bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A STUDY OF PROSECUTORIAL CERTIFICATION PRACTICE IN VIRGINIA
Authors: SRIDHARAN SANJEEV , GREENFIELD LYNETTE , BLAKLEY BARON
Published: March 2006

Research Summary:

In response to the growing trend of violent juvenile crime, the Virginia legislature enacted the Juvenile Justice Reform Package in 1996. This legislation created two new classes of transfers: automatic and prosecutorial certifications. This article examines the prosecutor's decision to certify a juvenile offender to adult court in Virginia for intake cases in 1997 and 1998. Although the law gives the prosecutor the authority to certify all cases that meet certain criteria, only a portion of those are actually certified, which indicates that other factors must be impacting the decision. A number of factors relating to present and prior offenses, offender's social history characteristics, and the location of the courts were examined. Location of the court was important in influencing prosecutorial certification in Virginia.

Policy Implications:

The policy implications of the following three key findings are discussed: (1) Small percentage of waiver‐eligible offenders at intake are actually transferred; (2) Considerable variation in certification practice across localities; (3) Serious juvenile offenders are more likely to be waived. The analysis of juvenile records was supplemented with qualitative interviews with key decision makers in the transfer process, including a sample of judges, prosecutors, court service unit directors, and probation officers. These key decision makers provided feedback to improve the certification processes. Key feedback included the need for information systems to follow the flow of transfer cases through the system and the need for a three‐tiered placement system within the adult system whereby offenders are separated by age and maturity.
A statistical approach to the optimisation of membrane operation
Authors: Lodge B. N. , Judd S. J.
Published: March 2006

A bench‐scale analysis has been conducted on the ultrafiltration of synthetic and real domestic wastewaters post‐biotreatment by a biological aerated filter. This paper presents a rigorous analytical technique to identify the process parameters that have a significant influence on a membrane system performance. By applying statistical techniques, the influence of each parameter and the level of uncertainty were quantified within a highly complex, interrelated and variable process. The results showed that the fouling propensity for real greywater was significantly variable, both during the trial and from one trial to the next. The variability was primarily due to the inherent variability of greywater quality and the extent of settling within the storage facility. However, the fouling propensity for real greywater was generally lower than for settled sewage. The results of the analysis were extended to produce a predictive model that can be used as a guide in the design of membrane systems and their operation. The methodology is readily transferable and adaptable to other membrane systems.
Non-Hertzian Approach to Analyzing Mechanical Properties of Endothelial Cells Probed by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Costa Kevin D. , Sim Alan J. , Yin Frank C-P.
Published: March 2006

Detailed measurements of cell material properties are required for understanding how cells respond to their mechanical environment. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an increasingly popular measurement technique that uniquely combines subcellular mechanical testing with high-resolution imaging. However, the standard method of analyzing AFM indentation data is based on a simplified “Hertz” theory that requires unrealistic assumptions about cell indentation experiments. The objective of this study was to utilize an alternative “pointwise modulus” approach, that relaxes several of these assumptions, to examine subcellular mechanics of cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Data from indentations in 2‐to5‐μm square regions of cytoplasm reveal at least two mechanically distinct populations of cellular material. Indentations colocalized with prominent linear structures in AFM images exhibited depth-dependent variation of the apparent pointwise elastic modulus that was not observed at adjacent locations devoid of such structures. The average pointwise modulus at an arbitrary indentation depth of 200nm was 5.6±3.5kPa and 1.5±0.76kPa (mean±SD, n=7) for these two material populations, respectively. The linear structures in AFM images were identified by fluorescence microscopy as bundles of f-actin, or stress fibers. After treatment with 4μM cytochalasin B, HAECs behaved like a homogeneous linear elastic material with an apparent modulus of 0.89±0.46kPa. These findings reveal complex mechanical behavior specifically associated with actin stress fibers that is not accurately described using the standard Hertz analysis, and may impact how HAECs interact with their mechanical environment.
Numerical Simulation of Local Blood Flow in the Carotid and Cerebral Arteries Under Altered Gravity
Authors: Kim Changsung Sean , Kiris Cetin , Kwak Dochan , David Tim
Published: March 2006

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach was presented to model the blood flows in the carotid bifurcation and the brain arteries under altered gravity. Physical models required for CFD simulation were introduced including a model for arterial wall motion due to fluid-wall interactions, a shear thinning fluid model of blood, a vascular bed model for outflow boundary conditions, and a model for autoregulation mechanism. The three-dimensional unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations coupled with these models were solved iteratively using the pseudocompressibility method and dual time stepping. Gravity source terms were added to the Navier-Stokes equations to take the effect of gravity into account. For the treatment of complex geometry, a chimera overset grid technique was adopted to obtain connectivity between arterial branches. For code validation, computed results were compared with experimental data for both steady-state and time-dependent flows. This computational approach was then applied to blood flows through a realistic carotid bifurcation and two Circle of Willis models, one using an idealized geometry and the other using an anatomical data set. A three-dimensional Circle of Willis configuration was reconstructed from subject-specific magnetic resonance images using an image segmentation method. Through the numerical simulation of blood flow in two model problems, namely, the carotid bifurcation and the brain arteries, it was observed that the altered gravity has considerable effects on arterial contraction∕dilatation and consequent changes in flow conditions.
Readdressing the Issue of Thermally Significant Blood Vessels Using a Countercurrent Vessel Network
Authors: Shrivastava Devashish , Roemer Robert B.
Published: March 2006

A physiologically realistic arterio-venous countercurrent vessel network model consisting of ten branching vessel generations, where the diameter of each generation of vessels is smaller than the previous ones, has been created and used to determine the thermal significance of different vessel generations by investigating their ability to exchange thermal energy with the tissue. The temperature distribution in the 3D network (8178 vessels; diameters from 10 to 1000μm) is obtained by solving the conduction equation in the tissue and the convective energy equation with a specified Nusselt number in the vessels. The sensitivity of the exchange of energy between the vessels and the tissue to changes in the network parameters is studied for two cases; a high temperature thermal therapy case when tissue is heated by a uniformly distributed source term and the network cools the tissue, and a hypothermia related case, when tissue is cooled from the surface and the blood heats the tissue. Results show that first, the relative roles of vessels of different diameters are strongly determined by the inlet temperatures to those vessels (e.g., as affected by changing mass flow rates), and the surrounding tissue temperature, but not by their diameter. Second, changes in the following do not significantly affect the heat transfer rates between tissue and vessels; (a) the ratio of arterial to venous vessel diameter, (b) the diameter reduction coefficient (the ratio of diameters of successive vessel generations), and (c) the Nusselt number. Third, both arteries and veins play significant roles in the exchange of energy between tissue and vessels, with arteries playing a more significant role. These results suggest that the determination of which diameter vessels are thermally important should be performed on a case-by-case, problem dependent basis. And, that in the development of site-specific vessel network models, reasonable predictions of the relative roles of different vessel diameters can be obtained by using any physiologically realistic values of Nusselt number and the diameter reduction coefficient.
Wavelet Transforms in the Analysis of Mechanical Heart Valve Cavitation
Authors: Herbertson Luke H. , Reddy Varun , Manning Keefe B. , Welz Joseph P. , Fontaine Arnold A. , Deutsch Steven
Published: March 2006

Cavitation is known to cause blood element damage and may introduce gaseous emboli into the cerebral circulation, increasing the patient’s risk of stroke. Discovering methods to reduce the intensity of cavitation induced by mechanical heart valves (MHVs) has long been an area of interest. A novel approach for analyzing MHV cavitation is presented. A wavelet denoising method is explored because currently used analytical techniques fail to suitably unmask the cavitation signal from other valve closing sounds and noise detected with a hydrophone. Wavelet functions are used to denoise the cavitation signal during MHV closure and rebound. The wavelet technique is applied to the signal produced by closure of a 29-mm Medtronic-Hall MHV in degassed water with a gas content of 5ppm. Valve closing dynamics are investigated under loading conditions of 500, 2500, and 4500mmHg∕s. The results display a marked improvement in the quantity and quality of information that can be extracted from acoustic cavitation signals using the wavelet technique compared to conventional analytical techniques. Time and frequency data indicate the likelihood and characteristics of cavitation formation under specified conditions. Using this wavelet technique we observe an improved signal-to-noise ratio, an enhanced time-dependent aspect, and the potential to minimize valve closing sounds, which disguise individual cavitation events. The overall goal of this work is to eventually link specific valves with characteristic waveforms or distinct types of cavitation, thus promoting improved valve designs.
Biomechanical Efficiency of Wrist Guards as a Shock Isolator
Authors: Hwang Il-Kyu , Kim Kyu-Jung , Kaufman Kenton R. , Cooney William P. , An Kai-Nan
Published: March 2006

Despite the use of wrist guards during skate- and snowboard activities, fractures still occur at the wrist or at further proximal locations of the forearm. The main objectives of this study were to conduct a human subject testing under simulated falling conditions for measurement of the impact force on the hand, to model wrist guards as a shock isolator, to construct a linear mass-spring-damper model for quantification of the impact force attenuation (Q-ratio) and energy absorption (S-ratio), and to determine whether wrist guards play a role of an efficient shock isolator. While the falling direction (forward and backward) significantly influenced the impact responses, use of wrist guards provided minimal improvements in the Q- and S-ratios. It was suggested based on the results under the submaximal loading conditions that protective functions of the common wrist guard design could be enhanced with substantial increase in the damping ratio so as to maximize the energy absorption. This would bring forth minor deterioration in the impact force attenuation but significant increase in the energy absorption by 19%, which would help better protection against fall-related injuries of the upper extremity.
3D Finite Element Simulation of the Opening Movement of the Mandible in Healthy and Pathologic Situations
Authors: del Palomar A. Pérez , Doblaré M.
Published: March 2006

One of the essential causes of disk disorders is the pathologic change in the ligamentous attachments of the disk-condyle complex. In this paper, the response of the soft components of a human temporomandibular joint during mouth opening in healthy and two pathologic situations was studied. A three-dimensional finite element model of this joint comprising the bone components, the articular disk, and the temporomandibular ligaments was developed from a set of medical images. A fiber reinforced porohyperelastic model was used to simulate the behavior of the articular disk, taking into account the orientation of the fibers in each zone of this cartilage component. The condylar movements during jaw opening were introduced as the loading condition in the analysis. In the healthy joint, it was obtained that the highest stresses were located at the lateral part of the intermediate zone of the disk. In this case, the collateral ligaments were subject to high loads, since they are responsible of the attachment of the disk to the condyle during the movement of the mandible. Additionally, two pathologic situations were simulated: damage of the retrodiscal tissue and disruption of the lateral discal ligament. In both cases, the highest stresses moved to the posterior part of the disk since it was displaced in the anterior-medial direction. In conclusion, in the healthy joint, the highest stresses were located in the lateral zone of the disk where perforations are found most often in the clinical experience. On the other hand, the results obtained in the damaged joints suggested that the disruption of the disk attachments may cause an anterior displacement of the disk and instability of the joint.
Affine Versus Non-Affine Fibril Kinematics in Collagen Networks: Theoretical Studies of Network Behavior
Authors: Chandran Preethi L. , Barocas Victor H.
Published: March 2006

The microstructure of tissues and tissue equivalents (TEs) plays a critical role in determining the mechanical properties thereof. One of the key challenges in constitutive modeling of TEs is incorporating the kinematics at both the macroscopic and the microscopic scale. Models of fibrous microstructure commonly assume fibrils to move homogeneously, that is affine with the macroscopic deformation. While intuitive for situations of fibril-matrix load transfer, the relevance of the affine assumption is less clear when primary load transfer is from fibril to fibril. The microstructure of TEs is a hydrated network of collagen fibrils, making its microstructural kinematics an open question. Numerical simulation of uniaxial extensile behavior in planar TE networks was performed with fibril kinematics dictated by the network model and by the affine model. The average fibril orientation evolved similarly with strain for both models. The individual fibril kinematics, however, were markedly different. There was no correlation between fibril strain and orientation in the network model, and fibril strains were contained by extensive reorientation. As a result, the macroscopic stress given by the network model was roughly threefold lower than the affine model. Also, the network model showed a toe region, where fibril reorientation precluded the development of significant fibril strain. We conclude that network fibril kinematics are not governed by affine principles, an important consideration in the understanding of tissue and TE mechanics, especially when load bearing is primarily by an interconnected fibril network.
Tonic Finite Element Model of the Lower Limb
Authors: Behr Michel , Arnoux Pierre-Jean , Serre Thierry , Thollon Lionel , Brunet Christian
Published: March 2006

It is widely admitted that muscle bracing influences the result of an impact, facilitating fractures by enhancing load transmission and reducing energy dissipation. However, human numerical models used to identify injury mechanisms involved in car crashes hardly take into account this particular mechanical behavior of muscles. In this context, in this work we aim to develop a numerical model, including muscle architecture and bracing capability, focusing on lower limbs. The three-dimensional (3-D) geometry of the musculoskeletal system was extracted from MRI images, where muscular heads were separated into individual entities. Muscle mechanical behavior is based on a phenomenological approach, and depends on a reduced number of input parameters, i.e., the muscle optimal length and its corresponding maximal force. In terms of geometry, muscles are modeled with 3-D viscoelastic solids, guided in the direction of fibers with a set of contractile springs. Validation was first achieved on an isolated bundle and then by comparing emergency braking forces resulting from both numerical simulations and experimental tests on volunteers. Frontal impact simulation showed that the inclusion of muscle bracing in modeling dynamic impact situations can alter bone stresses to potentially injury-inducing levels.
Mass Transport and Shear Stress in a Microchannel Bioreactor: Numerical Simulation and Dynamic Similarity
Authors: Zeng Yan , Lee Thong-See , Yu Peng , Roy Partha , Low Hong-Tong
Published: March 2006

Microchannel bioreactors have been used in many studies to manipulate and investigate the fluid microenvironment around cells. In this study, substrate concentrations and shear stresses at the base were computed from a three-dimensional numerical flow-model incorporating mass transport. Combined dimensionless parameters were developed from a simplified analysis. The numerical results of substrate concentration were well correlated by the combined parameters. The generalized results may find applications in design analysis of microchannel bioreactors. The mass transport and shear stress were related in a generalized result. Based on the generalized results and the condition of dynamic similarity, various means to isolate their respective effects on cells were considered.
Endotoxin Contamination in Commercially Available Pokeweed Mitogen Contributes to the Activation of Murine Macrophages and Human Dendritic Cell Maturation
Authors: Yang Jae Seung , Kim Hye Jin , Ryu Young Hee , Yun Cheol-Heui , Chung Dae Kyun , Han Seung Hyun
Published: March 2006

Commercially available pokeweed mitogen (PWM) has been reported to activate macrophages, leading to production of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). However, we found that polymyxin B (PMB), a specific inhibitor of endotoxin activity, inhibited the PWM-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines and NO and the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). A kinetic-turbidimetricLimulusamebocyte lysate assay demonstrated that commercial PWM contained substantial endotoxin, over 104endotoxin units/mg of the PWM. A PWM repurified by PMB-coupled beads no longer induced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, TLR4 activation, or dendritic cell maturation. However, the repurified PWM remained able to induce proliferation of human lymphocytes, which is a representative characteristic of PWM. These results suggest that commercial PWM might be contaminated with a large amount of endotoxin, resulting in the attribution of misleading immunological properties to PWM.
ML0405 and ML2331 Are Antigens ofMycobacterium lepraewith Potential for Diagnosis of Leprosy
Authors: Reece Stephen T. , Ireton Greg , Mohamath Raodoh , Guderian Jeffrey , Goto Wakako , Gelber Robert , Groathouse Nathan , Spencer John , Brennan Patrick , Reed Steven G.
Published: March 2006

Despite the success of multidrug therapy in reducing the number of registered leprosy cases worldwide, evidence suggests thatMycobacterium lepraecontinues to be transmitted. A serological diagnostic test capable of identifying and allowing treatment of early-stage disease could reduce transmission and prevent the onset of the disability, a common complication of the disease in later stages. Serological diagnosis based on antibody recognition of phenolic glycolipid I (PGL-I) cannot reliably identify individuals with lower bacterial indices (BI). One strategy that might improve this situation is the provision of highly specific serological antigens that may be combined with PGL-I to improve the sensitivity of diagnosis. Using serological expression cloning with a serum pool of untreated lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients, we identified 14 strongly reactiveM. lepraeproteins, 5 of which were previously unstudied. We present results suggesting that two of these proteins, ML0405 and ML2331, demonstrate the ability to specifically identify LL/borderline lepromatous (BL) patients on the basis of immunoglobulin G (IgG) reactivity. In a household contact study, LL index cases were identified on the basis of this reactivity, while household contacts of these patients demonstrated undetectable reactivity. At a serum dilution of 1:800, suitable to reduce background PGL-I IgM reactivity, two BL patients with a BI of <4 showed anti-human polyvalent immunoglobulin G, A, and M reactivity measured with a combination of ML0405, ML2331, and natural disaccharide O-linked human serum albumin (NDOHSA) (synthetic PGL-I) that was markedly higher than IgM reactivity to NDOHSA alone. We suggest that ML0405 and ML2331 may have utility in serological leprosy diagnosis.
Characterization of Serological Responses to Pertussis
Authors: Watanabe Mineo , Connelly Beverly , Weiss Alison A.
Published: March 2006

We have compared the use of five nonvaccine antigens to the use of conventional vaccine antigens, pertussis toxin (PT), and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) for the serological diagnosis of pertussis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The nonvaccine antigens included the catalytic region of adenylate cyclase toxin (CatACT), the C-terminal region of FHA (C-FHA), lipooligosaccharide (LOS), the peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL), and the BrkA protein. The serological responses of individuals with culture-confirmed pertussis were compared to those of adults with no recent history of a coughing disease. An immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA for PT was the most sensitive (92.2%) test for the serodiagnosis of pertussis. Of the nonvaccine antigens, ELISA for IgG responses to CatACT (sensitivity, 62.8%), C-FHA (sensitivity, 39.2%), and LOS IgA (sensitivity, 29.4%) were less sensitive but could also distinguish culture-positive individuals from control individuals. The use of a combination of multiple ELISA targets improved the sensitivity of the assay for serological diagnosis. Elevated IgG and IgA antibody titers persisted for more than a year in the individuals with culture-confirmed pertussis.
Endogenous and Exogenous Glucocorticoids in Experimental Enterococcal Infection
Authors: Papasian Christopher J. , Qureshi Nilofer , Morrison David C.
Published: March 2006

The potentially protective role of the host adrenal-glucocorticoid response to enterococcal infection was evaluated in an experimental model in which mice were infected intraperitoneally with two distinctEnterococcus faecalisstrains (K9 and CP-1). We demonstrated that corticosterone levels in serum and peritoneal-lavage fluid were elevated within 1 hour of infection with eitherE. faecalisstrain. We also demonstrated that adrenalectomized mice generated a more robust localized peritoneal tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) response to bothE. faecalisstrains than did sham-adrenalectomized mice but that neitherE. faecalisstrain induced a systemic TNF-α response. Further, peritoneal TNF-α production in adrenalectomized mice infected with eitherE. faecalisK9 or CP-1 was suppressed by prior treatment with an exogenous glucocorticoid (dexamethasone). The potential clinical significance of these results was suggested by our findings that adrenalectomy markedly increased susceptibility (a >100-fold decrease in the 50% lethal dose) to lethal infections withE. faecalisCP-1 and that prior dexamethasone treatment partially compensated for adrenalectomy. In marked contrast to these findings, however, adrenalectomy did not substantially increase susceptibility to lethalE. faecalisK9 infection. Further, preinfection withE. faecalisCP-1 1 hour before infection withE. faecalisK9 did not protect mice from lethalE. faecalisK9 infections. Collectively, these studies indicate that the host can generate a glucocorticoid response toE. faecalisinfection that suppresses TNF-α production. Further, this glucocorticoid response can protect the host from potentially lethalE. faecalisinfections, but different strains show heterogeneity with respect to the extent of protection afforded by the adrenal-glucocorticoid response.
Critical Differences between Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays with and without 22F Inhibition at Low Antibody Concentrations in Pediatric Sera
Authors: Henckaerts Isabelle , Goldblatt David , Ashton Lindsey , Poolman Jan
Published: March 2006

A comparative study was conducted between two laboratories in order to evaluate the differences between two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques for the detection of pneumococcal anti-capsular polysaccharide antibodies. One laboratory used an assay including heterologous 22F polysaccharide inhibition, and the other laboratory employed a non-22F reference assay. After conjugate immunization, 30 pediatric post-primary immunization sera with antipolysaccharide concentrations ranging from <0.05 to 15 μg/ml were analyzed. Aggregate reverse cumulative distribution curves combining concentrations of antibodies against serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F revealed similar results for both methods at antibody levels of >1 μg/ml. However, at antibody levels of <1 μg/ml, the distribution curve measured with the 22F inhibition ELISA shifted toward lower levels. This observation suggests that the 22F inhibition assay is more specific at low antibody concentrations, which was confirmed by heterologous polysaccharide inhibition experiments. Translation of low antibody levels suggested that the proposed threshold concentration of 0.35 μg/ml determined with the non-22F ELISA corresponded to a concentration of 0.20 μg/ml with the 22F inhibition ELISA. Pneumococcal antipolysaccharide ELISA including 22F inhibition can be recommended as a reference method.
Lactic Acid Bacteria Inducing a Weak Interleukin-12 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Response in Human Dendritic Cells Inhibit Strongly Stimulating Lactic Acid Bacteria but Act Synergistically with Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Zeuthen Louise Hjerrild , Christensen Hanne Risager , Frøkiær Hanne
Published: March 2006

The development and maintenance of immune homeostasis indispensably depend on signals from the gut flora. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are gram-positive (G+) organisms, are plausible significant players and have received much attention. Gram-negative (G−) commensals, such as members of the familyEnterobacteriaceae, may, however, be immunomodulators that are as important as G+organisms but tend to be overlooked. Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial immune regulators, and therefore, the present study aimed at investigating differences among human gut flora-derived LAB and G−bacteria in their patterns of DC polarization. Human monocyte-derived DCs were exposed to UV-killed bacteria, and cytokine secretion and surface marker expression were analyzed. Profound differences in the DC polarization patterns were found among the strains. While strains of LAB varied greatly in their capacity to induce interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), G−strains were consistently weak IL-12 and TNF-α inducers. All strains induced significant amounts of IL-10, but G−bacteria were far more potent IL-10 inducers than LAB. Interestingly, we found that when weakly IL-12- and TNF-α-inducing LAB and strong IL-12- and TNF-α-inducing LAB were mixed, the weakly IL-12- and TNF-α-inducing LAB efficiently inhibited otherwise strong IL-12- and TNF-α-inducing LAB, yet when weakly IL-12- and TNF-α-inducing LAB were mixed with G−bacteria, they synergistically induced IL-12 and TNF-α. Furthermore, strong IL-12- and TNF-α-inducing LAB efficiently up-regulated surface markers (CD40, CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR), which were inhibited by weakly IL-12- and TNF-α-inducing LAB. All G−bacteria potently up-regulated surface markers; however, these markers were not inhibited by weakly IL-12- and TNF-α-inducing LAB. These much divergent DC stimulation patterns among intestinal bacteria, which encompass both antagonistic and synergistic relationships, support the growing evidence that the composition of the gut flora affects immune regulation and that compositional imbalances may be involved in disease etiology.
Characterization of Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Subsets in Patients with AcutePlasmodium falciparumandP. vivaxMalaria Infections at Wonji Sugar Estate, Ethiopia
Authors: Kassa Desta , Petros Beyene , Mesele Tsehaynesh , Hailu Ermias , Wolday Dawit
Published: March 2006

We investigated the absolute counts of CD4+, CD8+, B, NK, and CD3+cells and total lymphocytes in patients with acutePlasmodium falciparumandPlasmodium vivaxmalaria. Three-color flow cytometry was used for enumerating the immune cells. After slide smears were stained with 3% Giemsa stain, parasite species were detected using light microscopy. Data were analyzed using STATA and SPSS software. A total of 204 adults of both sexes (age, >15 years) were included in the study. One hundred fifty-eight were acute malaria patients, of whom 79 (50%) were infected withP. falciparum, 76 (48.1%) were infected withP. vivax, and 3 (1.9%) were infected with both malaria parasites. The remaining 46 subjects were healthy controls. The leukocyte count inP. falciparumpatients was lower than that in controls (P= 0.015). Absolute counts of CD4+, CD8+, B, and CD3+cells and total lymphocytes were decreased very significantly during bothP. falciparum(P< 0.0001) andP. vivax(P< 0.0001) infections. However, the NK cell count was an exception in that it was not affected by eitherP. falciparumorP. vivaxmalaria. No difference was found in the percentages of CD4, CD8, and CD3 cells inP. falciparumorP. vivaxpatients compared to controls. In summary, acute malaria infection causes a depletion of lymphocyte populations in the peripheral blood. Thus, special steps should be taken in dealing with malaria patients, including enumeration of peripheral lymphocyte cells for diagnostic purposes and research on peripheral blood to evaluate the immune status of patients.
Humoral Immune Response to Primary Rubella Virus Infection
Authors: Wilson Kim M. , Di Camillo Carlie , Doughty Larissa , Dax Elizabeth M.
Published: March 2006

An assay capable of distinguishing between the immune response generated by recent exposure to rubella virus and the immune response existing as a result of past exposure or immunization is required for the diagnosis of primary rubella virus infection, especially in pregnant women. Avidity assays, which are based on the premise that chaotropic agents can be used to selectively dissociate the low-avidity antibodies generated early in the course of infection, have become routinely used in an effort to accomplish this. We have thoroughly investigated the immunological basis of an avidity assay using a viral lysate-based assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a peptide analogue of the putative immunodominant region of the E1 glycoprotein (E1
208-239
). The relative affinities of the antibodies directed against E1
208-239
were measured by surface plasmon resonance and were found to correlate well with the avidity index calculated from the ELISA results. We found that the immune response generated during primary rubella virus infection consists of an initial low-affinity peak of immunoglobulin M (IgM) reactivity followed by transient peaks of low-avidity IgG3 and IgA reactivity. The predominant response is an IgG1 response which increases in concentration and affinity progressively over the course of infection. Incubation with the chaotropic agent used in the avidity assay abolished the detection of the early low-affinity peaks of IgM, IgA, and IgG3 reactivity while leaving the high-affinity IgG1 response relatively unaffected. The present study supported the premise that avidity assays based on appropriate antigens can be useful to confirm primary rubella virus infection.
Effects of Different Tuberculin Skin-Testing Regimens on Gamma Interferon and Antibody Responses in Cattle Experimentally Infected withMycobacterium bovis
Authors: Palmer M. V. , Waters W. R. , Thacker T. C. , Greenwald R. , Esfandiari J. , Lyashchenko K. P.
Published: March 2006

Although tuberculin skin testing has been a hallmark of bovine tuberculosis eradication campaigns, it lacks sensitivity, can be confounded by exposure to nontuberculous mycobacteria, and cannot be repeated for 60 days due to desensitization. To overcome these difficulties, an effective whole-blood cellular immunoassay for bovine gamma interferon (IFN-γ) has been developed. The IFN-γ test is commonly used in conjunction with tuberculin skin testing as a confirmatory test following a positive response to the caudal fold test (CFT). The present study was conducted to determine the effect of different tuberculin skin-testing regimens on IFN-γ and antibody production by using calves that were experimentally infected withMycobacterium bovis. Holstein calves were CFT tested 60 days after inoculation and the comparative cervical test (CCT) was conducted 7 (7-day CCT) or 55 (55-day CCT) days after the CFT. In both the 7-day CCT and 55-day CCT groups, IFN-γ responses increased 3 days after the CFT; this was immediately followed by a decrease to pre-skin test levels 7 days after the CFT. In both groups, the application of the CCT at 7 or 55 days after the CFT resulted in no significant increase in IFN-γ production. The administration of the CFT and the CCT toM. bovis-inoculated cattle boosted antibody responses toM. bovisPPD, rMPB83, ESAT-6, and the fusion protein Acr1-MPB83. The boosting effect was more pronounced in the 55-day CCT group. Increases in either IFN-γ or antibody production were not seen in noninoculated cattle. Measurement of both IFN-γ and antibody responses after skin testing may be useful in identifyingM. bovis-infected cattle; however, the timing of collection of such samples may influence interpretation.
Development and Application of Reference Antisera against 15 Hemagglutinin Subtypes of Influenza Virus by DNA Vaccination of Chickens
Authors: Lee Chang-Won , Senne Dennis A. , Suarez David L.
Published: March 2006

Reference antisera were produced against 15 influenza hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes using DNA vaccination to produce a high-quality polyclonal serum to the HA protein without antibodies to other influenza viral proteins. The HA gene from each of 15 different HA subtypes of influenza virus was cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector and injected intramuscularly, together with a cationic lipid, into 3- to 4-week-old specific-pathogen-free chickens. Birds were boostered twice at 4-week intervals after the initial injection, and in general, antibody titers increased after each boost. The antisera were successfully applied in the hemagglutination inhibition test, which is the standard method for the classification of the HA subtypes of influenza virus. We also demonstrated the HA specificity of the antisera by Western blot and immunodot blot analysis. DNA vaccination also provides a safer alternative for the production of HA-specific antibodies, since it is produced without the use of live virus.
Role of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Hepatitis B Virus-Specific Cytotoxic-T-Lymphocyte-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Kimura Kiminori , Nagaki Masahito , Nishihira Jun , Satake Shinichi , Kuwata Kazuo , Moriwaki Hisataka
Published: March 2006

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a pivotal role in the development of various inflammatory diseases. Here, we found that anti-mouse MIF antibody treatment reduced liver injury and inflammatory cell infiltration into the liver after injection of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes into hepatitis B virus transgenic mice.
Unreliable Measurement of Basophil Maximum Leukotriene Release with the Bühlmann CAST 2000 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kit
Authors: Burastero S. E. , Paolucci C. , Breda D. , Monasterolo G. , Rossi R. E. , Vangelista L.
Published: March 2006

The Bühlmann CAST 2000 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is a potentially useful assay for measuring sulfidoleukotrienes released in vitro by allergen-challenged basophils. However, we observed that the positive-control reagent yielded positive signals in cell-free systems. These false-positive results depended on using a mouse anti-FcεRI monoclonal antibody and were prevented by degranulation-inducing reagents other than mouse monoclonal antibodies.
Nucleotide Oligomerization Domain 2 (Nod2) Is Not Involved in the Pattern Recognition of
Candida albicans
Authors: van der Graaf Chantal A. A. , Netea Mihai G. , Franke Barbara , Girardin Stephen E. , van der Meer Jos W. M. , Kullberg Bart Jan
Published: March 2006

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (Nod2) pathways are known to interact with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, which are pattern recognition receptors for
Candida albicans
. We observed that the prevalence of Nod2 polymorphisms was not increased in patients with
Candida
infections.
Candida
-induced cytokine production in individuals with Nod2 polymorphisms was unaffected. We conclude that Nod2 is unlikely to play an important role in the recognition of
Candida albicans
.
FoxA2 Involvement in Suppression of Protein C, an Outcome Predictor in Experimental Sepsis
Authors: Berg David T. , Gerlitz Bruce , Sharma Ganesh R. , Richardson Mark A. , Stephens Eddie J. , Grubbs Renee L. , Holmes Kimberly C. , Fynboe Kelly , Montani Dominick , Cramer Martin S. , Engle Steven D. , Jakubowski Joseph A. , Heuer Josef G. , Grinnell Brian W.
Published: March 2006

Low levels of protein C (PC) predict outcome as early as 10 h after insult in a rat polymicrobial sepsis model and were associated with suppression of PC mRNA, upstream transcription factor FoxA2, and cofactor hepatocyte nuclear factor 6 (HNF6). Small interfering RNA suppression of FoxA2 in isolated hepatocytes demonstrated regulation of both its cofactor HNF6 and PC. Our data suggest that reduced FoxA2 may be important in the suppression of PC and resulting poor outcome in sepsis.
CAN WE DIFFERENTIATE NEUTRINOS FROM ANTI-NEUTRINOS IN EVOLUTION OF MASSLESS DIRAC FIELDS IN SCHWARZSCHILD BLACK-HOLE BACKGROUND?
Authors: JING JILIANG
Published: March 2006

We study analytically the evolution of massless Dirac fields in the background of the Schwarzschild black hole. It is shown that although the quasinormal frequencies are the same for opposite chirality with the same |k|, we can differentiate neutrinos from anti-neutrinos in evolution of the massless Dirac fields provided we know both stages for the quasinormal modes and the power-law tail behavior since the decay rate of the neutrinos is described by t-(2|k|+1) while anti-neutrinos is t-(2|k|+3).
ON THE CHIRAL PERTURBATION THEORY FOR TWO-FLAVOR TWO-COLOR QCD AT FINITE CHEMICAL POTENTIAL
Authors: BRAUNER TOMÁŠ
Published: March 2006

We construct the chiral perturbation theory for two-color QCD with two quark flavors as an effective theory on the SO(6)/SO(5) coset space. This formulation turns out to be particularly useful for extracting the physical content of the theory when finite baryon and isospin chemical potentials are introduced, and Bose–Einstein condensation sets on.
TACHYON DYNAMICS OF THE BLACK DISC LIMIT IN THE HARD SMALL x PROCESSES IN QCD
Authors: BLOK B. , FRANKFURT L.
Published: March 2006

We investigate the effective field theory (EFT) which gives the approximate description of the scattering of two hard small dipoles in the small x processes in QCD near the black disc limit (BDL). We argue that the perturbative QCD approaches predict the existence of tachyon and visualize it in the approximation where α′P=0. We demonstrate that the high energy behavior of the cross-section depends strongly on the diffusion law in the impact parameter plane. On the other hand, almost threshold behavior of the cross section of the hard processes and multiplicities, i.e. fast increase of cross sections (color inflation), melting of ladders into color network and softening of the longitudinal distributions of hadrons are qualitatively insensitive to the value of diffusion in the impact parameter space. We evaluate α′P near the black disk limit and find significant α′P as the consequence of the probability conservation.
UNIVERSE EVOLUTION IN A 5D RICCI-FLAT COSMOLOGY
Authors: ZHANG CHENGWU , LIU HONGYA , XU LIXIN , WESSON PAUL S.
Published: March 2006

We use Wetterich's parametrization equation of state (EOS) of dark energy to a 5D Ricci-flat cosmological solution and we assume that the universe contains three major components: matter, radiation and dark energy. By using the relation between the scale factor and the redshift z, we show that the two arbitrary functions contained in the 5D solution could be solved out analytically in terms of the variable z. Thus the whole 5D solution could be constructed uniquely if the current values of the three density parameters Ωm0, Ωr0, Ωx0, the EOS w0, and the bending parameter b contained in the EOS are all known. Furthermore, we find that all the evolutions of the mass density Ωm, the radiation density Ωr, the dark energy density Ωx, and the deceleration parameter q depend on the bending parameter b sensitively. Therefore it is worthwhile to study observational constraints on the bending parameter b.
AB-INITIOSTUDY ON THE EXCITON BINDING ENERGIES IN ORGANIC SEMICONDUCTORS
Authors: HUMMER KERSTIN , PUSCHNIG PETER , SAGMEISTER STEPHAN , AMBROSCH-DRAXL CLAUDIA
Published: March 2006

In this work, the optical properties including excitonic effects of organic semiconductors investigated within an ab-initio framework are reviewed. In particular, the imaginary part of the frequency-dependent dielectric tensor has been calculated for several organic molecular crystals consisting of short molecules and polymers, which comprise prime examples for the versatile class of organic semiconductors. The electron-hole interaction has been included by solving the Bethe–Salpeter equation for the two-particle Green's function. This approach allows for the evaluation of the exciton binding energies in such materials, which are of major interest concerning their technological application in organic opto-electronic devices. The results presented herein are compared to experimental data and surveyed together with previously reported theoretical findings, where particular emphasis is placed on analyzing the sensitivity of different approximations applied in the theoretical approaches. In this context, first the influence of the three-dimensional crystal environment versus one dimensional chains is addressed for the polymers. Second, the dependence of the exciton binding energy on the molecular size is studied by comparing the results obtained for the oligomers to those found for the polymers. As last aspect, the influence of the intermolecular interaction on the exciton binding energies is investigated by applying hydrostatic pressure.
THERMAL AND STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION OF NIOBIUM PHOSPHATE GLASSES
Authors: SIMON S. , CACAINA DANA , BALASZ I.
Published: March 2006

Glasses of the x( Nb 2 O 5· Li 2 O )(100-x)[ P 2 O 5· CaO ] system with 0≤x≤20 mol% were investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The vitreous state of all samples was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Thermal differential data obtained at different heating rate were used to determine the activation energy of crystallization (Et), while the thermal stability was appreciated at the same heating rate for all samples. The glass stability is modified by the addition of Nb 2 O 5 and Li 2 O to the calcium-phosphate matrix.
ATTRACTORS FOR STOCHASTIC LATTICE DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS
Authors: BATES PETER W. , LISEI HANNELORE , LU KENING
Published: March 2006

We consider a one-dimensional lattice with diffusive nearest neighbor interaction, a dissipative nonlinear reaction term and additive independent white noise at each node. We prove the existence of a compact global random attractor within the set of tempered random bounded sets. An interesting feature of this is that, even though the spatial domain is unbounded and the solution operator is not smoothing or compact, pulled back bounded sets of initial data converge under the forward flow to a random compact invariant set.
STOCHASTIC INTEGRATION FOR FRACTIONAL BROWNIAN MOTION IN A HILBERT SPACE
Authors: DUNCAN T. E. , JAKUBOWSKI J. , PASIK-DUNCAN B.
Published: March 2006

A Hilbert space-valued stochastic integration is defined for an integrator that is a cylindrical fractional Brownian motion in a Hilbert space and an operator-valued integrand. Since the integrator is not a semimartingale for the fractional Brownian motions that are considered, a different definition of integration is required. Both deterministic and stochastic operator-valued integrands are used. The approach uses some ideas from Malliavin calculus. In addition to the definition of stochastic integration, an Itô formula is given for smooth functions of some processes that are obtained by the stochastic integration.
A LARGE DEVIATION PRINCIPLE FOR THE EQUILIBRIUM STATES OF HÖLDER POTENTIALS: THE ZERO TEMPERATURE CASE
Authors: BARAVIERA ALEXANDRE , LOPES ARTUR O. , THIEULLEN PHILIPPE
Published: March 2006

Consider a α-Hölder function A : Σ → ℝ and assume that it admits a unique maximizing measure μmax. For each β, we denote μβ, the unique equilibrium measure associated to βA. We show that (μβ) satisfies a Large Deviation Principle, that is, for any cylinder C of Σ, [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] where V(x) is any strict subaction of A.
FIXED GRID FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS FOR 3D STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS
Authors: GARCÍA MANUEL J. , HENAO MIGUEL A. , RUIZ OSCAR E.
Published: March 2006

Fixed Grid (FG) methodology was first introduced by García and Steven as an engine for numerical estimation of two-dimensional elasticity problems. The advantages of using FG are simplicity and speed at a permissible level of accuracy. Two-dimensional FG has been proved effective in approximating the strain and stress field with low requirements of time and computational resources. Moreover, FG has been used as the analytical kernel for different structural optimization methods as Evolutionary Structural Optimization, Genetic Algorithms (GA), and Evolutionary Strategies. FG consists of dividing the bounding box of the topology of an object into a set of equally sized cubic elements. Elements are assessed to be inside (I), outside (O) or neither inside nor outside (NIO) of the object. Different material properties assigned to the inside and outside medium transform the problem into a multi-material elasticity problem. As a result of the subdivision NIO elements have non-continuous properties. They can be approximated in different ways which range from simple setting of NIO elements as O to complex non-continuous domain integration. If homogeneously averaged material properties are used to approximate the NIO element, the element stiffness matrix can be computed as a factor of a standard stiffness matrix thus reducing the computational cost of creating the global stiffness matrix. An additional advantage of FG is found when accomplishing re-analysis, since there is no need to recompute the whole stiffness matrix when the geometry changes.

This article presents CAD to FG conversion and the stiffness matrix computation based on non-continuous elements. In addition inclusion/exclusion of O elements in the global stiffness matrix is studied. Preliminary results shown that non-continuous NIO elements improve the accuracy of the results with considerable savings in time. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the possibilities of the method.