bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In the Shadow of Vietnam: A New Look at North Korea's Militant Strategy, 1962–1970
Authors: Szalontai Balázs
Published: February 2013

North Korea pursued a highly confrontational strategy vis-à-vis South Korea and the United States throughout the 1960s. This article places Pyongyang's strategy into the context of the Vietnam War. Recently declassified evidence reveals that certain North Korean actions, including the Blue House raid in January 1968 and a series of belligerent acts committed in 1970, were considerably influenced by the military operations in Vietnam and Cambodia. But in some other incidents, such as the seizure of the USS Pueblo intelligence-gathering vessel, the Vietnam War played a far more marginal role. In any case, North Korean actions seem not to have been motivated by an intention to lessen U.S. and South Korean pressure on Hanoi. In 1969 Pyongyang disapproved of, rather than welcomed, the start of de-escalation in Vietnam. Mainly, the North Korean leader, Kim Il Sung, sought to achieve his own aims by taking advantage of America's preoccupation with the Vietnam War.
Denuclearization on NATO's Southern Front: Allied Reactions to Soviet Proposals, 1957–1963
Authors: Kourkouvelas Lykourgos
Published: February 2013

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Soviet Union and its East European allies sought to prevent the installation of U.S. nuclear missiles in Western Europe by embarking on a diplomatic “peace offensive” that included proposals for the creation of denuclearized zones in various geographical areas of Europe. This article considers how the NATO countries responded to these proposals. In the end, the Western allies rejected proposals for the denuclearization of the Balkans and other areas in Europe, but discussions within NATO's councils often proved complicated, especially regarding southern Europe. In the case of the 1957 Stoica proposal for the denuclearization of the Balkans, the leading NATO countries stepped back and let Turkey and Greece reject the proposal, but by 1963, in the aftermath of the Cuban missile crisis, the United States and other key allied countries as well as the NATO bureaucracy assumed a more active role in evaluating and ultimately rejecting the notion of denuclearization in the Mediterranean.
Learning Literacies through collaborative enquiry;
Authors: Ashley Jo , Jarman Freya , Varga-Atkins Tunde , Hassan Neddim
Published: February 2013

The extent to which university departments foster learning literacies that equip students with the diverse skills required for employment in a digital world is an issue that is under increased scrutiny in British higher education. The Learning Literacies in the Digital Age report (LLiDA by Beetham et al. 2009) offers a framework of learning literacies, which encompasses a range of literacies including academic, information, digital and media literacies. Building on the LLiDA framework, this article outlines and discusses an approach that aimed to extend the development of information literacies of first-year undergraduate students along with digital and media literacies. The central characteristics of this approach involved students working collaboratively, in teams, on an enquiry-based learning task using the institutional virtual learning environment’s wiki tool. The task involved developing and creating a wiki on exactly the kind of learning literacies that students were meant to acquire during this enquiry. This dual development was underpinned by the collaborative input of staff from academic and central services departments. Student survey feedback and observation were used to map the various gains in the areas of 1) collaboration and communication skills, 2) information literacy (IL), academic practice (study skills) and employability skills, 3) media and digital/computer literacies and, finally, 4) disciplinary skills. The findings confirm the usefulness of the LLiDA framework as well as point to its potential for further development to map literacies specific to the discipline.
Business information literacy teaching at different academic levels:
Authors: Gunn Mariela , Miree Cynthia
Published: February 2013

This study investigates the difference among students' discipline-specific information literacy (IL) skills by studying first-year and final-year undergraduate business students. An online IL tutorial was designed and delivered to both student groups with a two-fold goal. First, the researchers wanted to compare students' IL skills to test the faculty's assumptions that business students who are about to graduate have already acquired the requisite IL despite the lack of mandatory business-specific IL sessions. The findings suggest that first-year and final-year business students are not significantly different in their performance and that both groups received a significant positive impact as a result of taking the same IL tutorial online. Second, the study analyses how well the online IL tutorial, with its focus on combining instructional videos with active learning exercises, performs in delivering content related to different elements of IL, as defined by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL 2010). The findings indicate that the online IL tutorial is more effective for some skills than for others, suggesting that it will be beneficial to explore different instructional designs in collaboration with the departmental faculty to improve the current IL tutorial in these areas. This study adds to research on the effectiveness of online tutorials and raises questions related to their design. The findings can inform librarians' decisions on how to design online learning targeting students from different academic levels.
New species of Terebellides (Polychaeta: Trichobranchidae) from the deep Southern Ocean, with a key to all described species
Authors: SCHÜLLER MYRIAM , HUTCHINGS PAT A.
Published: February 2013

The genus Terebellides is, despite its often low abundances, a common and diverse element of benthic soft sediment communities at all depths. In recent years, careful examination of specimens has resulted in numerous descriptions of new species of Terebellides increasing the number of species in the genus to over forty. For the Southern Ocean currently only two species are considered valid, both recorded for shelf and slope depths. Here, we present findings of eleven new Antarctic species originating from depths between 480 m and 4720 m. Six of these are formally described (T. canopus sp. n., T. crux sp.n., T. mira sp.n., T. rigel sp.n., T. sirius sp.n., and T. toliman, sp.n.). One species, T. crux sp.n., bears two segments with geniculate hooks, a trait already known for the genus but conflicting with the original generic diagnosis. To include this trait the generic diagnosis of Terebellides is amended. An identification key for all species of Terebellides is given, as well as a maximum parsimony phylogeny of the genus based on morphological characters.
Deep Divergences within Liolaemus nigroviridis (Squamata, Liolaemidae) Lineages Associated with Sky Islands in Central Chile
Authors: CIANFERONI FRANCO , YÁÑEZ ROMINA P. , PALMA R. EDUARDO , GARIN CARLOS F. , TORRES-PÉREZ FERNANDO
Published: February 2013

Evolution of montane species may be strongly influenced by climate oscillations, particularly species distributed in isolated high-elevation areas (sky islands). Chilean topography is exemplified by montane environments including the Andesand CoastalMountains. To test hypotheses related to genetic divergence associated with sky islands, we explored population genetics and phylogenetic signatures in the montane lizard Liolaemus nigroviridis Müller and Hellmich 1932. We sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome b for samples collected from six montane areas in central Chile. We found high genetic divergence among populations, congruent with well-supported clades from phylogeny reconstructions. The most recent common ancestor of all samples of L. nigroviridis was dated around the limit of Pliocene-Pleistocene (2.7 Mya), congruent with early vicariance of Andean and coastal populations. Deep lineage divergences suggest that allopatric populations accumulated high nucleotide differences and maintained long periods without gene exchange. We discuss potential taxonomic revisions considering relative genetic divergence.
Enderleina khazeni n. sp. (Plecoptera, Perlidae), a new stonefly from Venezuelan Guayana
Authors: DERKA TOMÁŠ , FIGUEROA J. MANUEL TIERNO DE
Published: February 2013

A new species of Enderleina (Plecoptera), E. khazeni n. sp., is described from two males collected in Bolívar Province, Southeast Venezuela. It appears to be more closely related to E. preclara Jewett that to other Enderleina species, but can be clearly distinguished from that species by shape of the penial sclerites. With the description of this new taxon, six species of the genus are known, of these males of four of them have been described.
Cross-Shelf Dynamics in a Western Boundary Current Regime: Implications for Upwelling
Authors: Schaeffer Amandine , Roughan Moninya , Morris Bradley D.
Published: February 2013

The cross-shelf dynamics up- and downstream of the separation of the South Pacific Ocean’s Western Boundary Current (WBC) are studied using two years of high-resolution velocity and temperature measurements from mooring arrays. The shelf circulation is dominated by the East Australian Current (EAC) and its eddy field, with mean poleward depth-integrated magnitudes on the shelf break of 0.35 and 0.15 m s−1 up- and downstream of the separation point, respectively. The high cross-shelf variability is analyzed though a momentum budget, showing a dominant geostrophic balance at both locations. Among the secondary midshelf terms, the bottom stress influence is higher upstream of the separation point while the wind stress is dominant downstream. This study investigates the response of the velocity and temperature cross-shelf structure to both wind and EAC intrusions. Despite the deep water (up to 140 m), the response to a dominant along-shelf wind stress forcing is a classic two-layer Ekman structure. During weak winds, the shelf encroachment of the southward current drives an onshore Ekman flow in the bottom boundary layer. Both the bottom velocity and the resultant bottom cross-shelf temperature gradient are proportional to the magnitude of the encroaching current, with similar linear regressions up- and downstream of the WBC separation. The upwelled water is then subducted below the EAC upstream of the separation point. Such current-driven upwelling is shown to be the dominant driver of cold water uplift in the EAC-dominated region, with significant impacts expected on nutrient enrichment and thus on biological productivity.
Seasonal Forecasting in the Pacific Using the Coupled Model POAMA-2
Authors: Cottrill Andrew , Hendon Harry H. , Lim Eun-Pa , Langford Sally , Shelton Kay , Charles Andrew , McClymont David , Jones David , Kuleshov Yuriy
Published: February 2013

The development of a dynamical model seasonal prediction service for island nations in the tropical South Pacific is described. The forecast model is the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's Predictive Ocean–Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA), a dynamical seasonal forecast system. Using a hindcast set for the period 1982–2006, POAMA is shown to provide skillful forecasts of El Niño and La Niña many months in advance and, because the model faithfully simulates the spatial and temporal variability of rainfall associated with displacements of the southern Pacific convergence zone (SPCZ) and ITCZ during La Niña and El Niño, it also provides good predictions of rainfall throughout the tropical Pacific region. The availability of seasonal forecasts from POAMA should be beneficial to Pacific island countries for the production of regional climate outlooks across the region.
Couple-oriented interventions for chronic illness
Authors: Martire Lynn M.
Published: February 2013

There is emerging evidence that couple-oriented behavioral interventions (CIs) for chronic illness yield benefits for patients. However, conceptual and methodological advances are critical for strengthening the impact and evaluation of this treatment approach. First, it would be useful to develop CIs that work for multiple chronic conditions and are tailored to couples’ needs, and that can be delivered in ways that help couples apply new skills to challenges that they encounter in daily life. Second, there is a need for studies that compare CIs to evidence-based, patient-oriented interventions, and that assess mechanisms in ways which improve our understanding of how intimate relationships affect illness management. Finally, new directions in research on marriage and health will yield findings that are important for the next generation of CIs.
Inferior vena cava thrombosis: A review of current practice
Authors: McAree BJ , O’Donnell ME , Fitzmaurice GJ , Reid JA , Spence RAJ , Lee B
Published: February 2013

Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis remains under-recognised as it is often not pursued as a primary diagnosis. The aetiology of IVC thrombosis can be divided into congenital versus acquired, with all aetiological factors found among Virchow’s triad of stasis, injury and hypercoagulability. Signs and symptoms are related to aetiology and range from no symptoms to cardiovascular collapse. Painful lower limb swelling combined with lower back pain, pyrexia, dilatation of cutaneous abdominal wall veins and a concurrent rise in inflammatory markers are suggestive of IVC thrombosis. Following initial lower limb venous duplex, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the optimal non-invasive imaging tool. Aetiology directs treatment, which ranges from anticoagulation and lower limb compression to open surgery, with endovascular therapies increasingly favoured. The objective of this review is to assess current literature on the aetiology, presentation, investigation, treatment, prognosis and other factors pertaining to IVC thrombosis.
Isolated pharmaco-mechanical thrombectomy (IPMT) for the endovascular treatment of acute axillofemoral graft occlusion
Authors: Wayangankar Siddharth , Patel Jigar , Hennebry Thomas A
Published: February 2013

Since the long-term patency of axillofemoral (AXF) grafts is inferior to aorto-bifemoral (ABF) grafts, limb salvage procedures are crucial in this group of patients. Emerging endovascular devices have helped in the successful restoration of flow for acute limb ischemia in both native arteries as well as bypass grafts. One such device, the Trellis™ thrombectomy system is being used more frequently in this setting. The device has previously been used in veins, native arteries, and rarely in aortofemoral grafts. We present its first successful use for the treatment of occluded AXF bypass graft. The use of this device helped to isolate the treatment zone in the occluded graft, which allowed the use of a lower dose of thrombolytics, less systemic release of thrombolytics, and less distal embolization. Resolution of extensive clot burden was achieved and, with subsequent stenting of the graft at the distal anastomotic site, arterial flow to the leg through the AXF graft was restored and a revision surgery was avoided.
Diabetes genes identified by genome-wide association studies are regulated in mice by nutritional factors in metabolically relevant tissues and by glucose concentrations in islets
Authors: Ho Maggie M , Yoganathan Piriya , Chu Kwan Yi , Karunakaran Subashini , Johnson James D , Clee Susanne M
Published: February 2013

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have recently identified many new genetic variants associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. Many of these variants are in introns of known genes or between known genes, suggesting they affect the expression of these genes. The regulation of gene expression is often tissue and context dependent, for example occurring in response to dietary changes, hormone levels, or many other factors. Thus, to understand how these new genetic variants associated with diabetes risk may act, it is necessary to understand the regulation of their cognate genes.

Results

We identified fourteen type 2 diabetes-associated genes discovered by the first waves of GWAS for which there was little prior evidence of their potential role in diabetes (Adam30, Adamts9, Camk1d, Cdc123, Cdkal1, Cdkn2a, Cdkn2b, Ext2, Hhex, Ide, Jazf1, Lgr5, Thada and Tspan8). We examined their expression in metabolically relevant tissues including liver, adipose tissue, brain, and hypothalamus obtained from mice under fasted, non-fasted and high fat diet-fed conditions. In addition, we examined their expression in pancreatic islets from these mice cultured in low and high glucose. We found that the expression of Jazf1 was reduced by high fat feeding in liver, with similar tendencies in adipose tissue and the hypothalamus. Adamts9 expression was decreased in the hypothalamus of high fat fed mice. In contrast, the expression of Camk1d, Ext2, Jazf1 and Lgr5 were increased in the brain of non-fasted animals compared to fasted mice. Most notably, the expression levels of most of the genes were decreased in islets cultured in high glucose.

Conclusions

These data provide insight into the metabolic regulation of these new type 2 diabetes genes that will be important for determining how the GWAS variants affect gene expression and ultimately the development of type 2 diabetes.
A coupled coincidence point theorem in partially ordered metric spaces with an implicit relation
Authors: Gülyaz Selma , Karapınar Erdal , Yüce İlker Savas
Published: February 2013

In this manuscript, we discuss the existence of a coupled coincidence point for mappings

F
:
X
×
X
→
X

and

g
:
X
→
X

, where F has the mixed g-monotone property, in the context of partially ordered metric spaces with an implicit relation. Our main theorem improves and extends various results in the literature. We also state some examples to illustrate our work.

MSC:47H10, 54H25, 46J10, 46J15.
Mediastinitis and sternal prosthesis infection successfully treated by minimally invasive omental flap transposition
Authors: Tassi Valentina , Ceccarelli Silvia , Vannucci Jacopo , Puma Francesco
Published: February 2013

Purulent mediastinitis is a possible serious complication after mediastinal surgery. We report the case of a localized sternal plasmocytoma treated by sternectomy and prosthetic repair, who needed a second surgery for a fistulizing mediastinitis. Five months earlier, in another Hospital, the patient underwent sternal resection and reconstruction with a “sandwich” prosthesis (Methyl-methacrylate and Marlex mesh). Suppurative mediastinitis occurred and septic shock resolution was observed after the spontaneous opening of a mediastinal cutaneous fistula. After referring to our Unit the patient underwent extensive local and systemic preparation and nutritional support; the infected prosthesis was then removed and the gap filled by a laparoscopically-prepared omental flap. Adequate preoperative management, removal of any infected material and minimally invasive omental flap transposition allowed the successful treatment of this life-threatening condition.
Fabrication of biocompatible and mechanically reinforced graphene oxide-chitosan nanocomposite films
Authors: Zuo Ping-Ping , Feng Hua-Feng , Xu Zhi-Zhen , Zhang Ling-Fan , Zhang Yu-Long , Xia Wei , Zhang Wen-Qing
Published: February 2013

Background

Graphene oxide (GO)can be dispersed through functionalization, or chemically converted to make different graphene-based nanocomposites with excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Chitosan, a partially deacetylated derivative of chitin, is extensively used for food packaging, biosensors, water treatment, and drug delivery. GO can be evenly dispersed in chitosan matrix through the formation of amide linkages between them, which is different from previous reports focusing on preparing GO/chitosan nanocomposites through physical mixing.

Results

In this study, free-standing graphene oxide-chitosan (GO-chitosan) nanocomposite films have been prepared. The GO-chitosan films are biologically compatible and mechanically reinforced. Through the formation of amide linkages between GO’s carboxylic acid groups and chitosan's amine groups, GO could be evenly dispersed within the chitosan matrix. We also characterized the GO-chitosan composite films using element analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photo electron spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermo gravimetric analysis. Compared to pristine chitosan film, the tensile strength of GO-chitosan film is improved by 2.5 folds and Young’s modulus increases by nearly 4.6 folds. The glass transition temperature of GO-chitosan composite film shifts from 118°C to 158°C compared to the pristine chitosan, indicating its enhanced thermal stability. GO-chitosan composite film was also evaluated for its biocompatibility with C3H10T1/2 cells by in vitro fluorescent staining. The graphene oxide-reinforced chitosan composite films could have applications in functional biomaterials.

Conclusion

The present study describes a useful and simple method to chemically attach biocompatible chitosan onto graphene oxide. We envision that the GO-chitosan film will open avenues for next-generation graphene applications in the realm of functional biomaterial.
Morphometric analyses of canine blood microfilariae isolated by the Knott’s test enables Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens species-specific and Acanthocheilonema (syn. Dipetalonema) genus-specific diagnosis
Authors: Magnis Johannes , Lorentz Susanne , Guardone Lisa , Grimm Felix , Magi Marta , Naucke Torsten J , Deplazes Peter
Published: February 2013

Background

Considering the increasing importance of small animals travel medicine and the spread of filariae with zoonotic potential to non-endemic European areas, routine filarial diagnosis in dogs is becoming important. Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens, Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides and A. reconditum are the most common canine filarial nematodes presenting blood circulating microfilariae (mf) which can be differentiated to species level by the acid phosphatase activity patterns or by PCR. Available data on the size of the mf vary considerably in the literature. The aim of this study was to validate morphometric criteria for filarial identification in blood samples of dogs after concentration of mf with the modified Knott’s technique.

Methods

Morphometric analysis of 10 mf from samples identified to species level by acid phosphatase activity and partially confirmed by PCR were performed with specimens from 377 dogs.

Results

The mean length and width of D. immitis mf from 60 dogs were 301.77±6.29 μm and 6.30±0.26 μm, of D. repens mf from 171 dogs 369.44±10.76 μm 8.87±0.58 μm, of A. dracunculoides mf from 133 dogs 259.43±6.69 μm and 5.09±0.47 μm and of A. reconditum mf from 13 dogs 264.83±5.47 μm and 4.63±0.52 μm.

For a subset of 30 samples, morphometric analysis was repeated with identical results in two laboratories. Furthermore, the size of mf concentrated and fixed by the Knott’s technique was shown to be stable over 105 days.

Conclusions

The Knott’s test enables to clearly distinguish between D. immitis, D. repens and Acanthocheilonema spp. However, due to the overlapping size ranges of A. dracunculoides and A. reconditum, biochemical or molecular methods are required to distinguish these two species.
Multimodality imaging using SPECT/CT and MRI and ligand functionalized 99mTc-labeled magnetic microbubbles
Authors: Barrefelt Åsa A , Brismar Torkel B , Egri Gabriella , Aspelin Peter , Olsson Annie , Oddo Letizia , Margheritelli Silvia , Caidahl Kenneth , Paradossi Gaio , Dähne Lars , Axelsson Rimma , Hassan Moustapha
Published: February 2013

Background

In the present study, we used multimodal imaging to investigate biodistribution in rats after intravenous administration of a new 99mTc-labeled delivery system consisting of polymer-shelled microbubbles (MBs) functionalized with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), thiolated poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), chitosan, 1,4,7-triacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (NOTA), NOTA-super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION), or DTPA-SPION.

Methods

Examinations utilizing planar dynamic scintigraphy and hybrid imaging were performed using a commercially available single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) system. For SPION containing MBs, the biodistribution pattern of 99mTc-labeled NOTA-SPION and DTPA-SPION MBs was investigated and co-registered using fusion SPECT/CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moreover, to evaluate the biodistribution, organs were removed and radioactivity was measured and calculated as percentage of injected dose.

Results

SPECT/CT and MRI showed that the distribution of 99mTc-labeled ligand-functionalized MBs varied with the type of ligand as well as with the presence of SPION. The highest uptake was observed in the lungs 1 h post injection of 99mTc-labeled DTPA and chitosan MBs, while a similar distribution to the lungs and the liver was seen after the administration of PMAA MBs. The highest counts of 99mTc-labeled NOTA-SPION and DTPA-SPION MBs were observed in the lungs, liver, and kidneys 1 h post injection. The highest counts were observed in the liver, spleen, and kidneys as confirmed by MRI 24 h post injection. Furthermore, the results obtained from organ measurements were in good agreement with those obtained from SPECT/CT.

Conclusions

In conclusion, microbubbles functionalized by different ligands can be labeled with radiotracers and utilized for SPECT/CT imaging, while the incorporation of SPION in MB shells enables imaging using MR. Our investigation revealed that biodistribution may be modified using different ligands. Furthermore, using a single contrast agent with fusion SPECT/CT/MR multimodal imaging enables visualization of functional and anatomical information in one image, thus improving the diagnostic benefit for patients.
Generating relations and other results associated with some families of the extended Hurwitz-Lerch Zeta functions
Authors: M Hari
Published: February 2013

Motivated essentially by recent works by several authors (see, for example, Bin-Saad [Math J Okayama Univ 49:37–52, 2007] and Katsurada [Publ Inst Math (Beograd) (Nouvelle Ser) 62(76):13–25, 1997], the main objective in this paper is to present a systematic investigation of numerous interesting properties of some families of generating functions and their partial sums which are associated with various classes of the extended Hurwitz-Lerch Zeta functions. Our main results would generalize and extend the aforementioned recent work by Bin-Saad [Math J Okayama Univ 49:37–52, 2007] (see also Katsurada [Publ Inst Math (Beograd) (Nouvelle Ser) 62(76):13–25, 1997]). We also show the hitherto unnoticed fact that the so-called τ-generalized Riemann Zeta function, which happens to be the main subject of investigation by Gupta and Kumari [Jñānābha 41:63–68, 2011]) and Saxena et al. [J Indian Acad Math 33:309–320, 2011], is simply a seemingly trivial notational variation of the familiar general Hurwitz-Lerch Zeta function Φ(z, s, a). Finally, we present a sum-integral representation formula for the general family of the extended Hurwitz-Lerch Zeta functions.

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification

Primary 11M25, 33C60; Secondary 33C05
The equal tangents property
Authors: Jerónimo-Castro J. , Ruiz-Hernández G. , Tabachnikov S.
Published: February 2013

Let M be a C2-smooth strictly convex closed surface in ℝ3 and denote by H the set of points x in the exterior of M such that all the tangent segments from x to M have equal lengths. In this note we prove that if H is either a closed surface containing M or a plane, then M is a Euclidean sphere. Moreover, we shall see that the situation in the Euclidean plane is very different.
On the singular locus of sets definable in a quasianalytic structure
Authors: Nowak Krzysztof Jan
Published: February 2013

Given a quasianalytic structure, we prove that the singular locus of a quasi-subanalytic set E is a closed quasi-subanalytic subset of E. We rely on some stabilisation effects linked to Gateaux differentiability and formally composite functions. An essential ingredient of the proof is a quasianalytic version of Glaeser’s composite function theorem, presented in our previous paper.
Stress corrosion cracking of high-strength steels
Authors: Ramamurthy Sridhar , Atrens Andrej
Published: February 2013

The mechanisms of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and hydrogen embrittlement were recently reviewed by Lynch in this journal. The present review, in contrast, focuses on the rate-limiting step of the SCC of low-alloy high-strength steels in water and particularly focuses on the influence of the applied stress rate on the SCC of low-alloy high-strength steels. Linearly increasing stress tests of low-alloy high-strength steels in distilled water indicated that the stress corrosion crack velocity increased with increasing applied stress rate until the maximum crack velocity, corresponding to vII in fracture mechanics tests in distilled water. Moreover, the crack velocity was dependent only on the applied stress rate and was not influenced by the steel composition. The rate-limiting step could be the rupture of a surface film, which would control the rate of metal dissolution and/or the production and transport of hydrogen to the crack tip or to the regions ahead of the crack tip.
Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaves extracts induced the CYP450 catalyzed aminopyrine-N-demethylase (APND) and UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) activities in male Sprague-Dawley rat livers
Authors: Azizi Juzaili , Ismail Sabariah , Mansor Sharif Mahsufi
Published: February 2013

Background:
Mitragyna speciosa leaves have been abused by drug addicts as some of the alkaloids (mainly mitragynine) from the plant possess opiate and cocaine-like effects. These bring to its prohibition in Malaysia in 2004 as consumption of M. speciosa leaves has been perceived to lead to the abuse of other drugs such as cannabis and heroin.

Methods: In the current study, the in vitro and in vivo effects of M. speciosa methanolic, aqueous and total alkaloid leaves extracts on drug metabolizing enzymes, namely, cytochrome P450s (CYP450s) and UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) had been evaluated in rat liver cytosolic fraction and microsomes. Aminopyrine and p-nitrophenol (pNP) were employed as probe substrates in aminopyrine N-demethylase (APND) and UGT enzyme assays, respectively. Furthermore, mitragynine was also tested in vitro for its likelihood to inhibit APND and UGT activity. The assessment of the enzyme activity was conducted using spectrophotometric methods.

Results:
In vitro, the IC50 value could only be obtained for the methanolic extract in APND study (595.30±30.78 µg/mL) and not in other studies due to the enzyme percentage inhibitions being <70%. In contrast to the in vitro study, the oral treatment of male Sprague-Dawley rats for 14 days with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of methanolic and aqueous extracts and with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg of total alkaloid extract showed a profound increment on the APND and UGT activities.

Conclusions: The current findings showed that possibilities exist for herb-drug interaction with increased clearance of drugs, which are primarily metabolized by CYP450s and UGT1A6 among M. speciosa leaves extract users.
Brain and liver oxidative stress after sertraline and haloperidol treatment in mice
Authors: Abdel-Salam Omar M.E. , Youness Eman R. , Khadrawy Yasser Ashry , Sleem Amany A.
Published: February 2013

Background: Haloperidol is a classic antipsychotic drug known for its propensity to cause extrapyramidal side effects. Sertraline is an antidepressant drug which has been reported to cause extrapyramidal symptoms. We aimed to see whether treatment with sertraline would worsen the effect of haloperidol on oxidative stress in the brains of mice.

Methods: Sertraline (10 or 20 mg/kg), haloperidol (2 mg/kg), haloperidol combined with sertraline or saline was administered daily via the subcutaneous route and mice were euthanized 10 days later when biochemical assays were carried out. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (nitrite) levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), catalase and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activities were determined in the brain and liver.

Results: Sertraline monotherapy did not alter GSH, MDA, TAC or nitrite in the brain. Haloperidol decreased GSH and TAC and increased MDA and nitrite. The combined treatment with sertraline and haloperidol resulted in increased MDA, but to a lesser extent than haloperidol monotherapy. A significant increase in GSH and TAC and decreased nitrite was observed after the combination treatment was compared with haloperidol monotherapy. Catalase activity decreased with sertraline or haloperidol treatment. PON1 activity decreased with sertraline and haloperidol monotherapy and showed a further decrease with the combination therapy compared with haloperidol monotherapy. AChE activity decreased after haloperidol and increased with the combination treatment compared with haloperidol monotherapy. In the liver, GSH was unaltered after sertraline, haloperidol or their combination. MDA increased with sertraline, haloperidol and their combination. TAC decreased after combination therapy. Nitric oxide increased after sertraline, haloperidol or their combination. PON1 activity decreased with sertraline, haloperidol and with sertraline-haloperidol co-treatment.

Conclusions: Sertraline did not worsen brain oxidative stress-induced with haloperidol, however, liver peroxidation increased. Sertraline decreased catalase and PON1 activity which might expose the brain to further oxidative insults.
What is the effect of ghrelin on rat uterine contractility in vitro?
Authors: Mostafa Abeer F. , Samir Shereen M.
Published: February 2013

Background: Ghrelin, a recently isolated gastric hormone, is an endogenous ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptors. There is novel evidence that ghrelin might be expressed in rat ovaries, placental tissues, and the uterus. It has been reported to have modulatory effects on smooth muscle contractility. In this study, we investigated the effects of ghrelin on spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractions in the rat uterus in vitro and tried to detect its signaling pathway.

Methods: Myometrium strips were removed from virgin female albino Wister rats and placed in a jacketed tissue bath. After initiation of spontaneous contractions, ghrelin was added to the tissue bath alone or after administration of indomethacin or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or propranolol HCl. Student’s t-test was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Our results revealed an inhibitory effect of ghrelin on both spontaneous and oxytocin-induced myometrial contractions. This effect was not affected by the application of indomethacin or L-NAME but was blocked after propranolol HCl administration.

Conclusions: Ghrelin has an inhibitory effect on basal and oxytocin-induced rat myometrial contractions in vitro, and this myometrial response to ghrelin might be mediated by β-receptor signaling pathway.
Hymn and History in Ex 15
Authors: Klein Anja
Published: February 2013

Contrary to the long-held opinion, this contribution argues that the Song of the Sea in Ex 15 does not represent an old tradition, but is rather an example of exegetical writing in the Persian period. The different authors of Ex 15 drew on both temple theology and the Exodus narrative and merged them fruitfully. Thus, the poem became a paradigm for the combination of hymn and history that had a great impact on the further literary and theological development in the Hebrew Bible.

Contrairement à une opinion longtemps défendue, je soutiens dans cet article que le »Chant de la Mer« en Ex. 15 ne représente pas une tradition ancienne, mais est plutôt un exemple d’écrit exégétique de la période perse. Les différents auteurs d’Ex. 15 ont pris en compte tant la théologie du temple que le récit de l’Exode et les ont fusionnés. Ainsi, le poème est devenu un paradigme, par une combinaison d’hymne et d’histoire, qui a eu un grand impact sur le développement littéraire et théologique dans la Bible hébraïque.

Entgegen der Einschätzung, dass es sich beim Schilfmeerlied von Ex 15 um ein altes Traditionsstück handelt, wird in diesem Beitrag die These vertreten, dass hier ein schriftgelehrtes Produkt aus der Perserzeit vorliegt. Die verschiedenen Autoren von Ex 15 rezipierten Texte und Motive der Tempeltheologie aus den Psalmen sowie Erzählzüge der Exodusüberlieferung und reformulierten sie auf den unterschiedlichen literarischen Wachstumsstufen von Ex 15. Dies legt den Schluss nahe, dass die Einschreibung der Grundfassung des Kapitels in die Exoduserzählung die Geburtsstunde der Vereinigung von Geschichte und Poesie darstellt und Ex 15 als Nukleus der heilsgeschichtlichen Überlieferung in den poetischen Texten gelten kann.
Reconsidering The Provenance of Deuteronomy
Authors: Nicholson Ernest
Published: February 2013

It is argued that the exilic period among the exiles in Babylon provides the context proper of the crisis which Deuteronomy presupposes and also of its leading features, for example its ethos of »encroachment«. The book is shot through with apprehension for continued fidelity to YHWH, which evidently cannot be taken for granted – hence its authors’ distinctive hortatory style: exhorting, cautioning, promising, threatening. The book has been aptly described as one of »memory making« in the face of a prevailing state of »forgetfulness« among those whom its authors addressed. Responding to historical circumstances that had overtaken much inherited religious practice and symbolism, the thinking and teaching of its authors reflect a shift from Israelite religion and institutions of the pre-exilic period to the antecedents of post-exilic Judaism.

On présente ici la thèse que le contexte de la situation de crise présupposée par le Deutéronome correspond à l’exil à Babylone, et il en est de même pour son éthique de l’empiètement – implication (»encroachment«). Le livre est traversé par le souci de la fidélité permanente à Yhwh, qui n’était apparemment pas évidente. C’est ainsi que s’explique le style persuasif de ses auteurs: encourageant, avertissant, promettant, menaçant. On a bien défini ce livre comme une oeuvre créatrice de mémoire face à l’oubli progressif de l’histoire, qui caractérise ses destinataires. Répondant ainsi aux circonstances historiques qui font paraître désuètes la pratique et la symbolique religieuses anciennes, la pensée et l’enseignement des auteurs du Deutéronome reflètent le passage de la religion et des institutions d’Israël de l’époque préexilique vers les précurseurs du judaïsme post-exilique.

Es wird die These aufgestellt, dass das babylonische Exil sowohl für die vom Deuteronomium vorausgesetzte Krisensituation als auch für bestimmte Charakteristika, etwa sein Ethos des Übergriffs] (encroachment), den passenden Kontext bildet. Das Buch ist durchsetzt von der Sorge um die fortgesetzte Treue zu Jhwh, die offensichtlich nicht selbstverständlich war. So erklärt sich der eindringliche Stil seiner Autoren: ermahnend, warnend, verheißend, drohend. Das Buch ist treffend beschrieben worden als eines, das Erinnerung stiftet angesichts einer unter den Adressaten andauernden Situation der Geschichtsvergessenheit. Antwortend auf die geschichtlichen Gegebenheiten, welche die ererbte religiöse Praxis und Symbolik überholt erscheinen ließ, spiegelt das Denken und Lehren der Verfasser des Deuteronomiums den Übergang von der israelitischen Religion und den Institutionen der vorexilischen Zeit hin zu den Vorläufern des nachexilischen Judentums wider.
Wörter – Wissen – Wörterbücher
Authors: Schierholz Stefan J.
Published: February 2013

From Sept 18–21, the German Society for Applied Linguistics (GAL –Gesellschaft für Angewandte Linguistik) hosted a conference at the universityof Erlangen-Nürnberg. This article describes how the conference title“Wörter – Wissen – Wörterbücher„ (“Words – Knowledge – Dictionaries„)was developed and provides background information on the preparationand organization of the conference.
“ganz normale Jugendliche, allerdings meist mit Migrationshintergrund„. Eine funktional-semantische Analyse von “Migrationshintergrund„
Authors: Scarvaglieri Claudio , Zech Claudia
Published: February 2013

The term “Migrationshintergrund„ (migration background) features veryprominently in public German discourses on education and social integration.It serves to explain differences in educational success, income, standardof living, etc. Whereas its official attribution is based on a person’s(and his or her parents’) birthplace, this article examines its actual use inGerman newspapers and reconstructs its meaning according to the use ofthe term in the German language community. As a starting point, the emergenceand historical development of the term is briefly recapitulated andthe meaning of its constituents (“Migration„, “Hintergrund„) is investigatedboth from a diachronic and a synchronic perspective. On this basis,a corpus of 4601 instances of the use of the term “Migrationshintergrund„is analyzed. We first point to four exemplary instances in order to give anunderstanding of what can actually be said about persons with a “Migrationshintergrund„.In a second, quantitative hermeneutical step, categoriesof typical usage are derived from the data. This allows the identification ofthe most important aspects of the meaning of “Migrationshintergrund„.The results are validated by comparing them with the co-occurrences of“Migrationshintergrund„ in the same corpus and in a comparative corpus(Leipziger Wortschatzportal). Overall, it appears that “Migrationshintergrund„is used to distinguish between ‘real Germans’ and people who areofficially German, but are not felt to be part of the German community.These persons are seen as a group of ‘Others’ that presents challenges forthe majority because they are not sufficiently integrated and need socialsupport. Against this backdrop, it is investigated whether the concept of“Migrationshintergrund„ does indeed capture salient dimensions of socialstratification, arguing that socio-economic and linguistic factors allow fora much more thorough understanding of social processes than the notion oforigin as it is captured by “Migrationshintergrund„. It is concluded that “Migrationshintergrund„ therefore serves as a means to prevent discourseon social change and that the term and mental concept of “Migrationshintergrund„should be avoided in future linguistic research.
Solid phase extraction of trivalent actinides and lanthanides using a novel CMPO-RTIL based chromatographic resin
Authors: Ansari S. A. , Mohapatra P. K.
Published: February 2013

A novel extraction chromatographic resin was prepared by impregnating CMPO-RTIL (C8mim+·NTf2
−) on Chromosrob-W for the removal of trivalent actinides from aqueous solution and its behaviour was compared with previously reported CMPO-n-dodecane resin. Under identical condition, the K
d value of Am(III) by CMPO-RTIL resin (K
d at 3 M HNO3 = 5805 ± 525) was one order magnitude higher than that obtained with CMPO-n-dodecane resin (K
d at 3 M HNO3 = 610 ± 55). The sorption reaction of Am(III) followed a first-order rate law with both the resins. The metal sorption capacities for Eu(III) at 3 M HNO3 were found to be 18.95 ± 1.13 mg and 20.52 ± 1.25 mg/g of CMPO-RTIL and CMPO-n-dodecane resins, respectively. The analysis of the sorption data by different models supported the hypothesis that the sorption of Eu(III) on the resins was actually limited by the saturation of the CMPO complexing sites on the resin. The free energy for the sorption of Eu(III) obtained from D–R isotherm was 17.67 ± 1.63 kJ/mol and 16.51 ± 2.05 kJ/Mol for CMPO-RTIL and CMPO-n-dodecane resins, respectively. The sorption free energy is an indication of chemisorption monolayer mechanism. The monolayer sorption mechanism was also confirmed by the theoretical approach calculated based on the sorption kinetics.
Thermodynamics of Np(IV) complexes with gluconic acid under alkaline conditions: sorption studies
Authors: Rojo Henar , Tits Jan , Gaona Xavier , Garcia-Gutiérrez Miguel , Missana Tiziana , Wieland Erich
Published: February 2013

The complexation of Np(IV) with gluconic acid (GLU) under alkaline conditions was investigated in the absence of Ca by carrying out a series of sorption experiments. The decrease of Np(IV) sorption on the sorbing material at increasing concentrations of GLU was interpreted as the formation of Np(IV)-GLU aqueous complexes. The modelling of experimental data according to the Schubert method [1] confirmed the formation of a complex with a Np : GLU ratio 1 : 1. The stoichiometry of the complex Np(OH)4GLU− was proposed based on the experimental observation that no proton exchange occurred during the course of the complexation reaction and that Np(OH)4(aq) was the predominant hydrolysis product in the absence of GLU. A log *
β
1,4,1
0 = −2.92 ± 0.30 for the formation reaction Np4+ + 4H2O + GLU−⇔Np(OH)4GLU− + 4H+ was calculated based on the conditional stability constants determined from sorption experiments and using the Np(IV) thermodynamic data selected in the NEA reviews [2].

Linear free energy relationships (LFER) confirmed that the stoichiometry and stability of the Np(IV)-GLU complex characterized in this work are consistent with data available for Th(IV)-, U(IV)- and Pu(IV)-GLU complexes.
On the Influence of Molecular Structure on the Conductivity of Electrolyte Solutions – Sodium Chloride in Dioxane–Water Mixtures
Authors: Krienke Hartmut , Ahn-Ercan Gudrun , Maurer Alexander
Published: February 2013

Theoretical calculations of the conductivity of sodium chloride in water+1,4-dioxane mixtures are presented and compared with experimental measurements. The method of direct correlation force in the framework of the interionic theory is used for the calculation of transport properties in connection with the associative mean spherical approximation (AMSA). The effective interactions between ions in solutions are derived with the help of Monte Carlo calculations on the Born–Oppenheimer level. This work is based on earlier studies on structure of dioxane+water mixtures and the solvation of ions in it.
In the labyrinth of calcium metabolism
Authors: Magony Sándor , Valkusz Zsuzsanna , Csajbók Éva , Sepp Krisztián , Gardi János , Szécsi Mihály , Julesz János , Wittmann Tibor
Published: February 2013

The authors present the case of a 27-year-old male patient. In 2010, he suffered from a bone fracture of the pelvis. As imaging techniques showed multiple osseal lytic lesions, diagnostic investigations were performed for multiple myeloma. Later, a mass lesion measuring 37 mm in size was removed from the left side of his mandible. Histology revealed a giant-cell tumour of the bone and oncologic therapy was considered. However, before this planned treatment a PET-CT was performed, which showed numerous distinct lesions with enhanced glucose metabolism in the skeleton as well as in soft tissue behind the right lobe of the thyroid. Hence, the patient was referred to endocrinologists. On the basis of severe hypercalcemia (serum calcium 3.66 mmol/l) and high serum parathyroid hormone level (162.5 pmol/l) the diagnosis of a right sided parathyroid tumour was established. After surgical excision of the parathyroid tumour, high levels of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone returned to normal. Histology failed to show malignancy and the patient recovered soon. This case report may shed some light on the importance of serum calcium measurements and the differential diagnostic significance of primary hyperparathyroidism. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 351–355.