bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Quest for a Glocal Public Theology
Authors: Pearson Clive 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWill Storrar makes the case for a glocal public theology arguing that where the practitioner is located matters. The underlying assumption is the need for 'good partners' and the possibility of theologies in one site critically informing another. What needs to be negotiated is the extent to which these 'partnerships' are uneven. The idea of a public theology surfaced in the established centres of the western theological tradition, but how can the categories of a public theology developed in the United States, for example, inform the shape of a comparable theology in Australia? The benefit of exploring this question is that it enables the history and critical scholarship of two locations to be named. For the more solid establishment of a public theology in Australia this is a strategic task, since the term is being used increasingly, but with arguably insufficient attention being paid to meaning, definition and task.
Embracing a Threatening Other: Identity and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland
Authors: Clegg Cecelia 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn exploring the interaction between reconciliation and identity in the process of making peace in post-conflict Northern Ireland, this article argues that while political and inter-personal levels of reconciliation are important, it is societal reconciliation which is pivotal in securing the sustainability of 'peace'. The article offers a detailed definition of 'social reconciliation' which it locates in the development of a multi-layered typology of reconciliation. The implications of what it claims is the necessary re-negotiation of identities in a post-conflict society are teased out with reference to the situation in Northern Ireland. Some contours of the need to embrace the other, even a threatening other, are sketched.
Tilling and Caring for the Earth: Public Theology and Ecology
Authors: Bedford-Strohm Heinrich 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis article examines the task of public theology in contributing to the public debate by drawing from theological resources for ethical orientation and at the same time explaining why this orientation makes good sense for all people of good will. From a concrete example, the different factors involved in political decisions on ecologically relevant issues are revealed. Three fundamental types of defining the relationship between human beings and non-human nature can be identified: a utilitarian anthropocentrism that radically subordinates non-human nature to the interests of humanity; a nature-centred approach that sees humanity embedded in nature, equal with any other part of creation and, finally, an anthropocentrism of responsibility that affirms the dignity of nature while acknowledging a conflict between humanity and nonhuman nature. The article further develops the third approach as most appropriate for public theology and highlights the minimization of human violence as its consequence for political decisions.
Ancestral Veneration and the Possiblity of its Incorporation into the Christian Faith
Authors: Jebadu Alexander 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn Nostra Aetate – one of the 16 documents of the Second Vatican Council – the Catholic Church firmly declares: 'The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in other religions⃜ The Church, therefore, urges all her sons and daughters to enter with prudence and charity into discussions and collaboration with members of other religious faith traditions…; (cf. NA. 2). The so-called 'other religions' as stated by Nostra Aetate includes traditional religion in the form of ancestral veneration. It is still widely and popularly practiced by Christians of various ethnic groups in Asia and Africa as well as in other parts of the world – Latin America, Melanesia and Australia (the Aborigines). Despite the suppression and expulsion done in the past, this religious tradition is still able to survive and continue to demonstrate its vital force in the lives of many Asians and Africans, including those who have embraced the Christian faith. In this article we argue that ancestral veneration does not contradict the Christian faith. It has a place in the Christian faith and should be incorporated into, at least, in Catholic Christian devotion.
An Idealized Two-Dimensional Framework to Study the West African Monsoon. Part I: Validation and Key Controlling Factors
Authors: Peyrillé Philippe , Lafore Jean-Philippe , Redelsperger Jean-Luc 
Published: August 2007

An idealized vertical–meridional zonally symmetric model is developed in order to recover a July typical monsoon regime over West Africa in response to surface conditions. The model includes a parameterization to account for heat and momentum fluxes associated with eddies. The sensitivity of the simulated West African monsoon equilibrium regime to some major processes is explored. It allows confirmation of the important role played by the sun’s latitudinal position, the aerosols, the albedo, and the SST’s magnitude in the Gulf of Guinea and in the Mediterranean Sea. The important role of aerosols in warming the Saharan lower layers and their effect on the whole monsoon is underlined. Model results also stress the importance of the Mediterranean Sea, which is needed to obtain the extreme dryness of the Sahara. The use of this idealized model is finally discussed for studying the scale interactions and coupling involved in the West African monsoon as explored in a companion paper.
Variational Assimilation of Global Microwave Rainfall Retrievals: Physical and Dynamical Impact on GEOS Analyses
Authors: Lin Xin , Zhang Sara Q. , Hou Arthur Y. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Global microwave rainfall retrievals from a five-satellite constellation, including the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager, Special Sensor Microwave Imager from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F13, F14, and F15, and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer from the Earth Observing System Aqua, are assimilated into the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) Data Assimilation System using a 1D variational continuous assimilation (VCA) algorithm. The physical and dynamical impact of rainfall assimilation on GEOS analyses is examined at various temporal and spatial scales. This study demonstrates that the 1D VCA algorithm, which was originally developed and evaluated for rainfall assimilations over tropical oceans, can effectively assimilate satellite microwave rainfall retrievals and improve GEOS analyses over both the Tropics and the extratropics where the atmospheric processes are dominated by different large-scale dynamics and moist physics, and also over land, where rainfall estimates from passive microwave radiometers are believed to be less accurate. Results show that rainfall assimilation renders the GEOS analysis physically and dynamically more consistent with the observed precipitation at the monthly mean and 6-h time scales. Over regions where the model precipitation tends to misbehave in distinctly different rainy regimes, the 1D VCA algorithm, by compensating for errors in the model’s moist time tendency in a 6-h analysis window, is able to bring the rainfall analysis closer to the observed. The radiation and cloud fields also tend to be in better agreement with independent satellite observations in the rainfall–assimilation run especially over regions where rainfall analyses indicate large improvements. Assimilation experiments with and without rainfall data for a midlatitude frontal system clearly indicate that the GEOS analysis is improved through changes in the thermodynamic and dynamic fields that respond to the rainfall assimilation. The synoptic structures of temperature, moisture, winds, divergence, and vertical motion, as well as vorticity, are more realistically captured across the front.
Adjoint Sensitivity of Surface Precipitation to Initial Conditions
Authors: Mahfouf Jean-François , Bilodeau Bernard 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
The adjoint version of the Global Environmental Multiscale model including a comprehensive package of simplified and linearized physical processes (large-scale condensation, deep moist convection, vertical diffusion, and subgrid-scale orographic effects) is used to evaluate the sensitivity of surface precipitation to initial conditions for up to 24 h for two meteorological systems: a midlatitude front and a tropical cyclone. Such diagnostics are useful to improve the understanding on variational assimilation of precipitation data. In agreement with a similar study, the largest sensitivity is found with respect to the temperature field for both stratiform and convective precipitation. Close to the observation time and for stratiform precipitation, the sensitivity with respect to specific humidity is rather large, which corroborates conclusions from previous one-dimensional variational data assimilation experimentations. The sensitivity is then reduced significantly after the observation time. The sensitivities of surface precipitation to the wind components and to specific humidity are comparable and are at a maximum at the observation time. The sensitivity to the surface pressure is always much smaller than the sensitivity to the other variables. In general, sensitivities are largest at the observation time and then decrease. However, for the midlatitude perturbation, the sensitivity is enhanced after 12 h for stratiform precipitation and also for convective precipitation using a scheme based on the moisture convergence closure. This results from a dynamical coupling upstream of the area of interest through baroclinic instability as evidenced by vertically backward-tilted sensitivities. Such enhancement is not observed for the tropical case. The tangent-linear approximation remains acceptable for accumulated precipitation up to 24 h but is rather poor for instantaneous rain rates. The variational assimilation of accumulated precipitation should thus be favored.
Breathing-enhanced upper extremity exercises for patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mutluay F.K. , Demir R. , Ozyilmaz S. , Caglar A.T. , Altintas A. , Gurses H.N. 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of breathing-enhanced upper extremity exercises on the respiratory function of patients with multiple sclerosis. Design: Randomized controlled study of six-week duration. Subjects: Forty patients with multiple sclerosis (age 39.2 ± 7 years; Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale scores: 4.51 ± 1.55) randomly divided into two groups. Methods: The training group followed a six-week home training programme designed to strengthen accessory respiratory muscles. Controls performed no exercises. All subjects submitted to baseline and post-training tests of spirometry, respiratory muscle strength and 6-minute walking. They were also assessed with pulmonary dysfunction and exertion fatigue indices. Results: Spirometry revealed clear improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1) (+13%, P = 0.003) resulting in higher FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) (+8.5%, P = 0.03). Maximal inspiratory pressure ( PImax) increased by +7.1% but not significantly. Maximal expiratory pressure ( PEmax) and FVC were significantly higher (by +7.1%, P = 0.0066 and +4.8%, P = 0.036 respectively) with respect to baseline measures. Pulmonary dysfunction was reduced (—9%, P = 0.002) while 6-minute walking distance was longer (+16%, P = 0.029) at equal exertion fatigue level. Conclusions: The programme improved most pulmonary performance measures and had clinical significance. Its sustained application may prevent respiratory complications frequently observed in the later stages of multiple sclerosis.
Validation of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL): test of reliability and validity of the Danish version (SS-QOL-DK)
Authors: Muus Ingrid , Williams Linda S. , Ringsberg Karin C. 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To test the reliability and validity of the Danish version of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale version 2.0 (SS-QOL-DK), an instrument for evaluation of health-related quality of life. Design: A correlational study. Setting: A stroke unit that provides acute care and rehabilitation for stroke patients in Frederiksborg County, Denmark. Subjects: One hundred and fifty-two stroke survivors participated; 24 of these performed test—retest. Intervention: Questionnaires were sent out and returned by mail. A subsequent telephone interview assessed functional level and missing items. Main outcome measures : Test—retest was measured using Spearman's r, internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha, and evaluation of floor and ceiling values in proportion of minimum and maximum scores. Construct validity was assessed by comparing patients' scores on the SS-QOL-DK with those obtained by other test methods: Beck's Depression Index, the General Health Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36), the Barthel Index and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, evaluating shared variance using coefficient of determination, r2. Comparing groups with known scores assessed known-group validity. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed. Results: Test—retest of SS-QOL-DK showed excellent stability, Spearman's r = 0.65—0.99. Internal consistency for all domains showed Cronbach's α = 0.81—0.94. Missing items rate was 1.0%. Most SS-QOL-DK domains showed moderately shared variance with similar domains of other test methods, r2 = 0.03—0.62. Groups with known differences showed statistically significant difference in scores. Item-to-scale correlation coefficients of 0.37—0.88 supported convergent validity. Conclusions: SS-QOL-DK is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring self-reported health-related quality of life on group level among people with mild to moderate stroke.
Pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of additional supported standing practice on functional ability post stroke
Authors: Allison Rhoda , Dennett Rachel 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To investigate whether provision of additional standing practice increases motor recovery and mobility post stroke. Design: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting: A stroke rehabilitation unit in the UK. Participants: Seventeen participants, seven women and ten men, age range 51—92 admitted to the unit 6—58 days post stroke. Intervention: Each participant was randomly allocated into a control (conventional physiotherapy) or treatment (conventional therapy plus an additional session of standing practice) group. The period of intervention ranged from 14 to 28 days dependent upon length of stay on the unit. Outcome measures: The Gross Functional Tool Section of the Rivermead Motor Assessment, the Trunk Control Test and the Berg Balance Scale were used on admission to the study, at weekly intervals during the intervention, and at 12 weeks (after discharge). Results: Of the 17 participants recruited, three withdrew from the additional intervention group citing fatigue as a barrier and 15 completed the study. Participants completing additional standing practice demonstrated higher scores in all motor measures at week 12, but this difference was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.05) in the changes in Berg Balance score when comparing week 1 with week 12, in support of the group receiving extra standing practice. Conclusions: A larger study is required to establish the value of additional standing practice after stroke. This pilot demonstrates that the Gross Functional Tool Section of the Rivermead Motor Assessment and the Berg Balance Scale would be useful in such a study. Fatigue may be a significant barrier to ability to participate in more intensive programmes so screening participants for severe fatigue may be useful.
Adaptor protein Lnk negatively regulates the mutant MPL, MPLW515L associated with myeloproliferative disorders
Authors: Gery Sigal , Gueller Saskia , Chumakova Katya , Kawamata Norihiko , Liu Liqin , Koeffler H. Phillip 
Published: August 2007

AbstractRecently, activating myeloproliferative leukemia virus oncogene (MPL) mutations, MPLW515L/K, were described in myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) patients. MPLW515L leads to activation of downstream signaling pathways and cytokine-independent proliferation in hematopoietic cells. The adaptor protein Lnk is a negative regulator of several cytokine receptors, including MPL. We show that overexpression of Lnk in Ba/F3-MPLW515L cells inhibits cytokine-independent growth, while suppression of Lnk in UT7-MPLW515L cells enhances proliferation. Lnk blocks the activation of Jak2, Stat3, Erk, and Akt in these cells. Furthermore, MPLW515L-expressing cells are more susceptible to Lnk inhibitory functions than their MPL wild-type (MPLWT)–expressing counterparts. Lnk associates with activated MPLWT and MPLW515L and colocalizes with the receptors at the plasma membrane. The SH2 domain of Lnk is essential for its binding and for its down-regulation of MPLWT and MPLW515L. Lnk itself is tyrosine-phosphorylated following thrombopoietin stimulation. Further elucidating the cellular pathways that attenuate MPLW515L will provide insight into the pathogenesis of MPD and could help develop specific therapeutic approaches.
Absence of regulatory T-cell control of TH1 and TH17 cells is responsible for the autoimmune-mediated pathology in chronic graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Chen Xiao , Vodanovic-Jankovic Sanja , Johnson Bryon , Keller Melissa , Komorowski Richard , Drobyski William R. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractGraft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains the major complication after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The process whereby acute GVHD mediated by alloreactive donor T cells transitions into chronic GVHD, which is characterized by prominent features of auto-immunity, has long been unresolved. In this study, we demonstrate that GVHD-associated autoimmunity and, by extension, chronic GVHD is attributable to the progressive loss of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells during the course of acute GVHD. This leads to the expansion of donor-derived CD4+ T cells with TH1 and TH17 cytokine phenotypes that release proinflammatory cytokines and cause autoimmune-mediated pathological damage. These T cells are present early after transplantation, indicating that the pathophysiological events that lead to chronic GVHD are set in motion during the acute phase of GVHD. We conclude that the absence of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells coupled with unregulated TH1 and TH17 cells leads to the development of autoimmunity and that donor-derived TH1 and TH17 cells serve as the nexus between acute and chronic GVHD.
CysLT2 receptors interact with CysLT1 receptors and down-modulate cysteinyl leukotriene–dependent mitogenic responses of mast cells
Authors: Jiang Yongfeng , Borrelli Laura A. , Kanaoka Yoshihide , Bacskai Brian J. , Boyce Joshua A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) induce inflammation through 2 G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), CysLT1 and CysLT2, which are coexpressed by most myeloid cells. Cys-LTs induce proliferation of mast cells (MCs), transactivate c-Kit, and phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Although MCs express CysLT2, their responses to cys-LTs are blocked by antagonists of CysLT1. We demonstrate that CysLT2 interacts with CysLT1, and that knockdown of CysLT2 increases CysLT1 surface expression and CysLT1-dependent proliferation of cord blood–derived human MCs (hMCs). Cys-LT–mediated responses were absent in MCs from mice lacking CysLT1 receptors, but enhanced by the absence of CysLT2 receptors. CysLT1 and CysLT2 receptors colocalized to the plasma membranes and nuclei of a human MC line, LAD2. Antibody-based fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy confirmed complexes containing both receptors based on fluorescence energy transfer. Negative regulation of CysLT1-induced mitogenic signaling responses of MCs by CysLT2 demonstrates physiologically relevant functions for GPCR heterodimers on primary cells central to inflammation.
Expressed sequences tags of the anther smut fungus, Microbotryum violaceum, identify mating and pathogenicity genes
Authors: Yockteng Roxana , Marthey Sylvain , Chiapello Hélène , Gendrault Annie , Hood Michael E , Rodolphe François , Devier Benjamin , Wincker Patrick , Dossat Carole , Giraud Tatiana 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe basidiomycete fungusMicrobotryum violaceumis responsible for the anther-smut disease in many plants of the Caryophyllaceae family and is a model in genetics and evolutionary biology. Infection is initiated by dikaryotic hyphae produced after the conjugation of two haploid sporidia of opposite mating type. This study describesM. violaceumESTs corresponding to nuclear genes expressed during conjugation and early hyphal production.ResultsA normalized cDNA library generated 24,128 sequences, which were assembled into 7,765 unique genes; 25.2% of them displayed significant similarity to annotated proteins from other organisms, 74.3% a weak similarity to the same set of known proteins, and 0.5% were orphans. We identified putative pheromone receptors and genes that in other fungi are involved in the mating process. We also identified many sequences similar to genes known to be involved in pathogenicity in other fungi. TheM. violaceumEST database, MICROBASE, is available on the Web and provides access to the sequences, assembled contigs, annotations and programs to compare similarities against MICROBASE.ConclusionThis study provides a basis for cloning the mating type locus, for further investigation of pathogenicity genes in the anther smut fungi, and for comparative genomics.
Reduced tumor growth in vivo and increased c-Abl activity in PC3 prostate cancer cells overexpressing the Shb adapter protein
Authors: Davoodpour Padideh , Landström Maréne , Welsh Michael 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackgroundInduction of apoptosis is one strategy for treatment of prostate cancer. The Shb adapter protein has been found to regulate apoptosis in various cell types and consequently human prostate cancer 3 (PC3) cells were transfected to obtain cells overexpressing Shb in order to increase our understanding of the mechanisms regulating PC3 cell apoptosis.MethodsHuman prostate cancer cells (PC3) were transfected with control vector or a vector containing the Shb cDNA. Clones overexpressing Shb were studied with respect to apoptosis (Dapi, M30) and c-Abl activation (Western blot for pY-245-Abl). The cells were exposed to the anti-tumor agent 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) and the p38 MAPK and c-Abl inhibitors SB203580 and STI-571, respectively, after which cell death was determined. In vivo tumor growth and tumor cell proliferation (Ki-67 staining) or apoptosis (active caspase 3 staining) were also determined in nude mice.ResultsPC3 cells overexpressing Shb exhibited increased rates of apoptosis in the presence of the anti-tumor agent 2-ME. The Shb cells displayed increased activity of the pro-apoptotic kinase c-Abl. Pre-treatment with p38 MAPK (SB203580) or c-Abl (STI-571) inhibitors completely blocked 2-ME-induced apoptosis, implicating these two pathways in the response. The PC3-Shb cells displayed reduced tumor growth in vivo, an effect occurring as a consequence of increased apoptosis and reduced DNA synthesis.ConclusionIt is concluded that Shb promotes 2-ME-induced PC3 cell apoptosis by increased pro-apoptotic signaling via the c-Abl pathway and that this causes reduced tumor growth in vivo.