bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Body composition of muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and its estimation from condition index and mass measurements
Authors: Adamczewski J. Z. , Flood P. F. , Gunn A.
Published: February 2008

We used data on the anatomical and chemical body composition of 22 muskoxen (7 adult females, 6 subadult females, 2 yearlings, 5 calves, and 2 near-term fetuses) from Victoria Island, Northwest Territories, to evaluate basic patterns of body composition and allometric growth in this species and to assess methods of estimating body composition from mass and index measurements. Ingesta-free body mass (IFBM) ranged from 9 kg in the 2 fetuses to 150 kg in the largest cow, and fatness from 2.0% of IFBM in a newborn calf to 29.0% in a mature cow. The proportion of fat increased most rapidly in muskoxen with IFBM ≥ 100 kg. In the fatter females, about 33% of the fat was intermuscular, 27% subcutaneous, 20% abdominal, and 13% intramuscular. In muskoxen ≥ 3 years old, ingesta accounted for 26.8 ± 1.1% of body mass and pelage for 4–4.5% of IFBM. Muscle mass was best estimated from masses of individual muscles, protein mass from IFBM, bone mass from the masses of limb bones, and ash mass from IFBM. Dissectible and total fat masses were less predictable, and were best estimated by multiple regressions combining kidney fat mass and a measure of body mass with up to three other measurements. Body composition and fat distribution in muskoxen were similar to those in cattle and sheep and the extent of fattening exceeded that reported in wild ruminants except for Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus).
Habitat suitability for marten of second-growth balsam fir forests in Newfoundland
Authors: Thompson Ian D. , Curran William J.
Published: February 2008

The marten subspecies on the island of Newfoundland, Martes americana atrata, is threatened. Survey data suggest that most of the extant marten population lives in old uncut balsam fir (Abies balsamea) forests, but a very few live in adjacent 40- to 60-year-old second-growth stands of balsam fir. We compared habitat structure and composition and prey abundance in old forest and second-growth stands to test the hypotheses that either food abundance or habitat quality, or both, limit use of the 40- to 60-year-old forests by marten. Snowshoe hares (Lepus americana) were most abundant in 40-year-old forests and also occurred in old forests, but field voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were not found in second-growth stands. A multivariate discriminant model indicated that older, uncut forests contained more structure than younger forests at ground level, because there was more woody debris, more young balsam fir, less litter, more mosses, and more low shrubs. Canopy cover was similar in all forest types, and subnivean access did not differ among the three age-classes when snow was about 1 m deep. We suggest that marten did not use 40- or 60-year-old forest stands because of the lack of the meadow voles that form a necessary part of their diet. Meadow voles likely respond to ground-level forest structure in selecting habitat, and this structure is unavailable in young forests. We recommend a management strategy for marten that would preserve current old forests as long as possible and allow sufficient second-growth balsam fir forest to become old forest with the required characteristics to maintain a viable marten population.
Influences of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) on behaviour and reproduction of Yellowstone grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), 1975 – 1989
Authors: Mattson David J. , Reinhart Daniel P.
Published: February 2008

We investigated the distribution, diet, and reproduction of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in the Yellowstone ecosystem that fed on cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) spawning in streams tributary to Yellowstone Lake. We hypothesized that availability of trout influenced all of these factors for bears in a large part of the Yellowstone grizzly bear recovery area. Depending upon sex, bears that fed on trout used 30–45% of the recovery area. These bears concentrated within 12 km of spawning streams year-round and within 2 km of streams during the spawning season, 1 May – 15 July, when trout-eating bears mostly consumed trout. Despite use of this high-quality food, trout-eating females were apparently less fecund than other females and lost a larger percentage of their dependent young. We speculate that these cub losses resulted from higher rates of intraspecific predation by bears aggregated at spawning streams. These aggregated bears were also vulnerable to human-caused mortality, most likely due to concentrations of humans within 2 km of spawning streams during the spawning season.
Movements and swimming speed of narwhals,Monodon monoceros, equipped with satellite transmitters in Melville Bay, northwest Greenland
Authors: Dietz R. , Heide-Jørgensen M. P.
Published: February 2008

Positions were obtained for up to 100 days from nine narwhals, Monodon monoceros, representing both sexes and all age categories instrumented with satellite-linked UHF radio transmitters in Melville Bay (76°03′06″N, 61°14′90″W), northwest Greenland, in August – September 1993 and 1994. In both years all nine narwhals stayed within Melville Bay during the open-water portion of the tracking period. Most of the coastal positions obtained were inside the Melville Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The narwhals also moved up to 100 km offshore to areas where water depths exceed 1000 m. There was no discernible relationship between tide and the movements of whales. By early to mid-October, the narwhals left Melville Bay and started migrating southwards along the continental slope, where water depths range from 500 to 1000 m. This southward movement ceased some 700 km farther south in late November, still in water with depths of 500–1000 m. The mean swimming speed of the whales during September varied between 2.9 and 8.2 km/h, calculated for intervals of 0.5–5 h between consecutive positions. No size- or sex-related pattern could be detected in swimming speeds, nor could any diurnal differences be found. The use of longer intervals between consecutive positions resulted in significantly lower calculated swimming speeds, suggesting that swimming speed will be underestimated if calculated over a longer time span. The mean swimming speed of one subadult and one adult male decreased significantly from 5.5 and 5.8 km/h in September to 2.7 km/h in November.
Is diel dualism in feeding activity influenced by competition between individuals?
Authors: Brännäs Eva , Alanärä Anders
Published: February 2008

The feeding activity of eight groups of 15 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) each was recorded using self-feeders combined with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag registrations. The diel pattern for all individuals was established by analysing the PIT-tag registrations. Most trout released the self-feeders during daylight, but in all groups some individuals (1–5) were active mainly during the night. The hypothesis that dualism in diel feeding activity is influenced by competition for food resources between individuals was then tested. In the first round, the diurnally active group members were removed, leaving groups with only 5 mainly nocturnally active individuals. After 3 weeks, the nocturnal individuals still released the self-feeders mainly in darkness. In a second round, the nocturnal individuals were removed, leaving the diurnal ones to self-feed in smaller groups. Again, no switch in activity occurred, but the diurnal trout continued to release the triggers in daylight. When food was available at all hours, individual fish seemed to gain little by releasing the demand feeders during a specific part of the light–dark cycle. The diurnal individuals were significantly (p < 0.05) larger than the nocturnal ones in the first round, but there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in specific growth rate between the two categories. During the second round, there was no difference in mass between nocturnal and diurnal individuals, whereas the former had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher growth rate. The ecological benefits of dualism in feeding activity within groups of fish are discussed.
Total plasma protein level as an indicator of condition in wild American kestrels (Falco sparverius)
Authors: Dawson Russell D. , Bortolotti Gary R.
Published: February 2008

Total plasma protein levels were determined for 292 female and 228 male American kestrels (Falco sparverius) in the wild. Plasma protein levels were significantly higher in females than in males, and higher during prelaying than during incubation. For both sexes, plasma protein levels did not vary significantly with the number of days before or after egg laying on which the sample was taken, time of sampling, prey abundance, age, molt, or infection by the blood parasite Haemoproteus sp. Protein levels in females increased with date of sampling and body condition during prelaying, while the same pattern was seen in males during incubation. With the exception of those of prelaying females, plasma protein levels increased with ambient temperature. The results of this study suggest that at least some of the variation observed in total protein levels is attributable to physical condition. However, further investigation is required before the reliability of using total plasma protein level as a tool to assess the health and condition of kestrels is known.
Effects of hyperosmotic challenge on the freshwater bivalveDreissena polymorpha: importance of K+
Authors: Dietz Thomas H. , Wilcox Shawn J. , Silverman Harold , Byrne Roger A.
Published: February 2008

The effects of elevated ion concentrations in the bathing medium on ionoregulation and mortality rate were examined in the freshwater bivalve Dreissena polymorpha. The survival of mussels in saline water depended on the balance of Na+and K+in the medium. Animals acclimated to artificial pond water tolerated acute transfer to 108 mosmol artificial seawater (3.5‰) for months with virtually no mortality. Dreissena polymorpha rapidly (~ 12 h) became isosmotic to the bathing medium when exposed to approximately 100 mosmol hyperosmotic solution composed of 45 mM NaCl or 3.5‰ artificial seawater. This was primarily due to a rapid accumulation of ions with some osmotic loss of water. During a hyperosmotic challenge the intracellular compartment gained K+but mussels required exogenous K+to maintain an intracellular to extracellular gradient similar to that of control animals. The epithelia of D. polymorpha were remarkably "leaky" to solutes. Under hyperosmotic conditions, sucrose, glucose, and inulin penetrated the epithelial tissue and appeared in the blood. The principal route of solute entry was likely paracellular pathways. However, the estimated net movement of sucrose or glucose was less than 2% of the net flux of NaCl. Dreissena polymorpha have the capacity to tolerate oligohaline water where sufficient K+is available to promote cellular homeostasis.
Effects of variation in quality of leaf detritus on growth of the eastern tree-hole mosquito,Aedes triseriatus(Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Walker Edward D. , Merritt Richard W. , Kaufman Michael G. , Ayres Matthew P. , Riedel Mark H.
Published: February 2008

Growth of larvae of the eastern tree-hole mosquito, Aedes triseriatus (Say), measured as survival to adulthood, development time, and body mass at adult emergence, was significantly better when larvae were provided with fresh rather than senescent beech leaves as food substrate. Leaf type affected larval growth performance independently of ration of leaf available per larva when the ration level was high and larvae were not densely crowded, but leaf type and ration level had interactive effects on larval growth performance when ration was more limiting and larvae denser. Fresh leaves contained about twice as much nitrogen, had a lower carbon:nitrogen ratio, leached more mass into water, and contained significantly more soluble protein and carbohydrate than did senescent leaves. Thus, the observed growth responses could be explained on the basis of variation in nutrient content of, and greater leaching from, the fresh leaves. Larval growth was also significantly better on intact senescent beech leaves than on leaves that had been leached to remove soluble protein and carbohydrate; it was also significantly better on leaves whose surfaces had flourishing bacterial growth than on leaves with disinfected surfaces. Growth of female larvae fit well a pupation window model where larvae attained a minimum mass to emergence past a minimum development time across a range of leaf substrates varying in quality and quantity.
The behavior of Pacific herring schools in response to artificial humpback whale bubbles
Authors: Sharpe F. A. , Dill L. M.
Published: February 2008

There have been numerous reports of humpback whales and other marine predators deploying bubbles during foraging activities. However, the effects of bubbles on schooling prey organisms remain poorly understood. We conducted a series of laboratory experiments to gain insight into the effect of bubbles on the Pacific herring, Clupea harengus pallasi, a principal prey species of the humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae. The fish exhibited strong avoidance of bubbles and could be contained within a circular bubble net. The herring schools were also reluctant to swim through a curtain of bubbles even when frightened. However, herring were much more willing to cross a bubble curtain or net if there was a larger aggregation of fish on the opposite side. Individuals and small groups of herring also waited for less time before crossing than did larger groups. These experiments suggest that herring have a strong fear of bubbles and can readily be manipulated or contained within bubble nets by predators.
Estimating sex ratios of loggerhead turtles in Brazil from pivotal incubation durations
Authors: Marcovaldi Maria Ângela , Godfrey Matthew H. , Mrosovsky N.
Published: February 2008

A method of estimating natural sex ratios of hatchlings of species with temperature-dependent sexual differentiation from data on incubation durations is described. The method was applied to loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting in Brazil. Data on incubation durations were collected from 11 nesting beaches monitored for up to six seasons. It was estimated that 82.5% of the loggerhead hatchlings produced were female. The strongly female-biased sex ratio in Brazil is similar to that found previously for loggerheads using beaches in the eastern U.S.A. This suggests that a female-biased hatchling sex ratio may be a feature of loggerhead populations.
Foraging behavior of adult female and young-of-the-year Steller sea lions in Alaskan waters
Authors: Merrick Richard L. , Loughlin Thomas R.
Published: February 2008

One explanation for recent declines in the Alaskan Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) population is that the availability of preferred prey has changed. Part of our evaluation of this hypothesis involved the use of conventional radio and satellite-linked time–depth recorder transmitters to compare summer and winter foraging of adult female and young-of-the-year Steller sea lions in Alaska waters. Foraging effort was not significantly different seasonally for postpartum adult females, though females with dependent young in winter may increase their foraging effort. In winter, all adult females made longer trips over larger home ranges and dove deeper. Young sea lions exerted less foraging effort, had the shallowest and briefest dives, and had home ranges intermediate in size to the two groups of adult females. Their foraging ability appears to develop throughout the first year. We conclude that adult female sea lions can exploit prey throughout the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, and are constrained only by their reproductive status and seasonal changes in prey availability. Young sea lions' diving is more limited because their physiological and behavioral development constrains them from diving like an adult. Perhaps most important, dives remain shallow through the first year. Consequently, young sea lions could be more easily food-limited by changes in prey distribution.
Population genetic structure of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas): mitochondrial DNA sequence variation within and among North American populations
Authors: Brennin Ree , Murray Brent W. , White Bradley N. , Clayton James W. , Friesen Margaret K. , Maiers Lianne D.
Published: February 2008

Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are migratory over much of their range, congregating in small groups around shallow river estuaries in summer and overwintering in areas of broken pack ice. To investigate the potential genetic structuring within North American beluga, we analyzed variation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Using 10 restriction enzymes, eight haplotypes were identified among 95 beluga from 12 sampling locations. The haplotypes formed two lineages, one occurring primarily in whales from the St. Lawrence estuary and eastern Hudson Bay and the other primarily in beluga sampled in the waters of western Hudson Bay, southern Baffin Island, western Greenland, the Canadian High Arctic, and the eastern Beaufort Sea. The genetic difference between these lineages and the high-level genetic structure among the sample locations, [Formula: see text] (p ≤ 0.0001), indicate that these lineages may represent the original Pacific and Atlantic "refugial" stocks that colonized the Arctic after deglaciation. Further, the present segregation of these lineages between populations summering in eastern and western Hudson Bay (p ≤ 0.005) is consistent with the hypothesis that the mitochondria of the beluga summering in western Hudson Bay are descended from those of a Pacific "refugial" stock and those of beluga summering in eastern Hudson Bay are descended from those of an Atlantic "refugial" stock. The clear differentiation of beluga from different summering locations provides evidence for strong maternally directed philopatry to the summering locations.
KNOTTED SEIFERT SURFACES AND UNKNOTTED SEIFERT SURFACES
Authors: TSUTSUMI YUKIHIRO
Published: February 2008

It is known that free genus one knots do not admit Seifert surfaces with hyperbolic exteriors. In this paper, for any integer g ≥ 2, we exhibit a knot of genus g which bounds a minimal genus Seifert surface with hyperbolic exterior and a minimal genus free Seifert surface.
COUNTING FUNDAMENTAL PATHS IN CERTAIN GARSIDE SEMIGROUPS
Authors: CORNWELL CHRISTOPHER R. , HUMPHRIES STEPHEN P.
Published: February 2008

For elements a, b of a monoid, define the word pk(a,b) = abab⋯ of length k. We find the number of words in a, b which are equal to pk(a,b)n in the Artin semigroup < a,b|pk(a,b) = pk(b,a) >. This number is related to counting certain paths in the ℕ × ℕ lattice. These Artin groups are examples of two generator Garside groups. We also define other examples of Garside groups G on more than two generators, having fundamental word Δ, and similarly find the number of words equal in G to Δn.
WEIGHT SYSTEMS FOR MILNOR INVARIANTS
Authors: MELLOR BLAKE
Published: February 2008

We use Polyak's skein relation to give a new proof that Milnor's string link invariants μ12⋯n are finite type invariants, and to develop a recursive relation for their associated weight systems. We show that the obstruction to the triviality of these weight systems is the presence of a certain kind of spanning tree in the intersection graph of a chord diagram.
A SHOT NOISE MODEL FOR FINANCIAL ASSETS
Authors: ALTMANN TIMO , SCHMIDT THORSTEN , STUTE WINFRIED
Published: February 2008

In this article we propose and study a model for stock prices which allows for shot-noise effects. This means that abrupt changes caused by jumps may fade away as time goes by. This model is incomplete. We derive the minimal martingale measure in discrete and continuous time and discuss the associated hedging strategy. Finally, a simulation study is included to show that our model is able to produce smile effects.
Epigenetic Down-Regulation and Suppressive Role of DCBLD2 in Gastric Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion
Authors: Kim Mirang , Lee Kyung-Tae , Jang Hay-Ran , Kim Jeong-Hwan , Noh Seung-Moo , Song Kyu-Sang , Cho June-Sik , Jeong Hyun-Yong , Kim Seon-Young , Yoo Hyang-Sook , Kim Yong Sung
Published: February 2008

The promoter region of Discoidin, CUB and LCCL domain containing 2 (DCBLD2) was found to be aberrantly methylated in gastric cancer cell lines and in primary gastric cancers, as determined by restriction landmark genomic scanning. DCBLD2 expression was inversely correlated with DCBLD2 methylation in gastric cancer cell lines. Treatment with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine and trichostatin A partially reversed DCBLD2 methylation and restored gene expression in DCBLD2-silenced cell lines. In an independent series of 82 paired gastric cancers and adjacent normal tissues, DCBLD2 expression was down-regulated in 79% of gastric cancers as compared with normal tissues as measured by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Pyrosequencing analysis of the DCBLD2 promoter region revealed abnormal hypermethylation in gastric cancers, and this hypermethylation was significantly correlated with down-regulation of DCBLD2 expression. Furthermore, ectopic expression of DCBLD2 in gastric cancer cell lines inhibited colony formation in both anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent cultures and also inhibited invasion through the collagen matrix. These data suggest that down-regulation of DCBLD2, often associated with promoter hypermethylation, is a frequent event that may be related to the development of gastric cancer. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(2):222–30)
Monomeric Recombinant Peptide Aptamers Are Required for Efficient Intracellular Uptake and Target Inhibition
Authors: Borghouts Corina , Kunz Christian , Delis Natalia , Groner Bernd
Published: February 2008

Signal transduction events often involve the assembly of protein complexes dependent on modular interactions. The inappropriate assembly of modular components plays a role in oncogenic transformation and can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Selected peptides embedded in the context of a scaffold protein can serve as competitive inhibitors of intracellular protein functions in cancer cells. Therapeutic application depends on binding specificities and affinities, as well as on the production and purification characteristics of the peptide aptamers and their delivery into cells. We carried out experiments to improve the properties of the scaffold. We found that the commonly used bacterial thioredoxin scaffold is suboptimal for therapeutic purposes because it aggregates during purification and is most likely immunogenic in humans. We compared the properties of peptide aptamers embedded in three alternative scaffold structures: a coiled-coil stem-loop structure, a dimerization domain, and human thioredoxin (hTrx). We found that only the hTrx molecule can be efficiently produced in bacteria and purified with high yield. We removed five internal cysteines of hTrx to circumvent aggregation during purification, which is a prerequisite for efficient transduction. Insertion of our previously characterized peptide aptamers [e.g., specifically binding signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3)] into the modified hTrx scaffold retained their target binding properties. Addition of a protein transduction domain, consisting of nine arginines, results in a fusion protein, which is taken up by cultured cells. We show that treatment of glioblastoma cells, expressing constitutively activated Stat3, with the purified peptide aptamers strongly inhibits Stat3 signaling, causing cell growth arrest and inducing apoptosis. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(2):267–81)
Angiotensin II Induces Oxidative Stress in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Uemura Hiroji , Ishiguro Hitoshi , Ishiguro Yukari , Hoshino Kouji , Takahashi Satoru , Kubota Yoshinobu
Published: February 2008

Angiotensin II has been shown to be a cytokine especially acting as a growth factor. A local renin-angiotensin system has been identified in the prostate gland, and the physiologic function of angiotensin II seems to be similar in prostate cancer, as we previously reported. In the present study, we explored the biological role of angiotensin II in oxidative stress of prostate cancer cells. Activated Akt was determined, and the expression of oxidative stress-related proteins (p47phox, manganese superoxide dismutase 2, glutathione peroxidase) was examined by Western blotting in LNCaP cells, which were stimulated with angiotensin II and/or an angiotensin II receptor type 1 blocker, candesartan. To examine DNA damage induced by angiotensin II, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine was determined, and Western blots were analyzed to detect checkpoint proteins including p53, Chk2, and cdc2. Immunocytochemical studies of inducible nitric oxide synthase and superoxide anion radical (O2−) were done in LNCaP cells stimulated with angiotensin II. The phosphorylation of Akt was induced by angiotensin II treatment and inhibited by candesartan, as well as by LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Oxidative stress-related proteins were up-regulated by angiotensin II and inhibited by pretreatment with candesartan or catalase. The level of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine was increased by angiotensin II and conversely decreased by candesartan. Immunocytochemical studies showed that angiotensin II enhanced an inflammatory marker, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and the production of O2− radical. The hypothesis that angiotensin II has the potential to induce oxidative stress, which may be implicated in carcinogenesis of the prostate gland through long-term exposure to chronic inflammation is proposed. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(2):250–8)
Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1 Promotes Tumor Cell Survival by Coactivating Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1–Dependent Gene Expression
Authors: Elser Michael , Borsig Lubor , Hassa Paul O. , Erener Suheda , Messner Simon , Valovka Taras , Keller Stephan , Gassmann Max , Hottiger Michael O.
Published: February 2008

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is the key transcription factor regulating hypoxia-dependent gene expression. Lack of oxygen stabilizes HIF-1, which in turn modulates the gene expression pattern to adapt cells to the hypoxic environment. Activation of HIF-1 is also detected in most solid tumors and supports tumor growth through the expression of target genes that are involved in processes like cell proliferation, energy metabolism, and oxygen delivery. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a chromatin-associated protein, which was shown to regulate transcription. Here we report that chronic myelogenous leukemia cells expressing small interfering RNA against PARP1, which were injected into wild-type mice expressing PARP1, showed tumor growth with increased levels of necrosis, limited vascularization, and reduced expression of GLUT-1. Of note, PARP1-deficient cells showed a reduced HIF-1 transcriptional activation that was dependent on PARP1 enzymatic activity. PARP1 neither influenced binding of HIF-1 to its hypoxic response element nor changed HIF-1α protein levels in hypoxic cells. However, PARP1 formed a complex with HIF-1α through direct protein interaction and coactivated HIF-1α–dependent gene expression. These findings provide convincing evidence that wild-type mice expressing PARP1 cannot compensate for the loss of PARP1 in tumor cells and strengthen the importance of the role of PARP1 as a transcriptional coactivator of HIF-1–dependent gene expression during tumor progression. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(2):282–90)
Transcriptome of Hypoxic Immature Dendritic Cells: Modulation of Chemokine/Receptor Expression
Authors: Ricciardi Annamaria , Elia Angela Rita , Cappello Paola , Puppo Maura , Vanni Cristina , Fardin Paolo , Eva Alessandra , Munroe David , Wu Xiaolin , Giovarelli Mirella , Varesio Luigi
Published: February 2008

Hypoxia is a condition of low oxygen tension occurring in inflammatory tissues. Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells whose differentiation, migration, and activities are intrinsically linked to the microenvironment. DCs will home and migrate through pathologic tissues before reaching their final destination in the lymph node. We studied the differentiation of human monocytes into immature DCs (iDCs) in a hypoxic microenvironment. We generated iDC in vitro under normoxic (iDCs) or hypoxic (Hi-DCs) conditions and examined the hypoxia-responsive element in the promoter, gene expression, and biochemical KEGG pathways. Hi-DCs had an interesting phenotype represented by up-regulation of genes associated with cell movement/migration. In addition, the Hi-DC cytokine/receptor pathway showed a dichotomy between down-regulated chemokines and up-regulated chemokine receptor mRNA expression. We showed that CCR3, CX3CR1, and CCR2 are hypoxia-inducible genes and that CCL18, CCL23, CCL26, CCL24, and CCL14 are inhibited by hypoxia. A strong chemotactic response to CCR2 and CXCR4 agonists distinguished Hi-DCs from iDCs at a functional level. The hypoxic microenvironment promotes the differentiation of Hi-DCs, which differs from iDCs for gene expression profile and function. The most prominent characteristic of Hi-DCs is the expression of a mobility/migratory rather than inflammatory phenotype. We speculate that Hi-DCs have the tendency to leave the hypoxic tissue and follow the chemokine gradient toward normoxic areas where they can mature and contribute to the inflammatory process. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(2):175–85)
Biglycan Is Required for Adaptive Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Westermann D. , Mersmann J. , Melchior A. , Freudenberger T. , Petrik C. , Schaefer L. , Lüllmann-Rauch R. , Lettau O. , Jacoby C. , Schrader J. , Brand-Herrmann S.-M. , Young M.F. , Schultheiss H.P. , Levkau B. , Baba H.A. , Unger T. , Zacharowski K. , Tschöpe C. , Fischer J.W.
Published: February 2008

Background—

After myocardial infarction (MI), extensive remodeling of extracellular matrix contributes to scar formation and preservation of hemodynamic function. On the other hand, adverse and excessive extracellular matrix remodeling leads to fibrosis and impaired function. The present study investigates the role of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan biglycan during cardiac extracellular matrix remodeling and cardiac hemodynamics after MI.

Methods and Results—

Experimental MI was induced in wild-type (WT) and

bgn
−/0

mice by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Biglycan expression was strongly increased at 3, 7, and 14 days after MI in WT mice.

bgn
−/0

mice showed increased mortality rates after MI as a result of frequent left ventricular (LV) ruptures. Furthermore, tensile strength of the LV derived from

bgn
−/0

mice 21 days after MI was reduced as measured ex vivo. Collagen matrix organization was severely impaired in

bgn
−/0

mice, as shown by birefringence analysis of Sirius red staining and electron microscopy of collagen fibrils. At 21 days after MI, LV hemodynamic parameters were assessed by pressure-volume measurements in vivo to obtain LV end-diastolic pressure, end-diastolic volume, and end-systolic volume.

bgn
−/0

mice were characterized by aggravated LV dilation evidenced by increased LV end-diastolic volume (

bgn
−/0

, 111±4.2 μL versus WT, 96±4.4 μL;
P
<0.05) and LV end-diastolic pressure (

bgn
−/0

, 24±2.7 versus WT, 18±1.8 mm Hg;
P
<0.05) and severely impaired LV function (EF,

bgn
−/0

, 12±2% versus WT, 21±4%;
P
<0.05) 21 days after MI.

Conclusion—

Biglycan is required for stable collagen matrix formation of infarct scars and for preservation of cardiac hemodynamic function.
Legal Pluralism and the Study of Shari'a Courts
Authors: Shahar Ido
Published: February 2008

Legal pluralism has emerged in the last few decades as a prominent theoretical perspective in socio-legal research. Recently, scholars of Islamic law have begun to employ analytical concepts and theoretical insights drawn from this theoretical framework in their studies of Islamic law and shari'a courts. In this article I argue that the time has come for a systematic assessment of the relevancy of a legal-pluralist perspective for the study of shari'a courts. Specifically, I discuss its potential contribution for understanding relations between shari'a courts and other tribunals, and between qadis affiliated with different madhhabs.
Bifurcation of the Subtropical South Equatorial Current against New Caledonia in December 2004 from a Hydrographic Inverse Box Model*
Authors: Ganachaud Alexandre , Gourdeau Lionel , Kessler William
Published: February 2008

The South Equatorial Current (SEC), the westward branch of the South Pacific subtropical gyre, extends from the equator to 30°S at depth. Linear ocean dynamics predict that the SEC forms boundary currents on the eastern coasts of the South Pacific islands it encounters. Those currents would then detach at the northern and southern tips of the islands, and cross the Coral Sea in the form of jets. The Fiji Islands, the Vanuatu archipelago, and New Caledonia are the major topographic obstacles on the SEC pathway to the Australian coast. Large-scale numerical studies, as well as climatologies, suggest the formation of three jets in their lee: the north Vanuatu jet (NVJ), the north Caledonian jet (NCJ), and the south Caledonian jet (SCJ), implying a bifurcation against the east coast of each island. The flow observed during the SECALIS-2 cruise in December 2004 between Vanuatu and New Caledonia is presented herein. An inverse box model is used to provide quantitative transport estimates with uncertainties and to infer the pathways and boundary current formation. For that particular month, the 0–2000-m SEC inflow was found to be 20 ± 4 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) between Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Of that, 6 ± 2 Sv bifurcated to the south in a boundary current against the New Caledonia coast (the Vauban Current), and the remainder exited north of New Caledonia, feeding the NCJ. The flow is comparable both above and below the thermocline, while complex topography, associated with oceanic eddy generation, introduces several recirculation features. To the north, the NCJ, which extends down to 1500 m, was fed not only by the SEC inflow, but also by waters coming from the north, which have possibly been recirculated. To the south, a westward current rounds the tip of New Caledonia. A numerical simulation suggests a partial continuity with the deep extension of the Vauban Current (this current would then be the SCJ) while the hydrographic sections are too distant to confirm such continuity.
Research Versus Problem Solving for the Education Leadership Doctoral Thesis: Implications for Form and Function
Authors: Archbald Doug
Published: February 2008

Background: A growing literature is questioning the appropriateness of a research dissertation for practitioners in education doctoral programs. Although this literature persuasively critiques the prevailing theory-research orientation of most programs and theses, it goes little beyond exhorting change and describing extant alternatives in a few programs. There is little attention in this literature to the powerful structures and values holding in place the traditional research dissertation. This literature has not examined in-depth distinctions between research and organizational problem solving and the implications for an alternative thesis design for education leadership doctorates.

Findings: This article presents four “qualities of acceptability” that alternatives to the traditional research thesis must address: (a) developmental efficacy, (b) community benefit, (c) stewardship of doctoral values, and (d) distinctiveness of design. The author comments on existing proposals from the standpoint of this framework, noting their strengths and shortcomings; elaborates on five key distinctions between research and organizational problem solving; presents theory and research supporting a thesis based on organizational problem solving; and proposes a specific and distinctive thesis design.
Independent Cities and Counties in Virginia: Substitute Jurisdictions?
Authors: Turnbull Geoffrey K. , Tasto Michael T.
Published: February 2008

Cities and counties are overlapping jurisdictions in most US states. Virginia cities, however, are independent of counties, with separate tax bases and residents. This paper examines whether the Virginia system creates a horizontal relationship resembling that among cities in other states. It uses revealed preference axioms to compare spending patterns against competitive median voter benchmarks. The results show that cities and counties in metropolitan areas function like horizontal rivals in the Virginia system, in contrast with the vertical relationship imposed by the overlapping jurisdiction structure in other states.
Housing Supply and Brownfield Regeneration in a post-Barker World: Is There Enough Brownfield Land in England and Scotland?
Authors: Dixon Timothy , Adams David
Published: February 2008

The findings of the Barker review, which examined the reasons for the undersupply of UK housing, have important implications for the devolved constituents of the UK, including Scotland. This paper traces the emergence of the brownfield regeneration policy agenda across the UK and examines how the Barker review connects with this brownfield policy focus. The paper compares housing and brownfield policies and practices in England and Scotland, places them in an international context and elicits wider lessons for devolved governance in relation to housing policy, in terms of `centrist—local' tensions. Estimates based on published data suggest that Barker's emphasis on increased housing supply cannot easily be reconciled with the current emphasis on brownfield development and is likely to require a return to greenfield development in both countries.
Population Dynamics in Ethnically Diverse Towns: The Long-term Implications of Immigration
Authors: Simpson Ludi , Gavalas Vasilis , Finney Nissa
Published: February 2008

Ethnically diverse urban areas are often strongly influenced by the demographic consequences of immigration. A dynamic model of population, housing and social change following immigration is proposed and then tested using a time-series of census data for northern English towns. The results show how natural growth generates dispersal of immigrant populations to new clusters. They chart the changing nature of cities and challenge the interpretation of clustering as a negative phenomenon representing retreat and separation. Instead, the focus is moved to indicators of migration, demand for housing and services, and social equality. The post-immigration demographic cycle proposed is a general one that may be tested in many other situations and countries.
Children in Asian cultures say yes to yes—no questions: Common and cultural differences between Vietnamese and Japanese children
Authors: Okanda Mako , Itakura Shoji
Published: February 2008

We investigated whether children's response tendency toward yes—no questions concerning objects is a common phenomenon regardless of languages and cultures. Vietnamese and Japanese 2- to 5-year-old ( N = 108) were investigated. We also examined whether familiarity with the questioning issue has any effect on Asian children's yes bias. As the result, Asian children showed a yes bias to yes—no questions. The children's response tendency changes dramatically with their age: Vietnamese and Japanese 2- and 3-year-olds showed a yes bias, but 5-year-olds did not. However, Asian 4-year-olds also showed a yes bias only in the familiar condition. Also, Asian children showed a stronger yes bias in the familiar condition than the unfamiliar condition. These two findings in Asian children were different from the previous finding investigated North American children (Fritzley & Lee, 2003). Moreover, there was a within-Asian cross-cultural difference. Japanese children showed different response tendencies, which were rarely observed in Vietnamese children. Japanese 2-year-olds and some 3-year-olds showed a “no answer” response: they tended not to respond to an interviewer's questions. Japanese 4- and 5-year-olds also showed an “I don't know” response when they were asked about unfamiliar objects. Japanese children tended to avoid a binary decision. We discussed the cross-cultural differences.
Correlates of early language development in Chinese children
Authors: Yiwen Zhang  , Xingming Jin  , Xiaoming Shen  , Jinming Zhang  , Hoff Erika
Published: February 2008

Caregivers of 608 (331 boys and 277 girls) children in Shanghai, China reported on their children's language development and on the language teaching practices used in the home. The children were between 24 and 47 months old. The relation of age-corrected language level to paternal education, child gender, and teaching practice use was examined. Children of more educated fathers were more advanced in language development than children of less educated fathers. Girls were more advanced than boys. Some language teaching practices were positively related to language development but one, the practice of eliciting imitation from children, was negatively related to language development. Vocabulary development showed a greater number of significant relations to environmental variables than did grammatical development. These results suggest the cross-linguistic and cross-cultural generalizability of previous findings from studies of North American samples with respect to correlates of children's early language development.
Links between older and younger adolescent siblings' adjustment: The moderating role of shared activities
Authors: Tucker Corinna Jenkins , McHale Susan M. , Crouter Ann C.
Published: February 2008

Siblings' constructive and unstructured shared activities were examined as moderators of the links between first- and second-born siblings' adjustment across a two-year period in adolescence. Siblings ( N = 189 dyads) reported on their depression, peer competency, self worth during home interviews, and their time together in constructive (e.g., sports, hobbies) and unstructured (e.g., hanging out) activities during seven nightly phone interviews. Siblings spent an average of 10 hours together across seven days, about 12% in constructive and 25% in unstructured activities. Regression analyses revealed that, controlling for adjustment at Time 1, associations between siblings' adjustment scores were moderated by siblings' constructive and unstructured shared time. These patterns were most evident in mixed-sex dyads.
Conceptions of US and Brazilian early childhood care and education: A historical and comparative analysis
Authors: Freitas Lia B. L. , Shelton Terri L. , Tudge Jonathan R. H.
Published: February 2008

Children's first years of life are fundamental for healthy development. Appropriate care and education in the early years are far more useful than dealing with later problems, and in both the United States and Brazil scholars and public-policy makers have argued that the goal should be an integrated system of care and education. Using a cultural—historical framework to understand early childhood policies in the United States and Brazil, we examine how notions of care and education have changed over time. We show that although the two societies have the same goal, the approaches to realizing that goal have been, for historical reasons, quite different. Moreover, despite a rapid growth in the numbers of children attending preschool institutions, integrated systems have not been accomplished. Our analysis also shows how the legacy of a dichotomous approach in both societies has impeded the integration of care and education into a single system.
Relationship Marketing at Wanamaker's in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries
Authors: Tadajewski Mark
Published: February 2008

The current interest in relationship marketing is undisputed. Although many profess the recent emergence of this phenomenon, others are more reticent and suggest that the tenets of relationship marketing can be found in earlier examples of business-to-consumer relationships. This article argues that relationship marketing as it relates to consumer markets is not a new phenomenon. Given the apparent paucity of studies that demonstrate the historical existence of relationship marketing, this study aims to rectify this using John Wanamaker's business philosophy and practice as a case study to highlight his subscription to the tenets of relationship marketing.
The development of a minimum dataset audit tool for Scotland's NHS Hand Hygiene Campaign
Authors: Kilpatrick Claire
Published: February 2008

Hand hygiene compliance is considered to be an essential element in the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAI). The options for promoting and evaluating compliance have been debated and a range of approaches are both recommended and used in practice.

Audit is commonly used for monitoring compliance and a number of hand hygiene audit tools are available. From these, varying compliance rates have been widely published.

A tool for mandatory auditing in Scotland, as part of their national Hand Hygiene Campaign, was deemed appropriate. The involvement of the Nurse Consultant Infection Control from the Health Protection Scotland's (HPS) infection control team (ICT) as clinical lead in the Scottish Hand Hygiene Campaign meant that the team had responsibility for developing a tool that would meet the needs of both national and local data collection and reporting.

After a review of available tools and a consultation period with identified stakeholders, both an electronic and paper audit tool have been developed and made available to Scottish NHS boards. Evaluation of this tool will be carried out after completion of the planned Hand Hygiene Campaign in March 2008.
Modern matrons and infection control practices: aspirations and realities
Authors: Koteyko Nelya , Nerlich Brigitte
Published: February 2008

Modern matrons were introduced in 2001 by the Department of Health to lead clinical teams in the prevention of healthcare associated infection. The facilitative role of modern matron requires both managerial and entrepreneurial skills and senior nurses are expected to lead by example, inspire, motivate and empower others, and thus conform to the `transformational leadership' style that foregrounds the importance of interpersonal and influencing skills. In this paper we identify problems that challenge this model of the modern matron and link them to possible problems in infection control. The study describes cases of difficulty in fulfilling leadership requirements because of organisational barriers to empowerment despite arguments to the contrary. Unless a significant budgetary responsibility is made part of the modern matron's role, personal skills (communication, problem solving) alone may not be sufficient to sustain it and may not lead to achieving control over infection, which was the initial trigger for instituting this role.