bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Childhoods in-between: Sudanese Refugee Children's Transition from Home to Preschool
Authors: Dachyshyn Darcey M. , Kirova Anna
Published: July 2008

Canada receives over 30,000 refugees each year, approximately 10% of whom are under five years of age. While to varying degrees the factors influencing the experiences of adult refugees have been identified and researched, the experiences of young refugee children ‘living in-between’ has only recently begun to capture researchers' interest. This article considers what the experiences are of young refugee children in their day-to-day living between languages and cultures as they make a transition between home and Canadian early childhood settings. More specifically, the question addressed is: What roles do refugee children play in mediating the host culture for their parents in the hybrid place created by play? The authors propose that play in early childhood does serve, for refugees experiencing resettlement, as a site of cultural mediation, contestation, and identity negotiation. An analysis of three Sudanese refugee mothers and their four-year-old sons' use of common early childhood artefacts – wooden building blocks – is used to demonstrate how young refugee children who experience child care outside their home for the first time not only learn to ‘be a preschooler’, but learn to ‘interpret’ this role to their parents.
From Home to School: Mapping Children's Transition in the Indian Context
Authors: Mohite Prerana , Bhatt Namita
Published: July 2008

The education and care of young children has been rooted in Indian culture as reflected in ancient scriptures and documents, and has continued to be a significant engagement during the pre-and post-independence period and in the contemporary realm of education. Yet, in the present situation, the progress and understanding of early childhood care and education (ECCE) leaves much to be desired. This article offers an analysis of current policy developments in ECCE and their implementation across diverse socio economic settings with the focus on transition from home to preschool. The key issues surrounding cultural and linguistic transitions that accompany a child's introduction into a world outside the home are discussed, drawing on data from an ethnographic study of early childhood thought, policy and practice carried out across four semi-rural and tribal areas in Gujarat, India.
Qualities of Historical Writing Instruction: A Comparative Case Study of Two Teachers’ Practices
Authors: Monte-Sano Chauncey
Published: July 2008

This study explored the practices of two high school teachers of U.S. history and their students’ performance on evidence-based history essays over 7 months. Data include pre- and posttest essays, interviews, observations, teacher feedback, assignments, and readings. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons of 42 students’ work show that one class improved in writing evidence-based history essays whereas the other did not. Qualitative analyses of the teachers’ practices suggest that different opportunities to learn to read, write, and think historically are not equally valuable. In particular, the following qualities of instruction support students’ development in writing evidence-based historical essays: approaching history as evidence-based interpretation; reading historical texts and considering them as interpretations; supporting reading comprehension and historical thinking; asking students to develop interpretations and support them with evidence; and using direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, and feedback to teach evidence-based writing. The act of writing alone is not sufficient for growth in evidence-based historical writing.
Student Diversity and Secondary School Change in a Context of Increasingly Standardized Reform
Authors: Skerrett Allison , Hargreaves Andy
Published: July 2008

This article analyzes three decades of educational reform strategies pertaining to ethnocultural diversity in the United States and Canada and how they affect the efforts of four secondary schools, two in each context, to respond to increasing student diversity. Data include 186 teacher interviews drawn from a large ethnographic study. The article describes the current effects of increasing standardization on racially diverse schools and concludes with recommendations for policy reform that embrace poststandardization.
Generalised Exponential Families and Associated Entropy Functions
Authors: Naudts Jan
Published: July 2008

A generalised notion of exponential families is introduced. It is based on the variational principle, borrowed from statistical physics. It is shown that inequivalent generalised entropy functions lead to distinct generalised exponential families. The well-known result that the inequality of Cram´er and Rao becomes an equality in the case of an exponential family can be generalised. However, this requires the introduction of escort probabilities.
Compatibilization of regenerated low density polyethylene/poly(vinyl chloride) blends
Authors: Kabdi Soumia‐Amina , Belhaneche‐Bensemra Naima
Published: July 2008

The aim of this work is to study the valorization of regenerated low density polyethylene (rLDPE) by blending with PVC in the presence of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) as compatibilizer. For this purpose, four rLDPE samples coming from neat or dirty wastes were used. They were obtained after milling, washing, and extrusion in a conventional recycling plant. They were first characterized in terms of physicochemical (density, melt flow index, water absorption, and level of oxidation by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and mechanical (tensile and shore D hardness) properties. The effect of the ratio of PVC on these physical and mechanical properties was then investigated. These binary blends exhibited lower properties than those of the separated polymers. The addition of CPE to the binary blend with weight proportion of 50/50 leads to a substantial improvement of the considered properties which is due to a better interfacial adhesion between rLDPE and PVC as evidenced by the analysis of the morphology of the blends by scanning electron microscopy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Minimal aberrant behavioral phenotypes of neuroligin‐3 R451C knockin mice
Authors: Chadman Kathryn K. , Gong Shiaoching , Scattoni Maria L. , Boltuck Sarah E. , Gandhy Shruti U. , Heintz Nathaniel , Crawley Jacqueline N.
Published: July 2008

Neuroligin‐3 is a member of the class of cell adhesion proteins that mediate synapse development and have been implicated in autism. Mice with the human R451C mutation (NL3), identical to the point mutation found in two brothers with autism spectrum disorders, were generated and phenotyped in multiple behavioral assays with face validity to the diagnostic symptoms of autism. No differences between NL3 and their wildtype (WT) littermate controls were detected on measures of juvenile reciprocal social interaction, adult social approach, cognitive abilities, and resistance to change in a spatial habit, findings which were replicated in several cohorts of males and females. Physical and procedural abilities were similar across genotypes on measures of general health, sensory abilities, sensorimotor gating, motor functions, and anxiety‐related traits. Minor developmental differences were detected between NL3 and WT, including slightly different rates of somatic growth, slower righting reflexes at postnatal days 2–6, faster homing reflexes in females, and less vocalizations on postnatal day 8 in males. Significant differences in NL3 adults included somewhat longer latencies to fall from the rotarod, less vertical activity in the open field, and less acoustic startle to high decibel tones. The humanized R451C mutation in mice did not result in apparent autism‐like phenotypes, but produced detectable functional consequences that may be interpreted in terms of physical development and/or reduced sensitivity to stimuli.
What does client satisfaction tell us about effectiveness?
Authors: Trotter Chris
Published: July 2008

It is common in child protection research to undertake studies of client satisfaction with services. Although these studies have their own intrinsic value, it has been argued that they tell us little if anything about effectiveness—high levels of client satisfaction mean little if child abuse continues to occur. This study, undertaken in a statutory child protection service in Australia, considers the relationship between client satisfaction and other outcome measures, including worker estimates of client progress, further notifications of abuse and whether or not children have been removed. The results show strong correlations between different measures of client satisfaction and strong correlations between different measures of worker estimates of client progress. They show weaker but statistically significant correlations between client satisfaction and worker estimates of client progress, and between client satisfaction and further notifications. There is also a significant relationship between client satisfaction and children remaining at home. However, this applies only to parents, relatives and carers, not to the primary clients themselves. It is concluded that client satisfaction studies may have value beyond simply measuring client satisfaction. However, the study also supports an argument for using more than one outcome measure if the aim is to measure effectiveness. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuroethics of neuromarketing
Authors: Murphy Emily R. , Illes Judy , Reiner Peter B.
Published: July 2008

Neuromarketing is upon us. Companies are springing up to offer their clients brain‐based information about consumer preferences, purporting to bypass focus groups and other marketing research techniques on the premise that directly peering into a consumer's brain while viewing products or brands is a much better predictor of consumer behavior. These technologies raise a range of ethical issues, which fall into two major categories: (1) protection of various parties who may be harmed or exploited by the research, marketing, and deployment of neuromarketing and (2) protection of consumer autonomy if neuromarketing reaches a critical level of effectiveness. The former is straightforward. The latter may or may not be problematic depending upon whether the technology can be considered to so effectively manipulate consumer behavior such that consumers are not able to be aware of the subversion. We call this phenomenon stealth neuromarketing. Academics and companies using neuromarketing techniques should adopt a code of ethics, which we propose here, to ensure beneficent and non‐harmful use of the technology in consideration of both categories of ethics concerns.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brains and brands: developing mutually informative research in neuroscience and marketing
Authors: Perrachione Tyler K. , Perrachione John R.
Published: July 2008

Advances in neuroimaging technology have led to an explosion in the number of studies investigating the living human brain, and thereby our understanding of its structure and function. With the proliferation of dazzling images from brain scans in both scientific and popular media, researchers from other fields in the social and behavioral sciences have naturally become interested in the application of neuroimaging to their own research. Commercial enterprises have long been interested in the prospects of literally “getting inside the heads” of customers and partners, with a variety of goals in mind. Here we consider the ways in which scholars of consumer behavior may draw upon neuroscientific advances to inform their own research. We describe the motivation of neuroscientific inquiry from the point of view of neuroscientists, including an introduction to the technologies and methodologies available; correspondingly, we consider major questions in consumer behavior that are likely to be of interest to neuroscientists and why. Recent key discoveries in neuroscience are presented which will likely have a direct impact on the development of a neuromarketing subdiscipline and for neuroimaging as a marketing research technique. We discuss where and how neuroscience methodologies may reasonably be added to the research inventory of marketers. In sum, we aim to show not only that a neuromarketing subdiscipline may fruitfully contribute to our understanding of the biological bases of human behavior, but also that developing this as a productive research field will rest largely in framing marketing research questions in the brain‐centric mindset of neuroscientists.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regression models with process variables and parallel blocks of raw material measurements
Authors: Måge Ingrid , Mevik Bjørn‐Helge , Næs Tormod
Published: July 2008

The topic of this paper is regression models based on designed experiments, where additional spectroscopic measurements are also available. This particular case describes a situation with two spectral blocks with no natural order: The blocks are parallel. Three methods are described, which combine least squares regression of the design variables with PCA or PLS on the spectra. The methods properties are explored in two simulation studies based on real experiments. The results show that the methods are equal when it comes to prediction, but interpretability varies. One of the methods, LS‐ParPLS, is especially interesting when it comes to interpretability because it splits the spectral information into two parts; information that is common in both blocks and information that is unique for each block. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Intermolecular Hydroarylation of Alkenes with Indoles under Thermal and Microwave‐Assisted Conditions
Authors: Wang Ming‐Zhong , Wong Man‐Kin , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: July 2008

An efficient method for intermolecular hydroarylation of aryl and aliphatic alkenes with indoles using a combination of [(PR3)AuCl]/AgOTf as catalyst under thermal and microwave‐assisted conditions has been developed. The gold(I)‐catalyzed reactions of indoles with aryl alkenes were achieved in toluene at 85 °C over a reaction time of 1–3 h with 2 mol % of [(PR3)AuCl]/AgOTf as catalyst. This method works for a variety of styrenes bearing electron‐deficient, electron‐rich, and sterically bulky substituents to give the corresponding products in good to high yields (60–95 %). Under microwave irradiation, coupling of unactivated aliphatic alkenes with indoles gave the corresponding adducts in up to 90 % yield. Selective hydroarylation of terminal CC bond of conjugated dienes with indoles gave good product yields (62–81 %). On the basis of deuterium‐labeling experiments, a reaction mechanism involving nucleophilic attack of Au(I)‐coordinated alkenes by indoles is proposed.
Comprehensive Wnt‐related gene expression during cochlear duct development in chicken
Authors: Sienknecht Ulrike J. , Fekete Donna M.
Published: July 2008

The avian cochlear duct houses both a vestibular and auditory sensory organ (the lagena macula and basilar papilla, respectively), which each have a distinct structure and function. Comparative mRNA in situ hybridization mapping conducted over the time course of chicken cochlear duct development reveals that Wnt‐related gene expression is concomitant with various developmental processes such as regionalization, convergent extension of the cochlear duct, cell fate specification, synaptogenesis, and the establishment of planar cell polarity. Wnts mostly originate from nonsensory tissue domains, whereas the sensory primordia preferentially transcribe Frizzled receptors, suggesting that paracrine Wnt signaling predominates in the cochlear duct. Superimposed over this is the strong expression of two secreted Frizzled‐related Wnt inhibitors that tend to show complementary expression patterns. Frzb (SFRP3) is confined to the nonsensory cochlear duct and the lagena macula, whereas SFRP2 is maintained in the basilar papilla along with Fzd10 and Wnt7b. Flanking the basilar papilla are Wnt7a, Wnt9a, Wnt11, and SFRP2 on the neural side and Wnt5a, Wnt5b, and Wnt7a on the abneural side. The lateral nonsensory cochlear duct continuously expresses Frzb and temporarily expresses Wnt6 and SFRP1. Characteristic for the entire lagena is the expression of Frzb; in the lagena macula are Fzd1, Fzd7, and Wnt7b, and in the nonsensory tissues are Wnt4 and Wnt5a. Auditory hair cells preferentially express Fzd2 and Fzd9, whereas the main receptors expressed in vestibular hair cells are Fzd1 and Fzd7, in addition to Fzd2 and Fzd9. J. Comp. Neurol. 510:378–395, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐resolution X‐ray imaging of Plasmodium falciparum‐infected red blood cells
Authors: Williams Garth J. , Hanssen Eric , Peele Andrew G. , Pfeifer Mark A. , Clark Jesse , Abbey Brian , Cadenazzi Guido , de Jonge Martin D. , Vogt Stefan , Tilley Leann , Nugent Keith A.
Published: July 2008

Methods for imaging cellular architecture and ultimately macromolecular complexes and individual proteins, within a cellular environment, are an important goal for cell and molecular biology. Coherent diffractive imaging (CDI) is a method of lensless imaging that can be applied to any individual finite object. A diffraction pattern from a single biological structure is recorded and an iterative Fourier transform between real space and reciprocal space is used to reconstruct information about the architecture of the sample to high resolution. As a test system for cellular imaging, we have applied CDI to an important human pathogen, the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. We have employed a novel CDI approach, known as Fresnel CDI, which uses illumination with a curved incident wavefront, to image red blood cells infected with malaria parasites. We have examined the intrinsic X‐ray absorption contrast of these cells and compared them with cells contrasted with heavy metal stains or immunogold labeling. We compare CDI images with data obtained from the same cells using scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and scanning X‐ray fluorescence microscopy. We show that CDI can offer new information both within and at the surface of complex biological specimens at a spatial resolution of better than 40 nm. and we demonstrate an imaging modality that conveniently combines scanning X‐ray fluorescence microscopy with CDI. The data provide independent confirmation of the validity of the coherent diffractive image and demonstrate that CDI offers the potential to become an important and reliable new high‐resolution imaging modality for cell biology. CDI can detect features at high resolution within unsectioned cells. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Interpreting sustainable development and societal utility in Norwegian GMO assessments
Authors: Rosendal G. Kristin
Published: July 2008

This article examines the process of assessing applications for genetically modified (GM) crops or plants for import or commercial planting in Norway. GMO legislation in Norway is closely linked to the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA), to which Norway is a party. A central difference with the EU processes emanates from specific clauses in the Norwegian Gene Technology Act on ‘sustainable development’ and ‘societal utility’, which provide a potentially wider leverage for Norwegian authorities to turn down the applications. Research material indicates evidence of an increasingly restrictive practice in the Norwegian evaluations, raising the question of how this can be explained in the face of increasing global acceptance of GMOs. A related question is to what extent and how this result is affected by the trends in the EU. An increasingly restrictive practice may be explained by changes in the access structure to the evaluating body, or it may be due to learning and a growing acceptance of the precautionary principle in this sector. Third, a higher number of rejections may largely be associated with the interest structure pertaining to GMOs in Norway. Final decisions are pending and there are uncertainties concerning how Norwegian authorities will apply the specific criteria of the Gene Technology Act. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Metal‐Mediated One‐Step In Situ Oxidation of 2,9‐Dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline and Formation of Transition‐Metal and Lanthanoid Complexes
Authors: Fan Lin‐Lin , Li Cui‐Jin , Meng Zhao‐Sha , Tong Ming‐Liang
Published: July 2008

One‐step in situ oxidations of 2,9‐dimethyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline to 9‐methyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline‐2‐carboxylic acid and 1,10‐phenanthroline‐2,9‐dicarboxylic acid were carried out by utilizing HNO3 as the oxidant in the presence of CuII, NiII, and CuII–LnIII salts under hydrothermal conditions, showing that different transition‐metal ions can tune the oxidation products through different coordination modes in metal complexes of the in situ formed ligands. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
The Intermolecular Pauson–Khand Reaction of meso‐Substituted Porphyrins
Authors: Horn Sabine , Senge Mathias O.
Published: July 2008

The intermolecular Pauson–Khand reaction is often limited by the poor reactivity and selectivity of simple alkenes. Here we expanded the range of reagents to simple alkenyl‐ and alkynyl‐substituted porphyrins. The two expected regioisomers could be obtained in a combined yield of up to 72 %. In addition, use of the Pauson–Khand reaction provides a simple and novel pathway for the preparation of porphyrin dimers in a nearly quantitative yield. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Aryl–Metal Species
Authors: Gutnov Andrey
Published: July 2008

The objective of this review is to summarize developments in the recently discovered area of palladium‐catalyzed asymmetric Michael additions of organometallic reagents to activated electron‐deficient olefins in its practical and theoretical aspects. The methodology has been rapidly developed in the last five years as a useful alternative approach to complement the already existing copper‐ and rhodium‐catalyzed variants, especially in the area of asymmetric aryl transfer to typical Michael acceptors. Although very difficult to control because of numerous side reactions, this palladium catalysis is very promising for applications both in academia and in industry. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Effect of magnetic Reynolds number on the two‐dimensional hydromagnetic flow around a cylinder
Authors: Sekhar T. V. S. , Sivakumar R. , Ravi Kumar T. V. R.
Published: July 2008

Numerical experiments have been conducted to study the effect of magnetic Reynolds number on the steady, two‐dimensional, viscous, incompressible and electrically conducting flow around a circular cylinder. Besides usual Reynolds number Re, the flow is governed by the magnetic Reynolds number Rm and Alfvén number β. The flow and magnetic field are uniform and parallel at large distances from the cylinder. The pressure Poisson equation is solved to find the pressure fields in the entire flow region. The effects of the magnetic field and electrical conductivity on the recirculation bubble, drag coefficient, standing vortex and pressure are presented and discussed. For low interaction parameter (N<1), the suppression of the flow‐separation is nearly independent of the conductivity of the fluid, whereas for large interaction parameters, the conductivity of the fluid strongly influences the control of flow‐separation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Macroeconomic announcements, intraday covariance structure and asymmetry in the interest rate futures returns
Authors: Thomakos Dimitrios D. , Wang Tao , Wu Jingtao , Chuderewicz Russell P.
Published: July 2008

The effects of scheduled macroeconomic announcements on the real‐time intraday return volatilities, covariances, and correlations between the Eurodollar futures and the U.S. Treasury bond futures markets are studied. These announcements are responsible for most of the observed intraday jumps in volatilities, covariances, and correlations. The details of the linkage are intriguing and include announcements timing effect. Further study on intraday asymmetric volatility and correlation‐in‐volatility indicates that news announcements magnify asymmetric volatility and shed light on why correlations tend to be high when volatilities are high. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 28:815–844, 2008
A computationally efficient hypothesis testing method for epistasis analysis using multifactor dimensionality reduction
Authors: Pattin Kristine A. , White Bill C. , Barney Nate , Gui Jiang , Nelson Heather H. , Kelsey Karl T. , Andrew Angeline S. , Karagas Margaret R. , Moore Jason H.
Published: July 2008

Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) was developed as a nonparametric and model‐free data mining method for detecting, characterizing, and interpreting epistasis in the absence of significant main effects in genetic and epidemiologic studies of complex traits such as disease susceptibility. The goal of MDR is to change the representation of the data using a constructive induction algorithm to make nonadditive interactions easier to detect using any classification method such as naïve Bayes or logistic regression. Traditionally, MDR constructed variables have been evaluated with a naïve Bayes classifier that is combined with 10‐fold cross validation to obtain an estimate of predictive accuracy or generalizability of epistasis models. Traditionally, we have used permutation testing to statistically evaluate the significance of models obtained through MDR. The advantage of permutation testing is that it controls for false positives due to multiple testing. The disadvantage is that permutation testing is computationally expensive. This is an important issue that arises in the context of detecting epistasis on a genome‐wide scale. The goal of the present study was to develop and evaluate several alternatives to large‐scale permutation testing for assessing the statistical significance of MDR models. Using data simulated from 70 different epistasis models, we compared the power and type I error rate of MDR using a 1,000‐fold permutation test with hypothesis testing using an extreme value distribution (EVD). We find that this new hypothesis testing method provides a reasonable alternative to the computationally expensive 1,000‐fold permutation test and is 50 times faster. We then demonstrate this new method by applying it to a genetic epidemiology study of bladder cancer susceptibility that was previously analyzed using MDR and assessed using a 1,000‐fold permutation test. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Family‐level coparenting processes and child gender as moderators of family stress and toddler adjustment
Authors: Kolak Amy M. , Vernon‐Feagans Lynne
Published: July 2008

The goal of this multi‐method study was to examine how child gender and coparenting processes influence associations between family stress and toddlers' social adjustment. The participants, 104 dual‐earner couples and their 2‐year‐old children, were videotaped in their home during a freeplay activity. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires about stress in their roles as partners, workers, and parents and their child's social–emotional adjustment. Consistent with previous research, higher levels of family stress were associated with poorer adjustment for children. Family harmony, represented by warmth and cooperation, was significantly associated with fewer internalizing problems for children even when family stress was considered. Conversely, coparental banter or ‘playful humour’ between parents moderated the nature of the association between family stress and children's adjustment. Banter between parents was especially protective for girls suggesting that, even in families with toddler‐aged children, gender plays an important role in family‐level coparenting processes. Future research needs to consider more fully the impact that child characteristics, such as gender, have on the interplay between the family context and children's development. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple Kv1.5 targeting to membrane surface microdomains
Authors: Martínez‐Mármol Ramón , Villalonga Núria , Solé Laura , Vicente Rubén , Tamkun Michael M. , Soler Concepció , Felipe Antonio
Published: July 2008

Surface expression of voltage‐dependent K+ channels (Kv) has a pivotal role in leukocyte physiology. Although little is known about the physiological role of lipid rafts, these microdomains concentrate signaling molecules and their ion channel substrates. Kv1.3 associates with Kv1.5 to form functional channels in macrophages. Different isoform stoichiometries lead to distinct heteromeric channels which may be further modulated by targeting the complex to different membrane surface microdomains. Kv1.3 targets to lipid rafts, whereas Kv1.5 localization is under debate. With this in mind, we wanted to study whether heterotetrameric Kv1.5‐containing channels target to lipid rafts. While in transfected HEK‐293 cells, homo‐ and heterotetrameric channels targeted to rafts, Kv1.5 did not target to rafts in macrophages. Therefore, Kv1.3/Kv1.5 hybrid channels are mostly concentrated in non‐raft microdomains. However, LPS‐induced activation, which increases the Kv1.3/Kv1.5 ratio and caveolin, targeted Kv1.5 back to lipid rafts. Moreover, Kv1.5 did not localize to low‐buoyancy fractions in L6E9 skeletal myoblasts, which also coexpress both channels, heart membranes or cardiomyocyes. Coexpression of a Cav3DGV‐mutant confined Kv1.5 to Cav3DGV‐vesicles of HEK cells. Contrarily, coexpression of Kvβ2.1 impaired the Kv1.5 targeting to raft microdomains in HEK cells. Our results indicate that Kv1.5 partnership interactions are underlying mechanisms governing channel targeting to lipid rafts. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 667–673, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
M‐degrees of quadrangle‐free planar graphs
Authors: Borodin Oleg V. , Kostochka Alexandr V. , Sheikh Naeem N. , Yu Gexin
Published: July 2008

The M‐degree of an edge xy in a graph is the maximum of the degrees of x and y. The M‐degree of a graph G is the minimum over M‐degrees of its edges. In order to get upper bounds on the game chromatic number, He et al showed that every planar graph G without leaves and 4‐cycles has M‐degree at most 8 and gave an example of such a graph with M‐degree 3. This yields upper bounds on the game chromatic number of C4‐free planar graphs. We determine the maximum possible M‐degrees for planar, projective‐planar and toroidal graphs without leaves and 4‐cycles. In particular, for planar and projective‐planar graphs this maximum is 7. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 60: 80–85, 2009
Automated quality control of brain MR images
Authors: Gedamu Elias L. , Collins D.L. , Arnold Douglas L.
Published: July 2008

Purpose

To present a novel fully automated method for assessing the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data acquired in a clinical trials environment.

Materials and Methods

This work was performed in the context of clinical trials for multiple sclerosis. Quality control (QC) procedures included were: (i) patient brain identity verification, (ii) alphanumeric parameter matching, (iii) signal‐to‐noise ratio estimation, (iv) gadolinium‐enhancement verification, and (v) detection of ghosting due to head motion. Each QC procedure produces a quantitative measurement which is compared against an acceptance threshold that was determined based on receiver operating characteristic analysis of traditional manual and visual QC performed by trained experts.

Results

The automated QC results have high sensitivity and specificity when compared with the visual QC.

Conclusion

Our automated objective QC procedure can replace many manual subjective procedures to provide increased data throughput while reducing reader variability. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:308–319. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Macromol. Chem. Phys. 15/2008
Authors: Song Liyuan , Zhu Meifang , Chen Yanmo , Haraguchi Kazutoshi
Published: July 2008

Cover: A semi‐interpenetrating nanocomposite gel (sI‐NC gel), composed of semi‐interpenetrating PAA chains incorporated in an organic/inorganic (PNIPA/clay) network, exhibits outstanding temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive swelling/de‐swelling behaviors, as can be seen in the cover picture. Beyond that, it shows superior tensile mechanical properties such as high strength and high elongation at break. Further details can be found in the article by L. Song, M. Zhu, Y. Chen, and K. Haraguchi* on page 1564.
Fine temporal analysis of DHT transcriptional modulation of the ATM/Gadd45g signaling pathways in the mouse uterus
Authors: Ivanga Mahinè , Labrie Yvan , Calvo Ezequiel , Belleau Pascal , Martel Céline , Pelletier Georges , Morissette Jean , Labrie Fernand , Durocher Francine
Published: July 2008

In rodents, the uterus of a mature female undergoes changes during the uterine cycle, under the control of steroid hormones. 5α‐Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is recognized to play an important role in the regulation of androgen action in normal endometrium. Using microarray technology, a screening analysis of genes responding to DHT in the uterus of ovariectomized mice, has allowed us to highlight multiple genes of the ATM/Gadd45g pathway that are modulated following exposure to DHT. Two phases of regulation were identified. In the early phase, the expression of genes involved in the G2/M arrest is rapidly increased, followed by the repression of genes of the G1/S checkpoint, and by the induction of transcriptional regulators. Later, i.e. from 12 to 24 hr, genes involved in G2/M transition, cytoarchitectural and lipid‐related genes are stimulated by DHT while immunity‐related genes appear to be differentially regulated by the hormone. These results show that a physiological dose of DHT induces the transcription of genes promoting the cell cycle progression in mice. Profile determination of temporal uterine gene expression at the transcriptional level enables us to suggest that the DHT modulation of genes involved in ATM/Gadd45g signaling in an ATM‐ or p53‐independent manner, could play an important role in the cyclical changes of uterine cells in the mouse uterus. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 278–288, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of complement‐3 protein expression in human and mouse oviducts
Authors: Lee Yin‐Lau , Cheong Ana W.Y. , Chow Wang‐Ngai , Lee Kai‐Fai , Yeung William S.B.
Published: July 2008

The human oviduct derived embryotrophic factor‐3 (ETF‐3) contains complement protein‐3 (C3) and its derivates. Although C3 is not embryotrophic, it is converted into the embryotrophic derivative, iC3b in the presence of embryos and oviductal cells. The regulation of C3 production in the oviduct is not known. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of presence of preimplantation embryos and hormones on C3 expression in the oviducts in vitro and in vivo. The expression of C3 in the oviduct of pregnant mice was compared to that of pseudo‐pregnant mice. The hormonal action on C3 expression was studied in the ovariectomized mouse oviducts and human oviductal epithelial (OE) cells. The results showed that the level of C3 mRNA in the mouse oviduct was high on Day 1 and Day 2, but decreased to a minimum on Day 4 of pregnancy, whereas that of pseudo‐pregnancy remained relatively stable within the same period. The protein levels of C3 and iC3b specific fragments, α‐115 and α‐40, respectively in the mouse oviductal luminal fluid were highest on Day 3 of pregnancy, when the embryos were expected to be most sensitive to the embryotrophic activity of ETF‐3. Estrogen elevated C3 expression in the ovariectomized mouse oviduct and the OE cells. Progesterone suppressed estrogen‐induced C3 expression in the mouse oviduct, but had no effect on OE cells. In conclusion, the presence of embryo and steroid hormones regulate the synthesis and secretion of oviductal C3. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 301–308, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simulation of relative temporal resolution of time‐resolved MRA sequences
Authors: Keith L. , Kecskemeti S. , Velikina J. , Mistretta C.
Published: July 2008

Time‐resolved MRA sequences are typically characterized by the display frame rate. However, true temporal resolution should be defined in a manner analogous to spatial resolution; it is not the ability of a sequence to update rapidly but rather the ability to discern changes that occur within a small time that should characterize temporal resolution. For view‐shared methods like Keyhole and time‐resolved imaging of contrast kinetics (TRICKS), regions of k‐space from multiple time frames are combined to form a single reconstructed time frame. This often causes the time needed to acquire all k‐space data points to be significantly longer than the displayed frame time, resulting in a poor frequency response. Simulated here are the temporal impulse response and temporal frequency response (TFR) curves of three time‐resolved MRA methods, including the recently introduced highly‐constrained backprojection local reconstruction (HYPR LR) method. It is found that the HYPR LR reconstruction method exhibits a better TFR for a larger spectrum of temporal and spatial frequencies than the Keyhole and TRICKS methods. Magn Reson Med 60:398–404, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A statistical approach to SENSE regularization with arbitraryk‐space trajectories
Authors: Ying Leslie , Liu Bo , Steckner Michael C. , Wu Gaohong , Wu Min , Li Shi‐Jiang
Published: July 2008

SENSE reconstruction suffers from an ill‐conditioning problem, which increasingly lowers the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) as the reduction factor increases. Ill‐conditioning also degrades the convergence behavior of iterative conjugate gradient reconstructions for arbitrary trajectories. Regularization techniques are often used to alleviate the ill‐conditioning problem. Based on maximum a posteriori statistical estimation with a Huber Markov random field prior, this study presents a new method for adaptive regularization using the image and noise statistics. The adaptive Huber regularization addresses the blurry edges in Tikhonov regularization and the blocky effects in total variation (TV) regularization. Phantom and in vivo experiments demonstrate improved image quality and convergence speed over both the unregularized conjugate gradient method and Tikhonov regularization method, at no increase in total computation time. Magn Reson Med 60:414–421, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrophysiologic findings and grip strength after nerve injuries in the rat forelimb
Authors: Wang Huan , Sorenson Eric J. , Spinner Robert J. , Windebank Anthony J.
Published: July 2008

We developed electrophysiologic methods for testing the three major forelimb nerves as a tool to evaluate motor and sensory recovery in rats. Median, ulnar, or radial nerves were transected and repaired in Sprague–Dawley rats. Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were recorded preoperatively and at various postoperative intervals. Correlation between grip strength and CMAPs was investigated. Reliable CMAPs were recorded for all three nerves. Median‐ or ulnar‐nerve–derived SSEPs were reliably recorded; radial SSEPs could not be recorded. CMAPs followed typical regeneration patterns after nerve repair. SSEPs showed a consistent peak latency but fluctuating amplitude. Grip strength and median CMAP amplitude correlated positively. We conclude that it is possible to conduct minimally invasive electrophysiologic testing in rat forelimbs. The CMAP is a valid parameter that shows the typical time course of nerve regeneration and reinnervation. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Acute effects of high‐dose methylprednisolone on diaphragm muscle function
Authors: Sassoon Catherine S. H. , Zhu Ercheng , Pham H. Tony , Nelson Renee S. , Fang Liwei , Baker Michael J. , Caiozzo Vincent J.
Published: July 2008

The time‐ and dose‐dependent effects of acute high‐dose corticosteroids on the diaphragm muscle are poorly defined. This study aimed to examine in rabbits the temporal relationships and dose–response effects of acute high‐dose methylprednisolone succinate on diaphragmatic contractile and structural properties. Animals were assigned to groups receiving: (1) 80 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone (MP80) intramuscularly for 1, 2, and 3 days; (2) 10 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone (MP10, pulse‐dose) for 3 days; or (3) saline (placebo) for 3 days; and (4) a control group. Diaphragmatic in vitro force–frequency and force–velocity relationships, myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform protein and mRNA, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), muscle atrophy F‐box (MAF‐box) mRNA, and volume density of abnormal myofibrils were measured at each time‐point. MP80 did not affect animal nutritional state or fiber cross‐sectional area as assessed in separate pair‐fed groups receiving methylprednisolone or saline for 3 days. Compared with control values, MP80 decreased diaphragmatic maximum tetanic tension (Po) by 19%, 24%, and 34% after 1, 2, and 3 days (P < 0.05), respectively, whereas MP10 decreased Po modestly (12%; P > 0.05). Vmax and MyHC protein proportions were unchanged in both the MP80 and MP10 groups. Maximum power output decreased after 2 and 3 days of MP80. Suppression of IGF‐1 and overexpression of MAF‐box mRNA occurred in both MP groups. Significant myofibrillar disarray was also observed in both MP groups. The decline in Po was significantly associated with the increased volume density of abnormal myofibrils. Thus, very high‐dose methylprednisolone (MP80) can produce rapid reductions in diaphragmatic function, whereas pulse‐dose methylprednisolone (MP10) produces only modest functional loss. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Estrogen administration attenuates bladder outlet obstruction induced oxidative stress in the female rabbit
Authors: Lin Wei‐Yu , Li Suning , Leggett Robert , Strassner Jim , Sokol Rebekah , Schuler Catherine , Juan Yung‐Shun , Javed Zeeshan , Kogan Barry , Levin Robert M. , Mannikarottu Anita
Published: July 2008

Aims

Estrogen administration to female rabbits induces a functional hypertrophy of the bladder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether supplementation of estrogen in the female rabbit with partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) would affect the severity of bladder dysfunction.

Methods

We surgically created PBOO in female New Zealand White rabbits. Group 1 included sham operated rabbits which served as controls. Group 2 received PBOO without estrogen treatment. Group 3 received estrogen treatment after PBOO. Group 4 received estrogen pretreatment before PBOO. The bladders were then removed for contractile, biochemical, and protein expression studies. There were four rabbits per group.

Results

(1) PBOO resulted in significant decreases in the contractile responses to all forms of stimulation (field stimulation [FS], carbachol, KCl, ATP). Both pretreatment and post‐treatment with estrogen resulted in significantly increased contractile responses to all forms of stimulation, although the responses were still lower than control. (2) PBOO resulted in a significant decrease in the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Both pretreatment and post‐treatment with estrogen resulted in significant increases in ChAT activity back toward control levels. (3) PBOO resulted in significant increases in both protein oxidation and nitration; both pretreatment and post‐treatment with estrogen significantly reduced oxidation and nitration toward control levels.

Conclusions

Estrogen pretreatment and post‐treatment in the female rabbit ameliorated contractile and biochemical dysfunctions associated with PBOO. This improvement is likely due to reduced oxidative stress. As expected, pretreatment was generally more effective than post‐treatment. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:95–100, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of stability and dispersion in a finite element method for Debye and Lorentz dispersive media
Authors: Banks H.T. , Bokil V.A. , Gibson N.L.
Published: July 2008

We study the stability properties of, and the phase error present in, a finite element scheme for Maxwell's equations coupled with a Debye or Lorentz polarization model. In one dimension we consider a second order formulation for the electric field with an ordinary differential equation for the electric polarization added as an auxiliary constraint. The finite element method uses linear finite elements in space for the electric field as well as the electric polarization, and a theta scheme for the time discretization. Numerical experiments suggest the method is unconditionally stable for both Debye and Lorentz models. We compare the stability and phase error properties of the method presented here with those of finite difference methods that have been analyzed in the literature. We also conduct numerical simulations that verify the stability and dispersion properties of the scheme. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2009
CT imaging of human mummies: a critical review of the literature (1979–2005)
Authors: O'Brien J. J. , Battista J. J. , Romagnoli C. , Chhem R. K.
Published: July 2008

The number of computerised tomography (CT) investigations of mummies has increased since the first published study in 1979. However, this approach has never been validated. We present a critical analysis of the literature (1979 to 2005). Relevant articles were selected via a MedLine search and analysed according to CT technique, methodology, and author's speciality. Thirty‐one original articles matched our selection criteria. Of these studies, 42% were authored by radiologists, while 26% had no contribution from radiologists. Hypothesis‐driven papers comprised only 9.7% of the total. While 84% of the studies had a stated purpose for conducting the CT study, only 67% of studies defined their CT protocol clearly. CT was used to study mummification techniques in 74% of instances, and/or to detect disease in 58%. Conclusions based on CT analysis were derived in 84% of studies, but only 32% of these answered specific questions. Furthermore, only 36% of these conclusions were related to the stated purpose of the study. Using the criteria of the grading system we developed, we found that 61% of studies were supported only by weak evidence. We conclude that evidence‐based research with better design should be encouraged in future palaeoradiological studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The emergence of civil society organizations in South Africa
Authors: Lehman Howard P.
Published: July 2008

Only in the last 25 years or so have interest groups in Sub‐Sahara Africa become a focus of academic research. This is mainly due to an increasing number of societies becoming more democratic. What earlier research was conducted on interests and interest group activity in the sub‐region, heavily favoured a corporatist perspective; but in recent years the emphasis has been on the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in their relatively more autonomous role from the state. This paper examines the nature of interest group behaviour in Sub‐Sahara Africa and, in greater detail, in South Africa, focusing on the relationship between these groups and the state and society. The major premise presented is that democratization in the region since 1994 has weakened the corporatist hold of the state and has strengthened and expanded civil society.

South Africa is used as an example of a developing democracy in which interest group activity has increased as shown by the wide range of CSOs and has produced a unique system combining corporatism and pluralism. Several cases are presented, including the role of traditional authorities, education, women's groups and the interests involved in the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.