bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytosolic γ-Glutamyl Peptidases Process Glutathione Conjugates in the Biosynthesis of Glucosinolates and Camalexin in Arabidopsis
Authors: Geu-Flores Fernando , Møldrup Morten Emil , Böttcher Christoph , Olsen Carl Erik , Scheel Dierk , Halkier Barbara Ann
Published: June 2011

The defense-related plant metabolites known as glucosinolates play important roles in agriculture, ecology, and human health. Despite an advanced biochemical understanding of the glucosinolate pathway, the source of the reduced sulfur atom in the core glucosinolate structure remains unknown. Recent evidence has pointed toward GSH, which would require further involvement of a GSH conjugate processing enzyme. In this article, we show that an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant impaired in the production of the γ-glutamyl peptidases GGP1 and GGP3 has altered glucosinolate levels and accumulates up to 10 related GSH conjugates. We also show that the double mutant is impaired in the production of camalexin and accumulates high amounts of the camalexin intermediate GS-IAN upon induction. In addition, we demonstrate that the cellular and subcellular localization of GGP1 and GGP3 matches that of known glucosinolate and camalexin enzymes. Finally, we show that the purified recombinant GGPs can metabolize at least nine of the 10 glucosinolate-related GSH conjugates as well as GS-IAN. Our results demonstrate that GSH is the sulfur donor in the biosynthesis of glucosinolates and establish an in vivo function for the only known cytosolic plant γ-glutamyl peptidases, namely, the processing of GSH conjugates in the glucosinolate and camalexin pathways.
Evaluation of the Visibility of Vessel Movement Features in Trajectory Visualizations
Authors: Willems Niels , van de Wetering Huub , van Wijk Jarke J.
Published: June 2011

There are many visualizations that show the trajectory of a moving object to obtain insights in its behavior. In this user study, we test the performance of three of these visualizations with respect to three movement features that occur in vessel behavior. Our goal is to compare the recently presented vessel density by Willems et al. [WvdWvW09] with well‐known trajectory visualizations such as an animation of moving dots and the space‐time cube. We test these visualizations with common maritime analysis tasks by investigating the ability of users to find stopping objects, fast moving objects, and estimate the busiest routes in vessel trajectories. We test the robustness of the visualizations towards scalability and the influence of complex trajectories using small‐scale synthetic data sets. The performance is measured in terms of correctness and response time. The user test shows that each visualization type excels for correctness for a specific movement feature. Vessel density performs best for finding stopping objects, but does not perform significantly less than the remaining visualizations for the other features. Therefore, vessel density is a nice extension in the toolkit for analyzing trajectories of moving objects, in particular for vessel movements, since stops can be visualized better, and the performance for comparing lanes and finding fast movers is at a similar level as established trajectory visualizations.
Perceptual Evaluation of Ghosted View Techniques for the Exploration of Vascular Structures and Embedded Flow
Authors: Baer Alexandra , Gasteiger Rocco , Cunningham Douglas , Preim Bernhard
Published: June 2011

This paper presents three controlled perceptual studies investigating the visualization of the cerebral aneurysm anatomy with embedded flow visualization. We evaluate and compare the common semitransparent visualization technique with a ghosted view and a ghosted view with depth enhancement technique. We analyze the techniques’ ability to facilitate and support the shape and spatial representation of the aneurysm models as well as evaluating the smart visibility characteristics. The techniques are evaluated with respect to the participants accuracy, response time and their personal preferences. We used as stimuli 3D aneurysm models of five clinical datasets. There was overwhelming preference for the two ghosted view techniques over the semitransparent technique. Since smart visibility techniques are rarely evaluated, this paper may serve as orientation for further studies.
Complete Tensor Field Topology on 2D Triangulated Manifolds embedded in 3D
Authors: Auer C. , Hotz I.
Published: June 2011

This paper is concerned with the extraction of the surface topology of tensor fields on 2D triangulated manifolds embedded in 3D. In scientific visualization topology is a meaningful instrument to get a hold on the structure of a given dataset. Due to the discontinuity of tensor fields on a piecewise planar domain, standard topology extraction methods result in an incomplete topological skeleton. In particular with regard to the high computational costs of the extraction this is not satisfactory. This paper provides a method for topology extraction of tensor fields that leads to complete results. The core idea is to include the locations of discontinuity into the topological analysis. For this purpose the model of continuous transition bridges is introduced, which allows to capture the entire topology on the discontinuous field. The proposed method is applied to piecewise linear three‐dimensional tensor fields defined on the vertices of the triangulation and for piecewise constant two or three‐dimensional tensor fields given per triangle, e.g. rate of strain tensors of piecewise linear flow fields.
The Undistort Lens
Authors: Brosz John , Carpendale Sheelagh , Nacenta Miguel A.
Published: June 2011

Detail‐in‐context lens techniques can be useful for exploring visualizations of data spaces that are too large or have too much detail to fit in regular displays. For example, by bending the space in the right way we can bring together details from two separate areas for easy comparison while roughly keeping the context that situates each area within the global space. While these techniques can be powerful tools, they also introduce distortions that need to be understood, and often the tools have to be disabled in order to have access to the undistorted data. We introduce the undistort lens, a complement to existing distortion‐based techniques that provides a local and separate presentation of the original geometry without affecting any distortion‐based lenses currently used in the presentation. The undistort lens is designed to allow interactive access to the underlying undistorted data within the context of the distorted space, and to enable a better understanding of the distortions. The paper describes the implementation of a generic back‐mapping mechanism that enables the implementation of undistort lenses for arbitrary distortion based techniques, including those presented in the lens literature. We also provide a series of use‐case scenarios that demonstrate the situations in which the technique can complement existing lenses.
Visualization and Analysis of Eddies in a Global Ocean Simulation
Authors: Williams S. , Hecht M. , Petersen M. , Strelitz R. , Maltrud M. , Ahrens J. , Hlawitschka M. , Hamann B.
Published: June 2011

We present analysis and visualization of flow data from a high‐resolution simulation of the dynamical behavior of the global ocean. Of particular scientific interest are coherent vortical features called mesoscale eddies. We first extract high‐vorticity features using a metric from the oceanography community called the Okubo‐Weiss parameter. We then use a new circularity criterion to differentiate eddies from other non‐eddy features like meanders in strong background currents. From these data, we generate visualizations showing the three‐dimensional structure and distribution of ocean eddies. Additionally, the characteristics of each eddy are recorded to form an eddy census that can be used to investigate correlations among variables such as eddy thickness, depth, and location. From these analyses, we gain insight into the role eddies play in large‐scale ocean circulation.
A Shader Framework for Rapid Prototyping of GPU‐Based Volume Rendering
Authors: Rieder Christian , Palmer Stephan , Link Florian , Hahn Horst K.
Published: June 2011

In this paper, we present a rapid prototyping framework for GPU‐based volume rendering. Therefore, we propose a dynamic shader pipeline based on the SuperShader concept and illustrate the design decisions. Also, important requirements for the development of our system are presented. In our approach, we break down the rendering shader into areas containing code for different computations, which are defined as freely combinable, modularized shader blocks. Hence, high‐level changes of the rendering configuration result in the implicit modification of the underlying shader pipeline. Furthermore, the prototyping system allows inserting custom shader code between shader blocks of the pipeline at run‐time. A suitable user interface is available within the prototyping environment to allow intuitive modification of the shader pipeline. Thus, appropriate solutions for visualization problems can be interactively developed. We demonstrate the usage and the usefulness of our framework with implementations of dynamic rendering effects for medical applications.
Tablorer – An Interactive Tree Visualization System for Tablet PCs
Authors: Shin HyunJu , Park GwangHyun , Han JungHyun
Published: June 2011

A variety of mobile devices are available today, but there is no dominant tree visualization system in the devices. This paper proposes Tablorer, a novel interactive tree visualization system for medium‐sized mobile devices, especially for tablet PCs. The system shows the hierarchical information with a compact way using an expandable table format. For efficient navigation, the system provides an integrated view of context and focus information. The experimental results show that Tablorer can reduce the search time by about 22%.
Comparison of Multiple Weighted Hierarchies: Visual Analytics for Microbe Community Profiling
Authors: Dinkla K. , Westenberg M.A. , Timmerman H.M. , van Hijum S.A.F.T. , van Wijk J.J.
Published: June 2011

We propose visual analytics techniques to support concurrent comparison of hundreds of cumulatively weighted instances of a single hierarchy. This includes a node‐link representation of the hierarchy where nodes depict the weights of all instances with high‐density heat maps that are grouped and aligned to ease cross‐referencing. Hierarchy exploration is facilitated by smoothly animated expansion and collapse of its branches. Detailed information about hierarchy structure, weights, and meta‐data is provided by secondary linked visualizations. These techniques have been implemented in a prototype tool, in which the computational analysis concerns have been strictly separated from the visualization concerns. The analysis algorithms are extensible via a script engine. We discuss the effectiveness of our techniques for the visual analytic process of microbe community profiling experts.
Pathological changes in horses dying with equine influenza in Australia, 2007
Authors: Begg AP , Reece RL , Hum S , Townsend W , Gordon A , Carrick J
Published: June 2011

Analysis of pathology results from the 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Australia indicate that young foals in naïve horse populations are prone to developing broncho‐interstitial pneumonia, and that this can be a rare manifestation of EI virus infection in mature horses. All horses may develop secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia, with mature horses more likely to die. EI outbreaks among heavily pregnant mares can result in increased neonatal losses because of premature placental separation and dystocia causing fetal hypoxia.
Impact of ribavirin dose reduction on the efficacy of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy for elderly patients infected with genotype 1b and high viral loads
Authors: Kohno Hiroshi , Kouno Hirotaka , Aimitsu Shiomi , Aisaka Yasuyuki , Kitamoto Mikiya , Kawakami Hiroiku , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: June 2011

Aim:  To examine the impact of ribavirin dose reduction on the efficacy of pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) plus ribavirin combination therapy for elderly patients infected with genotype 1b and high viral loads.

Methods:  A total of 72 patients, over 65 years old, were recruited for this study. Patients were divided into groups receiving either 600–800 mg of ribavirin according to bodyweight (Group 1, n = 36) or 400 mg of ribavirin (Group 2, n = 36) plus 1.5 µg/kg (range: 1.3–2.0 µg/kg) of PEG IFN‐α‐2b for 48 weeks.

Results:  Total ribavirin doses were administrated at 9.80 ± 2.39 mg/kg per day (3.29 ± 0.80 g/kg) for Group 1 and 5.87 ± 1.82 mg/kg per day (1.97 ± 0.61 g/kg) for Group 2 (P < 0.001). According to the total clearance (CL/F) of ribavirin, 34 of 36 patients in Group 1 received over‐doses of ribavirin. In contrast, numbers of those receiving equivalent doses of ribavirin were two of 36 patients in Group 1 and 36 of 36 patients in Group 2, respectively (P < 0.001). End‐of‐treatment response (ETR) rates were observed in 23 of 36 patients (63.9%) in the standard ribavirin dose protocol and in 23 of 36 patients (63.9%) in the reduction ribavirin dose protocol (NS). Sustained virological response (SVR) rates were observed in 11 of 36 patients (30.6%) in the standard ribavirin dose protocol, and in 13 of 36 patients (36.1%) in the reduced ribavirin dose protocol (NS).

Conclusion:  Reduction of ribavirin doses for elderly patients did not affect the outcome for the 48‐week combination therapy.
Systematic review with meta‐analyses of studies on the association between cirrhosis and liver metastases
Authors: Dahl Emilie , Rumessen Jüri , Gluud Lise L.
Published: June 2011

The hemodynamic, cellular and metabolic changes seen in patients with cirrhosis may reduce the risk of liver metastases. The aim of this case–control is to compare the risk of liver metastases from extrahepatic malignant diseases among patients with or without cirrhosis. Electronic searches (Medline, Embase, and Web of Science) and manual searches were combined (October 2010) to identify observational studies on patients with malignant disease reporting the risk of liver metastases among cases (with cirrhosis) and controls (without liver disease). Meta‐analysis was performed using random effects models due to an expected clinical heterogeneity. Sixteen studies were included. Evidence of liver metastases was diagnosed in 22% of cases and 38% of controls based on autopsies (n = 14 studies) or laparoscopy (n = 2 studies). Random effects meta‐analysis suggested that patients with cirrhosis had a lower risk of liver metastases (relative risk = 0.53; 95% confidence interval = 0.42–0.66). The conclusions were confirmed in sensitivity and subgroup analyses accounting for the year of publication, matching for age, sex and location of tumors (within the portal vein). No statistical evidence of bias was identified and the analyses were confirmed when adjusting for multiple testing. The present review suggests that cirrhosis reduces the risk of liver metastases. However, additional evidence from prospective studies adjusting for confounding factors is still needed.
Human apoE Isoforms Differentially Regulate Brain Amyloid-β Peptide Clearance
Authors: Castellano Joseph M. , Kim Jungsu , Stewart Floy R. , Jiang Hong , DeMattos Ronald B. , Patterson Bruce W. , Fagan Anne M. , Morris John C. , Mawuenyega Kwasi G. , Cruchaga Carlos , Goate Alison M. , Bales Kelly R. , Paul Steven M. , Bateman Randall J. , Holtzman David M.
Published: June 2011

Human apoE4 increases the concentration of soluble Aβ in the brain by impairing its clearance.
Effects of Acupuncture at Taixi Acupoint (KI3) on Kidney Proteome
Authors: Li Chun-Ri , Cheng Ze-Dong , Zhang Zhi-Xing , Kim Andre , Ha Jong-Myung , Song Yuan-Yuan , Zheng Jie , Chen Yi-Guo
Published: June 2011

This research explored and identified the protein composition of rat kidneys after acupuncture at the Taixi acupoint (KI3). Twelve adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group (n = 6) and an acupuncture group (n = 6). Rats in the acupuncture group received electroacupuncture on the bilateral KI3 for seven days. The kidneys were perfused with ice-cold saline and all kidney proteins were isolated. After protein sample preparation, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was performed. The interesting spots were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). There were nine protein spots with three-fold up-regulation in the kidney after the acupuncture. NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase and quinone reductase, the proteins involved in energy metabolism, the reduction of endogenous quinones, chemoprotection, and electrophilic stress, were identified. The data indicated that acupuncture at the KI3 of the kidney meridian of the foot shaoyin was able to increase NAD-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase and quinone reductase expression in the kidney, and supported the relationship between the kidney and KI3.
Systems Biology in a Commercial Quality Study of the JapaneseAngelicaRadix: Toward an Understanding of Traditional Medicinal Plants
Authors: Katoh Akira , Fukuda Shinzo , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Hashimoto Takashi , Hayasaki Tomoyuki , Kanaya Shigehiko , Komura Hajime , Nomoto Kyosuke , Shojo Masayuki , Takeno Kanokwan Jumtee
Published: June 2011

The commercial quality of Japanese Angelica radices — Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa (Yamato-toki) and A. acutiloba Kitagawa var. sugiyama Hikino (Hokkai-toki) — used in Kampo traditional herbal medicines, was studied by use of omics technologies. Complementary and alternative medical providers have observed in their clinical experience that differences in radix commercial quality reflect the differences in pharmacological responses; however, there has been little scientific examination of this phenomenon. The approach of omics, including metabolomics, transcriptomics, genomics, and informatics revealed a distinction between the radix-quality grades based on their metabolites, gene expression in human subjects, and plant genome sequences. Systems biology, constructing a network of omics data used to analyze this complex system, is expected to be a powerful tool for enhancing the study of radix quality and furthering a comprehensive understanding of all medicinal plants.
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE DOPING PROPERTIES OF ZnSe NANOCRYSTALS
Authors: MA XIYING , SONG JINWEI
Published: June 2011

This paper investigates the properties of ZnSe nanocrystals doped with single N , P or As atoms (for p-type doping) or single F , Cl or Br atoms (for n-type doping). The crystals are simulated using the local density functional method. Structures doped with an N or Cl atom remained symmetrical, but some distortion appeared with the other dopants. We found that N is the most efficient acceptor impurity for p-type doping, while Cl is the most suitable impurity for n-type doping. In the case of heavy p-type doping, complex defects such as N Se – Zn – V Se and N Se – Zn int easily form in the structure. We found that N Se – Zn – V Se produces a deep acceptor level in the bandgap, while N Se – Zn int produces a compensating donor level in p-type doping. The latter is the main reason for that p-type ZnSe is difficult to achieve. This study is useful to researchers investigating p- and n-type doping as well as device manufacturers.
DYNAMICAL MODES OF POLYMER TRANSLOCATING THROUGH INTERACTING PORE UNDER CHEMICAL POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE
Authors: CAO WEI-PING , SUN LI-ZHEN , WANG CHAO , LUO MENG-BO
Published: June 2011

The translocation of polymer chain through an interacting pore under chemical potential difference Δμ is simulated using Monte Carlo technique. Three translocation modes, dependent on the polymer–pore interaction ε and Δμ, are discovered. The translocation process is found to be an nonequilibrium process, which influences the dependence of translocation time τ on ε and Δμ. It is found that τ decreases in a power law relation with the increase of Δμ, and the exponent is dependent on the interaction.
ION DOPING EFFECTS ON THE DIELECTRIC AND PHONON PROPERTIES OF (Ba, Sr)TiO3 THIN FILMS
Authors: WESSELINOWA J. M.
Published: June 2011

The exact mechanism by which doping ions change the properties in (BST) thin films is not fully understood. We have shown based ( Ba , Sr ) TiO 3 on the transverse Ising model including anharmonic spin–phonon interactions and using a Green's function technique that the dielectric constant and the phonon properties can be changed due to different exchange interactions between the doping ions and the host ions in BST thin films. They are highly dependent upon the magnitude and the kind of the stress (tensile or compressive) due to the different radii of the doping ions. The phonon energies can be larger or smaller for different doping ions, whereas their damping is always enhanced.
RANKS OF RELATIVE-UNIT-GROUPS RELATED TO redset(f)
Authors: OGLE JACOB
Published: June 2011

Given an irreducible polynomial f in k[X1,…, Xn] (where k is a field) such that k is algebraically closed in the quotient field of A ≔ k[X1,…,Xn]/f k[X1,…,Xn], we show that k(f) is algebraically closed in k(X1,…,Xn). Further, if n ≥ 2 and char k = 0, then we show that the number of k-translates of f that are reducible in k[X1,…, Xn] is bounded above by the rank of U(A)/U(k). Finally, we prove a similar bound for the number of reducible composites of the form Γ(f) with Γ ∈ k[T] monic irreducible.
LINEAR RECURRING SEQUENCES OVER NONCOMMUTATIVE RINGS
Authors: CHERCHEM AHMED , GARICI TAREK , NECER ABDELKADER
Published: June 2011

Contrary to the commutative case, the set of linear recurring sequences with values in a module over a noncommutative ring is no more a module for the usual operations. We show the stability of these operations when the ring is a matrix ring or a division ring. In the case of a finite dimensional division ring over its center, we give an algorithm for the determination of a recurrence relation for the sum of two linear recurring sequences.
ARITHMETIC MEAN BASED COMPENSATORY FUZZY LOGIC
Authors: BOUCHET AGUSTINA , PASTORE JUAN IGNACIO , ANDRADE RAFAEL ESPIN , BRUN MARCEL , BALLARIN VIRGINIA
Published: June 2011

Fuzzy Logic is a multi-valued logic model based on fuzzy set theory, which may be considered as an extension of Boolean Logic. One of the fields of this theory is the Compensatory Fuzzy Logic, based on the removal of some axioms in order to achieve a sensitive and idempotent multi-valued system. This system is based on a quadruple of continuous operators: conjunction, disjunction, order and negation. In this work we present a new model of Compensatory Fuzzy Logic based on a different set of operators, conjunction and disjunction, than the ones used in the original definition, and then prove that this new model satisfies the required axioms. As an example, we present an application to decision-making, comparing the results against the ones based on the original model.
Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Tumors Are Risk Factors for Pancreatic Fistula after Pancreatic Surgery
Authors: Fendrich Volker , Merz Marianne K. , Waldmann Jens , Langer Peter , Heverhagen Anna E. , Dietzel Kristin , Bartsch Detlef K.
Published: June 2011

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (PF) is still regarded as a major complication in pancreatic surgery. In the present study, we evaluated the risk of PF in a large study population of patients with neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors (NPT), pancreatic cancer (PC), and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods: Patients who underwent pancreatic surgery between 1989 and 2008 at our institution were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were analyzed regarding age, gender, BMI, alcohol, smoking, preoperative diabetes, reason for operation, operative procedure, and PF. Three different grades of PF (grades A, B, C) were defined. Results: 133 patients with NPT, 212 patients with PC, 52 patients with CP, and 76 patients with other reasons were evaluated. Patients with a NPT had a significant higher risk of developing a PF than patients with PC, CP, or other reasons (p = 0.0001). Enucleation of the tumor was associated with the highest rate of PF (p = 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, BMI >26, and preoperative diabetes were associated with a higher rate of PF (p = 0.042 and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion: We demonstrated that after excluding factors like different definitions of PF, or different peri- or postoperative management, patients with NPT have a significantly higher risk of postoperative PF than patients with other pancreatic diseases.
On the Connection between Dissipation Enhancement in the Ocean Surface Layer and Langmuir Circulations
Authors: Teixeira Miguel A. C.
Published: June 2011

A mechanism for the enhancement of the viscous dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) in the oceanic boundary layer (OBL) is proposed, based on insights gained from rapid-distortion theory (RDT). In this mechanism, which complements mechanisms purely based on wave breaking, preexisting TKE is amplified and subsequently dissipated by the joint action of a mean Eulerian wind-induced shear current and the Stokes drift of surface waves, the same elements thought to be responsible for the generation of Langmuir circulations. Assuming that the TKE dissipation rate ɛ saturates to its equilibrium value over a time of the order one eddy turnover time of the turbulence, a new scaling expression, dependent on the turbulent Langmuir number, is derived for ɛ. For reasonable values of the input parameters, the new expression predicts an increase of the dissipation rate near the surface by orders of magnitude compared with usual surface-layer scaling estimates, consistent with available OBL data. These results establish on firmer grounds a suspected connection between two central OBL phenomena: dissipation enhancement and Langmuir circulations.
Towards corporate professionalization: The case of project management, management consultancy and executive search
Authors: Muzio Daniel , Hodgson Damian , Faulconbridge James , Beaverstock Jonathan , Hall Sarah
Published: June 2011

This article explores patterns of professionalization in a number of ‘new’ knowledge-based occupations: management consultancy, project management and executive headhunters. Against a general assumption in the literature that such occupations are unwilling and/ or incapable to professionalize, this article suggests how a professionalization project has indeed been in play within these occupational domains. Perhaps most interestingly, these occupations are developing a new pattern of ‘corporate’ professionalization which departs in significant ways from established paths and which is more appropriate for the specific knowledge-bases, occupational characteristics and historical circumstances of these occupations. Using semi-structured interviews with key institutional protagonists, the analysis identifies some new features of corporate professionalization, which despite differences in occupational structure and history, are common to the three professions under review and which may be relevant to a broader range of knowledge-based occupations. These include: organizational membership, client engagement, competence-based closure and internationalization. The article then proceeds to compare and contrast these new professionalization strategies and tactics with the more traditional processes followed by the established professions. Corporate professionalization, it is then argued, may present the basis for a new pattern of collective mobility and for a new understanding of professionalism in the 21st century.
Congruent and Incongruent Semantic Context Influence Vowel Recognition
Authors: Wotton J.M. , Elvebak R.L. , Moua L.C. , Heggem N.M. , Nelson C.A. , Kirk K.M.
Published: June 2011

The influence of sentence context on the recognition of naturally spoken vowels degraded by reverberation and Gaussian noise was investigated. Target words were paired to have similar consonant sounds but different vowels (e.g., map/mop) and were embedded early in sentences which provided three types of semantic context. Fifty-eight normal-hearing, young adults were presented with sentences in which acoustic and semantic cues agreed either weakly (neutral) or strongly (congruent) or the cues strongly disagreed (incongruent). One vowel pair (/ε/-/æ/) was selected to be easier to recognize than the other (/a/-/æ/). Changes induced in the spectra of the vowels by degradation showed that the impact of reverberation combined with noise was quite different from either condition alone. The recognition performance of participants ( n = 26) for isolated word stimuli matched the predictions of the frequency analysis. In sentences the recognition of the vowel was strongly influenced by the subsequent context; performance was best with congruent context and worst with incongruent context. The deleterious impact of incongruent context was larger than the helpful impact of congruent context. Incongruent context effects were greatest in noise but were also found in quiet and in reverberation.
Nonparticipation in Adult Education
Authors: Porras-Hernández Laura Helena , Salinas-Amescua Bertha
Published: June 2011

In this article, the authors propose that dispositional factors do not sufficiently explain nonparticipation in adult education programs. Many nations report low participation rates, but empirical studies have usually been conducted with enrolled adults. This study, however, included 279 poorly educated mestizas and Native women in two regions of Mexico who were not participating in institutional programs; a mixed quantitative–qualitative methodology was used. The study focused on self-perceptions and beliefs, assuming that values for these variables would be low acting as dispositional barriers to participation; however, this hypothesis was not confirmed. On the contrary, high levels of self-concept, self-efficacy, and a belief that women are intelligent demonstrated that these women have a very positive self-image. Discussion points to sociocultural categories as an alternative explanation to why rural women harbor positive self-perceptions and why remedial basic adult education is not relevant to their social sphere.
Time Crawls
Authors: Farzin Faraz , Rivera Susan M. , Whitney David
Published: June 2011

Conscious visual perception of the constantly changing environment is one of the brain’s most critical functions. In virtually every moment of every daily activity, the visual system is confronted with the task of accurately representing and interpreting scenes that change rapidly over time. Adults can judge the identity and order of changing images presented at a rate of up to 10 Hz (~50 ms per image); this limit reflects a finite temporal resolution of attention. In the research reported here, although 6- to 15-month-old infants could detect the presence of rapid flicker without difficulty, their ability to segment individual alternating states within the flicker was severely limited: Fifteen-month-old infants had a temporal resolution of attention approximately one order of magnitude lower than that of adults (~1 Hz). Coarse temporal resolution constrains how infants perceive and utilize dynamic visual information and may play a role in the visual processing deficits found in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Gestational malaria associated to Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum placental mixed-infection followed by foetal loss: a case report from an unstable transmission area in Brazil
Authors: Carvalho Bruna O , Matsuda Joycenéa S , Luz Sergio LB , Martinez-Espinosa Flor E , Leite Juliana A , Franzin Fernanda , Orlandi Patrícia P , Gregoracci Gustavo B , Lacerda Marcus VG , Nogueira Paulo A , Costa Fabio TM
Published: June 2011

Gestational malaria is a multi-factorial syndrome leading to poor outcomes for both the mother and foetus. Although an unusual increasing in the number of hospitalizations caused by Plasmodium vivax has been reported in Brazil, mortality is rarely observed. This is a report of a gestational malaria case that occurred in the city of Manaus (Amazonas State, Brazil) and resulted in foetal loss. The patient presented placental mixed-infection by Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum after diagnosis by nested-PCR, however microscopic analysis failed to detect P. falciparum in the peripheral blood. Furthermore, as the patient did not receive proper treatment for P. falciparum and hospitalization occurred soon after drug treatment, it seems that P. falciparum pathology was modulated by the concurrent presence of P. vivax. Collectively, this case confirms the tropism towards the placenta by both of these species of parasites, reinforces the notion that co-existence of distinct malaria parasites interferes on diseases' outcomes, and opens discussions regarding diagnostic methods, malaria treatment during pregnancy and prenatal care for women living in unstable transmission areas of malaria, such as the Brazilian Amazon.
Existence and iterative approximation for generalized equilibrium problems for a countable family of nonexpansive mappings in banach spaces
Authors: Kamraksa Uthai , Wangkeeree Rabian
Published: June 2011

We first prove the existence of a solution of the generalized equilibrium problem (GEP) using the KKM mapping in a Banach space setting. Then, by virtue of this result, we construct a hybrid algorithm for finding a common element in the solution set of a GEP and the fixed point set of countable family of nonexpansive mappings in the frameworks of Banach spaces. By means of a projection technique, we also prove that the sequences generated by the hybrid algorithm converge strongly to a common element in the solution set of GEP and common fixed point set of nonexpansive mappings.

AMS Subject Classification: 47H09, 47H10
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor attenuates inflammation in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Pollari Eveliina , Savchenko Ekaterina , Jaronen Merja , Kanninen Katja , Malm Tarja , Wojciechowski Sara , Ahtoniemi Toni , Goldsteins Gundars , Giniatullina Raisa , Giniatullin Rashid , Koistinaho Jari , Magga Johanna
Published: June 2011

Background

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) is protective in animal models of various neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated whether pegfilgrastim, GCSF with sustained action, is protective in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with manifestations of upper and lower motoneuron death and muscle atrophy accompanied by inflammation in the CNS and periphery.

Methods

Human mutant G93A superoxide dismutase (SOD1) ALS mice were treated with pegfilgrastim starting at the presymptomatic stage and continued until the end stage. After long-term pegfilgrastim treatment, the inflammation status was defined in the spinal cord and peripheral tissues including hematopoietic organs and muscle. The effect of GCSF on spinal cord neuron survival and microglia, bone marrow and spleen monocyte activation was assessed in vitro.

Results

Long-term pegfilgrastim treatment prolonged mutant SOD1 mice survival and attenuated both astro- and microgliosis in the spinal cord. Pegfilgrastim in SOD1 mice modulated the inflammatory cell populations in the bone marrow and spleen and reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine in monocytes and microglia. The mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells into the circulation was restored back to basal level after long-term pegfilgrastim treatment in SOD1 mice while the storage of Ly6C expressing monocytes in the bone marrow and spleen remained elevated. After pegfilgrastim treatment, an increased proportion of these cells in the degenerative muscle was detected at the end stage of ALS.

Conclusions

GCSF attenuated inflammation in the CNS and the periphery in a mouse model of ALS and thereby delayed the progression of the disease. This mechanism of action targeting inflammation provides a new perspective of the usage of GCSF in the treatment of ALS.
Diabetes and bone metabolism
Authors: Ruzicska Éva , Poór Gyula
Published: June 2011

In the past decade several novel findings point to the critical role of the skeleton in several homeostatic processes, including energy balance. The connection begins in the bone marrow with lineage allocation of mesenchymal stem cells to adipocytes or osteoblasts. Osteoblasts and adipocytes produce factors affecting insulin homeostasis. The hormonally active adipose tissue can regulate bone metabolism. In this review authors discuss targets taking critical part in the bone-fat network: leptin, osteocalcin, PPAR γ2 and the Wnt/beta catenin pathway. Leptin regulates energy metabolism through controlling appetite. Mutation of the leptin gene resulting leptin resistance leads to high leptin levels, enormous appetite and pathologic obesity. Leptin also can influence the bone mass. The main effects of the thiazolidinedions – PPARγ agonists – are mediated through receptors located in adipocytes. However, beside their positive effects, they also suppress osteoblastogenesis and increase the risk for pathologic fractures. Osteocalcin, a known marker of bone formation, produced by osteoblasts decreases fat mass, promotes adiponectin production and insulin sensitivity, increases the number of pancreatic β-cells and increases insulin secretion. Thus, the skeletal system can regulate glucose metabolism and this substantially changed our view on this issue. Novel molecules can now be tested as targets in order to enhance bone formation and possibly prevent fractures. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1156–1160.
Spin reorientation transition: phase diagrams and entropy change
Authors: Basso Vittorio , Sasso Carlo P. , Kuepferling Michaela
Published: June 2011

In this paper we review the phase diagram and derive the entropy change for spin reorientation transitions by considering first order magnetization process theory with temperature dependent magneto-crystalline anisotropy constants. We derive the magnetic field-induced entropy change Δs for a transition between easy axis and easy plane, showing that for alternating magnetic field, Δs has a change of sign at the reorientation temperature, while for rotating magnetic field its sign is definite. We apply the model to CoZn W-type barium ferrite.
Shrinkage stresses in concrete using a new material parameter
Authors: Baluch Mohammed H. , Rahman M. Kalimur , Shazali Mohammed A. , Al-Kutti Walid A.
Published: June 2011

A new concept of αhygro, referred to as the coefficient of moisture contraction, is introduced. It is similar philosophically to that of the coefficient of thermal expansion αtherm. The introduction of αhygro makes stress computations due to moisture movement rather convenient, much in the same manner as thermal stress computations. Loss of moisture ΔM can be obtained from the associated boundary value problem governed by Fick's law (analogous to change of temperature ΔT from the associated heat transfer problem), followed by computations of free shrinkage strain using the relationship εsh  =  αhygro×ΔM, where εsh is the free shrinkage strain, αhygro is the coefficient of moisture contraction and ΔM is the moisture loss percentage. The associated stress build-up is found by using standard finite-element software that has a temperature loading module built in. This approach would obviate the need to measure shrinkage strain in the laboratory as is current standard practice. Instead, one would merely use established data bank values of αhygro obtained under standard conditions. Repair engineers would have to establish αhygro for their own concrete materials based on the test method outlined in this paper. In the present paper, αhygro values are determined for normal and self-compacting concretes using constituent materials from the Eastern Province region of Saudi Arabia and are shown to have a form that is invariant of specimen size and temperature exposure conditions. Stresses due to restrained shrinkage are also computed for a typical patch repair problem using commercially available multiphysics software Ansys.
All change? Motorway interchanges for public transport
Authors: Bowers Simon P.
Published: June 2011

Motorways and similar roads have been essential for the dominance of the motor car and lorry for personal and freight transportation. Alongside benefits, this dominance has generated a range of problems including congestion and pollution. However, motorways could play a much greater public transport role if suitable facilities were provided. Critical among these could be interchanges between long-distance and local public transport, located at motorway junctions. A combination of established thinking about public transport and pleasure-based approaches to design provides a framework within with the criteria likely to be required for success can be established. In additional to operational matters these success factors include user comfort and perceived status. A partial case study based on junction 16 of the M1 suggests that provision of such interchanges could be a cost-effective means of mitigating the need for motorway expansion schemes. This, taken with the likely wider social and environmental benefits including reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, suggests that further exploration of their potential role is justified. Although not central to the concept, further improvement in vehicle quality and measures to ensure bus journey time reliability would be valuable supporting measures.
Replication of Stochastic and Geometric Micro Structures – Aspects of Visual Appearance
Authors: Berger G. R. , Gruber D. P. , Friesenbichler W. , Teichert C. , Burgsteiner M.
Published: June 2011

The surface quality of injection molded parts depends on the processing conditions, the cavity surface structure, the runner system, the used polymer and the part geometry. Different replication of the cavity surface structure to the molded part influences its surface function and visual appearance. A descriptive model of the replication process has been developed, taking into account the thickness of the frozen layer during injection. The expected dependencies were proven by systematic injection molding tests with geometric surface micro structures, having depths of 45 or 100 μm and widths from 400 to 2000 μm, that were replicated into high-crystalline polypropylene (HCPP) and polycarbonate (PC). The volumetric structure replication ratio increased with rising mold temperature, melt temperature and cavity pressure. As expected, the mold temperature was dominant for very small micro features. The RMS roughness, determined by confocal microscopy and atomic-force microscopy, was found to be a suitable replication parameter for draw-polished to mirror-finished stochastic cavity surface structures. An abrupt change in wall thickness decelerated the flow front velocity, thus decreased the replicated polymer surface roughness and increased the surface gloss. Moreover, a several micrometer high “surface step” remained, due to the different thickness-dependent shrinkage. This step always ascended from the thicker to the thinner part area. The replication of a mirror-finished mold surface into HCPP was dominated by morphological effects. Local micro shrinkage differences led to micro sink marks, which affected the surface gloss much more than the mold surface structure.
Quantitative ultrasound biomicroscopy study of biometry of the lens and anterior chamber
Authors: Salcan Ilhami , Aykan Umit , Yildirim Ozlem , Kanik Arzu
Published: June 2011

Purpose

To quantify the changes induced by cataract extraction (CE) in angle recess area (ARA), angle opening distance at 250 and 500 µm (AOD250, AOD500), and aqueous depth (AQD) in comparison with axial lens thickness (LT) and to reveal effects of LT and lens position (LP) on angle parameters and AQD using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).

Methods

Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients (22 male; mean age 69.5±7.8 years) with senile or presenile cataract who consecutively underwent cataract surgery were enrolled in this institutional study. We performed UBM examinations before and 1 month after surgery under a standard protocol. Axial images of the anterior segment and radial sections of the angle at 4 quadrants were obtained. Aqueous depth and LT were measured in immersion A-scan mode and we used UBM Pro 2000® software for the ARA, AOD250, and AOD500.

Results

Aqueous depth and angle parameters at 4 quadrants were increased significantly after CE (p<0.05). The mean LT was 4.53±0.37 mm and LP was 4.96±0.25 mm preoperatively. There were statistically significant correlations between LT, LP, and AQD and angle parameters preoperatively. We also determined statistically significant correlations between LT, LP, and postoperative changes in AQD and angle parameters In comparison with LT, the mean increases in AQD, ARA, AOD250, and AOD500 were 0.21, 0.014, 0.012, and 0.017 times, respectively.

Conclusions

The results suggest that LT is as a significant factor as LPon the final dimensions of the anterior chamber and angle.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland: CT and MRI findings
Authors: Qin Wei , Chong Robert , Huang Xuequan , Liu Mingming , Yin Zheng Qin
Published: June 2011

Purpose

To highlight the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Methods

We reviewed the clinical records and imaging findings of 17 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland between August 1998 and November 2010. Orbital CT scans were performed in 17 patients and MRI scans were obtained in 13 patients.

Results

On the CT scans, out of 4 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma, 3 showed characteristic features of a soft tissue mass with poorly enhancing areas representing cystic changes, and 4 of 17 cases had contiguous bony erosion. On the MRI scans, all cases had mixed signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and 6 cases showed poorly enhancing areas.

Conclusions

Enhanced CT and MRI (including T2-weighted) are helpful in the diagnosis of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland.
The Law of General Average: Possible Consequences of a Resurgence of Acts of Piracy
Authors: Kendall, Walter R. , Boykin, Nancy , Heller, Nathan A.
Published: June 2011

With the recent increase in acts of piracy at sea, general average acts have been brought back into focus when coupled with the resurgent risk of ocean shipping. These changing conditions have the potential to result in a lessening of general risk coverage, increased costs, or both. In some cases, piracy risks might even be deemed unacceptably high, resulting in a change in shipping routes and policies, which could negatively impact shipping costs and even service availability. As global commerce continues to increase, so do ocean carriage and the possibility of increased risk of loss or increased shipping costs due to increases in insurance premiums. Changes in the need for different types of coverage, or changes in shipping routes are very real.