bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rodolfo Jacobson(ed.),Codeswitching worldwide II. (Trends in Linguistics: Studies and Monographs, 126.) Berlin & New York: Mouton de Gruyter, 2001. Pp. ii, 371. Hb DM 178/EUR 91.01.
Authors: Troike Rudolph C.
Published: October 2006

Widely impugned by an uninformed public – and even by many of those who practice it – with such derogatory terms as “Spanglish” or “Chinglish,” or “Pocho” in Spanish, codeswitching (CS) has emerged from marginal obscurity to become a major topic of interest among linguists of a wide variety of persuasions in the past 30 years. Weinreich (1953) famously denied that a switch between languages within a sentence was possible; the MLA bibliography now lists 900 titles on the subject, half of which have appeared since 1995. The present volume – the third edited by the indefatigable Rodolfo Jacobson, a pioneer in the field since the 1970s – reflects both this growth and the increasing breadth of interest that has occurred along with increasing attention to bilingualism generally in its many aspects and implications.
Stephen J. Nagle and Sara L. Sanders (eds.), English
in the southern United States. New York: Cambridge University
Press, 2003. Pp. xiv, 244. Hb $55.00
Authors: DeBose Charles
Published: October 2006

As I reflect on what is distinctive about this book, the word
“seamless” comes to mind. Having experienced my share of
multi-authored “readers,” pieced together around a broad
subject representing diverse and sometimes conflicting, even
contradictory, approaches, I find it refreshing to encounter an
anthology that succeeds in introducing major questions in which leading
scholars are currently engaged, and presenting them in sufficient
detail and sophistication to serve as an invitation to join in the
work.
Politics, anti-politics, international justice: language and power in the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Authors: KELSALL TIM
Published: October 2006

The Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) is located in a fortified compound in central Freetown. Inside its militarised space a project of global significance is unfolding. Together with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court, the SCSL is an experiment in bringing the rule of international law and governance to regions recently destabilised by war and conflict.
BISA at thirty: reflections on three decades of British International Relations scholarship
Authors: KENNEDY-PIPE CAROLINE , RENGGER NICHOLAS
Published: October 2006

Last December, in the university town of St Andrews, the British International Studies Association (BISA) celebrated its 30th anniversary conference. As it was a rather special occasion, BISA members took this opportunity to indulge in some reminiscences about its founding, some studies of the work that had been carried out since the founding of the Association and reflect upon the relationship of British scholarship in international studies to scholarship elsewhere. It has been customary for there to be, at the BISA conference, a plenary address given by a prominent British or overseas scholar or (on occasion) a practitioner. It has also long been a tradition that The Review of International Studies, the Journal of the Association produced in association with Cambridge University Press, publishes the plenary of the conferences. For the thirtieth anniversary, however, BISA commissioned three plenary lectures. In this edition of the Journal, therefore, we devote a section to the lectures that were given by Professors Chris Brown, Lawrence Freedman and Geoff Roberts. We will come on to the content of these lectures in a moment, but thought that, by way of introduction, it would be timely to reflect upon the circumstances in which BISA was born, and say something about the changes in the environment of British International Studies from the mid 1970s until today.
Differential impact of conventional oral or transdermal hormone replacement therapy or tibolone on body composition in postmenopausal women
Authors: Hänggi Willy , Lippuner Kurt , Jaeger Philippe , Birkhäuser Martin H. , Horber Fritz F.
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects on body composition and body weight of tibolone vs two different sequential oral or transdermal oestrogen‐progestogen hormone replacement therapies versus no therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred postmenopausal women were assigned to a control group (n = 26), or randomized to 1) tibolone (TIB) 2.5 mg/day (n = 28), 2) oral oestradiol 2 mg/day (PO) plus sequential dydrogesterone 10 mg/day for 14 of 28 days per cycle (n = 26), or 3) transdermal oestradiol patch (TTS) releasing 50 μg/day plus oral sequential dydrogesterone 10 mg/day for 14 of 28 days per cycle (n = 20). Body composition was measured at the baseline and every 6 months for 2 years by DXA (Hologic QDR 1000 W).

RESULTS

Total body fat mass increased (P < 0.05) in controls (+ 3.6 ± 1.5%) and in TTS treated (+ 4.7 ± 2.2%), but not in PO (−1.2 ± 2.4%) and TIB (−1.6 ± 2.2%) treated subjects. This increase in total fat mass in controls and TTS treated women was mostly due to an increase in fat mass of the trunk (P < 0.05), but not legs. As a result, a redistribution of body fat to the trunk occurred in controls, TTS and TIB, but not in PO treated women (P < 0.05). Total lean body mass decreased (P < 0.02) in controls (−1.7 ± 0.7%) and PO (−1.4 ± 0.6%), but not in TTS (+ 0.3 ± 0.8%) and TIB (+ 0.4 ± 0.5%) treated subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The menopause is associated with an increase in total body fat and a decline in lean body mass. Oral oestradiol/dydrogesterone and tibolone prevent total body fat changes, whereas transdermal oestradiol/oral dydrogesterone and tibolone prevent the lean mass changes. Furthermore, oral oestradiol/dydrogesterone prevents the shift to a cen_tral, android fat distribution.
The stability of allyl radicals following the photodissociation of allyl iodide at 193nm
Authors: Fan H. , Pratt S. T.
Published: October 2006

The photodissociation of allyl iodide (C3H5I) at 193nm was investigated by using a combination of vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization of the allyl radical, resonant multiphoton ionization of the iodine atoms, and velocity map imaging. The data provide insight into the primary C–I bond fission process and into the dissociative ionization of the allyl radical to produce C3H3+. The experimental results are consistent with the earlier results of Szpunar et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 119, 5078 (2003)], in that some allyl radicals with internal energies higher than the secondary dissociation barrier are found to be stable. This stability results from the partitioning of available energy between the rotational and vibrational degrees of freedom of the radical, the effects of a centrifugal barrier along the reaction coordinate, and the effects of the kinetic shift in the secondary dissociation of the allyl radical. The present results suggest that the primary dissociation of allyl iodide to allyl radicals plus I*(P1∕22) is more important than previously suspected.
Shear-flow-driven ion cyclotron instabilities of magnetic field-aligned flow of inhomogeneous plasma
Authors: Mikhailenko V. S. , Chibisov D. V. , Mikhailenko V. V.
Published: October 2006

The effect of magnetic field-aligned flow with a transverse flow velocity gradient (velocity shear) on the generation of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves is studied analytically by using kinetic formalism. It is shown that flow shear not only modifies the frequency and growth rate of a known current-driven electrostatic ion cyclotron instability (CDEIC), but is the source of the development of specific kinetic and hydrodynamic shear-flow-driven ion cyclotron instabilities at the levels of current along the ambient magnetic field, which is subcritical for the development of the CDEIC instability.
Highly sensitive biosensing based on interference from light scattering in capillary tubes
Authors: Sørensen Henrik S. , Larsen Niels B. , Latham Joey C. , Bornhop Darryl J. , Andersen Peter E.
Published: October 2006

Human IgG interactions with surface bound protein A are monitored label-free using microinterferometric backscatter detection. An electromagnetic wave-based model is developed and used to quantitatively describe the change in interference pattern as a consequence of the molecular interaction with the affinity layer on the fused silica capillary. Within the framework of the model it is of paramount importance to establish a valid stop criterion for the infinite summations involved in the fringe pattern computations. The high sensitivity towards surface changes, ease of changing the surface chemistry to other specific interacting layers, and simplicity of the optical sensor make this technique a powerful tool in biosensing.
Calibration of optical tweezers with positional detection in the back focal plane
Authors: Tolić-Nørrelykke Simon F. , Schäffer Erik , Howard Jonathon , Pavone Francesco S. , Jülicher Frank , Flyvbjerg Henrik
Published: October 2006

We explain and demonstrate a new method of force and position calibrations for optical tweezers with back-focal-plane photodetection. The method combines power spectral measurements of thermal motion and the response to a sinusoidal motion of a translation stage. It consequently does not use the drag coefficient of the trapped object as an input. Thus, neither the viscosity, nor the size of the trapped object, nor its distance to nearby surfaces needs to be known. The method requires only a low level of instrumentation and can be applied in situ in all spatial dimensions. It is both accurate and precise: true values are returned, with small error bars. We tested this experimentally, near and far from surfaces in the lateral directions. Both position and force calibrations were accurate to within 3%. To calibrate, we moved the sample with a piezoelectric translation stage, but the laser beam could be moved instead, e.g., by acousto-optic deflectors. Near surfaces, this precision requires an improved formula for the hydrodynamical interaction between an infinite plane and a microsphere in nonconstant motion parallel to it. We give such a formula.
Low frequency backbone vibrations of individual conformational isomers: Tryptamine
Authors: Schmitt Michael , Feng Ke , Böhm Marcel , Kleinermanns Karl
Published: October 2006

The low frequency vibrations of the ethylamino backbone of six conformers of tryptamine have been studied in the ground and excited states using dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy, rotationally resolved laser induced fluorescence, and ab initio calculations. Four low frequency vibrational modes of the backbone, which involve torsional and librational motions of the ethylamino group, have been identified. The three anti conformers show a substantially different vibrational pattern than the four conformers in which the amino group is in gauche position with respect to the pyrrole and the phenyl ring, respectively.
Intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution as state space diffusion: Classical-quantum correspondence
Authors: Semparithi Aravindan , Keshavamurthy Srihari
Published: October 2006

We study the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) dynamics of an effective spectroscopic Hamiltonian describing the four coupled high frequency modes of CDBrClF. The IVR dynamics ensuing from nearly isoenergetic zeroth-order states, an edge (overtone) and an interior (combination) state, is studied from a state space diffusion perspective. A wavelet based time-frequency analysis reveals an inhomogeneous phase space due to the trapping of classical trajectories. Consequently the interior state has a smaller effective IVR dimension as compared to the edge state.
Thermal quenching of photoluminescence from InAs∕In0.53Ga0.23Al0.24As∕InP quantum dashes with different sizes
Authors: Podemski P. , Kudrawiec R. , Misiewicz J. , Somers A. , Schwertberger R. , Reithmaier J. P. , Forchel A.
Published: October 2006

In As ∕ In 0.53 Ga 0.23 Al 0.24 As quantum dashes (QDashes) have been investigated in a temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) experiment. It has been observed that the increase of the QDash size shifts the emission peak to the longer wavelength and leads to a slower thermal quenching of PL. This thermal quenching can be described by a standard expression with two characteristic activation energies which are attributed to the electron escape and the heavy-hole escape to the conduction and valence continua in QDash barriers, respectively. The found activation energies are in the range of 21–64 and 121–223meV for the first and the second quenching mechanism, respectively.
Ultrafast hole burning in intersubband absorption lines of GaN∕AlN superlattices
Authors: Wang Z. , Reimann K. , Woerner M. , Elsaesser T. , Hofstetter D. , Baumann E. , Giorgetta F. R. , Wu H. , Schaff W. J. , Eastman L. F.
Published: October 2006

The authors present evidence for a distinct optical phonon progression in the nonlinear intersubband absorption spectra of electrons in a GaN∕AlN superlattice. Femtosecond two-color pump-probe experiments in the near infrared show spectral holes separated by the longitudinal optical (LO) phonon frequency and a homogeneous line broadening of approximately 50meV. The nonlinear bleaching signal decays with a time constant of 160fs due to intersubband scattering of delocalized electrons, followed by a weak picosecond component attributed to the relaxation of electrons from longer-lived localized states.
Ultraviolet photodetectors with ZnO nanowires prepared on ZnO:Ga/glass templates
Authors: Lu Chien-Yuan , Chang Shoou-Jinn , Chang Sheng-Po , Lee Ching-Ting , Kuo Che-Fu , Chang Hong-Ming , Chiou Yu-Zung , Hsu Cheng-Liang , Chen I-Cherng
Published: October 2006

Vertically well-aligned ZnO nanowire ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors were fabricated by spin-on-glass technology on ZnO:Ga/glass templates. With 2V applied bias, it was found that dark current density of the fabricated device was only 2.0×10−7A∕cm2. It was also found that UV-to-visible rejection ratio and quantum efficiency of the fabricated ZnO nanowire photodetectors were more than 1000 and 12.6%, respectively.
Photo ejection of water molecules from amorphous ice films
Authors: Bergeld J. , Chakarov D.
Published: October 2006

Water molecules are photo-ejected upon laser irradiation from the surface of ice films grown on graphite (0001) and Pt(111). The films are deposited at temperatures between 40 and 140K and irradiated with nanosecond laser pulses. The process is investigated in the wavelength range between 275 and 670nm. The wavelength and photon flux dependence suggest a multi-photon process with energy threshold of around 9eV. The photo-detachment is less effective or negligible from films annealed at temperatures above the amorphous–crystalline transition temperature of ice films. Coverage dependence of the phenomena relates the photo yield to surface roughness. Electronic excitation mechanism related to the defects in ice is proposed to explain the observations.
Strain evolution in GaN layers grown on high-temperature AlN interlayers
Authors: Wang J. F. , Yao D. Z. , Chen J. , Zhu J. J. , Zhao D. G. , Jiang D. S. , Yang H. , Liang J. W.
Published: October 2006

The strain evolution of the GaN layer grown on a high-temperature AlN interlayer with GaN template by metal organic chemical vapor deposition is investigated. It is found that the layer is initially under compressive strain and then gradually relaxes and transforms to under tensile strain with increasing film thickness. The result of the in situ stress analysis is confirmed by x-ray diffraction measurements. Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the inclination of edge and mixed threading dislocations rather than the reduction of dislocation density mainly accounts for such a strain evolution.
Erbium-doped GaN epilayers synthesized by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Ugolini C. , Nepal N. , Lin J. Y. , Jiang H. X. , Zavada J. M.
Published: October 2006

The authors report on the synthesis of Er-doped GaN epilayers by in situ doping by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The optical and electrical properties of the Er-doped GaN epilayers were studied by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and van der Pauw–Hall method. Both above and below band gap excitation results in a sharp PL emission peak at 1.54μm. In contrary to other growth methods, MOCVD grown Er-doped GaN epilayers exhibit virtually no visible emission lines. A small thermal quenching effect, with only a 20% decrease in the integrated intensity of the 1.54μm PL emission, occurred between 10 and 300K. It was found that Er incorporation has very little effect on the electrical conductivity of the GaN epilayers and Er-doped layers retain similar electrical properties as those of undoped GaN.
Excitation-dependent photoluminescence in Ge∕Si Stranski-Krastanov nanostructures
Authors: Kamenev B. V. , Lee E.-K. , Chang H.-Y. , Han H. , Grebel H. , Tsybeskov L. , Kamins T. I.
Published: October 2006

In Ge∕Si Stranski-Krastanov nanostructures grown by chemical vapor deposition, the authors find ∼30meV/decade photoluminescence (PL) spectral shift toward greater photon energies as excitation intensity increases from 0.1to104W∕cm2. The PL lifetime exhibits strong spectral dependence, and it decreases from ∼20μs at 0.77eVto200ns at 0.89eV. The authros attribute the observed PL spectral shift and shorter PL lifetime at higher photon energies to an increasing contribution from recombination between holes populating excited Ge cluster energy states and electrons in SiGe alloy cluster regions.
Germ-line mutations in p27

Kip1

cause a multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome in rats and humans
Authors: Pellegata Natalia S. , Quintanilla-Martinez Leticia , Siggelkow Heide , Samson Elenore , Bink Karin , Höfler Heinz , Fend Falko , Graw Jochen , Atkinson Michael J.
Published: October 2006

MENX is a recessive multiple endocrine neoplasia-like syndrome in the rat. The tumor spectrum in MENX overlaps those of human multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) types 1 and 2. We mapped the
MenX
locus to the distal part of rat chromosome 4, excluding the homologs of the genes responsible for the MEN syndromes (
RET
and
MEN1
) and syndromes with an endocrine tumor component (
VHL
and
NF1
). We report the fine mapping of the disease locus and the identification of a homozygous frameshift mutation in
Cdkn1b
, encoding the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27

Kip1

. As a consequence of the mutation, MENX-affected rats show dramatic reduction in p27

Kip1

protein. We have identified a germ-line nonsense mutation in the human
CDKN1B
gene in a
MEN1
mutation-negative patient presenting with pituitary and parathyroid tumors. Expanded pedigree analysis shows that the mutation is associated with the development of an MEN1-like phenotype in multiple generations. Our findings demonstrate that germ-line mutations in p27

Kip1

can predispose to the development of multiple endocrine tumors in both rats and humans.
l
-Kynurenine, an amino acid identified as a sex pheromone in the urine of ovulated female masu salmon
Authors: Yambe Hidenobu , Kitamura Shoji , Kamio Michiya , Yamada Miho , Matsunaga Shigeki , Fusetani Nobuhiro , Yamazaki Fumio
Published: October 2006

Many animals employ sex pheromones to find mating partners during their reproductive seasons. However, most sex pheromones of vertebrates remain to be identified. Over the past 20 years, steroids and prostaglandins have been identified as sex pheromones in several fishes. These pheromones are broadly termed “hormonal pheromones” because they or their precursors act as hormones in these fishes. Hitherto, no other type of sex pheromone has been unambiguously identified in teleost fish. Here we report the identification of a “nonhormonal pheromone” in teleost fish. The urine of the reproductively mature female masu salmon (
Oncorhynchus masou
) contains a male-attracting pheromone. Bioassay-guided fractionation yielded an active compound that was identical to
l
-kynurenine in spectral and chromatographic properties.
l
-Kynurenine is a major metabolite of
l
-tryptophan in vertebrates. This pheromone elicits a male-specific behavior at even picomolar concentrations; its electrophysiological threshold is 10
−14
M.
l
-Kynurenine is a reasonable substance for female masu salmon to advertise their readiness for mating.
Human fronto–mesolimbic networks guide decisions about charitable donation
Authors: Moll Jorge , Krueger Frank , Zahn Roland , Pardini Matteo , de Oliveira-Souza Ricardo , Grafman Jordan
Published: October 2006

Humans often sacrifice material benefits to endorse or to oppose societal causes based on moral beliefs. Charitable donation behavior, which has been the target of recent experimental economics studies, is an outstanding contemporary manifestation of this ability. Yet the neural bases of this unique aspect of human altruism, which extends beyond interpersonal interactions, remain obscure. In this article, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants anonymously donated to or opposed real charitable organizations related to major societal causes. We show that the mesolimbic reward system is engaged by donations in the same way as when monetary rewards are obtained. Furthermore, medial orbitofrontal–subgenual and lateral orbitofrontal areas, which also play key roles in more primitive mechanisms of social attachment and aversion, specifically mediate decisions to donate or to oppose societal causes. Remarkably, more anterior sectors of the prefrontal cortex are distinctively recruited when altruistic choices prevail over selfish material interests.
Combinatorially selected defense peptides protect plant roots from pathogen infection
Authors: Fang Zhiwei David , Laskey James G. , Huang Shaoxing , Bilyeu Kristin D. , Morris Roy O. , Schmidt Francis J. , English James T.
Published: October 2006

Agricultural productivity and sustainability are continually challenged by emerging and indigenous pathogens. Currently, many pathogens can be combated only with biocides or environmentally dangerous fumigants. Here, we report a rapid and pathogen-specific strategy to reduce infection by organisms that target plant roots. Combinatorially selected defense peptides, previously shown to effect premature encystment of
Phytophthora capsici
zoospores, were fused to maize cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase as a display scaffold. When expressed in tomato roots, the peptide-scaffold constructs were secreted and accumulated to sufficient concentrations in the rhizosphere to induce zoospore encystment and thereby deter taxis to the root surface. Pathogen infection was significantly inhibited in roots expressing bioactive peptides fused to the maize cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase scaffold. This peptide-delivery technology is broadly applicable for rapid development of plant defense attributes against plant pathogens.
Dual function of an
Arabidopsis
transcription factor DREB2A in water-stress-responsive and heat-stress-responsive gene expression
Authors: Sakuma Yoh , Maruyama Kyonoshin , Qin Feng , Osakabe Yuriko , Shinozaki Kazuo , Yamaguchi-Shinozaki Kazuko
Published: October 2006

Transcription factor DREB2A interacts with a cis-acting dehydration-responsive element (DRE) sequence and activates expression of downstream genes involved in drought- and salt-stress response in
Arabidopsis thaliana
. Intact DREB2A expression does not activate downstream genes under normal growth conditions. A negative regulatory domain exists in the central region of DREB2A, and deletion of this region transforms DREB2A to a constitutive active form (
DREB2A CA
). We carried out microarray analysis of transgenic
Arabidopsis
-overexpressing
DREB2A CA
and found that the overexpression of
DREB2A CA
induces not only drought- and salt-responsive genes but also heat-shock (HS)-related genes. Moreover, we found that transient induction of the
DREB2A
occurs rapidly by HS stress, and that the sGFP-DREB2A protein accumulates in nuclei of HS-stressed cells. DREB2A up-regulated genes were classified into three groups based on their expression patterns: genes induced by HS, genes induced by drought stress, and genes induced by both HS and drought stress. DREB2A up-regulated genes were down-regulated in DREB2A knockout mutants under stress conditions. Thermotolerance was significantly increased in plants overexpressing
DREB2A CA
and decreased in
DREB2A
knockout plants. Collectively, these results indicate that DREB2A functions in both water and HS-stress responses.
Acrolein is a major cigarette-related lung cancer agent: Preferential binding at
p53
mutational hotspots and inhibition of DNA repair
Authors: Feng Zhaohui , Hu Wenwei , Hu Yu , Tang Moon-shong
Published: October 2006

The tumor suppressor gene
p53
is frequently mutated in cigarette smoke (CS)-related lung cancer. The
p53
binding pattern of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in CS coincides with the
p53
mutational pattern found in lung cancer, and PAHs have thus been considered to be major culprits for lung cancer. However, compared with other carcinogenic compounds, such as aldehydes, the amount of PAHs in CS is minute. Acrolein (Acr) is abundant in CS, and it can directly adduct DNA. Acr–DNA adducts, similar to PAH–DNA adducts, induce predominantly G-to-T transversions in human cells. These findings raise the question of whether Acr–DNA adducts are responsible for
p53
mutations in CS-related lung cancer. To determine the role of Acr–DNA adducts in
p53
mutagenesis in CS-related lung cancer we mapped the distribution of Acr–DNA adducts at the sequence level in the
p53
gene of lung cells using the UvrABC incision method in combination with ligation-mediated PCR. We found that the Acr–DNA binding pattern is similar to the
p53
mutational pattern in human lung cancer. Acr preferentially binds at CpG sites, and this enhancement of binding is due to cytosine methylation at these sequences. Furthermore, we found that Acr can greatly reduce the DNA repair capacity for damage induced by benzo[
a
]pyrene diol epoxide. Together these results suggest that Acr is a major etiological agent for CS-related lung cancer and that it contributes to lung carcinogenesis through two detrimental effects: DNA damage and inhibition of DNA repair.
Mathematical analysis of locomotor behavior by mice in a radial maze
Authors: Coop Allan D. , Stavarache Mihaela A. , Pfaff Donald W. , Reeke George N.
Published: October 2006

We investigated the effects of β-estradiol on the locomotor behavior of female mice in a radial maze. Data comprising the total distance traveled during each arm entry were obtained from video records of six consecutive daily recording sessions. Distributions of these data were bimodal for both ovariectomized control and β-estradiol-treated ovariectomized subjects. Data were fit with the sum of two gamma probability distributions. Three parameters of the analytic fits were useful for quantifying the effect of β-estradiol on locomotor behavior: (
i
) the sampling distance (median of the total distance traveled during each arm entry in the short-distance peak of a bimodal distribution), (
ii
) the committed distance (median of the total per-arm-entry distance traveled in the long-distance peak), and (
iii
) the partition distance (distance represented by the minimum between the two peaks). Analysis showed that for sampling-distance arm entries β-estradiol typically had little if any significant effect on female locomotor behavior, whereas it significantly increased the total distance traveled during committed-distance arm entries on the first 2 days of exposure to the empty maze. β-Estradiol also increased the ability of females to discriminate between empty maze arms and arms that contained intact or castrated male mice and partially prevented loss of this capacity after removal of the males.
Myostatin modulates adipogenesis to generate adipocytes with favorable metabolic effects
Authors: Feldman Brian J. , Streeper Ryan S. , Farese Robert V. , Yamamoto Keith R.
Published: October 2006

A pluripotent cell line, C3H10T1/2, is induced to undergo adipogenesis by a mixture of factors that includes a glucocorticoid such as dexamethasone. We found that expression of myostatin (MSTN), a TGF-β family member extensively studied in muscle, was induced by dexamethasone under those differentiation conditions. Moreover, MSTN could substitute for dexamethasone in the adipogenesis mixture. However, the adipocytes induced by MSTN in both cell culture and transgenic mice were small and expressed markers characteristic of immature adipocytes. These adipocytes exhibited cell-autonomous increases in insulin sensitivity and glucose oxidation. In mice, these effects produced elevated systemic insulin sensitivity and resistance to diet-induced obesity. Modulation of the final stages of adipogenesis may provide a novel approach to understanding and treating metabolic disease.
DNA mismatch-specific targeting and hypersensitivity of mismatch-repair-deficient cells to bulky rhodium(III) intercalators
Authors: Hart Jonathan R. , Glebov Oleg , Ernst Russell J. , Kirsch Ilan R. , Barton Jacqueline K.
Published: October 2006

Mismatch repair (MMR) is critical to maintaining the integrity of the genome, and deficiencies in MMR are correlated with cancerous transformations. Bulky rhodium intercalators target DNA base mismatches with high specificity. Here we describe the application of bulky rhodium intercalators to inhibit cellular proliferation differentially in MMR-deficient cells compared with cells that are MMR-proficient. Preferential inhibition by the rhodium complexes associated with MMR deficiency is seen both in a human colon cancer cell line and in normal mouse fibroblast cells; the inhibition of cellular proliferation depends strictly on the MMR deficiency of the cell. Furthermore, our assay of cellular proliferation is found to correlate with DNA mismatch targeting by the bulky metallointercalators. It is the Δ-isomer that is active both in targeting base mismatches and in inhibiting DNA synthesis. Additionally, the rhodium intercalators promote strand cleavage at the mismatch site with photoactivation, and we observe that the cellular response is enhanced with photoactivation. Targeting DNA mismatches may therefore provide a cell-selective strategy for chemotherapeutic design.
IL-23 plays a key role inHelicobacter hepaticus–induced T cell–dependent colitis
Authors: Kullberg Marika C. , Jankovic Dragana , Feng Carl G. , Hue Sophie , Gorelick Peter L. , McKenzie Brent S. , Cua Daniel J. , Powrie Fiona , Cheever Allen W. , Maloy Kevin J. , Sher Alan
Published: October 2006

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is caused in part by a dysregulated immune response to the intestinal flora. The common interleukin (IL)-12/IL-23p40 subunit is thought to be critical for the pathogenesis of IBD. We have analyzed the role of IL-12 versus IL-23 in two models of Helicobacter hepaticus–triggered T cell–dependent colitis, one involving anti–IL-10R monoclonal antibody treatment of infected T cell–sufficient hosts, and the other involving CD4+ T cell transfer into infected Rag−/− recipients. Our data demonstrate that IL-23 and not IL-12 is essential for the development of maximal intestinal disease. Although IL-23 has been implicated in the differentiation of IL-17–producing CD4+ T cells that alone are sufficient to induce autoimmune tissue reactivity, our results instead support a model in which IL-23 drives both interferon γ and IL-17 responses that together synergize to trigger severe intestinal inflammation.
High affinity germinal center B cells are actively selected into the plasma cell compartment
Authors: Phan Tri Giang , Paus Didrik , Chan Tyani D. , Turner Marian L. , Nutt Stephen L. , Basten Antony , Brink Robert
Published: October 2006

A hallmark of T cell–dependent immune responses is the progressive increase in the ability of serum antibodies to bind antigen and provide immune protection. Affinity maturation of the antibody response is thought to be connected with the preferential survival of germinal centre (GC) B cells that have acquired increased affinity for antigen via somatic hypermutation of their immunoglobulin genes. However, the mechanisms that drive affinity maturation remain obscure because of the difficulty in tracking the affinity-based selection of GC B cells and their differentiation into plasma cells. We describe a powerful new model that allows these processes to be followed as they occur in vivo. In contrast to evidence from in vitro systems, responding GC B cells do not undergo plasma cell differentiation stochastically. Rather, only GC B cells that have acquired high affinity for the immunizing antigen form plasma cells. Affinity maturation is therefore driven by a tightly controlled mechanism that ensures only antibodies with the greatest possibility of neutralizing foreign antigen are produced. Because the body can sustain only limited numbers of plasma cells, this “quality control” over plasma cell differentiation is likely critical for establishing effective humoral immunity.
Synergistic inhibition of carbon steel by tertiary butyl phosphonate, zinc ions and citrate
Authors: Narmada P. , Venkateswara Rao M. , Venkatachari G. , Appa Rao B.V.
Published: October 2006

Purpose

To develop a new corrosion inhibitor formulation for carbon steel in low chloride environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Corrosion inhibition efficiencies were evaluated by the weight loss method and by impedance measurement studies. The nature of the inhibition process was evaluated using potentiostatic polarization studies. The nature of the protective film was investigated using X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The concept of synergistic effect was used in the development of the new synergistic inhibitor formulation.

Findings

A new corrosion inhibitor formulation, containing tertiary butyl phosphonate (TBP), zinc ions and citrate, has been developed to control the corrosion of carbon steel in low chloride environments. This inhibitor formulation was found to offer a maximum inhibition efficiency of 96 per cent in a neutral pH test environment. It was interesting to observe that the binary system, consisting of higher concentrations of the TBP and zinc ions, offered only 79 per cent inhibition efficiency. The ternary system, consisting of relatively lower concentrations of the phosphonate, zinc ions and citrate offered a higher (96 per cent) efficiency. This ternary inhibitor system also was found to be efficient in acidic as well as basic environments in the pH range 5‐8. The inhibitor combination was determined to function as a “mixed”‐type inhibitor, though being predominantly cathodic. A plausible explanation of the mechanism of corrosion inhibition is proposed.

Practical implications

The ternary inhibitor formulations based on phosphonate, zinc ions and another environmentally friendly synergists like citrate will be quite useful for corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in cooling water systems as they contain relatively less concentrations of phosphonate and zinc ions.

Originality/value

The research paper presents the results of a new synergistic inhibitor formulation and also discusses the mechanistic aspects of corrosion inhibition.
Marketing of beef and lamb in England: the role of EBLEX
Authors: Palmer Roger , Croston David , Garvey Andrew , Mead Simon
Published: October 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of strategy development and implementation for a food sector related non‐departmental public body. This is reviewed against a well‐established model of change.

Design/methodology/approach

A single case study is appropriate where there is a unique example of practice. In this case a newly founded organisation defines and implements its strategy within the context of the English red meat sector.

Findings

The literature provides rather less guidance on strategy selection for not for profit organisations. The network model of strategy was implemented by EBLEX. Market research guided the selection of strategy and implementation involved in‐ and out‐sourcing, communication to stakeholders, project and process based management and the sharing of information and objectives. The need to deliver in the short term may inhibit longer‐term objectives by reducing flexibility and responsiveness. The ability to identify, recruit and retire network partners is a necessary capability. Having developed the organisation afresh, significant challenges lie ahead in generating growth and managing increasing complexity.

Research limitations/implications

A single case study is limited in the extent to which generalisations can be made. There is a need to confirm the emerging findings with additional cases in similar and different contexts. Building on this research, theoretical propositions can be derived to guide future work and to develop theory.

Practical implications

This case provides insight into the management and development of a non‐departmental public body.

Originality/value

This paper investigates a unique opportunity for research in this field.
British beers: a survey of cask ale character
Authors: Thomas Keith
Published: October 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to survey and analyse the characteristics of cask ale beers in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

Retail sampling and laboratory analysis of 453 beers from 190 breweries allowed beer styles to be defined and described. Analysis of the styles allowed comparisons to be made and trends established.

Findings

A total of 12 distinct beer styles were identified and described. Comparison with the largest selling keg beers indicated that cask beers have a wider variety of character. Cask ales produced by smaller microbreweries did not differ significantly from those produced by more established traditional breweries. Changes were seen in selected beers analysed over a five‐year period.

Research limitations/implications

A wider range of analysed parameters such as malt, hop and yeast derived flavours may provide a more exact view of common features between and, particularly, within styles. A more detailed timed series of analyses would help show how trends in styles change. Beers with unspecified styles could be further analysed.

Practical implications

The data presented could act as a benchmark for style definitions and be relevant to the brewing industry, to consumer groups and to trading standards considerations. Defined styles may assist academic and clinical investigations into how different beers may affect health and disease.

Originality/value

This paper provides a broad and comprehensive overview of UK beers and assesses how contemporary beers have developed in comparison to traditional products. It conducts some novel comparisons and will be of value to the brewing industry, consumer groups, trading standards authorities and to academics.
Microstructure and wear properties of AISI 1038 H steel weldments
Authors: Uygur Ilyas
Published: October 2006

Purpose

To provide information about technical data; wear behaviour of worn rotor parts in mining industry and for the other application of ferrous alloys.

Design/methodology/approach

Wear behaviour of the various filler wires were tested (tensile, hardness, and wear) and compared with each other in the light of microstructure, chemical, and mechanical properties.

Findings

The results showed that the wear rates were significantly increased with the increasing load, welding current, wear distance and poor mechanical properties. A larger amount of C, Cr, and Mn specimen showed the best wear resistance since it contained a number of hard MC‐type carbides and coarse grains. Furthermore, for all materials the weight loss increases linearly with the increasing of welding arc current, load and wear distance.

Research limitations/implications

It would be interesting to search about the toughness values and fatigue behaviour of these materials. It could be the good idea for future work could be concentrated fracture surface analysis of these materials.

Practical implications

For these materials choosing the right chemical composition of the filler material, certain arc current and ideal microstructure is crutial for the wear response.

Originality/value

The main value of this paper is to contribute and fulfil the mechanical properties of welding wires that is being studied so far in the literature such as the effects of chemical composition, applied road range, and arc current on the tensile, hardness and wear behaviours of the welding wires.
Distributing HRM responsibilities: a classification of organisations
Authors: Valverde Mireia , Ryan Gerard , Soler Ceferí
Published: October 2006

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to show that HRM is not the sole responsibility of HR departments, but also of other agents inside and outside the organisation, such as top and line managers, and external HRM service providers. This paper seeks to examine how organisations distribute HRM activities and responsibilities among these agents. The study attempts to classify organisations according to agent distribution and to explore whether a number of internal and external context characteristics affect this distribution. Design/methodology/approach – The survey in the paper shows the methodology chosen in order to collect and analyse factual data about the participation of different agents in HRM activities and the characteristics of the organisations and their context. The questionnaire obtained a valid sample of 231 Spanish companies. A multiple correspondence analysis approach was taken in order to cluster the organisations. Findings – The analysis of the data in this paper clearly produced seven groups, each involving organisations that allocated responsibilities to the various agents in a similar fashion. However, no common contextual characteristics were found among the companies in each of the seven categories. Research limitations/implications – The main limitations in the paper are related to the length of the questionnaire, the adequacy of the respondents related to the unit of observation; and the relative newness of the techniques used. Originality/value – The main contribution of the paper consists of the incorporation of existing partial areas of study in the field of HRM (roles of the HR department, devolution to line management, and outsourcing of the HR function) into an integrated study.
The HR function in large‐scale mergers and acquisitions: the case study of Nordea
Authors: Björkman Ingmar , Søderberg Anne‐Marie
Published: October 2006

Purpose

The paper aims to report on an in‐depth study of the merger and acquisition processes involved in the creation of the leading financial services corporation in the Nordic countries: Nordea. The purposes are, first, to describe the roles played by the HR function and examine the effects of the roles enacted by the HR function on how the workforces were managed and integrated in the post‐merger processes; second, to analyze issues influencing the changing roles played by the HR function in Nordea during the merger processes.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this paper were collected mostly through 60 interviews with HR managers and top executives in Nordea. In addition to the interviews, access was provided to company‐internal material and consultancy reports concerning the HR function.

Findings

The paper finds that the Nordea case shows, on the one hand, typical problems in organizing and managing HR issues, but also illustrates, on the other, how the HR function is easily left with a secondary non‐strategic role in these processes.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that the general limitations of any single case analysis apply also to the present study.

Practical implications

The paper indicates that the communication of expectations both to and from the HR function may be particularly important in clarifying the roles the function is to play in the post‐merger process.

Originality/value

The paper offers unique insights into the roles played by the HR function in merger processes.
Outsourcing vs insourcing in the human resource supply chain: a comparison of five generic models
Authors: Kosnik Tom , Wong‐MingJi Diana J. , Hoover Kristine
Published: October 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a typology of human resource supply chain (HRSC) models that enable comparison of different models for making more informed strategic HR outsourcing decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

In the paper interviews and company documents were used to construct multiple comparative case studies.

Findings

The paper finds that five generic HRSC models were identified in two broad categories – two in‐sourcing models (local contracting and HR centralizing) and three outsourcing models (purchasing HR, non‐staffing HR, and staffing HR). Additional findings relate to the redistribution of power and competencies for managing HR within and between organizations.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that future research should account for different HRSC models to address various dependent variables, especially distribution of power and HR competencies in managing HR supply chains and contribution to firm performance. Future studies on strategic alliances can benefit from building on the HRSC models in building different types of partnerships.

Practical implications

In this paper it is found that managers have a means for comparison of different HRSC models to make more fully informed strategic outsourcing decisions and to develop related HR competencies related to each one of the generic models.

Originality/value

This paper clarifies critical differences in five different generic HRSC models that must be accounted for in research on strategic HR and outsourcing. Without understanding the differences in HRSCs, managers often unwittingly relinquish power and control over critical HR functions to other organizational units or vendor organizations.
The diffusion of human‐resource information‐technology innovations in US and non‐US firms
Authors: Florkowski Gary W. , Olivas‐Luján Miguel R.
Published: October 2006

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the diffusion patterns of eight information technologies that are transforming HR service‐delivery in North America and Europe: HR functional applications, integrated HR suites, IVR systems, HR intranets, employee and manager self‐service applications, HR extranets, and HR portals. Little is known about the diffusion process for these innovations within or across countries despite mounting professional and academic interest in their proliferation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper shows that external‐, internal‐, and mixed‐influence models were applied to the HRIT‐adoption decisions of a cross‐sectional sample of US, Canadian, UK and Irish firms. Parameter estimation was guided by nonlinear regression procedures with starting values for p and q set at levels similar to those reported in prior IT‐diffusion studies. Senior HR executives provided the underlying data by means of a dynamically branching, web‐based survey.

Findings

The paper finds that overall diffusion was best characterized as an outgrowth of internal influences, fueled primarily by contacts among members in the social system of potential adopters. Similar results were obtained when controls were introduced for national setting, targeted end‐user, and technology type.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that future investigations would benefit from higher response rates outside of North America and the utilization of smaller time intervals to identify when each application was acquired.

Practical implications

In the paper the modest correlation between the number of acquired ITs and HR‐transaction automation supports the general call for more formalized HR‐technology strategies at the firm‐level to coordinate purchasing and implementation decisions.

Originality/value

In addition to reviewing the extant literature on HR information systems, this paper presents the first empirical study of the diffusion process for HR software applications within and across countries.