bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of photosynthetic activity of nursery-grown Piceaglauca seedlings using an integrating fluorometer to monitor variable chlorophyll fluorescence
Authors: Vidaver William , Binder Wolfgang , Brooke R. C. , Lister G. R. , Toivonen P. M. A.
Published: January 2008

Photosynthetic activity of intact nursery-grown white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings was assessed by measuring CO2 exchange (apparent photosynthesis) and normalized, integrated variable chlorophyll fluorescence emission. Agreement between fluorescence and apparent photosynthesis indicated that photosynthetic inactivation of seedlings from selected seedlots began in mid-August and approached completion in late October. Inactivation occurred somewhat earlier in northern seedlot seedlings than in those from a more southerly provenance. Seedlings tested in late October showed significant photosynthetic inactivation, as indicated by both fluorescence and apparent photosynthesis. These seedlings also had passed the −18 °C frost hardiness test currently used in British Columbia as an indicator for safe lifting. On removal from −2 °C storage, seedlings lifted and stored according to nursery practises showed fluorescence emission indicative of photosynthetic reactivation and also had high root growth capacity scores. Low root growth capacity scores were associated with delayed or incomplete photosynthetic reactivation. These results show that fluorescence assessment provides information about the physiological status of white spruce seedlings. Variable fluorescence assays are nondestructive and can be made and interpreted within minutes. As an indicator of shoot metabolic activity, fluorescence assessment provides information useful in selecting lifting dates and in evaluating the effects of dark cold storage on white spruce seedlings.
Estimating the date of a single bole scar by counting tree rings in increment cores
Authors: Means Joseph E.
Published: January 2008

This paper describes a method of estimating the date of single bole scars, evaluates its accuracy, and describes circumstances suited and unsuited to its use. This technique involves counting tree rings in cores taken through and on either side of a scar so that the ring including or preceding the scar can be identified and dated. Twenty-five single scars ranging in age from 9 to 247 years were dated by this technique, by counting rings in wedges cut with a saw and by crossdating prescar growth as the standard of comparison. Sixteen of 21 dates obtained by counting rings in increment cores were equal to those based on crossdating; errors ranged from −2 to +3 years, with one exception. This core counting technique should prove useful for estimating scar dates when crossdating is infeasible because of infrequent marker rings or insufficient prescar growth (e.g., caused by rot) and cutting boles is not convenient or allowed. However, it should be evaluated for each species and locale to determine if estimated dates will be accurate enough to meet study objectives.
MACH CONES AND HYDRODYNAMIC FLOW: PROBING BIG BANG MATTER IN THE LABORATORY
Authors: BETZ BARBARA , RAU PHILIP , STÖCKER HORST
Published: January 2008

A critical discussion of the present signals for the phase transition to quark-gluon plasma (QGP) is given. Since hadronic rescattering models predict much larger flow than observed from 1 to 50 A GeV laboratory bombarding energies, this observation is interpreted as potential evidence for a first-order phase transition at high baryon density. A detailed discussion of the collective flow as a barometer for the equation of state (EoS) of hot dense matter at RHIC follows. Here, hadronic rescattering models can explain < 30% of the observed elliptic flow v2for pT> 2 GeV / c . This is interpreted as an evidence for the production of superdense matter at RHIC. The connection of v2to jet suppression is examined. A study of Mach shocks generated by fast partonic jets propagating through the QGP is given. The main goal is to take into account different types of collective motion during the formation and evolution of this matter. A significant deformation of Mach shocks in central Au + Au collisions at RHIC and LHC energies as compared to the case of jet propagation in a static medium is predicted. A new hydrodynamical study of jet energy loss is presented.
THREE PARTICLE CORRELATIONS FROM STAR
Authors:   for the STAR Collaboration, ULERY JASON GLYNDWR
Published: January 2008

Two-particle correlations have shown modification to the away-side shape in central Au + Au collisions relative to pp , d + Au and peripheral Au + Au collisions. Different scenarios can explain this modification including: large angle gluon radiation, jets deflected by transverse flow, path length dependent energy loss, Cerenkov gluon radiation of fast moving particles, and conical flow generated by hydrodynamic Mach-cone shock-waves. Three-particle correlations have the power to distinguish the scenarios with conical emission, conical flow and Cerenkov radiation, from other scenarios. In addition, the dependence of the observed shapes on the pT of the associated particles can be used to distinguish conical emission from a sonic boom (Mach-cone) and from QCD-Čerenkov radiation. We present results from STAR on 3-particle azimuthal correlations for a high pT trigger particle with two softer particles. Results are shown for pp , d + Au and high statistics Au + Au collisions at [Formula: see text]. An important aspect of the analysis is the subtraction of combinatorial backgrounds. Systematic uncertainties due to this subtraction and the flow harmonics v2 and v4 are investigated in detail. The implications of the results for the presence or absence of conical flow from Mach-cones are discussed.
HYDRODYNAMICAL SIMULATIONS OF MACH CONE
Authors: CHAUDHURI A. K.
Published: January 2008

In jet quenching, a hard QCD parton, before fragmenting into a jet of hadrons, deposits a fraction of its energy in the medium, leading to suppressed production of high-pT hadrons. The process can generate shock waves. We study the distortion of Mach shock waves due to jet quenching in central Au + Au collisions and its effect on particle production.
MEASUREMENT OF NON-PHOTONIC ELECTRON ANGULAR CORRELATIONS WITH CHARGED HADRONS
Authors:   for the STAR Collaboration, LIN XIAOYAN
Published: January 2008

Correlations of non-photonic electrons with charged hadrons are studied using the PYTHIA Monte Carlo event generator in p + p collisions at [Formula: see text]. We propose experimental methods to estimate the relative contributions to non-photonic electrons from charm and bottom decays. We present the measurement of azimuthal correlations between non-photonic electrons and charged hadrons in p + p collisions at [Formula: see text] from STAR. The results are compared to PYTHIA simulations to estimate the relative contributions of D and B meson semi-leptonic decays to non-photonic electrons. Our preliminary result indicates that at pT ∼ 4.0 - 6.0 GeV / c the measured B contribution to non-photonic electrons is comparable to D contribution, and is consistent with the FONLL calculation.
JET CORRELATIONS WITH IDENTIFIED PARTICLES FROM PHENIX: METHODS AND RESULTS
Authors:   for the PHENIX Collaboration, SICKLES ANNE
Published: January 2008

Azimuthal angle two particle correlations have been shown to be a powerful probe for extracting novel features of the interaction between hard scattered partons and the medium produced in Au + Au collisions at RHIC. At intermediate pT, 2–5 GeV/c, the jets have been shown to be significantly modified in both their particle composition and their angular distribution compared to p + p collisions. Additionally, angular two particle correlations with identified hadrons provide information on the possible role of modified hadronization scenarios such as partonic recombination, which might allow medium modified jet fragmentation by connecting hard scattered partons to low pT thermal partons.

PHENIX has excellent particle identification capabilities and has developed robust techniques for extracting jet correlations from the large underlying event. We present recent PHENIX results from Au + Au collisions for a variety of pT and particle type combinations. We also present p + p measurements as a baseline. We show evidence that protons and anti-protons in the pT region of enhanced baryon and anti-baryon single particle production are produced in close angle pairs of opposite charge and that the strong modifications to the away side shape observed for charged hadron correlations are also present when baryons are correlated.
FORWARD- AND MID-RAPIDITY JET-LIKE CORRELATIONS
Authors:   for the STAR Collaboration, WANG FUQIANG
Published: January 2008

Mid-rapidity azimuthal correlations probe di-jets originating mainly from gluon-gluon hard-scattering. Measurements of such correlations have revealed significant (gluon-)jet modification in central Au + Au collisions. Azimuthal correlations of hadrons at forward rapidity with a mid-rapidity high-p⊥ hadron, on the other hand, probe asymmetric partonic scatterings involving large- x quarks and small- x gluons. We present preliminary results from STAR on correlations of charged hadrons at forward rapidity in the forward TPCs (2.7 < |η| < 3.9, p⊥ < 2 GeV /c) with high-p⊥ charged hadrons at mid-rapidity from the main TPC (|η| < 1, p⊥ > 3 GeV /c) in pp , d + Au , and Au + Au collisions at [Formula: see text]. The implications of the results for small- x gluon distributions (Color Glass Condensate formation) and the energy loss of quark jets at forward rapidity in nuclear medium are discussed.
HADRON CORRELATION IN JETS
Authors: HWA RUDOLPH C.
Published: January 2008

We review some recent experimental and theoretical work on the correlation among hadrons produced at intermediate pT at RHIC. The topics include: forward and backward asymmetry with and without trigger at mid-rapidity, associated-particle distribution on the near side, the Ω puzzle and its solution, associated particles on the away side, and two-jet recombination at LHC.
OBSERVATION OF NON-GAUSSIAN SOURCE STRUCTURE BY HBT-IMAGING ANALYSIS
Authors: ENOKIZONO AKITOMO
Published: January 2008

We report a summary of recent RHIC measurements of hadron emission source structures by HBT-imaging analysis. Recent developments of the imaging technique which can be applied to two-particle correlation functions and high statistics data sets taken by RHIC experiments allow us to investigate the detailed source structures of hadron emissions, revealing an interesting characteristic that the source functions of charged pion pairs measured in relativistic heavy-ion collisions at [Formula: see text] are not the simple Gaussian shape but have non-Gaussian tails at large relative separation r. Also theoretical calculations to describe the observed non-Gaussian tails are reported.
LIGHT NUCLEI PRODUCTION IN Au+Au 200 GeV COLLISIONS AT RHIC
Authors:   for the STAR Collaboration, LIU HAIDONG
Published: January 2008

We present the pT spectra and the coalescence parameters B2 for d, [Formula: see text] and B3 for 3He, [Formula: see text] at mid-rapidity in Au + Au collisions at [Formula: see text] measured in the STAR experiment at RHIC. The coalescence parameters are compared with pion HBT results. We also present the v2 measurement for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We find that the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]v2 seems to follows the atomic mass number A scaling within errors and a negative v2 has been observed for [Formula: see text] at low pT.
RECENT FEMTOSCOPY RESULTS FROM NA49: EVIDENCE FOR NON-GAUSSIAN TAIL IN 3-D PION EMISSION SOURCE AT SPS
Authors:   for the NA49 Collaboration, CHUNG PAUL , DANIELEWICZ PAWEL
Published: January 2008

The NA49 experiment at CERN SPS has acquired a huge data set of Pb + Pb events over a broad range of energy and centrality during the last several years. This high statistics data set, coupled with a state-of-the-art analysis technique, allows for the first model-independent extraction and energy scan of 3D emission sources for pion pairs at SPS energies. These 3D pion emission sources provide new insights into the nature of a long-range source previously reported by PHENIX at RHIC. The new results indicate that the pion source exhibits significant non-Gaussian tails in the longitudinal direction at 40 and 158 AGeV and in the outward direction at 158 AGeV. The ratio of the spatial extent in the outward compared to the sideward directions indicates a finite non-zero duration for pion emission. The spatial extent in the longidutional direction suggests that pions decouple from the system at ~10 fm/c at 158 AGeV and at ~8 fm/c at 40 AGeV.
LEE-YANG CIRCLE ANALYSIS FOR GENERALIZED MULTIPLICITY DISTRIBUTION
Authors: DEWANTO A. , CHAN A. H. , OH C. H.
Published: January 2008

In this work, we study the Lee–Yang solutions of multiplicty distribution (MD) generating function for SPS energies range data. In particular, weighted generalized multiplicity distribution (GMD) function is used to describe the existing shoulder structure in the experimental data. Our study suggest that the existence of the shoulder structure in the KNO plot is accompanied by the forming of an ear structure in the Lee–Yang zeros plot. Prediction for the LHC energy range is also made.
PSEUDORAPIDITY AND TRANSVERSE MOMENTUM DEPENDENCE OF CHARGE BALANCE IN Au−Au COLLISIONS AT $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200\, {\rm GeV}$
Authors:   for the STAR Collaboration, ZHIMING LI , NA LI , LIANSHOU LIU , YUANFANG WU
Published: January 2008

The charge balance function (BF) is studied in Au − Au collisions at [Formula: see text] using the STAR detector. It is observed that within the acceptance (−1.3 < η < 1.3) of STAR Time Projection Chamber (TPC), the BF is independent of the position of the windows of same size, showing that BF is boost-invariant in the TPC accepted region. It is found that the BF measured in an observed window η w , B(δη|η w ), divided by [Formula: see text] is independent of the size and position of the observed window η w . These properties of BF hold for different transverse momenta and the width of BF decreases with the increasing of the latter. The result supports the delayed-hadronization scenario in thermal models.
ENERGY DEPENDENCE OF SHORT AND LONG-RANGE MULTIPLICITY CORRELATIONS IN Au+Au COLLISIONS FROM STAR
Authors:   for the STAR Collaboration, TARNOWSKY TERENCE
Published: January 2008

A general overview of the measurement of long-range multiplicity correlations measured by the STAR experiment in Au + Au collisions at RHIC is presented. The presence of long-range correlations can provide insight into the early stages, and the type of matter produced in, these collisions. These measurements have been made in Au + Au collisions at [Formula: see text] and 62.4 GeV. These results indicate a relatively large long-range correlation is produced in Au + Au collisions compared to a pp baseline at [Formula: see text]. A weaker long-range correlation is seen as a function of incident energy. Further, comparison of the onset of the long-range correlation to the calculated percolation density parameter at [Formula: see text] is presented.
ON A NONLOCAL STOCHASTIC KURAMOTO–SIVASHINSKY EQUATION WITH JUMPS
Authors: BO LIJUN , SHI KEHUA , WANG YONGJIN
Published: January 2008

In this paper, we study a class of nonlocal stochastic Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equations driven by compensated Poisson random measures and show the existence and uniqueness of the weak solution to the equation. Furthermore, we prove that an invariant measure of the equation indeed exists under some appropriate assumptions.
NON-LIPSCHITZ BACKWARD STOCHASTIC VOLTERRA TYPE EQUATIONS WITH JUMPS
Authors: WANG ZHIDONG , ZHANG XICHENG
Published: January 2008

In this paper, we prove the existence and uniqueness of solution for the backward stochastic Volterra integral equation with non-Lipschitz coefficients and driven by Brownian motion and jump process. Moreover, when the equation is driven only by Brownian motion, we also study the continuity of the solution with respect to the time.
Insulin-resistant muscle is exercise resistant: evidence for reduced response of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes to exercise
Authors: De Filippis Elena , Alvarez Guy , Berria Rachele , Cusi Kenneth , Everman Sarah , Meyer Christian , Mandarino Lawrence J.
Published: January 2008

Mitochondrial dysfunction, associated with insulin resistance, is characterized by low expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes. This deficit could be due to decreased physical activity or a decreased response of gene expression to exercise. The objective of this study was to investigate whether a bout of exercise induces the same increase in nuclear-encoded mitochondrial gene expression in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant subjects matched for exercise capacity. Seven lean and nine obese subjects took part. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by an 80 mU·m−2·min−1 euglycemic clamp. Subjects were matched for aerobic capacity and underwent a single bout of exercise at 70 and 90% of maximum heart rate with muscle biopsies at 30 and 300 min postexercise. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot analyses were used to determine the effect of exercise on gene expression and protein abundance and phosphorylation. In the postexercise period, lean subjects immediately increased PGC-1α mRNA level (reaching an eightfold increase by 300 min postexercise) and protein abundance and AMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation. Activation of PGC-1α was followed by increase of nuclear respiratory factor-1 and cytochrome c oxidase (subunit VIc). However, in insulin-resistant subjects, there was a delayed and reduced response in PGC-1α mRNA and protein, and phosphorylation of AMP-dependent protein kinase was transient. None of the genes downstream of PGC-1α was increased after exercise in insulin resistance. Insulin-resistant subjects have a reduced response of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes to exercise, and this could contribute to the origin and maintenance of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Wang Thomas J. , Pencina Michael J. , Booth Sarah L. , Jacques Paul F. , Ingelsson Erik , Lanier Katherine , Benjamin Emelia J. , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Wolf Myles , Vasan Ramachandran S.
Published: January 2008

Background—

Vitamin D receptors have a broad tissue distribution that includes vascular smooth muscle, endothelium, and cardiomyocytes. A growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may adversely affect the cardiovascular system, but data from longitudinal studies are lacking.

Methods and Results—

We studied 1739 Framingham Offspring Study participants (mean age 59 years; 55% women; all white) without prior cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D status was assessed by measuring 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) levels. Prespecified thresholds were used to characterize varying degrees of 25-OH D deficiency (<15 ng/mL, <10 ng/mL). Multivariable Cox regression models were adjusted for conventional risk factors. Overall, 28% of individuals had levels <15 ng/mL, and 9% had levels <10 ng/mL. During a mean follow-up of 5.4 years, 120 individuals developed a first cardiovascular event. Individuals with 25-OH D <15 ng/mL had a multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio of 1.62 (95% confidence interval 1.11 to 2.36,
P
=0.01) for incident cardiovascular events compared with those with 25-OH D ≥15 ng/mL. This effect was evident in participants with hypertension (hazard ratio 2.13, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 3.48) but not in those without hypertension (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 1.96). There was a graded increase in cardiovascular risk across categories of 25-OH D, with multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios of 1.53 (95% confidence interval 1.00 to 2.36) for levels 10 to <15 ng/mL and 1.80 (95% confidence interval 1.05 to 3.08) for levels <10 ng/mL (
P
for linear trend=0.01). Further adjustment for C-reactive protein, physical activity, or vitamin use did not affect the findings.

Conclusions—

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with incident cardiovascular disease. Further clinical and experimental studies may be warranted to determine whether correction of vitamin D deficiency could contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Genetic Variation Within Adrenergic Pathways Determines In Vivo Effects of Presynaptic Stimulation in Humans
Authors: Fung Maple M. , Nguyen Carie , Mehtani Parag , Salem Rany M. , Perez Brandon , Thomas Brenda , Das Madhusudan , Schork Nicholas J. , Mahata Sushil K. , Ziegler Michael G. , O’Connor Daniel T.
Published: January 2008

Background—

Catecholamines govern stress blood pressure responses. Catecholaminergic responses may be partially genetic and contribute to the complex heritability of hypertension.

Methods and Results—

To evaluate catecholaminergic responses without systemic counterregulation, we infused graded concentrations of tyramine, an indirect presynaptic norepinephrine releaser, into dorsal hand veins of 49 normotensive men and women of 5 ethnicities. Vascular responses were coupled to common (minor allele frequency >10%) single-nucleotide polymorphisms at adrenergic target loci within presynaptic pathways. Significance was set at
P
<0.003 after Bonferroni correction. Generalized analysis of molecular variance (GAMOVA) was performed to determine whether genetic admixture contributed to results. Venoconstriction progressed to 47% with increasing concentrations of tyramine (0.129 to 25.8 mmol/L;
P
<0.001). Family history of hypertension (
P
<0.001) and female sex (
P
=0.02) predicted blunted tyramine responses. Two genetic loci significantly predicted vascular response: chromogranin B, which encodes a protein that catalyzes catecholamine vesicle formation (
CHGB
, exon 4, Glu348Glu;
P
=0.002), and cytochrome b-561 (
CYB561
, intron 1, C719G;
P
<0.001), an electron shuttle for catecholamine synthesis. Stepwise regression suggested important effects for the
CHGB
locus, with polymorphisms for the vacuolar-ATPase β-subunit (
ATP6V1B1
, exon 1, Ile30Thr) and flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 (
FMO3
, exon 3, Lys158Glu,
P
=0.002). GAMOVA did not show a significant relationship between overall genetic profile and hand-vein constriction (
P
=0.29), which indicates that population stratification did not contribute to this phenotype.

Conclusions—

Locally infused tyramine produced dose-dependent pressor responses, predicted by family history of hypertension, sex, and genetic variants at loci, particularly
CHGB
, that encode the biosynthesis, storage, and metabolism of catecholamines. Such variants may influence the complex heritability of adrenergic responses and perhaps hypertension.
Bradykinin Type 2 Receptor BE1 Genotype Influences Bradykinin-Dependent Vasodilation During Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition
Authors: Van Guilder Gary P. , Pretorius Mias , Luther James M. , Byrd J. Brian , Hill Kevin , Gainer James V. , Brown Nancy J.
Published: January 2008

To test the hypothesis that the bradykinin receptor 2 (
BDKRB2
) BE1+9/−9 polymorphism affects vascular responses to bradykinin, we measured the effect of intra-arterial bradykinin on forearm blood flow and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release in 89 normotensive, nonsmoking, white American subjects in whom degradation of bradykinin was blocked by enalaprilat. BE1 genotype frequencies were +9/+9:+9/−9:−9/−9=19:42:28. BE1 genotype was associated with systolic blood pressure (121.4±2.8, 113.8±1.8, and 110.6±1.8 mm Hg in +9/+9, +9/−9, and −9/−9 groups, respectively;
P
=0.007). In the absence of enalaprilat, bradykinin-stimulated forearm blood flow, forearm vascular resistance, and net t-PA release were similar among genotype groups. Enalaprilat increased basal forearm blood flow (
P
=0.002) and decreased basal forearm vascular resistance (
P
=0.01) without affecting blood pressure. Enalaprilat enhanced the effect of bradykinin on forearm blood flow, forearm vascular resistance, and t-PA release (all
P
<0.001). During enalaprilat, forearm blood flow was significantly lower and forearm vascular resistance was higher in response to bradykinin in the +9/+9 compared with +9/−9 and −9/−9 genotype groups (
P
=0.04 for both). t-PA release tended to be decreased in response to bradykinin in the +9/+9 group (
P
=0.08). When analyzed separately by gender, BE1 genotype was associated with bradykinin-stimulated t-PA release in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor–treated men but not women (
P
=0.02 and
P
=0.77, respectively), after controlling for body mass index. There was no effect of BE1 genotype on responses to the bradykinin type 2 receptor–independent vasodilator methacholine during enalaprilat. In conclusion, the
BDKRB2
BE1 polymorphism influences bradykinin type 2 receptor–mediated vasodilation during angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition.
Endothelial Dysfunction and Elevated Blood Pressure in
Mas
Gene-Deleted Mice
Authors: Xu Ping , Costa-Goncalves Andrey C. , Todiras Mihail , Rabelo Luiza A. , Sampaio Walkyria O. , Moura Marina M. , Sousa Santos Sergio , Luft Friedrich C. , Bader Michael , Gross Volkmar , Alenina Natalia , Santos Robson A.S.
Published: January 2008

Mas
codes for a G protein–coupled receptor that is implicated in angiotensin-(1-7) signaling. We studied the cardiovascular phenotype of
Mas
-deficient mice backcrossed onto the FVB/N genetic background using telemetry and found that they exhibit higher blood pressures compared with controls. These
Mas
−/−
mice also had impaired endothelial function, decreased NO production, and lower endothelial NO synthase expression. Reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase catalytic subunit gp91
phox
protein content determined by Western blotting was higher in
Mas
−/−
mice than in controls, whereas superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were reduced. The superoxide dismutase mimetic, Tempol, decreased blood pressure in
Mas
−/−
mice but had a minimal effect in control mice. Our results show a major cardiovascular phenotype in
Mas
−/−
mice.
Mas
-deletion results in increased blood pressure, endothelial dysfunction, and an imbalance between NO and reactive oxygen species. Our animals represent a promising model to study angiotensin-(1-7)–mediated cardiovascular effects and to evaluate Mas agonistic compounds as novel cardioprotective and antihypertensive agents based on their beneficial effects on endothelial function.
Sarah and Hagar in Ibn 'Asākir's History of Damascus
Authors: Lindsay James
Published: January 2008

This article examines how Ibn 'Asākir (1105-76)—in keeping with the well-established fadā' il al-Shām (merits of bilād al-Shām) tradition—fashions portraits of Sarah and Hagar in his Ta'rīkh madīnat Dimashq (History of Damascus) to extol their special role in the sacred history of God working through his human agents in Syria's past. As is the case in his biographies of other sacred and pious figures in Syria's past, Ibn 'Asākir's biographies of Sarah and Hagar are also intended to provide a moral example as well as pious inspiration for the faithful.
A Hebrew Penitential Poem (Tokhahah) in the Macabre Style
Authors: Prats Arturo , Alfonso Esperanza
Published: January 2008

Hidden in a miscellaneous manuscript housed in El Escorial Library in Madrid lies an anonymous, undated Hebrew poem. Using a combination of tercets and quatrains, the poem's unknown author describes in every possible detail the corruption his body will undergo after death. This article reconstructs the history of this literary theme—the description of bodily corruption—within the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. Building upon that evidence, the authors argue that the poem was written sometime before the end of the fifteenth century, probably in France.
The Effects of Shared Cognition on Group Satisfaction and Performance
Authors: Hee Sun Park
Published: January 2008

This study investigates the effects of shared cognition on group member satisfaction and group task performance. The hypotheses are that groups who have shared cognition concerning communication rules, such as politeness and efficiency, will be more satisfied with their group processes and will perform a task better than will those in groups lacking shared cognition concerning communication rules. The research involved 67 groups ( N = 236) performing a radio assembly task for 20 minutes. Group members in the shared cognition condition received the same instructions to communicate politely (or efficiently). In the non—shared cognition condition, some members in a group received instructions to communicate politely and other members in the same group received instructions to communicate efficiently. The data are consistent with the part of the hypothesis relating to satisfaction but not to the one relating to performance.
Invariance of Equating Functions Across Different Subgroups of Examinees Taking a Science Achievement Test
Authors: Qing Yi  , Assessment Harcourt , Harris Deborah J. , Xiaohong Gao
Published: January 2008

This study investigated the group invariance of equating results using a science achievement test. Examinees were divided into different subgroups based on the average composite score for test centers, whether they had taken a physics course, and self-reported science grade point average. The reason for dividing examinees into subgroups using such variables is that those variables are more related to performance on a science achievement test than, say, gender. Results indicated that the conversions obtained from different subgroups were similar to the conversions obtained by using the total group, except when the groups were divided based on whether a student had taken a physics course. Where there were differences, the differences were generally 1 equated raw score point.
Anchor Test Type and Population Invariance: An Exploration Across Subpopulations and Test Administrations
Authors: Dorans Neil J. , Jinghua Liu  , Hammond Shelby
Published: January 2008

This exploratory study was built on research spanning three decades. Petersen, Marco, and Stewart (1982) conducted a major empirical investigation of the efficacy of different equating methods. The studies reported in Dorans (1990) examined how different equating methods performed across samples selected in different ways. Recent population sensitivity studies have examined whether equating methods yield comparable results across subpopulations. The current study confirms earlier research and clarifies the role of population invariance studies in assessing equating results. A content-appropriate anchor produced solid equating results under small ability differences and divergence of equating results for different methods under large ability differences. Results showed a content-inappropriate anchor did not produce sound score equatings but did yield a strong degree of invariance. Lack of population invariance of equating results can be taken as evidence that a linking is not an equating. The existence of invariance does not mean, however, that equating has been achieved.
Buyer–Seller Information Asymmetry: Challenges to Distributive and Corrective Justice
Authors: Mascarenhas Oswald A. , Kesavan Ram , Bernacchi Michael
Published: January 2008

Buyer—seller information asymmetry (BSIA) is a growing problem despite electronic modes of free global communications. The authors investigate this BSIA phenomenon from a macromarketing perspective. They first identify the defective structures and outcomes of BSIA and then examine the underlying structures of injustice that BSIA implies from a distributive justice view. Although distributive justice focuses on a universal mission of distributing burdens and benefits among all stakeholders, a complementary system, corrective justice, is needed to rectify specific injustices inherent in individual exchanges. Accordingly, the authors propose a BSIA reduction protocol based on both distributive and corrective justice principles so that the risks and causes of consumer harm inherent in BSIA will be progressively reduced. Finally, the authors discuss managerial implications of this combined justice approach and the BSIA reduction protocol it grounds.
Punishing My Parents
Authors: Brank Eve M. , Lane Jodi
Published: January 2008

Interviews of 147 juveniles in postadjudication residential facilities revealed that the juveniles generally did not believe their parents were responsible for the illegal activities of the juvenile. A vast majority of juveniles said that their parents were not responsible at all and also said that if they had known that their parents would also be punished for their crimes, they would have been less likely to commit the crimes. No patterns emerged for these questions based on the demographic or social characteristics of the juveniles. Implications of the juveniles' perspective are considered, focusing particularly on the juveniles' lack of willingness to place accountability on their parents.
Using Policy to Improve Teacher Induction
Authors: Carver Cynthia L. , Feiman-Nemser Sharon
Published: January 2008

To understand the relationship between induction policies, programs, and practices, we conducted case studies of three long-standing induction programs. Drawing on interviews, observations, and policy documents, we asked the following: (a) What policy tools operate in these contexts, and how do they effect local induction practices? (b) What can we learn about the relationship between induction policy and practice, including its influence on mentors and work? Our analysis finds that how the problem of induction is defined shapes the nature and duration of support offered and the programmatic tools and resources provided. Our analysis further shows that mentoring emerged the favored policy instrument, although provisions for mentor training varied considerably. To support the kind of teaching demanded by today's reforms, beginning teachers will need mentors who are skilled in helping them learn in and from practice. Consequently, induction policy will need to focus attention equally on new teachers and their mentors.
Characteristics of Patients Receiving Hospice Care at Home Versus in Nursing Homes: Results From the National Home and Hospice Care Survey and the National Nursing Home Survey
Authors: Han Beth , Tiggle Ronald B. , Remsburg Robin E.
Published: January 2008

This study examined 1170 deceased home hospice patients from the 1998 National Home and Hospice Care Survey and 617 deceased nursing home hospice patients from the 1997 and 1999 National Nursing Home Surveys. T tests and Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons were performed to assess differences in characteristics of patients receiving hospice care at home versus in nursing homes. We found that the nursing home hospice population differs significantly from the home hospice population in the United States. Nursing home hospice patients were more likely to be older, have Medicaid as their primary payment source, have dementia and other noncancer primary diagnosis, and receive dietary/nutrition service, medication management, and physician services than home hospice patients.
When There Is Nothing Left To Do, There Is Everything Left To Do
Authors: Running Alice , Girard Deb , Woodward Tolle Lauren
Published: January 2008

Circle of Life Hospice in Reno, Nevada is not only a special place for patients and their families to find peace through a sense of meaning and purpose at the end of their life but is also an important place for staff to take care of each other as they take care of those who are dying. The Circle of Life Hospice provides a unique opportunity to examine carefully the power of providing an outlet for hospice staff to process their grief and offer support for one another so that they can continue to give the “everything that there is to do to” to their patients.
`What have the Humanities to Offer 21st-Century Europe?'
Authors: Parker Jan
Published: January 2008

The Humanities have much to offer 21st-century Europe, in terms of both method and issues which may complement and correct those of Science and Social Science. These include, for instance, humanities' generation of plural narratives and plural explanations, of attention to singularity and complexity, and to others' sensibilities and ways of knowing. These disciplines provide higher order skills needed to engage and engage with the New Europe — rhetorical and communication skills, networked knowledge sharing, responsive and responsible citizenship. In interdisciplinary partnership with `hard' science research, the Humanities can offer ways of dealing with particularity and imagination, with issues of identity and sensibility, with encountering the other. At the same time, the humanities' own complex interpretative narratives and ability to generate and cope with complexity are vitalizing and enabling in a fearful, complex and supercomplex world.
A Space for Academic Play
Authors: Creme Phyllis
Published: January 2008

This article builds on the author's previous research on student learning journals to explore how their use can give students a `space' to engage meaningfully and in their own way with their university work. Drawing on the psychoanalytical concept of transitional space and on notions of narrative, it is argued that the student learning journal can be seen as a hybrid genre of writing positioned between `life narrative' and the `university essay'. At the same time, journal writing can invite the writer to make a psychic shift into the transitional space that enables adult play and creative activity. The discussion includes analyses of extracts from students' learning journals.
Parent—Child Interaction Therapy with an Immigrant Family Exposed to Domestic Violence
Authors: Pearl Erica S.
Published: January 2008

Parent—child interaction therapy (PCIT) is an empirically supported treatment to enhance the parent—child relationship and to help parents learn how to effectively manage disruptive behavior in young children. PCIT has been shown to be effective with various populations. However, few reports have documented its use with children exposed to domestic violence in families who have recently immigrated to the United States. A mother and 3-year-old child who immigrated to the United States from Africa were identified as an appropriate family for PCIT. The child had reportedly been exposed to domestic violence and presented with both internalizing and externalizing behaviors and symptoms. Specific challenges and successes related to this case are presented.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Aggression in a Young Man with Mental Retardation
Authors: Fox Robert A. , Holtz Casey A. , Barcelona Amber L.
Published: January 2008

A longitudinal, intensive treatment program is described that was implemented over an 8-year period in a community-based setting for a young man with mental retardation and oppositional defiant disorder with severe physical aggression. The development of this disorder and its systematic treatment are described, with new components added based on improvement in the individual's behavior. The individual made steady progress and has maintained good behavioral stability for the final three years of the treatment program. This paper highlights the inherent difficulties of applying empirically validated treatment strategies in community-based settings.
Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) mediates CD154 expression in megakaryocytes
Authors: Crist Scott A. , Sprague Daniel L. , Ratliff Timothy L.
Published: January 2008

Platelets are an abundant source of CD40 ligand (CD154), an immunomodulatory and proinflammatory molecule implicated in the onset and progression of several inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Heretofore considered largely restricted to activated T cells, we initiated studies to investigate the source and regulation of platelet-associated CD154. We found that CD154 is abundantly expressed in platelet precursor cells, megakaryocytes. We show that CD154 is expressed in primary human CD34+ and murine hematopoietic precursor cells only after cytokine-driven megakaryocyte differentiation. Furthermore, using several established megakaryocyte-like cells lines, we performed promoter analysis of the CD154 gene and found that NFAT, a calcium-dependent transcriptional regulator associated with activated T cells, mediated both differentiation-dependent and inducible megakaryocyte-specific CD154 expression. Overall, these data represent the first investigation of the regulation of a novel source of CD154 and suggests that platelet-associated CD154 can be biochemically modulated.
Development of Notch-dependent T-cell leukemia by deregulated Rap1 signaling
Authors: Wang Shu-Fang , Aoki Misayo , Nakashima Yasuhiro , Shinozuka Yoriko , Tanaka Hiroki , Taniwaki Masafumi , Hattori Masakazu , Minato Nagahiro
Published: January 2008

SPA-1 (signal-induced proliferation associated gene-1) functions as a suppressor of myeloid leukemia by negatively regulating Rap1 signaling in hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). Herein, we showed that transplantation of HPCs expressing farnesylated C3G (C3G-F), a Rap1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, resulted in a marked expansion of thymocytes bearing unique phenotypes (CD4/CD8 double positive [DP] CD3− TCRβ−) in irradiated recipients. SPA-1−/− HPCs expressing C3G-F caused a more extensive expansion of DP thymocytes, resulting in lethal T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) with massive invasion of clonal T-cell blasts into vital organs. The C3G-F+ blastic thymocytes exhibited constitutive Rap1 activation and markedly enhanced expression of Notch1, 3 as well as the target genes, Hes1, pTα, and c-Myc. All the T-ALL cell lines from C3G-F+ SPA-1−/− HPC recipients expressed high levels of Notch1 with characteristic mutations resulting in the C-terminal truncation. This proliferation was inhibited completely in the presence of a γ-secretase inhibitor. Transplantation of Rag2−/− SPA-1−/− HPCs expressing C3G-F also resulted in a marked expansion and transformation of DP thymocytes. The results suggested that deregulated constitutive Rap1 activation caused abnormal expansion of DP thymocytes, bypassing the pre-T-cell receptor and eventually leading to Notch1 mutations and Notch-dependent T-ALL.
APRIL is critical for plasmablast survival in the bone marrow and poorly expressed by early-life bone marrow stromal cells
Authors: Belnoue Elodie , Pihlgren Maria , McGaha Tracy L. , Tougne Chantal , Rochat Anne-Françoise , Bossen Claudia , Schneider Pascal , Huard Bertrand , Lambert Paul-Henri , Siegrist Claire-Anne
Published: January 2008

The persistence of serum IgG antibodies elicited in human infants is much shorter than when such responses are elicited later in life. The reasons for this rapid waning of antigen-specific antibodies elicited in infancy are yet unknown. We have recently shown that adoptively transferred tetanus toxoid (TT)–specific plasmablasts (PBs) efficiently reach the bone marrow (BM) of infant mice. However, TT-specific PBs fail to persist in the early-life BM, suggesting that they fail to receive the molecular signals that support their survival/differentiation. Using a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL)– and B-cell activating factor (BAFF) B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS)–deficient mice, we demonstrate here that APRIL is a critical factor for the establishment of the adult BM reservoir of anti-TT IgG-secreting cells. Through in vitro analyses of PB/plasma cell (PC) survival/differentiation, we show that APRIL induces the expression of Bcl-XL by a preferential binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans at the surface of CD138+ cells. Last, we identify BM-resident macrophages as the main cells that provide survival signals to PBs and show that this function is slowly acquired in early life, in parallel to a progressive acquisition of APRIL expression. Altogether, this identifies APRIL as a critical signal for PB survival that is poorly expressed in the early-life BM compartment.
A FISH 'n chips appetizer
Authors: Lange Beverly
Published: January 2008

Genome-wide studies reveal somatically acquired regions of uniparental isodisomy (UPD) in 25% of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These regions probably contain tumor-suppressor genes involved in pathogenesis.
Of mice and Down syndrome
Authors: Taub Jeffrey W.
Published: January 2008

Analyzing hematopoiesis in the Ts65Dn mouse, which is trisomic for many orthologs of human chromosome 21 genes, may shed light on leukemogenesis in Down syndrome, as demonstrated by Kirsammer and colleagues in this issue.
Sickle severity selectors strike out
Authors: Neufeld Ellis J.
Published: January 2008

Quinn and colleagues evaluate 3 early severity predictors defined from the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease in an independent prospective newborn cohort and find them unrelated to long-term adverse outcomes. Despite methodologic differences between the studies, the result calls into question the use of these markers for identification of transplant candidates.
What gene have I ID'ed?
Authors: Bergerson Rachel J. , Largaespada David A.
Published: January 2008

Retroviral insertional mutagenesis screens have identified of dozens of potential leukemia/lymphoma genes in mice and rats. Sauvageau and colleagues suggest that proviral insertions may affect the expression of multiple nearby genes in leukemia cells, and that the genes affected may be cell-type dependent.
Taking ALPS down a Notch
Authors: Rao V. Koneti
Published: January 2008

Notch activation is an early and critical event during T-cell leukemogenesis, hence Notch signal inhibition is a desirable and feasible intervention to abrogate the process of lymphocyte accumulation and antibody production secondary to apoptosis defects as shown in 2 murine models here. However, prudent and diligent assessment of the risks and benefits of any such therapies should be imperative, especially in many nonmalignant lymphoproliferative and autoimmune disorders, including autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS).
Expanding Tregs with IVIg
Authors: Caspi Rachel R.
Published: January 2008

In this issue of Blood, Ephrem et al demonstrate that IVIg expands CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) and enhances their function in vivo and in vitro. Their findings shed new light on the elusive mechanism of action of IVIg in ameliorating autoimmune diseases.
A novel method for high accuracy sumoylation site prediction from protein sequences
Authors: Xu Jialin , He Yun , Qiang Boqin , Yuan Jiangang , Peng Xiaozhong , Pan Xian-Ming
Published: January 2008

Background

Protein sumoylation is an essential dynamic, reversible post translational modification that plays a role in dozens of cellular activities, especially the regulation of gene expression and the maintenance of genomic stability. Currently, the complexities of sumoylation mechanism can not be perfectly solved by experimental approaches. In this regard, computational approaches might represent a promising method to direct experimental identification of sumoylation sites and shed light on the understanding of the reaction mechanism.

Results

Here we presented a statistical method for sumoylation site prediction. A 5-fold cross validation test over the experimentally identified sumoylation sites yielded excellent prediction performance with correlation coefficient, specificity, sensitivity and accuracy equal to 0.6364, 97.67%, 73.96% and 96.71% respectively. Additionally, the predictor performance is maintained when high level homologs are removed.

Conclusion

By using a statistical method, we have developed a new SUMO site prediction method – SUMOpre, which has shown its great accuracy with correlation coefficient, specificity, sensitivity and accuracy.