bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silencing CD36 gene expression results in the inhibition of latent-TGF-β1 activation and suppression of silica-induced lung fibrosis in the rat
Authors: Wang Xin , Chen Ying , Lv Lina , Chen Jie
Published: May 2009

Background

The biologically active form of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a key role in the development of lung fibrosis. CD36 is involved in the transformation of latent TGF-β1 (L-TGF-β1) to active TGF-β1. To clarify the role of CD36 in the development of silica-induced lung fibrosis, a rat silicosis model was used to observe both the inhibition of L-TGF-β1 activation and the antifibrotic effect obtained by lentiviral vector silencing of CD36 expression.

Methods

The rat silicosis model was induced by intratracheal injection of 10 mg silica per rat and CD36 expression was silenced by administration of a lentiviral vector (Lv-shCD36). The inhibition of L-TGF-β1 activation was examined using a CCL-64 mink lung epithelial growth inhibition assay, while determination of hydroxyproline content along with pathological and immunohistochemical examinations were used for observation of the inhibition of silica-induced lung fibrosis.

Results

The lentiviral vector (Lv-shCD36) silenced expression of CD36 in alveolar macrophages (AMs) obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the activation of L-TGF-β1 in the BALF was inhibited by Lv-shCD36. The hydroxyproline content of silica+Lv-shCD36 treated groups was significantly lower than in other experimental groups. The degree of fibrosis in the silica+Lv-shCD36-treated groups was less than observed in other experimental groups. The expression of collagen I and III in the silica+Lv-shCD36-treated group was significantly lower than in the other experimental groups.

Conclusion

These results indicate that silencing expression of CD36 can result in the inhibition of L-TGF-β1 activation in a rat silicosis model, thus further preventing the development of silica-induced lung fibrosis.
Impact of duplicate gene copies on phylogenetic analysis and divergence time estimates in butterflies
Authors: Pohl Nélida , Sison-Mangus Marilou P , Yee Emily N , Liswi Saif W , Briscoe Adriana D
Published: May 2009

Background

The increase in availability of genomic sequences for a wide range of organisms has revealed gene duplication to be a relatively common event. Encounters with duplicate gene copies have consequently become almost inevitable in the context of collecting gene sequences for inferring species trees. Here we examine the effect of incorporating duplicate gene copies evolving at different rates on tree reconstruction and time estimation of recent and deep divergences in butterflies.

Results

Sequences from ultraviolet-sensitive (UVRh), blue-sensitive (BRh), and long-wavelength sensitive (LWRh) opsins,EF-1αandCOIwere obtained from 27 taxa representing the five major butterfly families (5535 bp total). BothBRhandLWRhare present in multiple copies in some butterfly lineages and the different copies evolve at different rates. Regardless of the phylogenetic reconstruction method used, we found that analyses of combined data sets using either slower or faster evolving copies of duplicate genes resulted in a single topology in agreement with our current understanding of butterfly family relationships based on morphology and molecules. Interestingly, individual analyses ofBRhandLWRhsequences also recovered these family-level relationships. Two different relaxed clock methods resulted in similar divergence time estimates at the shallower nodes in the tree, regardless of whether faster or slower evolving copies were used, with larger discrepancies observed at deeper nodes in the phylogeny. The time of divergence between the monarch butterflyDanaus plexippusand the queenD. gilippus(15.3–35.6 Mya) was found to be much older than the time of divergence between monarch co-mimicLimenitis archippusand red-spotted purpleL. arthemis(4.7–13.6 Mya), and overlapping with the time of divergence of the co-mimetic passionflower butterfliesHeliconius eratoandH. melpomene(13.5–26.1 Mya). Our family-level results are congruent with recent estimates found in the literature and indicate an age of 84–113 million years for the divergence of all butterfly families.

Conclusion

These results are consistent with diversification of the butterfly families following the radiation of angiosperms and suggest that some classes of opsin genes may be usefully employed for both phylogenetic reconstruction and divergence time estimation.
Chibby forms a homodimer through a heptad repeat of leucine residues in its C-terminal coiled-coil motif
Authors: Mofunanya Adaobi , Li Feng-Qian , Hsieh Jen-Chih , Takemaru Ken-Ichi
Published: May 2009

Background

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays crucial roles in embryonic development and in maintenance of organs and tissues in adults. Chibby (Cby) is an evolutionarily conserved molecule that physically interacts with the key downstream coactivator β-catenin and represses its transcriptional activation potential. Although Cby harbors a predicted coiled-coil motif in the C-terminal region, its molecular nature and functional importance remain largely unexplored.

Results

Here we report that Cby forms a stable complex with itself. Alanine substitutions of two or more of four critical leucine residues within the C-terminal heptad repeats completely eliminate the Cby-Cby interaction. The Cby oligomer predominantly exists as a homodimer. Furthermore, we found that dimerization-deficient Cby mutants still retain the ability to bind to β-catenin and to repress β-catenin-dependent gene activation. More importantly, Cby homodimerization is required for its efficient interaction with the nuclear import receptor importin-α and subsequent nuclear translocation.

Conclusion

Our comprehensive mutational analysis of the Cby coiled-coil domain reveals that the four heptad leucine residues play an essential role in mediating Cby homodimerization. Although monomeric Cby is sufficient to bind to β-catenin and block β-catenin-mediated transcriptional activation, homodimer formation of Cby is indispensable for its efficient nuclear import.
Additive effect of LRP8/APOER2 R952Q variant to APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 genotype in modulating apolipoprotein E concentration and the risk of myocardial infarction: a case-control study
Authors: Martinelli Nicola , Olivieri Oliviero , Shen Gong-Qing , Trabetti Elisabetta , Pizzolo Francesca , Busti Fabiana , Friso Simonetta , Bassi Antonella , Li Lin , Hu Ying , Pignatti Pier Franco , Corrocher Roberto , Wang Qing Kenneth , Girelli Domenico
Published: May 2009

Background

The R952Q variant in the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8)/apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) gene has been recently associated with familial and premature myocardial infarction (MI) by means of genome-wide linkage scan/association studies. We were interested in the possible interaction of the R952Q variant with another established cardiovascular genetic risk factor belonging to the same pathway, namely apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε2/ε3/ε4 genotype, in modulating apolipoprotein E (ApoE) plasma levels and risk of MI.

Methods

In the Italian cohort used to confirm the association of the R952Q variant with MI, we assessed lipid profile, apolipoprotein concentrations, and APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 genotype. Complete data were available for a total of 681 subjects in a case-control setting (287 controls and 394 patients with MI).

Results

Plasma ApoE levels decreased progressively across R952Q genotypes (mean levels ± SD = RR: 0.045 ± 0.020, RQ: 0.044 ± 0.014, QQ: 0.040 ± 0.008 g/l; P for trend = 0.047). Combination with APOE genotypes revealed an additive effect on ApoE levels, with the highest level observed in RR/non-carriers of the E4 allele (0.046 ± 0.021 g/l), and the lowest level in QQ/E4 carriers (0.035 ± 0.009 g/l; P for trend = 0.010). QQ/E4 was also the combined genotype with the most significant association with MI (OR 3.88 with 95%CI 1.08–13.9 as compared with RR/non-carriers E4).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that LRP8 R952Q variant may have an additive effect to APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 genotype in determining ApoE concentrations and risk of MI in an Italian population.
Prediction of mono- and di-nucleotide-specific DNA-binding sites in proteins using neural networks
Authors: Andrabi Munazah , Mizuguchi Kenji , Sarai Akinori , Ahmad Shandar
Published: May 2009

Background

DNA recognition by proteins is one of the most important processes in living systems. Therefore, understanding the recognition process in general, and identifying mutual recognition sites in proteins and DNA in particular, carries great significance. The sequence and structural dependence of DNA-binding sites in proteins has led to the development of successful machine learning methods for their prediction. However, all existing machine learning methods predict DNA-binding sites, irrespective of their target sequence and hence, none of them is helpful in identifying specific protein-DNA contacts. In this work, we formulate the problem of predicting specific DNA-binding sites in terms of contacts between the residue environments of proteins and the identity of a mononucleotide or a dinucleotide step in DNA. The aim of this work is to take a protein sequence or structural features as inputs and predict for each amino acid residue if it binds to DNA at locations identified by one of the four possible mononucleotides or one of the 10 unique dinucleotide steps. Contact predictions are made at various levels of resolution viz. in terms of side chain, backbone and major or minor groove atoms of DNA.

Results

Significant differences in residue preferences for specific contacts are observed, which combined with other features, lead to promising levels of prediction. In general, PSSM-based predictions, supported by secondary structure and solvent accessibility, achieve a good predictability of ~70–80%, measured by the area under the curve (AUC) of ROC graphs. The major and minor groove contact predictions stood out in terms of their poor predictability from sequences or PSSM, which was very strongly (>20 percentage points) compensated by the addition of secondary structure and solvent accessibility information, revealing a predominant role of local protein structure in the major/minor groove DNA-recognition. Following a detailed analysis of results, a web server to predict mononucleotide and dinucleotide-step contacts using PSSM was developed and made available at http://sdcpred.netasa.org/ or http://tardis.nibio.go.jp/netasa/sdcpred/.

Conclusion

Most residue-nucleotide contacts can be predicted with high accuracy using only sequence and evolutionary information. Major and minor groove contacts, however, depend profoundly on the local structure. Overall, this study takes us a step closer to the ultimate goal of predicting mutual recognition sites in protein and DNA sequences.
The study on the outsourcing of Taiwan's hospitals: a questionnaire survey research
Authors: Hsiao Chih-Tung , Pai Jar-Yuan , Chiu Hero
Published: May 2009

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the outsourcing situation in Taiwanese hospitals and compares the differences in hospital ownership and in accreditation levels.

Methods

This research combined two kinds of methods: a questionnaire survey and the in-depth interview to two CEOs of the sample hospitals. One hospital is not-for-profit, while the other is a public hospital and the research samples are from the hospital data from Taiwan's 2005 to 2007 Department of Health qualifying lists of hospital accreditation. The returned questionnaires were analyzed with STATISTICA® 7.1 version software.

Results

The results for non-medical items showed medical waste and common trash both have the highest rate (94.6 percent) of being outsourced. The gift store (75 percent) and linen (73 percent) follow close behind, while the lowest rate of outsourcing is in utility maintenance (13.5 percent). For medical items, the highest rate of outsourcing is in the ambulance units (51.4 percent), while the hemodialysis center follows close behind with a rate of 50 percent. For departments of nutrition, pharmacy, and nursing however, the outsourcing rate is lower than 3 percent. This shows that Taiwan's hospitals are still conservative in their willingness to outsource for medical items. The results of the satisfaction paired t-test show that the non-medical items have a higher score than the medical items. The factor analysis showed the three significant factors in of non medical items' outsourcing are "performance", "finance", and "human resource". For medical items, the two factors are "operation" and satisfaction". To further exam the factor validity and reliability of the satisfaction model, a confirmative factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using structure equation modeling (SEM) method and found the model fitting well.

Conclusion

Hospitals, especially for public hospitals, can get benefits from outsourcing to revive the full-time-equivalent and human resource limitation.
Pharmacological Blockade of TRPA1 Inhibits Mechanical Firing in Nociceptors
Authors: Kerstein Patrick C , del Camino Donato , Moran Magdalene M , Stucky Cheryl L
Published: May 2009

Background

TRPA1 has been implicated in both chemo- and mechanosensation. Recent work demonstrates that inhibiting TRPA1 function reduces mechanical hypersensitivity produced by inflammation. Furthermore, a broad range of chemical irritants require functional TRPA1 to exert their effects. In this study we use the ex-vivo skin-nerve preparation to directly determine the contribution of TRPA1 to mechanical- and chemical-evoked responses at the level of the primary afferent terminal.

Results

Acute application of HC-030031, a selective TRPA1 antagonist, inhibited all formalin responses in rat C fibers but had no effect on TRPV1 function, assessed by capsaicin responsiveness. Genetic ablation experiments corroborated the pharmacological findings as C fibers from wild type mice responded to both formalin and capsaicin, but fibers from their TRPA1-deficient littermates responded only to capsaicin. HC-030031 markedly reduced the mechanically-evoked action potential firing in rat and wild type mouse C fibers, particularly at high-intensity forces, but had no effect on the mechanical responsiveness of Aδ fiber nociceptors. Furthermore, HC-030031 had no effect on mechanically-evoked firing in C fibers from TRPA1-deficient mice, indicating that HC-030031 inhibits mechanically-evoked firing via a TRPA1-dependent mechanism.

Conclusion

Our data show that acute pharmacological blockade of TRPA1 at the cutaneous receptive field inhibits formalin-evoked activation and markedly reduces mechanically-evoked action potential firing in C fibers. Thus, functional TRPA1 at sensory afferent terminals in skin is required for their responsiveness to both noxious chemical and mechanical stimuli.
The expression profile of microRNAs in a model of 7,12-dimethyl-benz[a]anthrance-induced oral carcinogenesis in Syrian hamster
Authors: Yu Tao , Wang Xiao-yi , Gong Ren-guo , Li An , Yang Sen , Cao Yu-tang , Wen Yu-ming , Wang Chang-mei , Yi Xin-zhu
Published: May 2009

Background

Non-coding RNA molecules, such as microRNAs, may play an important role in carcinogenesis. Recent studies have indicated that microRNAs are involved in initiation and progression of various malignancies. However, little work has been done to compare the microRNA expression patterns in oral cancer. In this study, we constructed an animal model of oral squamous cell carcinoma to investigate expression profiles of microRNAs in oral carcinogenesis.

Methods

The animal model of oral squamous cell carcinoma was conducted by tri-weekly (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) painting with 5% DMBA in acetone. Six Syrian hamsters, including three from the treated group and three from the control group, were used as a training group for microRNA microarray analysis. All microarray data were analyzed by Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) and CLUSTER 3.0 software, and this result was further confirmed by qRT-PCR assay.

Results

Seventeen microRNAs were differentially expressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Five microRNAs (hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-200b, hsa-miR-221, hsa-miR-338, and mmu-miR-762) were significantly upregulated and twelve microRNAs (hsa-miR-16, hsa-miR-26a, hsa-miR-29a, hsa-miR-124a, hsa-miR-125b, mmu-miR-126-5p, hsa-miR-143, hsa-miR-145, hsa-miR-148b, hsa-miR-155, hsa-miR-199a, and hsa-miR-203) were down-regulated in cancer tissues. The expression levels of hsa-miR-21 and hsa-miR-16 seen with Stem-loop qRT-PCR were also seen in microarray analysis in all samples.

Conclusion

Our findings identified specific microRNA expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and suggested that microRNAs have a role in oral carcinogenesis.
Impact of Resistance to Thyroid Hormone on the Cardiovascular System in Adults
Authors: Pulcrano Melania , Palmieri Emiliano Antonio , Ciulla Deborah Mannavola Michele , Campi Irene , Covelli Danila , Lombardi Gaetano , Biondi Bernadette , Beck-Peccoz Paolo
Published: May 2009

Background: The clinical manifestations of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) are highly variable, and the impact of RTH on the cardiovascular system has been poorly investigated.

Aim: The objective of the study was to evaluate the cardiovascular characteristics of 16 untreated and asymptomatic patients with RTH compared with 16 euthyroid healthy controls to define the cardiovascular involvement in RTH syndrome.

Patients and Methods: Sixteen untreated and asymptomatic RTH patients (eight males; aged 33 ± 12 yr, range 21–45 yr) and 16 controls (nine males; aged 33 ± 5 yr, range 24–42 yr) were enrolled. Clinical data, thyroid status, and echocardiographic results were recorded.

Results: Heart rate was comparable with that of controls, whereas arterial pressure was higher than controls. Mean interventricular septum diastolic thickness and mean left ventricular (LV) posterior wall diastolic thickness were significantly lower in RTH patients than controls with a consequent significant decrease of the mean LV mass and LV mass indexed by body surface area. Patients also had abnormalities of myocardial relaxation as indicated by a significant increase of peak A and consequent reduction of the early to late ratio. Finally, systemic vascular resistance was significantly higher in RTH patients than controls.

Conclusions: Our results suggest the presence of cardiovascular alterations in asymptomatic and untreated RTH patients similar to those reported in hypothyroid patients. Our strict selection likely created a bias in the inclusion of a particular type of RTH patients, who could represent a minority of patients with RTH. However, no correlation was found between the type of mutation and cardiovascular characteristics of RTH patients.
Cajal-body formation correlates with differential coilin phosphorylation in primary and transformed cell lines
Authors: Hearst Scoty M. , Gilder Andrew S. , Negi Sandeep S. , Davis Misty D. , George Eric M. , Whittom Angela A. , Toyota Cory G. , Husedzinovic Alma , Gruss Oliver J. , Hebert Michael D.
Published: May 2009

Cajal bodies (CBs) are nuclear structures that are thought to have diverse functions, including small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) biogenesis. The phosphorylation status of coilin, the CB marker protein, might impact CB formation. We hypothesize that primary cells, which lack CBs, contain different phosphoisoforms of coilin compared with that found in transformed cells, which have CBs. Localization, self-association and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) studies on coilin phosphomutants all suggest this modification impacts the function of coilin and may thus contribute towards CB formation. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrates that coilin is hyperphosphorylated in primary cells compared with transformed cells. mRNA levels of the nuclear phosphatase PPM1G are significantly reduced in primary cells and expression of PPM1G in primary cells induces CBs. Additionally, PPM1G can dephosphorylate coilin in vitro. Surprisingly, however, expression of green fluorescent protein alone is sufficient to form CBs in primary cells. Taken together, our data support a model whereby coilin is the target of an uncharacterized signal transduction cascade that responds to the increased transcription and snRNP demands found in transformed cells.
Electrophilic Substitution of Thiophenes with Arylpalladium(II) and Platinum(II) Complexes: Mechanistic Studies on Palladium-Catalyzed CH Arylation of Thiophenes
Authors: Sugie Atsushi , Furukawa Hirotoshi , Suzaki Yuji , Osakada Kohtaro , Akita Munetaka , Monguchi Daiki , Mori Atsunori
Published: May 2009

Mechanistic studies on palladium-catalyzed CH arylation of thiophenes which has been shown by our group are carried out by a stoichiometric reaction of organometallic complexes. The reaction of arylpalladium(II) halide with 2,3-dibromothiophene in the presence of AgNO3/KF as an activator induces electrophilic substitution at the CH bond of the thiophene to give CH arylated product. The similar reaction of arylplatinum(II) halide with thiophene derivatives affords the aryl(thienyl)platinum(II) complex which is an analog of a precursor of the product of the CH arylation reaction. These results suggest that the palladium-catalyzed CH arylation reaction of thiophenes proceeds through electrophilic substitution.
Variation of the Uncoupled OD Stretching Frequency with Electrolyte Concentration in Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions
Authors: Yonehama Kazue , Yoshimura Yukihiro , Takekiyo Takahiro , Kanno Hitoshi
Published: May 2009

Uncoupled OD stretching Raman spectra were measured for many aqueous electrolyte solutions as a function of electrolyte concentration. There are three types of variations of frequencies of uncoupled OD stretching Raman spectra with electrolyte concentration. The first type shows monotonous increase in frequency with increasing salt concentration, the second shows curved variation with a maximum higher than the frequency of pure liquid water, and the third exhibits a constant decrease in frequency with salt concentration. It is confirmed that the cationic effect on the OH (or OD) stretching frequency is very small so far as the charge of the cations is the same. Structure-making anions strengthen the average strength of hydrogen bonds and structure-breaking ones weaken the hydrogen bonds as compared with those in pure liquid water.
Computational Study of Excited-State Intramolecular-Proton-Transfer of o-Hydroxybenzaldehyde and Its Derivatives
Authors: Nagaoka Shin-ichi , Teramae Hiroyuki , Nagashima Umpei
Published: May 2009

The excited-state intramolecular-proton-transfer of o-hydroxybenzaldehyde and its derivatives (o-formyl-substituted phenols) was studied by means of an ab initio molecular-orbital method. The computational results are consistent with the experimental fluorescence quantum yield and support the nodal-plane model. The energy difference between the ground state and the lowest excited 1(π,π*) state decreases as the electron-withdrawing property of a substituent bonded to the carbonyl carbon of o-hydroxybenzaldehyde becomes stronger. However, the substituent effect does not largely distort the potential energy surface of o-formyl-substituted phenols.
In Situ Self-Assembly of 1D Copper(II) Coordination Polymer Containing EO Azide and Phenolate Bridges: Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Liu Zhiliang , Han Weihua , Liu Caiming , Di Xiaowei , Zhang Jun , Zhang Deqing
Published: May 2009

A novel one-dimensional copper(II) coordination polymer with formula [CuII(L1)(N3)]n (1), has been prepared via in situ self-assembly. Compound 1 consists of 1D uniform chains in which the copper(II) ions are bridged by end-on azide and an oxygen of salicylideneamine (L1). Magnetic susceptibility measurement reveals the existence of relatively strong ferromagnetic interactions in the 1D chain.
Generation of Diarylcarbenium Ion Pools via Electrochemical C–H Bond Dissociation
Authors: Okajima Masayuki , Soga Kazuya , Watanabe Takashi , Terao Kimitada , Nokami Toshiki , Suga Seiji , Yoshida Jun-ichi
Published: May 2009

The “cation pools” of diarylcarbenium ions have been generated by the low-temperature electrochemical oxidation of diphenylmethane derivatives. In addition to diphenylmethanes having various substituents, 9,10-dihydroanthracene, dibenzosuberane, and xanthenes, which are annulated derivatives of diphenylmethane were also found to serve as a precursor of cation pools. The generation of the diarylcarbenium ion was confirmed by low-temperature NMR analysis and cold-spray mass analysis. Reactivity was also investigated by reactions with various carbon nucleophiles such as allyltrimethylsilane, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, and anisole.
Rapid Crystallization of Mesoporous Silica with Highly Stable 2D-Hexagonal Structure
Authors: Inagaki Satoshi , Aratani Yasuhiro , Nakata Satoshi , Yashiro Yuichi , Sekine Yasushi , Kikuchi Eiichi , Matsukata Masahiko
Published: May 2009

We investigated the synthetic parameters of MCM-41, prepared through the evaporation-to-dryness treatment of alkali-free surfactant–silicate mixture, and their thermal stability and water resistance. The product obtained by this method gave a well-ordered 2D-hexagonal structure after the removal of surfactant molecules by either solvent-extraction or calcination. It is noteworthy that the d100 value of MCM-41 remained almost the same after calcination, indicating that the pore walls of the as-made product were dense and rigid. This MCM-41 shows a high degree of thermal stability and water resistance due to the highly dense silicate framework in the mesopore walls.
Bimetallic Effect of Silica-Supported Pt–Ru Catalyst for Hydrogenation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Arakawa Tsuyoshi , Seki Haruka , Ohshima Masa-aki , Kurokawa Hideki , Miura Hiroshi
Published: May 2009

A drastic synergistic effect has been found for the liquid-phase hydrogenation of aromatic hydrocarbons by the combination of Pt and Ru. The surface composition of Pt–Ru/SiO2 was estimated using O2–CO titration, and it was found that Pt was enriched on the surface of the bimetallic particles. The surface composition of the most active catalyst was nearly 50% Pt, suggesting that the Pt–Ru ensemble of a 1-to-1 ratio was active for the hydrogenation reaction.
Early Hydrocarbon Generation of Algae and Influences of Inorganic Environments during Low Temperature Simulation
Authors: Qin Shenjun , Sun Yuzhuang , Tang Yuegang
Published: May 2009

Algae were simulated for 5 years at low temperature (80°C) in order to study their early hydrocarbon generation processes. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results show that the range of carbon numbers and relative concentrations of alkanes are different under different simulated conditions. Hypersaline condition favors the formation and maturity of saturates. Iron ion probably delays the evolutionary pathways from phytol to phytene to phyane, while may catalyse the release of high concentrations of squalene and bicyclic terpanes. Meanwhile, common aromatic compounds have been formed during this low temperature simulation, and high abundant methyldibenzothiophenes were found in the hypersaline sample. The formation pathways of methylnaphthalenes in the early evolution of algae were proposed tentatively. By mathematical cluster and factor analyses on some classical thermal maturity parameters, the converted relations between phenanthrene and methylphenanthrenes and their inorganic environmental effects were discussed.
Mineralogy of the No. 6 Coal from the Qinglong Coalfield, Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Li Dahua , Tang Yuegang , Deng Tao , Chen Kun , Liu Dong , Cheng Fangping
Published: May 2009

The mineralogy and its geological origin of the Late Permian No. 6 coal seam from the Qinglong Coalfield, western Guizhou Province, were determined by the methods of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX). A particular material consists of volcanic ash, detrital materials of terrigenous origin, and organic matter in this coal seam was determined. The results confirmed that the volcanic-derived material exactly exists in coal. Four structure types of the volcanic-derived materials were classified according to their shapes and occurrence modes. It is the first time that the authors found a relative high content of bornite in coal, which was attributed to the basic volcanic ash.
Let's Shop Online Together: An Empirical Investigation of Collaborative Online Shopping Support
Authors: Zhu Lei , Benbasat Izak , Jiang Zhenhui
Published: May 2009

Prior studies investigating business-to-consumer e-commerce have focused predominantly on online shopping by individuals on their own, although consumers often desire to conduct their shopping activities with others. This study explores the important, but seldom studied, topic of collaborative online shopping. It investigates two design components that are pertinent to collaborative online shopping support tools, namely, navigation support and communication support. Results from a laboratory experiment indicate that compared to separate navigation, shared navigation effectively reduces uncoupling (i.e., the loss of coordination with one's shopping partner) incidents per product discussed and leads to fewer communication exchanges dedicated to resolving each uncoupling incident, thereby enhancing coordination performance. Compared to text chat, voice chat does not help reduce the occurrence of uncoupling, but likely increases the efficiency in resolving uncoupling. The results further show that shared navigation and voice chat can significantly enhance the collaborative shoppers' perceptions of social presence derived from their online shopping experiences. The interaction effect on social presence implies that the benefit of shared navigation is higher in the presence of text chat than in the presence of voice chat.
Design and Analysis of Contracts for Software Outsourcing
Authors: Dey Debabrata , Fan Ming , Zhang Conglei
Published: May 2009

Outsourcing of software development allows a business to focus on its core competency and take advantage of vendors' technical expertise, economies of scale and scope, and their ability to smooth labor demand fluctuations across several clients. However, contracting a software project to an outside developer is often quite challenging because of information asymmetry and incentive divergence. A typical software development contract must deal with a variety of interrelated issues such as the quality of the developed system, the timeliness of delivery, the effort and cost associated with the project, the contract payment, and the postdelivery software support. This paper presents a contract-theoretic model that incorporates these factors to analyze how software outsourcing contracts can be designed. We find that despite their relative inefficiency, fixed-price contracts are often appropriate for simple software projects that require short development time. Time-and-materials contracts work well for more complex projects when the auditing process is efficient and effective. We also examine a type of performance-based contract called quality-level agreement and find that the first-best solution can be reached with such a contract. Finally, we consider profit-sharing contracts that are useful in situations where the developer has more bargaining power.
Risk Perception for Developing Diabetes Among Pharmacists
Authors: Pinelli Nicole R , Berlie Helen D , Slaughter Richard L , Jaber And Linda A
Published: May 2009

Background

Emerging evidence implies that differences in risk perception between healthcare professionals and the lay public exist.

Objective

To compare the actual risk status versus the personal risk perceptions for developing diabetes among pharmacists.

Methods

Perceived risk was measured in this cross-sectional study with the validated Risk Perception Survey for Developing Diabetes (RPS-DD). The RPS-DD has 4 main subscales aimed at capturing multiple dimensions of perceived risk and is scored on the following scale: 1 (almost no risk), 2 (slight risk), 3 (moderate risk), and 4 (high risk). Actual risk was assigned according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Diabetes Risk Test. Differences between higher and lower ADA risk participants were analyzed. Regression analyses were conducted to examine risk factors associated with pharmacists' self-reported perception for developing diabetes.

Results

Pharmacists (N = 218, 46.2 ± 12.2 years [mean ± SD], 47.7% male, 85.9% white) completed the survey. The Comparative Disease and Environmental Risk mean subscale scores were 1.98 ± 0.43 and 1.86 ± 0.41, indicating slight risk perceptions for the subscales, respectively. The single-item self-reported perceived risk for developing diabetes was 2.25 ± 0.90, indicating a slight to moderate perceived risk for this disease. The Optimistic Bias score was 2.60 ± 0.64, suggesting a trend toward more optimistic bias and a lower perceived risk for the development of diabetes. The Personal Control score was 3.38 ± 0.47, illustrating that pharmacists endorsed personal control over the development of diabetes. Higher ADA risk participants reported less optimistic bias compared with lower risk respondents (p = 0.005). Comparative disease risk perception (correlation [r] = 0.38; p < 0.0001) and degree of optimistic bias (r = −0.49; p < 0.0001) emerged as the only predictors for diabetes related risk perception

Conclusions

Pharmacists exhibited a slight to moderate risk perception for developing diabetes, reported a trend toward more optimistic bias, and demonstrated personal control over developing diabetes. Significant comparisons between higher and lower risk respondents were observed only with the optimistic bias subscale.
Leadership in Pharmacy Practice: Why Me?
Authors: Smith Robert E
Published: May 2009

Many pharmacists may be concerned that they do not have the necessary leadership skills or aptitude to take a lead role in fostering change. Recent writings by noted historians have suggested that leadership often operates on the edge of catastrophe and that great leaders frequently move forward not knowing exactly what to do. Leadership asks individuals to become committed, to take risks, to work diligently, to maneuver through unforeseen happenstance, to accept providence, and to realize that, often times, even a little luck comes to the rescue.
Stage-specific Localization and Expression of c-kit in the Adult Human Testis
Authors: Unni Sreepoorna K. , Modi Deepak N. , Pathak Shilpa G. , Dhabalia Jayesh V. , Bhartiya Deepa
Published: May 2009

The c-kit receptor (KIT) and its ligand, stem cell factor (SCF), represent one of the key regulators of testicular formation, development, and function and have been extensively studied in various animal models. The present study was undertaken to characterize the pattern of localization and expression of c-kit in normal adult human testis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that KIT is expressed in the cytoplasm of spermatogonia, acrosomal granules of spermatids, and Leydig cells. Interestingly, a rather heterogenous pattern of expression of the protein along the basement membrane was observed. Intense protein localization in spermatogonia was detected in stages I–III, whereas low expression was observed in stages IV–VI of the seminiferous epithelium, indicating that the expression of the molecule was stage specific. In situ hybridization studies revealed that the transcripts of the gene were also localized in a similar non-uniform pattern. To the best of our knowledge, such a stage-specific expression of KIT has not been reported previously in the human testis. The results of the present study may expand current knowledge about the c-kit/SCF system in human spermatogenesis.
Marketing and Firm Value: Metrics, Methods, Findings, and Future Directions
Authors: Srinivasan Shuba , Hanssens Dominique M.
Published: May 2009

The marketing profession is being challenged to assess and communicate the value created by its actions on shareholder value. These demands create a need to translate marketing resource allocations and their performance consequences into financial and firm value effects. The objective of this article is to integrate the existing knowledge on the impact of marketing on firm value. The authors first frame the important research questions on marketing and firm value and review the important investor response metrics and relevant analytical models as they relate to marketing. Next, they summarize the empirical findings to date on how marketing creates shareholder value, including the impact of brand equity, customer equity, customer satisfaction, research and development and product quality, and specific marketing-mix actions. Then, the authors review emerging findings on biases in investor response to marketing actions. They conclude by formulating an agenda for future research challenges in this emerging area.
Deciding without Resources: Resource Depletion and Choice in Context
Authors: Pocheptsova Anastasiya , Amir On , Dhar Ravi , Baumeister Roy F.
Published: May 2009

Although choices can occur after careful deliberation, many everyday choices are usually effortless and are guided by intuitive thinking. This research examines the implications of the interplay between these two types of decision processes for context effects in choice by exploring the consequences of the depletion of executive resources in a prior, unrelated task. Building on a substantial body of psychological literature that points to a single underlying resource used for self-regulation and executive control, this article demonstrates that resource depletion has a systematic influence on choice in context. Specifically, resource depletion enhances the role of intuitive reasoning by impairing deliberate, careful processing. In five experiments, the authors find that resource depletion increases the share of reference-dependent choices, decreases the compromise effect, and magnifies the attraction effect. The results shed light on the mechanisms underlying context effects in choice and suggest that the scope of the depleted resource is not constrained to self-regulation activities but rather extends to choice in general.
Designing Sales Contests: Does the Prize Structure Matter?
Authors: Lim Noah , Ahearne Michael J. , Ham Sung H.
Published: May 2009

Sales contests are short-term incentives that managers use to raise sales effort. The extant marketing theory predicts that the optimal prize structure should have two characteristics: (1) The number of prizewinners should be greater than one, and (2) prize values should be unique and rank ordered. However, this theory has not been empirically examined. This article presents two empirical studies that examine whether the prize structure of a sales contest affects sales performance. In each study, the authors investigate the incremental effects of introducing multiple prizewinners and unique rank-ordered prizes into a sales contest. The first study consists of two laboratory experiments in which participants make decisions that closely reflect the decision trade-offs in the theoretical model of sales contests. The second study consists of two field economic experiments in which trained salespeople sell fundraising sponsorships to companies. The results across the experiments are remarkably consistent: The number of prizewinners in a sales contest should indeed be greater than one. However, introducing rank-ordered prizes into contests with multiple prizewinners does not boost sales effort and revenues.
Amniotic fluid angiopoietin-2 in term and preterm parturition, and intra-amniotic infection/inflammation
Authors: Pacora Percy , Romero Roberto , Chaiworapongsa Tinnakorn , Kusanovic Juan Pedro , Erez Offer , Vaisbuch Edi , Mazaki-Tovi Shali , Gotsch Francesca , Jai Kim Chong , Than Nandor Gabor , Yeo Lami , Mittal Pooja , Hassan Sonia S.
Published: May 2009

Objective: Recent observations have revealed an interaction between inflammation and angiogenesis, which may be mediated by angiopoietins and chemokines. Given the importance of inflammation in parturition, we sought to determine whether angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is present in amniotic fluid (AF) and if its concentration changes with gestational age, labor, and in intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI) in patients with spontaneous preterm labor and intact membranes.

Study design: This cross-sectional study included 486 patients in the following groups: 1) women in the mid-trimester of pregnancy (14–18 weeks) who underwent amniocentesis for genetic indications and delivered a normal neonate at term (n=52); 2) normal pregnant women at term with (n=48) and without (n=45) spontaneous labor; 3) patients with an episode of spontaneous preterm labor (PTL) and intact membranes who were classified into: a) PTL without IAI who delivered at term (n=152); b) PTL without IAI who delivered preterm (<37 weeks gestation; n=107); and c) PTL with IAI (n=82). Ang-2 concentration in AF was determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis.

Results: 1) Ang-2 was detected in all AF samples; 2) the median AF Ang-2 concentration at term was significantly lower than that in the mid-trimester (1877.4 pg/mL vs. 3525.2 pg/mL; P<0.001); 3) among patients with PTL, the median AF Ang-2 concentration was significantly higher in patients with IAI than in those without IAI (4031.3 pg/mL vs. 2599.4 pg/mL; P<0.001) and those with PTL without IAI who delivered at term (4031.3 pg/mL vs. 2707.3 pg/mL; P<0.001); and 4) no significant differences were observed in the median AF Ang-2 concentration between patients with spontaneous labor at term and those at term not in labor (1722.9 pg/mL vs. 1877.4 pg/mL; P=0.6).

Conclusions: 1) Ang-2, a protein involved in the process of vascular remodeling, is a physiologic constituent of the amniotic fluid and its concentration decreased with advancing gestation; 2) the median Ang-2 concentration in amniotic fluid is higher in patients with IAI than in those without; and 3) spontaneous parturition at term is not associated with changes in the AF concentration of Ang-2. These findings support the view of a link between angiopoietins and inflammation.
Hymes on speech socialization
Authors: Ervin-Tripp Susan M.
Published: May 2009

This article reviews Dell Hymes's formative impact on the study of speech socialization. From the early 1960s on, Hymes addressed issues of language socialization, partly in response to the limitations in Chomsky's powerful theoretical interventions on child language, and partly as an extension of a maturing ethnographic paradigm. Focusing on speech in culture-related behavioral settings, Hymes developed a paradigm that revolved around function and context. While this topic was initially part of the general ethnographic program in Hymes's work, it gave rise to a period of productive research on culture-specific patterns of child language use, the structure of speech repertoires, and functions of speech in socialization, which empirically realized the perspective in Hymes's theoretical discussions.
Ethnography and democracy: Hymes's political theory of language
Authors: Blommaert Jan
Published: May 2009

Dell Hymes's oeuvre was explicitly political, and this paper addresses this often overlooked dimension of his work. The project of ethnography was intended by Hymes to be a counterhegemonic and democratic science, which offered voice to the subjects it studied and so created a critical social-scientific paradigm that destabilized and negated established truths by dialogically engaging with reality. This critical and counterhegemonic paradigmatic dimension of ethnography is first sketched and discussed at some length. Next, we discuss Hymes's ethnopoetic work. In his ethnopoetic work, Hymes's critical concern with voice, democracy, and inequality is articulated most clearly and persuasively. It is by looking at ethnopoetics that we see the blending of a methodological and a political project.
From performance to print, and back: Ethnopoetics as social practice in Alice Florendo's corrections to “Raccoon and his Grandmother”
Authors: Moore Robert E.
Published: May 2009

In considering Dell Hymes's pioneering work on Native American texts—itself grounded in fieldwork with speakers of Kiksht (Wasco-Wishram dialect of Upper Chinookan) in the 1950s—the article documents an encounter with a Kiksht language teacher, activist, and entrepreneur, an occasion of oral literary history and criticism whose ostensible purpose is to introduce a correction into the printed record. The discourse that results—ranging across specific observations of the text at hand to more general observations about Kiksht storytelling practices and about collaborative work in “salvage” linguistics—incorporates bits and pieces of the story along the way, providing a rich opportunity to revisit a fundamental tension in the ethnopoetic work of Hymes and others: between a view grounded in folkloristic study that sees language forms-in-text as important genre characteristics, and a view (seen also in “the ethnography of communication”) that concentrates on the event-bound functionalities of discursive (and transcribable) linguistic features.
Logic and Theology in Clement of Alexandria. The Purpose of the 8th Book of the Stromata
Authors: Bergjan Silke-Petra
Published: May 2009

In Stromata VIII finden sich drei Kapitel, in denen Clemens Beweis und dialektischen Syllogismus gegenüberstellt. Seine Ausführungen haben Parallelen in der aristotelischen Dialektik. Beweiskräftige Schlüsse übertragen die Zuverlässigkeit und Wahrheit der Prämisse auf die Schlussfolgerung, sie führen zu zuverlässiger Erkenntnis. Das Bemühen um zuverlässige Erkenntnis ist nach Clemens Aufgabe des Theologen. Entsprechend häufig begegnet die dialektische Terminologie, insbesondere in Stromata II und VII.

Stromata VIII wird eingeführt als Kommentar zu dem kontrovers interpretierten Vers Mt 7,7. Im Unterschied zur nicht-christlichen Philosophie führt nach Clemens die christliche Philosophie zum „Finden“, was sie aber nicht des „Suchens“ enthebt. Christen, die nach zuverlässiger Erkenntnis streben, sind nach Clemens also gerade nicht wie in Tertullians Häretikerbeschreibung diejenigen, die endlos suchen und deren Suche zu nichts führt. Vielmehr hält Clemens umgekehrt seinen Gegnern vor, dass sie unter den skeptischen Vorbehalt fallen, wenn sie sich in ihrem einfachen Glauben eines Urteils bewusst enthalten.

Clemens verteidigt eine Ausbildung in Dialektik, gleichzeitig finden sich bei Clemens logik-kritische Aussagen, in denen Clemens jedoch nicht seine eigene Haltung gegenüber der Dialektik zurücknimmt. Er hat hier mit einer zweiten Gruppe von Gegnern zu tun, denen Clemens das Argumentieren mit dialektischen Schlüssen zuschreibt, d.h. mit zwar gültigen, aber im Gegensatz zu seinen eigenen Beweisen nicht notwendig wahren Schlüssen. Diese Schlüsse zieht er in den Bereich eristischer Scheinsyllogismen, womit deutlich ist, dass er in der Dialektik entwickelte Unterscheidungen benutzt, um seine Position in den Auseinandersetzungen zu bestimmen.
Eusebius' Contra Marcellum. Anti-Modalist Doctrine and Orthodox Christology
Authors: Beeley Christopher A.
Published: May 2009

In seinen späten Werken gegen Markell von Ankyra hat Euseb von Cäsarea wichtige Grundprinzipen der Theologie entwickelt, die in der späteren Tradition als orthodox rezipiert wurden. Im Gegensatz zu der Ansicht, seine Theologie sei entschieden subordinatianisch und der nizänischen Richtung entgegengesetzt, zeigt eine Analyse seiner Christologie ein deutlich differenzierteres Bild. Dieses Bild unterscheidet sich signifikant von einem großen Teil der Sekundärliteratur, die Euseb hauptsächlich als Gegner des Athanasius begreift. Der Artikel beschäftigt sich mit den Grundzügen und der exegetischen Grundlage der Christologie in Eusebs späten Werken Contra Marcellum, De ecclesiastica theologia und De Theophania und verfolgt sie bei Autoren wie Gregor von Nazianz und Kyrill von Alexandria, die später als Kronzeugen des nizänisch-orthodoxen Glaubens herangezogen wurden.