bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of external and endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Feretis M , Newton J R , Ram B , Green F
Published: May 2008

Introduction:

External dacryocystorhinostomy has been the treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction for more than a century. More recently, nasal endoscopy has allowed this procedure to be carried out endonasally.

Aim:

The aim of this postal questionnaire study was to compare the health status of patients treated for epiphora by external versus endonasal non-laser dacryocystorhinostomy.

Method:

The Glasgow benefit inventory questionnaire, along with an additional, department-based symptomatic questionnaire, was distributed to all patients fitting our criteria.

Results:

Satisfactorily completed questionnaires were received from 64 out of 90 patients in the external group and from 30 of 41 patients in the endonasal group. Results indicated positive scores for both groups for all four subscales of the Glasgow benefit inventory. There were no statistically significant differences between results for the external and endonasal procedures. The ocular symptomatology questionnaire results indicated better scores for the external procedure, but this difference did not reach statistical significance.
Weibel instabilities in dense quantum plasmas
Authors: TSINTSADZE LEVAN N. , SHUKLA P. K.
Published: May 2008

The quantum effect on the Weibel instability in an unmagnetized plasma is presented. Our analysis shows that the quantum effect tends to stabilize the Weibel instability in the hydrodynamic regime, whereas it produces a new oscillatory instability in the kinetic regime. A novel effect called the quantum damping, which is associated with the Landau damping, is disclosed. The new quantum Weibel instability may be responsible for the generation of non-stationary magnetic fields in compact astrophysical objects as well as in the forthcoming intense laser–solid density plasma interaction experiments.
Hausdorff and packing measure functions of self-similar sets: continuity and measurability
Authors: OLSEN L.
Published: May 2008

LetNbe an integer withN≥2 and letXbe a compact subset of ℝd. If$\mathsf {S}=(S_{1},\ldots ,S_{N})$is a list of contracting similaritiesSi:X→X, then we will write$K_{\mathsf {S}}$for the self-similar set associated with$\mathsf {S}$, and we will writeMfor the family of all lists$\mathsf {S}$satisfying the strong separation condition. In this paper we show that the maps(1)and(2)are continuous; here$\dim _{\mathsf {H}}$denotes the Hausdorff dimension, ℋsdenotes thes-dimensional Hausdorff measure and 𝒮sdenotes thes-dimensional spherical Hausdorff measure. In fact, we prove a more general continuity result which, amongst other things, implies that the maps in (1) and (2) are continuous.
Performing Working Boys: the Representation of Child Labour on the Pre- and Early Victorian Stage
Authors: Lawrence David Haldane
Published: May 2008

During the early years of the nineteenth century children laboured in factories, down mines, up chimneys, at sea – and in the theatre. In this article, David Haldane Lawrence discusses the portrayal of child labour in the drama of the 1830s and 1840s, concentrating on five plays: The Factory Girl, The Factory Boy, The Dumb Man (or Boy) of Manchester, The Climbing Boy, and The Cabin Boy, whose child heroes extricate themselves from appalling conditions to confront their villainous oppressors, and through coincidental circumstances are elevated to a higher social position. But the realities of child labour are not fully portrayed on the stage, and the working boys of the period remain idealized figures. Here, a comparison is made between this idealization and the actual working conditions of child labourers. The theatricality inherent in the stage representation of child labour is further enhanced by the fact that the leading ‘boy roles’ were usually played by women, and the performances of the cross-dressed specialists in ‘boy roles’ is also discussed, as is the influence on ‘factory boy’ drama of socially relevant fiction, particularly Frances Trollope's novel about child labour, The Life and Adventures of Michael Armstrong the Factory Boy, published in 1840.
Finding a Physical Language: Directing for the Nineties Generation
Authors: Gobert R. Darren
Published: May 2008

In the course of his career, James Macdonald has directed a vast array of plays and operas in London, New York, Vienna, and Berlin, but he is perhaps best known for the premiere productions of Sarah Kane's Blasted, Cleansed, and 4.48 Psychosis at the Royal Court Theatre, where he was an Associate Director from 1992 to 2006. His most recent work includes Peter Handke's The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other at the National Theatre and the Broadway revival of Caryl Churchill's Top Girls. Macdonald met with R. Darren Gobert in London on 23 January 2006 to discuss the challenges of working with spare, difficult plays such as Kane's, Churchill's A Number, and Martin Crimp's Fewer Emergencies. R. Darren Gobert wishes to thank Annabel Rutherford for transcribing the conversation and, for their funding, the Faculty of Arts Committee on Research, Grants, and Scholarships at York University.
A comparison of bird communities in the anthropogenic and natural-tree fall gaps of a reduced-impact logged subtropical forest in Bolivia
Authors: Felton Adam , Wood Jeff T. , Felton Annika M. , Lindenmayer David B. , Hennessey Bennett A.
Published: May 2008

We studied bird community composition and abundance within four vegetation and disturbance categories located within selectively logged and unlogged forest in a Bolivian subtropical lowland forestry concession. The logged forest was subject to reduced-impact logging between 1 and 4 years prior to our study. The four categories were: 1) ‘gap’ points possessing natural or anthropogenic tree-fall gaps; 2) ‘target’ points with one of five commercial tree species of harvestable size; 3) ‘future’ points possessing a commercial tree below harvestable size and 4) ‘non-target’ points not possessing harvestable tree species. The bird community composition of logging gaps significantly differed from that found within natural tree-fall gaps in the unlogged forest P< 0.05. Species richness was higher in natural tree-fall gaps than in anthropogenic gaps. Furthermore, a higher proportion of disturbance sensitive species were associated with natural-tree fall gaps, whereas a higher proportion of disturbance tolerant species were associated with anthropogenic gaps. No significant difference was detected in the bird community composition for the other three vegetation categories surveyed. We discuss the conservation and silvicultural repercussions of these results.
Population dynamics and spatial distribution of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Portugal
Authors: van Beest Floris , van den Bremer Loes , de Boer Willem F. , Heitkönig Ignas M. A. , Monteiro Antonio E.
Published: May 2008

The global decrease of vulture populations has been attributed to several factors, such as food availability, poisoning, human disturbance, or habitat suitability. We studied the effect of factors that vary both spatially and temporally on the nest site distribution of the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus in northeast Portugal, and influence the population dynamics of these cliff-dwelling birds. Several demographic parameters were studied in the field, and the age structure of the population was determined. Additionally we investigated how food availability affected population fluctuations. The vulture population was most sensitive to juvenile mortality according to our model results. Our models showed that a decrease in the present food supply resulted in a decrease in vulture abundance and, moreover, negatively affected the spatial distribution of the species by decreasing the number of breeding pairs per colony. The total quantity of sheep and goat biomass, a greater distance to the nearest unpaved road, and the presence of Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus at the breeding colonies showed a significant positive relationship to the numbers of Griffon Vulture breeding pairs. It is recommended that the available food supply in the most important foraging areas should be monitored and protected. Furthermore, to manage the community of cliff breeding raptors adequately, future research should identify and protect the most suitable breeding areas for each species. Human disturbance should be kept to a minimum by protecting breeding areas, especially in an area like Riba-Côa where species such as the Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus and Griffon Vulture breed so close to each other.
The efficacy of hand-rearing penguin chicks: evidence from African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) orphaned in the Treasure oil spill in 2000
Authors: Barham Peter J. , Underhill Les G. , Crawford Robert J. M. , Altwegg Res , Mario Leshoro T. , Bolton Duncan A. , Dyer Bruce M. , Upfold Leshia
Published: May 2008

Some 2,000 orphaned chicks of African Penguins Spheniscus demersus were hand-reared and released back into the wild on Robben and Dassen Islands following the Treasure oil spill in June 2000. Of these chicks, 1,787 were flipper banded. This paper reports on the subsequent survival rate and breeding success of those individuals seen on Robben Island from 2001–2006. Survival to breeding age and their subsequent breeding success of hand-reared chicks was no different from that of naturally-reared chicks. Over a four-year period, pairs where at least one partner was a hand-reared chick produced an average of more than 1.6 chicks per year. Combining the data on survival with that on breeding success indicates that 1,000 hand-reared chicks will produce around 1,220 chicks themselves over their lifetimes, making this a worthwhile conservation intervention.
Nesting biology and population dynamics of Jankowski's Bunting Emberiza jankowskii in Western Jilin, China
Authors: Jiang Yun-Lei , Gao Wei , Lei Fu-Min , Wang Hai-Tao , Wan Dong-Mei , Zhao Jiang
Published: May 2008

Jankowski's Bunting Emberiza jankowskii is endemic to China, Russia and Northern Korea, and was listed as a ‘Vulnerable’ species. The population in Dagang Forestry of western Jilin is one of the small remaining discrete breeding populations in the species' range. Very little information on the nesting biology and population dynamics has previously been published. We studied the nesting biology from 1999 to 2002 and population dynamics of the bunting from 1999 to 2006 (except 2003). A total of 74 nesting attempts were monitored. Jankowski's Bunting breeding season began in late April and usually ended in late July. Both sexes participated in nest-building, feeding young and defending the nest. Mean full clutch size for three years combined was 5.26 ± 0.76 eggs, and ranged from four to seven. Clutch size decreased with nest-initiation date. Mean hatching rate was 41.2%. Overall probability of Mayfield nest success to fledging was low for the three years, averaging 0.218 ± 0.007. The factors leading to low nest success include nest parasitization, nest predation, human activities and nest abandonment. Low survival of Jankowski's Bunting nests may be a factor in declining populations and the slow recovery of populations because of low recruitment at the population and the individual level. The population of Jankowski's Bunting in the Dagang Forestry grassland was small and declined dramatically from 1999 to 2006. The main threat is habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture, tree planting and housing following human colonization of the region. The habitat has been reduced in extent by c. 70% since the 1960s. In addition, grazing by domestic livestock dramatically destroyed their preferred vegetation. Furthermore, the restriction to several small, discrete sites makes the bunting inherently vulnerable to catastrophic and stochastic events that can eliminate subpopulations. Jankowski's bunting is one of the most threatened species in China and faces an unpredictable future. Maintaining the structure and general composition of remaining Jankowski's Bunting nesting habitat is important to ensure continued presence of this species in western Jilin and worldwide.
The Distribution of Ascents of Size d or More in Partitions of n
Authors: BRENNAN CHARLOTTE , KNOPFMACHER ARNOLD , WAGNER STEPHAN
Published: May 2008

A partition of a positive integer n is a finite sequence of positive integers a1, a2, . . ., ak such that a1+a2+ċ ċ ċ+ak=n and ai+1 ≥ ai for all i. Let d be a fixed positive integer. We say that we have an ascent of size d or more if ai+1 ≥ ai+d.

We determine the mean, the variance and the limiting distribution of the number of ascents of size d or more (equivalently, the number of distinct part sizes of multiplicity d or more) in the partitions of n.
Police and Criminal Law in the Treaty of Lisbon
Authors: Ladenburger Clemens
Published: May 2008

Institutional shortcomings of the Third Pillar: efficiency, effectiveness, complexity, legitimacy – Genesis of the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon – Communitarisation of the Third Pillar – Some special institutional arrangements – Quid pro quos: stricter delimitation of the Union competencies and extension of the ‘opt out/opt in’ regimes – (New) foundations for Europol, Eurojust and the European Union Prosecutor's Office
Non-compliance with a Provisional Measure Automatically Leads To a Violation of the Right of Individual Application … or Doesn't It?
Authors: Haeck Yves , Herrera Clara Burbano , Zwaak Leo
Published: May 2008

Provisional or interim measures before the European Court of Human Rights – Historic judgment in the case of Olaechea Cahuas v. Spain – The non-compliance by a State with an interim measure leads to a violation of Article 34 ECHR, irrespective of the subsequent finding of a violation of other material provisions of the ECHR by the Court – Remaining (loopholes for) recalcitrant states – Lack of reasoning of interim measures – Lack of clarity as to applicants' unwillingness to abide by an interim measure and currently untenable, extremely narrow scope ratione materiae of situations in which interim measures are indicated by the Court – Codification of the institute of provisional measures by including it as a separate provision into the European Convention through an additional protocol.
Modeling the effects of local time variation of plasma sheet properties on proton ring current energy and peak location
Authors: Lavraud Benoit , Jordanova Vania K. , Thomsen Michelle F.
Published: May 2008

We have run kinetic ring current simulations with a large range of outer boundary plasma properties during a test time interval conducive to a storm. We varied the density, temperature and local time location of the source plasma sheet to investigate their influence on the proton ring current total energy and peak location. We found that: (1) the density is the main factor controlling the total ring current energy for the given field model; (2) the source local time location is also a major factor, with substantially larger total energies obtained for post‐midnight source locations; (3) for any given density, enhanced source temperature leads to an enhanced total energy, but only if the source is post‐midnight; (4) the density has essentially no effect on the ring current peak location; (5) a lower source temperature leads to a peak ring current closer to Earth, but it has little effect on the local time of the ring current peak. However, results (4) and (5) would differ if using an electro‐magnetically self‐consistent model. (6) The source location has a substantial impact on both the radial location and local time of the peak; in particular, the peak ring current is displaced post‐midnight for post‐midnight source locations when considering energy densities in the energy range [1, 40] keV. We also investigated the dependence of the ring current peak location on storm epoch, i.e., during the main phase. We found that the ring current peak moves inward during the first few hours of the storm, as expected from inward transport. For all storm epochs, the peak is found at a local time close to that of the source population for the energy range [1, 40] keV, but is found at dusk throughout the storm for the full energy range ([0.5, 400] keV). Finally, we show how the source location influences the energy spectrum of ring current protons. As a result of larger proton energization, by electrically drifting inward for a longer time, a post‐midnight source location leads to substantially larger (lower) ring current energy content for energies above (below) 40 keV than for a source centered at midnight. Our main conclusions are that (1) a post‐midnight source location leads to a substantially stronger total ring current energy; (2) it may only lead to a post‐midnight peak at middle‐to‐low energies; but (3) in such cases the energies at which such displaced peaks occur only constitute a small fraction of the total ring current energy.
Seasonal variability and Po River plume influence on biochemical properties along western Adriatic coast
Authors: Marini Mauro , Jones Burt H. , Campanelli Alessandra , Grilli Federica , Lee Craig M.
Published: May 2008

The influence of the Po plume on the northern Adriatic Sea was observed during two seasons in 2003 under distinct physical forcing regimes. During the winter, the plume was cool, low in both salinity and chlorophyll, but with higher chlorophyll concentrations occurring along the plume boundary. The plume mixed deeply in the water column in response to the strong wind forcing. The northern Adriatic and the Po plume cooled significantly during the observational period, and therefore salinity alone was the best discriminator of water mass variability. In contrast to the strong forcing of the winter period, the late spring was characterized by weak wind forcing, and below‐average Po River discharge (∼600 m3/s) which was about one third of the typical discharge for this period. As in winter, salinity was again the best discriminator of water mass variability. The Po plume advected southward along the Italian coast and in some locations portions of the coastal plume were transferred offshore in filament‐like features. However, theone observed filament was quite low in chlorophyll and was quite thin vertically, extending downward less than 5 m from the surface. The spring observations provide a distinct contrast in the effects of the physical forcings of river flow and wind stress from two different seasons. The strong winter forcing resulted in deep mixing of the plume despite its low salinity and buoyancy, whereas the weak summer flow under weak winds resulted in a very shallow plume (<5 m) that was high in chlorophyll.
Seasonal variation of cloud activity and atmospheric profiles over the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Taniguchi Kenji , Koike Toshio
Published: May 2008

Cumulus activity over the Tibetan Plateau has a clear pattern of seasonal progression. Activity occurs with significant frequency in the eastern part of the plateau from April to mid‐May. From mid‐May to mid‐June the frequency of cumulus activity drastically decreases and then increases after mid‐June. Causes of such definite seasonal progression are revealed by in situ radiosonde observation data. In early spring the vertical profile of potential temperature is almost uniform from the surface to 7000 m above sea level around noon, and atmospheric stratification is vertically neutral for dry convection. Under such a condition, dry convection easily occurs and develops cumulus cloud that is frequently observed. From mid‐May to mid‐June the atmosphere has conditionally unstable stratification, but the atmosphere is relatively dry and hardly saturated and cumulus activity occurs less frequently. Though the atmosphere is also conditionally unstable after mid‐June, the increase in total precipitable water content allows easy atmospheric saturation and cumulus activity recommences. At the same time, satellite data and reanalysis data show, in the eastern part of the Tibetan Plateau, a consistent correspondence of the seasonal variation of cumulus activity, total precipitable water content, and vertical instability of the atmosphere. Results of synoptic‐scale analysis indicate the enhancement of cumulus convection in the northern part of India and the Tibetan High cause a moisture increase over the Tibetan Plateau and leads to the recommencement of frequent cumulus activity over the plateau.
Assessment of surface air temperature over the Arctic Ocean in reanalysis and IPCC AR4 model simulations with IABP/POLES observations
Authors: Liu Jiping , Zhang Zhanhai , Hu Yongyun , Chen Liqi , Dai Yongjiu , Ren Xiaobo
Published: May 2008

The surface air temperature (SAT) over the Arctic Ocean in reanalyses and global climate model simulations was assessed using the International Arctic Buoy Programme/Polar Exchange at the Sea Surface (IABP/POLES) observations for the period 1979–1999. The reanalyses, including the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Reanalysis II (NCEP2) and European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecast 40‐year Reanalysis (ERA40), show encouraging agreement with the IABP/POLES observations, although some spatiotemporal discrepancies are noteworthy. The reanalyses have warm annual mean biases and underestimate the observed interannual SAT variability in summer. Additionally, NCEP2 shows an excessive warming trend. Most model simulations (coordinated by the International Panel on Climate Change for its Fourth Assessment Report) reproduce the annual mean, seasonal cycle, and trend of the observed SAT reasonably well, particularly the multi‐model ensemble mean. However, large discrepancies are found. Some models have the annual mean SAT biases far exceeding the standard deviation of the observed interannul SAT variability and the across‐model standard deviation. Spatially, the largest inter‐model variance of the annual mean SAT is found over the North Pole, Greenland Sea, Barents Sea and Baffin Bay. Seasonally, a large spread of the simulated SAT among the models is found in winter. The models show interannual variability and decadal trend of various amplitudes, and can not capture the observed dominant SAT mode variability and cooling trend in winter. Further discussions of the possible attributions to the identified SAT errors for some models suggest that the model's performance in the sea ice simulation is an important factor.
Fluid seepage at the continental margin offshore Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua
Authors: Sahling Heiko , Masson Douglas G. , Ranero César R. , Hühnerbach Veit , Weinrebe Wilhelm , Klaucke Ingo , Bürk Dietmar , Brückmann Warner , Suess Erwin
Published: May 2008

A systematic search for methane‐rich fluid seeps at the seafloor was conducted at the Pacific continental margin offshore southern Nicaragua and northern central Costa Rica, a convergent margin characterized by subduction erosion. More than 100 fluid seeps were discovered using a combination of multibeam bathymetry, side‐scan sonar imagery, TV‐sled observations, and sampling. This corresponds, on average, to a seep site every 4 km along the continental slope. In the northwestern part of the study area, subduction of oceanic crust formed at the East Pacific Rise is characterized by pervasive bending‐induced faulting of the oceanic plate and a relatively uniform morphology of the overriding continental margin. Seepage at this part of the margin typically occurs at approximately cone‐shaped mounds 50 ‐ 100 m high and up to 1 km wide at the base. Over 60 such mounds were identified on the 240 km long margin segment. Some normal faults also host localized seepage. In contrast, in the southeast, the 220 km long margin segment overriding the oceanic crust formed at the Cocos‐Nazca Spreading Centre has a comparatively more irregular morphology caused mainly by the subduction of ridges and seamounts sitting on the oceanic plate. Over 40 seeps were located on this part of the margin. This margin segment with irregular morphology exhibits diverse seep structures. Seeps are related to landslide scars, seamount‐subduction related fractures, mounds, and faults. Several backscatter anomalies in side‐scan images are without apparent relief and are probably related to carbonate precipitation. Detected fluid seeps are not evenly distributed across the margin but occur in a roughly margin parallel band centered 28 ± 7 km landward of the trench. This distribution suggests that seeps are possibly fed to fluids rising from the plate boundary along deep‐penetrating faults through the upper plate.
Impact of atmospheric small‐scale fluctuations on climate sensitivity
Authors: Seiffert R. , von Storch J.‐S.
Published: May 2008

Climate change scenarios are based on numerical models with finite spatial and temporal resolutions. The impact of unresolved processes is parameterized without taking the variability induced by subscale processes into account. This drawback could lead to an over‐/underestimation of the climate sensitivity. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of small‐scale atmospheric fluctuations on the modeled climate sensitivity to increased CO2 concentration. Using a complex coupled atmosphere‐ocean general circulation model (ECHAM5/MPI‐OM) climate response experiments with enhanced small‐scale fluctuations are performed. Our results show that the strength of the global warming due to a CO2 doubling depends on the representation of small‐scale fluctuations. Reducing the horizontal diffusion by a factor of 3 leads to an increase of the equilibrium climate sensitivity by 13%. If white noise is added to the small scales, the climate sensitivity tends to weaken. The largest changes in responses occur in the upper troposphere.
Spatial distribution and spectral characteristics of aerosol single scattering albedo over the Bay of Bengal inferred from shipborne measurements
Authors: Nair Vijayakumar S. , Suresh Babu S. , Krishna Moorthy K.
Published: May 2008

Aerosol single scattering albedos (SSA) were deduced from extensive and collocated measurements of spectrally resolved aerosol scattering (σsca) and absorption (σabs) coefficients, carried out for the first time over the entire Bay of Bengal (BoB). Notwithstanding the high values of σsca, and σabs, comparatively higher values of SSA were noticed over the head BoB (north of 16°N) and coastal regions while lower values of SSA persisted over the Central BoB indicating the dominance of absorbing aerosols far away from continental source regions. At mid visible wavelength (550 nm) SSA ranged from 0.84 to 0.96 over different parts of the BoB showing large heterogeneity. However, more than 80% of the values lay between 0.9 and 0.95. Spectral variation of SSA was distinctly different over the northern and southern BoB.
Complex fabric development revealed by englacial seismic reflectivity: Jakobshavn Isbræ, Greenland
Authors: Horgan H. J. , Anandakrishnan S. , Alley R. B. , Peters L. E. , Tsoflias G. P. , Voigt D. E. , Winberry J. P.
Published: May 2008

High‐resolution reflection seismic data from Jakobshavn Isbræ, Greenland, reveal complex fabric development. Abundant englacial reflectivity occurs for approximately half the thickness of the ice (the lower half), and disruption of the englacial reflectors occurs in the lower 10–15% of the ice‐thickness. These depths correspond to the higher impurity‐content, and more easily deformed, ice from the Younger Dryas and Last Glacial Maximum to Stage‐3. We conclude that the reflectivity results from contrasting seismic velocities due to changes in the crystal orientation fabric of the ice, and suggest that these fabric changes are caused by variations in impurity loading and subsequent deformation history. These findings emphasize the difference between ice‐divide and ice‐stream crystal orientation fabrics and have implications for predictive ice sheet modeling.
Greenhouse and thermophoretic effects in dust layers: The missing link for lifting of dust on Mars
Authors: Wurm Gerhard , Teiser Jens , Reiss Dennis
Published: May 2008

Dust is abundant in the Martian atmosphere and is continuously replenished by the entrainment of material from the surface of the planet. We find that the simple illumination of a dust bed at low atmospheric pressure provides a mechanism that efficiently lifts dust particles into the atmosphere. This lifting process is caused by two subtle effects within the dust bed: a greenhouse effect and thermophoresis. Laboratory and microgravity experiments show that the light flux needed for lift to occur is in the same range as that of the solar insolation available on Mars. This mechanism significantly lowers the threshold for dust entrainment by wind stress and may help explain the large amount of suspended dust on Mars overall. Specifically, this lifting process may help provide the initial lift necessary for dust devils and help trigger larger dust storms.
Activation of the spinal sigma‐1 receptor enhances NMDA‐induced pain via PKC‐ and PKA‐dependent phosphorylation of the NR1 subunit in mice
Authors: Kim H‐W , Roh D‐H , Yoon S‐Y , Seo H‐S , Kwon Y‐B , Han H‐J , Kim K‐W , Beitz A J , Lee J‐H
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:

Previously we demonstrated that the spinal sigma‐1 receptor (Sig‐1 R) plays an important role in pain transmission, although the exact mechanism is still unclear. It has been suggested that Sig‐1 R agonists increase glutamate‐induced calcium influx through N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Despite data suggesting a link between Sig‐1 Rs and NMDA receptors, there are no studies addressing whether Sig‐1 R activation directly affects NMDA receptor sensitivity.

Experimental approach:

We studied the effect of intrathecal (i.t.) administration of Sig‐1 R agonists on protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) dependent phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor subunit NR1 (pNR1) as a marker of NMDA receptor sensitization. In addition, we examined whether this Sig‐1 R mediated phosphorylation of NR1 plays an important role in sensory function using a model of NMDA‐induced pain.

Key results:

Both Western blot assays and image analysis of pNR1 immunohistochemical staining in the spinal cord indicated that i.t. injection of the Sig‐1 R agonists, PRE‐084 or carbetapentane dose dependently enhanced pNR1 expression in the murine dorsal horn. This increased pNR1 expression was significantly reduced by pretreatment with the specific Sig‐1 R antagonist, BD‐1047. In another set of experiments Sig‐1 R agonists further potentiated NMDA‐induced pain behaviour and pNR1 immunoreactivity and this was also reversed with BD‐1047.

Conclusions and implications:

The results of this study suggest that the activation of spinal Sig‐1 R enhances NMDA‐induced pain via PKC‐ and PKA‐dependent phosphorylation of the NMDA receptor NR 1 subunit.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 1125–1134; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.159; published online 19 May 2008
Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modelling of fluvoxamine 5‐HT transporter occupancy in rat frontal cortex
Authors: Geldof M , Freijer J I , Van Beijsterveldt L , Langlois X , Danhof M
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:

The pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) correlation of fluvoxamine 5‐HT transporter (SERT) occupancy was determined in rat frontal cortexex vivo.

Experimental approach:

Rats (n=47) with permanent arterial and venous cannulas received a 30 min intravenous infusion of fluvoxamine (1 or 7.3 mg kg−1). At various time points after dosing, brains were collected for determination of fluvoxamine concentration and SERT occupancy. In addition, the time course of fluvoxamine concentration in plasma was determined up to the time of brain collection. In a separate study (n=26), the time course of fluvoxamine concentration in brain extracellular fluid (ECF) and plasma was determined. The results of the investigations were interpreted by nonlinear mixed effects modeling

Key results:

Highest SERT occupancy was reached at the first time point (10 or 15 min) and maintained for 1.5 and 7 h after 1 and 7.3 mg kg−1, respectively. Thereafter, SERT occupancy decreased linearly at a rate of 8% h−1. SERT occupancy could be directly related to plasma, brain ECF and brain tissue concentrations by a hyperbolic function (Bmaxmodel). Maximal SERT occupancy (Bmax) was 95%. Estimated concentrations at half‐maximal SERT occupancy (EC50) in plasma, ECF and brain tissue were 0.48, 0.22 and 14.8 ng mL−1respectively. The minimum value of the objective function decreased 12 points for ECF and brain tissue concentrations relative to plasma (P<0.01), presumably as a result of nonlinear brain distribution.

Conclusions and implications:

The proposed PK–PD model constitutes a useful basis for prediction of the time course ofex vivoSERT occupancy in behavioural studies with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)154, 1369–1378; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.179; published online 19 May 2008
Melatonin receptors, heterodimerization, signal transduction and binding sites: what's new?
Authors: Jockers R , Maurice P , Boutin J A , Delagrange P
Published: May 2008

Melatonin is a neurohormone that has been claimed to be involved in a wide range of physiological functions. Nevertheless, for most of its effects, the mechanism of action is not really known. In mammals, two melatonin receptors, MT1and MT2, have been cloned. They belong to the G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. They share some specific short amino‐acid sequences, which suggest that they represent a specific subfamily. Another receptor from the same subfamily, the melatonin‐related receptor has been cloned in different species including humans. This orphan receptor also named GPR50 does not bind melatonin and its endogenous ligand is still unknown. Nevertheless, this receptor has been shown to behave as an antagonist of the MT1receptor, which opens new pharmacological perspectives for GPR50 despite the lack of endogenous or synthetic ligands. Moreover, MT1and MT2interact together through the formation of heterodimers at least in cells transfected with the cDNA of these two receptors. Lastly, signalling complexes associated with MT1and MT2receptors are starting to be deciphered. A third melatonin‐binding site has been purified and characterized as the enzyme quinone reductase 2 (QR2). Inhibition of QR2 by melatonin may explain melatonin's protective effect that has been reported in different animal models and that is generally associated with its well‐documented antioxidant properties.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)154, 1182–1195; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.184; published online 19 May 2008
Role of calcium in substance P‐induced chemokine synthesis in mouse pancreatic acinar cells
Authors: Ramnath R D , Sun J , Bhatia M
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:

Substance P (SP) and chemokines play critical roles in acute pancreatitis. SP elevates cytosolic calcium in pancreatic acinar cells and elevated cytosolic calcium is thought to be an early event in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. SP induces production of chemokines MCP‐1, MIP‐1α and MIP‐2 in pancreatic acinar cells, however the exact mechanism by which SP stimulates the production of these pro‐inflammatory mediators remain undetermined. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of calcium in SP‐induced chemokine production in pancreatic acinar cells and to establish the signal transduction mechanisms involved.

Experimental approach:

An in vitro model of isolated mouse pancreatic acinar cells was used. Western blotting analysis, ELISA and calcium measurement were performed.

Key results:

SP increased chemokine secretion through the activation of PKCα/βII, MAPKinases (ERK and JNK), NFκB and AP‐1 in pancreatic acinar cells. These effects were blocked by pretreatment of the cells with the specific calcium chelator BAPTA‐AM. Moreover, SP‐induced activation of PKCα/βII, ERK, JNK, NF‐κB, AP‐1 and chemokine production was inhibited by the specific phospholipase C inhibitor U73122.

Conclusions and implications:

SP‐induced chemokine production in pancreatic acinar cells resulted from PLC‐induced elevated intracellular calcium and PKCα/βII activation, subsequently leading to the activation of MAPKinases (ERK and JNK) and transcription factors NF‐κB and AP‐1. The present study demonstrates the critical role of calcium in SP‐induced chemokine production in pancreatic acinar cells. Drugs targeting the SP‐calcium mediated signaling pathways could prove beneficial in improving the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 1339–1348; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.188; published online 19 May 2008
Chronic inhibition of the Na+/H+‐ exchanger causes regression of hypertrophy, heart failure, and ionic and electrophysiological remodelling
Authors: Baartscheer A , Hardziyenka M , Schumacher C A , Belterman C N W , Van Borren M M G J , Verkerk A O , Coronel R , Fiolet J W T
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:

Increased activity of the Na+/H+‐exchanger (NHE‐1) in heart failure underlies raised [Na+]icausing disturbances of calcium handling. Inhibition of NHE‐1, initiated at the onset of pressure/volume overload, prevents development of hypertrophy, heart failure and remodelling. We hypothesized that chronic inhibition of NHE‐1, initiated at a later stage, would induce regression of hypertrophy, heart failure, and ionic and electrophysiological remodelling.

Experimental approach:

Development of heart failure in rabbits was monitored electrocardiographically and echocardiographically, after one or three months. Cardiac myocytes were also isolated. One group of animals were treated with cariporide (inhibitor of NHE‐1) in the diet after one month. Cytoplasmic calcium, sodium and action potentials were measured with fluorescent markers and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium content by rapid cooling. Calcium after‐transients were elicited after rapid pacing. Sodium channel current(INa) was measured using patch‐clamp techniques.

Key results:

Hypertrophy and heart failure developed after one month and progressed during the next two months. After one month, dietary treatment with cariporide was initiated. Two months of treatment reduced hypertrophy and heart failure, duration of action potential QT‐interval and QRS, and restored sodium and calcium handling and the incidence of calcium after‐transients. In cardiac myocytes, parameters ofINawere not changed by cariporide.

Conclusion and implications:

In rabbit hearts with hypertrophy and signs of heart failure one month after induction of pressure/volume overload, two months of dietary treatment with the NHE‐1 inhibitor cariporide caused regression of hypertrophy, heart failure and ionic and electrophysiological remodelling.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)154, 1266–1275; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.189; published online 19 May 2008
Effects of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin on [35S]GTPγS binding in mouse brain cerebellum and piriform cortex membranes
Authors: Dennis I , Whalley B J , Stephens G J
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:

We have recently shown that the phytocannabinoid Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9‐THCV) and the CB1receptor antagonist AM251 increase inhibitory neurotransmission in mouse cerebellum and also exhibit anticonvulsant activity in a rat piriform cortical (PC) model of epilepsy. Possible mechanisms underlying cannabinoid actions in the CNS include CB1receptor antagonism (by displacing endocannabinergic tone) or inverse agonism at constitutively active CB1receptors. Here, we investigate the mode of cannabinoid action in [35S]GTPγS binding assays.

Experimental approach:

Effects of Δ9‐THCV and AM251 were tested either alone or against WIN55,212‐2‐induced increases in [35S]GTPγS binding in mouse cerebellar and PC membranes. Effects on non‐CB receptor expressing CHO‐D2cell membranes were also investigated.

Key results:

Δ9‐THCV and AM251 both acted as potent antagonists of WIN55,212‐2‐induced increases in [35S]GTPγS binding in cerebellar and PC membranes (Δ9‐THCV: pA2=7.62 and 7.44 respectively; AM251: pA2=9.93 and 9.88 respectively). At micromolar concentrations, Δ9‐THCV or AM251 alone caused significant decreases in [35S]GTPγS binding; Δ9‐THCV caused larger decreases than AM251. When applied alone in CHO‐D2membranes, Δ9‐THCV and AM251 also caused concentration‐related decreases in G protein activity.

Conclusions and implications:

Δ9‐THCV and AM251 act as CB1receptors antagonists in the cerebellum and PC, with AM251 being more potent than Δ9‐THCV in both brain regions. Individually, Δ9‐THCV or AM251 exhibited similar potency at CB1receptors in the cerebellum and the PC. At micromolar concentrations, Δ9‐THCV and AM251 caused a non‐CB receptor‐mediated depression of basal [35S]GTPγS binding.

British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)154, 1349–1358; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.190; published online 19 May 2008
Kaempferol stimulates large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BKCa) channels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via a cAMP/PKA‐dependent pathway
Authors: Xu Y C , Leung G P H , Wong P Y D , Vanhoutte P M , Man R Y K
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:

Kaempferol has been shown to possess a vasodilator effect but its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, experiments were carried out to study the effect of kaempferol on K+ channels in endothelial cells.

Experimental approach:

K+ channel activities in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were studied by conventional whole cell and cell‐attached patch‐clamp electrophysiology.

Key results:

Kaempferol stimulated an outward‐rectifying current in HUVECs in a dose‐dependent manner with an EC50 value of 2.5±0.02 μM. This kaempferol‐induced current was abolished by large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BKCa) channel blockers, such as iberiotoxin (IbTX) and charybdotoxin (ChTX), whereas the small conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (SKCa) channel blocker, apamin, and the voltage‐dependent K+ (KV) channel blocker, 4‐aminopyridine, had no effect. Cell‐attached patches demonstrated that kaempferol increased the open probability of BkCa channels in HUVECs. Clamping intracellular Ca2+ did not prevent kaempferol‐induced increases in outward current. In addition, the kaempferol‐induced current was diminished by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536, the cAMP antagonist Rp‐8‐Br‐cAMP and the PKA inhibitor KT5720, but was not affected by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ, the cGMP antagonist Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMP and the PKG inhibitor KT5823. The activation of BKCa channels by kaempferol caused membrane hyperpolarization of HUVECs.

Conclusion and implications:

These results demonstrate that kaempferol activates the opening of BKCa channels in HUVECs via a cAMP/PKA‐dependent pathway, resulting in membrane hyperpolarization. This mechanism may partly account for the vasodilator effects of kaempferol.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 1247–1253; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.194; published online 19 May 2008
Deregulation and its Long-Run Effects on the Availability of Banking Services in Low-Income Communities
Authors: Bernad Cristina , Fuentelsaz Lucio , Gómez Jaime
Published: May 2008

The objective of this paper is to analyze the possible long-term consequences of deregulation on financial exclusion in a European context. Although this is an issue frequently treated by US researchers, it has traditionally received much less attention in Europe. The deregulation that took place mainly during the 1980s may have contributed to an increase in the importance of this phenomenon. Therefore, our aim in this paper is to assess the effect of deregulation on the availability of banking services, especially in low-income municipalities in Spain. Our results show that, although the level of service is lower in low-income towns, the differences in the level of service between the high-income and low-income towns have decreased in the last decade. Interestingly, we provide evidence on the ability of the different types of financial intermediaries to avoid financial exclusion. Our results show that the Savings Banks appear as the main contributors to financial inclusion.
Intelligent Transport Systems and Preferences for Office Locations
Authors: Argiolu Raffael , van der Heijden Rob , Bos Ilona , Marchau Vincent
Published: May 2008

This paper explores the effect of three intelligent transport systems (ITS)-related transport concepts on location preferences of office-keeping organisations in urbanised areas. To measure these effects, a hierarchical information integration experiment was conducted in the Netherlands. Representatives of office-keeping organisations in selected city regions were questioned about the attractiveness of hypothetical ITS-based accessibility profiles of office locations. A general preference model was estimated to test the hypothesis that the introduction of ITS-based transport concepts will significantly influence the preferences of office-keeping organisations regarding office locations. It appears that all the included ITS attributes have a significant impact on the accessibility preferences of office-keeping organisations in urban regions. Moreover, location preferences change slightly after the introduction of the three ITS-related transport concepts.
Neighborhood Effects and Women's Agency regarding Poverty and Patriarchy in a Turkish Slum
Authors: Erman Tahire , Türkyilmaz Süheyla
Published: May 2008

This paper aims to understand the interplay between the neighborhood (spatial) effects of poverty, ethnicity, kin, and patriarchy, and women's agency in the context of an inner-city slum in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. It is based on a field study that focuses on the experiences of women residents—that is, rural migrants known for their dependency on neighborhood spaces—and their grown-up daughters who were raised in the city. The neighborhood context—namely, the social and physical isolation of the site, the limited access to urban institutions, and the growing risk of crime—has a negative impact on women's lives, restraining but not determining women's agency. Women's struggle for agency in this context is contingent on other factors, including whether they live in ethnic clusters and whether their husbands are working, as well as urban experience and individual biography.
Getting off the Escalator? A Study of Scots Out-Migration from a Global City Region
Authors: Findlay Allan , Mason Colin , Harrison Richard , Houston Donald , McCollum David
Published: May 2008

Something new is happening to reverse the historical trend of skilled Scots moving to London for career progression. The Scottish population of London and the South East is falling and this despite Scots enjoying continued occupational success within the South East labour market. The authors ask why Scots are leaving the UK's main escalator region and then investigate how these migration changes can best be theorised relative to literature on the mobility of the ‘new service class‘. Building on Fielding's escalator region hypothesis, the authors report on recent research on longer distance flows out of the UK's main escalator region. They advance the critique of the escalator region hypothesis set out by Findlay et al and ask why people would leave a global city offering good opportunities for occupational mobility. Demographic regime change provides only a partial answer. Other explanations can be found in the changing mobilities of the new service class as they engage in what Smith has defined as ‘translocal’ and ‘transnational’ urbanism. The authors argue that Scotland's changing relationship with London and the South East may be representative of a wider set of changes in migration linkages between regional economies and global cities.