simulation results. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pragmatic general multicast congestion control protocol for wireless networks
Authors: Wu Eric Hsiao‐Kuang , Yang Wei‐Ren
Published: June 2005

Accompanied by the widespread deployment of wireless networks, content and service providers are increasingly interested in supporting multicast communications over wireless network. The reliable multicast protocol can provide (assure) efficiency in data delivery carried by the new generation e‐services, such as news, advertisement, guiding messages, etc. Its congestion control function enables the transmissions to adapt the sending rate to the available bandwidth and fairly share bandwidth with the widely used transmission control protocol (TCP) traffic in the networks. Many e‐services can be brought and built on the reliable multicast congestion control protocols to the roaming mobile subscribers. However, the reliable multicast congestion control protocols are affected by the wireless packet losses, resulting in degraded multicast performance. This article presents PGMCCW, a pragmatic general multicast congestion control protocol for wireless networks. PGMCCW can differentiate the wireless losses as well as the congestion losses on multicast and can also elect the proper group representative from the multiple receivers in the different wireless sub‐networks. The simulation results validate that this scheme is effective to alleviate the influence of the wireless losses and improve the performance over wireless networks. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating Genetic Counseling: Client Expectations, Psychological Adjustment and Satisfaction with Service
Authors: Davey Angela , Rostant Kristie , Harrop Karen , Goldblatt Jack , O'Leary Peter
Published: June 2005

Periodic evaluations of genetic counseling services are useful for determining the effectiveness of counseling in meetings its psycho‐educational aims, as well as identifying where improvements to the service may be made. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic counseling services provided by Genetic Services of Western Australia (GSWA) to determine the impact of counseling on client expectations, satisfaction with the service, and psychological adjustment, defined as wellbeing and perceived personal control (PPC). A total of 122 clients participated in a self‐administered survey conducted pre‐ and post‐counseling. Client expectations of the service as a means of providing information were met, and opportunities for counselors to meet client's expectations of psychological support were identified. Furthermore, counseling was found to maintain and enhance psychological wellbeing of clients. The role of counseling in facilitating the development of PPC was a key contributor to a high sense of satisfaction in clients.
Negotiating Responsibility: Case Studies of Reproductive Decision‐Making and Prenatal Genetic Testing in Families Facing Huntington Disease
Authors: Downing Claudia
Published: June 2005

Three case studies are presented to further our understanding of how responsibility is negotiated in families when making decisions about genetic risk. These draw on a model of responsibility generated in a study of reproductive decision‐making in families facing Huntington disease (HD) to illustrate the impact of prenatal testing on this process. This involves analyzing: how people present themselves as acting responsibly whether or not they utilize genetic testing; who they feel responsible to in their family and elsewhere; the impact that testing has on these relationships; and, how negotiating responsibility changes over time with repeated use of prenatal testing, changing risk status and maturational changes. Two key findings are: how decision‐making is perceived can become as important as what is decided; and, how responsibility is negotiated depends on which of these relationships are prioritized. Implications of the findings for clinical practice are noted and suggestions made for further applications of the model.
Racial‐Ethnic Differences in Genetic Amniocentesis Uptake
Authors: Saucier Jennifer B. , Johnston Dennis , Wicklund Catherine A. , Robbins‐Furman Patricia , Hecht Jacqueline T. , Monga Manju
Published: June 2005

The objective of this study was to determine the role of health beliefs in genetic amniocentesis acceptance in a diverse racial‐ethnic population. Participants completed a previously‐validated questionnaire consisting of three sections: (1) demographics, (2) amniocentesis knowledge, and (3) health beliefs, which assessed perceived susceptibility, seriousness of potential impact, benefits of testing, and barriers to testing. The results showed that Hispanic women were less likely to accept amniocentesis (51.5% vs. Caucasian 82.8%, African American 82.9%, Asian 82.8%). Education level was the only demographic factor higher among acceptors. Women who accepted amniocentesis had higher perceived seriousness, susceptibility, and benefits HBM scores and higher knowledge scores than women who declined. HBM scores and knowledge predicted the amniocentesis decision correctly 91.5% of the time. Individual health beliefs and knowledge play a greater role in genetic amniocentesis acceptance than do demographic factors such as race‐ethnicity.
Assessment of the Use and Feasibility of Video to Supplement the Genetic Counseling Process: A Cancer Genetic Counseling Perspective
Authors: Axilbund J. E. , Hamby L. A. , Thompson D. B. , Olsen S. J. , Griffin C. A.
Published: June 2005

Cancer genetic counselors use a variety of teaching modalities for patient education. This survey of cancer genetic counselors assessed their use of educational videos and their recommendations for content of future videos. Thirty percent of respondents use videos for patient education. Cited benefits included reinforcement of information for clients and increased counselor efficiency. Of the 70% who do not use videos, predominant barriers included the perceived lack of an appropriate video, lack of space and/or equipment, and concern that videos are impersonal. Most respondents desired a video that is representative of the genetic counseling session, but emphasized the importance of using broad information. Content considered critical included the pros and cons of genetic testing, associated psychosocial implications, and genetic discrimination. The results of this exploratory study provide data relevant for the development of a cancer genetics video for patient education, and suggestions are made based on aspects of information processing and communication theories.
The combined role of topography and overstorey tree composition in promoting edaphic and floristic variation in a Mediterranean forest
Authors: Maltez‐Mouro S. , García L. V. , Marañón T. , Freitas H.
Published: June 2005

This study aimed to address which factors, other than topography, contribute to the floristic variation of forested slopes. The natural forest studied is located in the Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Nature Park (southwestern Portugal). We sampled topographic, edaphic, floristic and community structure variables along three bottom–top hillside transects. Multivariate analyses of soil variables (by PCA), and of woody species composition and floristic–environmental relationships (by CCA and pCCA) were performed. Environmental–floristic trends strongly associated with the elevation gradient were identified. At lower altitudes, the lowest species richness, the highest soil fertility, and the tallest and most dense (least available light) canopy occurred. The spatial variation in woody species composition and abundance was closely associated with Zn availability in the soil and litter groundcover, but these varibles had significant spatial structure in the studied forest. The non‐spatially structured species variance was better predicted by soil NO3− and NH4+. The spatial variation of species data not shared with environmental variables was also calculated. We suggest that the influence of topographic gradient on the variation of edaphic variables and on the distribution and abundance of woody species was mediated by overstorey tree composition. Locally dominant tree species, in particular Quercus faginea and Quercus suber, may function as “ecosystem engineers” promoting environmental changes (i.e., Zn availability in soil, litter accumulation and light availability) that influence overall floristic variation.
Direct interaction between metastasis‐associated protein 1 and endophilin 3
Authors: Aramaki Yuko , Ogawa Katsuhiro , Toh Yasushi , Ito Takahiro , Akimitsu Nobuyoshi , Hamamoto Hiroshi , Sekimizu Kazuhisa , Matsusue Kimihiko , Kono Akira , Iguchi Haruo , Takiguchi Soichi
Published: June 2005

The yeast two‐hybrid system was used to search for partners of mouse metastasis‐associated protein 1 (Mta1). Screening of a cDNA library prepared from mouse embryo yielded positive clones coding for endophilin 3. The site of interaction was suggested to be the SH‐3‐binding domain of Mta1 and SH‐3 domain of endophilin 3. This interaction was confirmed by GST pull‐down assay in vitro and immunoprecipitation in vivo. The Mta1 and endophilin 3 transcripts were highly expressed in testis and brain. But, Mta1 localized mainly in nucleus and to a lesser extent in cytoplasm while endophilin 3 localized mainly in cytoplasm. If Mta1 functions in cytoplasm, it might be involved in the regulation of endocytosis mediated by endophilin 3.
A Unique Case of Total Foot-To-Hand Transfer in an Infant with Monodactyly
Authors: HASHEM F. K. , AL-QATTAN M. M.
Published: June 2005

A unique case of total foot-to-hand transfer, including the calcaneus, in an 8 month-old infant with monodactyly is described. Several technical and psychological aspects of the case are also discussed.
Infracommunity level aggregation in the monogenean communities of crucian carp (Carassius carassius)
Authors: BAGGE A. M. , SASAL P. , VALTONEN E. T. , KARVONEN A.
Published: June 2005

Aggregation is one of the distinctive features in parasite-host relationships, which has generally been studied at the level of host communities. Parasite aggregation at the infracommunity level may nevertheless be important for intraspecific interactions such as parasite mating success and opportunities for cross-fertilization. In the present paper, we studied the infracommunity aggregation of 3 highly abundantDactylogyrus(Monogenea) species occurring on the gills of crucian carp (Carassius carassius). In line with the previous work on monogenean communities, we observed no competition between the species. At the species level, parasites were distributed unevenly on the gills showing aggregation in the majority of infracommunities. However, aggregation decreased with increasing parasite abundance, which supports the hypothesis that less aggregation may be needed to ensure successful mating when the distance to a potential mate decreases with increasing number of conspecifics. Lack of interspecific interactions, species specific site selection and the importance of study scale for aggregation patterns in dactylogyrids are discussed.
Chronic fatigue in a population sample: definitions and heterogeneity
Authors: SULLIVAN PATRICK F. , PEDERSEN NANCY L. , JACKS ANDREAS , EVENGÅRD BIRGITTA
Published: June 2005

Background. Numerous nosological decisions are made when moving from the common human symptom of unusual fatigue to the rare chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). These decisions have infrequently been subjected to rigorous evaluation.

Method. We obtained telephone interview data on fatiguing symptoms from 31406 individuals twins in the Swedish Twin Registry aged 42–64 years; 5330 subjects who endorsed fatigue and possessed no exclusionary condition formed the analytic group. We evaluated the definition and classification of CFS-like illness using graphical methods, regression models, and latent class analysis.

Results. Our results raise fundamental questions about the 1994 Centers for Disease Control criteria as (1) there was no empirical support for the requirement of four of eight cardinal CFS symptoms; (2) these eight symptoms were not equivalent in their capacity to predict fatigue; and (3) no combination of symptoms was markedly more heritable. Critically, latent class analysis identified a syndrome strongly resembling CFS-like illness.

Conclusions. Our data are consistent with the ‘existence’ of CFS-like illness although the dominant nosological approach captures population-level variation poorly. We suggest that studying a more parsimonious case definition – impairing chronic fatigue not due to a known cause – would represent a way forward.
Nathaniel William Taylor and Thomas Reid: Scottish common-sense philosophy's impact upon the formation of New Haven theology in Antebellum America
Authors: DeLashmutt Michael W.
Published: June 2005

This paper will examine the relationship between Scottish common-sense philosophy and the formation of New Haven Theology. It will be illustrated that Nathaniel William Taylor's adaptations of orthodox Calvinism (particularly the doctrines of election and predestination and total depravity) relied heavily upon the principles of common-sense philosophy found in the work of Thomas Reid. Furthermore, it will be argued that Taylor's adaptation of Calvinism was a necessary accommodation to the phenomenon of mass conversion and evangelism during the Second Great Awakening.
Bridging the gap? On some suggestions towards solving the normative problem in ecclesial exegesis
Authors: Sixtus Bernd
Published: June 2005

It is often said that α, β, χ, δ, Δ, ε, ε, η:, γ, Γ, ϝ,
Ϝ, ι, κ, ϰ, λ, Λ, μ, ν, ω, Ω, ϕ, Φ, φ, π, Π, ϖ,
ψ, Ψ, ρ, ϱ, σ, Σ, ς, τ, θ, Θ, ϑ, υ, ϒ, ξ, Ξ, ζ,
biblical exegesis by or on behalf of the Church is understandable – since the Church is concerned with Scripture and
its interpretation – but suffers from a problem of ‘dual loyalty’:
Perception and psychoses: The role of glutamatergic transmission within the nucleus accumbens septi
Authors: Gargiulo Pascual Angel , Landa de Gargiulo Adriana Ines
Published: June 2005

In agreement with Behrendt & Young (B&Y), we considered the role of perception disturbances in schizophrenia in our first clinical approaches, using the Bender test with schizophrenic patients. Following this, we reproduced nuclear symptoms of schizophrenia in animal models, showing that perceptual disturbances, acquisition disturbances, and decrease in affective levels can be induced by glutamatergic blockade within the nucleus accumbens septi. Our results link the proposed corticostriatal dysfunction with the thalamocortical disturbances underlying perceptual problems reviewed by B&Y.
Good behavioral science has room for theology: Any room for God?
Authors: Glassman Robert B.
Published: June 2005

This excellent outline of evolutionary hypotheses is compromised by severe reductionism. Other writings succeed in granting theism ontological significance without compromising rigor. The discussion of counterintuitiveness neglects coherence in memory. Bearing in mind our severely limited working memory capacity, susceptibility to religious mythologies may comprise an adaptive heuristic approach to summarizing the contingencies of the most far-reaching of life's problems.
Violations of sensorimotor theories of visual experience
Authors: Bridgeman Bruce
Published: June 2005

Although the sensorimotor account is a significant step forward, it cannot explain experiences of entoptic phenomena that violate normal sensorimotor contingencies but nonetheless are perceived as visual. Nervous system structure limits how they can be interpreted. Neurophysiology, combined with a sensorimotor theory, can account for space constancy by denying the existence of permanent representations of states that must be corrected or updated.
Cortico – (thalamo) – cortical interactions, gamma resonance, and auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia
Authors: Hoffman Ralph E. , Mathalon Daniel H. , Ford Judith M. , Krystal John H.
Published: June 2005

Transcranial magnetic stimulation, EEG, and behavioral studies by our group implicate spurious activation of speech perception neurocircuitry in the genesis of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. The neurobiological basis of these abnormalities remains uncertain, however. We review our ongoing studies, which suggest that altered cortical coupling underlies speech processing in schizophrenia and is expressed via disrupted gamma resonances and impaired corollary discharge function of self-generated verbal thought.
Locating the causes of religious commitment
Authors: Whitehouse Harvey
Published: June 2005

Atran & Norenzayan (A&N) survey a substantial body of theory and evidence on which there is broad agreement in the cognitive science of religion. Some parts of their argument (for instance, concerning the causes of costly commitment to religious beliefs) are more speculative and remain a focus of lively debate and further research.
Micro/macro force-servoed gripper for precision photonics assembly and analysis
Authors: Voyles Richard M. , Hulst Seth
Published: June 2005

Photonics is a field that straddles both the macro and micro worlds. It largely deals with macro-scale devices, but many of these require sub-micron-scale precision in assembly. This makes it a very interesting application domain. We describe a microgripper for microassembly of photonic devices and micro-exploration of the properties of sub-micron attachment means (such as solder and UV epoxy). The microgripper has multi-degree-of-freedom actuation and a unique micro/macro actuator on the gripping axis to facilitate human loading and unloading and also very precise accommodation. We demonstrate the force sensitivity and stiffness of approximately 20 mN and 70 mN/um, respectively to be sufficient for the intended tasks. Finally, we demonstrate the gripper accommodating forces of a large solder ball freezing and cooling as a prelude to our intended study of sub-millimeter solder balls in sub-second heating regimes.
Symbolic environment representation by means of frescoes in mobile robotics
Authors: Pradel Gilbert , Hoppenot Philippe
Published: June 2005

Autonomous mobile robot navigation systems are based on three principal kinds of techniques: map-based navigation, map-building-based navigation and mapless navigation. We propose a mapless method for trajectory description in unknown indoor environments. The method uses distance measurements from a 2D laser range finder, digitises the robot's visibility area, eliminates superfluous data and reorients their presentation with laws similar to those used in cellular automata. The landmarks are extracted and organised in a panoramic description called fresco. The frescoes which are validated by means of neighbourhood rules. The most informative frescoes are detected by means of two criteria and stored. The stored frescoes are considered as a human-like descritption of the robot's route and could be used by the robot to retrieve its route to its starting point.
Multi-loop model-based control structure for robot manipulators
Authors: Osypiuk Rafael , Finkemeyer Bernd , Wahl Friedrich M.
Published: June 2005

Most nonlinear control concepts used in robotics are based on a more or less accurate inverse model of the robot. In contrast to this, the design and properties of a general $n$-loop control structure based on a divided forward model of the robot, the so-called multi-loop Model Following Control Structure ($n$-MFC), is presented in this paper. Its theoretical basics and its concept are explained. The stability and robustness of the proposed control structure is analyzed. The theoretical assumptions are verified in many experiments with a two-joint robot manipulator. Qualitative as well as quantitative results of the experiments are presented and discussed.
Direct position analysis of parallel manipulators which generate SP-2PS structures
Authors: Di Gregorio Raffaele
Published: June 2005

The determination of the assembly modes of the parallel structures with three legs of type PS or SP (P and S stand for prismatic pair and spherical pair, respectively) consists of solving the direct position analysis of all the three-legged parallel manipulators which have, in each leg, one not actuated prismatic pair, one not actuated spherical pair and one or two one-dof actuated pairs of any type, placed along the leg in any order. There are two types of such structures: (i) 3PS structures and (ii) SP-2PS structures. The procedure to determine the assembly modes of the SP-2PS structures has not been presented yet, in the literature. This paper presents the analytic form determination of the assembly modes of the SP-2PS structures. In particular, the closure equations of a generic SP-2PS structure will be written and their solution will be reduced to the solution of an eight-degree univariate polynomial equation with real coefficients. Finally, the proposed algorithm will be applied to a real case. The result of this study is that the assembly modes of any SP-2PS structure are at most eight, and the end-effector poses, which solve the direct position analysis of the parallel manipulators that generate those structures, are also eight.
Fuzzy logic controller with slip detection behaviour for Mecanum-wheeled AGV
Authors: Tlale Nkgatho Sylvester
Published: June 2005

A fuzzy logic controller for an omni-directional, autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) implementing Mecanum wheels to achieve directional control of its motion is presented. Omni-directional robotic platforms advantage over conventional designs is that they are capable of performing tasks in congested environments. The AGV's behaviour during navigation is controlled using a fuzzy logic controller, with slip detection.
SYMPOSIUM ON RATIONALITY AND COMMITMENT: INTRODUCTION
Authors: PETER FABIENNE , SCHMID HANS BERNHARD
Published: June 2005

In his critique of rational choice theory, Amartya Sen claims that committed agents do not (or not exclusively) pursue their own goals. This claim appears to be nonsensical since even strongly heteronomous or altruistic agents cannot pursue other people's goals without making them their own. It seems that self-goal choice is constitutive of any kind of agency.

In this paper, Sen's radical claim is defended. It is argued that the objection raised against Sen's claim holds only with respect to individual goals. Not all goals, however, are individual goals; there are shared goals, too. Shared goals are irreducible to individual goals, as the argument from we-derivativeness and the argument from normativity show. It is further claimed that an adequate account of committed action defies both internalism and externalism about practical reason.
WHY EXACTLY IS COMMITMENT IMPORTANT FOR RATIONALITY?
Authors: SEN AMARTYA
Published: June 2005

Gary Becker and others have done important work to broaden the content of self interest, but have not departed from seeing rationality in terms of the exclusive pursuit of self-interest. One reason why committed behavior is important is that a person can have good reason to pursue objectives other than self interest maximization (no matter how broadly it is construed). Indeed, one can also follow rules of behavior that go beyond the pursuit of one's own goals, even if the goals include non-self-interested concerns. By living in a society, one develops possible reasons for considering other people's goals as well, which takes one beyond an exclusive concentration on one's own goals, not to mention the single-minded pursuit of one's own self interest. The recognition of other people's goals may be a part of rational thought. If rational behavior may depart from the relentless pursuit of one's own goals, commitment has to be important in a theory of rationality. Furthermore, seeing the role of commitment in human behavior can have explanatory importance in allowing us to understand behavior patterns that are hard to fit into the narrow format of contemporary rational choice theory. Commitment is, thus, important both for practical reason and for causal explanation.
SYMPATHY, COMMITMENT, AND PREFERENCE
Authors: HAUSMAN DANIEL M.
Published: June 2005

While very much in Sen's camp in rejecting revealed preference theory and emphasizing the complexity, incompleteness, and context dependence of preference and the intellectual costs of supposing that all the factors influencing choice can be captured by a single notion of preference, this essay contests his view that economists should recognize multiple notions of preference. It argues that Sen's concerns are better served by embracing a single conception of preference and insisting on the need for analysis of the multiple factors that determine ‘preference’ so conceived.