bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Damage, Reorganization, and Abnormal Neocortical Hyperexcitability in the Pilocarpine Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Sanabria Emilio R. Garrido , Da Silva Alexandre V. , Spreafico Roberto , Cavalheiro Esper A. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Clinical, neuropathological, and electrophysiological data have shown that limbic structures are involved in the pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). In most cases, limbic‐originated seizures frequently spread to extrahippocampal areas. It is unclear whether such distant circuitries, especially the neocortex, exhibit abnormal electrophysiology as consequences of a chronic epileptogenic process. The present research studied neuropathological abnormalities and in vitro electrophysiological properties of sensorimotor neocortex in pilocarpine‐treated epileptic rats.Methods: Adult epileptic animals showing six to seven seizures/week and saline‐injected rats were selected for neurohistology. Coronal sections were sampled throughout the anteroposterior extent of the diencephalon and stained with cresyl violet (Nissl). Immunocytochemistry (ICC) was performed using anti‐neurofilament (SMI‐311) antibody. Extracellular (layer II/III) and intracellular (layer V) recordings were performed in coronal sensorimotor neocortical slices. Several electrophysiological aspects were examined such as evoked responses, intrinsic properties, and firing patterns of layer V pyramidal cells.Results: Nissl staining showed a significant decrease of cortical thickness in epileptic rats when compared with controls, particularly in superficial layers (II–IV). Such abnormalities were also revealed by SMI‐311 staining. SMI‐311–labeled dendrite arborizations were more complex in layers I–II of epileptic rats. Epileptic rats manifested several abnormalities in extracellular field responses including hyperresponsiveness and presence of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)‐mediated polysynaptic activity. Although no significant changes were observed concerning passive intrinsic properties, it was possible to detect a higher proportion of bursting neurons distributed in layer V (60%) of epileptic rats compared with 22% in control slices.Conclusions: Taken together, our findings indicate damage, reorganization, and chronic hyperexcitability of sensorimotor neocortex in experimental TLE.
αCaMKII and NMDA‐Receptor Subunit Expression in Epileptogenic Cortex from Human Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia
Authors: Battaglia Giorgio , Pagliardini Silvia , Ferrario Arianna , Gardoni Fabrizio , Tassi Laura , Setola Veronica , Garbelli Rita , LoRusso Giorgio , Spreafico Roberto , Di Luca Monica , Avanzini Giuliano 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) is the most common human brain dysgenesis, very frequently characterized by focal drug‐resistant epilepsy. To understand the cellular mechanisms underlying its intrinsic hyperexcitability, we investigated the expression of glutamate‐receptor subunits and related proteins in four human patients affected by PNH.Methods: PNH was diagnosed by means of magnetic resonance imaging. The epileptogenic area was revealed by depth electrode recordings and removed during epilepsy surgery. Sections from the removed cerebral tissue were analyzed by means of immunocytochemistry (ICC), with antibodies directed against N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA)‐receptor subunits, the α subunit of the Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (αCaMKII), and its active phosphorylated form.Results: The ICC data demonstrated that the subcortical heterotopic nodules were consistently characterized by lower expression of αCaMKII and its activated form. In more pronounced cases (i.e., when the extension of the nodules to the neocortex determined clear layering abnormalities), the heterotopic tissue also was characterized by a decreased expression of NMDA‐receptor subunits, which was particularly evident in the dendritic compartment.Conclusions: These data suggest the existence of an alteration of αCaMKII and the NMDA‐receptor complex in the epileptogenic brain tissue of human PNH, which may play a role in the basic mechanisms of hyperexcitability associated with this brain dysgenesis.
Impaired M‐Current and Neuronal Excitability
Authors: Okada Motohiro , Wada Kazumaru , Kamata Akihisa , Murakami Takuya , Zhu Gang , Kaneko Sunao 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: Benign familial neonatal convulsions (BFNC), a hereditary epilepsy, occurs specifically in newborns and remits spontaneously after this period. Several mutations of either KCNQ2 or KCNQ3, members of the KCNQ‐related K+‐channel (KCNQ‐channel) family, were identified as a cause of BFNC. Such mutations impair KCNQ‐related M‐ current, an element of the inhibitory system in the central nervous system (CNS), and therefore are thought to result in neuronal hyperexcitability.Methods: To clarify the pathogenesis of BFNC, this study investigated the effects of the KCNQ channel on propagation of neuronal excitability using a 64‐channel multielectrode dish (MED64) system for novel two‐dimensional monitoring of evoked field potentials including fiber volley (FV) and field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP).Results: Dup996, a selective KCNQ‐channel inhibitor, did not affect the amplitude of FV or fEPSP, but enhanced the FV and fEPSP propagation. The γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A‐receptor antagonist, bicuculline, enhanced their propagation, whereas α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)/glutamate‐receptor antagonist, DNQX, reduced both amplitude and propagation of fEPSP without affecting those of FV. Under the condition of GABAA‐receptor blockade by bicuculline, Dup996 enhanced the amplitude of fEPSP and propagation of FV and fEPSP without affecting the amplitude of FV. Dup996 enhanced the stimulating effects of bicuculline on the propagation and amplitude of FV and fEPSP, but it did not affect the inhibiting effects of DNQX.Conclusions: These results suggest that the occurrence of BFNC cannot be produced by KCNQ‐channel dysfunction alone but by reciprocal action between impaired KCNQ channel and the other unknown.
Research in Epilepsy: Development Priorities for Developing Nations
Authors: Krishnamoorthy E. S. , Satishchandra P. , Sander J. W. 
Published: March 2003

Summary:  Purpose: To identify research priorities in epilepsy for developing nations.Methods: A panel discussion with audience participation at the Indo‐U.K. Workshop on Epilepsy. This included short presentations by panelists, the presentation of a research proposal, and debate on research priorities.Results: The need to focus on primary‐care populations; to use a multi‐centre random block design; to incorporate rural areas and a service component; to study incidence, natural history, and aetiology; to focus on problems, such as cysticercosis, and to adopt a comprehensive public health–centred approach in doing so; to study disorders of local interest, such as hot water epilepsy; to pilot both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions; to incorporate comprehensive measures of cognition, behaviour, and psychosocial outcome in all studies; and to examine the role of novel diagnostic tools (imaging for example) and therapy (surgery for example) on cost were all outlined as priority areas. Discussion: There is a felt need for greater and better‐quality research output from the developing world. The development of uniform research protocols, the twinning of developed and developing nations for research, and training of developing nations' personnel are likely to increase research output in the years that come.
Selection for developmental time in bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus): correlated responses for other life history traits and genetic architecture of line differentiation
Authors: Šešlija Darka , Tucić Nikola 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn this article we investigate the direct and correlated responses to selection for developmental time in order to discern differences between lines in several preadult and adult life history traits ofAcanthoscelides obtectus(Coleoptera, Bruchidae). Selection for fast development was about five times as effective as selection for slow development, as judged by realized heritabilities. The correlated responses on the following life‐history traits were studied: egg size, hatching success, embryonic developmental time, egg‐to‐adult viability, body weight, first day of egg laying, total fecundity, and longevity. Analyses of the terminal generation of selection showed that all life history traits examined, except for hatching success, were affected by selection. The findings suggest that body weight, total fecundity, and longevity traded off to preadult developmental time. Unlike the adult traits, none of the preadult traits showed negative correlations with developmental time. We also present data concerning the underlying genetic basis that produces changes in preadult developmental time, body weight, and egg‐to‐adult viability in the lines selected for fast and slow preadult developmental time. Additive‐dominance genetic architecture for both preadult developmental time and body weight was found. In addition, it appears that the responses to selection for preadult developmental time involved between 10 and 28 loci, which were correlated with at least one to four genes for body weight. Epistasis makes a significant contribution to genetic divergence between fast and slow selected lines only with respect to preadult viability. The observed levels of dominance and epistasis underscore the important role of nonadditive genetic effects to the adaptive diversifications of bean weevil populations.
Neue Entwicklungen in der systemischen Psoriasistherapie
Authors: Friedrich Markus , Sterry Wolfram , Asadullah Khusru 
Published: March 2003

ZusammenfassungDie etablierten systemischen Therapien zur Behandlung der Psoriasis sind durch ein hohes Nebenwirkungspotential gekennzeichnet. Fortschritte im Verständnis der Pathophysiologie der Psoriasis, als T‐Zell‐vermittelte Dermatose, eröffnen Möglichkeiten für neue, gezieltere therapeutische Ansätze. Diese immunologischen Behandlungsstrategien zielen im wesentlichen auf eine Inhibition/Depletion von aktivierten T‐Lymphozyten, eine Hemmung der Antigenpräsentation und damit auf die Regulation der T‐Zellaktivierung, die Hemmung der Adhäsion inflammatorischer Zellen, die Hemmung der Wirkung von proinflammatorischen Mediatoren und die Applikation von antiinflammatorischen Zytokinen ab. Der Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über diese neuen systemischen Therapieansätze. Die klinischen Ergebnisse aus den ersten Anwendungen sind heterogen. Einige der hier diskutierten Ansätze könnten zu neuen zugelassenen Medikamenten zur Behandlung der Psoriasis führen und so die bestehenden therapeutischen Optionen ergänzen oder aber sogar auch ablösen. Die Ergebnisse aus den experimentellen Therapieversuchen tragen zudem auch zum besseren Verständnis der Erkrankung bei. So lernen wir, welche Mechanismen eine mehr oder weniger große Bedeutung bei der Erkrankung haben, was wiederum Impulse für noch gezieltere pharmakologische Beeinflussungen geben wird.
A non‐linear sensitivity analysis of cross‐country growth regressions
Authors: Kalaitzidakis Pantelis , Mamuneas Theofanis P. , Stengos Thanasis 
Published: March 2003

We extend the sensitivity analysis of cross‐country growth regressions of Levine and Renelt (1992) by introducing a semi‐parametric formulation of their regression function. Our results differ from theirs in how certain policy variables affect growth rates. We find that distortion variables, such as the standard deviation of gross domestic credit and inflation and real exchange rate distortions, have a robust negative effect on growth. JEL Classification: O47, C14 Une analyse de sensibilité non‐linéaire des régressions de croissance pour divers pays. Les auteurs utilisent une formulation semi‐paramétrique des équations de croissance de Levine et Renelt (1992) pour divers pays afin de rendre leur analyse de sensibilité plus compréhensive. Les résultats different de ceux de Levine et Renelt en ce que certaines variables de politique affectent les taux de croissance. On découvre que certains facteurs comme l'écart type du crédit intérieur brut et de l'inflation, et des distorsions des taux de change réels, ont un effet négatif important sur la croissance.
Technology and the demand for skills in Canada: an industry‐level analysis
Authors: Gera Surendra , Gu Wulong , Lin Zhengxi 
Published: March 2003

In this paper we examine the effect of technological change on the relative demand for skilled workers across Canadian industries. We find that skill upgrading at the aggregate level is less evident in Canada than in the United States and other industrialized economies over the 1981–94 period. Behind this overall trend on skill upgrading, there is substantial variation across industrial sectors. Consistent with the skill‐biased technological change hypothesis, the technology indicators – the stock of patents used by the industry and the age of capital stock – are found to be significantly correlated with skill intensity. JEL Classification: E24, J23, J31, O33 Technologie et demande de travailleurs qualifiés: une analyse au niveau de l'industrie. Ce mémoire examine les effets du changement technologique sur la demande de travailleurs qualifiés dans les industries canadiennes. On montre que l'amélioration du niveau des compétences au niveau agrégé est moins claire au Canada qu'aux Etats‐Unis et dans les autres économies industrialisées au cours de la période 1981–94. Derrière cette tendance générale, il y a cependant des variations importantes entre les secteurs industriels. On trouve que les indicateurs de niveau technologique (le stock de brevets, l'âge du stock de capital) sont co‐reliés positivement au degré d'intensité d'utilisation des compétences – ce qui s'arrime bien avec l'hypothèse du changement technologique liéà une amélioration du niveau des compétences
Scalability in Formal Concept Analysis
Authors: Cole Richard , Eklund Peter W. 
Published: March 2003

Formal Concept Analysis is a symbolic learning technique derived from mathematical algebra and order theory. The technique has been applied to a broad range of knowledge representation and exploration tasks in a number of domains. Most recorded applications of Formal Concept Analysis deal with a small number of objects and attributes, in which case the complexity of the algorithms used for indexing and retrieving data is not a significant issue. However, when Formal Concept Analysis is applied to exploration of a large numbers of objects and attributes, the size of the data makes issues of complexity and scalability crucial.This paper presents the results of experiments carried out with a set of 4,000 medical discharge summaries in which were recognized 1,962 attributes from the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS). In this domain, the objects are medical documents (4,000) and the attributes are UMLS terms extracted from the documents (1,962). When Formal Concept Analysis is used to iteratively analyze and visualize these data, complexity and scalability become critically important.Although the amount of data used in this experiment is small compared with the size of primary memory in modern computers, the results are still important because the probability distributions that determine the efficiencies are likely to remain stable as the size of the data is increased.Our work presents two outcomes. First, we present a methodology for exploring knowledge in text documents using Formal Concept Analysis by employing conceptual scales created as the result of direct manipulation of a line diagram. The conceptual scales lead to small derived purified contexts that are represented using nested line diagrams. Second, we present an algorithm for the fast determination of purified contexts from compressed representation of the large formal context. Our work draws on existing encoding and compression techniques to show how rudimentary data analysis can lead to substantial efficiency improvements in knowledge visualization.
Institutional Reforms and Democratization in Korea: the Case of the Kim Young Sam Administration, 1993–1998
Authors: Hahm Sung Deuk , Kim Kwang Woong 
Published: March 2003

This article examines the nature of political and institutional reform initiatives that have been carried out under former president Kim Young Sam. How effective have they been in consolidating democracy in Korea? Specifically, we examine why the Kim Young Sam government's political reform campaigns have been limited, and explore the impact of this limitation on his institutional reform initiatives and the process of consolidation of democracy in Korea.We argue that Kim Young Sam's initial political reform campaigns have contributed to creating a favorable environment for his institutional reform efforts. However, limitations of these initial political reform campaigns such as political funding and bribery scandals have hampered institutional reforms. We also argue that these difficulties were intensified by public dissatisfaction with Korea's poor economic performance and International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial assistance. As a result, Kim Young Sam's moral legitimacy as a civilian and reform‐oriented leader toward the public has totally evaporated.Therefore, experiences under the Kim Young Sam administration are just trials and errors of democratization that show another failure in presidential leadership in Korea. These experiences will negatively affect the consolidation process of democracy in Korea by increasing the public's distrust of government as a whole. As a result, democratic consolidation in Korea is being delayed.
Sparkling Fountains or Stagnant Ponds: An Integrative Model of Creativity and Innovation Implementation in Work Groups
Authors: West Michael A. 
Published: March 2003

Cet article présente une synthèse des recherches et théories qui éclairent notre compréhension de la créativité et de la mise en œuvre de l’innovation dans les groupes de travail. Il semble que la créativité apparaisse essentiellement au cours des premières étapes du processus, avant la mise en œuvre. On étudie l’influence des caractéristiques de la tâche, des capacités et de l’éventail des connaissances du groupe, des demandes externes, des mécanismes d’intégration et de cohérence de groupe. La perception d’une menace, l’incertitude ou de fortes exigences entravent la créativité, mais favorisent l’innovation. La diversité des connaissances et des capacités est un bon prédicteur de l’innovation, mais l’intégration du groupe et les compétences sont indispensables pour récolter les fruits de la diversité. On examine aussi les implications théoriques et pratiques de ces considérations.In this article I synthesise research and theory that advance our understanding of creativity and innovation implementation in groups at work. It is suggested that creativity occurs primarily at the early stages of innovation processes with innovation implementation later. The influences of task characteristics, group knowledge diversity and skill, external demands, integrating group processes and intragroup safety are explored. Creativity, it is proposed, is hindered whereas perceived threat, uncertainty or other high levels of demands aid the implementation of innovation. Diversity of knowledge and skills is a powerful predictor of innovation, but integrating group processes and competencies are needed to enable the fruits of this diversity to be harvested. The implications for theory and practice are also explored.
Strengthening Financial Markets for the Poor
Authors: Duncan Alex 
Published: March 2003

Books reviewed in this article:Martin Brownbridge and Charles Harvey, Banking in Africa: the Impact of Financial Sector Reform since IndependenceMachiko Nissanke and Ernest Aryeetey, Financial Integration and Development: Liberalisation and Reform in sub‐Saharan AfricaGeoffrey D. Wood and Iffath A. Sharif (eds.), Who Needs Credit? Poverty and Finance in Bangladesh
The development of face and location processing: an fMRI study
Authors: Passarotti Alessandra M. , Paul Brianna M. , Bussiere Joseph R. , Buxton Richard B. , Wong Eric C. , Stiles Joan 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAlthough a few developmental fMRI studies have shed some light on the neurological development of either object or spatial processing we still know very little about the development of the ‘what’ and ‘where’ processing systems. The present study is the first to address this issue by comparing, concurrently and within the same behavioral paradigm, patterns of functional activation for face processing and location processing in 12 children (10–12 years old) and 16 adults. For both tasks this study found a developmental shift from a more distributed pattern of activation in children to a more focused pattern of activation in adults. Furthermore, the type of developmental redistribution of activation in children varied depending on the task. The present findings have important implications for theories of visuospatial development. They suggest that the neural systems involved in face and location processing may undergo development and fine‐tuning well into late childhood.
An assessment of Disaster Risk and its Management in Thailand
Authors: Shook Gary 
Published: March 2003

Historically, Thailand has been a disaster‐free country, suffering only minor losses from natural hazards through the years. Emerging as a newly industrialised nation, the kingdom now faces an increased risk of economic and public damage from man‐made disasters associated with rapid development. A risk assessment was carried out on the level of disaster management. That assessment was preceded by an analysis of the traditional definitions of disaster risk, resulting in a redefinition to fit the needs of this study. This holds that the risk of disaster is the product of hazards, vulnerability and the level of management exercised over both the hazard and the vulnerable elements.The results of the risk assessment, conducted through analysis of those three components, are discussed along with impediments which may hinder good disaster or accident management. Floods, in both natural and man‐made manifestations, were identified as the highest risk factor, followed by major accidents and explosions, both man‐made hazards. Major recommendations arising from the study included the consolidation of disaster management responsibilities currently held by several agencies into a central co‐ordinating committee, the review and restructure of related law and regulations, the conduct of provincial and country‐wide hazard assessments and the creation of a ‘culture of safety’ in Thailand
Chuukese travellers and the idea of horizon
Authors: Peter Joachim 
Published: March 2003

Travelling, as movement, has always been a tradition of atoll islanders. Their travels continue to identify the ways in which atoll peoples understand, appropriate, and manipulate space and boundaries. This paper argues that travelling is as relevant to islanders today as in the past and examines meanings in Chuuk islanders' travel.‘Horizon’, the space ‘out there’, is a metaphorical model of space for atoll peoples with many traditions of travel. ‘Horizon’ is also a dual concept. The horizon is the space within which the islander traveller is located that is ‘strange’ and ‘foreign’. It is also the horizon, as a defined space, that locates and brings those strange and foreign forces into the places of atoll residents and across familiar boundaries. The narrative traditions of Chuuk islanders will be used to explore these dual formulations of horizon and the different terms for travelling among an atoll people. Discussion will focus on how islanders define the boundaries of their horizon in their travels and the meanings that these boundaries give travelling or movements.