bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vacillating between Opposing Conceptions of Personhood: Individualism and Conformism in Turkish Educational Practices
Authors: Ceyhan Müge Ayan
Published: August 2009

Based on one and a half years of participant observation at Bakış School, this article aims to explore two different sets of educational practices, one which seemingly promotes sameness, obedience and conformity, and the other difference, entrepreneurialism and individualism. By way of discussing the shifting cultural values, beliefs and lifestyles in Turkey as a result of post-1980 capitalist modernization, this article provides an account of the way in which larger macro forces impact the classroom values and educational practices in Bakış School. The ethnographic evidence indicates that teachers were far from fully comprehending the concept of the individual the school aims to promote, and therefore vacillated between opposing perceptions of personhood. From the point of view of comparative education research, this article argues that long-term participant observation provides us with intricate data, and clearly reveals the difficulties of putting educational reforms into practice in cases where the underlying philosophy is not fully comprehended, or maybe even desired by the recipient society.
Educational Challenges of Internal Migrant Girls: A Case Study among Primary School Children in Turkey
Authors: Altinyelken Hulya Kosar
Published: August 2009

This article seeks to investigate education-related challenges encountered by internal migrant girls studying at primary schools in Turkey. From the perspectives of participants, the emerging themes included adaptation, language, low socio-economic status, peer relations, discrimination and bullying. These challenges seem to have direct or indirect influence on academic achievement, school belonging, integration within the new social environment and self-esteem. The findings indicate that internal migrant girls are among the most disadvantaged children, since not only migration experience but also low socio-economic status and gender bias put them at risk of educational underachievement. Their educational challenges need to be acknowledged and taken into consideration by policy makers and educators to make sure that schools are capable of guaranteeing equal educational opportunities for all.
Living Mulches in Field Cultivation of Vegetables
Authors: Adamczewska-Sowińska Katarzyna , Kołota Eugeniusz , Winiarska Sylwia
Published: August 2009

Living Mulches in Field Cultivation of Vegetables

Living mulches as an element of vegetable cultivation in the integrated and ecological production systems perform a protective function towards the soil and the cultivated crops. They improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, and reduce weed and pest infestation. At the same time, however, they compete with vegetable plants for nutrients, water and space, and that is why research work has been carried out with the aim of minimizing this competition. The success of vegetable production with the assistance of living mulches depends on the right selection of the species, sowing or planting dates, as well as the means of controlling the growth of the companion plants. The experiments carried out at the Department of Horticulture of Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences demonstrated the usefulness of white clover and pink serradella as living mulches for tomato and leek, and of perennial ryegrass for pepper. Controlling the biomass of companion plants by regular mowing brought about a 2-17.2% increase in the yield of tomato fruits. The most favourable sowing date for these plants in the cultivation of pepper was week 9 and 12 of pepper plant growth, and week 4 and 6 in the cultivation of leek.
Garden pea Varietal Susceptibility to Mycosphaerella pinodes and its Effect on Yield Components of Single Plants
Authors: Boros Lech , Wawer Anna
Published: August 2009

Garden pea Varietal Susceptibility to Mycosphaerella pinodes and its Effect on Yield Components of Single Plants

The susceptibility of 21 garden pea genotypes to Mycosphaerella pinodes was evaluated in a two years study with inoculation under controlled conditions and in field experiments. The tested genotypes differed significantly in their susceptibility to seedling foot rot and leaf and stem blight caused by M. pinodes under these tests. Average scores of leaf infection in laboratory testing were higher comparing to the degree of infection in field conditions with inoculation. The genotypes which were rated susceptible to foliar infection were also susceptible to stem infection, with the severity of stem infection being much lower. No significant correlation was obtained between foliar symptoms severity and seedling foot rot necrotic index for garden pea genotypes. Deleterious effects of the inoculation with M. pinodes in field experiments on all yield components of pea plants parameters were observed. The pathogen caused 14.6% reduction of number of pods per plant, 17.3% reduction of number of seed per plant, 23.5% reduction of seed weight per plant and 7.8% decrease of 1000 seed weight in comparison with protected controls. There were also quite large differences between the years of testing as well as among pea genotypes in reduction of yield components. Genotypes Mieszko and Jurand showed the lowest reduction of seed weight per plant and appeared to be more tolerant to M. pinodes among the tested. Overall, five of tested genotypes (Kadona, ZIF 2401, Juko Nike and Deko) were considered as moderately susceptible. The remaining were either susceptible or highly susceptible (Cud Kelwedonu, Pionier, Markus, Kosynier, Duet and Hetman). The obtained results will be useful for breeders in selecting the components for a crossing programme.
Alpine metamorphism in the central segment of the Western Greywacke Zone (Eastern Alps)
Authors: Rantitsch Gerd , Judik Katalin
Published: August 2009

Alpine metamorphism in the central segment of the Western Greywacke Zone (Eastern Alps)

The metamorphic pattern of the central Western Greywacke Zone (Austroalpine, Eastern Alps) was investigated by organic matter reflectance, Raman spectroscopy on organic matter and clay mineralogical methods. Raman data map a 10 km wide thermal aureole along the contact zone of the Greywacke Zone to the Penninic Tauern Window. The estimated maximum temperatures of 400 °C to 200 °C decrease from South to North, that is from the contact to the uppermost parts of the Greywacke Zone. This pattern is explained by an Oligocene to Miocene thermal pulse, related to the rapid exhumation of formerly deeply buried rocks of the Penninic unit. During this event, advective heat transport and circulating fluids overprinted the Cretaceous higher anchi- to lower epizonal metamorphic pattern of the central Western Greywacke Zone.
Efficient Estimation of the Standardized Value
Authors: Longford Nicholas T.
Published: August 2009

We derive an estimator of the standardized value which, under the standard assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity, is more efficient than the established (asymptotically efficient) estimator, and discuss its gains for small samples.
Hydroxyurea Generates Nitric Oxide in Human Erythroid Cells: Mechanisms for γ-Globin Gene Activation
Authors: Lou Tzu-Fang , Singh Manisha , Mackie Ashley , Li Wei , Pace Betty S.
Published: August 2009

Hydroxyurea (HU) induces fetal hemoglobin synthesis through activation of cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling. Studies in sickle cell patients demonstrated increased circulating nitric oxide (NO) levels after oral HU treatment. However, the direct measurement of NO in erythroid cells and its role in fetal hemoglobin induction have not been defined. Therefore, we quantified the level of nitrate and nitrite (NOx) generated by HU in human erythroid progenitors in the presence of three nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (NOS), including NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). In addition, cGMP levels were measured in the presence or absence of the pathway inhibitor 1H-( 1 , 2 , 4 )ox-adiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one, which blocks soluble guanylyl cyclase formation. HU treatment increased NOx levels and γ-globin transcription in K562 and primary erythroid cells, which was augmented when HU was combined with L-NMMA. Pretreatment with the cGMP pathway inhibitor reversed γ-gene activation by HU. These data demonstrate the direct stimulation of cellular NO and cGMP signaling in erythroid progenitors by HU as a possible mechanism for γ-globin gene activation.
Aerosol Delivery of Liposomal Formulated Paclitaxel and Vitamin E Analog Reduces Murine Mammary Tumor Burden and Metastases
Authors: Latimer Paul , Menchaca Marla , Snyder Rachel M. , Yu Weiping , Gilbert Brian E. , Sanders Bob G. , Kline Kimberly
Published: August 2009

Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. 2,5,7,8-Tetramethyl-2R-(4R, 8R-12-trimethyltridecyl) chroman-6-yloxyacetic acid (α-TEA) is an analog of vitamin E that inhibits primary tumor growth and the incidence of lymphatic and pulmonary metastases in preclinical animal models. Here, the efficacy of sequential treatment with paclitaxel and α-TEA was tested in the BALB/c syngeneic 66cl-4-GFP mammary cancer model. Both agents were formulated into liposomes and delivered by inhalation in an effort to increase anti-tumor efficacy and minimize paclitaxel toxicity. Combination treatment consisting of twelve days of every-other-day treatment with aerosolized paclitaxel (approximately 0.46 μg/mouse/treatment) followed by a daily regimen of aerosolized α-TEA (36 μg/mouse/treatment) significantly decreased primary tumor burden when compared to untreated or liposome control groups and was significantly better than individual treatments ( P < 0.05). Importantly, combination treatment was significantly better at reducing lung and lymph node micrometastatic foci when compared to control and individual treatment groups ( P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analyses of tumor sections showed combination treatment when compared to liposome control or individual treatments to significantly decrease total number of cells staining positive for the endothelial cell marker CD31 or for the Ki67 marker of cellular proliferation and increase the number of apoptotic (TUNEL positive) tumor cells ( P < 0.001). Studies addressing the toxicity of α-TEA demonstrated that α-TEA formulated in liposomes and delivered by aerosol (72 μg/mouse/day) or gavage (5 mg/mouse/day) for 25 days did not cause blood, liver, or kidney toxicity. In conclusion, sequential inhalation delivery of liposomal-formulated paclitaxel and α-TEA produces significantly better anti-tumor outcomes than single treatments.
Exposure of the Pregnant Rat to Low Protein Diet Causes Impaired Glucose Homeostasis in the Young Adult Offspring by Different Mechanisms in Males and Females
Authors: Chamson-Reig Astrid , Thyssen Sandra M. , Hill David J. , Arany Edith
Published: August 2009

The understanding of the mechanisms by which gender dimorphisms are involved in the modulation of insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance can be crucial to unravel the development of type 2 diabetes. Rats treated with a low protein diet (LP, 8% protein content) during pregnancy and lactation have a reduced β-cell mass at birth and a reduced insulin secretion at weaning. In this study we examined the effect of LP diet on glucose homeostasis from birth to adulthood when offspring previously exposed to LP were subsequently switched to control diet (C, 20% protein content) at weaning. The LP group had a reduced body weight after weaning compared to the C-fed rats, although their food intake was not significantly different. Furthermore, LP males had a significant increase in visceral adiposity relative to their body weight ( P < 0.05). Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IGTT) showed that glucose clearance was unchanged until 130 days of age when LP-fed females showed elevated blood glucose compared to C, despite similar plasma insulin levels. Females also demonstrated a significant reduction in mean pancreatic islet number, individual islet size and beta cell mass. However, no differences in IGTT or islet morphometry were observed in LP males, although basal insulin levels were twofold higher. Akt phosphorylation in response to insulin was reduced in adipose and skeletal muscle of adult rats following exposure to LP diet in early life when compared to control-fed animals, but this was only apparent in males. Plasma testosterone levels were also reduced in males at 130 days age. These data suggest that the development of impaired glucose homeostasis in offspring of LP-fed rats is likely to occur by different mechanisms in males and females.
Serum α- and β-Carotene Concentrations Qualitatively Respond to Sustained Carrot Feeding
Authors: Tanumihardjo Sherry A. , Horvitz Micah A. , Dosti Mandy Porter , Simon Philipp W.
Published: August 2009

β-Carotene is a predominant source of vitamin A in developing countries. Genetically selected “high carotene” carrots could have an impact on the vitamin A and antioxidant status of people if widely adopted. A 3 × 3 crossover study in humans ( n = 10) evaluated the difference in uptake and clearance of α- and β-carotene from carrots genetically selected and traditionally bred to have high, typical, or no carotene. Subjects were fed white (0 mg α- and β-carotene/d), orange (1.8 mg α-carotene and 2.6 mg β-carotene/d), or dark-orange (4 mg α-carotene and 7 mg β-carotene/d) carrots in muffins for 11 d, with a 10-d washout phase between treatments. Serum carotenoid and retinol concentrations were measured by HPLC. C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of underlying inflammation or infection which may lower serum retinol, was measured at the beginning of each period. A significant treatment effect occurred for serum α- and β-carotene concentrations ( P < 0.001), and a trend towards a negative effect of subjects’ BMI on concentrations ( P= 0.08). A significant treatment by sequence interaction was observed ( P = 0.038), which was attributable to a difference in serum α- and β-carotene concentrations between carrot treatments in the first period. Serum retinol remained stable for the first 20 d of the intervention and then decreased ( P = 0.02). CRP was not elevated in any subject. High carotene carrots provide more provitamin A carotenoids than the typical store-bought variety, without a change in flavor. The availability of high carotene carrots could readily increase consumption of β-carotene and potentially impact the vitamin A status of those individuals who are deficient or at risk of depletion.
Response to Fasting in an Unnaturally Obese Carnivore, the Captive European Polecat Mustela putorius
Authors: Mustonen Anne-Mari , Puukka Matti , Rouvinen-Watt Kirsti , Aho Jari , Asikainen Juha , Nieminen Petteri
Published: August 2009

The European polecat ( Mustela putorius) is a naturally lean carnivore prone to excessive weight gain in captivity. This study assessed its suitability to investigate the natural history of the obese phenotype displayed in overweight humans, domestic animals, and seasonally obese wild mammals. Ten farm-bred polecats were subjected to a 5-day fast with 10 controls. Obesity (40% body fat) was associated with an unfavorable plasma lipid profile and high glucose and insulin concentrations. The polecats were in phase II of fasting with normoglycemia, low liver carbohydrate stores, and decreased plasma concentrations of urea and most amino acids. Although the plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels were elevated, the adipose tissue lipase activities suggested a blunted lipolytic response. Lipid mobilization was more efficient from intraabdominal fat. The animals developed hepatic lipidosis with elevated NEFA influx into the liver and losses of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and arginine as hypothetical etiological factors. The plasma leptin, insulin, and triiodothyronine levels decreased but were not accompanied by reduced sex steroid or increased stress hormone concentrations. The blunted lipolytic response often encountered in obesity suggests that the organism is trying to defend the obese phenotype. Liver lipidosis and decreased insulin and triiodothyronine levels seem to be among the most consistent responses to fasting manifested in diverse mammalian orders and different levels of body fatness. The polecat could be recommended as an easily accessible carnivorean model to study the natural history of the obese phenotype and its comorbidities.
The English compound stress myth
Authors: J. Giegerich Heinz
Published: August 2009

This study investigates the distribution of end-stress and fore-stress among English NN and NNN compounds. It finds that end-stress in NNs is not ‘exceptional’, as many researchers have claimed, but confined to a reasonably well defined class of attribute-head NNs within which it is (at least optionally) grammatical and often predictable. In NNNs – NNs with embedded NNs – both fore-stress and end-stress can occur in both the embedding and the embedded NN, giving rise to eight possible stress patterns, all of which are attested. Moreover, the distribution of fore-stress and end-stress in embedding and embedded NNs follows the regularities identified in free-standing NNs. There is therefore no reason to accept the generalization whereby in NNNs, the second element is always stressed under right-branching and the first element under left-branching. While such patterns are perhaps particularly frequent, all others are also grammatical: the Compound Stress Rule known in the literature for some fifty years, deriving stress patterns from structural geometry, is wrong.
Avoidable Portion of Tobacco-Attributable Acute Care Hospital Days and Its Cost Due to Implementation of Different Intervention Strategies in Canada
Authors: Popova Svetlana , Patra Jayadeep , Rehm Jürgen
Published: August 2009

The impact of four effective population-based interventions, focusing on individual behavioural change and aimed at reducing tobacco-attributable morbidity, was assessed by modeling with respect to effects on reducing prevalence rates of cigarette smoking, population-attributable fractions, reductions of disease-specific morbidity and its cost for Canada. Results revealed that an implementation of a combination of four tobacco policy interventions would result in a savings of 33,307 acute care hospital days, which translates to a cost savings of about $37 million per year in Canada. Assuming 40% coverage rate for all individually based interventions, the two most effective interventions, in terms of avoidable burden due to morbidity, would be nicotine replacement therapy and physicians’ advice, followed by individual behavioural counselling and increasing taxes by 10%. Although a sizable reduction in the number of hospital days and accumulated costs could be achieved, overall these interventions would reduce less than 3% of all tobacco-attributable costs in Canada.
Theoretical Study for High-Energy-Density Compounds Derived from Cyclophosphazene. IV. DFT Studies on 1,1-Diamino-3,3,5,5,7,7-hexaazidocyclotetraphosphazene and Its Isomers
Authors: Zhang Jianguo , Zheng Huihui , Zhang Tonglai , Wu Man
Published: August 2009

In the present study, a theoretical study of 1,1-diaminohexaazidocyclo-tetraphophazene (DAHA) and its isomers has been performed, using quantum computational density functional theory (B3LYP and B3PW91 methods) with 6-31G* and 6-31G** basis sets implemented in Gaussian 03 program suite. Molecular structure and bonding, vibrational frequencies, Milliken population analysis, and natural bond orbit (NBO) have been studied. The heats of formation from atomization energies have also been calculated based on the optimized geometry. The obtained heats of formation data are compared with their homologous cyclophosphazene in order to demonstrate the accuracy of the methods, which indicate that the studied compounds might be potentially used as high energetic materials. In addition, the relative stability of five isomers have been deduced based on the total energy and the gap of frontier orbital energies.
Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of Cyperus rotundus L. from South Africa
Authors: Lawal Oladipupo  A. , Oyedeji Adebola  O.
Published: August 2009

The essential oils from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus L. collected from two different locations (Empangeni-A and KwaDlangezwa-B; both in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province of South Africa) were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. Forty-one and 43 components were identified, representing 89.9% and 92.0% of sample A and sample B, respectively. α-Cyperone (11.0%), myrtenol (7.9%), caryophyllene oxide (5.4%) and β-pinene (5.3%) were major compounds in the oil of sample A. The main constituents of the oil of sample B were β-pinene (11.3%), α-pinene (10.8%), α- cyperone (7.9%), myrtenol (7.1%) and α-selinene (6.6%).
Manufacture of Micromirror Arrays Using a CMOS-MEMS Technique
Authors: Kao Pin-Hsu , Dai Ching-Liang , Hsu Cheng-Chih , Wu Chyan-Chyi
Published: August 2009

In this study we used the commercial 0.35 µm CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) process and simple maskless post-processing to fabricate an array of micromirrors exhibiting high natural frequency. The micromirrors were manufactured from aluminum; the sacrificial layer was silicon dioxide. Because we fabricated the micromirror arrays using the standard CMOS process, they have the potential to be integrated with circuitry on a chip. For post-processing we used an etchant to remove the sacrificial layer and thereby suspend the micromirrors. The micromirror array contained a circular membrane and four fixed beams set symmetrically around and below the circular mirror; these four fan-shaped electrodes controlled the tilting of the micromirror. A MEMS (microelectromechanical system) motion analysis system and a confocal 3D-surface topography were used to characterize the properties and configuration of the micromirror array. Each micromirror could be rotated in four independent directions. Experimentally, we found that the micromirror had a tilting angle of about 2.55° when applying a driving voltage of 40 V. The natural frequency of the micromirrors was 59.1 kHz.
Mid-Infrared Sensing of Organic Pollutants in Aqueous Environments
Authors: Pejcic Bobby , Myers Matthew , Ross Andrew
Published: August 2009

The development of chemical sensors for monitoring the levels of organic pollutants in the aquatic environment has received a great deal of attention in recent decades. In particular, the mid-infrared (MIR) sensor based on attenuated total reflectance (ATR) is a promising analytical tool that has been used to detect a variety of hydrocarbon compounds (i.e., aromatics, alkyl halides, phenols, etc.) dissolved in water. It has been shown that under certain conditions the MIR-ATR sensor is capable of achieving detection limits in the 10-100 ppb concentration range. Since the infrared spectral features of every single organic molecule are unique, the sensor is highly selective, making it possible to distinguish between many different analytes simultaneously. This review paper discusses some of the parameters (i.e., membrane type, film thickness, conditioning) that dictate MIR ATR sensor response. The performance of various chemoselective membranes which are used in the fabrication of the sensor will be evaluated. Some of the challenges associated with long-term environmental monitoring are also discussed.
Determination of Glucose Concentration in Aqueous Solution Using ATR-WT-IR Technique
Authors: Al-Gharabli Samer  Ibrahim
Published: August 2009

Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy has been used to measure glucose concentrations in different matrices. The accuracy of the FT-IR technique does not meet the requirements of medical applications, so we have developed a new, efficient and precise method based on attenuated total reflectance coupled with wavelet transformation (ATR-WT-IR). One thousand interferograms, divided into training- and testing-sets, have been recorded from four glucose concentrations using an ATR-IR unit. Signals were subjected to (WT) and neural network (NN) study in order to design correlation algorithm. The Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (PCC) obtained by judging the predicted- against the real-concentrations was 0.9954, with a mean square error of 8.4e-005. The proposed ATR-WT-IR method shows efficiency in glucose prediction and could possibly to be integrated into a non-invasive monitoring technique.
Indigenous Tourism
Authors: Hinch Tom , Butler Richard
Published: August 2009

Indigenous peoples have been seen as a tourist attraction for many years, but they have little control over the tourism activities that are generated nor do they reap many of the potential benefits. However, in conjunction with recent gains in other spheres of their existence such as
their success in traditional land claims and more general empowerment in the realm of their sociopolitical standing, they have begun to take more active roles in the tourism economy. Since the publication of Tourism and Indigenous Peoples by Butler and Hinch over a decade ago, indigenous
tourism activity has continued to grow, as have the debates about its merit. At the most fundamental level, these debates pit tourism as an agent for indigenous peoples' economic independence and cultural rejuvenation against arguments of hegemonic subjugation and cultural degradation. For
indigenous people, the essence of their competitive tourism advantage lies in their unique cultures. This article reviews the conceptual foundation of indigenous tourism as first articulated by Butler and Hinch in 1996 and then focuses on specific themes and issues identified in Butler and
Hinch in 2007 that relate to the present and future nature of indigenous tourism. It draws heavily on the introductory and concluding chapters of that volume, and the case studies contained within it. After briefly discussing the problems of definitions and empowerment, the article examines
the topic from the standpoint of a number of key issues and themes: image, vulnerability, education and training, knowledge, linkages, ownership and control, ideology, and relationships. The conclusions argue that the prospect for indigenous tourism is uncertain, despite its many positive
attributes. It is likely to remain a niche form of tourism, mostly small in scale, dependent on mainstream tourism elements for access to and from markets, but of increasing importance to many indigenous communities as a supplementary form of income and, perhaps, and as one form of economic
and cultural empowerment.
Destination Branding Input–Output Analysis: A Method of Evaluating Productivity
Authors: Tasci Asli D. A. , Denizci Basak
Published: August 2009

In the turbulent and competitive marketplace, branding by differentiation is accepted as a strategy for competitive advantage of destinations. However, the process of differentiation poses both challenges and opportunities for destination marketing authorities due to the intangible
nature of destination products. In order to avoid threats and take advantage of opportunities, destination marketing has to be applied in its true meaning, namely, research, development, and integrated marketing communications. However, destination marketing authorities also have to make sure
that resources used for marketing a destination result in measurable outputs. This article proposes a branding input–output analysis to define the productivity of destination branding activities. To provide a concrete basis for destination marketing authorities, models and formulas are
generated along with practical implications and future research suggestions.
Remote Laboratory in Photovoltaics
Authors: Cotfas Petru Adrian , Cotfas Daniel Tudor , Ursutiu Doru , Samoila Cornel
Published: August 2009

This paper presents a new concept of studying, understanding and teaching the performance of solar cells. Using NI ELVIS allows the realization of eight laboratory experiments which study all the important parameters of the solar cells. The model used for the equivalent circuit of the solar cell was the â??one diode
Superantigen-Activated Regulatory T Cells Inhibit the Migration of Innate Immune Cells and the Differentiation of Naive T Cells
Authors: Tanriver Yakup , Martín-Fontecha Alfonso , Ratnasothy Kulachelvy , Lombardi Giovanna , Lechler Robert
Published: August 2009

Regulatory T cells can be used as tools to suppress pathogenic T cells in autoimmunity, graft-vs-host-disease, and transplantation. But even when high numbers of Ag-specific regulatory T cells are available, it is still possible under certain in vivo and in vitro conditions for effector T cells to escape effective control. Current reports suggest that the degree of suppression is modulated by the inflammatory milieu, which can induce resistance to suppression in effector T cells or subvert the inhibitory function of the regulatory T cells. Cells of the innate immune system integrate early signals of injury and infection and have a major impact on the ensuing inflammation. Hence, the modification of these initial events can be key to allowing suppression to dominate. The approach we took here was to test whether the in vivo preactivation of endogenous regulatory T cells with a superantigen could enhance their suppressive potency. We provide evidence that this not only proved effective in expanding the pool of preactivated regulatory T cells but also in preventing the migration of NK cells and granulocytes upon sensitization with matured dendritic cells. The attenuation of innate immune activation was accompanied by linked suppression of adoptively transferred OVA-specific T cells when APC coexpressing OVA and the superantigen were injected. These data suggest that the preactivation of regulatory T cells is a promising approach to increase their potency.
The Role of IL-23/IL-17 Axis in Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Kyttaris Vasileios C. , Tsokos George C.
Published: August 2009

T cells that express IL-17 infiltrate the kidneys of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A significant proportion of these cells are CD3+CD4−CD8− double-negative T cells. In this study, we show that double-negative T cells from MRL/lpr mice express high amounts of IL-17 and that as disease progressively worsens, the expression of IL-17 and of IL-23 receptor in lymphocytes from these mice increases. Lymph node cells from lupus-prone mice, but not control mice, treated in vitro with IL-23 induce nephritis when transferred to non-autoimmune, lymphocyte-deficient Rag-1−/− mice. Kidney specimens from these recipient mice show significant Ig and complement deposition. The data indicate that an aberrantly active IL-23/IL-17 axis contributes to the development of nephritis in lupus-prone mice.
High Frequencies of Functionally Competent Circulating Tax-Specific CD8+ T Cells in Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type 2 Infection
Authors: Oliveira André L. A. , Hayakawa Hitoshi , Schor Doris , Leite Ana Claudia C. B. , Espíndola Otávio M. , Waters Allison , Dean Jonathan , Doherty Derek G. , Araújo Abelardo Q.-C. , Hall William W.
Published: August 2009

Human T lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-2) is characterized by a clinically asymptomatic persistent infection in the vast majority of infected individuals. In this study, we have characterized for the first time ex vivo specific CTL responses against the HTLV-2 Tax protein. We could detect CTL responses only against a single HLA-A*0201-restricted Tax2 epitope, comprising residues 11–19 (LLYGYPVYV), among three alleles screened. Virus-specific CTLs could be detected in most evaluated subjects, with frequencies as high as 24% of circulating CD8+ T cells. The frequency of specific CTLs had a statistically significant positive correlation with proviral load levels. The majority of virus-specific CD8+ T cells exhibited an effector memory/terminally differentiated phenotype, expressed high levels of cytotoxicity mediators, including perforin and granzyme B, and lysed in vitro target cells pulsed with Tax2(11–19) synthetic peptide in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that a strong, effective CTL response may control HTLV-2 viral burden and that this may be a significant factor in maintaining persistent infection and in the prevention of disease in infected individuals.
On poetry – entering heaven through the ear of a raindrop: An ars poetical reading
Authors: Vos Cas J.A.
Published: August 2009

This article investigates the uniqueness of poetry. Special attention is given to the ars poetica of the poetry of Cas Vos. Other poems are also discussed. The binding force of metaphors in poetry is considered. The essence and expressiveness of poetry are explained through several different poems. The end of the journey of poetry is concluded with a sonnet by Robert Pinsky.
Postsecular spirituality, engaged hermeneutics, and Charles Taylor’s notion of hypergoods
Authors: Van Aarde Andries G.
Published: August 2009

This essay sets out to argue that postsecular spirituality is about the quest for hypergoods within today’s mass populist- and consumerist-oriented world. It shows that people who consider themselves to be spiritual not only have many values in their lives, but rank some values higher than others, with some being ranked as being of supreme importance, the so-called hypergoods. Such ethics has an interpersonal character, and in Christian circles this reopens the issue of biblical hermeneutics, especially the phenomenon of conflicting interpretations. Against the background of the various options of being religious in the secular age, the essay focuses on Charles Taylor’s view of the discovery of spirituality in a posttheistic world and his emphasis on the love of God and the ethics of justice as hypergoods.
Eradication of colonizing populations of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) by early detection and SCUBA removal: Lake George, NY
Authors: Wimbush John , Frischer Marc E. , Zarzynski Joseph W. , Nierzwicki‐Bauer Sandra A.
Published: August 2009

Since their introduction to North America, zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) have rapidly colonized North American fresh waters. Strategies for limiting the economic and ecological impacts of zebra mussels exist, but there are few examples where once zebra mussels have invaded a natural body of water they have been removed or managed without the use of ecologically destructive methods. The first successful attempt to eradicate a colonizing population of zebra mussels using SCUBA is reported here. Studies were conducted in Lake George, NY.

Since zebra mussel larvae had been detected prior to the discovery of adults in Lake George, a comprehensive management programme for zebra mussels was in place when mussels were found in 1999, at a single location in the southern part of the Lake (Lake George Village site). Efforts were quickly launched to remove as many mussels as possible by SCUBA with the intent of minimizing the risk of the population reproducing and establishing a permanent presence in the Lake.

Population size at the discovery site was initially estimated at fewer than 30000 animals. Between 1999 and 2007 more than 21000 animals were removed from the site, over 90% of them shortly after the colony was discovered. Continued monitoring of the site for larvae, recruitment, and growth suggests that the animals have not successfully reproduced since the project began. Since detection at the Lake George Village site, six separate colonizing populations at other locations in the lake were found and similar removal efforts appear to be having comparable success.

This study demonstrates that the combination of early detection, suboptimal habitat, proactive establishment of a rapid response and management plan, and cooperation of a comprehensive network of stakeholders can prevent a successful zebra mussel invasion.Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of Sirolimus coated drug eluting nano porous carbon stents
Authors: Rajender G. , Narayanan N.G.B.
Published: August 2009

Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method has proved to powerful research tool due to its sensitivity, high selectivity, and high throughput efficiency..Sirolimus was extracted from plasma by two‐step extraction procedure using chloroform as extracting solvent. Signal intensity was high using ESI+source provided for the quantitation of samples. Chromatographic separation was performed on phenomenax C‐18 column (250 × 4.60 mm 5microns).Mobile phase contains acetonitrile, water (80; 20 v/v) + 0.1% acetic acid, flow rate 1 mL/min.The retention time of Sirolimus 8.4 min, the total run time10 min. Linearity correlation coefficients (r2) curve was 0.997183.calibraction range 10–1000 ng/mL. The UV detection of Sirolimus was at 278(277.78) nm. Sirolimus coated drug eluting stents, MRM (Multiple reaction monitoring) transition of Sirolimusm/z936.83–208.84 was selected to obtain maximum sensitivity. LC/MS/MS results exhibited consistency in drug content on the stent surface.In‐vitrorelease kinetic indicated the release of Sirolimus in 41 days from the date of implanted. Drug release was found at the first day, burst release was observed at 7thday of implantation. This study involved pharmacological coating of stents, based on the notion that sustained systemic local delivery of anti‐proliferative agents. LC‐MS/MS method has been successfully used in the pharmacokinetic analysis of Sirolimus coated drug eluting stents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A rapid HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS method for quantitative analysis of isovalerylshikonin in rat plasma
Authors: Zhu MeiXiang , Gao Yanbing , Wu Zhen , Zhao YuFen
Published: August 2009

A new, fast and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for isovalerylshikonin in rat plasma using emodin as internal standard (IS). The analyte was extracted from rat plasma with ethyl acetate, after 10% HCl treatment and protein precipitated by methanol. The compound was separated on an Ultimate™ XB‐C18 analytical column using a mobile phase of methanol–10 mM ammonium acetate in water–acetonitrile containing 0.05% formic acid (45 : 10 : 45, v/v/v) with isogradient elution. The analyte was detected in negative ion mode using multiple‐reaction monitoring. The method was validated and the specificity, linearity, lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), precision, accuracy, recoveries and stability were determined. LLOQ was 9 ng/mL for isovalerylshikonin. Correlation coefficient (r) value for the linear range of the analyte was greater than 0.99. The intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy were better than 8.52%. The relative and absolute recovery was above 86% and no matrix effects were observed for isovalerylshikonin. This validated method provides a modern, rapid and robust procedure for the pharmacokinetic study of the two compounds in rats after intravenous administration to rats (n = 4). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence of early nervous differentiation and early catecholaminergic sensory system during Sepia officinalis embryogenesis
Authors: Baratte S. , Bonnaud L.
Published: August 2009

Within Mollusca, cephalopods exhibit a particularly complex nervous system. The adult brain is formed from the fusion of several “typical” molluscan ganglia but it remains poorly understood how these ganglia emerge, migrate, and differentiate during embryogenesis. We studied the development of both central and peripheral nervous system by antibodies raised against α‐tubulin and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in Sepia officinalis embryos to visualize neurites and catecholamine‐containing neurons, respectively. In early embryos, when organs start delineating, some ganglia already exhibited a significant fiber network. TH‐like immunoreactivity was detected in these fibers and in some primary sensory neurons in the embryo periphery. These data attest to the occurrence of an early embryonic sensory nervous system, likely effective, transient in part, and in relation to the perception of external cues. Concerning the peripheral nervous network, the stellate ganglia emerged as a plexus of numerous converging axons from TH‐like immunoreactive sensory cells, first at the mantle edge, and then in the whole mantle surface. Later, TH‐immunopositive motor fibers, originating from the stellate ganglia, penetrated the circular muscles of the mantle. These patterns reveal the setup of a mantle midline with likely attractive and repulsive properties. Our findings seem to challenge the widespread, still accepted, view of a late differentiation of cephalopod ganglia, and provides significant data for further investigations about axonal guidance during cephalopod development. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:539–549, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential role for synaptojanin 1 in rod and cone photoreceptors
Authors: Holzhausen Lars C. , Lewis Alaron A. , Cheong Kimberly K. , Brockerhoff Susan E.
Published: August 2009

Synaptojanin 1 (SynJ1) is a polyphosphoinositide phosphatase involved in clathrin‐mediated endocytosis in conventional synapses. Studies with the zebrafish mutant nrc have revealed that loss of SynJ1 also affects cone photoreceptor ribbon synapses, causing pronounced morphological and functional abnormalities. In this study we continue to examine the role of SynJ1 in photoreceptors. Using a newly generated antibody specific for zebrafish SynJ1, we localized this protein predominantly to cone photoreceptors. We then used blastula stage transplantation experiments to demonstrate that rods from nrc mutants lacking SynJ1 develop normally and do not have the pronounced morphological defects detected in cones. Given the known involvement of SynJ1 in synaptic vesicle endocytosis, we hypothesize that rods and cones use distinct mechanisms for vesicle recycling. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:633–644, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dorsal horn neurons presynaptic to lamina I spinoparabrachial neurons revealed by transynaptic labeling
Authors: Cordero‐Erausquin Matilde , Allard Simon , Dolique Tiphaine , Bachand Karine , Ribeiro‐da‐Silva Alfredo , De Koninck Yves
Published: August 2009

Sensory input to supraspinally projecting lamina I (LI) neurons arises both directly from primary afferents and via neurons intrinsic to the spinal dorsal horn. The types of neurons presynaptic to those projection neurons remain poorly known. To address this question we used retrogradely transported adenoviral vectors encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a GFP‐TTC (fragment C of the tetanus toxin) fusion protein, labeling respectively spinoparabrachial projection neurons and neurons presynaptic to them. The expression of GFP by infected neurons labeled the entire dendritic tree, enabling a more complete and quantitative morphological description of spinoparabrachial neurons than previous methods. These neurons were located in spinal LI, with dendritic arbors oriented extensively in the rostrocaudal axis (1,089.8 ± 91.5 μm) and displaying low spine density. In contrast, their dendrites did not extend significantly ventrally (29.2 ± 3.5 μm). The use of transynaptic tracer GFP‐TTC revealed a population of local circuit LI neurons presynaptic to LI projection neurons. These local circuit LI neurons had distinct morphological properties, in particular significantly longer ventrally oriented dendrites (80.1 ± 10.1 μm). The transynaptic tracer also revealed a population of stalked cells, some being highly spiny, directly in contact with spinal projection neurons. However, stalked cells were not the only lamina II cells in direct contact with projection neurons. Intracellular injections with Lucifer yellow in parasagittal slices of fixed tissue confirmed the above observations. Overall, these experiments demonstrated that neurons projecting to the parabrachial nucleus had their dendritic branching almost exclusively in LI and had sparse dendritic spines, in contrast with local circuit neurons that often extended ventrally and could be very spiny. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:601–615, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuronal expression of Cd36, Cd44, and Cd83 antigen transcripts maps to distinct and specific murine brain circuits
Authors: Glezer Isaias , Bittencourt Jackson C. , Rivest Serge
Published: August 2009

Cells recruited by the innate immune response rely on surface‐expressed molecules in order to receive signals from the local environment and to perform phagocytosis, cell adhesion, and others processes linked to host defense. Hundreds of surface antigens designated through a cluster of differentiation (CD) number have been used to identify particular populations of leukocytes. Surprisingly, we verified that the genes that encode Cd36 and Cd83 are constitutively expressed in specific neuronal cells. For instance, Cd36 mRNA is expressed in some regions related to circuitry involved in pheromone responses and reproductive behavior. Cd44 expression, reanalyzed and detailed here, is associated with the laminar formation and midline thalamic nuclei in addition to striatum, extended amygdala, and a few hypothalamic, cortical, and hippocampal regions. A systemic immune challenge was able to increase Cd44 expression quickly in the area postrema and motor nucleus of the vagus but not in regions presenting expressive constitutive expression. In contrast to Cd36 and Cd44, Cd83 message was widely distributed from the olfactory bulb to the brain stem reticular formation, sparing the striatopallidum, olivary region, and cerebellum. Its pattern of expression nevertheless remained strongly associated with hypothalamic, thalamic, and hindbrain nuclei. Unlike the other transcripts, Cd83 mRNA was rapidly modulated by restraint stress. Our results indicate that these molecules might play a role in specific neural circuits and present functions other than those attributed to leukocyte biology. The data also suggest that these surface proteins, or their associated mRNA, could be used to label neurons in specific circuits/regions. J. Comp. Neurol. 517:906–924, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Notch1 upregulates LPS‐induced macrophage activation by increasing NF‐κB activity
Authors: Monsalve Eva , Ruiz‐García Almudena , Baladrón Victoriano , Ruiz‐Hidalgo María José , Sánchez‐Solana Beatriz , Rivero Samuel , García‐Ramírez José J. , Rubio Antonio , Laborda Jorge , Díaz‐Guerra María José M.
Published: August 2009

Macrophages present different Notch receptors and ligands on their surface. Following macrophage activation by LPS or other TLR ligands, Notch1 expression is upregulated. We report here that Notch signaling increases both basal and LPS‐induced NF‐κB activation, favoring the expression of genes implicated in the inflammatory response, such as the cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐6, or enzymes, such as iNOS. Delta4 seems to be the most effective ligand to induce Notch activation and increasing NF‐κB transcriptional activity in macrophages. We show that Notch1 signaling promotes NF‐κB translocation to the nucleus and DNA binding by increasing both phosphorylation of the IκB kinase α/β complex and the expression of some NF‐κB family members. Treatment of macrophages with the γ‐secretase inhibitor DAPT, which prevents the cleavage and activation of Notch receptors, inhibits all these processes, diminishing NF‐κB activity following LPS stimulation. Additionally, we show that the active intracellular Notch fragment can directly interact with TNF‐α and iNOS promoters. Our results suggest that Notch signaling results in an amplification of the macrophage‐dependent inflammatory response by enhancing NF‐κB signaling.