bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of cathepsin X in the migration and invasiveness of T lymphocytes
Authors: Jevnikar Zala , Obermajer Nataša , Bogyo Matthew , Kos Janko
Published: July 2008

Cathepsin X is a lysosomal cysteine protease exhibiting carboxypeptidase activity. Its expression is high in the cells of immune system and its function has been related to the processes of inflammatory and immune responses. It regulates processes such as adhesion, T lymphocyte activation and phagocytosis through its interaction with β2 integrins. To investigate the role of cathepsin X in the migration of T lymphocytes, Jurkat T lymphocytes were stably transfected with a pcDNA3 expression vector containing cathepsin X cDNA. The cathepsin-X-overexpressing T lymphocytes exhibited polarised migration-associated morphology, enhanced migration on 2D and 3D models using intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1)- and Matrigel-coated surfaces, and increased homotypic aggregation. The increased invasiveness of cathepsin-X-overexpressing cells does not involve proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix. Confocal microscopy showed that the active mature form of cathepsin X was colocalised in migrating cells together with lymphocyte-function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1). The colocalisation was particularly evident at the trailing edge protrusion, the uropod, that has an important role in T lymphocyte migration and cell-cell interactions. We propose that cathepsin X causes cytoskeletal rearrangements and stimulates migration of T lymphocytes by modulating the activity of the β2 integrin receptor LFA-1.
Antipsychotics and Diabetes: An Age-Related Association
Authors: Hammerman Ariel , Dreiher Jacob , Klang Shmuel H , Munitz Hanan , Cohen Arnon D , Goldfracht Margalit
Published: July 2008

Background

Previous studies have reported an association between antipsychotic medications and diabetes.

Objective

To explore the association between antipsychotic medications and diabetes in patients of different ages.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a large health maintenance organization's drug claim database (3.7 million members) was performed. All patients treated with antipsychotic drugs during 1998–2004 were identified. Patients with diabetes were defined by a record of antidiabetic drug uso during 2004. The prevalence of diabetes in different age groups treated with antipsychotics was compared with the prevalence of diabetes among enrollees in the same age groups not treated with antipsychotics.

Results:

Among 82,754 patients treated with antipsychotics, the association between diabetes and consumption of antipsychotics was strongest in the younger age groups and decreased with increasing age: for patients aged 0–24 years, OR 8.9 (95% CI 7.0 to 11.3); 25–44 years, OR 4.2 (95% CI 3,8 to 4.5); 45–54 years, OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.8 to 2.1); 55–64 years, OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.4); and 65 years or older, OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.0). However, the risk associated with atypical antipsychotics was lower than the risk associated with typical antipsychotics, with ORs ranging from 0.7 in patients 0–24 years old to 0.3 in those 65 years or older.

Conclusions:

Antipsychotic drug use was associated with diabetes mellitus. This association was stronger in younger patients. In older adults, the difference was much smaller and, in some cases, there was no association. A lowor risk was associated with atypical agents, as compared with typical antipsychotics. Clinicians should bo aware that young adults treated with antipsychotics are at increased risk for diabetes.
Quantification of Carnitine and Acylcarnitines in Biological Matrices by HPLC Electrospray Ionization– Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Minkler Paul E , Stoll Maria S K , Ingalls Stephen T , Yang Shuming , Kerner Janos , Hoppel Charles L
Published: August 2008

Background: Analysis of carnitine and acylcarnitines by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has limitations. First, preparation of butyl esters partially hydrolyzes acylcarnitines. Second, isobaric nonacylcarnitine compounds yield false-positive results in acylcarnitine tests. Third, acylcarnitine constitutional isomers cannot be distinguished.

Methods: Carnitine and acylcarnitines were isolated by ion-exchange solid-phase extraction, derivatized with pentafluorophenacyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, separated by HPLC, and detected with an ion trap mass spectrometer. Carnitine was quantified with d3-carnitine as the internal standard. Acylcarnitines were quantified with 42 synthesized calibrators. The internal standards used were d6-acetyl-, d3-propionyl-, undecanoyl-, undecanedioyl-, and heptadecanoylcarnitine.

Results: Example recoveries [mean (SD)] were 69.4% (3.9%) for total carnitine, 83.1% (5.9%) for free carnitine, 102.2% (9.8%) for acetylcarnitine, and 107.2% (8.9%) for palmitoylcarnitine. Example imprecision results [mean (SD)] within runs (n = 6) and between runs (n = 18) were, respectively: total carnitine, 58.0 (0.9) and 57.4 (1.7) μmol/L; free carnitine, 44.6 (1.5) and 44.3 (1.2) μmol/L; acetylcarnitine, 7.74 (0.51) and 7.85 (0.69) μmol/L; and palmitoylcarnitine, 0.12 (0.01) and 0.11 (0.02) μmol/L. Standard-addition slopes and linear regression coefficients were 1.00 and 0.9998, respectively, for total carnitine added to plasma, 0.99 and 0.9997 for free carnitine added to plasma, 1.04 and 0.9972 for octanoylcarnitine added to skeletal muscle, and 1.05 and 0.9913 for palmitoylcarnitine added to skeletal muscle. Reference intervals for plasma, urine, and skeletal muscle are provided.

Conclusions: This method for analysis of carnitine and acylcarnitines overcomes the observed limitations of MS/MS methods.
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation does not improve quality of muscle reinnervation or recovery of motor function after facial nerve transection in rats
Authors: Grosheva Maria , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Arnhold Stephan , Skouras Emmanouil , Kuerten Stefanie , Streppel Michael , Angelova Srebrina K. , Wewetzer Konstantin , Radtke Christine , Dunlop Sarah A. , Angelov Doychin N.
Published: August 2008

Recently, we devised and validated a novel strategy in rats to improve the outcome of facial nerve reconstruction by daily manual stimulation of the target muscles. The treatment resulted in full recovery of facial movements (whisking), which was achieved by reducing the proportion of pathologically polyinnervated motor endplates. Here, we posed whether manual stimulation could also be beneficial after a surgical procedure potentially useful for treatment of large peripheral nerve defects, i.e., entubulation of the transected facial nerve in a conduit filled with suspension of isogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in collagen. Compared to control treatment with collagen only, entubulation with BM-MSCs failed to decrease the extent of collateral axonal branching at the lesion site and did not improve functional recovery. Post-operative manual stimulation of vibrissal muscles also failed to promote a better recovery following entubulation with BM-MSCs. We suggest that BM-MSCs promote excessive trophic support for regenerating axons which, in turn, results in excessive collateral branching at the lesion site and extensive polyinnervation of the motor endplates. Furthermore, such deleterious effects cannot be overridden by manual stimulation. We conclude that entubulation with BM-MSCs is not beneficial for facial nerve repair.
Caveolin-1 Regulates Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Tat-Induced Alterations of Tight Junction Protein Expression via Modulation of the Ras Signaling
Authors: Zhong Yu , Smart Eric J. , Weksler Babette , Couraud Pierre-Olivier , Hennig Bernhard , Toborek Michal
Published: July 2008

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is the critical structure for preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) trafficking into the brain. Specific HIV proteins, such as Tat protein, can contribute to the dysfunction of tight junctions at the BBB and HIV entry into the brain. Tat is released by HIV-1-infected cells and can interact with a variety of cell surface receptors activating several signal transduction pathways, including those localized in caveolae. The present study focused on the mechanisms of Tat-induced caveolae-associated Ras signaling at the level of the BBB. Treatment with Tat activated the Ras pathway in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). However, caveolin-1 silencing markedly attenuated these effects. Because the integrity of the brain endothelium is regulated by intercellular tight junctions, these structural elements of the BBB were also evaluated in the present study. Exposure to Tat diminished the expression of several tight junction proteins, namely, occludin, zonula occludens (ZO)-1, and ZO-2 in the caveolar fraction of HBMECs. These effects were effectively protected by pharmacological inhibition of the Ras signaling and by silencing of caveolin-1. The present data indicate the importance of caveolae-associated signaling in the disruption of tight junctions on Tat exposure. They also demonstrate that caveolin-1 may constitute an early and critical modulator that controls signaling pathways leading to the disruption of tight junction proteins. Thus, caveolin-1 may provide an effective target to protect against Tat-induced HBMEC dysfunction and the disruption of the BBB in HIV-1-infected patients.
PKMζ Maintains Late Long-Term Potentiation byN-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor/GluR2-Dependent Trafficking of Postsynaptic AMPA Receptors
Authors: Yao Yudong , Kelly Matthew Taylor , Sajikumar Sreedharan , Serrano Peter , Tian Dezhi , Bergold Peter John , Frey Julietta Uta , Sacktor Todd Charlton
Published: July 2008

Although the maintenance mechanism of late long-term potentiation (LTP) is critical for the storage of long-term memory, the expression mechanism of synaptic enhancement during late-LTP is unknown. The autonomously active protein kinase C isoform, protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ), is a core molecule maintaining late-LTP. Here we show that PKMζ maintains late-LTP through persistentN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF)/glutamate receptor subunit 2 (GluR2)-dependent trafficking of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) to the synapse. Intracellular perfusion of PKMζ into CA1 pyramidal cells causes potentiation of postsynaptic AMPAR responses; this synaptic enhancement is mediated through NSF/GluR2 interactions but not vesicle-associated membrane protein-dependent exocytosis. PKMζ may act through NSF to release GluR2-containing receptors from a reserve pool held at extrasynaptic sites by protein interacting with C-kinase 1 (PICK1), because disrupting GluR2/PICK1 interactions mimic and occlude PKMζ-mediated AMPAR potentiation. During LTP maintenance, PKMζ directs AMPAR trafficking, as measured by NSF/GluR2-dependent increases of GluR2/3-containing receptors in synaptosomal fractions from tetanized slices. Blocking this trafficking mechanism reverses established late-LTP and persistent potentiation at synapses that have undergone synaptic tagging and capture. Thus, PKMζ maintains late-LTP by persistently modifying NSF/GluR2-dependent AMPAR trafficking to favor receptor insertion into postsynaptic sites.
A Core Paired-Type and POU Homeodomain-Containing Transcription Factor Program Drives Retinal Bipolar Cell Gene Expression
Authors: Kim Douglas S. , Matsuda Takahiko , Cepko Constance L.
Published: July 2008

The diversity of cell types found within the vertebrate CNS arises in part from action of complex transcriptional programs. In the retina, the programs driving diversification of various cell types have not been completely elucidated. To investigate gene regulatory networks that underlie formation and function of one retinal circuit component, the bipolar cell, transcriptional regulation of three bipolar cell-enriched genes was analyzed. Usingin vivoretinal DNA transfection and reporter gene constructs, a 200 bpGrm6enhancer sequence, a 445 bpCabp5promoter sequence, and a 164 bpChx10enhancer sequence, were defined, each driving reporter expression specifically in distinct but overlapping bipolar cell subtypes. Bioinformatic analysis of sequences revealed the presence of potential paired-type and POU homeodomain-containing transcription factor binding sites, which were shown to be critical for reporter expression through deletion studies. The paired-type homeodomain transcription factors (TFs) Crx and Otx2 and the POU homeodomain factor Brn2 are expressed in bipolar cells and interacted with the predicted binding sequences as assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.Grm6,Cabp5, andChx10reporter activity was reduced inOtx2loss-of-function retinas. Endogenous gene expression of bipolar cell molecular markers was also dependent on paired-type homeodomain-containing TFs, as assessed by RNAin situhybridization and reverse transcription-PCR in mutant retinas.Cabp5andChx10reporter expression was reduced in dominant-negativeBrn2-transfected retinas. The paired-type and POU homeodomain-containing TFs Otx2 and Brn2 together appear to play a common role in regulating gene expression in retinal bipolar cells.
Diverse Mechanisms Underlie Glycinergic Feedback Transmission onto Rod Bipolar Cells in Rat Retina
Authors: Chávez Andrés E. , Diamond Jeffrey S.
Published: July 2008

Synaptic inhibition shapes visual signaling in the inner retina, but the physiology of most amacrine cells, the interneurons that mediate this inhibition, is poorly understood. Discerning the function of most individual amacrine cell types is a daunting task, because few molecular or morphological markers specifically distinguish between approximately two dozen different amacrine cell types. Here, we examine a functional subset of amacrine cells by pharmacologically isolating glycinergic inhibition and evoking feedback IPSCs in a single cell type, the rod bipolar cell (RBC), with brief glutamate applications in the inner plexiform layer. We find that glycinergic amacrine cells innervating RBCs receive excitatory inputs from ON and OFF bipolar cells primarily via NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and Ca2+-impermeable AMPA-type glutamate receptors. Glycine release from amacrine cells is triggered by Ca2+influx through both voltage-gated Ca2+(Cav) channels and NMDARs. These intracellular Ca2+signals are amplified by Ca2+-induced Ca2+release via both ryanodine and IP3receptors, which are activated independently by Ca2+influx through Cavchannels and NMDARs, respectively. Glycinergic feedback signaling depends strongly, although not completely, on voltage-gated Na+channels, and the spatial extent of feedback inhibition is expanded by gap junction connections between glycinergic amacrine cells. These results indicate that a diversity of mechanisms underlie glycinergic feedback inhibition onto RBCs, yet they highlight several physiological themes that appear to distinguish amacrine cell function.
Facilitation of Stepping with Epidural Stimulation in Spinal Rats: Role of Sensory Input
Authors: Lavrov Igor , Courtine Grégoire , Dy Christine J. , van den Brand Rubia , Fong Andy J. , Gerasimenko Yuri , Zhong Hui , Roy Roland R. , Edgerton V. Reggie
Published: July 2008

We investigated the role of afferent information during recovery of coordinated rhythmic activity of the hindlimbs in rats with a complete spinal cord section (approximately T8) and unilateral deafferentation (T12–S2) to answer the following questions: (1) Can bilateral stepping be generated with only afferent projections intact on one side? (2) Can the sensory input from the non-deafferented side compensate for the loss of the afferent input from the deafferented side through the crossed connections within the lumbosacral spinal cord? (3) Which afferent projections to the spinal cord from the non-deafferented side predominantly mediate the effect of epidural stimulation to facilitate stepping? Recovery of stepping ability was tested under the facilitating influence of epidural stimulation at the S1 spinal segment, or epidural stimulation plus quipazine, a 5-HT agonist. All chronic spinal rats were able to generate stepping-like patterns on a moving treadmill on the non-deafferented, but not deafferented, side from 3 to 7 weeks after surgery when facilitated by epidural stimulation. Adaptation to the loss of unilateral afferent input was evident at 7 weeks after surgery, when some movements occurred on the deafferented side. Spinal-cord-evoked potentials were observed on both sides, although middle (monosynaptic) and late (long latency) responses were more prominent on the non-deafferented side. The afferent information arising from the non-deafferented side, however, eventually could mediate limited restoration of hindlimb movements on the deafferented side. These data suggest that facilitation of stepping with epidural stimulation is mediated primarily through ipsilateral afferents that project to the locomotor networks.
Intra-Amygdaloid Injection of Kainic Acid in Rats with Genetic Absence Epilepsy: The Relationship of Typical Absence Epilepsy and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Gurbanova Ayten Azizova , Aker Rezzan Gülhan , Sirvanci Serap , Demiralp Tamer , Onat Filiz Yilmaz
Published: July 2008

We showed previously that genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) resist secondary generalization of focal limbic seizures after electrical kindling. We now investigate the effect of intra-amygdaloid injection of kainic acid, as another model of temporal lobe epilepsy, focusing on epileptogenesis, spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs), and the transition from basal to SWD states in GAERS. The EEG was recorded from the hippocampus and cortex of adult GAERS and Wistar rats before kainic acid injections into the basolateral amygdala and for 3 months thereafter. EEG and video recordings monitored SWDs and convulsive seizures. We analyzed spectral changes of the EEG during kainic acid-induced status epilepticus, SWDs, for 10 s before (silent period) and for 2 s before (transition period) SWDs. After the injection of kainic acid, all animals experienced convulsive seizures for at least 3 h. The first convulsive seizure was significantly delayed in GAERS compared with Wistar rats. SWDs and increases in power of the delta, alpha, and beta frequency ranges during the transition period disappeared after the kainic acid injection for 1–3 d and gradually reappeared. Power increases in the delta and alpha ranges were significantly correlated with the number of SWDs, in the beta and alpha ranges with their mean duration. Neo-Timm's staining at the end of experiments demonstrated that mossy fiber sprouting in GAERS is less pronounced than in Wistar rats. Our findings show that mechanisms underlying absence epilepsy and temporal lobe epilepsy interact with each other, although a site of this interaction remains to be defined.
Measures of Cortical Plasticity after Transcranial Paired Associative Stimulation Predict Changes in Electroencephalogram Slow-Wave Activity during Subsequent Sleep
Authors: Huber Reto , Määttä Sara , Esser Steve K. , Sarasso Simone , Ferrarelli Fabio , Watson Adam , Ferreri Florinda , Peterson Michael J. , Tononi Giulio
Published: July 2008

Sleep slow-wave activity (SWA) is thought to reflect sleep need, increasing in proportion to the previous time awake and decreasing during sleep, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Recent studies have shown that procedures presumably leading to local plastic changes in the cerebral cortex can lead to local changes in SWA during subsequent sleep. To further investigate the connection between cortical plasticity and sleep SWA, in this study we used a paired associative stimulation (PAS) protocol, in which median nerve stimuli were followed at different intervals (25 or 10 ms) by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses to the contralateral cortical hand area. As expected, such a protocol led to a sustained increase (long-term potentiation-like) or decrease (long-term depression-like) of cortical excitability as measured by motor evoked potentials. By using a TMS-compatible high-density electroencephalographic (EEG) system, we also found that, in individual subjects, TMS-evoked cortical responses over sensorimotor cortex changed with different interstimulus intervals. Moreover, during subsequent sleep, SWA increased locally in subjects whose TMS-evoked cortical responses had increased after PAS, and decreased in subjects whose cortical responses had decreased. Changes in TMS-evoked cortical EEG response and change in sleep SWA were localized to similar cortical regions and were positively correlated. Together, these results suggest that changes in cortical excitability in opposite directions lead to corresponding changes in local sleep regulation, as reflected by SWA, providing evidence for a tight relationship between cortical plasticity and sleep intensity.
Functional Convergence of Dopaminergic and Cholinergic Input Is Critical for Hippocampus-Dependent Working Memory
Authors: Wisman Liselijn A. B. , Sahin Gurdal , Maingay Matthew , Leanza Giampiero , Kirik Deniz
Published: July 2008

Although Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder, in many patients cognitive dysfunction is an important clinical sign. It is not yet clear whether this is attributable solely to a decrease in dopamine levels, or whether other neurotransmitter systems might be involved as well. In the present study, the importance of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway and a possible convergence with forebrain cholinergic projections to neocortex and hippocampus in the regulation of learning and memory abilities were investigated by using specific lesion paradigms in one or both systems. Lesioning of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area resulted in an impaired performance in the reference memory task, whereas the execution of the working memory tasks appeared to be unaffected in the Morris water maze. Analysis of the swim paths revealed that the dopamine-depleted animals were capable of adapting a search strategy on a given testing day but failed to transfer this information to the next day, suggesting a deficit in information storage and/or recall. In contrast, cholinergic lesions alone were without effect in all test paradigms. However, when both dopamine and acetylcholine were depleted, animals were also impaired in the working memory task, indicating that a functional convergence of the inputs from these systems was critical for acquisition of spatial memory. Interestingly, such an additional acquisition deficit appeared only after hippocampal cholinergic depletion regardless of a concurrent disruption of basalo cortical cholinergic afferents. Thus, further analyses of cholinergic alterations may prove useful in better understanding the cognitive symptoms in Parkinson's disease.
Finding the Cost of Campaign Advertising
Authors: Hagen Michael G , Kolodny Robin
Published: July 2008

Debates about campaign finance often point to television advertising as a major reason for the high cost of campaigning, but the debates are too rarely informed by systematic data on advertising costs. A leading source tracking campaign ads, the Campaign Media Analysis Group (CMAG), offers data about both the volume and the estimated cost of advertising being purchased. Here, we test the accuracy of CMAG cost data by comparing CMAG estimates to records we gathered directly from television stations for five competitive campaigns in the Philadelphia area in 2006. Our findings show that while CMAG is highly accurate in gauging the incidence of advertising, CMAG estimates of the cost were much higher than the actual cost. We counsel caution then in judging the cost of television advertising based on CMAG estimates.
Internet Fundraising in 2008: A New Model?
Authors: Wilcox Clyde
Published: July 2008

The surge in internet fundraising in 2004 and especially in 2008 suggests that campaigns may have found a way to involve a new group of citizens in giving. Using data from an earlier 2000 survey of large and small donors, I show that internet donors are different from other small donors in interesting ways.
From Bad to Worse: The Unraveling of the Campaign Finance System
Authors: La Raja Raymond J.
Published: July 2008

This article argues that the campaign finance system has deteriorated under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA). The system retains the vices of the former regime while jettisoning its virtues. Although successful at banning national party soft money, achieving this narrow goal has come at high cost. Significant problems remain or worsen including the time politicians spend fundraising, the unfair distribution of campaign money, and arrangements that weaken political parties and empower interest groups. Critically, public trust in the system has not changed at all since passage of BCRA. The essay closes by offering modest suggestions to improve the state of affairs.
A Collapse of the Campaign Finance Regime?
Authors: Mann Thomas E.
Published: July 2008

Recent campaign finance developments raise serious questions about the viability of the entire regime of campaign finance law. While McCain-Feingold is not the source of these developments, current and future changes in campaigning and campaign finance dictate a major reconsideration of the regulatory regime.
Equilibrium and Optimum: How to Kill Two Birds with One Stone?
Authors: Yablonsky Gregory , Ray Ajay K
Published: July 2008

The concepts of equilibrium and optimum have always been placed at the heart of chemical engineering science. Their understanding is extremely important both from the academic and practical aspects. In this paper, a complete analysis of the concept of equilibrium and optimum in terms of how they are related conceptually, graphically and mathematically is provided. The analyzed problem can be considered as a ``Germinating Seed Problem (GSP)", which gives rise to a ``Growing Tree" of problems.
Photoreactor Modeling: Applications to Advanced Oxidation Processes
Authors: Alfano Orlando M , Cassano Alberto E.
Published: July 2008

A general methodology for photoreactor analysis and design based on the fundamentals of chemical reaction engineering and radiative transfer in participating media is presented. Three applications in the field of advanced oxidation processes are considered to illustrate the proposed approach: (i) a photocatalytic reactor for air purification, (ii) a homogeneous photo-Fenton solar reactor, and (iii) a heterogeneous photocatalytic slurry reactor. In the first case, the procedure is exemplified with the modeling of a multiannular photocatalytic reactor for perchloroethylene removal from contaminated air streams. A rigorous physical and mathematical model of the multiannular concentric photoreactor was developed and experimentally verified. The second approach is illustrated with the degradation of a model pollutant by the Fenton and photo-Fenton reactions in a nonconcentrating, flat-plate solar reactor. Formic acid was chosen as the model substrate. The effect of the reaction temperature on the pollutant degradation rate is analyzed. In the case of the slurry photoreactor, the intrinsic kinetics of the photocatalytic decomposition of a toxic organic compound in aqueous solution, using suspended titanium dioxide catalytic particles and ultraviolet polychromatic radiation, is studied. The kinetic parameters are evaluated for different catalyst loadings, irradiation levels and pollutant initial concentrations. By means of these illustrative examples, the need of a systematic and rigorous approach to the analysis and design of photoreactors is emphasized.
Automatic Gain Controller for Variable Speed Wind Turbines
Authors: ElMoursi Mohamed S
Published: July 2008

This paper presents a novel controller for DFIG based wind parks, designed to achieve more efficient voltage regulation, reactive power compensation and to enhance the transient stability margin of the interconnected power system. The supervisory-secondary voltage control is used to generate the local voltage reference, providing an improved overall voltage profile, while combining an automatic gain controller (AGC) to improve the transient response of the primary control loop. The controller is implemented and tested with a power system comprising of a lumped, fundamental frequency model of a DFIG based wind park, and hydro and diesel generators connected to the electric grid. The performance of the controller was investigated for both steady-state improvements as well as under extreme contingencies to demonstrate its benefits.
An Integrated Boundary Protection Scheme for Power Transmission Line Systems
Authors: Bo Zhiqian , Zhang Baohui , He Jinghan , Dong Xinzhou , Klimek Andrew
Published: July 2008

This paper presents an integrated boundary protection scheme for power transmission line systems. The scheme combines the latest developments in two areas of power system protection, the transient based protection and the integrated protection. In the proposed scheme, an integrated relay based on the boundary protection principle installed at a substation is responsible for the protection of all transmission lines associated with the substation. The relay is able to offer a fast trip for any fault on its protected line sections without the need for a communication link. The paper outlines the integrated protection system based on the substation communication network, and gives a description of the basic principle and algorithm of the boundary protection technique. Some typical simulation results are then used to demonstrate the performance of the scheme.
Effect of Extraction Temperature on Functional Properties of Rice Bran Protein Concentrates
Authors: Gupta Shweta , Chandi Gurpreet Kaur , Sogi Dalbir Singh
Published: July 2008

Protein concentrates were prepared from defatted rice bran at different extraction temperature (30-75°C) and analyzed for their functional properties. Protein yield increased as the temperature of extraction was increased while the protein content of protein concentrate decreased. Water binding capacity was in the range of 1.1-2.27 g/g while oil absorption capacity ranged between 1.64 and 6.89 (g/g). RBPC extracted at 60°C exhibited maximum foam producing capacity of 120% at 1% salt concentration. Emulsifying capacity of protein concentrates ranged between 33.71-70.85%. Emulsion capacity decreased as the temperature of extraction was increased. Emulsions were fairly stable under different pH, salt and sugar concentrations.
Can Multi-payer Financing Achieve Single-Payer Spending Levels?
Authors: Newhouse Joseph P , Sinaiko Anna
Published: July 2008

Many believe the high level of United States health care costs compared with other countries is attributable to high administrative costs inherent in our pluralistic health care financing system. Instead of the well known statistics examining the percentage of GDP that various countries spend on health care, which show the US as a large outlier, we show the percentage of Gross State Product various states spend on health care. Even adjusting for age and income, there is considerable variation across the states in spending levels, with the lowest quintile of states spending approximately the same percentage as the higher spending OECD countries other than the US. This implies that the US' pluralistic financing system may not be an important cause of the large percentage of GDP that the US devotes to health care. Even in the low spending states, however, absolute amounts of spending are higher than in other OECD countries. Although a more centralized payment system may be a sufficient condition to spend at the percentages of GDP found in northern Europe, it is not a necessary condition.
Health Status, Health Care and Inequality: Canada vs. the U.S.
Authors: O'Neill June E , O'Neill Dave M
Published: July 2008

It is often alleged that Canada's publicly-funded, single payer health care system, delivers better health outcomes, and distributes health resources more fairly than the mainly private U.S. multi-payer system. Our findings contradict these allegations. Differences between the U.S. and Canada in infant mortality and life expectancy --the two indicators most commonly used as evidence of better health outcomes in Canadacannot be attributed to differences in the effectiveness of the two health care systems because they are strongly influenced by differences in cultural and behavioral factors such as the relatively high U.S. incidence of obesity and of accidents and homicides. Moreover, direct measures of the effectiveness of medical care, show that five-year relative survival rates for individuals diagnosed with various types of cancer are higher in the U.S. than in Canada as are infant survival rates of low-birth weight babies. These successes are consistent with the greater U.S. availability of high level technology, higher rates of screening for cancers, and higher treatment rates of the chronically ill. The need to ration when care is delivered "free" ultimately leads to long waits. Waiting times for medical services are a major problem in Canada and a source of unmet needs. In the U.S. costs are more often cited as a source of unmet needs. Nonetheless, with respect to the issue of inequality, we find that the health-income gradient is at least as prominent in Canada as it is in the U.S. When asked about satisfaction with health services and the ranking of the quality of services recently received, more U.S. residents than Canadians respond that they are fully satisfied and rank quality of care as excellent. To address these issues we use the Joint Canada/ U.S. Survey of Health (JCUSH) along with other data sources.
Prediction of Nanofiltration Performance by Using Membrane Transport Models for the Separation of Nickel Salts from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Boricha Alka G. , Murthy ZVP
Published: July 2008

Nanofiltration (NF) is considered to be an intermediate process between reverse osmosis (RO) and ultrafiltration (UF). In the present work, separation data obtained for nickel sulfate-water and nickel chloride-water systems, using an N, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC)-polyether sulfone (PES) composite NF membrane, are analyzed with the help of two nonlinear membrane transport models, viz., combined film theory-solution-diffusion (CFSD) model and combined film theory-Spiegler-Kedem (CFSK) model. The membrane transport parameters and mass transfer coefficient (k) are estimated, simultaneously, from both the models using the Levenberg-Marquardt method. The k values estimated from two models show a variation that may be attributed to the presence of reflection coefficient in the Spiegler-Kedem model. Though both the models predict the membrane performance reasonably, the values of CFSK model are more accurate in the present case. Hence, it can be suggested that CFSK model may be the better method for estimating the membrane transport parameters and k. Various parameters estimated from the above models are used to find the enrichment factors, concentration polarization modulus and Peclet numbers for both the systems.
On the Role of Uncertainty in the Risk-Incentives Tradeoff
Authors: Rantakari Heikki V
Published: July 2008

We use a simple agency model to clarify and characterize the various avenues through which changes in the level of uncertainty impact the optimal strength of linear incentives. Instead of attempting to characterize different "types" of uncertainty, which has been the approach in the literature so far, we base our characterization on the link between uncertainty and the agent's action choice. We then use this characterization to provide conditions under which the relationship between uncertainty and incentives can be positive and relate it back to the existing models in the literature.
Time-to-Build and the Inverse U-Shape Investment-Uncertainty Relationship
Authors: Maoz Yishay D.
Published: July 2008

The effect that investment lags have on the uncertainty-investment relationship is studied by modifying the Bar-Ilan and Strange (1996) model to enable an analytical solution. The following results emerge: (i) If the time lag is sufficiently small, uncertainty affects investment negatively; (ii) A sufficiently large time lag gives rise to an inverse U-shape uncertainty-investment relationship; (iii) When such an inverse U-shape exists, the longer the time lag (or the larger the degree of profit convexity), the wider the range of a positive uncertainty-investment relationship.
Policy and Practice in Italian Children's Transition from Preschool to Elementary School
Authors: Corsaro William A. , Molinari Luisa
Published: July 2008

This article considers educational policy and practice in a preschool and an elementary school in Modena, Italy in terms of their effects on children's transition to and progress in elementary school. The study is based on a six-year longitudinal ethnographic study that involved direct observation of teacher-student and peer interactions. The ethnographic observations were supplemented with interviews of students, teachers and parents both before and after the children's transition to first grade. The article focuses primarily on what the authors term ‘priming events’, which are activities that prepare preschool children for the transition to first grade academically, emotionally and socially. The findings are placed in the context of preschool and elementary school policies in Italy and how these policies are put into practice in Modena and more generally in the Emilia-Romagna province of northern Italy.
The Succeed Project: Challenging Early School Failure in Bangladesh
Authors: Aboud Frances E. , Hossain Kamal , O'Gara Chloe
Published: July 2008

This evaluation research compares the first-grade competencies of two cohorts of Bangladesh children who attended ‘Succeed’ preschools, with a control group who did not attend preschool. Testing of these groups occurred in 2006, 2007, and 2005, respectively. The Succeed program aims to improve children's learning and children's school success by developing and testing an affordable, sustainable preschool model that can be implemented in school, community and home settings. Researchers assessed the quality of school- and home-based preschool environments using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) plus two curricular subscales that tap program quality. An independently developed test based on government-defined competencies assessed school achievement of Grade 1 children. Results showed that children who attended Succeed preschools performed better in four of the five competencies relating to reading, writing, and oral math, compared with children without any preschool experience. Better quality preschool environments were positively associated with children's competencies in Grade 1. There were no statistically significant differences in first-grade performance between children from home-based preschools compared with school-based preschools, both using the same Succeed program.
Lower Intrinsic ADP-Stimulated Mitochondrial Respiration Underlies In Vivo Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Muscle of Male Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Phielix Esther , Schrauwen-Hinderling Vera B. , Mensink Marco , Lenaers Ellen , Meex Ruth , Hoeks Joris , Kooi Marianne Eline , Moonen-Kornips Esther , Sels Jean-Pierre , Hesselink Matthijs K.C. , Schrauwen Patrick
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—A lower in vivo mitochondrial function has been reported in both type 2 diabetic patients and first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients. The nature of this reduction is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a lower intrinsic mitochondrial respiratory capacity may underlie lower in vivo mitochondrial function observed in diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Ten overweight diabetic patients, 12 first-degree relatives, and 16 control subjects, all men, matched for age and BMI, participated in this study. Insulin sensitivity was measured with a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Ex vivo intrinsic mitochondrial respiratory capacity was determined in permeabilized skinned muscle fibers using high-resolution respirometry and normalized for mitochondrial content. In vivo mitochondrial function was determined by measuring phosphocreatine recovery half-time after exercise using 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

RESULTS—Insulin-stimulated glucose disposal was lower in diabetic patients compared with control subjects (11.2 ± 2.8 vs. 28.9 ± 3.7 μmol · kg−1 fat-free mass · min−1, respectively; P = 0.003), with intermediate values for first-degree relatives (22.1 ± 3.4 μmol · kg−1 fat-free mass · min−1). In vivo mitochondrial function was 25% lower in diabetic patients (P = 0.034) and 23% lower in first-degree relatives, but the latter did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.08). Interestingly, ADP-stimulated basal respiration was 35% lower in diabetic patients (P = 0.031), and fluoro-carbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone–driven maximal mitochondrial respiratory capacity was 31% lower in diabetic patients (P = 0.05) compared with control subjects with intermediate values for first-degree relatives.

CONCLUSIONS—A reduced basal ADP-stimulated and maximal mitochondrial respiratory capacity underlies the reduction in in vivo mitochondrial function, independent of mitochondrial content. A reduced capacity at both the level of the electron transport chain and phosphorylation system underlies this impaired mitochondrial capacity.
Angiomatoid Fibrous Histiocytoma with t(2;22)(q33;q12.2) and EWSR1 Gene Rearrangement
Authors: Shao Lei , Singh Vivekanand , Cooley Linda
Published: July 2008

Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare soft tissue tumor of low malignant potential. The tumor is mostly seen in the deep dermis and subcutis of the lower extremities in children and young adults. Histologically, the tumor forms lobulated sheets of plump round to spindle cells surrounded by a fibrous pseudocapsule and lymphoid cuff. The cytogenetic and molecular hallmarks of AFH are not well defined. Only 4 of 30 reported cases of AFH have had karyotypic information. We present a case of AFH in the inguinal region of a 12-year-old girl. The tumor showed characteristic histological features, t(2;22)(q33;q12.2), and EWSR gene rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization.
PAX3 is Expressed in the Stromal Compartment of the Developing Kidney and in Wilms Tumors with Myogenic Phenotype
Authors: Hueber Pierre-Alain , Fukuzawa Ryuji , Elkares Reyhan , Chu Leelee , Blumentkrantz Miriam , He Shu-Jie , Anaka Matthew R. , Reeve Anthony E. , Eccles Michael , Jabado Nada , Iglesias Diana M. , Goodyer Paul R.
Published: July 2008

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most frequent renal neoplasm of childhood; a myogenic component is observed in 5% to 10% of tumors. We demonstrate for the first time that myogenic WTs are associated with expression of PAX3, a transcription factor known to specify myoblast cell fate during muscle development. In a panel of 20 WTs, PAX3 was identified in 13 of 13 tumor samples with myogenic histopathology but was absent in 7 of 7 tumors lacking a myogenic component. Furthermore, we show that PAX3 is expressed in the metanephric mesenchyme and stromal compartment of developing mouse kidney. Modulation of endogenous PAX3 expression in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells influenced cell migration in in vitro assays. Mutations of WT1 were consistently associated with PAX3 expression in WTs, and modulation of WT1 expression in HEK293 cells was inversely correlated with the level of endogenous PAX3 protein. We demonstrate abundant PAX3 and absence of PAX2 expression in a novel cell line (WitP3) isolated from the stromal portion of a WT bearing a homozygous deletion of the WT1 gene. We hypothesize that PAX3 sets stromal cell fate in developing kidney but is normally suppressed by WT1 during the mesenchyme-to-epithelium transition leading to nephrogenesis. Loss of WT1 permits aberrant PAX3 expression in a subset of WTs with myogenic phenotype.
Bose-Einstein condensation in semiconductors: myth or reality?
Authors: Kasprzak Jacek , Richard Maxime , André Régis , Dang Le Si
Published: July 2008

Bose-Einstein condensation, predicted for a gas of non interacting bosons in 1924 by Einstein, has been demonstrated for the first time in 1995 in a dilute gas of rubidium atoms at temperatures below 10−6 K. In this work, it is shown that Bose-Einstein condensation can be achieved at around 15 − 20 K in a solid state system by using microcavity polaritons, which are composite bosons of mass ten billion times lighter than that of rubidium atoms.
Nano-meter scale heterogeneous III-V semiconductor-silicon photonic integration
Authors: Viktorovitch Pierre , Seassal Christian , Rojo-Romeo Pedro , Letartre Xavier
Published: August 2008

It is pointed out that the fully recognised and ever growing need for a combination of photonic and electronic functionalities could be made fully effective by the heterogeneous integration of active III-V semiconductor/passive silicon photonics and silicon microelectronics. It is shown that the inevitable scaling down to nano-meter range of photonic integration requested by the necessary matching to microelectronics is made possible by the heterogeneous association of III-V semiconductor and silicon membranes including high index contrast and nanometer scale structuring. It is emphasized that these membrane photonic nanostructures can be considered as the absolute must on the track to the ultimate confinement of photons which is highly desired in the prospect of the development of micro-nano-photonic devices and systems. Examples of devices and systems along this approach are presented (micro-laser/micro-guide integration, active devices with very low threshold etc.).
Threat Rigidity, School Reform, and How Teachers View Their Work Inside Current Education Policy Contexts
Authors: Olsen Brad , Sexton Dena
Published: July 2008

This article reports on a study of teachers at one reforming high school. Though it is not their task to debate No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the authors locate their investigation inside the current policy context to which NCLB is attached. Specifically, they present their analysis through the organizational behavior lens of threat rigidity to discuss the ways that current federal and state policy contexts influence schools and how those affected schools in turn adopt corresponding reforms that influence teachers’ work. The analysis demonstrates that on both levels, such influence occurs in similar ways: by centralizing and restricting the flow of information, by constricting control, by emphasizing routinized and simplified instructional/assessment practices, and by applying strong pressure for school personnel to conform.
Accelerating Early Academic Oral English Development in Transitional Bilingual and Structured English Immersion Programs
Authors: Tong Fuhui , Lara-Alecio Rafael , Irby Beverly , Mathes Patricia , Kwok Oi-man
Published: July 2008

The authors examined the effectiveness of a 2-year (kindergarten and first grade) oral English intervention provided to 534 Hispanic English-language learners in transitional bilingual education (TBE) and structured English immersion (SEI) programs. Using latent growth modeling, the authors compared instructional programs in relation to growth trajectories and rates in academic English oracy. The findings revealed that students in all four programs (treatment TBE, control TBE, treatment SEI, and control SEI) improved significantly ( p < .05) in a linear pattern over 2 years, and students receiving the intervention developed at a faster rate than those receiving typical instruction ( p < .05, effect sizes >0.46). The authors concluded that (a) first-language instruction did not impede the learning of a second language, and (b) enhancements and best practices in TBE and SEI programs are needed to accelerate oral English acquisition to remove the initial disadvantage of low levels of English proficiency.