bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reticulocyte and Erythrocyte Binding-Like Proteins Function Cooperatively in Invasion of Human Erythrocytes by Malaria Parasites
Authors: Lopaticki Sash , Maier Alexander G. , Thompson Jennifer , Wilson Danny W. , Tham Wai-Hong , Triglia Tony , Gout Alex , Speed Terence P. , Beeson James G. , Healer Julie , Cowman Alan F.
Published: December 2010

Plasmodium falciparum
causes the most severe form of malaria in humans and invades erythrocytes using multiple ligand-receptor interactions. Two important protein families involved in erythrocyte binding are the erythrocyte binding-like (EBL) and the reticulocyte binding-like (RBL or
P. falciparum
Rh [PfRh]) proteins. We constructed
P. falciparum
lines lacking expression of EBL proteins by creating single and double knockouts of the corresponding genes for
eba-175
,
eba-181
, and
eba-140
and show that the EBL and PfRh proteins function cooperatively, consistent with them playing a similar role in merozoite invasion. We provide evidence that PfRh and EBL proteins functionally interact, as loss of function of EBA-181 ablates the ability of PfRh2a/b protein antibodies to inhibit merozoite invasion. Additionally, loss of function of some
ebl
genes results in selection for increased transcription of the
PfRh
family. This provides a rational basis for considering PfRh and EBL proteins for use as a combination vaccine against
P. falciparum
. We immunized rabbits with combinations of PfRh and EBL proteins to test the ability of antibodies to block merozoite invasion in growth inhibition assays. A combination of EBA-175, PfRh2a/b, and PfRh4 recombinant proteins induced antibodies that potently blocked merozoite invasion. This validates the use of a combination of these ligands as a potential vaccine that would have broad activity against
P. falciparum
.
Bifunctional Role of theTreponema pallidumExtracellular Matrix Binding Adhesin Tp0751
Authors: Houston Simon , Hof Rebecca , Francescutti Teresa , Hawkes Aaron , Boulanger Martin J. , Cameron Caroline E.
Published: December 2010

Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, is a highly invasive pathogenic spirochete capable of attaching to host cells, invading the tissue barrier, and undergoing rapid widespread dissemination via the circulatory system. TheT. pallidumadhesin Tp0751 was previously shown to bind laminin, the most abundant component of the basement membrane, suggesting a role for this adhesin in host tissue colonization and bacterial dissemination. We hypothesized that similar to that of other invasive pathogens, the interaction ofT. pallidumwith host coagulation proteins, such as fibrinogen, may also be crucial for dissemination via the circulatory system. To test this prediction, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methodology to demonstrate specific binding of soluble recombinant Tp0751 to human fibrinogen. Click-chemistry-based palmitoylation profiling of heterologously expressed Tp0751 confirmed the presence of a lipid attachment site within this adhesin. Analysis of the Tp0751 primary sequence revealed the presence of a C-terminal putative HEXXH metalloprotease motif, andin vitrodegradation assays confirmed that recombinant Tp0751 purified from both insect andEscherichia coliexpression systems degrades human fibrinogen and laminin. The proteolytic activity of Tp0751 was abolished by the presence of the metalloprotease inhibitor 1,10-phenanthroline. Further, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry showed that Tp0751 binds zinc and calcium. Collectively, these results indicate that Tp0751 is a zinc-dependent, membrane-associated protease that exhibits metalloprotease-like characteristics. However, site-directed mutagenesis of the HEXXH motif to HQXXH did not abolish the proteolytic activity of Tp0751, indicating that further mutagenesis studies are required to elucidate the critical active site residues associated with this protein. This study represents the first published description of aT. pallidumprotease capable of degrading host components and thus provides novel insight into the mechanism ofT. pallidumdissemination.
ELLIPTIC GENERA OF COMPLETE INTERSECTIONS IN WEIGHTED PROJECTIVE SPACES
Authors: GUO SHUAI , ZHOU JIAN
Published: December 2010

We generalize the residue method of Ma–Zhou to compute the two-variable elliptic genera of smooth hypersurfaces and complete intersections in weighted projective spaces.
GENERATION AND CONTROL ANALYSIS OF A MULTISTATE INTERMITTENT SYSTEM
Authors: XIE GUANGMING , YU YIYANG
Published: December 2010

In this paper, a Rössler-driving multistate intermittency is generated by a nonlinear system that contains controllable invariant subspaces. Intermittency-induced multiscroll attractor is found, and moreover, the control analysis is discussed, such as the number of attractors and the distance between laminar states can be easily adjusted by tuning some system parameters. The statistic behavior and power law distribution are also discussed, which reveal the regularities in the complex dynamics.
MÖBIUS TRANSFORMATIONS IN QUANTUM AMPLITUDE AMPLIFICATION WITH GENERALIZED PHASES
Authors: BAUTISTA-RAMOS CÉSAR , CASTILLO-TÉPOX NORA
Published: December 2010

The iteration of the operators employed in quantum amplitude amplification with generalized phases is analyzed by using elementary properties (geometric and algebraic) of the Möbius transformations (fractional linear transformations). It is shown that, for a given quantum algorithm without measurement, which produces a good state with probability a of success, if the phase angles φ and ϕ which mark the good and initial states respectively satisfy φ = ϕ with a small enough, then, for a number n of iterations with [Formula: see text] we get an error probability that is at most O(aϕ2).
SIMPLE SETS OF MEASUREMENTS FOR UNIVERSAL QUANTUM COMPUTATION AND GRAPH STATE PREPARATION
Authors: TAKAHASHI YASUHIRO
Published: December 2010

We consider the problem of minimizing resources required for universal quantum computation using only projective measurements. The resources we focus on are observables, which describe projective measurements, and ancillary qubits. We show that the set of observables {Z ⊗ X, ( cos θ)X + ( sin θ)Y all θ ∈ [0, 2π)} with one ancillary qubit is universal for quantum computation. The set is simpler than a previous one in the sense that one-qubit projective measurements described by the observables in the set are ones only in the (X, Y) plane of the Bloch sphere. The proof of the universality immediately implies a simple set of observables that is approximately universal for quantum computation. Moreover, the proof implies a simple set of observables for preparing graph states efficiently.
FAITHFUL CLONE OF AN UNKNOWN TWO-PARTICLE ENTANGLED STATE WITH ASSISTANCE
Authors: MA SONG-YA , CHEN XIU-BO , LUO MING-XING , NIU XIN-XIN , YANG YI-XIAN
Published: December 2010

We propose a deterministic and faithful scheme for realizing the assisted clone of an unknown two-particle entangled state. The first stage of the protocol requires teleportation via maximal entanglement. In the second stage, a novel set of mutually orthogonal basis vectors is constructed. With the assistance of the preparer through a two-particle projective measurement under this basis, a perfect copy of an original state can be produced. Compared with the previous protocols which produce the unknown state and its orthogonal complement state at the site of the sender, our scheme generates the unknown state deterministically. On the other hand, we put forward another assisted clone scheme via nonmaximal entanglement as the quantum channel. A faithful copy of the unknown state can be obtained with a certain probability.
TRIPARTITE CONTROLLED TELEPORTATION OF AN ARBITRARY TWO-QUBIT STATE WITH MULTIPARTITE CLUSTER STATES
Authors: LI YI-BAO , HOU KUI
Published: December 2010

We provide two schemes for tripartite Controlled Teleportation (CT) of an arbitrary two-qubit state by using five- and six-qubit cluster states as the quantum channel. It is found that the five-partite cluster state can be used for CT of an arbitrary two-qubit state with three agents and the six-partite cluster state can be used for symmetric CT scheme. In comparison with the similar scheme using the same quantum channels by Muralidharan and Panigrahi [Phys. Rev. A 78 (2008) 062333] and by Menona et al. [arXiv:/0906.3874v1], not multipartite entanglement measurements, which makes our schemes simpler than the existing schemes.
ENTANGLEMENT DYNAMICS AND SPIN-SQUEEZING OF THE NONLINEAR TAVIS–CUMMINGS MODEL MEDIATED BY A NONLINEAR BINOMIAL FIELD
Authors: ATETO M. S.
Published: December 2010

We show that spin-squeezing implies entanglement for the quantum tripartite state, where the subsystem of the bipartite state is identical. We study the relation between spin-squeezing parameters and entanglement through the quantum entropy of a system, starting initially in a pure state when the cavity is binomial. We show that spin-squeezing can be a convenient tool to give some insight into the subsystems entanglement dynamics when the bipartite subsystem interacts simultaneously with the cavity field subsystem, especially when the interaction occurs off-resonantly without and with a nonlinear medium contained in the cavity field subsystem. We illustrate that, in the case of large off-resonance interaction, spin-squeezing clarifies the properties of entanglement almost with full success. However, it is not a general rule when the cavity is assumed to be filled with a nonlinear medium. In this case, we illustrate that the insight into entanglement dynamics becomes more clear in the case of a weak nonlinear medium than in strong nonlinear medium. In parallel, the role of the phase-space distribution in quantifying entanglement is also studied. The numerical results of Husimi Q-function show that the integer strength of the nonlinear medium produces Schrödinger cat states, which is necessary for quantum entanglement.
Global topographical exploration and analysis with the SRTM and ASTER elevation models
Authors: Crippen Robert E.
Published: December 2010

One of the most fundamental geophysical measurements of the Earth is that which describes the shape of its land surface. Topographical data are required by virtually all Earth science disciplines engaged in studies at or near the land surface. Topography is also civilization's most heavily used non-atmospheric geophysical measurement. NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) projects have each completed independent near-global digital elevation measurements at comparable resolutions that approach 30 m spatially and 10 m vertically. Exploration of these datasets provides a new perspective of our planet. Fusion of these datasets will produce a more complete global elevation database, and differentiation of these datasets can be used to quantify select geomorphic processes.
An assessment of ASTER elevation data over glaciated terrain on Pourquois Pas Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Cziferszky A. , Fleming A. H. , Fox A.
Published: December 2010

This paper assesses the accuracy of digital elevation models (DEMs) generated from ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) satellite imagery in glaciated and mountainous terrain. This is an especially attractive technique for inaccessible glaciated regions of the Antarctic Peninsula. Our aims are to determine the best option for generating elevation data from ASTER data and to determine the errors involved for different terrain types. We use a near-coincident and contemporaneous airborne photogrammetric dataset to provide sufficiently accurate reference data. Three different software options for derivation of the ASTER DEM are assessed in order to determine the best available method of generating elevation data for this type of terrain. DEM accuracy is highly correlated to the steepness of the terrain. For areas of low to moderate relief errors are less than 20 m RMSE (root mean square error), but areas of high relief show much larger errors of up to 200 m RMSE.
Selecting the appropriate digital terrain model: an example from a hazard mapping exercise
Authors: Rutter H. K. , Newsham R. , Morris D. G. , McKenzie A. A.
Published: December 2010

In the UK national derived geological datasets are increasingly being produced, many of which are based on NEXTMap digital terrain model (DTM) or digital surface model (DSM) data. These include groundwater level and land stability datasets. Any DTM is a model of the land surface and under different conditions may have differing degrees of accuracy. This paper compares the NEXTMap data, derived from airborne Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IfSAR) data, with other frequently used datasets derived from contours and point data; in particular, the Integrated Hydrological Digital Terrain Model (IHDTM), a terrain model that was originally derived from Ordnance Survey (OS) 1:50 000 scale contours, and a DTM interpolated from Land-Form PROFILE data. This initial comparison of the DTMs has highlighted some issues with the NEXTMap data: first, that of elevation inaccuracy in woodland areas; and, secondly, the shadowing effect caused by the side-looking scanner. It also highlights the problems of using DTMs created from contour data in areas of low relief. The development of an uncertainty layer would enable a user to decide whether the DTM was appropriate in certain areas, and could also be incorporated into uncertainty models for the derived national datasets.
The use of elevation models to predict areas at risk of groundwater flooding
Authors: McKenzie A. A. , Rutter H. K. , Hulbert A. G.
Published: December 2010

Groundwater flooding, which occurs when the groundwater table rises in response to exceptional recharge rates either to the ground surface or to a point where subsurface infrastructure is affected, has been recognized as a significant issue with real economic impacts.

A methodology has been developed to produce maps of groundwater flooding susceptibility, using geological and hydrogeological data. While good geological map data are available in digital form for England and Wales, there are much less data on water levels. These levels are usually measured during the construction of water boreholes, and while there is a national groundwater level monitoring network for regulatory purposes, at a national level data are sparse. To assist in developing a comprehensive map of water levels, the British Geological Survey (BGS) has adopted a number of strategies for data interpolation for areas with limited water level data and a surface has been derived from a terrain model by considering interactions between groundwater and surface water in rivers and lakes. When comparing the calculated levels against the available field measurements, a high correlation was found to exist. However, it was considered that in areas where bedrock aquifers dominate, this interpolated surface was probably inaccurate, and so refinements were developed to improve the modelled water levels surfaces.

The resulting groundwater levels have been used to develop maps of areas where shallow groundwater may pose a risk. With potential changes in groundwater recharge postulated as a result of global climate change, identifying areas prone to flooding from groundwater, or areas where groundwater is likely to increase the impact of surface water flooding, is increasingly important.
The compressed permuterm index
Authors: Ferragina Paolo , Venturini Rossano
Published: December 2010

The
Permuterm index
[Garfield 1976] is a time-efficient and elegant solution to the string dictionary problem in which pattern queries may possibly include one wild-card symbol (called
Tolerant Retrieval
problem). Unfortunately the Permuterm index is space inefficient because it quadruples the dictionary size. In this article we propose the
Compressed
Permuterm Index which solves the Tolerant Retrieval problem in time proportional to the length of the searched pattern, and space close to the
k
th order empirical entropy of the indexed dictionary. We also design a
dynamic
version of this index that allows to efficiently manage insertion in, and deletion from, the dictionary of individual strings.

The result is based on a simple variant of the Burrows-Wheeler Transform, defined on a dictionary of strings of variable length, that allows to efficiently solve the Tolerant Retrieval problem via known (dynamic) compressed indexes [Navarro and Mäkinen 2007]. We will complement our theoretical study with a significant set of experiments that show that the Compressed Permuterm Index supports fast queries within a space occupancy that is close to the one achievable by compressing the string dictionary via gzip or bzip. This improves known approaches based on Front-Coding [Witten et al. 1999] by more than 50% in absolute space occupancy, still guaranteeing comparable query time.
Optimal scheduling in high-speed downlink packet access networks
Authors: Al-Zubaidy Hussein , Lambadaris Ioannis , Talim Jerome
Published: December 2010

We present an analytic model and a methodology to determine the optimal packet scheduling policy in a High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) system. The optimal policy is the one that maximizes cell throughput while maintaining a level of fairness between the users in the cell. A discrete stochastic dynamic programming model for the HSDPA downlink scheduler is presented. Value iteration is then used to solve for the optimal scheduling policy. We use a FSMC (Finite State Markov Channel) to model the HSDPA downlink channel. A near-optimal heuristic scheduling policy is developed. Simulation is used to study the performance of the resulting heuristic policy and compare it to the computed optimal policy. The results show that the performance of the heuristic policy is very close to that of the optimal policy. The heuristic policy has much less computational complexity, which makes it easy to deploy, with only slight reduction in performance compared to the optimal policy.
A theoretical framework for interaction measure and sensitivity analysis in cross-layer design
Authors: Wu Dalei , Ci Song , Luo Haiyan , Guo Hai-Feng
Published: December 2010

Cross-layer design has become one of the most effective and efficient methods to provide Quality of Service (QoS) over various communication networks, especially over wireless multimedia networks. However, current research on cross-layer design has been carried out in various piecemeal approaches, and lacks a methodological foundation to gain in-depth understanding of complex cross-layer behaviors such as multiscale temporal-spatial behavior, leading to a design paradox and/or unmanageable design problems. In this article, we propose a theoretical framework for quantitative interaction measures, which is further extended to sensitivity analysis by quantifying the contribution made by each design variable and by the interactions among them on the design objective. Thus, the proposed framework can significantly enhance our capability for cross-layer behavior characterization and provide design insights for future design. Furthermore, a case study on cross-layer optimized wireless multimedia communications has been adopted to illustrate major cross-layer design trade-offs and validate the proposed framework. Both analytical and experimental results show the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Modeling the interactions between MAC and higher layer
Authors: Begum Shamim , Helmy Ahmed , Gupta Sandeep
Published: December 2010

We propose a new framework for worst-case performance evaluation of MAC protocols for wireless ad hoc networks. Given a protocol, its performance metrics and a network topology, our framework first generates MAC scenarios which achieve poor performance at MAC level. In order to evaluate the impact of these MAC scenarios on the end performance, we model the interactions between MAC interface and the MAC layer using a state transition graph and generate high-level scenarios using enumeration techniques. These high-level scenarios can be simulated and compared with heuristics developed by others to identify high-level scenarios that are expected to lead to the worst-case end performance.

In order to demonstrate its usefulness, we use our framework to evaluate the worst-case performance of IEEE 802.11 DCF protocol by generating a library of MAC- and high-level scenarios. We simulate the high-level scenarios to demonstrate that the scenarios we generate exhibit the worst performance among all the scenarios, including those generated by using heuristics recently proposed by other researchers.
A technology empowerment model for engineering work
Authors: Doll William , Deng Xiaodong
Published: December 2010

Seeking to enhance the use of information technology for problem solving/decision support efforts and innovation in engineering work, management has sought to empower engineers by investing in increasingly powerful software capabilities and peer support networks to facilitate an experiential process of working and learning. Based on the concept of psychological empowerment from the management literature, the researchers propose a technology empowerment model (TEM) for the post-adoptive context of engineering design work. This model describes whether individual engineers are energized by cognitive task-technology assessments to engage in an ongoing experiential process. The model contends that psychological empowerment is affected by software capabilities and peer support and, in turn, motivates engineering problem solving/decision support efforts and work process innovations. The model is tested using a sample of 208 individuals engaged in engineering design work. Implications for improving the management of engineering work are discussed.
Factor
Authors: Pestov Sviatoslav , Ehrenberg Daniel , Groff Joe
Published: December 2010

Factor is a new dynamic object-oriented programming language. It began as an embedded scripting language and evolved to a mature application development language. The language has a simple execution model and is based on the manipulation of data on a stack. An advanced metaprogramming system provides means for easily extending the language. Thus, Factor allows programmers to use the right features for their problem domain. The Factor implementation is self-hosting, featuring an interactive development environment and an optimizing compiler. In this paper, the language and its implementation are presented.
Proxies
Authors: Van Cutsem Tom , Miller Mark S.
Published: December 2010

Proxies are a powerful approach to implement meta-objects in object-oriented languages without having to resort to metacircular interpretation. We introduce such a meta-level API based on proxies for Javascript. We simultaneously introduce a set of design principles that characterize such APIs in general, and compare similar APIs of other languages in terms of these principles. We highlight how principled proxy-based APIs improve code robustness by avoiding interference between base and meta-level code that occur in more common reflective intercession mechanisms.
Experiences with an icon-like expression evaluation system
Authors: Tratt Laurence
Published: December 2010

The design of the Icon programming language's expression evaluation system, which can perform limited backtracking, was unique amongst imperative programming languages when created. In this paper I explain and critique the original Icon design and show how a similar system can be integrated into a modern dynamically typed language. Finally I detail my experiences of this system and offer suggestions for the lessons to be learned from it.
Controlling dynamic module composition through an extensible meta-level API
Authors: Axelsen Eyvind W. , Krogdahl Stein , Møller-Pedersen Birger
Published: December 2010

In addition to traditional object-oriented (OO) concepts such as inheritance and polymorphism, several modularization and composition mechanisms like e.g. traits, mixins and virtual classes have emerged. The Package Template mechanism is another attempt at providing a flexible mechanism for modularization, composition and adaption.

Dynamic languages have traditionally employed strong support for meta-programming, with hooks to control OO concepts such as method invocation and object construction, by utilizing meta-classes and meta-object protocols.

In this work, we attempt to bring a corresponding degree of meta-level control to composition primitives, with a concrete starting point in the package template mechanism as developed for the dynamic language Groovy. We wish to support a wide range of possible composition semantics, and to make such choices available to the developer through a meta-level API. This API should be extensible, and the semantic variations should be applied within well-defined scopes.
Hot Water Epilepsy in a Pregnant Woman: A Case Report
Authors: Milanlıoğlu Aysel , Tombul Temel , Sayın Refah
Published: December 2010

Hot water epilepsy is a unique form of reflex epilepsy precipitated by the stimulus of bathing with hot water poured over the head. It is mostly seen in infants and children, with a predominance in males. Unlikely, we present a 32-year-old pregnancy woman with the incipient of reflex seizures triggered by pouring hot water over the head while having a bath during the gestation period and treated successfully with carbamazepine 400 mg/day therapy. Hot water epilepsy is known as a benign and self-limited reflex epilepsy, by firstly avoiding hot water or long showers and secondly using intermittent benzodiazepines or conventional antiepileptic drugs, may be sufficient to be seizure-free.
Convergence of Iterative Methods Applied to Generalized Fisher Equation
Authors: Sadigh Behzadi Sh.
Published: December 2010

A generalized Fisher′s equation is solved by using the modified Adomian decomposition
method (MADM), variational iteration method (VIM), homotopy analysis method (HAM), and modified homotopy
perturbation method (MHPM). The approximation solution of this equation is calculated in the form
of series whose components are computed easily. The existence, uniqueness, and convergence of the proposed
methods are proved. Numerical example is studied to demonstrate the accuracy of the present methods.
The Long-Term Effects of Prematurity and Intrauterine Growth Restriction on Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolic Function
Authors: Chan Patricia Y. L. , Morris Jonathan M. , Leslie Garth I. , Kelly Patrick J. , Gallery Eileen D. M.
Published: December 2010

Objective. To determine relative influences of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm birth on risks of cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic dysfunction in adolescent children.Study Design. Retrospective cohort study. 71 periadolescent children were classified into four groups: premature small for gestational age (SGA), premature appropriate for gestational age (AGA), term SGA, and term AGA.Outcome Measures. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), augmentation index (Al), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) following protein load; plasma glucose and serum insulin levels.Results. SGA had higher SBP (average 4.6 mmHg) and lower GFR following protein load (average 28.5 mL/min/1.73 m2) than AGA. There was no effect of prematurity on SBP (P=.4) or GFR (P=.9). Both prematurity and SGA were associated with higher AI (average 9.7%) and higher serum insulin levels 2 hr after glucose load (average 15.5 mIU/L) than all other groups.Conclusion. IUGR is a more significant risk factor than preterm birth for later systolic hypertension and renal dysfunction. Among children born preterm, those who are also SGA are at increased risk of arterial stiffness and metabolic dysfunction.
Development and Application of Bovine and Porcine Oligonucleotide Arrays with Protein-Based Annotation
Authors: Garbe John R. , Elsik Christine G. , Antoniou Eric , Reecy James M. , Clark Karl J. , Venkatraman Anand , Kim Jae-Woo , Schnabel Robert D. , Michael Dickens C. , Wolfinger Russell D. , Fahrenkrug Scott C. , Taylor Jeremy F.
Published: December 2010

The design of oligonucleotide sequences for the detection of gene expression in species with disparate volumes of genome and EST sequence information has been broadly studied. However, a congruous strategy has yet to emerge to allow the design of sensitive and specific gene expression detection probes. This study explores the use of a phylogenomic approach to align transcribed sequences to vertebrate protein sequences for the detection of gene families to design genomewide 70-mer oligonucleotide probe sequences for bovine and porcine. The bovine array contains 23,580 probes that target the transcripts of 16,341 genes, about 72% of the total number of bovine genes. The porcine array contains 19,980 probes targeting 15,204 genes, about 76% of the genes in the Ensembl annotation of the pig genome. An initial experiment using the bovine array demonstrates the specificity and sensitivity of the array.
Reconstruction of Protein-Protein Interaction Network of Insulin Signaling inHomo Sapiens
Authors: Durmuş Tekir Saliha , Ümit Pelin , Eren Toku Aysun , Ülgen Kutlu Ö.
Published: December 2010

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the failure of synthesizing and secreting of insulin because of destroyed pancreaticβ-cells. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is described by the decreased synthesis and secretion of insulin because of the defect in pancreaticβ-cells as well as by the failure of responding to insulin because of malfunctioning of insulin signaling. In order to understand the signaling mechanisms of responding to insulin, it is necessary to identify all components in the insulin signaling network. Here, an interaction network consisting of proteins that have statistically high probability of being biologically related to insulin signaling inHomo sapienswas reconstructed by integrating Gene Ontology (GO) annotations and interactome data. Furthermore, within this reconstructed network, interacting proteins which mediate the signal from insulin hormone to glucose transportation were identified using linear paths. The identification of key components functioning in insulin action on glucose metabolism is crucial for the efforts of preventing and treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.
AQCQ‐Functional Equation in Non‐Archimedean Normed Spaces
Authors: Gordji M. Eshaghi , Khodabakhsh R. , Jung S.-M. , Khodaei H.
Published: December 2010

We prove the generalized Hyers‐Ulam stability of generalized mixed type of
quartic, cubic, quadratic and additive functional equation in non‐Archimedean spaces.
Sudden Cause of Cardiac Death—Be Aware of Me: A Case Report and Short Review on Brugada Syndrome
Authors: Kalavakunta Jagadeesh K. , Bantu Vishwaroop , Tokala Hemasri , Kodenchery Mihas
Published: December 2010

Introduction. Brugada syndrome accounts for about 4% of sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). It is characterized by an ST-segment elevation in the right precordial electrocardiogram (EKG) leads.Case Presentation. We describe a 39-year-old healthy Caucasian man who was admitted to the intensive care unit after being cardioverted from ventricular fibrillation (VF) arrest. His past history was significant for an episode of syncope one month prior to this presentation for which he was admitted to an outlying hospital. EKG during that admission showed ST elevations in V1 and V2 leads, a pattern similar to Type 1 Brugada. A diagnosis of Brugada syndrome was missed and the patient had a cardiac arrest a month later. We discuss a short review of Brugada syndrome and emphasize the need to look for it in patients presenting with SCD and malignant arrhythmias.Conclusion. Physicians should always consider Brugada syndrome in the differential diagnosis of ST-segment elevation in anterior precordial leads of EKG and associated VT/VF. Although more than 17 years have passed since the first case was reported, increased awareness of this syndrome is needed to identify patients with EKG changes and treat them accordingly to prevent incidence of (SCD) and its deleterious complications.
Differences in Student Engagement: Investigating the Role of the Dominant Cognitive Processes Preferred by Engineering and Education Students
Authors: Ball Ian , Perry Chris
Published: December 2010

This paper reports on a study of the differences in the dominant cognitive processes preferred by groups of engineering and education students and examines the implications of these differences for the assessment of student engagement with university courses. Concern is expressed that the items commonly used to capture student engagement data do not adequately cover the full range of the dominant cognitive processes preferred by tertiary students. The paper sets out a brief overview of student engagement along with the theory of dominant and auxiliary cognitive processes, as developed by Jung and later by Myers. Evidence is presented of the differing frequencies of the eight cognitive processes, as assessed by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, that are preferred by cohorts of students undertaking courses in engineering and education. The implications of these differences are discussed in the context of subject disciplines in university environments.
Cyclophosphamide Synergizes with Type I Interferons through Systemic Dendritic Cell Reactivation and Induction of Immunogenic Tumor Apoptosis
Authors: Schiavoni Giovanna , Sistigu Antonella , Valentini Mara , Mattei Fabrizio , Sestili Paola , Spadaro Francesca , Sanchez Massimo , Lorenzi Silvia , D'Urso Maria Teresa , Belardelli Filippo , Gabriele Lucia , Proietti Enrico , Bracci Laura
Published: December 2010

Successful chemotherapy accounts for both tumor-related factors and host immune response. Compelling evidence suggests that some chemotherapeutic agents can induce an immunogenic type of cell death stimulating tumor-specific immunity. Here, we show that cyclophosphamide (CTX) exerts two types of actions relevant for the induction of antitumor immunity in vivo: (i) effect on dendritic cell (DC) homeostasis, mediated by endogenous type I interferons (IFN-I), leading to the preferential expansion of CD8α+ DC, the main subset involved in the cross-presentation of cell-derived antigens; and (ii) induction of tumor cell death with clear-cut immunogenic features capable of stimulating tumor infiltration, engulfment of tumor apoptotic material, and CD8 T-cell cross-priming by CD8α+ DC. Notably, the antitumor effects of CTX were efficiently amplified by IFN-I, the former providing a source of antigen and a “resetting” of the DC compartment and the latter supplying optimal costimulation for T-cell cross-priming, resulting in the induction of a strong antitumor response and tumor rejection. These results disclose new perspectives for the development of targeted and more effective chemoimmunotherapy treatments of cancer patients. Cancer Res; 71(3); 768–78. ©2010 AACR.
Polymorphisms in Base Excision Repair Genes as Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors and Modifiers of the Effect of Diets High in Red Meat
Authors: Brevik Asgeir , Joshi Amit D. , Corral Román , Onland-Moret N. Charlotte , Siegmund Kimberly D. , Le Marchand Loïc , Baron John A. , Martinez Maria Elena , Haile Robert W. , Ahnen Dennis J. , Sandler Robert S. , Lance Peter , Stern Mariana C.
Published: December 2010

Background: A diet high in red meat is an established colorectal cancer (CRC) risk factor. Carcinogens generated during meat cooking have been implicated as causal agents and can induce oxidative DNA damage, which elicits repair by the base excision repair (BER) pathway.

Methods: Using a family-based study, we investigated the role of polymorphisms in 4 BER genes (APEX1 Gln51His, Asp148Glu; OGG1 Ser236Cys; PARP Val742Ala; and XRCC1 Arg194Trp, Arg280His, Arg399Gln) as potential CRC risk factors and modifiers of the association between diets high in red meat or poultry and CRC risk. We tested for gene–environment interactions using case-only analyses (n = 577) and compared statistically significant results with those obtained using case-unaffected sibling comparisons (n = 307 sibships).

Results: Carriers of the APEX1 codon 51 Gln/His genotype had a reduced CRC risk compared with carriers of the Gln/Gln genotype (odds ratio (OR) = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.03–0.69, P = 0.015). The association between higher red meat intake (>3 servings per week) and CRC was modified by the PARP Val762Ala single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; case-only interaction P = 0.026). This SNP also modified the association between higher intake of high-temperature cooked red meat (case-only interaction P = 0.0009).

Conclusions: We report evidence that the BER pathway PARP gene modifies the association of diets high in red meat cooked at high temperatures with risk of CRC.

Impact: Our findings suggest a contribution to colorectal carcinogenesis of free radical damage as one of the possible harmful effects of a diet high in red meat. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(12); 3167–73. ©2010 AACR.
Validity of Self-reported Solar UVR Exposure Compared with Objectively Measured UVR Exposure
Authors: Glanz Karen , Gies Peter , O'Riordan David L. , Elliott Tom , Nehl Eric , McCarty Frances , Davis Erica
Published: December 2010

Background: Reliance on verbal self-report of solar exposure in skin cancer prevention and epidemiologic studies may be problematic if self-report data are not valid due to systematic errors in recall, social desirability bias, or other reasons.

Methods: This study examines the validity of self-reports of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) compared to objectively measured exposure among children and adults in outdoor recreation settings in 4 regions of the United States. Objective UVR exposures of 515 participants were measured using polysulfone film badge UVR dosimeters on 2 days. The same subjects provided self-reported UVR exposure data on surveys and 4-day sun exposure diaries, for comparison to their objectively measured exposure.

Results: Dosimeter data showed that lifeguards had the greatest UVR exposure (24.5% of weekday ambient UVR), children the next highest exposures (10.3% ambient weekday UVR), and parents had the lowest (6.6% ambient weekday UVR). Similar patterns were observed in self-report data. Correlations between diary reports and dosimeter findings were fair to good and were highest for lifeguards (r = 0.38–0.57), followed by parents (r = 0.28–0.29) and children (r = 0.18–0.34). Correlations between survey and diary measures were moderate to good for lifeguards (r = 0.20–0.54) and children (r = 0.35–0.53).

Conclusions: This is the largest study of its kind to date, and supports the utility of self-report measures of solar UVR exposure.

Impact: Overall, self-reports of sun exposure produce valid measures of UVR exposure among parents, children, and lifeguards who work outdoors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(12); 3005–12. ©2010 AACR.
Ordered Subset Analysis Identifies Loci Influencing Lung Cancer Risk on Chromosomes 6q and 12q
Authors: Fang Shenying , Pinney Susan M. , Bailey-Wilson Joan E. , de Andrade Mariza A. , Li Yafang , Kupert Elena , You Ming , Schwartz Ann G. , Yang Ping , Anderson Marshall W. , Amos Christopher I.
Published: December 2010

Background: Genetic susceptibility for cancer can differ substantially among families. We use trait-related covariates to identify a genetically homogeneous subset of families with the best evidence for linkage in the presence of heterogeneity.

Methods: We performed a genome-wide linkage screen in 93 families. Samples and data were collected by the familial lung cancer recruitment sites of the Genetic Epidemiology of Lung Cancer Consortium. We estimated linkage scores for each family by the Markov chain Monte Carlo procedure using SimWalk2 software. We used ordered subset analysis (OSA) to identify genetically homogenous families by ordering families based on a disease-associated covariate. We performed permutation tests to determine the relationship between the trait-related covariate and the evidence for linkage.

Results: A genome-wide screen for lung cancer loci identified strong evidence for linkage to 6q23–25 and suggestive evidence for linkage to 12q24 using OSA, with peak logarithm of odds (LOD) scores of 4.19 and 2.79, respectively. We found other chromosomes also suggestive for linkages, including 5q31–q33, 14q11, and 16q24.

Conclusions: Our OSA results support 6q as a lung cancer susceptibility locus and provide evidence for disease linkage on 12q24. This study further increased our understanding of the inheritability for lung cancer. Validation studies using larger sample size are needed to verify the presence of several other chromosomal regions suggestive of an increased risk for lung cancer and/or other cancers.

Impact: OSA can reduce genetic heterogeneity in linkage study and may assist in revealing novel susceptibility loci. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(12); 3157–66. ©2010 AACR.
Smoking and Selected DNA Repair Gene Polymorphisms in Controls: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hodgson M. Elizabeth , Poole Charles , Olshan Andrew F. , North Kari E. , Zeng Donglin , Millikan Robert C.
Published: December 2010

Background: When the case-only study design is used to estimate statistical interaction between genetic (G) and environmental (E) exposures, G and E must be independent in the underlying population, or the case-only estimate of interaction (COR) will be biased. Few studies have examined the occurrence of G–E association in published control group data.

Methods: To examine the assumption of G–E independence in empirical data, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of G–E associations in controls for frequently investigated DNA repair genes (XRCC1 Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp, or Arg280His, XPD Lys751Gln, and Asp312Asn, and XRCC3 Thr241Met), and smoking (ever/never smoking, current/not current smoker, smoking duration, smoking intensity, and pack-years).

Results: Across the 55 included studies, single nucleotide polymorphisms SNP-smoking associations in controls (ORz) were not reliably at the null value of 1.0 for any SNP-smoking combinations. Two G–E combinations were too heterogeneous for summary estimates: XRCC1 399 and ever-never smoking (N = 21), and XPD 751 and pack-years (N = 12). ORz ranges for these combinations were: [ORz (95% confidence interval (CI)] 0.7 (0.4, 1.2)–1.9 (1.2, 2.8) and 0.8 (0.5, 1.3)–2.3 (0.8, 6.1), respectively). Estimates for studies considered homogeneous (Cochran's Q P-value <0.10) varied 2- to 5-fold. No study characteristics were identified that could explain heterogeneity.

Conclusions: We recommend the independence assumption be evaluated in the population underlying any potential case-only study, rather than in a proxy control group(s) or pooled controls.

Impact: These results suggest that G–E association in controls may be population-specific. Increased access to control data would improve evaluation of the independence assumption. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(12); 3055–86. ©2010 AACR.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Prostate Cancer Risk in the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) Cohort
Authors: Brasky Theodore M. , Velicer Christine M. , Kristal Alan R. , Peters Ulrike , Potter John D. , White Emily
Published: December 2010

Introduction: Chronic inflammation may be important in prostate carcinogenesis. Several epidemiologic studies have reported inverse associations between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and prostate cancer risk, although many studies are limited by assessment of short-term use only.

Methods: Participants were male members of the VITamins And Lifestyle cohort, comprised 34,132 men, aged 50–76 years, living in western Washington State. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of 10-year average use of individual NSAIDs with total prostate cancer (n = 1,550) and prostate cancer by grade.

Results: Low-dose aspirin, regular-strength aspirin, ibuprofen, and any nonaspirin NSAID (ibuprofen, naproxen, and COX-2 inhibitors) were not associated with prostate cancer risk. There was a suggestion that regular-strength aspirin was inversely associated with risk of high-grade cancer (HR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.53–1.02).

Conclusion: NSAID use was not associated with prostate cancer risk in the VITAL cohort.

Impact: Our findings do not support the use of NSAIDs for chemoprevention of prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(12); 3185–8. ©2010 AACR.
Effect of Zoledronate on Oral Wound Healing in Rats
Authors: Yamashita Junro , Koi Kiyono , Yang Dong-Ye , McCauley Laurie K.
Published: December 2010

Purpose: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a growing concern in patients who receive bisphosphonates that target osteoclasts. As osteoclasts play multifunctional roles in the bone marrow, their suppression likely affects bone homeostasis and alters wound healing of the jaw. The objective was to delineate the impact of osteoclast suppression in the bone marrow and wound healing of the jaw.

Experimental Design: Zoledronate was administered to senile rats for 14 weeks. A portion of the gingiva was removed to denude the palatal bone. Gene expression in the bone marrow was assessed and histologic sections were analyzed to determine the wound healing status.

Results: Angiogenesis-related genes, CD31 and VEGF-A, were not altered by zoledronate. VEGF-C, which plays a role in lymphangiogenesis, was suppressed. There was a decrease in gene expression of Tcirg1 and MMP-13. Bone denudation caused extensive osteocyte death indicative of bone necrosis. In zoledronate-treated rats, the necrotic bone was retained in the wound while, in controls, osteoclastic resorption of the necrotic bone was prominent. Even though large necrotic bone areas existed in zoledronate-treated rats, overlaying soft tissue healed clinically. Immunohistochemical staining showed rich vascularity in the overlaying soft tissue.

Conclusions: Zoledronate therapy impacts bone marrow by suppressing genes associated with lymphangiogenesis and tissue remodeling, such as VEGF-C and MMP-13. Zoledronate was associated with impaired osseous wound healing but had no effect on angiogenic markers in the bone marrow or soft tissue wound healing. Zoledronate selectively blunts healing in bone but does not affect soft tissue healing in the oral cavity. Clin Cancer Res; 17(6); 1405–14. ©2010 AACR.