bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of the time required for appropriate chemical de‐epithelialization of an ileal segment for cystoplasty: an animal model
Authors: Bakhtiari Jalal , Fattahian Hamid Reza , Gharagozlou Mohammad Javad , Kajbafzadeh Abdolmohammad , Jafarzadeh Seyed Reza
Published: March 2005

Another group of authors from Iran attempted experimentally to determine the required time for the appropriate enzymatic treatment of the ideal segment to complete de‐epithelialization, thus reducing its absorptive function. They found that 25 min of enzymatic treatment of the ideal segment was adequate for this, and that it was recommended from their experimental study for cystoplasty.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the time required for the appropriate enzymatic treatment of an ileal segment to de‐epithelialize its mucosa and to reduce its absorptive function for cystoplasty in dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty‐one adult female Persian mixed‐breed dogs were divided into seven equal groups: group 1 (negative control group) had no ileocystoplasty; group 2 (positive control group) had a routine ileocystoplasty with no enzymatic treatment of the ileal segment; and groups 3–7 had an ileocystoplasty with 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 min, respectively, of enzymatic treatment of the ileal segment with collagenase and trypsin. The seven groups were then compared for haematological, biochemical and histological changes, and glucose reabsorption assessed using a glucose‐absorption test.

RESULTS

No dogs showed any signs of metabolic disturbances, biochemical and haematological changes. There were significant differences in blood glucose level (BGL) for the groups at different times after the glucose‐absorption test, but a pair‐wise comparison showed significant differences in BGL between group 1 and the other groups, except group 7. The degree of histopathological change was associated with the duration of enzymatic treatment, in that changes were more prominent in group 7. There was no shrinkage or collagen deposition.

CONCLUSIONS

In these conditions, 25 min of enzymatic treatment of the ileal segment is sufficient to remove the absorptive function of the augmented bladder, and is recommended for cystoplasty in dogs.
The listening heart and the chi square: clinical and empirical perceptions in the family therapy of anorexia nervosa
Authors: Dare Christopher , Eisler Ivan , Colahan Mireille , Crowther Catherine , Senior Rob , Asen Eia
Published: March 2005

Clinical and empirical methods are commonly considered to be complementary activities. However, many people in the fields of mental health and social welfare espouse a strong adherence to experimental, scientific methods for the evolution of theory and practice and consider only that which has been experimentally tested as‘really true”. Others would propose the clinical method as the main source of useful knowledge and are suspicious of enumeration and quantification as sources of useful information. Formal, empirical methodology is well and extensively described whilst there is less systematic exposition of the clinical method. Family therapy evolved in a context in which activity was visible and the emerging discipline was propelled by a theoretical framework with strongly scientific origins that was critical of the exclusive clinical method of pre‐existing psychotherapies. This paper describes some of the clinically based contributions to the family therapy of anorexia nervosa and compares this information with that which comes out of the Maudsley trials of psychotherapies in anorexia nervosa.
The Family Environment Scale: comparison with the construct of Expressed Emotion
Authors: Vostanis Panos , Nicholls Judith
Published: March 2005

The Family Environment Scale (FES) was completed by parents of 30 children with conduct disorders (CD), 30 children with emotional disorders (ED), and 30 well‐functioning controls. Parents were also interviewed and rated for Expressed Emotion (EE), and mothers completed the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Clinical families had significantly lower ratings of Cohesion, Expressiveness, Intellectual‐Cultural and Active‐Recreational Orientation. These differences were not specific to either diagnostic group. Maternal Criticism was associated with reported conflict in the CD group. The EE scales of Criticism and Warmth (absence of warmth) were correlated with child behaviour ratings in the CD group, in contrast with FES sub‐scales. Maternal scores of Cohesion were significantly associated with social competence in the ED and the control group. Maternal ratings of Conflict predicted dropping‐out of treatment (CD group), and ratings of Cohesion and Control had some value in predicting clinical outcome. The implications for the future use of the Family Environment Scale and other self‐rated measures of family functioning are discussed.
The ‘non‐present’ client, the flecting team and even more dialogues: towards third‐order cybernetics
Authors: Harper David J. , Smith Ged
Published: March 2005

We propose a new model of therapy which involves working with ‘nonpresent’ clients, argue that this is the only theoretically consistent way of avoiding pathologization, discrimination and abuses of power, and suggest new concepts and practices to aid in the development of this way of working. Since postmodernism has the effect of enabling multiple and contradictory interpretations of texts, readers may find themselves invited to adopt a range of positions from serious reflection to laughter.
Invasive partners: an exploration of attachment, communication and family patterns
Authors: Sinclair Ian , McCluskey Una
Published: March 2005

Therapists’ratings on a sample of heterosexual couples receiving marital or partnership counselling were used to develop measures of‘invasive’behaviour by the adults concerned. We suggest that this behaviour stems from difficulties in attachment and is marked by a desire to stay close to the other person, difficulties in communication, difficulties in handling relationships between three people, and problems associated with the birth of a baby. A particular feature of this behaviour is that one or other partner attempts to restrict communication from the other, perhaps in order to avoid surprises which are perceived as a threat to the relationship. Invasiveness by wives was high in those couples who had had problems after the birth of a baby and significantly lower in those who had not. Implications for practice are discussed.
Cognitive‐behaviour therapy for marital conflict: refining the concept of attribution
Authors: Cheung Siu‐Kau
Published: March 2005

In recent years, the concept of attribution has received increasing attention in the field of cognitive‐behavioural marital therapy. Research has found that the attribution dimensions of source, globality, stability, intent and voluntariness are related to marital distress and conflict behaviours. This paper argues that the application of the attribution dimensions has been conceptually problematic, and proposes a distinction between attributions made for a specific conflict episode, a behaviour in an episode and the causal schema for the conflictual relationships. Different reattribution techniques should be employed to target attributional change at appropriate levels of conflict attributions. This proposition is illustrated with a case example.
Our‘other history’: poetry as a meta‐metaphor for narrative therapy
Authors: Snyder Maryhelen
Published: March 2005

This paper explores certain distinctions betwen narrative and poetry as metaphors for the consciously authored life. It is suggested that such phenomena as ‘self,’, ‘authorship’, ‘knowledge’ and‘time’ are experienced differently within the narrative discourse and the discourse associated with poetry. Five aspects of‘poetic’ knowledge are explored: form (or containment); aesthetic knowing; non‐identity with self (participatory creation), nothingness (and not knowing); and radiance. Two examples from couple therapy are then given to illustrate these aspects and the interface between this way of knowing and the lived life.
Writing in therapy: a participatory approach
Authors: Bacigalupe Gonzalo
Published: March 2005

This paper explores the potential of writing with rather than to or about clients, an approach which may foster new responses to clients’ dilemmas in the face of institutional, cultural, ethnic, class and gender discrimination. A selective review of literature about writing in therapy and vignettes from my own work in a community mental health clinic support this enquiry. Some implications for training are also addressed.
MICHAEL POLANYI'S DARING EPISTEMOLOGY AND THE HUNGER FOR TELEOLOGY
Authors: Gelwick Richard
Published: March 2005

Abstract. The linking of Michael Polanyi's name with a center (now changed to another name) at Baylor University that espoused intelligent‐design theory calls for examination of Polanyi's teleology. This examination attempts to put Polanyi's epistemology in the perspective of his total philosophical work by looking at the clarification of teleology in philosophy of biology and in the framework of three major features of Polanyi's thought: open and truth‐oriented, purposive but open to truth, and transcendent yet intelligible. The conclusion is that Polanyi would not support intelligent design according to the nature of his own theory.
THE DISCOVERY OF MEANING THROUGH SCIENTIFIC AND RELIGIOUS FORMS OF INDWELLING
Authors: Apczynski John V.
Published: March 2005

Abstract. Because of similarities between some implications of Michael Polanyi's theory of personal knowledge and intelligent design, claims have been made that his theory provides support to the project of intelligent design. This essay contends that, when Polanyi's reflections on a Ideological framework for contextualizing evolutionary biology are properly understood as a heuristic vision, his position contrasts sharply with the empirical claims made on behalf of intelligent design.
MINDING GOD/MINDING PAIN: CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS ON RECENT ADVANCES IN PAIN RESEARCH
Authors: Cameron Jacqueline R.
Published: March 2005

Abstract. As Gregory Peterson's book Minding God illustrates, an ongoing encounter between theology and the cognitive sciences can provide rich insights to both disciplines. Similarly, reflection on recent advances in pain research can prove to be fertile ground in which further theological insights might take root. Pain researchers remind us that pain is both a sensory and an emotional experience. The emotional component of pain is critically important for the clinical management of people in pain, as it serves a communicative function—human connection occurs more readily through the expression of and response to emotion than through the sterile exchange of “objective” descriptions of sensory phenomena. But emotion, pain and communication also figure prominently in Christian theology. For example, doctrines of incarnation and eschatology raise questions about suffering, healing, and hope as well as about the nature of the divine–human relationship. In addition, there seems to be scientific evidence for (admittedly subtle) gender differences in the perception of and response to pain. Several feminist theologians have noted that a habitual theological emphasis on God's rationality tends to reinforce masculine images of God and demeans the validity of emotion in the divine‐human relationship. Potential theological implications of the emotional and communicative aspects of pain and how this might affect women's religious experience‐with a particular focus on Teresa of Avila‐are explored.
Expectancy effects on omission evoked potentials in musicians and non‐musicians
Authors: Jongsma Marijtje L.A. , Eichele Tom , Quiroga Rodrigo Quian , Jenks Kathleen M. , Desain Peter , Honing Henkjan , Van Rijn Clementina M.
Published: March 2005

An expanded omitted stimulus paradigm was investigated to determine whether expectancy would modulate the amplitude of the omission evoked potentials (OEPs). In addition, we examined the effects of musical expertise on OEPs. Trials started with 3–7 beats randomly and contained 5 omitted beats. Three types of trials (n=90) were presented with 1, 2, or 3 beats occurring between omissions. A tap response at the end of each trial was used to determine timing accuracy. Clear OEPs were observed over midline sites. We found main omission effects with respect to an N150 and a P400 OEPs component, such that peak amplitudes diminished whenever the occurrence of an omitted stimulus could be expected. In addition, an N600 OEPs component emerged in response to expectedly omitted stimuli toward the end of each trial within the group of musicians. Thus, musical training seems to lead to more efficient and more refined processing of auditory temporal patterns.
Regional Consequences of Local Population Demography and Genetics in Relation to Habitat Management inGentiana pneumonanthe
Authors: VOLIS SERGEI , BOHRER GIL , OOSTERMEIJER GERARD , VAN TIENDEREN PETER
Published: March 2005

Abstract: A joint demographic and population genetics stage‐based model for a subdivided population was applied to Gentiana pneumonanthe, an early successional perennial herb, at a regional (metapopulation) scale. We used numerical simulations to determine the optimal frequency of habitat disturbance (sod cutting) and the intensity of gene flow among populations of G. pneumonanthe to manage both population viability and genetic diversity in this species. The simulations showed that even small populations that initially had near‐equal allele frequencies could, if managed properly through sod cutting every 6 to 7 years, sustain their high genetic variation over the long run without gene flow. The more the allele frequencies in the small populations are skewed, however, the higher the probability that in the absence of gene flow, some alleles will be lost and within‐population genetic variation will decrease even under proper management. This implies that although local population dynamics should be the major target for management, regional dynamics become important when habitat fragmentation and decreased population size lead to the loss of local genetic diversity. The recommended strategy to improve genetic composition of small populations is the introduction of seeds or seedlings of nonlocal origin.
SLC39A14, a LZT protein, is induced in adipogenesis and transports zinc
Authors: Tominaga Kei , Kagata Takeshi , Johmura Yoshikazu , Hishida Tomoaki , Nishizuka Makoto , Imagawa Masayoshi
Published: March 2005

During adipocyte differentiation, there is an underlying complex series of gene expressions. We have previously isolated many genes whose expression levels are quickly elevated by the addition of inducers to mouse 3T3‐L1 preadipocyte cells. Here we report the isolation and characterization of SLC39A14, a member of the LZT proteins, one of the subfamilies of ZIP transporters. The expression of the SLC39A14 gene was strongly and rapidly induced at the early stages of differentiation. Moreover, it was highly restricted to the potential differentiation state of 3T3‐L1 cells and the expression level was quite low in the nonadipogenic NIH‐3T3 cells, indicating a dominant expression in adipocyte differentiation. The zinc uptake assay revealed that SLC39A14 functions as a zinc transporter. Taken together, these results suggest that SLC39A14 plays a role as a zinc transporter during the early stages of adipogenesis.
The role of N‐glycosylation in the stability, trafficking and GABA‐uptake of GABA‐transporter 1
Authors: Cai Guoqiang , Salonikidis Petrus S. , Fei Jian , Schwarz Wolfgang , Schülein Ralf , Reutter Werner , Fan Hua
Published: March 2005

Neurotransmitter transporters play a major role in achieving low concentrations of their respective transmitter in the synaptic cleft. The GABA transporter GAT1 belongs to the family of Na+‐ and Cl–‐coupled transport proteins which possess 12 putative transmembrane domains and three N‐glycosylation sites in the extracellular loop between transmembrane domain 3 and 4. To study the significance of N‐glycosylation, green fluorescence protein (GFP)‐tagged wild type GAT1 (NNN) and N‐glycosylation defective mutants (DDQ, DGN, DDN and DDG) were expressed in CHO cells. Compared with the wild type, all N‐glycosylation mutants showed strongly reduced protein stability and trafficking to the plasma membrane, which however were not affected by 1‐deoxymannojirimycin (dMM). This indicates that N‐glycosylation, but not terminal trimming of the N‐glycans is involved in the attainment of a correctly folded and stable conformation of GAT1. All N‐glycosylation mutants were expressed on the plasma membrane, but they displayed markedly reduced GABA‐uptake activity. Also, inhibition of oligosaccharide processing by dMM led to reduction of this activity. Further experiments showed that both N‐glycosylation mutations and dMM reduced the Vmax value, while not increasing the Km value for GABA uptake. Electrical measurements revealed that the reduced transport activity can be partially attributed to a reduced apparent affinity for extracellular Na+ and slowed kinetics of the transport cycle. This indicates that N‐glycans, in particular their terminal trimming, are important for the GABA‐uptake activity of GAT1. They play a regulatory role in the GABA translocation by affecting the affinity and the reaction steps associated with the sodium ion binding.
Various Adhesives for Flip Chips
Authors: Zhong Z. W.
Published: March 2005

Flip chips using various adhesives were studied. The assembly yields using nonconductive adhesive and anisotropic conductive film investigated were 97% and 100%, respectively. A packaging process using anisotropic conductive paste with a 100% packaging yield was developed. All the packages passed various reliability tests such as burn in, artificial sweat and humidity tests, and temperature cycling tests. The reliability of the packages was 100% meeting the requirements for an industrial application. A stud bump bonding process with reduced process steps was proposed. Curing of conductive adhesive and underfill epoxy was not required, resulting in reduced packaging time.
Forces on and Stability of a Cylinder in a Wake
Authors: Blevins Robert D.
Published: March 2005

A model is developed for the steady fluid forces on a cylinder that is in the wake of a parallel, upstream cylinder in cross flow. The fluid forces are determined by correlating experimental data with an asymptotic model of the wake. This allows both lift and drag to be determined simply in closed form in terms of the single cylinder drag coefficient, the spacing of the two cylinders, and their diameters. The model is applied to static response and dynamic stability of an elastically mounted cylinders.
Risk Analysis of Running a Deep-Water Production Test From a Dynamically Positioned Vessel in the North Atlantic
Authors: Maes Marc A. , Sinclair Jeff , Lewis David B.
Published: March 2005

The present paper describes the key steps and issues involved in performing a quantitative risk analysis (QRA) for a dynamically positioned (DP) offshore vessel that is used to perform a short-term production test (PT) in North Atlantic deep waters. The basic approach is to focus on the “incremental” risk that would occur if the PT were run from a DP vessel as opposed to a fixed structure. The analysis is structured around two basic groups of risk: those specifically associated with DP vessel disconnection decisions and activities (all of which are seasonal), and those occurring during normal operation of the DP vessel. In the case of disconnection caused by hazards such as severe weather, ice, equipment or reference system malfunction, or human/operating error, a large variety of event sequences is assumed, each resulting in different consequences and risks. These are formulated for each analysis outcome in terms of loss of life, release of chemicals into the environment, and damage and loss of assets and equipment, as well as overall failure cost. It is shown that the QRA provides a very useful basis for optimal decision making with respect to the feasibility, the planning, and the risk/benefit of deep-water production testing from a DP vessel.
Underwater Bipedal Locomotion by Octopuses in Disguise
Authors: Huffard Christine L. , Boneka Farnis , Full Robert J.
Published: March 2005

Here we report bipedal movement with a hydrostatic skeleton. Two species of octopus walk on two alternating arms using a rolling gait and appear to use the remaining six arms for camouflage.
Octopus marginatus
resembles a coconut, and
Octopus
(
Abdopus
)
aculeatus
, a clump of floating algae. Using underwater video, we analyzed the kinematics of their strides. Each arm was on the sand for more than half of the stride, qualifying this behavior as a form of walking.
A Combined Approach for the Localization and Tandem Affinity Purification of Protein Complexes from Metazoans
Authors: Cheeseman Iain M. , Desai Arshad
Published: March 2005

An understanding of a protein's function is greatly aided by the knowledge of its localization in vivo and identification of any interacting partners. Here, we describe a method, based on expression of a genetically encoded fusion protein, that allows for protein localization and affinity purification (LAP) in metazoans. This method makes it possible to rapidly identify transformants and to conduct live imaging of protein localization and dynamics. In addition, the same tag can be used in a modified tandem affinity purification (TAP) procedure to isolate native protein complexes of high purity. The efficacy of this purification procedure allows for the characterization of rare protein complexes that are largely inaccessible to classical biochemical purifications. The LAP strategy should be widely applicable to the characterization of protein function in cellular and developmental contexts in various metazoans.
Genomic instability in radial growth phase melanoma cell lines after ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Hussein M R , Haemel A K , Sudilovsky O , Wood G S
Published: March 2005

Background/Aims:Although ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, apoptosis, and genomic instability are all potentially involved in the pathogenesis of melanoma, in vitro studies investigating these changes in the radial growth phase of this neoplasm are still lacking; therefore, this study was designed to investigate these changes.

Method:An in vitro system consisting of three radial growth phase Wistar melanoma cell lines (WM35, WM3211, and WM1650) was established. Cells were UV irradiated (10 mJ/cm2for UVB and 6 J/cm2for UVA), harvested after UV exposure, and evaluated for viability and apoptosis using Trypan blue and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP digoxigenin nick end labelling assays, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction based microsatellite assays were used to examine the cell lines for the presence of microsatellite instability (MSI) using 21 markers at the 1p, 2p, 3p, 4q, 9p, and 17p regions.

Results:Exposure to UV initiated progressive cell death associated with pronounced apoptosis, with UVA having a greater effect than UVB. MSI was found in UVB (WM35 and WM3211) and UVA (WM35) irradiated cell lines at 1p, 9p, and 17p, but not in non-irradiated cells. The prevalence of MSI was higher after UVB irradiation (14%) than UVA irradiation (4.7%), and was most frequently found at D1S233.

Conclusions:The ability of erythemogenic UV irradiation to induce both apoptosis and MSI in radial growth phase melanoma cells is suggestive of its role in melanoma pathogenesis. This instability may reflect a hypermutability state, oxidative stress induced DNA damage, replication infidelity, or a combination of these factors.
Fully Tuneable Stochastic Resonance in Cutaneous Receptors
Authors: Fallon James B. , Morgan David L.
Published: March 2005

Stochastic resonance describes a phenomenon whereby the addition of “noise” to the input of a nonlinear system can improve sensitivity. “Fully tuneable stochastic resonance” is a particular form of the phenomenon that requires the matching of two time scales: one being that of the subthreshold periodic stimulus of the system and the other being the noise-induced response of the system. First proposed in 1981, stochastic resonance has been reported in a wide range of biological systems; however, conclusive experimental evidence for fully tuneable stochastic resonance in biological systems is limited. Evidence of fully tuneable stochastic resonance in the response of slowly adapting type I mechanoreceptors in the toad is presented. The results are extended to include the first evidence supporting fully tuneable stochastic resonance in psychophysical experiments, namely tactile detection thresholds, indicating that the human CNS is capable of accessing the improved information available via fully tuneable stochastic resonance.
Diverticular Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder: Diagnosis and Treatment Problems
Authors: Haecker Axel , Riedasch G. , Langbein S. , Alken Peter , Michel Maurice Stephan
Published: March 2005

Objectives: To report a case of a primary carcinoma arising in a vesical diverticulum. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 59-year-old male patient presented with painless macrohematuria. A primary carcinoma arising in a vesical diverticulum was detected with cystoscopy and confirmed with rectal endosonography and computer tomography. and radical cystoprostatovesiculectomy with ileal conduit was performed. Chemotherapy with cisplatin and methotrexate followed. The patient died of an acute cardiac event in the 4th postoperative month.Conclusion: This report illustrates that in a case of a closed opening of a bladder diverticulum, rectal endosonography and computer tomography do provide additional support for making a diagnosis of a hidden tumor in the diverticulum.
Democracy in a Society in Transition a Unidem Seminar in Lund (Sweden) 19–20 May 2000
Authors:   Vogel
Published: March 2005

No Abstract
Transformed Eulerian-Mean Theory. Part II: Potential Vorticity Homogenization and the Equilibrium of a Wind- and Buoyancy-Driven Zonal Flow
Authors: Kuo Allen , Plumb R. Alan , Marshall John
Published: March 2005

The equilibrium of a modeled wind- and buoyancy-driven, baroclinically unstable, flow is analyzed using the transformed Eulerian-mean (TEM) approach described in Part I. Within the near-adiabatic interior of the flow, Ertel potential vorticity is homogenized along mean isopycnals—a finding readily explained using TEM theory, given the geometry of the domain. The equilibrium, zonal-mean buoyancy structure at the surface is determined entirely by a balance between imposed surface fluxes and residual mean and eddy buoyancy transport within a “surface diabatic layer.” Balance between these same processes and the wind stress determines the stratification, and hence potential vorticity, immediately below this layer. Ertel potential vorticity homogenization below then determines the mean buoyancy structure everywhere. Accordingly, the equilibrium structure of this flow can be described—and quantitatively reproduced—from knowledge of the eddy mixing rates within the surface diabatic zone and the depth of this zone, together with potential vorticity homogenization beneath. These results emphasize the need to include near-surface buoyancy transport, as well as interior PV transport, in eddy parameterization schemes. They also imply that, in more realistic models, the surface buoyancy balances may be impacted by processes in remote locations that allow diapycnal flow.
The Ventilated Pool: A Model of Subtropical Mode Water
Authors: Dewar W. K. , Samelson R. M. , Vallis G. K.
Published: March 2005

An analytical model of subtropical mode water is presented, based on ventilated thermocline theory and on numerical solutions of a planetary geostrophic basin model. In ventilated thermocline theory, the western pool is a region bounded on the east by subsurface streamlines that outcrop at the western edge of the interior, and in which additional dynamical assumptions are necessary to complete the solution. Solutions for the western pool were originally obtained under the assumption that the potential vorticity of the subsurface layer was homogenized. In the present theory, it is instead assumed that all of the water in the pool region is ventilated and, therefore, that all the Sverdrup transport is carried in the uppermost, outcropping layer. The result is the formation of a deep, vertically homogeneous, fluid layer in the northwest corner of the subtropical gyre that extends from the surface to the base of the ventilated thermocline. This ventilated pool is an analog of the observed subtropical mode waters. The pool also has the interesting properties that it determines its own boundaries and affects the global potential vorticity–pressure relationship. When there are multiple outcropping layers, ventilated pool fluid is subducted to form a set of nested annuli in ventilated, subsurface layers, which are the deepest subducted layers in the ventilated thermocline.
An Unsuspected Boundary-Induced Temporal Computational Mode in a Two-Time-Level Discretization
Authors: Staniforth Andrew , Wood Nigel
Published: March 2005

Normal-mode analyses are applied to various discrete forms of the one-dimensional, linearized, vertical acoustic equations in a height-based coordinate. First, the temporally discrete, spatially continuous equations are considered and the normal modes for a bounded system are compared to those of an unbounded system. Despite the use of a two-time-level discretization, a computational mode is found in the bounded case that is absent in the unbounded case. Second, the complete temporally and spatially discrete bounded system is considered and the normal modes and associated dispersion relation are derived. No computational modes are found. However, under certain limiting conditions, the temporal discretization leads to a distortion of the physical modes so that they resemble the computational mode of the spatially continuous bounded system. Implications for analyses based on spatially continuous equation sets are discussed.
Management and Change in the South African National Defence Force
Authors: Jackson Terence , Kotze Elize
Published: March 2005

The military in South Africa has gone through major changes as part of the wider society’s transition from apartheid to democracy necessitating the integration of a multicultural force. This article develops a theoretical framework for understanding these cross-cultural dynamics. It reports an empirical management study investigating the perceptions of the different cultural groups to better understand the process of cross-cultural integration in an institution whose stability and success has major implications for Southern African society. It finds significant differences in attitudes among cultural groups. This has implications for understanding multicultural change processes in similar institutions in transition around the world.
Acatholic and Ecumenical Response to the Left Behind Series
Authors: Anderson C.
Published: March 2005

This article seeks to explore why Roman Catholics have responded so negatively to the Left Behind Series. The article critically evaluates the charges that Pentecostal and Evangelical expectations of the rapture are necessarily ‘fundamentalist’ or inherently ‘anti-Catholic’. By presenting the Catholic Church's history of its own apocalyptic movements and its experience in America, the author suggests ways that Roman Catholics and Pentecostals can strengthen each by sharing elements of each other's understanding of the Book of Revelation.
Type 3 repeat/C-terminal domain of thrombospondin-1 triggers caspase-independent cell death through CD47/αvβ3 in promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells
Authors: Saumet Anne , Slimane Mouna Ben , Lanotte Michel , Lawler Jack , Dubernard Véronique
Published: March 2005

By means of its antiangiogenic activity, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) exerts indirect antitumoral action on solid tumors. Here, we investigated potential antitumor action in an in vitro cell model for promyelocytic leukemia (NB4-LR1), resistant to retinoid maturation. Purified soluble TSP-1 added to cultures induced a strong dose-dependent growth inhibition and a slowly developing maturation-independent cell death. Recombinant fragments of TSP-1 allowed mapping of these activities to its type 3 repeat/C-terminal domain, features that are distinct from those of TSP-1 action on solid tumors, previously ascribed to the type 1 repeat domain. Cell death in leukemia was characterized as a caspase-independent mechanism, without DNA fragmentation, but phosphatidylserine externalization followed by membrane permeabilization. Mitochondria membrane depolarization was inherent to TSP-1 action but did not produce release of death-promoting proteins (eg, noncaspase apoptosis regulators, apoptosis-induced factor [AIF], endonuclease G, or Omi/HtrA2 or the caspase regulators, cytochrome c or second mitochondrial activator of caspase/direct inhibitor of apoptosis protein-binding protein with low isoelectric point [Smac/DIABLO]). Although detected, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was likely not involved in the death process. Finally, receptor agonist RFYVVM and RGD peptides indicated that TSP-1 death effects are mediated by membrane receptors CD47 and αvβ3. These results demonstrated a new domain-specific antitumoral activity of TSP-1 on a leukemia cell line, which extends TSP-1 therapeutic potential outside the area of vascularized solid tumors. (Blood. 2005;106:658-667)
Feature selection and nearest centroid classification for protein mass spectrometry
Authors: Levner Ilya
Published: March 2005

Background

The use of mass spectrometry as a proteomics tool is poised to revolutionize early disease diagnosis and biomarker identification. Unfortunately, before standard supervised classification algorithms can be employed, the "curse of dimensionality" needs to be solved. Due to the sheer amount of information contained within the mass spectra, most standard machine learning techniques cannot be directly applied. Instead, feature selection techniques are used to first reduce the dimensionality of the input space and thus enable the subsequent use of classification algorithms. This paper examines feature selection techniques for proteomic mass spectrometry.

Results

This study examines the performance of the nearest centroid classifier coupled with the following feature selection algorithms. Student-t test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and the P-test are univariate statistics used for filter-based feature ranking. From the wrapper approaches we tested sequential forward selection and a modified version of sequential backward selection. Embedded approaches included shrunken nearest centroid and a novel version of boosting based feature selection we developed. In addition, we tested several dimensionality reduction approaches, namely principal component analysis and principal component analysis coupled with linear discriminant analysis. To fairly assess each algorithm, evaluation was done using stratified cross validation with an internal leave-one-out cross-validation loop for automated feature selection. Comprehensive experiments, conducted on five popular cancer data sets, revealed that the less advocated sequential forward selection and boosted feature selection algorithms produce the most consistent results across all data sets. In contrast, the state-of-the-art performance reported on isolated data sets for several of the studied algorithms, does not hold across all data sets.

Conclusion

This study tested a number of popular feature selection methods using the nearest centroid classifier and found that several reportedly state-of-the-art algorithms in fact perform rather poorly when tested via stratified cross-validation. The revealed inconsistencies provide clear evidence that algorithm evaluation should be performed on several data sets using a consistent (i.e., non-randomized, stratified) cross-validation procedure in order for the conclusions to be statistically sound.
Evolutionary cores of domain co-occurrence networks
Authors: Wuchty Stefan , Almaas Eivind
Published: March 2005

Background

The modeling of complex systems, as disparate as the World Wide Web and the cellular metabolism, as networks has recently uncovered a set of generic organizing principles: Most of these systems are scale-free while at the same time modular, resulting in a hierarchical architecture. The structure of the protein domain network, where individual domains correspond to nodes and their co-occurrences in a protein are interpreted as links, also falls into this category, suggesting that domains involved in the maintenance of increasingly developed, multicellular organisms accumulate links. Here, we take the next step by studying link based properties of the protein domain co-occurrence networks of the eukaryotes S. cerevisiae, C. elegans, D. melanogaster, M. musculus and H. sapiens.

Results

We construct the protein domain co-occurrence networks from the PFAM database and analyze them by applying a k-core decomposition method that isolates the globally central (highly connected domains in the central cores) from the locally central (highly connected domains in the peripheral cores) protein domains through an iterative peeling process. Furthermore, we compare the subnetworks thus obtained to the physical domain interaction network of S. cerevisiae. We find that the innermost cores of the domain co-occurrence networks gradually grow with increasing degree of evolutionary development in going from single cellular to multicellular eukaryotes. The comparison of the cores across all the organisms under consideration uncovers patterns of domain combinations that are predominately involved in protein functions such as cell-cell contacts and signal transduction. Analyzing a weighted interaction network of PFAM domains of Yeast, we find that domains having only a few partners frequently interact with these, while the converse is true for domains with a multitude of partners. Combining domain co-occurrence and interaction information, we observe that the co-occurrence of domains in the innermost cores (globally central domains) strongly coincides with physical interaction. The comparison of the multicellular eukaryotic domain co-occurrence networks with the single celled of S. cerevisiae (the overlap network) uncovers small, connected network patterns.

Conclusion

We hypothesize that these patterns, consisting of the domains and links preserved through evolution, may constitute nucleation kernels for the evolutionary increase in proteome complexity. Combining co-occurrence and physical interaction data we argue that the driving force behind domain fusions is a collective effect caused by the number of interactions and not the individual interaction frequency.
Exogenous glycosaminoglycans coat damaged bladder surfaces in experimentally damaged mouse bladder
Authors: Kyker Kimberly D , Coffman Jean , Hurst Robert E
Published: March 2005

Background

Interstital cystitis is often treated with exogenous glycosaminoglycans such as heparin, chondroitin sulphate (Uracyst), hyaluronate (Cystistat) or the semi-synthetic pentosan polysulphate (Elmiron). The mechanism of action is presumed to be due to a coating of the bladder surface to replace the normally present chondroitin sulphate and heparan sulphate lost as a result of the disease. This study used fluorescent labelled chondroitin sulphate to track the distribution of glycosaminoglycans administered intravesically to mouse bladder that had been damaged on the surface.

Methods

The surfaces of mouse bladders were damaged by 3 mechanisms – trypsin, 10 mM HCl, and protamine sulphate. Texas Red-labeled chondroitin sulphate was instilled into the bladders of animals with damaged bladders and controls instilled only with saline. Bladders were harvested, frozen, and sectioned for examination by fluorescence.

Results

The normal mouse bladder bound a very thin layer of the labelled chondroitin sulphate on the luminal surface. Trypsin- and HCl-damaged bladders bound the labelled chondroitin sulphate extensively on the surface with little penetration into the bladder muscle. Protamine produced less overt damage, and much less labelling was seen, presumably due to loss of the label as it complexed with the protamine intercalated into the bladder surface.

Conclusion

Glycosaminoglycan administered intravesically does bind to damaged bladder. Given that the changes seen following bladder damage resemble those seen naturally in interstitial cystitis, the mechanisms proposed for the action of these agents is consistent with a coating of damaged bladder.
Systems for grading the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations II: Pilot study of a new system
Authors: Atkins David , Briss Peter A , Eccles Martin , Flottorp Signe , Guyatt Gordon H , Harbour Robin T , Hill Suzanne , Jaeschke Roman , Liberati Alessandro , Magrini Nicola , Mason James , O'Connell Dianne , Oxman Andrew D , Phillips Bob , Schünemann Holger , Edejer Tessa Tan-Torres , Vist Gunn E , Williams John W ,   The GRADE Working Group
Published: March 2005

Background

Systems that are used by different organisations to grade the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations vary. They have different strengths and weaknesses. The GRADE Working Group has developed an approach that addresses key shortcomings in these systems. The aim of this study was to pilot test and further develop the GRADE approach to grading evidence and recommendations.

Methods

A GRADE evidence profile consists of two tables: a quality assessment and a summary of findings. Twelve evidence profiles were used in this pilot study. Each evidence profile was made based on information available in a systematic review. Seventeen people were given instructions and independently graded the level of evidence and strength of recommendation for each of the 12 evidence profiles. For each example judgements were collected, summarised and discussed in the group with the aim of improving the proposed grading system. Kappas were calculated as a measure of chance-corrected agreement for the quality of evidence for each outcome for each of the twelve evidence profiles. The seventeen judges were also asked about the ease of understanding and the sensibility of the approach. All of the judgements were recorded and disagreements discussed.

Results

There was a varied amount of agreement on the quality of evidence for the outcomes relating to each of the twelve questions (kappa coefficients for agreement beyond chance ranged from 0 to 0.82). However, there was fair agreement about the relative importance of each outcome. There was poor agreement about the balance of benefits and harms and recommendations. Most of the disagreements were easily resolved through discussion. In general we found the GRADE approach to be clear, understandable and sensible. Some modifications were made in the approach and it was agreed that more information was needed in the evidence profiles.

Conclusion

Judgements about evidence and recommendations are complex. Some subjectivity, especially regarding recommendations, is unavoidable. We believe our system for guiding these complex judgements appropriately balances the need for simplicity with the need for full and transparent consideration of all important issues.
Actinomycetes as host cells for production of recombinant proteins
Authors: Nakashima Nobutaka , Mitani Yasuo , Tamura Tomohiro
Published: March 2005

Actinomycetes (Actinobacteria) are highly attractive as cell factories or bioreactors for applications in industrial, agricultural, environmental, and pharmaceutical fields. Genome sequencing of several species of actinomycetes has paved the way for biochemical and structural analysis of important proteins and the production of such proteins as recombinants on a commercial scale. In this regard, there is a need for improved expression vectors that will be applicable to actinomycetes. Recent advancements in gene expression systems, knowledge regarding the intracellular environment, and identification and characterization of plasmids has made it possible to develop practicable recombinant expression systems in actinomycetes as described in this review.
Is Melanoma a stem cell tumor? Identification of neurogenic proteins in trans-differentiated cells
Authors: Rasheed Suraiya , Mao Zisu , Chan Jane MC , Chan Linda S
Published: March 2005

Background

Although several genes and proteins have been implicated in the development of melanomas, the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of these tumors are not well understood. To gain a better understanding of the relationship between the cell growth, tumorigenesis and differentiation, we have studied a highly malignant cat melanoma cell line that trans-differentiates into neuronal cells after exposure to a feline endogenous retrovirus RD114.

Methods

To define the repertoire of proteins responsible for the phenotypic differences between melanoma and its counterpart trans-differentiated neuronal cells we have applied proteomics technology and compared protein profiles of the two cell types and identified differentially expressed proteins by 2D-gel electrophoresis, image analyses and mass spectrometry.

Results

The melanoma and trans-differentiated neuronal cells could be distinguished by the presence of distinct sets of proteins in each. Although approximately 60–70% of the expressed proteins were shared between the two cell types, twelve proteins were inducedde novoafter infection of melanoma cells with RD114 virusin vitro. Expression of these proteins in trans-differentiated cells was significantly associated with concomitant down regulation of growth promoting proteins and up-regulation of neurogenic proteins (p = < 0.001). Based on their physiologic properties, >95% proteins expressed in trans-differentiated cells could be associated with the development, differentiation and regulation of nervous system cells.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the cat melanoma cells have the ability to differentiate into distinct neuronal cell types and they express proteins that are essential for self-renewal. Since melanocytes arise from the neural crest of the embryo, we conclude that this melanoma arose from embryonic precursor stem cells. This model system provides a unique opportunity to identify domains of interactions between the expressed proteins that halt the tumorigenic potential of melanoma cells and drive them toward neurogenerative pathways involved in early neurogenesis. A better understanding of these proteins in a well-coordinated signaling network would also help in developing novel approaches for suppression of highly malignant tumors that arise from stem-like embryonic cells.