bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impairment of Myocardial Angiogenic Response in the Absence of Osteopontin
Authors: Zhao Xue , Johnson Jennifer N. , Singh Krishna , Singh Mahipal
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT

Objective: Osteopontin (OPN), increased in the heart following myocardial infarction (MI), plays an important role in post‐MI remodeling. Angiogenesis, an important feature of tissue repair, begins in the infarcted myocardium within 3 days post‐MI. Here, the authors studied the role of OPN in myocardial angiogenesis using wild‐type (WT) and OPN knockout (KO) mice.

Results: Measurement of angiogenic response using Griffonia simplicifolia lectin‐1 (GSL‐1) staining indicated reduced capillary density in the infarcted region of the OPN KO hearts as compared to WT hearts 7 and 14 days post‐MI. Arteriolar density was lower in OPN KO hearts 14 days post‐MI. The number of CD31 positive cells was also lower in the infarcted region of the OPN KO hearts as compared to WT hearts 14 days post‐MI. In contrast, capillary and arteriolar densities in the noninfarcted regions of OPN KO and WT hearts were not significantly different. In vivo myocardial angiogenesis measured using Matrigel implantation in the left ventricular myocardium indicated significant decrease in the percentage of vessel‐like areas in the OPN KO vs. WT hearts. Furthermore, in vitro Matrigel tube formation assay demonstrated a significant decrease in total tube length in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) isolated from OPN KO hearts as compared to CMECs from WT hearts. Treatment of OPN KO CMECs with purified OPN protein significantly increased total tube length, while bovine serum albumin had no effect.

Conclusion: Lack of OPN impairs myocardial angiogenic response, leading to adverse remodeling post‐MI.
Subject–verb agreement and phonological processing in developmental dyslexia and specific language impairment (SLI): a closer look
Authors: Rispens Judith , Been Pieter
Published: May 2007

Background: Problems with subject–verb agreement and phonological (processing) skills have been reported to occur in children with specific language impairment (SLI) and in those with developmental dyslexia, but only a few studies have compared such problems in these two groups. Previous studies have claimed a causal relationship between phonological processing deficits and morphosyntactic problems.

Aims: The following questions were addressed in this study: (1) Are children with developmental dyslexia and SLI comparable in the level of sensitivity to subject–verb agreement, phonological awareness, and non‐word repetition? (2) Are children with developmental dyslexia and SLI comparable in their performance profiles on tasks tapping subject–verb agreement, phonological awareness, and non‐word repetition? (3) Are deficits in phonological processing skills related to morphosyntactic deficits?

Methods & Procedures: Forty‐five children (mean age = 8;6 years) with developmental dyslexia, SLI and typically developing children participated. The sensitivity to subject–verb agreement, phonological awareness, and non‐word repetition was measured.

Outcomes & Results: Both the children with dyslexia and with SLI made more errors than the control children on the subject–verb agreement task, with the children with dyslexia scoring significantly better than the children with SLI. Similarly, the children with SLI and dyslexia both performed more poorly on the phoneme‐deletion task than the control group. Both clinical groups performed more poorly on the non‐word repetition task than the control children, with the children with dyslexia outperforming the children with SLI. In all three tasks differences in performance profiles were found between the children with developmental dyslexia and SLI. Across all three groups non‐word repetition was correlated with morphosyntactic sensitivity.

Conclusions: The results show similarities between the performances of children with SLI and dyslexia on tasks tapping subject–verb agreement, phonological awareness, and non‐word repetition: they scored more poorly than typically developing children. Qualitative analyses revealed, however, differences in the error patterns on all three tasks. Associations between non‐word repetition and sensitivity to subject–verb agreement were found, suggesting that problems with phonological processing impact on morphosyntactic skills.
Evaluation of the clinical decisions made for 2‐year‐olds referred for speech and language therapy: a follow‐up study
Authors: Emanuel Rosemary , Chiat Shula , Roy Penny
Published: May 2007

Background: Clinicians in the UK rely mainly on informal observations and structured and semi‐structured tasks rather than standardized testing in their assessments of pre‐school children referred with speech and language difficulties. The informal nature of the clinical decision‐making process at this age is unsurprising given the dearth of research on early clinical referrals. Evidence of outcome for young children referred with speech and language problems typically begins in the early school years.

Aims: To examine the clinical decision‐making of an experienced individual therapist by evaluating the extent to which follow‐up evidence supported initial prognosis.

Methods & Procedures: Forty‐three randomly selected pre‐school children referred to speech and language therapy services were seen at an average age of 2;8, when a range of informal assessments were carried out. They were followed up 18 months later. Outcomes were compared with initial diagnosis and prognosis.

Outcomes & Results: Initial judgements showed high associations between the type of problem, the presence of complex difficulties, severity ratings and prognosis. In line with previous findings, prognosis was significantly associated with the type of problem and severity at outcome, although overall changes were more pronounced than had been predicted. A minority of children were rated substantially worse than predicted at follow‐up.

Conclusions: This study illustrates the potential of this kind of approach to inform the process of decision‐making and reflective clinical practice with very young children. Limitations of the study and implications for future action research are discussed.
Addressing the needs of speakers with longstanding dysarthria: computerized and traditional therapy compared
Authors: Palmer Rebecca , Enderby Pam , Hawley Mark
Published: May 2007

Background: In clinical practice, it is common for speech and language therapists to discontinue dysarthria treatment when a plateau in spontaneous recovery is reached. However, there is some evidence from single‐case research studies that people with chronic dysarthria can improve their speech with intervention several years after the onset of the disorder. If this is so, it can be argued that speech treatment should still be an option available to them. Motor learning principles suggest that in order to be effective, treatment needs to involve frequent, consistent practice with feedback.

Aims: To compare the effects of both traditional treatment for clients with longstanding, stable dysarthria with computerized speech therapy, which allows independent practice with feedback.

Development of the Computer Program: A new computer program was developed through a European Union‐funded, quality of life and management of human resources programme. The program was designed for use with people with speech disorders and was based on motor learning principles. Speech recognition technology was exploited to provide feedback on practice attempts.

Methods & Procedures: Seven clients with longstanding, stable dysarthria completed a within‐participant ABAC/ACAB case series design to compare 6‐week blocks of weekly traditional treatment with 6‐week blocks of computer‐based treatment over a 6‐month period.

Outcomes & Results: The findings suggest that the participants improved their speech with treatment. The computerized therapy was as effective as traditional treatment. The participants spent more time (37%) with the computerized therapy than with traditional practice techniques.

Conclusions: The participants with longstanding dysarthria in this study made improvements to their speech with treatment using both traditional and computer‐based techniques. Computers could provide a method of delivering an effective dysarthria treatment service without placing high demands on therapy resources.
Does survey non-response bias the association between occupational social class and health?
Authors: Martikainen Pekka , Laaksonen Mikko , Piha Kustaa , Lallukka Tea
Published: May 2007

Aims: A non-response rate of 20—40%is typical in questionnaire studies. The authors evaluate non-response bias and its impact on analyses of social class inequalities in health. Methods: Set in the context of a health survey carried out among the employees of the City of Helsinki (non-response 33%) in 2000—02. Survey response and non-response records were linked with a personnel register to provide information on occupational social class and long sickness absence spells as an indicator of health status. Results: Women and employees in higher occupational social classes were more likely to respond. Non-respondents had about 20—30% higher sickness absence rates. Relative social class differences in sickness absence in the total population were similar to those among either respondents or non-respondents. Conclusions: In working populations survey non-response does not seriously bias analyses of social class inequalities in sickness absence and possibly health inequalities more generally.
Creation as transformation: Parenting as a turning point in drug users’ lives
Authors: Etherington Kim
Published: May 2007

This paper is drawn from a narrative inquiry into how ex‐drug users understand the connection between childhood trauma and their subsequent drug misuse. The research was commissioned by a community drugs project. Eight participants were selected from respondents to an advertisement in a counselling journal, five of whom are qualified psychological therapists. The particular focus of this paper is on the interconnection of childhood trauma/abuse, drug misuse and parenting, by showing participants’ own experience of being parented and how the experience of becoming a parent helped them to transform their relationship with drugs. The paper draws attention to the therapeutic value of recognising the complex contextual factors that influence the parenting abilities of problematic drug users, and of building upon the positive attitudes, hopes, values and capabilities that underscore the ‘good parenting’ found in their stories. The work suggests that drug rehabilitation, treatment or counselling might usefully focus on parent–child relationships, which can become a turning point for identity transformation.
Client perspectives on counselling: Before, during and after
Authors: Lambert Phoebe
Published: May 2007

This four‐year study investigated the under‐researched area of first‐time users’ perceptions of counselling and how these evolved over time. Research participants were drawn from six settings within university counselling services, the voluntary sector and primary care. Using an interpretive hermeneutic framework based on thematic analysis, 30 interviews were carried out. Results revealed that before counselling, participants were uncertain about the nature of counselling and what to expect, described stigma associated with peer influence and varying levels of confusion about specialist language. During counselling, participants experienced some level of positive change. At the same time, divergences of counsellor and client perception highlighted theoretical issues concerning counsellor approach and the exploration of emotions. Post‐counselling interviews revealed further positive change, and practical issues with implications for counsellor training and practice in terms of client assessment, preparation for counselling and the influence of cultural assumptions on theory and practice.
The sound of higher education: sensuous epistemologies and the mess of knowing
Authors: Phipps Alison
Published: May 2007

The soundscape of higher education is changing. The changes reflect an age of managerialism and an age of uncertainty. These changes call on us to give up on some of the ways we have understood knowledge in the past and prompt us to find news ways of recognizing and understanding the
complexities facing higher education research. This paper explores the possibilities opened up by perceptions of higher education gained through the senses, especially through the auditory sense. Taking the case of modern languages, it traces some of the contours of the soundscape of higher
education—its grief and its diversity.
Making physical education relevant: increasing the impact of initial teacher training
Authors: Capel Susan , Blair Richard
Published: May 2007

This paper is developed from concern that, despite a number of developments and initiatives in physical education over recent years, there has been little change in the teaching of the subject. This has resulted in many young people being alienated from physical education and therefore
physical activity. The paper focuses on how initial teacher training (ITT) contributes to this lack of change by focusing on the development of knowledge for teaching and the technical competence to deliver this. It then considers ways in which ITT could contribute to developing 'knowledgeable
teachers' who are able to make change. The paper focuses on two aspects identified as relevant for trainee physical education teachers: socialization and knowledge for teaching. It recognizes that the issues are complex and that change is difficult. It also recognizes that ITT cannot change
things by itself. However, it argues that by maintaining the status quo, the subject will not develop so that it is relevant to today's youngsters.
The development of key training policies in England and Australia: a comparison
Authors: Smith Andrew , Smith Erica
Published: May 2007

Public policies on training are firmly rooted in the historical, political, economic and social context of their countries. This paper explores the acceptability of such policies to stakeholder groups including learners and employers, and its impact on policy take-up, viability and
longevity. The paper uses a comparative analysis of developments in the English and Australian systems in three key areas, using elements of public policy theory, to explain the factors affecting stakeholder acceptance of training policies. The data was gathered through a series of interviews
with stakeholders in England and Australia in 2005. The paper focuses on the role of employers and the importance of employer acceptance to the successful implementation of training policy. The paper finds that the successful implementation of training policies depends upon participation in
the system by all the stakeholders. The successful implementation of qualifications and apprenticeship policies in Australia rests on a foundation of institutions that support neo-corporatist employer and union participation in policy-making as well as a public trust in past policies that
seems to be lacking in England. The degree of employer involvement via neo-corporatist mechanisms such as concertation has a highly significant impact on the success of national training policies.
Knowledge and the curriculum: Derrida, deconstruction and 'sustainable development'
Authors: Winter Christine
Published: May 2007

This paper enquires into curriculum knowledge about sustainable development at advanced level in geography in English schools through a critical look at two concepts. The deconstructive perspective used is drawn from Jacques Derrida. The focus is on school knowledge and responsibility
to other ways of knowing that may be neglected within assumptions concerning the fixed meanings of words, universal laws and the presumptions of scientific method. Michael Bonnett, Martin Heidegger and Iris Murdoch offer transgressive ways of knowing about sustainable development. It is suggested
that these ideas might lead to alternative, more ethical and political, and ultimately more objective forms of geographical knowledge.
Is there evidence that cyanide can act as a neuromodulator?
Authors: Cipollone Rita , Visca Paolo
Published: May 2007

Is There an Answer? is intended to serve as a forum in which readers to IUBMB Life may pose questions of the type that intrigue biochemists but for which there may be no obvious answer or one may be available but not widely known or easily accessible.
Readers are invited to e‐mail ascenzi@uniroma3.it if they have questions to contribute or if they can provide answers to questions that are provided here from time to time. In the latter case, instructions will be sent to interested readers. Answers should be, whenever possible, evidence‐based and provide relevant references.
Paolo Ascenzi
Theories of ageing
Authors: Viña Jose , Borrás Consuelo , Miquel Jaime
Published: May 2007

Ageing is a universal, intrinsic, progressive and deleterious process. Understanding it is of major interest to scientist, physicians as well as to the general population. Critical to this understanding is to formulate comprehensive theories of aging with high predictive and explanatory power. More than 300 theories have been postulated and are reviewed here. The free radical theory of ageing is one of the most prominent and well studied. It was further developed by one of us (JM) in what has become known as the mitochondrial theory of ageing. These theories provide new experimental approaches to further develop our understanding of the phenomenon of ageing.
IUBMB Life, 59: 249‐254, 2007
Biological hydroperoxides and singlet molecular oxygen generation
Authors: Miyamoto Sayuri , Ronsein Graziella E. , Prado Fernanda M. , Uemi Miriam , Corrêa Thais C. , Toma Izaura N. , Bertolucci Agda , Oliveira Mauricio C. B. , Motta Flávia D. , Medeiros Marisa H. G. , Mascio Paolo Di
Published: May 2007

The decomposition of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) into peroxyl radicals is a potential source of singlet molecular oxygen (1O2) in biological systems. Recently, we have clearly demonstrated the generation of 1O2 in the reaction of lipid hydroperoxides with biologically important oxidants such as metal ions, peroxynitrite and hypochlorous acid. The approach used to unequivocally demonstrate the generation of 1O2 in these reactions was the use of an isotopic labeled hydroperoxide, the 18O‐labeled linoleic acid hydroperoxide, the detection of labeled compounds by HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) and the direct spectroscopic detection and characterization of 1O2 light emission. Using this approach we have observed the formation of 18O‐labeled 1O2 by chemical trapping of 1O2 with anthracene derivatives and detection of the corresponding labeled endoperoxide by HPLC‐MS/MS. The generation of 1O2 was also demonstrated by direct spectral characterization of 1O2 monomol light emission in the near‐infrared region (λ = 1270 nm). In summary, our studies demonstrated that LOOH can originate 1O2. The experimental evidences indicate that 1O2 is generated at a yield close to 10% by the Russell mechanism, where a linear tetraoxide intermediate is formed in the combination of two peroxyl radicals. In addition to LOOH, other biological hydroperoxides, including hydroperoxides formed in proteins and nucleic acids, may also participate in reactions leading to the generation 1O2. This hypothesis is currently being investigated in our laboratory.
Whither Latin America? trends and challenges of science in Latin America
Authors: Hermes‐Lima Marcelo , Santos Natacha C. F. , Alencastro Antonieta C. R. , Ferreira Sergio T.
Published: May 2007

Science in Latin America has experienced vigorous growth in the past decade, as demonstrated by the fact that the Latin American share of the world's scientific publications increased from 1.8% in 1991 ‐ 1995 to 3.4% in 1999 ‐ 2003. Significant growth has also taken place in the numbers of PhDs in science and engineering (S&E) awarded in Latin American countries in recent years, including those in the natural sciences. Importantly, albeit at different rates, growth has been verified in almost all countries in the region, indicating a general effort to promote the development of S&E. In most research fields, however, the recognition or relative impact of Latin American science, as measured by the average number of citations received by published articles (CpP), is still below world averages and much lower than in developed nations. We show that average CpP values for a set of 34 representative developing and developed countries correlate significantly with gross expenditure in research and development (GERD), with gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and with the number of researchers per million inhabitants (RpM). Among those countries, Latin American nations present some of the lowest average values of CpP (<6), GERD (≤1% of GDP) and RpM (<2,000). We also examined recent trends in scientific activity in Latin America, with focus on the natural sciences and on biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB). In terms of citation scores, publications in BMB compare favorably to those in other research fields within Latin America. At the same time, however, Latin American BMB is one of the areas for which relative impact ‐ compared to developed nations or normalized to world averages ‐ is lowest. These observations clearly indicate the need to establish effective policies to increase competitiveness in terms of the quality and international recognition of Latin American natural sciences in general, and BMB in particular, as opposed to merely increasing the absolute numbers of publications or the numbers of PhDs awarded in the region.
IUBMB Life, 59: 199‐210, 2007
Native‐like tertiary structure in the Mucor miehei lipase molten globule state obtained at low pH
Authors: Fatima Sadaf , Ahmad Basir , Khan Rizwan Hasan
Published: May 2007

Studies on the acid‐induced denaturation of Mucor miehei lipase (E.C. 3.1.1.3) were performed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy and binding of hydrophobic dye, 1‐anilino 8‐naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS). Acid denaturation of the lipase showed loss of secondary structure and alterations in the tertiary structure in the pH range 4 to 2 and 7 to 2 respectively, suggesting that the lipase exists as an acid‐unfolded state ∼pH 2.0. A further decrease in pH (from 2.0 to 1.0) resulted in a second transition, which corresponded to the formation of both secondary and tertiary structures. The acid unfolded state at around pH 2.0 has been characterized by significant loss of secondary structure and a small increase in fluorescence intensity with a blue shift of 2 nm, indicating shift of tryptophan residues to less polar environment. Interestingly, the lipase at pH 1.0 exhibits characteristics of molten globule, such as enhanced binding of hydrophobic dye (ANS), native‐like secondary structure and slightly altered tryptophanyl environments. That the molten globule of the lipase at pH 1.0 also possesses native‐like tertiary structure is an interesting observation made for this lipase.
IUBMB Life, 59: 179‐186, 2007
"Ask before You Eat"—Development of an Educational Campaign on Food Allergies
Authors: Maurer Jaclyn , Byrd-Bredbenner Carol , Grasso Darlene
Published: May 2007

Increasingly children's caregivers (e.g., parents, teachers, babysitters) are faced with the responsibility of supervising eating experiences with children who have food allergies (FAs). Little research has addressed FA knowledge and practices of caregivers and few educational materials are available. Therefore, a statewide “Ask Before You Eat” educational campaign was mandated in New Jersey to inform residents about FAs and how to avoid triggering reactions. Key informant interviews with food and health experts ( n = 25) guided the development of the campaign materials. Interviews conducted with caregivers ( n = 32) assessed knowledge of FAs; how they would supervise eating situations involving children with FAs; importance they placed on knowing how to prevent triggering FA reactions; and desired format for information delivery. Experts and caregivers both identified fact sheets as preferred educational materials. Follow-up interviews with caregivers ( n = 26) revealed that fact sheets were very readable, comprehensive, relevant, and useful. The fact sheets were distributed as part of the statewide educational campaign, which significantly increased food allergy knowledge ( p < 0.001) of the public. Campaign lessons learned were three fold: 1) limited funding does not limit campaign scope, 2) utilize creative means of delivering education messages, and 3) engage fellow colleagues as a cost-effective way of further carrying the message to the target audience.
Prison psychiatry
Authors: Konrad Norbert , Arboleda‐Florez Julio , Jager Alan D. , Naudts Kris , Taborda Jose , Tataru Nicoleta
Published: May 2007

It is basically a primarily legal philosophical and political problem whether or not mentally disordered persons “belong” in prison. Countries applying the construct of criminal responsibility or incompetence to stand trial can prevent mentally disordered persons from being imprisoned. Secure confinement can then be ordered in a forensic psychiatric
institution, if necessary. Of course this principle does not prevent people from becoming mentally unwell when put in a prison environment, nor does the presence or a history of mental disorder automatically result in the absence of criminal responsibility. The still high prevalence of mental disorders in prisoners has been impressively demonstrated in more recent surveys.
In a systematic review of 62 surveys from 12 different western countries including 22,790 prisoners (mean age 29 years, 81% men), 3.7% of the men had psychotic illnesses, 10% major depression, and 65% a personality disorder, while 4% of women had psychotic illnesses, 12% major depression, and 42% a personality disorder. In comparison to the general population, prisoners have an increased risk of suffering from a mental disorder that transcends countries and diagnoses. Psychotic disorders increase the risk of suicide, which as a rule is considerably higher in prisoners than in the general population. Suicide is the leading cause of death in penal institutions, especially during the early stages of confinement.
System approach to games and competitive playing: Reply to Lebed (2006)
Authors: McGarry Tim , Franks Ian M.
Published: May 2007

In this article, we respond to some criticisms by Lebed (2006) of our previous research (McGarry, Anderson, Wallace, Hughes, & Franks, 2002) in which we reported that (a) the space–time interactions of players in sports (squash) contests might usefully be considered as a dynamical system, (b) that the other racket sports of tennis and badminton might likewise subscribe to a similar description, and (c) that doubles‐play in these same racket sports might further be explained using the same self‐organizing principles. From there, we speculated that team sports (taking soccer as an example) might ultimately also subscribe to similar principles, thus offering the possibility of a common underpinning for the space–time movements of sports players that seemingly give rise to patterned behaviours that are nonetheless unique. Lebed (2006) criticized this interpretation of sports (squash) contests as a dynamical system and instead offered a different account, though unfortunately these criticisms are inaccurate and unfounded. The most important point overlooked by Lebed (2006), and thus reiterated here, is that the essentials for a dynamical system – namely, the presence of coupled oscillators that comprise the system, as well as the sharing of information among the coupled oscillators that produces the patterned formations – are present in the racket sports for both singles‐play and doubles‐play. The presence of these essentials for team sports, however, must remain a matter of speculation for the time being as noted previously (McGarry et al., 2002).
A dolphin only looks like a fish: Players’ behaviour analysis is not enough for game understanding in the light of the systems approach – a response to the reply by McGarry and Franks
Authors: Lebed Felix
Published: May 2007

In this article I defend my previously published system approach to game playing in sports (Lebed, 2006). Founded on the main argument of mine about insufficiency of performance analysis only for games study, it is based on an inter‐disciplinary comprehension of sporting game events from four different angles: the logical‐philosophical, the behavioural (performance), the anthropological, and complexity angles. The paper consists of four parts, corresponding to the four angles. The first three parts offer deconstructive and reconstructive analysis. The three provide criticism of McGarry and Frank's arguments against my view of complex dynamical systems in sports. The logical analysis negates my opponents’ general view of a match (a process) as a dynamical system. The behaviour analysis refutes their claim about couple oscillator dynamics as a universal dynamically interpreted model of game playing. The anthropological panoramic vision of sporting games leads me to conclude that my opponents’ analysis of two exclusively interacting sides in a squash or soccer contest is too narrow and insufficient to explain the broad diversity of games. According to the, classification suggested in Lebed (2004), I offer seven possible models that can systematically reflect different groups of games. In the fourth part, the complexity angle is analysed from a constructive point of view. Here I take one of the above seven models and try to outline a ‘‘soccer‐like’’ game perspective modelling founded on the view of play process as a conflict of two four‐level self‐regulating complex systems, where each one is additionally involved in its own loop of cybernetic regulation.
The Basic Idea: Justice as Fairness
Authors: Pogge Thomas
Published: May 2007

The original position, which is Rawls's account of a hypothetical contract, is examined in how it plays an important role in a Rawlsian conception on justice. Through the original position, justice as fairness is achieved, which deems a social order as just insofar as it could be the object of fair agreement. The chapter explicates maximin aggregation — reflecting a concern for the worst-off — and Rawls's reasons for favoring it over a focus on average well-being. The chapter also introduces and discusses the justifiability of Rawls's account of primary goods, in particular, the lexical priority he assigns to the basic liberties over the remaining social primary good.
The Reception of Justice as Fairness
Authors: Pogge Thomas
Published: May 2007

This chapter discusses the significance of Rawls's conception of justice in political philosophy and the three foremost debates to which it has given rise. The first set of criticisms against Rawls's conception of justice as fairness is made by Nozick. These libertarian critiques are considered and possible Rawlsian defenses are offered. The two main views of communitarian critiques of Rawls's views are then presented. The final section discusses the similarities between Rawls and Kant, and considers ways in which Rawls's justice as fairness departs from Kantian tenets in a significant way.
Introduction: From Holy Scripture to Silver Screen
Authors: Reinhartz Adele
Published: May 2007

The Jesus movies are to be viewed as “biopics”, that is, biographical films. As such, they follow the narrative template common to this genre and make a claim to authenticity or historical accuracy at least to some degree. What they do best, however, is provide a vehicle through which filmmakers can address contemporary concerns. This chapter explains the biopic genre and provides a historical introduction to the major Jesus films that will be considered in the study.
Jesus of Nazareth
Authors: Reinhartz Adele
Published: May 2007

This chapter examines the identity of the historical Jesus, that is, Jesus of Nazareth, with special emphasis on his Jewishness and on the social and political context in which he lived. In both cases, the ways in which these themes are portrayed in the Gospels are first considered, followed by examples of their portrayal in the Jesus movies, including the appearance of the actors who play Jesus, the use of language, the depiction of Jewish traditions and customs, and the representation of the Roman presence in Galilee and Judea.
God
Authors: Reinhartz Adele
Published: May 2007

The Gospels assert that Jesus is not the son of Joseph but of God, and point to Jesus' miracles, God's declarations, and other aspects of Jesus' extraordinary life as evidence for his divine sonship. The challenge for filmmakers lies in the visual nature of the film medium. How to illustrate this extraordinary paternity on the silver screen, when God as such cannot be portrayed visually? The biopics also employ a variety of techniques, including symbolism (e.g., lighting), and the portrayal of Jesus' miraculous deeds. A number of films also explore the possibility of skepticism — on the part of the audience and even on Jesus' part — regarding Jesus' divine identity.
Satan
Authors: Reinhartz Adele
Published: May 2007

Satan is a minor character in the Gospels, appearing only in the temptation stories, but lurking in the backward elsewhere in the narrative. The most important question about Satan in these films is his relationship to the Son of God. This is a question for which the Gospels have a ready answer: Satan is the cosmic foe whom God vanquishes through Jesus' death. In the movies, however, the answer is not nearly so clearcut. Filmmakers must decide whether to ignore Satan on the grounds that many members of their audience do not believe he exists, or whether to treat him realistically in keeping with the beliefs of the Gospel writers, early Christians, and some contemporary movie viewers as well. Should Satan be treated allegorically, as a stand-in for the evil in the world, or psychologically, as the externalization of anxious, fearful, or evil human thoughts and deeds?
Pilate
Authors: Reinhartz Adele
Published: May 2007

This chapter looks at the representation of the Roman governor Pilate in the Jesus biopics in comparison with his role in the Gospel accounts. The Gospels portray him as a fair-minded and weak-willed leader, who was easily manipulated by Caiaphas and the Jewish crowds into executing Jesus despite his own belief in Jesus' innocence. This image contrasts rather starkly with the portrait of a ruthless, even vicious man that is to be found in noncanonical sources. In crafting a coherent and dramatic depiction of the events that lead inexorably to Jesus' crucifixion, filmmakers must address this discrepancy and, more specifically, assign responsibility for Jesus' death, either to Pilate, who formally pronounces the death sentence, or to one or more Jewish participants in this tragic affair. In doing so, they must also decide whether to introduce Pilate only in the trial scene, as the Gospels uniformly do, or to bring him into the story at an early point, in order to build a context and momentum for his role in the trial story.
Afterword: Jesus of Hollywood
Authors: Reinhartz Adele
Published: May 2007

This chapter describes the progression from “Jesus of Nazareth” to “Jesus of Hollywood”, and summarizes the main conclusions of the previous chapters. If the historical Jesus of Nazareth was the unique and only Son of God as the Gospels proclaim, then Jesus of Hollywood is his opposite — multiple, diverse, and born of many parents. These include not only the directors of the Jesus biopics over the course of a century, but the numerous others professionals, including screenwriters, producers, camera operators, and costume and set designers, whose creative and technical work is essential for the production of any film. As the products of multiple authors, the biopic Jesuses have more in common with the main character of the Gospel narratives, who varies somewhat from text to text. Yet while some of the movie Saviors' actions and words resemble those attributed to Jesus in the Gospels, it is unlikely that the Evangelists would recognize their own particular Jesus in any of the films that have been discussed.
Major and Minor
Authors: Lutgendorf Philip
Published: May 2007

Opening with a brief tour of modern Hindu temples that feature increasingly monumental icons of Hanuman, this introductory chapter poses the question of why a deity of such apparent prominence in popular practice has generally been marginalized or overlooked in academic scholarship. It seeks the roots of this paradox in the Orientalism of Euro-American scholarship, especially during the period of the British Empire, which applied conceptual categories derived from Judeo-Christian discourse to the understanding of Indian religious traditions. Deities in animal-like forms were especially troubling to Western scholars, who invented labels like “theriomorph”, “fetish”, and “totem” to describe them, and created (e.g., in the folklore research of William Crooke) a false dichotomy between “major” and “minor” deities. After describing the present study's remedial approach and outlining the material to be presented in subsequent chapters, the chapter concludes with an explanation of the most common names and epithets by which Hanuman is known in various regions of India.
A Long and Winding Tail
Authors: Lutgendorf Philip
Published: May 2007

While surveying textual sources, iconography, and other historical evidence for the development of Hanuman's popular cult, this chapter also interrogates the explanatory narratives that have been constructed around this evidence by earlier scholars. After examining attempts to locate Hanuman's origins in pre-Vedic religion or in the Rig Veda, and in the cult of yakshas or earth-spirits, it examines the role of the wind (Hanuman's legendary father) in Ayurveda, and Hanuman's additional kinship with Shiva and Shaivism. It then traces the development of Hanuman's persona over roughly two millennia from the Valmiki Ramayana to the Rama tales in the Puranas, in the literature of Jainism, and in vernacular language epics. Interrogating a recent and influential theory that Hanuman's cult reflects a Hindu response to the excesses of Muslim hegemony, the chapter reexamines three historical periods that often figure in this argument: the late Vijayanagara empire, the early Maratha kingdom, and the “warrior ascetics” of the Ramanandi sadhu order in the late Mughal Empire and early colonial periods. It is argued that the apparent efflorescence of devotion to Hanuman in each of these contexts reflects a more complex range of historical and social factors than has generally been recognized.
Prayers, Recipes, Memoirs
Authors: Lutgendorf Philip
Published: May 2007

After highlighting the growing role of literacy and the mass-dissemination of standardized texts in popular Hindu practice, this chapter turns to the importance of Hanuman in the Hindi devotional poetry attributed to the influential 16th-17th century saint-poet Tulsidas, author of the epic Ramcaritmanas and one of the great figures of bhakti literature. It then surveys a body of allegedly esoteric tantra literature that promotes Hanuman's ritual worship as an efficacious, boon-granting deity. Finally, it introduces and discusses the implications of a collection of exuberant late-20th century narratives that construct an elaborate “biography” (or in two cases, an autobiography) of Hanuman, making him the central hero in his own epic-like cycle.
Like Mother, Like Son
Authors: Lutgendorf Philip
Published: May 2007

Whereas Hanuman is sometimes alleged to be primarily a “men's deity”, this chapter takes a fresh look at his cult through the lens of gender relations and of discourses about sexuality and its control. It re-examines the controversial Vrishakapi (“bull-monkey”) hymn in the Rig Veda as well as the emotional portrayal of Hanuman's encounter with Sita in the Sundarakanda of the Ramayana of Valmiki. It then turns to several modern temple cults in which an independent, virginal Mother Goddess is accompanied by a simian bodyguard and familiar, whose close relationship with her is celebrated in legends and folksongs. The final section of the chapter examines lore that questions or problematizes Hanuman's famed celibacy by making him (e.g., in the Rama stories of Jainism) either a lusty adventurer or (in much modern Hindi-language lore) the unwitting “husband” of a submarine wife and father to a mighty son.
The Body Ordered
Authors: Jones Beth Felker
Published: May 2007

Augustine provides theological perspective on the body in his understanding of the body as both good and, under the condition of sin, disordered. Augustine's City of God provides a vision of the resurrection of the body as the psychosomatic ordering of the human being toward God. Augustine's vision offers an alternative to the disorder and brokenness of the body named in the first chapter.
Introduction
Authors: Wells Louis T.
Published: May 2007

This introductory chapter begins with a discussion of investments made by rich countries in major infrastructure projects in developing countries during the 1990s. This was followed by disputes between foreign investors and governments, as well as a growing sense of disenchantment in emerging markets with foreign investment on the investor side. The issues of international property rights, privatization, business strategy, negotiations, and changing attitudes towards private investment in developing countries are then considered.
The Indosat Deal
Authors: Wells Louis T.
Published: May 2007

The 1967 agreement between ITT and Indonesia stated that Indonesia would own the satellite facility from the outset. At the same time, ITT would build and operate it for twenty years. Instead of taxes, ITT would make lease payments to the Indonesian government. As such documentation goes, the agreement was extremely brief, consisting of only eleven pages. In contrast, a power purchase agreement signed almost thirty years later in Indonesia contained more than 300 pages, including appendixes. One reason for the brevity of the 1967 agreement: it was almost completely silent on the complex issue in infrastructure arrangements. On the issues that were covered, the agreement could hardly be viewed as balanced, and some terms would later be seen as affronts to national sovereignty. Moreover, serious questions would eventually arise about the basic legality of the agreement.
Nationalization of Indosat
Authors: Wells Louis T.
Published: May 2007

ITT's Indosat developed into a very successful enterprise. It provided handsome returns to its parent while yielding significant benefits to Indonesia by introducing modern telecommunications technology. The improvement came at a critical time, when the country was trying to attract foreign investors, for whom telecommunications really mattered. Moreover, Indosat set the stage for the subsequent development of the country's domestic satellite communications network by training Indonesians in technical and managerial skills. But by late 1979, almost thirteen years after the original deal was struck, ITT's expatriate manager in Indosat, George Hunter, heard rumors of trouble. It would turn out that ITT's unwillingness to respond favorably to a politically attractive proposal triggered a chain reaction of unexpected magnitude. The trouble also reflected much deeper causes that affected relations between foreign investors and the governments of developing countries.
The Power of Being Needed
Authors: Wells Louis T.
Published: May 2007

The Indosat affair might be viewed as a case of a Third World host country that capriciously and opportunistically took over a financially attractive foreign-owned enterprise. But an examination of other foreign investment disputes in developing countries during the previous two decades indicates that Indonesians and others acted with more reason than caprice. The overall pattern suggests that there was probably little that ITT could have done to protect its investment once its hold on technology had slipped.
Back to Private Power
Authors: Wells Louis T.
Published: May 2007

From the mid-1980s, private ownership and foreign investment began to be touted as solutions to many problems of the Third World. Starved of capital for projects they wanted, many officials in developing countries turned from efforts to evaluate potential foreign investments to marketing programs designed to attract ever more foreigners. The new attitudes encouraged enthusiastic home countries and multilateral institutions to turn attention to providing guarantees of property rights so that they could increase the flow of investment into the developing world. In no sector was the enthusiasm of development institutions for private foreign investment greater than for infrastructure, particularly electricity. Experiences in Indonesia echo those in many other countries and raise serious questions about when privatization is appropriate, how it should be implemented, whether there are better ways to finance and develop infrastructure, and even whether the new guarantees to foreign investors could survive.
Paiton's Power: The Cost of Poor Preparation
Authors: Wells Louis T.
Published: May 2007

With slow growth in home electricity markets, cheap money, and a go-go atmosphere, foreign investors responded eagerly to the new call of emerging markets. Assurances of property rights added to investors' eagerness to undertake projects in risky places. On the other side, Indonesian officials were unprepared for the complexities of power negotiations and encountered pressure from the US government to sign deals that benefited US companies. Most importantly, the personal interests of some Indonesians overrode the good of the nation.
Paiton's Power: More Home Government Support
Authors: Wells Louis T.
Published: May 2007

In September 1994, a ceremony marked the official start of the construction of Paiton I. Attending were the US ambassador and representatives of some institutions that might put up money, along with the secretary general of the Ministry of Finance. One might have expected higher level Indonesian officials for such a large project, but this was really only a ceremony. No contract for construction had been executed and the all-important financing was still missing. The US government were to become much more deeply involved before the project could proceed. This chapter will show that the involvement was so deep that one must question the meaning of “turning to the private sector” for infrastructure.
Evaluating Paiton I
Authors: Wells Louis T.
Published: May 2007

Indonesians and others began to criticize the terms of the Paiton I deal. Although one can quibble with critics' calculations, all approaches raised serious questions about whether the deal was good for Indonesia. The costs were high, even though major risks were assigned to the host country. The way risks were accounted for, for this and the other tewnty-six Indonesian power agreements, ensured that the Asian Currency Crisis would bring them all down. Collapse would come even before projects had been finished.
Paiton I: Promises Fail
Authors: Wells Louis T.
Published: May 2007

Following several years of very strong economic growth, Southeast Asia's long boom came to an abrupt end. The first alarm sounded when Thailand's currency was devalued in July of 1997. As the financial crisis spread through the region, Indonesia was hit hardest of all. The collapse of the Indonesian rupiah brought down all twenty-seven of the electric power agreements that had so recently been concluded. Their debt-like characteristics made absolutely sure of this.