bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suffix-Sorting via Shannon-Fano-Elias Codes
Authors: Adjeroh Donald , Nan Fei
Published: April 2010

Given a sequence T = t0t1 . . . tn-1 of size n = |T|, with symbols from a fixed alphabet Σ, (|Σ| ≤ n), the suffix array provides a listing of all the suffixes of T in a lexicographic order. Given T, the suffix sorting problem is to construct its suffix array. The direct suffix sorting problem is to construct the suffix array of T directly without using the suffix tree data structure. While algorithims for linear time, linear space direct suffix sorting have been proposed, the actual constant in the linear space is still a major concern, given that the applications of suffix trees and suffix arrays (such as in whole-genome analysis) often involve huge data sets. In this work, we reduce the gap between current results and the minimal space requirement. We introduce an algorithm for the direct suffix sorting problem with worst case time complexity in O(n), requiring only (1 2 3 n log n - n log | ∑ |+O(1)) bits in memory space. This implies 5 2 3 n+O(1) bytes for total space requirment, (including space for both the output suffix array and the input sequence T) assuming n ≤ 2 32 ,| ∑ |≤256 , and 4 bytes per integer. The basis of our algorithm is an extension of Shannon-Fano-Elias codes used in source coding and information theory. This is the first time information-theoretic methods have been used as the basis for solving the suffix sorting problem.
Spatial Structure Alters the Shape of the Unimodal Species Richness-Biomass Relationship in a Neutral Model
Authors: McGlinn Daniel J. , Palmer Michael W.
Published: April 2010

Variation in individual density may explain the unimodal richness-biomass relationship in which species richness peaks at an intermediate level of total biomass. However, it is unclear how individual density is regulated by community thinning (i.e., mortality due to competition with neighbors) as total above-ground biomass increases. We developed a simulation model which demonstrates that the spatial structure of a population can influence the initiation and rate of community thinning and thus the shape of the richness-biomass relationship. Specifically, we found that more clustered populations resulted in a more abrupt initiation and rapid rate of thinning and thus a sharper unimodal richness-biomass relationship. Our simulation also demonstrated that a wide diversity of richness-biomass relationships can be produced by community-thinning.
Novel Materials through Non-Hydrolytic Sol-Gel Processing: Negative Thermal Expansion Oxides and Beyond
Authors: Lind Cora , Gates Stacy D. , Pedoussaut Nathalie M. , Baiz Tamam I.
Published: April 2010

Low temperature methods have been applied to the synthesis of many advanced materials. Non-hydrolytic sol-gel (NHSG) processes offer an elegant route to stable and metastable phases at low temperatures. Excellent atomic level homogeneity gives access to polymorphs that are difficult or impossible to obtain by other methods. The NHSG approach is most commonly applied to the preparation of metal oxides, but can be easily extended to metal sulfides. Exploration of experimental variables allows control over product stoichiometry and crystal structure. This paper reviews the application of NHSG chemistry to the synthesis of negative thermal expansion oxides and selected metal sulfides.
Carrageenans as a New Source of Drugs with Metal Binding Properties
Authors: Khotimchenko Yuri S. , Khozhaenko Elena V. , Khotimchenko Maxim Y. , Kolenchenko Elena A. , Kovalev Valeri V.
Published: April 2010

Carrageenans are abundant and safe non-starch polysaccharides exerting their biological effects in living organisms. Apart from their known pro-inflammation properties and some pharmacological activity, carrageenans can also strongly bind and hold metal ions. This property can be used for creation of the new drugs for elimination of metals from the body or targeted delivery of these metal ions for healing purposes. Metal binding activity of different carrageenans in aqueous solutions containing Y3+ or Pb2+ ions was studied in a batch sorption system. The metal uptake by carrageenans is not affected by the change of the pH within the range from 2.0 to 6.0. The rates and binding capacities of carrageenans regarding metal ions were evaluated. The Langmuir, Freundlich and BET sorption models were applied to describe the isotherms and constants, and the sorption isothermal data could be explained well by the Langmuir equation. The results obtained through the study suggest that κ-, ι-, and λ-carrageenans are favorable sorbents. The largest amount of Y3+ and Pb2+ ions are bound by i-carrageenan. Therefore, it can be concluded that this type of polysaccharide is the more appropriate substance for elaboration of the drugs with high selective metal binding properties.
Studies on Polyethers Produced by Red Algae
Authors: Cen-Pacheco Francisco , Nordström Laurette , Souto María Luisa , Martín Manuel Norte , Fernández José Javier , Daranas Antonio Hernández
Published: April 2010

Two novel squalene-derived triterpenes, spirodehydrovenustatriol (3) and 14-keto-dehydrothyrsiferol (4) were isolated from the red alga Laurencia viridis, together with two new and unusual C17 terpenoids, adejen A (5) and B (6). These truncated structures possess structural similarities with other known squalene metabolites and their biogenetic origin has been proposed on the basis of an oxidative process of the squalene skeleton. All the structures were elucidated by extensive use of 2D NMR spectroscopic methods.
Capturing the Data: Nutrition Risk Screening of Adults in Hospital
Authors: Frew Elizabeth , Cant Robyn , Sequeira Jennifer
Published: April 2010

This study aims to explore limitations with the Malnutrition Screening Tool in identifying malnutrition risk, in a cohort of 3,033 adult Australian medical and surgical hospital inpatients. Seventy-two percent of patients were screened; illness and medical care limited access to others. Malnutrition risk (16.5%; n = 501) was found in all age groups with a trend to higher risk in medical wards; 10% (n = 300) of patients with communication barriers were excluded. Systematic screening increased dietitians’ referrals by 39%. Further research is required to enable screening of all patients, including those with communication issues with an easy to use valid tool.
A New Myohaptic Instrument to Assess Wrist Motion Dynamically
Authors: Manto Mario , Van Den Braber Niels , Grimaldi Giuliana , Lammertse Piet
Published: April 2010

The pathophysiological assessment of joint properties and voluntary motion in neurological patients remains a challenge. This is typically the case in cerebellar patients, who exhibit dysmetric movements due to the dysfunction of cerebellar circuitry. Several tools have been developed, but so far most of these tools have remained confined to laboratories, with a lack of standardization. We report on a new device which combines the use of electromyographic (EMG) sensors with haptic technology for the dynamic investigation of wrist properties. The instrument is composed of a drivetrain, a haptic controller and a signal acquisition unit. Angular accuracy is 0.00611 rad, nominal torque is 6 N·m, maximal rotation velocity is 34.907 rad/sec, with a range of motion of –1.0472 to +1.0472 rad. The inertia of the motor and handgrip is 0.004 kg·m². This is the first standardized myohaptic instrument allowing the dynamic characterization of wrist properties, including under the condition of artificial damping. We show that cerebellar patients are unable to adapt EMG activities when faced with an increase in damping while performing fast reversal movements. The instrument allows the extraction of an electrophysiological signature of a cerebellar deficit.
Evaluation of Tunable Data Compression in Energy-Aware Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ying Beihua , Liu Yongpan , Yang Huazhong , Wang Hui
Published: April 2010

Energy is an important consideration in wireless sensor networks. In the current compression evaluations, traditional indices are still used, while energy efficiency is probably neglected. Moreover, various evaluation biases significantly affect the final results. All these factors lead to a subjective evaluation. In this paper, a new criterion is proposed and a series of tunable compression algorithms are reevaluated. The results show that the new criterion makes the evaluation more objective. Additionally it indicates the situations when compression is unnecessary. A new adaptive compression arbitration system is proposed based on the evaluation results, which improves the performance of compression algorithms.
FPGA-Based Fused Smart-Sensor for Tool-Wear Area Quantitative Estimation in CNC Machine Inserts
Authors: Trejo-Hernandez Miguel , Osornio-Rios Roque Alfredo , Romero-Troncoso Rene de Jesus , Rodriguez-Donate Carlos , Dominguez-Gonzalez Aurelio , Herrera-Ruiz Gilberto
Published: April 2010

Manufacturing processes are of great relevance nowadays, when there is a constant claim for better productivity with high quality at low cost. The contribution of this work is the development of a fused smart-sensor, based on FPGA to improve the online quantitative estimation of flank-wear area in CNC machine inserts from the information provided by two primary sensors: the monitoring current output of a servoamplifier, and a 3-axis accelerometer. Results from experimentation show that the fusion of both parameters makes it possible to obtain three times better accuracy when compared with the accuracy obtained from current and vibration signals, individually used.
Real and Perceived Risks for Mycotoxin Contamination in Foods and Feeds: Challenges for Food Safety Control
Authors: Milićević Dragan R. , Škrinjar Marija , Baltić Tatjana
Published: April 2010

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds, produced by the secondary metabolism of toxigenic moulds in the Aspergillus, Alternaria, Claviceps, Fusarium, Penicillium and Stachybotrys genera occurring in food and feed commodities both pre- and post-harvest. Adverse human health effects from the consumption of mycotoxins have occurred for many centuries. When ingested, mycotoxins may cause a mycotoxicosis which can result in an acute or chronic disease episode. Chronic conditions have a much greater impact, numerically, on human health in general, and induce diverse and powerful toxic effects in test systems: some are carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, estrogenic, hemorrhagic, immunotoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, dermotoxic and neurotoxic. Although mycotoxin contamination of agricultural products still occurs in the developed world, the application of modern agricultural practices and the presence of a legislatively regulated food processing and marketing system have greatly reduced mycotoxin exposure in these populations. However, in developing countries, where climatic and crop storage conditions are frequently conducive to fungal growth and mycotoxin production, much of the population relies on subsistence farming or on unregulated local markets. Therefore both producers and governmental control authorities are directing their efforts toward the implementation of a correct and reliable evaluation of the real status of contamination of a lot of food commodity and, consequently, of the impact of mycotoxins on human and animal health.
One Year of Complete Clinical Response in a Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient Treated with a Combination of Lapatinib and Gemcitabine
Authors: Gasent Blesa J. M. , Laforga Canales J. , Alberola Candel V.
Published: April 2010

The treatment of metastatic breast cancer is challenging. We recently assisted in the development of targeted therapies (in combination with chemotherapy or as monotherapy) that have improved results for selected groups of patients. Lapatinib is a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has shown efficacy in breast cancer. Consequently, its use has been approved, in combination with capecitabine, for the treatment of disease positive for the human epidermal growth factor receptor. Here, we present a case of complete clinical response to a combination of lapatinib and gemcitabine that was maintained for 1 year.
A Review of the Patterns of Docetaxel Use for Hormone-Resistant Prostate Cancer at the Princess Margaret Hospital
Authors: Chin S.N. , Wang L. , Moore M. , Sridhar S.S.
Published: April 2010

Background: Based on the TAX 327 phase iii trial, docetaxel-based chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for hormone-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC); however, there is some heterogeneity in the use of this agent in routine clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to examine the patterns of docetaxel use in routine clinical practice at our institution and to compare them with docetaxel use in the TAX 327 clinical trial. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of HRPC patients treated with first-line docetaxel between 2005 and 2007 at the Princess Margaret Hospital. Results: In the first-line setting, 88 patients with HRPC received docetaxel. The main reasons for initiating docetaxel were rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA, 98%) and progressive symptoms (77%). The PSA response rate was 67%; median time to response was 1.5 months, and duration of response was 6.8 months. Median survival was 15.9 months (95% confidence interval: 12.4 to 20.5 months). Patients received a median of 7 cycles of treatment, and the main toxicities were fatigue (35%) and neuropathy (24%). Post docetaxel, 36 patients received second-line treatment with a 22% response rate. Conclusions: In routine clinical practice, HRPC patients received docetaxel mainly because of symptomatic disease progression. Overall response rates and toxicities were comparable to those in the TAX 327 trial. However, our patients received a median of only 7 cycles of treatment versus the 9.5 administered on trial, and survival was slightly shorter in our single-institution study. A larger prospective multicentre analysis, including performance status and quality-of-life parameters, may be warranted to determine if docetaxel performs as well in routine clinical practice as it does in the clinical trial setting.
Mutual pharmacokinetic interactions between bosentan and lopinavir/ritonavir in healthy participants
Authors: Dingemanse Jasper , van Giersbergen Paul LM , Patat Alain , Nilsson Per N
Published: April 2010

Background

We aimed to investigate the extent of pharmacokinetic drug interactions between bosentan and a fixed combination of lopinavir/ritonavir.

Methods

This was a three-way crossover study in 12 healthy male participants treated with bosentan (125 mg twice daily) and lopinavir/ritonavir (400/100 mg twice daily) alone or in combination for 9.5 days.

Results

Combination treatment resulted in slightly lower area under the concentration–time curve during the 12 h dosing interval under steady-state conditions (AUCτ,ss) values of both lopinavir and ritonavir with geometric mean ratios (GMRs; 90% confidence intervals [CIs]) of 0.86 (0.74–0.99) for lopinavir and 0.83 (0.76–0.92) for ritonavir. The maximum concentration in steady state (Cmax, ss) of lopinavir and ritonavir remained unchanged with a GMR of 0.95 and 1.01, respectively, and the 90% CIs were within the range of 0.8–1.25. The observed effects of bosentan on lopinavir and ritonavir pharmacokinetics were considered to be not clinically relevant. The pharmacokinetics of bosentan were strongly affected by coadministration. Bosentan concentration increased up to 48-fold during the first 4 days of coadministration with lopinavir/ritonavir. At steady state, the GMR for AUCτ,ss was 5.22 (3.84– 7.10) and for Cmax, ss was 6.12 (4.24–8.82). The increased exposure to bosentan was reflected in an increase in adverse events attributed to bosentan, that is, mainly headache, but not in liver enzyme abnormalities.

Conclusions

Bosentan does not affect lopinavir and ritonavir exposure to a clinically relevant extent, but tolerability of bosentan should be monitored in HIV patients under antiretroviral therapy with lopinavir/ritonavir. It is anticipated that all ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors will have a similar effect on bosentan pharmacokinetics.
Antiviral activity and tolerability of amdoxovir with zidovudine in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study in HIV-1-infected individuals
Authors: Murphy Robert L , Kivel Nancy M , Zala Carlos , Ochoa Claudia , Tharnish Phillip , Mathew Judy , Pascual Maria Luz , Schinazi Raymond F
Published: April 2010

Background

Amdoxovir acts synergistically with zidovudine in vitro and the combination prevents or delays the selection of thymidine analogue and K65R mutations. In silico studies have shown that a reduced dose of zidovudine (200 mg) results in decreased zidovudine-monophosphate levels, associated with toxicity, while maintaining zidovudine-triphosphate levels, which are associated with antiviral effects. Here, we aimed to assess the short-term tolerability and antiviral activity of amdoxovir in combination with reduced and standard doses of zidovudine.

Methods

The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in HIV-1-infected patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy and with plasma HIV-1 RNA ≥5,000 copies/ml. Patients were randomized to 10 days of twice-daily treatment with 200 mg zidovudine, 300 mg zidovudine, 500 mg amdoxovir, 500 mg amdoxovir plus 200 mg zidovudine or 500 mg amdoxovir plus 300 mg zidovudine. The mean change in viral load (VL) log10 and area under the virus depletion curve (AUCVL) from baseline to day 10 were determined. Laboratory and clinical safety monitoring were performed.

Results

Twenty-four patients were enrolled. The mean VL log10 change was 0.10 with placebo, -0.69 with zidovudine 200 mg, -0.55 with zidovudine 300 mg, -1.09 with amdoxovir, -2.00 with amdoxovir plus zidovudine (200 mg) and -1.69 with amdoxovir plus zidovudine (300 mg). Amdoxovir plus zidovudine (200 mg) was significantly more potent than amdoxovir monotherapy in AUCVL and mean VL decline ( P=0.019 and P=0.021, respectively), suggesting synergy. There was markedly decreased VL variability with the combination compared with amdoxovir alone. All adverse events were mild to moderate.

Conclusion

The combination of amdoxovir plus zidovudine appeared synergistic with reduced VL variability. This combined therapy, including the use of a lower zidovudine dosage, warrants further development for the therapy of HIV infection.
The effects of a nucleoside-sparing antiretroviral regimen on the pharmacokinetics of ritonavir-boosted darunavir in HIV type-1-infected patients
Authors: Garvey Lucy , Latch Ngaire , Erlwein Otto W , Mackie Nicola E , Walsh John , Scullard George , McClure Myra O , Dickinson Laura , Back David , Winston Alan
Published: April 2010

Background

Nucleoside-sparing combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) regimens might be an attractive therapeutic option for HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-infected patients; however, the pharmacokinetic profiles of such regimens are frequently unknown.

Methods

Fourteen HIV-1-infected patients (age 21–55 years, 64% male) on stable cART with plasma HIV RNA <50 copies/ml entered this Phase I pharmacokinetic study. In period 1, patients received tenofovir/emtricitabine/ darunavir/ritonavir (300/200/800/100 mg) all once daily. During period 2, raltegravir 400 mg twice daily was added to the regimen and in period 3 tenofovir/emtricitabine was discontinued. At steady state, intensive pharmacokinetic sampling was undertaken. Differences in the geometric mean ratio (GMR) for pharmacokinetic parameters between periods 2 versus 1 and period 3 versus 1 were assessed for darunavir and ritonavir (period 3 versus 2 for raltegravir).

Results

No statistically significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters were observed between period 2 versus period 1. During period 3, darunavir GMR (95% confidence interval) values for trough and maximum plasma concentration (Ctroughand Cmax), area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) and elimination half-life (t1/2) were 0.64 ng/ml (0.44–0.93), 1.05 ng/ ml (0.90–1.24), 0.92 ng h/ml (0.78–1.08) and 0.69 h (0.46–1.05), respectively, when compared with period 1. No statistically significant changes were observed in ritonavir or raltegravir pharmacokinetic parameters. Darunavir Ctrough<550 ng/ml (the minimum effective concentration for protease-resistant HIV viral isolates) was observed in four patients during period 3 only. No clinically significant safety concerns were reported.

Conclusions

Darunavir Ctroughis reduced by 36% when administered without tenofovir/emtricitabine in HIV-1 -infected patients. This interaction might be of clinical significance in the management of individuals with protease-resistant HIV viral isolates.
Secondary Sjögren’s Syndrome in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Defines a Distinct Disease Subset
Authors: BAER ALAN N. , MAYNARD JANET W. , SHAIKH FASIL , MAGDER LAURENCE S. , PETRI MICHELLE
Published: April 2010

Objective.

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) may occur in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We sought to determine whether the presence of SS in a large cohort of patients with SLE defines a subset with distinctive sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory features.

Methods.

The Johns Hopkins Lupus Cohort was divided into 2 groups, based on the presence or absence of SS, defined by the presence of an objective measure of sicca or an abnormal minor salivary gland biopsy in a patient with sicca symptoms. These groups were compared with regard to sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory features. Multivariable logistic regression was then performed to adjust the findings for potential sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory confounders.

Results.

The 259 patients with SS (14% of the cohort), when compared with the 1531 patients without SS, were older at the time of SLE diagnosis and were more commonly women and white. Photosensitivity, oral ulcers, Raynaud’s phenomenon, anti-Ro antibodies, and anti-La antibodies had a significant positive association while renal disease, anti-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies, and anti-dsDNA antibodies had a negative association with the presence of SS after adjustment for age (at last cohort visit), gender, ethnicity, and anti-Ro antibodies. The older age at diagnosis of SLE among the patients with SS did not remain a significant finding after adjustment for the age of the patient at last cohort visit.

Conclusion.

The subset of patients with SLE and SS has a distinct clinical and laboratory phenotype, with a higher frequency of older white women with photosensitivity, oral ulcers, Raynaud’s phenomenon, anti-Ro antibodies, and anti-La antibodies and a lower frequency of renal disease, anti-dsDNA antibodies, and anti-RNP antibodies.
Towards Ethnological Perspectives and Images
Authors: Slavec Gradišnik Ingrid
Published: April 2010

Prispevek predstavlja izhodišča, izvedbo in nekatera spoznanja raziskovalnega projekta »Etnološki pogledi in podobe med 19. in 21. stoletjem«, ki jih gre razumeti kot preiskavo možnosti, kako zasnovati reprezentativno delo o podobi kulture in kulturnih procesov na Slovenskem. Od konca 19. stoletja so se korenito spreminjali in spremenili kulturna podoba (v najširšem etnološkem pomenu izraza kultura), prizorišča vsakdanjega življenja, potrebe, načini komunikacije, vrednote, identitetni vzorci itn., hkrati pa je to tudi čas, ko je sodobna etnološka-folkloristična veda dozorevala iz domoznanskih in filoloških podlag v znanstveno disciplino. Ujetost v ta čas je označila zasnovo projekta, ki ga je usmerjala ambicija po spoznanjih o presečiščih in stičiščih med empirično zaznavnim in znanstvenimi posegi vanj, po razbiranju »pogledov« na raziskovano resničnost in razkrivanju »podob« o njej.
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This article presents the background, implementation, and some findings of the research project Etnološki pogledi in podobe med 19. in 21. stoletjem (Ethnological Perspectives and Images between the Nineteenth and Twenty-First Centuries), which are to be understood as a study of the possibilities to design a representative work on culture and cultural processes in Slovenia. From the end of the nineteenth century onwards, the images of culture (or culture in the broadest ethnological meaning), venues of everyday life, needs, communication modes, values, identity patterns, and so on have changed radically; at the same time, this has been a period in which modern ethnology and folklore studies have matured from local studies and philology into a scholarly discipline. Restriction to this period has marked the design of the project, which has been guided by the ambition to know more about the intersections and crossroads between empirically perceivable elements and scholarly interventions in them, to comprehend the “views” of the reality studied, and to reveal “images” connected with it.
Uses of Internet and Mobile Technology in Health Systems for the Elderly: A Case Study of Hong Kong
Authors: Lam Sanches , Chung Winnie
Published: April 2010

To investigate the impact of training the elderly to use the Internet and mobile computer devices in order to become more active in their health care. This study utilized semi-structured interviews and surveys. Five themes emerged from the interviews that described participants' motivations and barriers they experienced when using the mobile devices and Internet. Survey data revealed that levels of computer anxiety decreased and levels of efficacy increasing after training. Conclusion: Training the elderly to use the Internet lowered levels of computer anxiety. In addition, participants used the information retrieved from the Internet to become more active in their own health care.
COMPUTER-AIDED DIAGNOSIS FOR THYROID GRAVES' DISEASE IN ULTRASOUND IMAGES
Authors: Chang Chuan-Yu , Liu Hsiang-Yi , Tseng Chin-Hsiao , Shih Shyang-Rong
Published: April 2010

Hyperthyroidism is a common thyroid disease. Graves' disease is one of the most common etiologies with 70–80% of hyperthyroidism. In clinical diagnosis, physicians generally utilize ultrasound (US) images for inspections. Unfortunately, they are not able to decide the Graves' disease directly on the US images, and have to rely on blood tests to assure it. The blood tests often take weeks to obtain the inspection results. Hence, in this article, we proposed an approach to diagnose Graves' disease on US image directly. The automatic diagnosis meets a short-time inspection, and patients may know their situation quickly. We segment the thyroid regions and utilize a high-performance classifier (support vector machine — SVM) to classify the regions. The Graves' disease is diagnosed using an area measure on the classified regions. Experimental results show effectiveness of the proposed approach.
LEARNING PATTERNS OF LIVER MASSES USING IMPROVED RBF NETWORKS
Authors: Lee Chien-Cheng , Shih Cheng-Yuan
Published: April 2010

This study proposes a diagnosis system for liver masses based on the improved radial basis function (RBF) neural networks. In this article, RBF networks are improved by sigmoid function and the growing and pruning algorithm. The proposed improved RBF networks adopt the sigmoid function as their kernel due to its increased flexibility over the Gaussian kernel. Furthermore, the growing and pruning algorithm is used to adjust the network size dynamically according to the neuron's significance. This investigation formulates discriminating among cysts, hepatoma, cavernous hemangioma, and normal tissue as a supervised learning problem. The current work calculates several texture and gray-level features derived from regions of interest as input in the proposed classifier. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves evaluate the diagnosis performance, and demonstrate the proposed method's good performance.
Antecedents of Online Game Dependency
Authors: Chen Kaunchin , Chen Jengchung V. , Ross William H.
Published: April 2010

Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) dependency has been widely studied but research results suggest inconclusive antecedent causes. This study proposes and empirically tests three predictive models of MMOG dependency using a survey of online gaming participants. It finds multimedia realism for social interaction serves as an original antecedent factor affecting other mediating factors to cause MMOG dependency. These mediating factors derive from Uses and Gratifications theory and include: (1) participation in a virtual community, (2) diversion from everyday life, and (3) a pleasant aesthetic experience. Of these, participation in a virtual community has a strong positive relationship with MMOG dependency, and aesthetics has a modest negative relationship. Moderator analyses suggest neither gender nor “frequency of game playing” are significant but experience playing online games is a significant moderating factor of MMOG dependency.
Production of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors from Human Lung Macrophages Induced by Group IIA and Group X Secreted Phospholipases A2
Authors: Granata Francescopaolo , Frattini Annunziata , Loffredo Stefania , Staiano Rosaria I. , Petraroli Angelica , Ribatti Domenico , Oslund Rob , Gelb Michael H. , Lambeau Gerard , Marone Gianni , Triggiani Massimo
Published: April 2010

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis mediated by vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are main features of chronic inflammation and tumors. Secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) are overexpressed in inflammatory lung diseases and cancer and they activate inflammatory cells by enzymatic and receptor-mediated mechanisms. We investigated the effect of sPLA2s on the production of VEGFs from human macrophages purified from the lung tissue of patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Primary macrophages express VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D at both mRNA and protein level. Two human sPLA2s (group IIA and group X) induced the expression and release of VEGF-A and VEGF-C from macrophages. Enzymatically-inactive sPLA2s were as effective as the active enzymes in inducing VEGF production. Me-Indoxam and RO092906A, two compounds that block receptor-mediated effects of sPLA2s, inhibited group X-induced release of VEGF-A. Inhibition of the MAPK p38 by SB203580 also reduced sPLA2-induced release of VEGF-A. Supernatants of group X-activated macrophages induced an angiogenic response in chorioallantoic membranes that was inhibited by Me-Indoxam. Stimulation of macrophages with group X sPLA2 in the presence of adenosine analogs induced a synergistic increase of VEGF-A release and inhibited TNF-α production through a cooperation between A2A and A3 receptors. These results demonstrate that sPLA2s induce production of VEGF-A and VEGF-C in human macrophages by a receptor-mediated mechanism independent from sPLA2 catalytic activity. Thus, sPLA2s may play an important role in inflammatory and/or neoplastic angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
B Cells Have Distinct Roles in Host Protection against Different Nematode Parasites
Authors: Liu Qian , Kreider Timothy , Bowdridge Scott , Liu Zhugong , Song Youngmia , Gaydo Andrew G. , Urban Joseph F. , Gause William C.
Published: April 2010

B cells can mediate protective responses against nematode parasites by supporting Th2 cell development and/or by producing Abs. To examine this, B cell-deficient mice were inoculated with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or Heligmosomoides polygyrus. B cell-deficient and wild type mice showed similar elevations in Th2 cytokines and worm expulsion after N. brasiliensis inoculation. Worm expulsion was inhibited in H. polygyrus-inoculated B cell-deficient mice, although Th2 cytokine elevations in mucosal tissues were unaffected. Impaired larval migration and development was compromised as early as day 4 after H. polygyrus challenge, and administration of immune serum restored protective immunity in B cell-deficient mice, indicating a primary role for Ab. Immune serum even mediated protective effects when administered to naive mice prior to inoculation. This study suggests variability in the importance of B cells in mediating protection against intestinal nematode parasites, and it indicates an important role for Ab in resistance to tissue-dwelling parasites.
Intragraft Th17 Infiltrate Promotes Lymphoid Neogenesis and Hastens Clinical Chronic Rejection
Authors: Deteix Clémence , Attuil-Audenis Valérie , Duthey Aurélie , Patey Natacha , McGregor Brigitte , Dubois Valérie , Caligiuri Giuseppina , Graff-Dubois Stéphanie , Morelon Emmanuel , Thaunat Olivier
Published: April 2010

To evaluate the influence of intragraft inflammatory infiltrate on the course of chronic rejection, 11 human renal grafts, detransplanted for terminal failure, were analyzed. Samples were divided into two groups according to their graft survival (> or ≤8 y). In both groups, the main cell population infiltrating the graft interstitia was T lymphocytes. The extent of the lymphocytic infiltration and the distribution of naive and memory, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, were similar in both groups. Although all types of Th polarization profiles can lead to terminal chronic rejection, a correlation between shorter graft survival and the presence of Th17 cells that produce IL-17 and IL-21 was observed. In contrast, grafts infiltrated by regulatory T cells survived significantly longer. The correlation between the expressions of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (the key enzyme of the germinal center reaction) and IL-21 suggests that Th17 could exert their deleterious effect by promoting lymphoid neogenesis, namely, the organization of inflammatory effectors into ectopic germinal centers in which a local humoral immune response is elicited. Further studies will determine whether Th17 infiltration can be used as a prognosis tool and whether theTh17 subset constitutes a therapeutic target for slowing down chronic rejection.
Atrial Tachycardias Arising from Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: A Proarrhythmic Bump or an Antiarrhythmic Turn?
Authors: Shah Ashok J. , Jadidi Amir , Liu Xingpeng , Miyazaki Shinsuke , Forclaz Andrei , Nault Isabelle , Rivard Lena , Linton Nick , Xhaet Olivier , Derval Nicolas , Sacher Frederic , Bordachar Pierre , Ritter Philippe , Hocini Meleze , Jais Pierre , Haissaguerre Michel
Published: April 2010

The occurrence of atrial tachycardias (AT) is a direct function of the volume of atrial tissue ablated in the patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Thus, the incidence of AT is highest in persistent AF patients undergoing stepwise ablation using the strategic combination of pulmonary vein isolation, electrogram based ablation and left atrial linear ablation. Using deductive mapping strategy, AT can be divided into three clinical categories viz. the macroreentry, the focal and the newly described localized reentry all of which are amenable to catheter ablation with success rate of 95%. Perimitral, roof dependent and cavotricuspid isthmus dependent AT involve large reentrant circuits which can be successfully ablated at the left mitral isthmus, left atrial roof and tricuspid isthmus respectively. Complete bidirectional block across the sites of linear ablation is a necessary endpoint. Focal and localized reentrant AT commonly originate from but are not limited to the septum, posteroinferior left atrium, venous ostia, base of the left atrial appendage and left mitral isthmus and they respond quickly to focal ablation. AT not only represents ablation-induced proarrhythmia but also forms a bridge between AF and sinus rhythm in longstanding AF patients treated successfully with catheter ablation.
Separating Maps between Spaces of Vector-Valued Absolutely Continuous Functions
Authors: Dubarbie Luis
Published: April 2010

In this paper we give a description of separating or disjointness preserving linear bijections on spaces of vector-valued absolutely continuous functions defined on compact subsets of the real line. We obtain that they are continuous and biseparating in the finite-dimensional case. The infinite-dimensional case is also studied.
Upper water column methane geochemistry in the eastern tropical North Pacific1
Authors: Burke Roger A. , Reid David F. , Brooks James M. , Lavoie Dennis M.
Published: April 2010

Upper water column (<400 m) profiles of methane, suspended matter, biological indicators, and hydrographic parameters were obtained from nine stations in the eastern tropical North Pacific Ocean. Methane was consistently supersaturated with respect to atmospheric equilibrium and displayed a subsurface maximum containing about 2–3 times near‐surface concentrations associated with the upper part of the pycnocline. Correlations between methane and the particulate and biological parameters at all nine stations taken together were low, although several stations individually exhibited significant correspondences. The methane distribution was largely controlled by physical oceanographic processes. Microbial activity associated with suspended particles, possibly recycled by repetitive zooplankton grazing, is believed most likely responsible for the excess methane.
Production and consumption of carbon monoxide in a eutrophic lake1
Authors: Conrad Ralf , Aragno Michel , Seiler Wolfgang
Published: April 2010

CO concentrations were measured in the water of a eutrophic lake by a technique which allowed the detection of ⩾0.5 nl CO·liter−1 of water. In spring, when the lake was aerobic to the bottom, CO distribution was relatively homogeneous with concentrations of 40–130 nl liter−1. In summer, CO concentrations ranged between 20 and 615 nl · liter−1 in the aerobic epilimnion and metalimnion, but reached values of >8,000 nl · liter−1 in the anaerobic hypolimnion. CO increased during the morning and decreased during the afternoon in the upper water layers as well as in the dark hypolimnion. Incubation of lake water samples from different depths under daylight conditions resulted in a strong CO production. The light‐dependent CO production was stimulated by the high numbers of Oscillatoria rubescens in the metalimnion, but also by material from the lake sediment. Incubation of lake water samples in darkness resulted in CO consumption under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
Photoreduction of iron in the epilimnion of acidic lakes
Authors: Collienne R. H.
Published: April 2010

Two acid soft‐water lakes in the east of Belgium contain appreciable amounts of soluble ferrous iron in the epilimnetic zone which change diurnally and annually. A considerable drop in redox potential in the same zone confirms the existence of an active reduction of ferric iron, with a concomitant solubilization of particulate iron and of deposited iron supplied from the sediments in contact with epilimnetic water when the latter is well oxygenated. The reduction process is essentially photochemical, promoted by optimal pH conditions and by the presence of organic matter (humic acids).
The development and growth of Calanus copepodites1
Authors: Harris J. R. W.
Published: April 2010

A two‐compartment model of developing calanoid copepods is proposed. One compartment is tentatively identified with the oil sac of copepodites and determines the rate of growth of the other. The developmental stage of the copepod is taken to he a measure of the second compartment. Parameter values are estimated for copepodites of Calanus pacificus using existing data. Respiration appears to be directly proportional to the estimated size of the second compartment.
Planktonic standing crop and nutrients in a saltern ecosystem1
Authors: Javor Barbara J.
Published: April 2010

The brines in the seawater concentrating ponds and NaCl crystallizing ponds of the Exportadora de Sal saltern contain little dissolved nitrate, ammonia, and phosphate. The phytoplanktonic standing crop in the concentrators is relatively low and kept in check by brine shrimp grazing. The concentration of red halophilic bacteria in the crystallizers is dependent on brine density. Bacteriorhodopsin is present. Bitterns ponds are relatively nutrient‐rich but apparently are devoid of life.
Environmental correlates of hermatypic coral (Montastrea annularis) growth on the East Flower Gardens Bank, northwest Gulf of Mexico1
Authors: Dodge Richard E. , Lang Judith C.
Published: April 2010

Time series of annual linear growth increments from 12 Montastrea annularis (E. and S.) collected at the East Flower Gardens Bank reef in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico have a common pattern. This is best expressed in an index master chronology (average by year of the annual percentage deviations from the mean of each coral).

Comparisons with time series of environmental data indicate that coral extension rates vary positively with seasonal (February through May—4 months) surface water temperature and negatively with annual discharge of the Atchafalaya River. We propose that secular variations of water temperature and other parameters are the major long term controls of coral growth in the area. Our data do not support the view that sinking of the Flower Gardens reef, caused by catastrophic collapse of the underlying substrate, has been a prime influence on the corals.
Characterization of seawater organic matter carried by bubble‐generated aerosols1
Authors: Gershey Robert M.
Published: April 2010

Samples of organic matter were isolated from seawater of the North Atlantic Ocean and Halifax Harbour by a bubble adsorptive technique. The samples thus collected, representative of the organic materials important in the transport of geochemical species across the air‐sea interface, were characterized by exclusion chromatography, elemental analysis, stable carbon isotope analysis, and assays for “carbohydrate” and “protein” levels. The concentration of organic carbon in the aerosol samples was enriched relative to the original seawater samples by factors of 47–573. The chemical composition of the coastal samples varied with the seasons; the aerosols generally contained a higher proportion of low molecular weight compounds (41% < 500 mol wt) than those generated from oceanic water samples (10% < 500 mol wt). The influence of the Northeast Atlantic Current can be discerned in the composition of aerosols generated from North Atlantic surface waters.
Sample preparation for quantitative autoradiography of phytoplankton1
Authors: Smith Ralph E. H. , Kalff J.
Published: April 2010

A method of sample preparation for quantitative autoradiography of 33PO4 uptake by phytoplankton avoids problems of cell damage and tracer leakage common to earlier techniques. A combination of very brief fixation by Lugol’s iodine with collection of cells on polycarbonate filters minimized leakage of tracer while cells remained intact in the preparation of track (thick‐layer) autoradiograms. Counting efficiency differed from that in other applications of the track technique, indicating the importance of calibration in quantitative autoradiography. Quantitative yield was consistent among species with the modified technique.
Population dynamics of food‐limited rotifers in two‐stage chemostat culture1,2
Authors: Boraas Martin E.
Published: April 2010

The population dynamics of Brachionus calyciflorus were studied in two‐stage chemostat cultures. Chlorella pyrenoidosa was supplied continuously from a steady state culture growing with constantillumination onlimiting nitrate. Rotifer growth in the second stage (in the dark) was limited by the rate of supply of algae. The algal supply rate and rotifer specific growth rate, µ, were determined by the second‐stage dilution rate, D(µ = D in the steady state). Population densities and size‐age structures were determined with an electronic particle counter. Small body size and obligate amictic females apparently were selected in these chemostats. The growth rates observed were the highest yet recorded for any species of Brachionus.

The chemostat system facilitated unambiguous determinations of rotifer growth and fecundity, since food was supplied and wastes were removed at continuous, controlled rates. Specific ingestion and loss rates, yield (netrotifers produced/algae ingested), production (rotifers produced·h−1), and rotifer standing crop increased directly with µ. Although most observations are qualitatively similar to data from heterotrophic microbial chemostat studies, a close fit to the rotifer steady state observations was obtained only when K was assumed to be variable (an inverse function of µ) rather than constant. Numerical simulations of the same model only approximately reproduced transient data. Microbial growth models may be useful to represent rotifer growth at or near steady state but are inadequate to explain moderate to large transient fluctuations of populations.
In situ salt precipitation at the Dead Sea
Authors: Steinhorn Ilana
Published: April 2010

Halite crystals were observed, for the first time, on the surface of the central part of the Dead Sea on 6 February 1979. This precipitation is assumed to be the result of an increase in the salt concentration at the lake surface by evaporation and raises some questions on the degree of saturation of the Dead Sea with respect to halite, the mechanism of salt precipitation in lakes, and the relevancy of the salt precipitation to some physical problems.
The development of marine calanoid copepods with comment on the isochronal rule1
Authors: Landry M. R.
Published: April 2010

Development times of seven species of planktonic marine copepods were determined at 15°C and excess food. Although details of instar durations varied among species, common trends were evident in relatively brief prefeeding stages and disproportionately long first‐feeding and C5 stages. Males tended to mature before females. There was no relationship between generation time and species size; ecologically dominant species developed from egg to adult in roughly the same time, 19–21 days. Isochronal development was most closely approached by species of Acartia but was not strictly followed by any of the animals studied. In population dynamics studies, the assumption of isochronality can result in substantial errors in estimates of instar‐specific mortality rates and, consequently, can seriously bias the interpretation of mortality patterns in nature and their possible causes.
The origin of calcium carbonate nodules forming on Flathead Lake delta, northwestern Montana
Authors: Moore Johnnie N.
Published: April 2010

The subaqueous levees of Flathead Lake delta, Montana, are covered with calcareous nodules and crusts. Such deposits are unexpected in such large oligotrophic lakes with low ionic concentrations. Algal photosynthesis and metabolism concentrate calcium carbonate and silica where nutrients are continually supplied from the Flathead River. As the nodules accrete, carbonate and silica are dissolved and reprecipitated, forming a complex internal zonation. The nodules form only when high water levels correspond to seasonal peaks in productivity. Such a situation is a recent phenomenon occurring only since 1938 when Kerr Dam was built to control lake levels for the purpose of power generation.
Carotenoid enhancement and its role in maintaining blue‐green algal (Microcystis aeruginosa) surface blooms1
Authors: Paerl Hans W. , Tucker Jane , Bland Patricia T.
Published: April 2010

Photosynthetic pigment alteration by Microcystis aeruginosa in surface blooms was related to persistence and dominance by this blue‐green alga. The progression of summer blooms coincided with rising carotenoid : chlorophyll a ratios. When analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), carotenoids exhibited strong in vitro absorbance in the UV and near‐UV regions. Increased cellular carotenoid content was accompanied by increased surface photosynthesis as well as increased photosynthetic efficiencies in surface Microcystis populations. These data indicate that radiant energy is most effectively utilized as a source of photoreducing power in the presence of elevated cellular carotenoid : chlorophyll a ratios of surface populations. It is concluded that enhanced cellular carotenoid synthesis increases light utilization in the low and middle regions of the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) spectrum and provides protection from UV damage. This is shown to have a positive effect on photosynthetic CO2 fixation and bloom persistence in surface waters.