bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The people of solitude: recalling and reinventing essuf (the wild) in traditional and emergent Tuareg cultural spaces
Authors: Rasmussen Susan J.
Published: August 2008

This article explores continuities and discontinuities in conventional and changing meanings and uses of essuf, a term which denotes approximately the ‘wild’, ‘solitude’, or ‘nostalgia’ in dialects of the Tamajaq language spoken by Tuareg peoples in Mali and Niger. In this analysis of creative reinventions of essuf in both local and ‘borderlands’ spaces of psycho‐social crises, oral art performances, and ‘modern’ literature, the wider goal is to produce more nuanced anthropological understandings of local/global and structure/agency connections. The data illustrate the connections between sacred spaces – literal, imagined, and remembered – in African philosophical modes of thought and socio‐political power and agency. The Tuareg case opens up perspectives on how cultural spaces of varying scale are affected by selective remembering, and creative re‐enacting of key philosophical notions. The data caution anthropologists against reifications and binaries of global and local, and structure and agency.

L'article explore les continuités et discontinuités dans les significations et usages conventionnels et changeants de l'essouf, qui désigne approximativement le monde sauvage, la nostalgie ou la solitude dans les dialectes du langage tamajaq parlé par les Touareg du Mali et du Niger. Dans cette analyse des réinventions créatives de l'essouf dans les espaces locaux et « frontaliers » des crises psychosociales, des performances d'art oral et de la littérature « moderne », le but plus large est de parvenir à une compréhension anthropologique plus nuancée des liens entre local et global, entre structure et agency. Les données illustrent les liens entre les espaces sacrés, littéraux, imaginés et remémorés, dans les modes de pensée et de pouvoir sociopolitique africains. Le cas des Touareg ouvre de nouvelles perspectives sur la manière dont les espaces culturels d'échelles variables sont affectés par la remémoration sélective et la réincarnation créative de notions philosophiques essentielles. Ces données sont aussi une mise en garde aux anthropologues contre les réifications et les concepts binaires de global et local, de structure et d'agency.
Indigeneity, ferality, and what ‘belongs’ in the Australian bush: Aboriginal responses to ‘introduced’ animals and plants in a settler‐descendant society
Authors: Trigger David S.
Published: August 2008

This article investigates responses among Aboriginal people in Australia to animals and plants introduced through the process of British colonization. While there is some rejection of exotic species as emblematic of European dispossession, the article explores cases where certain fauna and flora have been embraced intellectually within Aboriginal cultural traditions. The broader discussion canvasses links in Australia between ideas of ‘nativeness’ in society and nature. If Indigenous people have incorporated non‐native species, what are the implications for an Australian identity defined substantially in terms of ‘native’ landscapes? The article considers the significance of non‐native nature for flexible constructions of cultural belonging among Aboriginal people in a post‐colonial society. The concept of ‘emergent autochthony’ is proposed.

L'auteur étudie l'attitude des peuples aborigènes d'Australie face aux animaux et végétaux introduits au cours de la colonisation britannique. Bien qu'un certain rejet se manifeste vis‐à‐vis des espèces exotiques perçues comme emblématiques de la dépossession par les Européens, l'article explore des situations dans lesquelles certains éléments de la faune et de la flore ont été adoptés intellectuellement dans les traditions culturelles aborigènes. Le champ élargi de la discussion tisse des liens entre les notions d' « autochtonie » dans la société et la nature en Australie. Si les Aborigènes ont intégré des espèces non natives, quelles en sont les implications pour l'identité australienne, définie pour une bonne part en termes de paysages natifs ? L'auteur examine la signification de la nature non autochtone dans les constructions flexibles de l'appartenance culturelle chez les peuples aborigènes dans une société postcoloniale, et propose le concept d' « autochtonie émergente ».
Reading with vocabulary intervention: evaluation of an instruction for children with poor response to reading intervention
Authors: Duff Fiona J. , Fieldsend Elizabeth , Bowyer‐Crane Claudine , Hulme Charles , Smith Glynnis , Gibbs Simon , Snowling Margaret J.
Published: August 2008

Interventions combining phonically based reading instruction with phonological training are generally effective for children with reading (decoding) difficulties. However, a minority of children respond poorly to such interventions. This study explored the characteristics of children who showed poor response to reading intervention and aimed to improve their literacy and language skills via a new theoretically motivated intervention. Twelve 8‐year‐old treatment poor responders with severe and persisting reading difficulties participated. A 9‐week reading intervention incorporating reading, phonological and vocabulary training was implemented. Before the intervention began the children showed almost no progress over 6 months of regular classroom education, on measures of oral language and literacy. Over the intervention period improvements were made on measures of reading, phonological awareness and language skills, which were maintained 6 months later. Although the intervention was effective, it should be noted that most children remained poor readers and require ongoing remediation.
The Impact of Corporate Governance on Executive Compensation
Authors: Sapp Stephen G.
Published: August 2008

This paper examines the relationship between the compensation of the top five executives at a set of over 400 publicly listed Canadian firms and various internal and external corporate governance‐related factors. The media is full of stories suggesting a relationship between large executive compensation packages and failures in governance at various levels within organisations, but there exists little formal analysis of many of these relationships. Our analysis provides empirical evidence supporting some of these assertions, refuting others and documenting new relationships. We find that variances in internal governance related to differences across firms in the characteristics of the CEO, compensation committee and board of directors do influence both the level and composition of executive compensation, especially for the CEO. Considering external measures of corporate governance, we find that different types of shareholders and competitive environments impact executive compensation. We do not find that either the internal or external governance characteristics dominate.
Spatial Agglomeration, Technological Innovations, and Firm Productivity: Evidence from Italian Industrial Districts
Authors: CAINELLI GIULIO
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT  The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact on firms' productivity of innovative activities and agglomeration effects among firms belonging to Marshallian industrial districts and the possible joint effect of these two forces. We study a sample of 2,821 firms active in the Italian manufacturing industry in the period 1992–1995. Our analysis uses an original data set based on three different Istituto Nazionale di Statistica statistical sources—Community Innovation Survey, Archivio Statistico delle Imprese Attive (Italian Business Register), and Sistema dei Conti delle Imprese (Italian Structural Business Statistics)—to estimate an “augmented” Cobb‐Douglas production function to account for the impact of technological innovations and district‐specific agglomeration effects on a firm's productivity growth. Our data set allows us to distinguish between product and process innovations, thus, through econometric analysis, we hope to achieve a better understanding of which of these two types of innovative activities benefits most from participation in an industrial district. Our empirical results show that belonging to an industrial district and making product innovations are key factors in the productivity growth of firms and that product innovations appear to have a greater effect on the economic performance of district rather than non‐district firms.
Ireland's Foreign‐Owned Technology Sector: Evolving Towards Sustainability?
Authors: COLLINS PATRICK , GRIMES SEAMUS
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT For some, Ireland's pursuit of an exogenous‐led development model has proved to be the cornerstone of recent economic success. Others point to recent high‐profile closures and argue that foreign‐owned operations are attracted to Ireland solely because of the advantageous tax breaks and lucrative grants scheme offered by the Irish government. We pay tribute to both arguments by pushing the level of enquiry beyond that of supply and backward linkages to try and gauge the actual performance of affiliates themselves. This brings some interesting facets of the Irish foreign direct investment scene to light. We highlight complexity of process, attainment of broader investment remits, and the emergence of a managerial class as integral to the ability of affiliates to adapt to and exploit organisational change. By examining 10 case studies and making use of media searches and company interviews, we highlight evidence of Ireland's largest technology transnational corporation affiliates showing positive performance advances. With these movements come, what we term, increased nodal significance of Irish operations within the global production network of their corporations. We argue against policy and theories that see these movements as linear and provide evidence of how some Irish operations have leveraged control and gained significant regional and global remits that have resulted in their growing significance, both in the corporation and in the country in which they are based. In the same line we argue that embeddedness in terms of supply linkages does not fit the Irish case and instead employ the term “network anchoring” of affiliates as they increase their nodal weighting through increased mandates.
Assessment and Characteristics of Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Who are not Accessing Specialist Intellectual Disability Services
Authors: Dodd Philip , Guerin Suzanne , Mulvany Fiona , Tyrrell Janette , Hillery John
Published: August 2008

Background  Individuals with intellectual disabilities (I.D.) who are not accessing any specialist services are a vulnerable group, especially with advancing age. In Ireland, the National Intellectual Disability Database (N.I.D.D.) records the current and future service needs of people with intellectual disabilities, as well as those individuals who are not in receipt of services.

Methods  This two‐part study firstly used the N.I.D.D. to look at the number and characteristics of those older individuals outside services. Following this, a questionnaire was developed to examine the contact and assessment procedures practised with people who are listed on the N.I.D.D. as not requiring any specialist service.

Results  Analysis of the database showed that 7.5% of people on the N.I.D.D. with moderate, severe or profound I.D., over the age of thirty and living at home with family were awaiting, or were not in receipt of specialist services. For these people not accessing any services, the questionnaire responses highlighted poor assessment practices including significant periods of time passing between contacts with the individual and limited contact regarding service planning.

Conclusions  Specialist services need to be more pro‐active in engaging vulnerable older individuals in services. A standardised approach needs to be developed in the assessment and monitoring of individuals and families refusing services.
Assessing the demand for value‐based organic meats in Canada: a combined retail and household scanner‐data approach
Authors: Anders Sven , Moeser Anke
Published: August 2008

We apply sets of weekly retail and household scanner data to estimate consumer demand of selected organic and conventional fresh beef products in the Canadian retail market. The main contribution of our study stems from the application of a two‐stage procedure that provides new and deeper insight into consumers' responses to changing retail environment and pricing for organic and conventional meat products. Combined knowledge of point‐of‐sale consumer behaviour for value‐based products, such as organic products, and distinct socio‐demographic profiles of buyers vs. non‐buyers of meat is especially interesting for retail managers and meat industry stakeholders. First, household meat consumption patterns are investigated based on household scanner data that track household's meat purchases in the period 2006–2007. The second step of analysis then involves the estimation of an almost ideal demand system for selected organic and conventional fresh beef products using retail scanner data for the period 2000–2007. The introduction of greater selections in organic product lines across mainstream supermarkets in Canada in response to consumer health concerns is expected to spur retail competition in an otherwise saturated Canadian retail market. The analysis of socio‐demographic profiles in beef consumption using individual household's purchase data reveals that besides regional differences in preferences, household size and resource characteristics are major determinants of point‐of‐sale beef purchase decisions. Our demand system results indicate that organic beef is highly dependent on price and expenditures, whereas demand for conventional beef is mostly driven by income, habits and ‘typical’ Canadian seasonal beef consumption patterns. Altogether, our conclusions on organic beef vs. conventional beef buyers may have further implications for institutional regulations.
Do consumers care about food miles? An empirical analysis in France
Authors: Sirieix Lucie , Grolleau Gilles. , Schaer Burkhard
Published: August 2008

We conducted two qualitative surveys to identify whether food miles, defined as the distance that foodstuff travels between the production location and the consumption marketplace, matter for French consumers. First, two focus groups with ‘conventional’ consumers show that distance is a multidimensional concept, both positively and negatively perceived, and that most consumers are not concerned by food miles and their subsequent environmental impact. Second, 10 face‐to‐face interviews with consumers of locally grown organic food demonstrate that these consumers purchase local food for other reasons than reducing ‘food miles’ and buy imported organic food in spite of increased food miles. We shed light on this situation using theoretical concepts from economics and psychology. Some implications for policymakers and marketers are stressed.
Identifying the effective evidence sources to use in developing Clinical Guidelines for Acute Stroke Management: lived experiences of the search specialist and project manager
Authors: Parkhill Anne , Hill Kelvin
Published: August 2008

Background:  The Australian National Stroke Foundation appointed a search specialist to find the best available evidence for the second edition of its Clinical Guidelines for Acute Stroke Management.

Objective:  To identify the relative effectiveness of differing evidence sources for the guideline update.

Methods:  We searched and reviewed references from five valid evidence sources for clinical and economic questions: (i) electronic databases; (ii) reference lists of relevant systematic reviews, guidelines, and/or primary studies; (iii) table of contents of a number of key journals for the last 6 months; (iv) internet/grey literature; and (v) experts. Reference sources were recorded, quantified, and analysed.

Results:  In the clinical portion of the guidelines document, there was a greater use of previous knowledge and sources other than electronic databases for evidence, while there was a greater use of electronic databases for the economic section.

Conclusions:  The results confirmed that searchers need to be aware of the context and range of sources for evidence searches. For best available evidence, searchers cannot rely solely on electronic databases and need to encompass many different media and sources.
LIM‐only protein 4 interacts directly with the repulsive guidance molecule A receptor Neogenin
Authors: Schaffar Gregor , Taniguchi Junko , Brodbeck Tanja , Meyer Axel H. , Schmidt Martin , Yamashita Toshihide , Mueller Bernhard K.
Published: August 2008

Repulsive guidance molecule A (RGM A) was recently described as a potent inhibitor of neuroregeneration in a rat spinal cord injury model. The receptor mediating RGM A’s repulsive activity was shown to be Neogenin, a member of the Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC) family of netrin receptors. Binding of RGM A to Neogenin induces activation of the small GTPase RhoA and of its effector Rho‐kinase by an unknown mechanism. Here we show, that the cytoplasmic tail of Neogenin interacts directly with the transcriptional coactivator LIM domain only 4 (LMO4) in human SH‐SY5Y cells, human Ntera neurons, and in embryonic rat cortical neurons. RGM A binding to Neogenin but not binding of Netrin‐1, induces release of LMO4 from Neogenin. Down‐regulation of LMO4 neutralizes the repulsive activity of RGM A in neuronal cell lines and embryonic rat cortical neurons and prevents RhoA activation. These results show for the first time that an interaction of Neogenin with LMO4 is involved in the RGM A – Neogenin signal transduction pathway for RhoA activation.
Reduction of Helicobacter Infection in IL‐10−/– Mice is Dependent On CD4+ T Cells but not on Mast Cells
Authors: Velin Dominique , Bachmann Daniel , Bouzourene Hanifa , Michetti Pierre
Published: August 2008

Background:  In contrast to wild type, interleukin‐10‐deficient (IL‐10−/–) mice are able to clear Helicobacter infection. In this study, we investigated the immune response of IL‐10−/– mice leading to the reduction of Helicobacter infection.

Materials and Methods:  We characterized the immune responses of Helicobacter felis‐infected IL‐10−/– mice by studying the systemic antibody and cellular responses toward Helicobacter. We investigated the role of CD4+ T cells in the Helicobacter clearance by injecting H. felis‐infected IL‐10−/– mice with anti‐CD4 depleting antibodies. To examine the role of mast cells in Helicobacter clearance, we constructed and infected mast cells and IL‐10 double‐deficient mice.

Results:  Reduction of Helicobacter infection in IL‐10−/– mice is associated with strong humoral (fivefold higher serum antiurease antibody titers were measured in IL‐10−/– in comparison to wild‐type mice, p < .008) and cellular (urease‐stimulated splenic CD4+ T cells isolated from infected IL‐10−/– mice produce 150‐fold more interferon‐γ in comparison to wild‐type counterparts, p < .008) immune responses directed toward Helicobacter. Depletion of CD4+ cells from Helicobacter‐infected IL‐10−/– mice lead to the loss of bacterial clearance (rapid urease tests are threefold higher in CD4+ depleted IL‐10−/– in comparison to nondepleted IL‐10−/– mice, p < .02). Mast cell IL‐10−/– double‐deficient mice clear H. felis infection, indicating that mast cells are unnecessary for the bacterial eradication in IL‐10−/– mice.

Conclusion:  Taken together, these results suggest that CD4+ cells are required for Helicobacter clearance in IL‐10−/– mice. This reduction of Helicobacter infection is, however, not dependent on the mast cell population.
Helicobacter pylori and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Corley Douglas A. , Kubo Ai , Levin T. R. , Block Gladys , Habel Laurel , Rumore Gregory , Quesenberry Charles , Buffler Patricia , Parsonnet Julie
Published: August 2008

Background:  Gastric colonization with Helicobacter pylori is a proposed protective factor against gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but little population‐based data exist and other data conflict.

Methods:  We conducted a case–control study within the membership of a large integrated health‐care system that compared GERD‐free subjects with two groups: subjects with a physician‐assigned GERD diagnosis and randomly selected members with self‐described weekly GERD symptoms. Subjects completed interviews, GERD questionnaires, and antibody testing for H. pylori and its cagA protein.

Results:  Serologic data were available for 301 physician‐assigned GERD patients, 81 general membership subjects with GERD symptoms, and 175 general membership subjects without GERD symptoms. Physician‐assigned GERD patients were less likely to have H. pylori antibodies than GERD‐free member controls (odds ratio (OR) = 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15–0.47); there was also an inverse association between H. pylori and GERD symptom severity (OR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.08–0.41; severe or very severe symptoms) and GERD frequency (OR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.09–0.38; for symptoms at least weekly). The association was stronger among persons with erosive GERD and was similar between H. pylori‐positive subjects with and without cagA. There was no association among persons who were cagA positive, but H. pylori negative. Similar findings were found in analyses of the general membership with self‐described GERD symptoms.

Conclusions:  H. pylori antibody status was inversely associated with a GERD diagnosis and GERD symptoms compared with a general membership population.
Dendritic cell infiltration pattern along the colorectal adenoma‐carcinoma sequence
Authors: YUAN APING , STEIGEN SONJA E. , GOLL RASMUS , VONEN BARTHOLD , HUSBEKK ANNE , CUI GUANGLIN , FLORHOLMEN JON
Published: August 2008

We have previously reported that the dendritic cell (DC) functional index cytokine interleukin‐12 was significantly decreased in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) tissues. In this study, the DC infiltration pattern and the density of mature DCs (mDCs; labeled by anti‐CD83 and anti‐CD208) and immature DCs (iDCs; labeled by anti‐CD1α) were characterized using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue samples from 23 patients with CRC, 33 patients with colorectal adenoma (CRA), and 19 healthy controls. In addition, the DC function inhibitor cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and the downstream signal molecule prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and related receptors EP2/EP4 were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR and double immunofluorescence staining. The IHC analyses revealed changed densities of mDCs and iDCs in the tumor microenvironment; in CRA and CRC, the density of mDCs was decreased, but the density of iDCs was gradually increased. Furthermore, the distribution patterns of DCs were also altered. In CRA, mDCs were abundantly distributed in the subepithelial stroma of the adenomatous mass. In CRC, the distribution of mDCs in the tumor stroma was not homogeneous, and mDCs residing in the stroma at invading edges were more frequently found compared with in the intratumoral stroma (P<0.05). Increased iDCs were found in the intratumoral mass in CRC, and some infiltrated into the malignant epithelium. By quantitative real‐time PCR, a gradually increased level of COX‐2 mRNA was demonstrated in the local tissues along the adenoma‐carcinoma sequence, and double immunofluorescence staining showed a colocalization of PGE2 receptors EP2/EP4 with mDCs in the stroma of CRC. In conclusion, our current findings revealed an altered DC infiltration pattern along the adenoma‐carcinoma sequence; gradually increased COX‐2 expression might contribute to the DC functional defect.
If it's not CK5/6 positive, TTF‐1 negative it's not a squamous cell carcinoma of lung
Authors: DOWNEY PAUL , CUMMINS ROBERT , MORAN MARGARET , GULMANN CHRISTIAN
Published: August 2008

Novel targeted treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) requires accurate classification of NSCLC as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC). This study details the CK5/6 and TTF‐1 immunoprofile of surgical resections of 45 NSCLCs (24 ACs and 21 SCCs) in tissue microarrays. All SCCs were CK5/6 positive, TTF‐1 negative. 20 of 24 adenocarcinomas had the reverse pattern. In conclusion, all SCCs in this study were CK5/6 positive and TTF‐1 negative, and therefore tumours that do not display this phenotype are unlikely to be SCCs. CK5/6 and TTF‐1 is therefore a practical panel for the distinction between pulmonary SCC from AC in routine histopathology practice.
Expression of PDX‐1 in prostate cancer, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and benign prostatic tissue
Authors: JONMARKER SARA , GLAESSGEN AXEL , CULP W. DAVID , PISA PAVEL , LEWENSOHN ROLF , EKMAN PETER , VALDMAN ALEXANDER , EGEVAD LARS
Published: August 2008

Pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX‐1), a Hox type transcription factor, is necessary for differentiation of exocrine and endocrine pancreas, and regulates insulin gene transcription. PDX‐1 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray (TMA) of 289 primary prostate cancers (PCa) from radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens with median follow‐up of 48.9 months. We separately arrayed benign prostatic tissue, atrophy, high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and PCa from 40 men and also 17 lymph node metastases. Intensity and extent of immunoreactivity and their product (IRp) were evaluated by two independent observers. PDX‐1 was overexpressed in cancer vs benign tissue (p<0.001), but also in atrophy and HGPIN vs cancer (p<0.001 and p=0.022, respectively). PDX‐1 expression did not correlate with biochemical recurrence, but decreased with higher Gleason pattern (p<0.001) and in metastases vs primary PCa (p<0.001). Weighted kappa for interobserver agreement of intensity, extent and IRp was 0.65, 0.13 and 0.54, respectively. Presence of PDX‐1 protein in benign and malignant prostatic tissue was confirmed by Western blot. In view of recent attention to the role of insulin systems in men with PCa, this protein is of interest in the pathogenesis of PCa.
Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of subcutaneous adipose tissue
Authors: Gensanne D. , Josse G. , Theunis J. , Lagarde J. M. , Vincensini D.
Published: August 2008

Background/purpose: Quantitative transverse relaxation time (T2) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been used with the aim to characterize subcutaneous adipose tissue. Protons in adipose tissue have a fast exchange behavior giving bi‐component transverse relaxation processes with short and long relaxation time values depending on the tissue properties.

Methods: MR images were acquired on a 1 T Siemens MR scan using a multi‐spin‐echo sequence. A high sensitive surface coil, enabling low noise MR images with voxel size of 10 mm3, was used for performing accurate quantitative T2 imaging. These acquisition parameters were determined by a preliminary study performed on an oil phantom known to be a valuable model for mimicking in vivo adipose tissue.

In vivo study of the thigh adipose tissue was carried out on 30 volunteers. 20 women with various clinically diagnosed cellulite grades and 10 males, among them five showed overweight. Tissue characterization was finally performed through the analysis of the T2 distributions.

Results: Phantom study showed that improvements in the precision in T2 measurement are obtained at the expense of the spatial resolution. Uncertainties in T2 measurements are three times lower by considering a region of interest of 3 × 3 pixels compared with a pixel by pixel analysis.

The in vivo study showed that women groups present higher mean short T2S component values than men. Histogram of T2 distribution showed that the maximum amplitude is observed at a lower value for the overweight men group. In addition, larger values around the septae were visualized on the long relaxation time images.

Conclusions: This study shows that precise T2 map of adipose tissue can be computed. The balance between precision and spatial resolution is examined. Preliminary results relative to tissue organization and to difference between clinical groups proves the potential of the quantitative MRI.
Characterization of the mechanical properties of a dermal equivalent compared with human skin in vivo by indentation and static friction tests
Authors: Zahouani H. , Pailler‐Mattei C. , Sohm B. , Vargiolu R. , Cenizo V. , Debret R.
Published: August 2008

Background/aims: The study of changes in skin structure with age is becoming all the more important with the increase in life. The atrophy that occurs during aging is accompanied by more profound changes, with a loss of organization within the elastic collagen network and alterations in the basal elements. The aim of this study is to present a method to determine the mechanical properties of total human skin in vivo compared with dermal equivalents (DEs) using indentation and static friction tests.

Methods: A new bio‐tribometer working at a low contact pressure for the characterization the mechanical properties of the skin has been developed. This device, based on indentation and static friction tests, also allows to characterize the skin in vivo and reconstructed DEs in a wide range of light contact forces, stress and strain.

Results: This original bio‐tribometer shows the ability to assess the skin elasticity and friction force in a wide range of light normal load (0.5–2 g) and low contact pressure (0.5–2 kPa). The results obtained by this approach show identical values of the Young's modulus E* and the shear modulus G* of six DEs obtained from a 62‐year‐old subject (E*=8.5±1.74 kPa and G*=3.3±0.46 kPa) and in vivo total skin of 20 subjects aged 55 to 70 years (E*=8.3±2.1 kPa, G*=2.8±0.8 kpa).
Linguists as Agents for Social Change
Authors: Charity Anne H.
Published: August 2008

In this article, I examine and promote the role of linguist as agent for social change. I discuss the history and mission of organizations and individual linguists who are dedicated to service through linguistics. I describe the social and community service activities of linguists that may fall just outside of the realm of linguistic scholarship in the most traditional sense. I then provide models for ways in which linguists can become even more socially engaged through social service and public outreach. I highlight the academic sharing and public dissemination of knowledge that linguists already possess as a way for all linguists to be socially active. I then describe my own experiences participating in and teaching service learning‐based research courses.
Levosimendan versus Dobutamine in Heart Failure Patients Treated Chronically with Carvedilol
Authors: Duygu Hamza , Turk Ugur , Ozdogan Oner , Akyuz Serdar , Kirilmaz Bahadir , Alioglu Emin , Gunduz Ramazan , Bozkaya Yasemin Turan , Turkoglu Cuneyt , Payzin Serdar
Published: August 2008

Introduction: Although beta‐blockers are highly effective in the treatment of heart failure (HF), many patients with HF receiving a beta‐blocker continue to become decompensated and require hospitalization for worsening HF. Levosimendan and dobutamine are used to manage decompensated HF, but their comparative effects on left ventricular (LV) function in patients prescribed beta‐blockers are unknown.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of dobutamine and levosimendan on LV systolic and diastolic functions in chronic HF patients treated chronically with carvedilol. Forty patients with chronic HF who had NYHA class III to IV symptoms, a LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <40%, and ongoing treatment with carvedilol were enrolled in this randomized (1:1), dobutamine controlled, open‐label study. Before and 24 h after treatment, LVEF, mitral inflow peak E and A wave velocity, E/A ratio, the deceleration time of the E wave (DT), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), peak systolic (Sm) and early diastolic (Em) mitral annular velocity, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) were measured by echocardiography.

Results: Levosimendan produced a statistically significant increase in LVEF (28 ± 5% vs. 33 ± 3%), Sm (6.5 ± 1.2 cm/s vs. 7.4 ± 0.9 cm/s), DT (120 ± 10 ms vs. 140 ± 15 ms), and Em (7.5 ± 0.4 cm/s vs. 8.1 ± 0.5 cm/s) and significant decrease in E/A ratio (2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 1.7 ± 0.4) and SPAP (55 ± 5 mmHg vs. 40 ± 7 mmHg). No significant change occurred in LV systolic and diastolic function parameters, or SPAP with dobutamine treatment. Levosimendan did not significantly alter the heart rate (72 ± 4 bpm vs. 70 ± 3 bpm), systolic (105 ± 5 mmHg vs. 102 ± 4 mmHg), or diastolic blood pressure (85 ± 5 mmHg vs. 83 ± 5 mmHg) whereas with dobutamine treatment, all these parameters significantly increased.

Conclusions: Dobutamine and levosimendan have different effects on LV functions in patients treated chronically with carvedilol. These differences should be considered when selecting inotropic therapy for decompensated HF receiving long‐term carvedilol.
Assessment of Arterial Stiffness, A Translational Medicine Biomarker System for Evaluation of Vascular Risk
Authors: Wang Xinkang , Keith Jr James C. , Struthers Allan D. , Feuerstein Giora Z.
Published: August 2008

Aims: Stiffening of the large arteries is a common feature of aging and is exacerbated by a number of disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, and renal disease. Arterial stiffening is recognized as an important and independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. This article will provide a comprehensive review of the recent advance on assessment of arterial stiffness as a translational medicine biomarker for cardiovascular risk.

Discussions: The key topics related to the mechanisms of arterial stiffness, the methodologies commonly used to measure arterial stiffness, and the potential therapeutic strategies are discussed. A number of factors are associated with arterial stiffness and may even contribute to it, including endothelial dysfunction, altered vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) function, vascular inflammation, and genetic determinants, which overlap in a large degree with atherosclerosis. Arterial stiffness is represented by biomarkers that can be measured noninvasively in large populations. The most commonly used methodologies include pulse wave velocity (PWV), relating change in vessel diameter (or area) to distending pressure, arterial pulse waveform analysis, and ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI). The advantages and limitations of these key methodologies for monitoring arterial stiffness are reviewed in this article. In addition, the potential utility of arterial stiffness as a translational medicine surrogate biomarker for evaluation of new potentially vascular protective drugs is evaluated.

Conclusions: Assessment of arterial stiffness is a sensitive and useful biomarker of cardiovascular risk because of its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. PWV is an emerging biomarker useful for reflecting risk stratification of patients and for assessing pharmacodynamic effects and efficacy in clinical studies.
Activation of HtrA2, a Mitochondrial Serine Protease Mediates Apoptosis: Current Knowledge on HtrA2 Mediated Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Bhuiyan Md. Shenuarin , Fukunaga Kohji
Published: August 2008

A plethora of apoptotic stimuli converge on the mitochondria and affect their membrane integrity, thereby eliciting release of multiple death‐promoting factors residing in the mitochondrial intermembrane space into the cytosol. Among the death‐promoting factors, a serine protease, high temperature requirement A2 (HtrA2) has drawn attention as a key player in the apoptosis pathways in different pathological conditions including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Heart ischemia/reperfusion results in HtrA2 translocation from the mitochondria to the cytosol, where it promotes cardiomyocyte apoptosis via a protease activity‐dependent and caspase‐mediated pathway. Once released, cytosolic HtrA2 causes X‐chromosome‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) degradation, caspase activation, and subsequent apoptosis. Consistent with the hypothesis, inhibition of HtrA2 improved postischemic myocardial contractile functions along with reduction of myocardial infarct size. The precise mechanism underlying HtrA2‐induced apoptosis in mammalian cells has been studied through biochemical, structural, and genetic studies, in which HtrA2 promotes proteolytic activation of caspases through multiple pathways in heart ischemia. Therapeutic interventions that inhibit HtrA2 expression, translocation, or protease activity (such as by using the ucf‐101 inhibitor) may provide an attractive therapeutics in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Nebivolol: A Highly Selective β1‐Adrenergic Receptor Blocker That Causes Vasodilation by Increasing Nitric Oxide
Authors: Gupta Sandeep , Wright Harold M.
Published: August 2008

Nebivolol (Bystolic®) is a cardioselective beta 1 (β1)‐adrenergic receptor blocker with endothelium‐dependent vasodilating properties. The endothelium‐dependent relaxation induced by nebivolol is blocked by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and guanylate cyclase. Nebivolol also increasesin vitroandin vivonitric oxide (NO), which is an essential signaling molecule involved in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis.

This review summarizes the data involving nebivolol and NO bioavailability. Endothelium‐dependent relaxation of blood vessels, which is impaired in hypertensive animals and humans, is reversed by nebivolol treatment. Animals exhibiting endothelial dysfunction also show an improvement in NO–cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling and an increase in NO bioavailability when treated with nebivolol. When blood vessel and cultured endothelial cells from hypertensive animals are treated with nebivolol, there is a decrease in superoxide production and an increase in the expression and activity of endothelial NOS (eNOS). As a result of the increased bioavailability of NO, nebivolol also increasesin vivoarterial distensibility, glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow. In normotensive volunteers, nebivolol infusion increases the forearm blood flow, an effect that is blocked by inhibitors of NOS and restored by the NOS substrate, L‐arginine. In hypertensive patients, chronic treatment with nebivolol improves endothelium‐dependent vasodilation induced by acetylcholine and shear stress and reverses endothelium‐dependent vasoconstriction. Furthermore, nebivolol displays distinct hemodynamic properties in patients that include improvements in stroke volume and a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance.

These studies demonstrate that nebivolol produces endothelium‐dependent vasodilation by increasing NO release, decreasing oxidative stress to increase NO bioavailability, or both. The NO‐dependent vasodilatory action of nebivolol, coupled with its high β1‐adrenergic receptor selectivity, is unique among the clinically available β‐blockers and contributes to its efficacy and improved tolerability (e.g., less fatigue and sexual dysfunction) as an antihypertensive agent.
Treatment of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Authors: Auvin Stéphane
Published: August 2008

Drug treatment of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is mainly based on clinical experience and prospective and retrospective studies, with little evidence from randomized clinical trials. There are almost no head‐to‐head comparisons between old and new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Valproate is the drug of the first choice in men with JME. In women, lamotrigine (LTG) should be preferred regarding teratogenicity and side effects of valproate. Levetiracetam (LEV) is also effective. Recent data suggest that it may soon be used as first line treatment. Some AEDs can aggravate JME. In addition to AEDs, nonpharmacological treatments are important in JME. JME usually requires lifelong treatment because seizures nearly always return after withdrawal of therapy.
A Review of the Discovery, Pharmacological Characterization, and Behavioral Effects of the Dopamine D2‐Like Receptor Antagonist Eticlopride
Authors: Martelle Jennifer L. , Nader Michael A.
Published: August 2008

Eticlopride is a substituted benzamide analog with high affinity and selectivity for dopamine (DA) D2‐like receptors that was initially developed as a potential antipsychotic agent. A great deal of research has utilized this drug to better understand central DA receptor function, the role of D2‐like receptors in behavior, and the influence of blockade of these receptors on several preclinical animal models. This review highlights research utilizing this drug and compares it to typical and atypical antipsychotics used clinically. First, we describe structure–activity relationships as it relates to binding at DA receptors and the consequences on behavior. This is followed by a discussion of several imaging strategies including the use of eticlopride forin vivo,in vitro,andex vivoexamination of DA D2‐like receptor densities and function. Finally, we discuss the use of eticlopride in several behavioral models predictive of antipsychotic activity, extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), and learning and memory. While eticlopride is not used clinically, it remains a viable research tool for understanding DA receptor function and behavior.
Olanzapine Orally Disintegrating Tablet: A Review of Efficacy and Compliance
Authors: San Luis , Casillas Marta , Ciudad Antonio , Gilaberte Inmaculada
Published: August 2008

Medication nonadherence, especially in psychiatric disorders, has been associated with treatment failure and other negative outcomes. Orally disintegrating formulations have been developed as an alternative to improve medication adherence. This report reviews the properties, efficacy, and safety profile of olanzapine as an orally disintegrating tablet, and explores their association with medication compliance compared with standard oral formulation. Medical literature, published on orally disintegrating formulation of olanzapine identified using Pubmed and EMBASE, was used. Additional references were identified from the reference lists of published articles. Bibliographical information, including contributory unpublished data, was also requested from the company developing the drug. Studies evaluating the biostability, biodisposability, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of orally disintegrating olanzapine as treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders were reviewed. Measurement tools included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Clinical Global Impressions‐Severity (CGI‐S), Simpson‐Angus Scale (SAS), Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, and Nursing Assessment of Medication Acceptance (NAMA). Orally disintegrating olanzapine, an effective atypical antipsychotic with an acceptable safety profile, can facilitate the burden of treatment on patients and caregivers due to its ease of administration. This is especially important in diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which can be chronic and require long‐term treatment.
A Numerical Study of a Heat Sink Fin Under a Laminar Impinging Jet
Authors: Lou Z. Q. , Yap C. , Mujumdar A. S.
Published: August 2008

Impinging jet heat transfer is a promising method to cool electronic components. In this paper, a numerical study has been carried out to examine the conjugate heat transfer under a confined impinging jet using a plate-fin heat sink as the target plate. Effects of geometric parameters such as fin number, fin height, and fin-to-spacing ratio are examined over a range of jet Reynolds numbers using dielectric fluid FC-72 as the fluid medium. Thermal resistance, pressure drop, and Nusselt number are the main criteria used to evaluate the thermal and fluid dynamic performance of this flow system. Furthermore, the effects of fin height, fin-to-spacing ratio, and jet Reynolds number on impinging jet heat transfer are obtained. The concept of an effective Nusselt number is introduced for computing the heat transfer effectiveness of heat sinks with different fin numbers.
Hierarchal Modeling of Creep Behavior of SnAg Solder Alloys
Authors: Pei Min , Qu Jianmin
Published: August 2008

In this paper, a microstructure-dependent creep model is developed that accounts for the hierarchal microstructure at multiple length scales. The model considers three distinguishable phases in the solder alloy at two different length scales: at the larger scale Sn dendrites of micrometer size are embedded in a homogeneous eutectic region; at a much smaller length scale the eutectic region consists of submicron size Ag3Sn particles embedded in a homogeneous Sn matrix. The model predictions agree well with creep test data of lanthanum doped SnAg solders.
THE ANATOMY OF THE YEAST MITOCHONDRION REVEALED BY ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF VITALLY-STAINED SQUASH PREPARATIONS
Authors: Lindegren Carl C. , Searcy Jr. Rupert T.
Published: August 2008

Squashes of yeast cells in distilled water yielded intact mitochondria which were identified by staining with Janus green. Electron micrographs of squashed yeast cells grown in an iodine-containing medium showed that iodine increased the visibility of the internal structure of mitochondria. The interior of a mitochondrion comprises rows of villi emanating from a central core. The outer and cristal membranes enclose the internal structure.
AVENACHLOROPLASTS: SPECIES RELATIONSHIPS AND THE OCCURRENCE OF STROMACENTRES
Authors: Steer M. W. , Holden J. H. W. , Gunning B. E. S.
Published: August 2008

An electron microscope survey of 30 species or forms in the genus Avena showed that an aggregate of fibrils, the stromacentre, is a characteristic feature of the chloroplasts of hexaploids, tetraploids and diploids that contain the A. strigosa genome. It does not occur in the diploids of the A. ventricosa group. The possible role of A. magna in the evolution of the hexaploid oats is discussed in relation to this character, which despite being part of the plastid phenotype, must be under the influence of the nucleus.
A SEX-SPECIFIC GROWTH RESPONSE IN THE YEAST KLUYVEROMYCES LACTIS
Authors: Herman A. I.
Published: August 2008

In Kluyveromyces (Saccharomyces) lactis, stocks of complementary mating type each produce a diffusible agent that specifically affects the cells of the opposite sex. The active agents influence bud orientation and growth in such a way that the cells of opposite mating type bud toward each other. The response occurs when the cells are grown on malt extract (ME) medium only; the reaction is not observed during growth on a yeast malt (YM) medium.
THE ACTION OF A MODIFIER GENE ON THEPUFFMORPHOLOGICAL MUTANT OFSCHIZOPHYLLUM COMMUNE
Authors: Miles Philip G.
Published: August 2008

The puff mutant of Schizophyllum commune is characterized by bead-like puffs of hyphae formed by extensive dichotomous branching of lateral branches from main hyphae. Puff segregates as a single gene mutant when mated with wild-type although the expression of the puff phenotype is variable. A modifier gene of puff, p-mod-1, is described. Strains bearing the gene for puff (p) and the p-mod-1 gene are of wild-type appearance macroscopically, but can generally be distinguished microscopically by the dichotomous branching of the hyphal tips. The p-mod-1 gene segregates independently of p. The puff mutant is elasticotropic (i.e. grows along lines of stress), but the presence of the p-mod-1 gene removes this effect. The p-mod-1 gene arose spontaneously in a wild-type strain, but modifiers of mutant morphology have also been obtained by mutagenic treatment. Such modifiers have great utility in morphogenetic studies of hyphal development.