bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Red Theatre under the Bed
Authors: Brenton Howard
Published: January 2009

Howard Brenton began his theatrical career in the late 'sixties as one of the ‘Portable playwrights’, but quickly felt the need to utilize the resources available on larger stages-without compromising the political impact of his plays. Now established as one of the leading playwrights of his generation, Brenton works regularly with the National Theatre, and in the interview which follows the discussion ranges from his feelings about the ‘scandal’ worked up by the production there of The Romans in Britain to how his feelings about Brecht were affected by preparing their version of The Life of Galileo, and also covers his recent collaboration with David Hare, creating a monstrous press baron, in Pravda. Touching on other recent plays such as The Genius and Bloody Poetry, the discussion thus complements an earlier Theatre Quarterly interview with Howard Brenton, included in TQ17 (1975) and reprinted in New Theatre Voices of the Seventies, edited by Simon Trussler (Methuen, 1981). The interviewer, Tony Mitchell, currently teaches in the School of Theatre Studies at the University of New South Wales, and is the author of Dario Fo: People's Court Jester (Methuen. 1984). His Methuen ‘Writer-File’ on Howard Brenton is due for publication in 1988.
Still Standing Upright: Ben Jonson, 350 Years Alive
Authors: Barnes Peter
Published: January 2009

This year marks the 350th anniversary of the death of Ben Jonson – who, but for the happenstance of Shakespeare, would certainly have been Britain's national playwright, but whose achievement has in fact been overshadowed not only by the genius of his sometime colleague, but by the quite different styles and theatrical assumptions of their respective work. The dramatist Peter Barnes, who acknowledges a debt to Jonson in his own writing, is also a leading director of the playwright's work, with productions of Eastward Ho, The Alchemist, Bartholomew Fair, and The Devil is an Ass already to his credit, and, among other productions planned for this anniversary year, one of TheMagnetic Lady for BBC Radio, in apt juxtaposition to the projected RSC revival of The New Inn. Here, Peter Barnes contributes a personal celebration of the playwright's distinctive and defiantly unquenchable work.
Perceptions of the Female Role: the ISTA Congress
Authors: Bassnett Susan
Published: January 2009

HOLSTEBRO in Northern Denmark has become famous as the home of the Nordisk Theaterlaboratorium and the Odin Theatre Company, led by Eugenio Barba. In September 1986 an international congress organized by ISTA, the International School of Theatre Anthropology, also directed by Eugenio Barba, was held in Holstebro on the subject of ‘The Female Role as Represented on the Stage’ in various cultures.
The Bread and Puppet Theatre in Nicaragua, 1987
Authors: Bell John
Published: January 2009

PETER SCHUMANN's Bread and Puppet Theatre began 25 years ago as a new way of making modern theatre, and as Schumann sees it, still is. As he recently stated, “there are two aspects to this newness: (1) the proposal for a much bigger, wider space for the arts to exist in than the space that the arts occupy now – a way for painting, music, sculpture, and language to exist together and in response to the questions of the time in which they live; and (2) the puppet theatre aspect: puppet theatre not as a special branch of theatre but as a challenge to theatre, as a concrete proposal for the overcoming of its shortcomings – a liberation from that fixed old schmaltz – a proposal for much bigger form, much more compositional freedom and adventure than an actors' theater can ever come up with.”
Jonathan Miller Directs Chekhov
Authors: Allen David
Published: January 2009

David Allen's sequence of features for NTQ on modern British approaches to directing Chekhov began in No. 8 (1986) with a documentary study of Mike Alfreds's productions, and continued with a reconstruction of David Jones's production ofIvanovfor the RSC in No. 15 (1988). Here, he explores the approach to Chekhov of Jonathan Miller (currently artistic director at the Old Vic), mainly through an analysis of Miller's production ofThree Sisters, first seen at Guildford in April 1976, and subsequently transferred to the Cambridge Theatre, London, on 22 June of that year. This is complemented by original interview material with the director, and David Allen also draws on Miller's Chichester production ofThe Seagullin 1973, which was revived for Greenwich Theatre in January 1974. The analysis focuses especially on Miller's sense of the ways in which Chekhov perceived and dramatized human passions, his presentation of the nuances of personality, and of the changes wrought by passing time.
Impact on rates and time to first central vascular-associated bloodstream infection when switching from open to closed intravenous infusion containers in a hospital setting
Authors: FRANZETTI F. , BORGHI B. , RAIMONDI F. , ROSENTHAL V. D.
Published: January 2009

An open-label, prospective cohort, active healthcare-associated infection surveillance sequential study was conducted in four Italian intensive-care units. The aim was to determine the effect of switching from open (glass) to closed fully collapsible plastic intravenous (i.v.) infusion containers (Viaflo®) on rate and time to onset of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CVC-BSI). A total of 1173 adult patients were enrolled. The CVC-BSI rate during the open container period was significantly higher than during the closed container period (8·2vs. 3·5 BSI/1000 CVC days, relative risk 0·43, 95% confidence interval 0·22–0·84,P=0·01). The probability of developing a CVC-BSI was assessed over time comparing open and closed i.v. infusion containers. In the closed container period, it remained fairly constant (0·8% at days 1–3 to 1·4% at days 7–9) whereas during the open container period it increased (2% at days 1–3 to 5·8% at days 7–9). Overall, the chance of acquiring a CVC-BSI significantly decreased by 61% in the closed container period (Cox proportional hazard ratio 0·39,P=0·004).
Host condition and individual risk of cowpox virus infection in natural animal populations: cause or effect?
Authors: BELDOMENICO P. M. , TELFER S. , LUKOMSKI L. , GEBERT S. , BENNETT M. , BEGON M.
Published: January 2009

Recent studies have provided evidence that endemic pathogens may affect dynamics in animals. However, such studies have not typically considered that infected individuals might have a preceding underlying poor condition. We examined whether individuals in poor condition are more likely to become infected by an endemic pathogen, using as a system the dynamics of cowpox virus in field voles. With data from monthly sampled vole populations, a nested case-control study evaluated whether susceptible individuals with poorer condition had higher probabilities of contracting cowpox. The influence of condition was found to be considerable, especially for males. At times when a susceptible male with good body condition had a relatively low probability of becoming infected, a susceptible male with poor body condition was twice as likely to contract cowpox; if this male was also anaemic, the chances were almost quadrupled. We discuss the care needed when interpreting the findings of wildlife disease studies.
Was encephalitis lethargica a post-influenzal or some other phenomenon? Time to re-examine the problem
Authors: MORTIMER P. P.
Published: January 2009

Encephalitis lethargica (EL) was first reported in 1917 in central Europe. It became epidemic in the winter of 1918/1919 concurrently with the pandemic of influenza, and by then had reached Russia and North America. It spread throughout the world in epidemic form, mainly in the succeeding winters, up to 1927. By then about 65 000 cases had been reported, although the true number worldwide can only be guessed at. EL mortality was about 30% in the acute stage, and similar during recurrences. Half of the survivors had persistent or recurrent neuro-psychiatric illness, with Parkinsonism a frequent end stage. Most contemporary observers attributed EL to a virus and some believed it was specifically a post-influenzal complication. The epidemiology of EL mostly points to an infective cause, e.g. a seasonal respiratory or gastrointestinal virus with infrequent encephalitic expression but the ability to persist, flare and progressively damage the brain. However, any link with the influenza virus strain of 1918/1919 remains hypothetical. The aetiological theories that have been applied to EL are reviewed and the question is raised whether broader laboratory investigation might now reveal a continuing low endemicity of EL and identify its cause.
Season of birth and risk of rotavirus diarrhoea in children aged <5 years
Authors: ATCHISON C. J. , TAM C. C. , LOPMAN B. A.
Published: January 2009

This study investigates whether a child's risk of rotavirus diarrhoea is associated with season of birth in England and Wales, countries where rotavirus infections are highly seasonal. Poisson regression models were fitted to weekly counts of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections from children aged <5 years born between 1998 and 2007. In the first year of life, the risk of a laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infection was significantly higher for children born in summer compared with winter [relative risk (RR) 2·13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·07–2·19]. In the second to fifth years of life, the pattern reversed (second year of life: RR 0·73, 95% CI 0·71–0·75). The cumulative risk up to age 5 years remained significantly higher for children born in summer compared with winter due to the increased risk for summer births during their first year of life. Maternal immunity and age-specific levels of exposure to rotavirus could explain our findings.
Pubertal changes in emotional information processing: Pupillary, behavioral, and subjective evidence during emotional word identification
Authors: Silk Jennifer S. , Siegle Greg J. , Whalen Diana J. , Ostapenko Laura J. , Ladouceur Cecile D. , Dahl Ronald E.
Published: January 2009

This study investigated pupillary and behavioral responses to an emotional word valence identification paradigm among 32 pre-/early pubertal and 34 mid-/late pubertal typically developing children and adolescents. Participants were asked to identify the valence of positive, negative, and neutral words while pupil dilation was assessed using an eyetracker. Mid-/late pubertal children showed greater peak pupillary reactivity to words presented during the emotional word identification task than pre-/early pubertal children, regardless of word valence. Mid-/late pubertal children also showed smaller sustained pupil dilation than pre-/early pubertal children after the word was no longer on screen. These findings were replicated controlling for participants' age. In addition, mid-/late pubertal children had faster reaction times to all words, and rated themselves as more emotional during their laboratory visit compared to pre-/early pubertal children. Greater recall of emotional words following the task was associated with mid-/late pubertal status, and greater recall of emotional words was also associated with higher peak pupil dilation. These results provide physiological, behavioral, and subjective evidence consistent with a model of puberty-specific changes in neurobehavioral systems underpinning emotional reactivity.
The onset of puberty: Effects on the psychophysiology of defensive and appetitive motivation
Authors: Quevedo Karina M. , Benning Stephen D. , Gunnar Megan R. , Dahl Ronald E.
Published: January 2009

We examined puberty-specific effects on affect-related behavior and on the psychophysiology of defensive and appetitive motivation while controlling for age. Adolescents (N = 94, ages = 12 and 13 years) viewed 75 pictures (International Affective Picture System: pleasant, neutral, and aversive) while listening to auditory probes. Startle response and postauricular (PA) reflex were collected as measures of defensive and appetitive motivation, respectively. Pubertal status and measures of anxiety/stress reaction and sensation/thrill seeking were obtained. Mid-/late pubertal adolescents showed enhanced startle amplitude across all picture valences. A Puberty × Valence interaction revealed that mid-/late pubertal adolescents showed appetitive potentiation of the PA, whereas pre-/early pubertal adolescents showed no modulation of the PA reflex. Mid-/late pubertal adolescents also scored significantly higher on measures of sensation/thrill seeking than did their pre-/early pubertal peers and puberty moderated the association between psychophysiology and behavioral measures, suggesting that it plays a role in reorganizing defensive and appetitive motivational systems.
Transactional processes in child disruptive behavior and maternal depression: A longitudinal study from early childhood to adolescence
Authors: Gross Heather E. , Shaw Daniel S. , Burwell Rebecca A. , Nagin Daniel S.
Published: January 2009

Although much has been written about the utility of applying Sameroff and Chandler's transactional perspective to the study of child psychopathology, relatively few researchers have used such an approach to trace the emergence of child problem behavior from infancy to adolescence. Using a sample of 289 male toddlers from predominantly low-income families, the current study examined associations between various forms of early child disruptive behavior, subsequent trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms over the course of 8 years, and adolescent problem behavior. Results indicated that early child noncompliance was the most robust predictor of more chronic and elevated trajectories of maternal depression, which in turn discriminated teacher and youth reports of adolescent antisocial behavior but not internalizing symptoms. The findings were consistent with transactional perspectives of developmental psychopathology that have emphasized the dynamic interplay between child and parent characteristics.
Disinhibited social behavior among internationally adopted children
Authors: Bruce Jacqueline , Tarullo Amanda R. , Gunnar Megan R.
Published: January 2009

Postinstitutionalized children frequently demonstrate persistent socioemotional difficulties. For example, some postinstitutionalized children display an unusual lack of social reserve with unfamiliar adults. This behavior, which has been referred to as indiscriminate friendliness, disinhibited attachment behavior, and disinhibited social behavior, was examined by comparing children internationally adopted from institutional care to children internationally adopted from foster care and children raised by their biological families. Etiological factors and behavioral correlates were also investigated. Both groups of adopted children displayed more disinhibited social behavior than the nonadopted children. Of the etiological factors examined, only the length of time in institutional care was related to disinhibited social behavior. Disinhibited social behavior was not significantly correlated with general cognitive ability, attachment-related behaviors, or basic emotion abilities. However, this behavior was negatively associated with inhibitory control abilities even after controlling for the length of time in institutional care. These results suggest that disinhibited social behavior might reflect underlying deficits in inhibitory control.
Emotion socialization, child emotion understanding and regulation, and adjustment in urban African American families: Differential associations across child gender
Authors: Cunningham Jera Nelson , Kliewer Wendy , Garner Pamela W.
Published: January 2009

The prospective relation of maternal emotion philosophy to children's emotion understanding and regulation and positive and negative adjustment was investigated. Sixty-nine African American youth (50% male;Mage = 11.29 years) and their maternal caregivers living in high violence areas of a midsized city participated in this interview study. Caregivers' meta-emotion philosophy predicted child emotion understanding and emotion regulation, which also were associated with Time 2 grades, internalizing behaviors, externalizing behaviors, and social skills after controlling for Time 1 adjustment. Emotional understanding mediated the relationship between caregivers' emotional socialization and boys' internalizing behaviors and between caregivers' emotional socialization and girls' social skills. In addition, emotion regulation mediated the relationships between emotional socialization and all four outcomes for boys. Implications for future work on emotion socialization and clinical intervention, particularly related to emotion regulation, are discussed.
Distress and academic achievement among adolescents of affluence: A study of externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors and school performance
Authors: Ansary Nadia S. , Luthar Suniya S.
Published: January 2009

The main objectives of this study were to prospectively examine the relationship between externalizing (substance use and delinquency) and internalizing (depression and anxiety) dimensions and academic achievement (grades and classroom adjustment), as well as continuity over time in these domains, within a sample of wealthy adolescents followed from 10th to 12th grades (n= 256). In both parts of the study, cluster analyses were used to group participants at 10th grade and then group differences were evaluated on adjustment outcomes over time. In Part 1, problem behavior clusters revealed differences on academic indices with the two marijuana using groups—marijuana users and multiproblem youth—exhibiting the worst academic outcomes at all three waves. For Part 2, the two lowest achieving groups reported the highest distress across all externalizing dimensions over time. Stability across the three waves was found for both personal and academic competence as well as the associations between these two domains. Results are discussed in relation to intervention efforts targeting wealthy students at risk.
Population trends and conservation status of the Northern Rockhopper PenguinEudyptes moseleyiat Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island
Authors: CUTHBERT RICHARD , COOPER JOHN , BURLE MARIE-HELENE , GLASS CONRAD J. , GLASS JAMES P. , GLASS SIMON , GLASS TREVOR , HILTON GEOFF M. , SOMMER ERICA S. , WANLESS ROSS M. , RYAN PETER G.
Published: January 2009

Populations of the recently split Northern Rockhopper PenguinEudyptes moseleyiare restricted to Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island in the South Atlantic, and Amsterdam and St Paul in the Indian Ocean. The majority of the population is in the Atlantic (> 80%), but population trends at Tristan da Cunha and Gough are uncertain. Early records indicate “millions” of penguins used to occur at Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. The most recent estimates indicate declines in excess of 90% for both Gough and the main island of Tristan that have occurred over at least 45 and 130 years, respectively. Numbers breeding at Inaccessible and Nightingale islands (TDC) also may have declined since the 1970s, albeit modestly, whereas numbers on Tristan appear stable over the last few decades. Current population estimates are 32,000–65,000 pairs at Gough, 18–27,000 at Inaccessible, 19,500 at Nightingale, and 3,200–4,500 at Tristan. Numbers and trends at Middle Island (TDC) are unknown. Middle Island supported an estimated 100,000 pairs in 1973, and recent observations suggest this colony is being impacted by competition for space with recently recolonising Subantarctic Fur SealsArctocephalus tropicalis. Past human exploitation and the impact of introduced predators may be responsible for the historical decline in numbers at Tristan, but these factors cannot explain the sharp decrease (since the 1950s) at Gough Island. Overall, declines at Gough, Tristan, Nightingale and Inaccessible islands indicate a three-generation decline of > 50%. Taken in combination with recent decreases in Indian Ocean populations, the Northern Rockhopper Penguins is now categorised as globally ‘Endangered’. Determining the causal factors responsible for these recent declines is an urgent priority.
Associations among the food environment, diet quality and weight status in Cree children in Québec
Authors: Downs Shauna M , Arnold Amber , Marshall Dru , McCargar Linda J , Raine Kim D , Willows Noreen D
Published: January 2009

Objective

To explore the relationship among children’s diet quality, weight status and food environment in subarctic Canada.

Design

In the cross-sectional study, children’s BMI was calculated, diet quality was assessed using three 24 h dietary recalls and children were asked about their home food environment and source of meals.

Setting

Two Aboriginal Cree communities in northern Québec.

Subjects

Two hundred and one children in grades 4–6.

Results

The majority (64·2 %) of children were overweight (29·9 %) or obese (34·3 %). Weight status was not associated with reported restaurant meal frequency or the home food environment. The 18 % of children who consumed three or more restaurant meals in the three days of recall consumed, on average, 2004 kJ (479 kcal) more energy daily than children consuming no restaurant meals and had higher intakes of fat, saturated fat, Ca and soda. Most foods contributing to energy and dietary fat were energy-dense market foods of low nutritional value such as sweetened beverages and snack foods. Only 68 % of children reported often having fruits and vegetables in the home and 98·5 % of children consumed less than 5 fruits and vegetables daily. Many children (42·8 %) were at risk of Zn inadequacy. Only 19 % of children consumed 2 or more servings of milk daily, and the mean intakes of Ca and vitamin D were below the recommended adequate intake. Traditional game meat was consumed infrequently, but contributed significantly to Fe and Zn intake.

Conclusions

Childhood obesity in subarctic communities prevailed in a food environment typified by high-energy-density commercial foods of low nutritional value.
A survey among potential employers for developing a curriculum in public health nutrition
Authors: Torheim Liv E , Granli Gry I , Barikmo Ingrid , Oshaug Arne
Published: January 2009

Objectives

To describe which functions potential employers of public health nutritionists in Norway find important for a person trained in public health nutrition to be able to carry out. Further, to illustrate how the findings were used in the development of a curriculum for a bachelor in public health nutrition at Akershus University College.

Design

A non-random, cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire with both pre-coded and open-ended questions.

Subjects

Ninety-one establishments working in various fields more or less related to nutrition responded (response rate of 45 %).

Results

Local offices of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority were over-represented among respondents. Functions related to communication and food and nutrition laws and regulations were most frequently rated as important by the respondents. Functions in nutrition research, project work and policy and planning were also regarded important by more than half of the respondents. The priorities of the potential employers together with the additional comments and suggestions were taken into account when a new curriculum on public health nutrition was developed.

Conclusions

The assessment of functions prioritised by employers of public health nutritionists gave a valuable input for developing a new curriculum in public health nutrition. It reflected the challenges of the real world that public health nutritionists will work in and therefore helped making the curriculum potentially more relevant.
Fast and Simple Specimen Preparation for TEM Studies of Oxide Films Deposited on Silicon Wafers
Authors: Teodorescu Valentin S. , Blanchin Marie-Genevieve
Published: January 2009

We present a fast and simple method to prepare specimens for transmission electron microscopy studies of oxide thin films deposited on silicon substrates. The method consists of scratching the film surface using a pointed diamond tip, in a special manner. Small and thin fragments are then detached from the film and its substrate. Depending on the scratching direction, the fragments can be used for plan-view or cross-section imaging. High-resolution images can be also obtained from thin edges of the film fragments. The method is demonstrated in the case of HfO2 sol-gel films deposited on [100] Si wafer substrates.
Electron Diffraction Based Analysis of Phase Fractions and Texture in Nanocrystalline Thin Films, Part II: Implementation
Authors: Lábár János L.
Published: January 2009

This series of articles describes a method that performs (semi)quantitative phase analysis for nanocrystalline transmission electron microscope samples from selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns. Volume fractions of phases and their textures are obtained separately in the method. First, the two-dimensional SAED pattern is converted into an X-ray diffraction–like one-dimensional distribution. Volume fractions of the nanocrystalline components are determined by fitting the spectral components, calculated for the previously identified phases with a priori known structures. Blackman correction is also applied to take into account dynamic effects for medium grain sizes. Peak shapes and experimental parameters (camera length, etc.) are refined during the fitting iterations. Parameter space is explored with the help of the Downhill-SIMPLEX algorithm. Part I presented the principles, while Part II now elaborates current implementation, and Part III will demonstrate its usage by examples. The method is implemented in a computer program that runs under the Windows operating system on IBM PC compatible machines.
Microstructure of Surface and Subsurface Layers of a Ni-Ti Shape Memory Microwire
Authors: Tian H. , Schryvers D. , Shabalovskaya S. , Van Humbeeck J.
Published: January 2009

The microstructure of a 55 μm diameter, cold-worked Ni-Ti microwire is investigated by different transmission electron microscopy techniques. The surface consists of a few hundred nanometer thick oxide layer composed of TiO and TiO2with a small fraction of inhomogeneously distributed Ni. The interior of the wire has a core-shell structure with primarily B2 grains in the 1 μm thick shell, and heavily twinned B19′ martensite in the core. This core-shell structure can be explained by a concentration gradient of the alloying elements resulting in a structure separation due to the strong temperature dependence of the martensitic start temperature. Moreover, in between the B2 part of the metallic core-shell and the oxide layer, a Ni3Ti interfacial layer is detected.
Microstructural and Compositional Analysis of Strontium-Doped Lead Zirconate Titanate Thin Films on Gold-Coated Silicon Substrates
Authors: Sriram S. , Bhaskaran M. , Mitchell D.R.G. , Short K.T. , Holland A.S. , Mitchell A.
Published: January 2009

This article discusses the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM)-based characterization of strontium-doped lead zirconate titanate (PSZT) thin films. The thin films were deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering at 300°C on gold-coated silicon substrates, which used a 15 nm titanium adhesion layer between the 150 nm thick gold film and (100) silicon. The TEM analysis was carried out using a combination of high-resolution imaging, energy filtered imaging, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and hollow cone illumination. At the interface between the PSZT films and gold, an amorphous silicon-rich layer (about 4 nm thick) was observed, with the film composition remaining uniform otherwise. The films were found to be polycrystalline with a columnar structure perpendicular to the substrate. Interdiffusion between the bottom metal layers and silicon was observed and was confirmed using secondary ion mass spectrometry. This occurs due to the temperature of deposition (300°C) being close to the eutectic point of gold and silicon (363°C). The diffused regions in silicon were composed primarily of gold (analyzed by EDX) and were bounded by (111) silicon planes, highlighted by the triangular diffused regions observed in the two-dimensional TEM image.
Imaging the Zona Pellucida of Canine and Feline Oocytes Using Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Lunn Matthew O. , Wright Shirley J.
Published: January 2009

Ultrastructure of the zona pellucida (ZP) of canine and feline oocytes has not been fully investigated. The objective of the study was to evaluate the potential use of the low vacuum scanning electron microscope (LVSEM) with oocytes. This required development of a method to prepare canine and feline cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) for LVSEM to provide ultrastructural information on the ZP. COCs were collected from ovaries, and cumulus cells were either partially or completely removed to reveal the ZP. COCs and zona-intact oocytes were fixed at 4°C for 1 h in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer, pH 7.4 and subsequently viewed wet or further processed by critical point drying, and viewed uncoated or sputter coated with gold. Although the spongy surface of the ZP was visible at low vacuum in uncoated oocytes, coated oocytes had more details at high vacuum. The ZP surface of canine and feline oocytes contained numerous various-sized, spherical or elliptical pores that narrowed centripetally splitting into several smaller, deep pores. The round to oblong cumulus cells tightly surrounded the ZP. Each corona radiata cumulus cell tapered into a thin projection that entered the ZP. Our detailed techniques will enable future studies connecting ultrastructural and molecular aspects of oocyte maturation and development in mammals.
Leonard Bernstein and the Boston Jewish Community of His Youth: The Influence of Solomon Braslavsky, Herman Rubenovitz, and Congregation Mishkan Tefila
Authors: SARNA JONATHAN D.
Published: January 2009

This essay will place Leonard Bernstein within the context of the Boston Jewish community in which he was raised. It was at Boston's Congregation Mishkan Tefila, the family's synagogue, where Bernstein first encountered serious music. The essay places special emphasis on the role of Prof. Solomon Gregory Braslavsky, the music director and organist of Mishkan Tefila, whose influence on the young Bernstein was far greater than scholars have imagined. In 1973 Bernstein wrote to Braslavsky “[I] never forget the tremendous influence you and your music made on me when I was a youngster.” Bernstein, I contend, meant what he said.
“Each Man Kills the Thing He Loves”: Bernstein's Formative Relationship withRhapsody in Blue
Authors: BAÑAGALE RYAN RAUL
Published: January 2009

This paper examines Bernstein's early relationship withRhapsody in Blue, including his first encounter with the sheet music at age thirteen; a recently discovered whimsical arrangement of the work (scored for accordion, ukulele, and voice, among other instruments), written in response to Gershwin's death in the summer of 1937; and Bernstein's performances of the piece with the Works Progress Administration's State Symphony Orchestra in Boston in 1938 and 1939. From an early age, not only did Bernstein have a particular vision of how theRhapsodyshould operate; he also identified deeply with it. These findings provide important new insights into Bernstein's later, more polemical interpretations of the work in both recordings and the concert hall—interpretations that have had profound implications on the reception of theRhapsodyon the global stage.
Columbia River plume patterns in summer 2004 as revealed by a hindcast coastal ocean circulation model
Authors: Liu Yonggang , MacCready Parker , Hickey Barbara M.
Published: January 2009

Model hindcasts of the Columbia River (CR) plume and coastal ocean circulation in summer 2004 are used to describe the subtidal evolution of plume patterns in response to local wind and to examine the plume influence on shelf circulation. It is found that a bi‐directional plume occurs frequently on the Washington/Oregon shelf, during weak upwelling favorable wind events, during weakening of moderate upwelling favorable wind events, and during weak downwelling events. The high frequency of occurrence of the north plume branch indicates that the CR water will have a significant influence on the Washington shelf in summer.
Integrating anthropogenic heat flux with global climate models
Authors: Flanner Mark G.
Published: January 2009

Nearly all energy used for human purposes is dissipated as heat within Earth's land–atmosphere system. Thermal energy released from non‐renewable sources is therefore a climate forcing term. Averaged globally, this forcing is only +0.028 W m−2, but over the continental United States and western Europe, it is +0.39 and +0.68 W m−2, respectively. Here, present and future global inventories of anthropogenic heat flux (AHF) are developed, and parameterizations derived for seasonal and diurnal flux cycles. Equilibrium climate experiments show statistically‐significant continental‐scale surface warming (0.4–0.9°C) produced by one 2100 AHF scenario, but not by current or 2040 estimates. However, significant increases in annual‐mean temperature and planetary boundary layer (PBL) height occur over gridcells where present‐day AHF exceeds 3.0 W m−2. PBL expansion leads to a slight, but significant increase in atmospheric residence time of aerosols emitted from large‐AHF regions. Hence, AHF may influence regional climate projections and contemporary chemistry‐climate studies.
High‐resolution multifluid simulations of flux ropes in the Martian magnetosphere
Authors: Harnett E. M.
Published: January 2009

Three‐dimensional multifluid simulations of the Martian magnetosphere show the development and dynamics of flux ropes. One flux rope, which is analyzed in detail, initiates at a reconnection region near the dusk terminator and travels tailward with a speed on the order of 40 km s−1. The reconnection region forms close to the planet at an altitude of 700 km. Both the location of the reconnection and energy spectra of the plasma in the reconnection region agree with Mars Global Surveyor observations of reconnection. The largest flux ropes have a spatial extent on the order of 2000 km. Energy spectra taken through the flux ropes show an inverted‐V type structure similar to those measured by Mars Express, suggesting that some inverted‐V observations may be transits through flux ropes. The simulations indicate that the formation of flux ropes can lead to enhanced loss of heavy ions from the atmosphere.
Inverse relationship between genetic diversity and epigenetic complexity
Authors: Huang Shi
Published: January 2009

Early studies of molecular evolution revealed a correlation between genetic distance and time of species divergence. This observation provoked the molecular clock hypothesis and in turn the ‘Neutral Theory’, which however remains an incomplete explanation since it predicts a constant mutation rate per generation whereas empirical evidence suggests a constant rate per year. Data inconsistent with the molecular clock hypothesis have steadily accumulated in recent years that show no correlation between genetic distance and time of divergence. It has therefore become a challenge to find a testable idea that can reconcile the seemingly conflicting data sets. Here, an inverse relationship between genetic diversity and epigenetic complexity was deduced from a simple intuition in building complex systems. Genetic diversity, i.e., genetic distance or dissimilarity in DNA or protein sequences between individuals or species, is restricted by the complexity of epigenetic programs. This inverse relationship logically deduces the maximum genetic diversity (MGD) hypothesis, which suggests that macroevolution from simple to complex organisms involves a punctuational increase in epigenetic complexity that in turn causes a punctuational loss in genetic diversity. The hypothesis fully grants Neo-Darwinism to be what it really is (a theory of microevolution) and explains all the major facts of evolution. Importantly, it predicts the most remarkable result of molecular evolution, the genetic equidistance result, which originally provoked the molecular clock hypothesis.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Weight Perception
Authors: Dorsey Rashida R. , Eberhardt Mark S. , Ogden Cynthia L.
Published: January 2009

The objective of this research was to estimate the prevalence of weight misperception among adults using the most recent nationally representative data, according to measured weight category and to assess the relationship between weight misperception and race/ethnicity. Height and weight were measured as part of the 1999–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study sample consisted of 17,270 adults aged ≥20 years. BMI was categorized as underweight (BMI < 18.5), healthy weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30), and obese (BMI ≥ 30). Subjects reported self‐perception of weight status. Among study subjects, 31.7% of healthy weight adults, 38.1% of overweight adults, and 8.1% of obese adults incorrectly perceived their weight category. Among obese men, the odds of weight misperception were higher for non‐Hispanic blacks (odds ratio (OR) = 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.0–4.5) compared to non‐Hispanic whites and for persons with less than a high school education (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.3–2.1), compared to those with some college education. Among obese women, the odds of weight misperception were higher for non‐Hispanic blacks (OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.4, 3.1) and Mexican Americans (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2, 3.2) compared to non‐Hispanic whites and for persons with less than high school education compared to those with some college education (OR = 5.5; 95% CI = 3.3–9.3). Weight misperception is highly prevalent in the US population, and more frequent in racial/ethnic minorities, males, and in persons with lower educational levels. Addressing the issue of weight misperception may help address the problem of obesity in the United States by increasing awareness of healthy weight levels, which may subsequently have an impact on weight‐related behavior change.
Acquired Copper Deficiency: A Potentially Serious and Preventable Complication Following Gastric Bypass Surgery
Authors: Griffith Daniel P. , Liff David A. , Ziegler Thomas R. , Esper Gregory J. , Winton Elliott F.
Published: January 2009

Copper is an essential cofactor in many enzymatic reactions vital to the normal function of the hematologic, vascular, skeletal, antioxidant, and neurologic systems. Copper deficiency in the United States is believed to be relatively rare but has been described in the setting of zinc supplementation, myelodysplastic syndrome, use of parenteral nutrition and chronic tube feeding, and in various malabsorptive syndromes, including following gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery. Features of copper deficiency include hematologic abnormalities (anemia, neutropenia, and leukopenia) and myeloneuropathy; the latter is a rarer and often unrecognized complication of copper deficiency. We here describe two patients who presented with severe gait abnormalities and anemia combined with neutropenia several years after roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery for obesity who were found to be severely copper deficient. Intravenous copper repletion resulted in the rapid correction of hematologic indices; combined intravenous and oral copper supplementation and eventual oral copper supplements alone normalized serum copper levels in each patient, but resulted in only partial resolution of the neurologic deficits. This report serves to alert physicians of the association between RYGB procedures and subsequent copper deficiency in order to avoid diagnostic delays and to improve treatment outcomes.
γ‐Glutamyltransferase, Obesity, Physical Activity, and the Metabolic Syndrome in Indigenous Australian Adults
Authors: Li Ming , Campbell Sandra , McDermott Robyn
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study is to examine the association between obesity, metabolic syndrome, physical activity, and elevated γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) among Indigenous Australian adults who did not drink alcohol. A cross‐sectional study of 791 Indigenous adults in rural North Queensland communities was conducted between 1999 and 2001. Measures included serum GGT, fasting glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides; resting blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference; and self‐reported physical activity, alcohol intake, and tobacco smoking. Central obesity measured by waist circumference in this population was significantly associated with elevated GGT independently of lifestyle behaviors (Adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–6.0). Metabolic syndrome (International Diabetes Federation definition) was also strongly associated with increased GGT (OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.5–4.6). Habitual physical activity may be slightly protective (OR = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.5–1.6) in this group, but this was not clearly demonstrated in this study. Prevention of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in this population should emphasize “waist loss” and metabolic health through dietary and other interventions.
Evidence for cross‐reactivity of JAM‐C antibodies: implications for cellular localization studies
Authors: Betanzos Abigail , Schnoor Michael , Severson Eric A. , Liang Tony W. , Parkos Charles A.
Published: January 2009

Background information. JAM‐C (junctional adhesion molecule C) has been implicated in the regulation of leukocyte migration, cell polarity, spermatogenesis, angiogenesis and nerve conduction. JAM‐C has been also reported to concentrate at TJs (tight junctions) and desmosomes, although detailed localization studies remain incomplete.

Results. Monoclonal (LUCA14, MAB1189, Gi11, and PACA4) and polyclonal (40‐9000) antibodies were employed to evaluate JAM‐C expression/localization in various epithelial cell lines. However, RT—PCR (reverse transcription—PCR) assays revealed no JAM‐C mRNA in SK‐CO15, HeLa and HPAF‐II cells, whereas abundant mRNA was detected in platelets, Caco‐2 and ARPE cells. Interestingly, immunofluorescence localization in all cells revealed strong intercellular junctional staining with all of the above antibodies, except PACA4. Given the positive staining results in cells lacking JAM‐C mRNA, immunoblot analyses were performed. Western blots revealed a prominent protein band at 52 kDa in all cells tested with all antibodies except PACA4. However, the correct size of JAM‐C (37 kDa) was only detected in cells containing JAM‐C mRNA. Immunofluorescence staining of JAM‐C mRNA‐expressing Caco‐2 cells using mAb PACA4 revealed co‐localization with occludin and ZO‐1 (zonula occludens 1) at TJs. Analyses by MS identified the cross‐reactive 52 kDa protein band as K8 (keratin 8). Furthermore, siRNA (small interfering RNA)‐mediated downregulation of K8 in JAM‐C mRNA‐negative cells resulted in diminished junctional staining along with a reduction in the intensity of the 52 kDa protein band. Using an antibody specific for K8 phosphorylated at Ser73, the 52 kDa protein was identified as this phosphorylated form of K8.

Conclusions. The results from the present study demonstrate that a majority of available anti‐human JAM‐C antibodies cross‐react with phosphorylated K8 and suggest that cellular localization studies using these reagents should be interpreted with caution. Of the JAM‐C antibodies tested, only mAb PACA4 is monospecific for human JAM‐C. Analyses using PACA4 reveal that JAM‐C expression is variable in different epithelial cell lines with co‐localization at TJs.
Gambogic acid covalently modifies IκB kinase-β subunit to mediate suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of NF-κB in macrophages
Authors: Palempalli Umamaheshwari D. , Gandhi Ujjawal , Kalantari Parisa , Vunta Hema , Arner Ryan J. , Narayan Vivek , Ravindran Anand , Prabhu K. Sandeep
Published: January 2009

GA (gambogic acid) is a polyprenylated xanthone abundant in the resin of Garcinia morella and Garcinia hanburyi with a long history of use as a complementary and alternative medicine. The antitumour activity of GA has been well demonstrated and is thought to arise partly from the associated anti-inflammatory activity. Recent studies have indicated that the antitumour activity of GA is mediated by its ligation of TfR1 (transferrin receptor-1). Since the cellular expression of TfR1 is down-regulated by LPS (lipopolysaccharide), we hypothesized that an alternative pathway exists in immune cells, such as macrophages, where GA could mitigate the expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Here we demonstrate that GA inhibits the LPS-dependent expression of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) target pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages. Western immunoblot, NF-κB-luciferase reporter and gel-shift analyses revealed that GA strongly blocked the activation of NF-κB induced by LPS, whereas 9,10-dihydro-GA, which lacks the reactive α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group, was ineffective. Moreover, GA was able to decrease nuclear p65 levels in RAW264.7 macrophages, where the expression of TfR1 was down-regulated by RNA interference. in vitro kinase assays coupled with interaction studies using biotinylated GA as well as proteomic analysis demonstrated that IKKβ [IκB (inhibitory κB) kinase-β], a key kinase of the NF-κB signalling axis, was covalently modified by GA at Cys-179, causing significant inhibition of its kinase activity. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potent anti-inflammatory activity of GA.
Far-red fluorescent tags for protein imaging in living tissues
Authors: Shcherbo Dmitry , Murphy Christopher S. , Ermakova Galina V. , Solovieva Elena A. , Chepurnykh Tatiana V. , Shcheglov Aleksandr S. , Verkhusha Vladislav V. , Pletnev Vladimir Z. , Hazelwood Kristin L. , Roche Patrick M. , Lukyanov Sergey , Zaraisky Andrey G. , Davidson Michael W. , Chudakov Dmitriy M.
Published: January 2009

A vast colour palette of monomeric fluorescent proteins has been developed to investigate protein localization, motility and interactions. However, low brightness has remained a problem in far-red variants, which hampers multicolour labelling and whole-body imaging techniques. In the present paper, we report mKate2, a monomeric far-red fluorescent protein that is almost 3-fold brighter than the previously reported mKate and is 10-fold brighter than mPlum. The high-brightness, far-red emission spectrum, excellent pH resistance and photostability, coupled with low toxicity demonstrated in transgenic Xenopus laevis embryos, make mKate2 a superior fluorescent tag for imaging in living tissues. We also report tdKatushka2, a tandem far-red tag that performs well in fusions, provides 4-fold brighter near-IR fluorescence compared with mRaspberry or mCherry, and is 20-fold brighter than mPlum. Together, monomeric mKate2 and pseudo-monomeric tdKatushka2 represent the next generation of extra-bright far-red fluorescent probes offering novel possibilities for fluorescent imaging of proteins in living cells and animals.
Vascular progenitor cells and translational research: the role of endothelial and smooth muscle progenitor cells in endogenous arterial remodelling in the adult
Authors: Sirker Alexander A. , Astroulakis Zoe M. J. , Hill Jonathan M.
Published: January 2009

There has been much recent research into the therapeutic use of stem and progenitor cells for various diseases. Alongside this, there has also been considerable interest in the normal roles that endogenous precursor cells may play in both physiological and pathological settings. In the present review, we focus on two types of progenitor cell which are of potential relevance to vascular homoeostasis, namely the EPC (endothelial progenitor cell) and the smooth muscle progenitor cell. We discuss evidence for their existence and sources in adults, and the various techniques currently used to identify these cells. We examine data obtained from studies using different methods of progenitor identification and relate these to each other, in order to provide a framework in which to interpret the literature in this area. We review evidence for the influence of these vascular progenitor cells upon vascular function and the development and progression of atherosclerosis.