bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the chiral herbicide: (S)-metolachlor
Authors: Zheng Liangyu , Zhang Suoqin , Wang Fang , Gao Gui , Cao Shugui
Published: November 2006

A chemoenzymatic approach for the production of (S)-metolachlor, one of the most widely used herbicides, has been developed. The starting material (S)-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)alanine was obtained by the use of lipase-catalyzed hydrolytic kinetic resolution. Under the optimal conditions, the good activity and excellent enantioselectivity of lipase B from Candida antarctica (CAL-B,E > 100) are achieved in diethyl ether – water (15% v/v), which is about 9.7-fold more enantioselective than that in a pure buffered aqueous solution (E = 12.1). After a simple extraction procedure is used to separate the acid product from the remaining ester, the remaining ester is racemized, providing the basis for the continuous resolution process. Then (S)-metolachlor is synthesized by a simple chemical method using the enantiomerically pure (S)-acid.Key words: (S)-metolachlor, herbicide, CAL-B, (S)-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)alanine, resolution.
A DFT study of spherands containing five anisyl groups — Highly preorganized to bind the alkali metal
Authors: Elroby Shabaan AK , Lee Kyu Hwan , Cho Seung Joo , Hinchliffe Alan
Published: November 2006

Although anisyl units are basically poor ligands for metal ions, the rigid placements of their oxygens during synthesis rather than during complexation are undoubtedly responsible for the enhanced binding and selectivity of the spherand. We used standard B3LYP/6-31G** (5d) density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the complexation between spherands containing five anisyl groups, with CH2–O–CH2 (2) and CH2–S–CH2 (3) units in an 18-membered macrocyclic ring, and the cationic guests (Li+, Na+, and K+). Our geometric structure results for spherands 1, 2, and 3 are in good agreement with the previously reported X-ray diffraction data. The absolute values of the binding energy of all the spherands are inversely proportional to the ionic radius of the guests. The results, taken as a whole, show that replacement of one anisyl group by CH2–O–CH2 (2) and CH2–S–CH2 (3) makes the cavity bigger and less preorganized. In addition, both the binding and specificity decrease for small ions. The spherands 2 and 3 appear beautifully preorganized to bind all guests, so it is not surprising that their binding energies are close to the parent spherand 1. Interestingly, there is a clear linear relation between the radius of the cavity and the binding energy (R2 = 0.999).Key words: spherands, preorganization, density functional theory, binding energy, cavity size.
A simple and facile solventless procedure for the cyclization of 2′-amino- and 2′-hydroxy-chalcones using silica-supported sodium hydrogen sulphate as heterogenous catalyst
Authors: Kumar K Hemanth , Perumal P T
Published: November 2006

A simple environmentally friendly method for the cyclization of 2′-amino- and 2′-hydroxy-chalcones under solventless conditions using silica-supported sodium hydrogen sulphate has been reported.Key words: 2′-aminochalcones, 2′-hydroxychalcones, silica gel, sodium hydrogen sulphate, quinolones and flavanones.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of β-Co(OH)2 and Co3O4 nanosheets via a layered precursor conversion method
Authors: Liang Zhen-Hua , Zhu Ying-Jie , Cheng Guo-Feng , Huang Yue-Hong
Published: November 2006

Single crystalline β-Co(OH)2 nanosheets have been synthesized from a layered precursor cobalt(II) acetate hydroxide by microwave heating. The average thickness of β-Co(OH)2 nanosheets is ~10 nm, with particle sizes up to 360 nm. The layered precursor was prepared using Co(CH3COO)2·4H2O, ethylene glycol, and H2O in some cases by microwave heating. Co3O4 nanosheets have been synthesized by hydrothermal oxidation of the layered precursor cobalt(II) acetate hydroxide using H2O2.Key words: nanosheets, microwave, cobalt hydroxide, cobalt oxide.
A COMPARISON OF SINGLE-TIME RELAXATION LATTICE BOLTZMANN SCHEMES WITH ENHANCED STABILITY
Authors: TOSI FRANCESCA , UBERTINI STEFANO , SUCCI SAURO , CHEN HUDONG , KARLIN ILYA V.
Published: November 2006

In the recent years the entropic version of the lattice Boltzmann method (ELB) has made proof of significantly enhanced numerical stability as compared to the standard single-time relaxation form of the lattice Boltzmann equation. In this paper, we compare ELB with a more empirical procedure, based on the idea of modifying the value of the relaxation time in such a way as to enforce the positivity of the kinetic distribution function (fix-up method). The stability enhancement due to ELB and fix-up are compared for the case a two-dimensional lid-driven cavity flow. It is shown that ELBM offers higher stability at a moderate price in terms of computational overhead. On the other hand, even the simple fix-up procedure can provide significant savings over the standard single-time relaxation method, virtually cost-free in terms of computational requirements.
NEW LEARNING STRATEGIES IN BUSTILLOS AND OLIVEIRA MODEL
Authors: HE MINGFENG , PAN XIAOWEN , MU XIAOJIA , FENG LIN
Published: November 2006

Armando Ticona Bustillos and Paulo Murilo C. de Oliveira first combined learning strategy with Penna model using a third bit string to represent knowledge. There are two forms of learning strategy in their model: individual learning through trial-and-error and social learning through copying knowledge from others. Based on the Bustillos-Oliveira model, we propose a new learning strategy:.

(1) Individual learning ability depending on knowledge, through which the individual learning ability is not a constant but in direct proportion to the knowledge level of individual;.

(2) Double-direction Social learning, under this, not only the young can learn from the elder, but also the elder can learn from the young;.

(3) The age-dependent learning capacity, we make the learning capacity a variable in inverse proportion to the age, unlike which has been represented in Bustillos and Oliveira's model as a constant.

Under this new learning strategy represented above, we get different result in the level of knowledge of individuals from B-O model.
A HETEROSYNAPTIC LEARNING RULE FOR NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: EMMERT-STREIB FRANK
Published: November 2006

In this article we introduce a novel stochastic Hebb-like learning rule for neural networks that is neurobiologically motivated. This learning rule combines features of unsupervised (Hebbian) and supervised (reinforcement) learning and is stochastic with respect to the selection of the time points when a synapse is modified. Moreover, the learning rule does not only affect the synapse between pre- and postsynaptic neuron, which is called homosynaptic plasticity, but effects also further remote synapses of the pre- and postsynaptic neuron. This more complex form of synaptic plasticity has recently come under investigations in neurobiology and is called heterosynaptic plasticity. We demonstrate that this learning rule is useful in training neural networks by learning parity functions including the exclusive-or (XOR) mapping in a multilayer feed-forward network. We find, that our stochastic learning rule works well, even in the presence of noise. Importantly, the mean learning time increases with the number of patterns to be learned polynomially, indicating efficient learning.
COMPLEX DYNAMICAL BEHAVIORS IN DISCRETE-TIME RECURRENT NEURAL NETWORKS WITH ASYMMETRIC CONNECTION MATRIX
Authors: ZHOU ZHAN , WANG JINLIANG , JING ZHUJUN , WANG RUQI
Published: November 2006

This paper investigates the discrete-time recurrent neural networks and aims to extend the previous works with symmetric connection matrix to the asymmetric connection matrix. We provide the sufficient conditions of existence for asymptotical stability of fixed point, flip and fold bifurcations, Marotto's chaos. Besides, we state the conditions of existence for the bounded trapping region including many fixed points, and attracting set contained in bounded region and chaotic set. To demonstrate the theoretical results of the paper, several numerical examples are provided.The theorems in this paper are available more than in the previous works.
AN ENERGY ANALYSIS OF NONLINEAR OSCILLATORS WITH TIME-DELAYED COUPLING
Authors: WANG ZAIHUA , HU HAIYAN
Published: November 2006

In this paper, a novel method of energy analysis is developed for dynamical systems with time delays that are slightly perturbed from undamped SDOF/MDOF vibration systems. Being served frequently as the mathematical models in many applications, such systems undergo Hopf bifurcation including the classic "Hopf bifurcation" for SDOF systems and "multiple Hopf bifurcation" for MDOF systems, under certain conditions. An interesting observation of this paper is that the local dynamics near a Hopf bifurcation, including the stability of the trivial equilibrium and the bifurcating periodic solutions, of such systems, can be justified simply by the change of the total energy function. The key idea is that for the systems of concern, the total power (the total derivative of the energy function) can be estimated along an approximated solution with harmonic entries, the main part of the solution near the Hopf bifurcation. It shows that the present method works effectively for stability prediction of the trivial equilibrium and the bifurcating periodic solutions, and that it provides a high accurate estimation of the amplitudes of the bifurcating periodic solutions. Compared with the current methods such as the center manifold reduction which involves a great deal of symbolic computation, the energy analysis features a clear physical intuition and easy computation. Two illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present method.
BIFURCATION OF LIMIT CYCLES IN Z10-EQUIVARIANT VECTOR FIELDS OF DEGREE 9
Authors: WANG SHARON , YU PEI , LI JIBIN
Published: November 2006

In this paper, we consider the weakened Hilbert's 16th problem for symmetric planar perturbed polynomial Hamiltonian systems. In particular, a perturbed Hamiltonian polynomial vector field of degree 9 is studied, and an example of Z10-equivariant planar perturbed Hamiltonian systems is constructed. With maximal number of closed orbits, it gives rise to different configurations of limit cycles. By applying the bifurcation theory of planar dynamic systems and the method of detection functions, with the aid of numerical simulations, we show that a polynomial vector field of degree 9 with Z10 symmetry can have at least 80 limit cycles, i.e. H(9) ≥ 92 - 1.
CONVERGENCE TO THE CRITICAL ATTRACTOR AT INFINITE AND TANGENT BIFURCATION POINTS
Authors: TONELLI R.
Published: November 2006

The dynamics of the convergence to the critical attractor for the logistic map is investigated. At the border of chaos, when the Lyapunov exponent is zero, the use of the nonextensive statistical mechanics formalism allows to define a weak sensitivity or insensitivity to initial conditions. Using this formalism we analyze how a set of initial conditions spread all over the phase space converges to the critical attractor in the case of infinite bifurcation and tangent bifurcation points. We show that the phenomena is governed in both cases by a power-law regime but the critical exponents depend on the type of bifurcation and may also depend on the numerical experiment set-up. Differences and similarities between the two cases are also discussed.
SHARKOVSKII'S THEOREM FOR CONNECTIVITY Gδ-RELATIONS
Authors: ANDRES JAN , ŠNYRYCHOVÁ PAVLA , SZUCA PIOTR
Published: November 2006

A version of Sharkovskii's cycle coexistence theorem is formulated for a composition of connectivity Gδ-relations with closed values. Thus, a multivalued version in [Andres & Pastor, 2005] holding with at most two exceptions for M-maps, jointly with a single-valued version in [Szuca, 2003], for functions with a connectivity Gδ-graph, are generalized. In particular, our statement is applicable to differential inclusions as well as to some discontinuous functions.
A STUDY ON A BIONIC PATTERN CLASSIFIER BASED ON OLFACTORY NEURAL SYSTEM
Authors: LI XU , LI GUANG , WANG LE , FREEMAN WALTER J.
Published: November 2006

This paper presents a simulation of a biological olfactory neural system with a KIII set, which is a high-dimensional chaotic neural network. The KIII set differs from conventional artificial neural networks by use of chaotic attractors for memory locations that are accessed by, chaotic trajectories. It was designed to simulate the patterns of action potentials and EEG waveforms observed in electrophysiological experiments, and has proved its utility as a model for biological intelligence in pattern classification. An application to recognition of handwritten numerals is presented here, in which the classification performance of the KIII network under different noise levels was investigated.
Ovariectomy worsens secondary hyperparathyroidism in mature rats during low-Ca diet
Authors: Zhang Yan , Lai Wan-Ping , Wu Chun-Fu , Favus Murray J. , Leung Ping-Chung , Wong Man-Sau
Published: November 2006

Estrogen deficiency impairs intestinal Ca absorption and induces bone loss, but its effects on the vitamin D-endocrine system are unclear. In the present study, calciotropic hormones levels, renal vitamin D metabolism, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]-dependent intestinal calcium absorption, and bone properties in 3-mo-old sham-operated (sham) or ovariectomized (OVX) rats fed either a normal-Ca (NCD; 0.6% Ca, 0.65% P) or a low-Ca (LCD; 0.1% Ca, 0.65% P) diet for 2 wk were determined. LCD increased serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels in both sham and OVX rats. Serum parathyroid hormone [PTH(1–84)] levels were highest in OVX rats fed LCD. Renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D1α-hydroxylase (1-OHase) protein expression was induced in both sham and OVX rats during LCD, while renal 1-OHase mRNA expression was highest in OVX rats fed LCD. Renal vitamin D receptor (VDR) and mRNA expressions in rats were induced by ovariectomy in rats fed NCD but suppressed by ovariectomy in rats fed LCD. The induction of intestinal calcium transporter-1 and calbindin-D9k mRNA expressions by LCD were not altered by ovariectomy. As expected, bone Ca content, cancellous bone mineral density, and bone strength index in proximal metaphysis of rat tibia were reduced by both ovariectomy and LCD ( P < 0.05) as analyzed by two-way ANOVA. Taken together, the data demonstrate that ovariectomy alters the responses of circulating PTH levels, renal 1-OHase mRNA expression, and renal VDR expression to LCD. These results suggest that estrogen is necessary for the full adaptive response to LCD mediated by both PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3.
Inhibition of wild-type p66ShcA in mesangial cells prevents glycooxidant-dependent FOXO3a regulation and promotes the survival phenotype
Authors: Chintapalli Janaki , Yang Shuo , Opawumi David , Goyal Sunita Ray , Shamsuddin Nazia , Malhotra Ashwani , Reiss Krzysztof , Meggs Leonard G.
Published: November 2006

Hyperglycemia triggers an exponential increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the cellular level. Here, we demonstrate induction of the oxidant-resistant phenotype in mesangial cells by silencing the wild-type (WT) p66ShcA gene. Two approaches were employed to inhibit WTp66ShcA in SV40 murine mesangial cells and normal human mesangial cells: transient transfection with isoform-specific p66ShcA short-intervening RNA and stable transfection with mutant 36 p66ShcA expression vector. At high ambient glucose (HG), p66ShcA-deficient cells exhibit resistance to HG-induced ROS generation and attenuation in the amplitude of the kinetic curves for intracellular ROS metabolism, indicative of the pivotal role of WTp66ShcA in the generation of HG oxidant stress. We next examined phosphorylation and subcellular distribution of FKHRL1 (FOXO3a), a potent stress response regulator and downstream target of WTp66ShcA redox function. At HG, cell extracts of p66ShcA-deficient cells analyzed by immunoblotting show attenuation of FOXO3a phosphorylation at Thr-32, and indirect immunofluorescence of p66ShcA-deficient cells, cotransfected with HA-FOXO3a, show predominant HA-FOXO3a nuclear localization. Conversely, parental cells at HG show upregulation of phos-Thr-32 and nuclear export of HA-FOXO3a. To determine whether inhibition of cross talk between WTp66ShcA and FOXO3a confers protection against oxidant-induced DNA damage, DNA strand breaks (DSB) and apoptosis were examined. At HG, p66ShcA-deficient cells exhibit increased resistance to DSB and apoptosis, while parental cells show a striking increase in both parameters. We conclude that knockdown of WTp66ShcA redox function prevents HG-dependent FOXO3a regulation and promotes the survival phenotype.
Wild-type p53 Inhibits Nuclear Factor-κB–Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Promoter Activation: Implications for Soft Tissue Sarcoma Growth and Metastasis
Authors: Liu Jue , Zhan Maocheng , Hannay Jonathan A.F. , Das Parimal , Bolshakov Svetlana V. , Kotilingam Dhanashankren , Yu Dihua , Lazar Alexander F. , Pollock Raphael E. , Lev Dina
Published: November 2006

Human soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a highly lethal malignancy in which control of metastasis determines survival. Little is known about the molecular determinants of STS dissemination. Here, we show that human STS express high levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and that MMP-9 expression levels correlate with sequence analysis–defined p53 mutational status. Reintroduction of wild-type p53 (wtp53) into mutant p53 STS cell lines decreased MMP-9 mRNA and protein levels, decreased zymography-assessed MMP-9 proteolytic activity, and decreased tumor cell invasiveness. Reintroduction of wtp53 into STS xenografts decreased tumor growth and MMP-9 protein expression. Luciferase reporter studies showed that reintroduction of wtp53 into mutant p53 STS cells decreased MMP-9 promoter activity. Deletion constructs of the MMP-9 promoter identified a region containing a p53-responsive element that lacked a p53 consensus binding site but did contain a nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) site. Mutating this NF-κB binding site eliminated the wtp53-repressive effect. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed decreased NF-κB binding in STS cells in the presence of wtp53. Our findings suggest a role for MMP-9 in STS progression and expand the role of p53 in molecular control of STS growth and metastasis. Therapeutic interventions in human STS targeting MMP-9 activity directly or via reintroduction of wtp53 merit further investigation. (Mol Cancer Res 2006;4(11):803–10)
Ideological roots of Philippine social welfare
Authors: Yu Nilan G.
Published: November 2006

English

Mainstream accounts of Philippine social welfare history trace its roots to welfare initiatives under centuries of colonial rules without pointing out their ideological implications. This article argues that the so-called advances nurtured ideological elements now embedded in contemporary Philippine social welfare and social work that should be critically analysed.

French

Les récits historiques majoritaires sur le bien-être social aux Philippines en font découvrir les racines dans les initiatives d'aide entreprises pendant les centaines d'années de régime colonial, sans que soient démontrées leurs implications idéologiques. Cet article suggère que les soi-disant progrès ont contribué à nourrir des éléments idéologiques aujourd'hui ancrés dans le bien-être social et les services sociaux des Philippines. L'auteur recommande une analyse critique de cette situation.

Spanish

Las discusiones dominantes de la historia del estado de beneficencia en las Filipinas trazan sus raíces a las iniciativas de beneficencia bajo dominación colonial, pero lo hacen sin mencionar las implicaciones ideológicas. Este artículo argumenta que las llamadas ventajas fomentan elementos ideológicos que se encuentran incorporados en el estado de beneficencia y trabajo social contemporáneo filipino los cuales deberían ser analizados críticamente.
Rural social work in Scotland and eastern Canada
Authors: Turbett Colin
Published: November 2006

English

Scotland's highland and island communities are linked historically with Canada's eastern seaboard and both countries share a similar social care infrastructure. This article compares social work services in three different settings: western Newfoundland and Cape Breton in Canada and a Scottish island and highland community. The potentials for developing specifically rural models of social work are explored.

French

Les Highlands écossais et les communautés insulaires écossaises sont historiquement liées aux provinces atlantiques canadiennes et les deux contrées font preuve d'infrastructures similaires dans leurs services sociaux. Cet article compare les services sociaux dans trois endroits: l'Ouest Terre-neuvien et le Cap Breton au Canada et une île ainsi qu'une communauté des Highlands écossais. Le potentiel pour le développement de modèles de services sociaux spécifiquement ruraux est exploré.

Spanish

Las comunidades montañosas y de las islas de Escocia esta históricamente con la costa éste de Canadá y los dos países comparten infraestructura social de servicio. Este artículo compara los servicios de trabajo social en tres diferente localidades. El Oeste de Terranova y Cabo Bretón en Canadá, y una isla escocesa y una comunidad de zona alta. La potencialidad para desarrollar modelos de trabajos social rurales es explorado.
Safety in Cyberspace
Authors: Fleming Michele J. , Greentree Shane , Cocotti-Muller Dayana , Elias Kristy A. , Morrison Sarah
Published: November 2006

A survey was conducted among 692 Australian 13- to 16-year-olds to examine aspects of their Internet use and, in particular, their exposure to inappropriate material and behaviors online and their online safety practices. Significant differences were found in the amount of exposure to inappropriate material or behaviors online according to sex and frequency of usage, with males and more frequent Internet users showing greater exposure. No differences were found according to whether blocking or filtering software was installed. Significant differences in online safety practices were also found, with younger participants (13- to 14-year-olds) and those participants whose parents had not discussed Internet safety with them being less safety conscious.
After-School Matters in Chicago
Authors: Halpern Robert
Published: November 2006

In this article, the author draws on a study of an after-school initiative serving inner-city high school students to describe and reflect on ways in which apprenticeship-like experiences support work on a variety of developmental tasks. The author describes key dimensions of the apprenticeship experience, discusses challenges faced by instructors, and reflects on possible effects on participants. Findings suggest that, in addition to strengthening disciplinespecific knowledge and skills and, more selectively, skills needed for carrying out complex tasks, apprenticeship-like learning experiences have interesting self-effects. These experiences lead at least some apprentices to take more responsibility for themselves, to learn to attend more deeply, to learn about themselves, to learn that it is OK to do new things, and to learn that expressing one's thoughts, emotions, or doubts honestly will not have negative consequences. At the same time, apprentices'growth is tentative. Shifting habits, predispositions, and dominant feelings (about oneself and others) is difficult work.
Rorty and pragmatic social criticism
Authors: Bacon Michael
Published: November 2006

For pragmatists, the inability to stand outside of the contingencies of human practice does not impede social criticism. However, several pragmatists have argued that Richard Rorty’s position unnecessarily and undesirably circumscribes the scope of social criticism, allowing for nothing more than an appeal to current practices, with no way to challenge or revise them. This article argues against this understanding, showing that on Rorty’s account, social criticism is an interpretive activity in which critics draw on elements within current practices, focusing attention on the ways in which a society’s practices fail to live up to its self-image. In so doing, Rorty’s position is shown to allow for everything that his fellow pragmatists think important, but take him to be denying.
Give and take
Authors: Lindahl Hans
Published: November 2006

Appealing to the original meaning of the Greek term nomos, Hannah Arendt claims that a bounded legal space is constitutive for political community. Can this seemingly anachronistic claim be substantiated in the conceptually strong sense that every polity - the Greek city-state as much as a hypothetical world state - must constitute itself as a nomos? It is argued that whereas Arendt falls short of justifying this claim, a reflexive reading of nomos can do the trick: the space of political community is necessarily bounded because no polity is imaginable that does not raise a claim to an inside as the community’s own space. A world state, were it ever to be founded, would globalize nomos, not suppress it. Whence the political problem: how does a polity deal with its outside? This problem is particularly pressing because Carl Schmitt’s defense of nomos radically challenges Arendt’s position. A reinterpretation of her analyses of the foundation of a political community suggests how the representational structure of a politics of boundaries parries Schmitt’s challenge.
The Exception and the Rule: On French Colonial Law
Authors: Le Cour Grandmaison Olivier
Published: November 2006

The native cannot be compared to the European, … he shares neither the latter's moral qualities, nor his education, nor his religion …, nor his civilization. The mistake is a commendable one and is typically French; it was committed by those who first drew up the ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen’, instead of more modestly drawing up the ‘Declaration of the Rights of the French Citizen’.

P. Azan (1925)

The native has a style of behaviour, sets of laws and an attachment to his land that are not ours. We will not bring him happiness either by applying the principles of the French Revolution, which is our Revolution, nor by imposing upon him the Code Napoléon, which is our Code.

F. Eboué (1941)
Chaos and the Abuse of Power
Authors: Hodson Randy , Roscigno Vincent J. , Lopez Steven H.
Published: November 2006

Bullying is a significant workplace problem—a fact highlighted by a growing body of social science literature. Its causes, however, have received little systematic attention beyond analyses of the personality attributes of bullies. This article explores the roles of relational power and organizational chaos in the emergence of workplace bullying. The analysis of content-coded organizational ethnographies integrates quantitative and qualitative techniques and draws heavily from the ethnographies themselves. Results suggest that the interplay of relational powerlessness and organizational chaos gives rise to bullying. In contrast, where there is a disjuncture between organizational and relational factors, the extent of bullying is determined by underlying, context-specific aspects of power. These results suggest a need for organizations not only to protect the weak, but also to eliminate chaos—chaos that creates openings for the abuse of power.
The American Worker
Authors: Kochan Thomas A.
Published: November 2006

Layoffs have become a strategy of first not last resort in American business. Why and when did this occur? What are its consequences for workers, families, communities, and the economy? Can anything be done about it? These are questions Louis Uchitelle takes up in The Disposable American. I discuss his answers and my own views on how to move forward to address the growing pressures on workers and families.
Free Vibration Analysis of Angle-ply Laminated Beams with General Boundary Conditions
Authors: Aydogdu Metin
Published: November 2006

In this study, vibration analysis of angle-ply laminated beams subjected to different sets of boundary conditions is investigated. The analysis is based on a three-degrees-of-freedom shear deformable beam theory. The governing equations are obtained by means of Hamilton's principle. Six different combinations of free, clamped, and simply supported edge boundary conditions are considered. The free vibration frequencies are obtained by applying the Ritz method where the three displacement components are expressed in a series of simple algebraic polynomials. The numerical results obtained for different lay-ups are presented and compared with that available in the literature.
Genre variation and minority ethnic identity: exploring the ‘personal profile’ in Indian American community publications
Authors: Kaufer David
Published: November 2006

Indian Americans, along with other Asian American groups, are victims of the ‘model minority’ stereotype in American public discourse. This article explores the relationship between this stereotype and the nature of personal profiles published in the Indian American community. To explore the relationship systematically, I employed a controlled comparison between profiles in Indian American publications and a ‘control’ minority whose various identities are less directly implicated in this stereotype. A corpus study was undertaken involving the coding and analysis of 135 profiles, divided between Indian American and African American community publications. The African American publications, including Caribbean and Continental African Americans, functioned as controls because of the low or irrelevant standing of Americans of African descent on this stereotype. Results show that profiles from the Indian American publications reinforce the high standing of Indian Americans on the stereotype, in contrast to those of the African American controls, which show little sensitivity to the stereotype one way or another. I explore reasons why Indian American publications reinforce the stereotype, in spite of the negative implications that follow from its status as a stereotype, and suggest that these reasons have functional value for cross-generational communication in the Indian American community.
Gatekeeping gender: some features of the use of hypothetical questions in the psychiatric assessment of transsexual patients
Authors: Speer Susan A. , Parsons Ceri
Published: November 2006

Psychiatrists, like other medical professionals with a diagnosing or prescribing role, control access to a range of forms of treatment, medication and service that their patient, or their patient’s carer, may want access to. In this article, we explore psychiatrist-patient interactions in the distinctive institutional site of a UK NHS Gender Identity Clinic, where the psychiatrist’s gatekeeping role is renowned. We focus on some interactional features of the psychiatrist’s gatekeeping role as it gets played out and oriented to in a specific class of question that they ask their patients. This class of questions involves the psychiatrist putting to the patient a possible future hypothetical scenario where the patient’s treatment is withdrawn. We show how these hypothetical questions function in the psychiatric assessment of transsexuals, and how the psychiatrist’s institutional, gatekeeping role is made manifest both in the design of the hypothetical question and in the response that is elicited from the patient. We end by considering the extent to which hypothetical questions may be deemed a ‘useful’ or a ‘successful’ strategy in the psychiatric assessment of transsexual patients.
Small-World Brain Networks
Authors: Bassett Danielle Smith , Bullmore Ed
Published: November 2006

Many complex networks have a small-world topology characterized by dense local clustering or cliquishness of connections between neighboring nodes yet a short path length between any (distant) pair of nodes due to the existence of relatively few long-range connections. This is an attractive model for the organization of brain anatomical and functional networks because a small-world topology can support both segregated/specialized and distributed/integrated information processing. Moreover, small-world networks are economical, tending to minimize wiring costs while supporting high dynamical complexity. The authors introduce some of the key mathematical concepts in graph theory required for small-world analysis and review how these methods have been applied to quantification of cortical connectivity matrices derived from anatomical tract-tracing studies in the macaque monkey and the cat. The evolution of small-world networks is discussed in terms of a selection pressure to deliver cost-effective information-processing systems. The authors illustrate how these techniques and concepts are increasingly being applied to the analysis of human brain functional networks derived from electroencephalography/magnetoencephalography and fMRI experiments. Finally, the authors consider the relevance of small-world models for understanding the emergence of complex behaviors and the resilience of brain systems to pathological attack by disease or aberrant development. They conclude that small-world models provide a powerful and versatile approach to understanding the structure and function of human brain systems.
Due diligence failure as a signal detection problem
Authors: Puranam Phanish , Powell Benjamin C. , Singh Harbir
Published: November 2006

In conducting due diligence during corporate acquisitions, acquirers obtain new and usually negative information regarding targets’ values. Because such information is noisy, acquirers must balance the risk of withdrawing from a value-enhancing acquisition against the risk of persisting with a value-destroying acquisition. Drawing on signal detection theory, a rational choice theory of decision making under uncertainty, we propose that the relative importance acquirers place on these two risks affects how they utilize information obtained during due diligence.To assess this proposition, we undertook an experimental study of decision making in due diligence.The results are consistent with the assertion that the initial value acquirers attach to the acquisition opportunity affects first the impact that negative information from due diligence has on their valuations as well as their final acquisition decisions.
Proteinase 3 and CD177 are expressed on the plasma membrane of the same subset of neutrophils
Authors: Bauer Susanne , Abdgawad Mohamed , Gunnarsson Lena , Segelmark Mårten , Tapper Hans , Hellmark Thomas
Published: November 2006

Proteinase 3 (PR3) is found in granules of all neutrophils but also on the plasma membrane of a subset of neutrophils (mPR3). CD177, another neutrophil protein, also displays a bimodal surface expression. In this study, we have investigated the coexpression of these two molecules, as well as the effect of cell activation on their surface expression. We can show that CD177 is expressed on the same subset of neutrophils as mPR3. Experiments show that the expression of mPR3 and CD177 on the plasma membrane is increased or decreased in parallel during cell stimulation or spontaneous apoptosis. Furthermore, we observed a rapid internalization and recirculation of mPR3 and plasma membrane CD177, where all mPR3 is replaced within 30 min. Our findings suggest that the PR3 found on the plasma membrane has its origin in the same intracellular storage as CD177, i.e., secondary granules and secretory vesicles and not primary granules. PR3- and CD177-expressing neutrophils constitute a subpopulation of neutrophils with an unknown role in the innate immune system, which may play an important role in diseases such as Wegener’s granulomatosis and polycythemia vera.
Comparative effectiveness of second-generation antipsychotics
and haloperidol in acute schizophrenia
Authors: McCue Robert E. , Waheed Rubina , Urcuyo Leonel , Orendain Geraldine , Joseph Michel D. , Charles Richard , Hasan Syed M.
Published: November 2006

Background

There is little information on the comparative effectiveness of
second-generation antipsychotic agents.

Aims

To determine if any of five second-generation antipsychotics or
haloperidol is more effective in treating acutely ill patients with
schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or schizophreniform disorder.

Method

A sample of 327 newly admitted patients were randomised to open-label
treatment with aripiprazole, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine,
risperidone or ziprasidone for a minimum of 3 weeks. Measures of
effectiveness were improvement in mental status so that the patient no
longer required acute in-patient care, and changes in Brief Psychiatric
Rating Scale (BPRS) scores.

Results

By the first measure, haloperidol (89%), olanzapine (92%) and risperidone
(88%) were significantly more effective than aripiprazole (64%),
quetiapine (64%) and ziprasidone (64%). Changes in BPRS ratings were not
significant among treatments.

Conclusions

Haloperidol, olanzapine and risperidone are superior to aripiprazole,
quetiapine and ziprasidone for the acute treatment of psychosis in
hospitalised patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or
schizophreniform disorder.
The ecological fallacy and the gender ratio of suicide in
China
Authors: Yip Paul S. F. , Liu Ka Y.
Published: November 2006

China is the only country in which the suicide rate is higher among women
than men. We provide a demographic perspective on the gender differential in
suicide in China. This shows that the male/female ratio of suicide increased
between 1991 and 2001 and there is reason to believe this trend will
continue. Among the population subgroups, only young women living in rural
areas had much higher suicide rates than their male counterparts. It is
argued that consideration of the gender ratio of suicide in China must take
age-, gender- and region-specific suicide patterns and the population
structure into account. The increasing urbanisation of China is likely to be
associated with more male suicides and we predict that before long the male
suicide rate will overtake that of females.
Monitoring Thyroglobulin in a Sensitive Immunoassay Has Comparable Sensitivity to Recombinant Human TSH-Stimulated Thyroglobulin in Follow-Up of Thyroid Cancer Patients
Authors: Smallridge Robert C. , Meek Shon E. , Morgan Melissa A. , Gates Geoffrey S. , Fox Thomas P. , Grebe Stefan , Fatourechi Vahab
Published: November 2006

Context: Most thyroglobulin (Tg) assays have a sensitivity of 0.5–1 ng/ml. A minority of patients with undetectable T4-suppressed Tg levels have a recombinant human TSH (rhTSH)-stimulated Tg above 2 ng/ml and identifiable residual disease.

Objective: The objective was to determine whether a Tg assay with improved sensitivity could eliminate the need for rhTSH stimulation when baseline Tg is below 0.1 ng/ml.

Design: A retrospective study of two academic endocrine practices was conducted.

Population: A total of 194 patients undergoing rhTSH stimulation participated in the study.

Results: Of the 80 patients with Tg below 0.1 ng/ml, two (2.5%) had rhTSH-stimulated Tg above 2 ng/ml. One other patient with stimulation to 0.3 ng/ml and negative 123I scan had an ultrasound-detected malignant lymph node resected. None had 131I/123I imaging after rhTSH stimulation suggestive of local recurrence or distant metastasis. If T4-suppressed Tg was 0.1–0.5 or 0.6–2.0 ng/ml, rhTSH Tg was above 2 ng/ml in 24.2 and 82.4%, respectively.

Conclusions: Patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma and a T4-suppressed serum Tg below 0.1 ng/ml rarely have a rhTSH-stimulated Tg above 2 ng/ml, and none of these patients had 131I or 123I imaging after rhTSH stimulation suggestive of local recurrence or distant metastasis. We recommend monitoring such patients with a T4-suppressed Tg level and periodic neck ultrasonography. An increase in T4-suppressed serum Tg to a detectable level or the appearance of abnormal lymph nodes by physical or ultrasound exam should prompt further investigation.
Macropinocytosis: regulated coordination of endocytic and exocytic membrane traffic events
Authors: Falcone Sestina , Cocucci Emanuele , Podini Paola , Kirchhausen Tomas , Clementi Emilio , Meldolesi Jacopo
Published: November 2006

Macropinocytosis, a form of bulk uptake of fluid and solid cargo into cytoplasmic vacuoles, called macropinosomes, has been studied mostly in relation to antigen presentation. Early membrane traffic events occurring in this process are, however, largely unknown. Using human dendritic cells we show that a marked increase in the rate of macropinocytosis occurs a few minutes after application of two markers (small latex beads or dextran), depends on a slow intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) rise that precedes the PI3K-dependent step, and is preceded and accompanied by exocytosis of enlargeosomes compensating in part for the macropinocytic plasma membrane internalization. Unexpectedly, macropinosomes themselves, which share markers with endosomes, undergo Ca2+-dependent exocytosis so that, after ∼20 minutes of continuous bead or dextran uptake, an equilibrium is reached preventing cells from overloading themselves with the organelles. Large [Ca2+]i increases induced by ionomycin trigger rapid (<1 minute) exocytic regurgitation of all macropinosomes, whereas endosomes remain apparently unaffected. We conclude that, in dendritic cells, the rate of macropinocytosis is not constant but increases in a regulated fashion, as previously shown in other cell types. Moreover, macropinosomes are not simple containers that funnel cargo to an endocytic pathway, but unique organelles, distinct from endosomes by their competence for regulated exocytosis and other membrane properties.
Roles of aTrypanosoma brucei5′→3′ exoribonuclease homolog in mRNA degradation
Authors: Li Chi-Ho , Irmer Henriette , Gudjonsdottir-Planck Drifa , Freese Simone , Salm Heike , Haile Simon , Estévez Antonio M. , Clayton Christine
Published: November 2006

The genome of the kinetoplastid parasiteTrypanosoma bruceiencodes four homologs of theSaccharomyces cerevisiae5′→3′ exoribonucleases Xrn1p and Xrn2p/Rat1p, XRNA, XRNB, XRNC, and XRND. InS. cerevisiae, Xrn1p is a cytosolic enzyme involved in degradation of mRNA, whereas Xrn2p is involved in RNA processing in the nucleus. Trypanosome XRND was found in the nucleus, XRNB and XRNC were found in the cytoplasm, and XRNA appeared to be in both compartments. XRND and XRNA were essential for parasite growth. Depletion of XRNA increased the abundances of highly unstable developmentally regulated mRNAs, perhaps by delaying a deadenylation-independent decay pathway. Degradation of more stable or unregulated mRNAs was not affected by XRNA depletion although a slight decrease in average poly(A) tail length was observed. We conclude that in trypanosomes 5′→3′ exonuclease activity is important in degradation of highly unstable, regulated mRNAs, but that for other mRNAs another step is more important in determining the decay rate.
Concomitant Agranulocytosis and Hepatotoxicity After Treatment with Carbimazole
Authors: Vilchez Francisco J , Torres Isabel , Garcia-Valero Amor , López-Tinoco Cristina , los Santos Alberto de , Aguilar-Diosdado Manuel
Published: November 2006

Objective:

To describe a case of agranulocytosis and severe hepatotoxicity associated with Carbimazole treatment.

Case Summary:

A 37-year-old woman was diagnosed with severe hyperthyroidism resulting from Graves' disease. Treatment with Carbimazole 30 mg/day was initiated. Within 15 days following the start of therapy, both minor (eg, pruritus, rash, urticaria, fever, arthralgias) and potentially life-threatening (eg, agranulocytosis, severe mixed hepatotoxicity with severe cholestatic jaundice) adverse effects developed. The patient's symptoms and laboratory abnormalities resolved following withdrawal of Carbimazole. Treatment with other antithyroid drugs was not attempted, and 131I ablation of the thyroid was successfully performed. Thyroid function was maintained with standard follow-up care. Agranulocytosis, identified following bone marrow biopsy, was treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Discussion:

Agranulocytosis and hepatotoxicity are rare adverse effects associated with Carbimazole treatment and are usually dose- and age-related. The likelihood that Carbimazole induced these undesirable events in our patient is rated as probable based on the Naranjo probability scale. We believe this case to be the first to describe minor and major adverse effects related to Carbimazole therapy in a patient with Graves' disease.

Conclusions:

Major adverse effects associated with Carbimazole are infrequent. However, clinicians need to be aware that the effects described here, including severe liver failure and bone marrow toxicity, may occur in patients receiving this drug.
Ensuring that Patients Receive Full Cardiac Pharmacotherapy Services: A Pharmacist's Call to Arms
Authors: White C Michael
Published: November 2006

While clinical trials have proven that use of certain cardiovascular drugs improves morbidity and mortality, these drugs are not widely used, they are by and large prescribed in suboptimal doses, and their benefit is further diminished by nonadherence. Pharmacists have the ability to improve the survival of patients with cardiovascular risks. This can only be accomplished through the efforts of the individual pharmacist and the further development of health-system management services. Pharmacists need to leverage their access to patients, their large patient base, and their knowledge of refill dates to improve patient care. Support and development of more pharmacist-directed anticoagulation, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension clinics are also needed.
Understanding teachers' perceptions of the motor difficulties of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD)
Authors: Rivard Lisa M. , Missiuna Cheryl. , Hanna Steven. , Wishart Laurie.
Published: November 2006

Background. Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are often identified by classroom teachers and the identification process relies heavily on teachers' perceptions. The literature would suggest that teachers' perceptions may be influenced by a child's gender, behaviour and the type of motor problem they demonstrate. To date, the influence of these factors on teachers' perceptions of children with DCD has not been empirically tested.

Aim. This study investigated whether child gender, behaviour and type of motor problem influenced teachers' ratings of concern and importance of intervening for children with motor difficulties.

Sample. One hundred and forty‐seven teachers of children from 6 to 9 years of age participated in this study.

Method. Hypothetical case scenarios were developed that experimentally manipulated the factors of child gender (male/female), behaviour (disruptive/non‐disruptive) and type of motor problem (fine motor/gross motor). Teachers were given two case scenarios of the same gender (that varied by behaviour) and rated: (a) their degree of concern about children's motor problems and (b) how important they thought it was for the child to receive intervention for that problem.

Results. The effect of child gender on teachers' perceptions depends upon the type of motor problem. While child behaviour had a marginal influence on teachers' perceptions, interestingly, teachers appeared to recognize motor problems only in the absence of disruptive behaviour. The type of motor problem demonstrated also influenced teachers' perceptions.

Conclusion. This study provides preliminary insight into factors that influence teachers' perceptions of children with DCD with clear implications for the classroom identification of children with DCD.