bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-aligned inversion-channel In0.2Ga0.8As metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor with molecular beam epitaxy Al2O3/Ga2O3(Gd2O3) as the gate dielectric
Authors: Chang W. H. , Chiang T. H. , Wu Y. D. , Hong M. , Lin C. A. , Kwo J.
Published: March 2011

Self-aligned inversion-channel In0.2Ga0.8As metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with in situ molecular beam epitaxy grown Al2O3/Ga2O3(Gd2O3) (GGO) as a gate dielectric and a TiN metal gate have been fabricated on GaAs (100) substrates. A 4 μm gate-length MOSFET using a gate dielectric of Al2O3 (3 nm thick)/GGO (8 nm thick) demonstrates a maximum drain current of 9.5 μA/μm and an extrinsic transconductance of 3.9 μS/μm. The device performances are compared favorably with those of other inversion-channel GaAs MOSFETs on GaAs (100) and also of the device on GaAs (111)A substrates using atomic layer deposited Al2O3 as a gate dielectric.
Engineering the ABA Plant Stress Pathway for Regulation of Induced Proximity
Authors: Liang Fu-Sen , Ho Wen Qi , Crabtree Gerald R.
Published: March 2011

An abscisic acid–induced proximity system can be used in combination with other such systems to simultaneously control multiple cellular processes.
In Vivo
Regulation of the Vi Antigen in Salmonella and Induction of Immune Responses with an
In Vivo
-Inducible Promoter
Authors: Janis Carole , Grant Andrew J. , McKinley Trevelyan J. , Morgan Fiona J. E. , John Victoria F. , Houghton Jenny , Kingsley Robert A. , Dougan Gordon , Mastroeni Pietro
Published: March 2011

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi, the agent of typhoid fever in humans, expresses the surface Vi polysaccharide antigen that contributes to virulence. However, Vi expression can also be detrimental to some key steps of
S.
Typhi infectivity, for example, invasion, and Vi is the target of protective immune responses. We used a strain of
S.
Typhimurium carrying the whole
Salmonella
pathogenicity island 7 (SPI-7) to monitor
in vivo
Vi expression within phagocytic cells of mice at different times after systemic infection. We also tested whether it is possible to modulate Vi expression via the use of
in vivo
-inducible promoters and whether this would trigger anti-Vi antibodies through the use of Vi-expressing live bacteria. Our results show that Vi expression in the liver and spleen is downregulated with the progression of infection and that the Vi-negative population of bacteria becomes prevalent by day 4 postinfection. Furthermore, we showed that replacing the natural
tviA
promoter with the promoter of the SPI-2 gene
ssaG
resulted in sustained Vi expression in the tissues. Intravenous or oral infection of mice with a strain of
S.
Typhimurium expressing Vi under the control of the
ssaG
promoter triggered detectable levels of all IgG subclasses specific for Vi. Our work highlights that Vi is downregulated
in vivo
and provides proof of principle that it is possible to generate a live attenuated vaccine that induces Vi-specific antibodies after single oral administration.
Participation of CD11c
+
Leukocytes in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clearance from the Lung
Authors: Martin Francis J. , Parker Dane , Harfenist Bryan S. , Soong Grace , Prince Alice
Published: March 2011

Staphylococcus aureus
causes especially severe pulmonary infection, associated with high morbidity and mortality. In addition to the effects of specific virulence factors, it appears that the intensity of the host proinflammatory response, particularly in the initial stages of infection, contributes substantially to pulmonary damage. We tested the hypothesis that the CD11c
+
leukocytes are important in the host response to pulmonary infection with methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) USA300. Clodronate-induced depletion of the alveolar macrophage population resulted in increased numbers of dendritic cells (DCs) and CD4
+
cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and was associated with significantly increased mortality by 18 h following
S. aureus
inoculation but had no effect on bacterial load or polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) numbers in the lung. These clodronate-treated mice also had increased expression of interleukin-17A/F (IL-17A/F) and CXCL10 but not of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Depletion of the dendritic cell population in mice expressing a CD11c-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) transgene was associated with an increased bacterial load in the lung but not increased mortality. Both DCs and airway epithelial cells produced CXCL9, -10, and -11 in response to
S. aureus
. Pretreatment of mice with an anti-CXCR3 antibody prior to inoculation with MRSA substantially reduced CD4
+
cells and decreased pulmonary inflammation at 18 h postinfection compared to pretreatment with an IgG control. The results of these experiments suggest that CD11c
+
cells, the induction of CXCR3 ligand expression, and subsequent CD4
+
cell recruitment have an important role in the pathogenesis of severe MRSA pulmonary infection.
ON THE STRUCTURE OF SOME REDUCED AMALGAMATED FREE PRODUCT C*-ALGEBRAS
Authors: IVANOV NIKOLAY A.
Published: March 2011

We study some reduced free products of C*-algebras with amalgamations. We give sufficient conditions for the positive cone of the K0 group to be the largest possible. We also give sufficient conditions for simplicity and uniqueness of trace. We use the latter result to give a necessary and sufficient condition for simplicity and uniqueness of trace of the reduced C*-algebras of the Baumslag–Solitar groups BS(m, n).
ERRATA: "GEOMETRIC GALOIS THEORY, NONLINEAR NUMBER FIELDS AND A GALOIS GROUP INTERPRETATION OF THE IDELE CLASS GROUP"
Authors: GENDRON T. M. , VERJOVSKY A.
Published: March 2011

In this errata we correct several mistakes (see Secs. 1 and 3–6 of this errata) that appear in the published version of our paper. The corrections have been implemented in the revised version [1]. In addition, in Sec. 2 we clarify an important point which was not adequately addressed in the published version; in Sec. 7 we point out an enhancement of the hyperbolization scheme included in [1]. The reader may also wish to consult [2].
ON THE VELDKAMP SPACE OF GQ(4, 2)
Authors: SANIGA METOD
Published: March 2011

The Veldkamp space, in the sense of Buekenhout and Cohen, of the generalized quadrangle GQ(4, 2) is shown not to be a (partial) linear space by simply giving several examples of Veldkamp lines (V-lines) having two or even three Veldkamp points (V-points) in common. Alongside the ordinary V-lines of size five, one also finds V-lines of cardinality three and two. There, however, exists a subspace of the Veldkamp space isomorphic to PG(3, 4) having 45 perps and 40 plane ovoids as its 85 V-points, with its 357 V-lines being of four distinct types. A V-line of the first type consists of five perps on a common line (altogether 27 of them), the second type features three perps and two ovoids sharing a tricentric triad (240 members), whilst the third and fourth type each comprises a perp and four ovoids in the rosette centered at the (common) center of the perp (90). It is also pointed out that 160 non-plane ovoids (tripods) fall into two distinct orbits — of sizes 40 and 120 — with respect to the stabilizer group of a copy of GQ(2, 2); a tripod of the first/second orbit sharing with the GQ(2, 2) a tricentric/unicentric triad, respectively.
Usability Estimation of Software System by using Object-Oriented Metrics
Authors: Dubey Sanjay Kumar , Rana Ajay
Published: March 2011

Usability is one of the most important quality factors in the fields of software engineering and an important issue in the development of successful software applications. To develop efficient software systems, software developers need appropriate metrics. Object-oriented metrics can play important role in the development of successful and usable software applications because object-oriented design techniques have become one of the most powerful mechanisms to fulfill the demand of efficient software systems. Currently there are no comprehensive criteria for estimating usability by using object-oriented metrics. This paper focuses on usability and presents a comparative analysis of various usability models and metrics. It then analyzes the relationship between usability and object-oriented metrics.
Application of Object-Oriented Metrics To C++ and Java
Authors: Kumari Usha , Bhasin Sucheta
Published: March 2011

The increasing importance of software measurement has led to design and development of new software measures. As the development of object-oriented software is rising, more and more metrics are being defined for object-oriented programming languages. But there is a little understanding of comparative application of many of these measures to different programming languages. As a consequence, it is very difficult for software managers and developers to select suitable measures and programming languages for object-oriented systems. In this paper, we investigate 23 object-oriented metrics proposed by various researchers. The metrics are applied to same set of 15 programs coded in C++ and Java in an attempt to make comparative study of these two prominent object-oriented programming languages. The work done here reveals that these object-oriented metrics can be applied successfully to both Java and C++. But, Java proves to be more object-oriented than C++ as per intuition. However, counting rules defined for computation of these metrics should be framed more carefully.
LISISAP
Authors: Vembuselvi C. , Selvakumar S.
Published: March 2011

For any communication (wired or wireless) such as control and data, the identity of source and destination is revealed in the header portion of the packet. Adversaries obtain sensitive in-formation such as the identity, location of a critical node, route, data, etc., during communication by using traffic analysis at-tacks, viz., similarity attack, data integrity attack, packet count-ing attack, latency attack, and clogging attack. Anonymous communication prevents adversaries from doing traffic analysis against the routing information embedded in the routing mes-sages and data packets. In order to thwart such traffic analysis, anonymous communication protocols were developed. In this paper, the existing anonymous communication protocols were analyzed in terms of techniques used, challenges, and applications. Anonymous Routing protocol with Multiple Routes (ARMR) is one of the existing protocols that achieves better route anonymity using fake routes and multiple paths. However, in ARMR, adversaries can modify the data with genuine user pseudonyms and send the modified data to the destination. In order to prevent data modification by adversary at link level, in this paper a Link level SIgnature based Secure Anonymous Protocol (LISISAP) protocol is proposed. In LISISAP, source node generates a signature for the data and sends the signature along with the encrypted data to the next node. Further, the next node verifies the signature. If signature matches, it generates its own signature and sends the encrypted data to its next node. Otherwise, it discards the packet. Verified data and signature are sent by each intermediate node until it reaches the destina-tion. In LISISAP, even if adversaries modify the data, every node in the route including the destination node verifies the data and discards the data if there is no match in the signature. Similarity attacks can be prevented by making the data look different on each hop which could be achieved by encrypting the data with link key. Proposed protocol, LISISAP is imple-mented and tested in Smart and Secure Network. From the ex-perimental results, it is evident that the data generated by source node is sent anonymously to the destination. Thus, in LISISAP protocol, communication is secure between nodes without revealing the node identities. Anonymous properties such as identity privacy, location privacy, route anonymity, and robustness against several attacks were achieved.
Common Fixed Point Theorems for Four Mappings on Cone Metric Type Space
Authors: Cvetković AleksandarS , Stanić MarijaP , Dimitrijević Sladjana , Simić Suzana
Published: March 2011

In this paper we consider the so called a cone metric type space, which is a generalization of a cone metric space. We prove some common fixed point theorems for four mappings in those spaces. Obtained results extend and generalize well-known comparable results in the literature. All results are proved in the settings of a solid cone, without the assumption of continuity of mappings.
Randomized, Controlled Trial of an Intervention to Enable Stroke Survivors Throughout the Los Angeles County Safety Net to “Stay With the Guidelines”
Authors: Cheng Eric M. , Cunningham William E. , Towfighi Amytis , Sanossian Nerses , Bryg Robert J. , Anderson Thomas L. , Guterman Jeffrey J. , Gross-Schulman Sandra G. , Beanes Sylvia , Jones Andrea S. , Liu Honghu , Ettner Susan L. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Vickrey Barbara G.
Published: March 2011

Background—

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability. Inpatient programs optimize secondary stroke prevention care at the time of hospital discharge, but such care may not be continued after hospital discharge.

Methods—

To improve the delivery of secondary stroke preventive services after hospital discharge, we have designed a chronic care model–based program called SUSTAIN (Systemic Use of STroke Averting INterventions). This care intervention includes group clinics, self-management support, report cards, decision support through care guides and protocols, and coordination of ongoing care. The first specific aim is to test, in a randomized, controlled trial, whether SUSTAIN improves blood pressure control among an analytic sample of 268 patients with a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack discharged from 4 Los Angeles County public hospitals. Secondary outcomes consist of control of other stroke risk factors, lifestyle habits, medication adherence, patient perceptions of care quality, functional status, and quality of life. A second specific aim is to conduct a cost analysis of SUSTAIN from the perspective of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services by using direct costs of the intervention, cost equivalents of associated utilization of county system resources, and cost equivalents of the observed and predicted averted vascular events.

Conclusions—

If SUSTAIN is effective, we will have the expertise and findings to advocate for its continued support at Los Angeles County hospitals and to disseminate the SUSTAIN program to other settings serving indigent, minority populations.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00861081.
Prevention of Ventricular Fibrillation Episodes in Brugada Syndrome by Catheter Ablation Over the Anterior Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Epicardium
Authors: Nademanee Koonlawee , Veerakul Gumpanart , Chandanamattha Pakorn , Chaothawee Lertlak , Ariyachaipanich Aekarach , Jirasirirojanakorn Kriengkrai , Likittanasombat Khanchit , Bhuripanyo Kiertijai , Ngarmukos Tachapong
Published: March 2011

Background—

The underlying electrophysiological mechanism that causes an abnormal ECG pattern and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (V
t
/VF) in patients with the Brugada syndrome (BrS) remains unelucidated. However, several studies have indicated that the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is likely to be the site of electrophysiological substrate. We hypothesized that in patients with BrS who have frequent recurrent VF episodes, the substrate site is the RVOT, either over the epicardium or endocardium; abnormal electrograms would be identified at this location, which would serve as the target site for catheter ablation.

Methods and Results—

We studied 9 symptomatic patients with the BrS (all men; median age 38 years) who had recurrent VF episodes (median 4 episodes) per month, necessitating implantable cardioverter defibrillator discharge. Electroanatomic mapping of the right ventricle, both endocardially and epicardially, and epicardial mapping of the left ventricle were performed in all patients during sinus rhythm. All patients had typical type 1 Brugada ECG pattern and inducible V
t
/VF; they were found to have unique abnormal low voltage (0.94±0.79 mV), prolonged duration (132±48 ms), and fractionated late potentials (96±47 ms beyond QRS complex) clustering exclusively in the anterior aspect of the RVOT epicardium. Ablation at these sites rendered V
t
/VF noninducible (7 of 9 patients [78%]; 95% confidence interval, 0.40 to 0.97,
P
=0.015) and normalization of the Brugada ECG pattern in 89% (95% confidence interval, 0.52 to 0.99;
P
=0.008). Long-term outcomes (20±6 months) were excellent, with no recurrent V
t
/VF in all patients off medication (except 1 patient on amiodarone).

Conclusions—

The underlying electrophysiological mechanism in patients with BrS is delayed depolarization over the anterior aspect of the RVOT epicardium. Catheter ablation over this abnormal area results in normalization of the Brugada ECG pattern and prevents V
t
/VF, both during electrophysiological studies as well as spontaneous recurrent V
t
/VF episodes in patients with BrS.
Effectiveness of Triptolide-Coated Stent on Decreasing Inflammation and Attenuation of Intimal Hyperplasia in a Pig After Coronary Angioplasty
Authors: HaiLong Ge  , YuJie Zhou  , HanYing Ma  , Lei Liu  , XiaoLi Liu  , ZhiJian Wang  , ShiWei Yang  , Bin Nie  , Jia Dean
Published: March 2011

Objective: The study is to test the efficacy of triptolide-coated stent on anti-inflammatory and inhibiting intimal hyperplasia in preventing restenosis. Methods: A total of 15 triptolide-coated stents (TCSs), 12 drug-eluting stents (DESs), and 12 bare metal stents (BMSs) were deployed in porcine coronary arteries. Coronary angiography, histopathologic and inflammatory markers levels were analyzed at 4 week after stenting. Results: At 4-week follow-up, quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) showed that minimum lumen diameter was greater, and percentage stenosis and late lumen loss in TCS group and DES group were less than that of BMS group. Compared to BMS group, injury and inflammation score in TCS group and DES group were decreased, neointimal area significantly reduced and lumen area enlarged in TCS, DES group as well. Conclusion: Triptolide-coated stent showed the effect of preventing restenosis via inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia and anti-inflammation acts after coronary angioplasty.
Combined transcranial direct current stimulation and robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic stroke: a preliminary comparison
Authors: Geroin Christian , Picelli Alessandro , Munari Daniele , Waldner Andreas , Tomelleri Christopher , Smania Nicola
Published: March 2011

Objective: To evaluate whether robot-assisted gait training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation is more effective than robot-assisted gait training alone or conventional walking rehabilitation for improving walking ability in stroke patients.

Design: Pilot randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Rehabilitation unit of a university hospital.

Subjects: Thirty patients with chronic stroke.

Interventions: All patients received ten 50-minute treatment sessions, five days a week, for two consecutive weeks. Group 1 (n = 10) underwent a robot-assisted gait training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation; group 2 (n = 10) underwent a robot-assisted gait training combined with sham transcranial direct current stimulation; group 3 (n = 10) performed overground walking exercises.

Main measures: Patients were evaluated before, immediately after and two weeks post treatment. Primary outcomes: six-minute walking test, 10-m walking test.

Results: No differences were found between groups 1 and 2 for all primary outcome measures at the after treatment and follow-up evaluations. A statistically significant improvement was found after treatment in performance on the six-minute walking test and the 10-m walking test in favour of group 1 (six-minute walking test: 205.20 ± 61.16 m; 10-m walking test: 16.20 ± 7.65 s) and group 2 (six-minute walking test: 182.5 ± 69.30 m; 10-m walking test: 17.71 ± 8.20 s) compared with group 3 (six-minute walking test: 116.30 ± 75.40 m; 10-m walking test: 26.30 ± 14.10 s). All improvements were maintained at the follow-up evaluation.

Conclusions: In the present pilot study transcranial direct current stimulation had no additional effect on robot-assisted gait training in patients with chronic stroke. Larger studies are required to confirm these preliminary findings.
Supporting community-based exercise in long-term neurological conditions: experience from the Long-term Individual Fitness Enablement (LIFE) project
Authors:   The LIFE group
Published: March 2011

Background: Patients with long-term neurological conditions often have low levels of physical activity and participation in exercise. Exercise referral schemes have been introduced in the UK to encourage physical activity in sedentary and clinical populations but typically exclude patients with long-term neurological conditions. We have developed and evaluated an exercise support system for people with long-term neurological disability, called the Physical Activity Support System, to enable them to use local gym facilities safely and effectively.

The intervention: We describe the Physical Activity Support System for people with long-term neurological conditions and provide data on the use of this system in a phase II randomized controlled study trial. The system has five key components: access and transport advice, the fitness instructor, the gym, health professional support and how to exercise safely.

Results: Ninety-nine patients with a range of long-term neurological conditions used six different community exercise facilities in Oxfordshire and Birmingham. Average gym attendance was one session per week for 12 weeks. Participants required an average of three 1-hour face-to-face physiotherapy contacts to achieve this. The average direct cost for the support system was £275.

Conclusions: The scheme achieved comparable exercise participation to standard GP exercise referral schemes operating in the same centres and offers a relatively cheap, practical and feasible system for supporting people with long-term neurological conditions.
The integrative prejudice framework and different forms of weight prejudice
Authors: Brochu Paula M. , Gawronski Bertram , Esses Victoria M.
Published: March 2011

We use the integrative prejudice framework to further our understanding of weight prejudice, while simultaneously testing the generalizability of this framework. Participants completed measures of implicit and explicit weight prejudice, egalitarian-based nonprejudicial goals, and perceived weight discrimination. In line with predictions of the integrative prejudice framework based on cognitive consistency principles, implicit and explicit weight prejudice were positively related when nonprejudicial goals were low and perceived discrimination was high, and when nonprejudicial goals were high and perceived discrimination was low, reflecting central components of old-fashioned and modern prejudice, respectively. Furthermore, implicit and explicit weight prejudice were negatively related when nonprejudicial goals and perceived discrimination were both high, reflecting central components of aversive prejudice. In addition to supporting the generalizability of the integrative prejudice framework, this research demonstrates that weight prejudice may operate in different forms that map onto existing theories of prejudice.
Plant homologue constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (COP9) signalosome subunit CSN5 regulates innate immune responses in macrophages
Authors: Deng Zhongbin , Pardi Ruggero , Cheadle William , Xiang Xiaoyu , Zhang Shuangyin , Shah Spandan V. , Grizzle William , Miller Donald , Mountz John , Zhang Huang-Ge
Published: March 2011

COP9 plays a role in plant innate immunity. The role of COP9 in mammalian innate immune responses is unknown. Here, we show that the COP9 signalosome subunit 5 (CSN5) is required for activation of proinflammatory kinases p38 and Erk and for down-regulation of the expression of genes regulated by nuclear factor E2-related factor 2. Mice with myeloid-specific CSN5 deficiency have lower mortality in polymicrobial sepsis. CSN5 is required for both Toll-like receptor (TLR) and reactive oxygen species–mediated deneddylation of Cul3, which is essential for Cul3/Keap1-mediated degradation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2. On the basis of our results COP9 subunit CSN5 is considered to be an essential component of mammalian innate immunity.
Ordered progression of stage-specific miRNA profiles in the mouse B2 B-cell lineage
Authors: Spierings Diana C. , McGoldrick Daniel , Hamilton-Easton Ann Marie , Neale Geoffrey , Murchison Elizabeth P. , Hannon Greg J. , Green Douglas R. , Withoff Sebo
Published: March 2011

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized as critical regulators of gene expression, and deregulation of miRNA expression has been implicated in a wide spectrum of diseases. To provide a framework for the role of miRNAs in B-cell development and malignancy, we deep-sequenced miRNAs from B1 cells and 10 developmental stages that can be identified within the mouse B2 B-cell lineage. The expression profiles of the 232 known miRNAs that are expressed during B-cell development display stage-specific induction patterns, yet hierarchical clustering analysis showed relationships that are in full agreement with the model of the B2 B-cell developmental pathway. Analysis of exemplary miRNA expression profiles (miR-150, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-181) confirmed that our data are in agreement with previous results. The high resolution of the expression data allowed for the identification of the sequential expression of oncomir-1/miR-17-92 and its paralogs miR-106a-363 and miR-106b-25 in subsequent developmental stages in the BM. Further, we have identified and validated 45 novel miRNAs and 6 novel miRNA candidates expressed in developing B cells.
Comparative genomics reveals diversity among xanthomonads infecting tomato and pepper
Authors: Potnis Neha , Krasileva Ksenia , Chow Virginia , Almeida Nalvo F , Patil Prabhu B , Ryan Robert P , Sharlach Molly , Behlau Franklin , Dow J Max , Momol MT , White Frank F , Preston James F , Vinatzer Boris A , Koebnik Ralf , Setubal João C , Norman David J , Staskawicz Brian J , Jones Jeffrey B
Published: March 2011

Background

Bacterial spot of tomato and pepper is caused by four Xanthomonas species and is a major plant disease in warm humid climates. The four species are distinct from each other based on physiological and molecular characteristics. The genome sequence of strain 85-10, a member of one of the species, Xanthomonas euvesicatoria (Xcv) has been previously reported. To determine the relationship of the four species at the genome level and to investigate the molecular basis of their virulence and differing host ranges, draft genomic sequences of members of the other three species were determined and compared to strain 85-10.

Results

We sequenced the genomes of X. vesicatoria (Xv) strain 1111 (ATCC 35937), X. perforans (Xp) strain 91-118 and X. gardneri (Xg) strain 101 (ATCC 19865). The genomes were compared with each other and with the previously sequenced Xcv strain 85-10. In addition, the molecular features were predicted that may be required for pathogenicity including the type III secretion apparatus, type III effectors, other secretion systems, quorum sensing systems, adhesins, extracellular polysaccharide, and lipopolysaccharide determinants. Several novel type III effectors from Xg strain 101 and Xv strain 1111 genomes were computationally identified and their translocation was validated using a reporter gene assay. A homolog to Ax21, the elicitor of XA21-mediated resistance in rice, and a functional Ax21 sulfation system were identified in Xcv. Genes encoding proteins with functions mediated by type II and type IV secretion systems have also been compared, including enzymes involved in cell wall deconstruction, as contributors to pathogenicity.

Conclusions

Comparative genomic analyses revealed considerable diversity among bacterial spot pathogens, providing new insights into differences and similarities that may explain the diverse nature of these strains. Genes specific to pepper pathogens, such as the O-antigen of the lipopolysaccharide cluster, and genes unique to individual strains, such as novel type III effectors and bacteriocin genes, have been identified providing new clues for our understanding of pathogen virulence, aggressiveness, and host preference. These analyses will aid in efforts towards breeding for broad and durable resistance in economically important tomato and pepper cultivars.
Validation of a specific measure to assess health-related quality of life in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: the 'Tolerability and quality of life' (TOOL) questionnaire
Authors: Montejo Angel L , Lauffer Javier Correas , Cuervo Jesús , Rebollo Pablo , Cordero Luis , Diez Teresa , Maurino Jorge
Published: March 2011

Background

Perception of quality of life may differ depending on the perspective. The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the 'TOlerability and quality Of Life' (TOOL) questionnaire, a specific self-rated instrument to evaluate the impact of side effects of antipsychotic drugs on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The questionnaire consists of eight items answered on a four-point Likert scale.

Methods

A psychometric study was conducted with clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder under antipsychotic treatment. The translation and cultural adaptation of the questionnaire was performed according to international standards. Internal consistency using the Cronbach α coefficient and test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the reliability of the instrument. Patients completed generic and specific measures of quality of life and clinical severity.

Results

A total of 238 patients were analysed, with a mean age of 42 years (SD 10.9). The mean completion time was 4.9 min (SD 4.4). Internal consistency and intraclass correlation coefficient were adequate (Cronbach α = 0.757 and ICC = 0.90). Factorial analysis showed a unidimensional structure (a single eigenvalue >1, accounting for 39.1% of variance). Significant Spearman's rank correlations between the TOOL and both generic and specific measures were found. The questionnaire was able to discriminate among the Clinical Global Impression - Severity scores (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The TOOL questionnaire shows appropriate feasibility, reliability, and discriminative performance as a patient-reported outcome. TOOL constitutes a valuable addition to measure the impact of adverse events of antipsychotic drugs from the patient perspective.
The involvement of β-actin in the signaling of transmembrane TNF-α-mediated cytotoxicity
Authors: Chen Hui , Xiao Li , Zhang Hailong , Liu Na , Liu Tao , Liu Lili , Hu Xin , Yan Dan , Yang Kun , Yin Bingjiao , Wang Jing , Li Qingfen , Li Zhuoya
Published: March 2011

Actin cytoskeleton has been shown to play a regulating role in several signaling pathways, and disruption of actin filament has been reported to increase sTNF-α-induced cell death. However, whether actin is involved in tmTNF-α-mediated cytotoxicity remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that pretreatment of HL-60 with CytD or LatA to depolymerize actin significantly suppressed tmTNF-α-mediated apoptosis. Interestingly, tmTNF-α increased the actin immunoprecipitated by anti-TNFR2 but not anti-TNFR1 antibody, and disruption of the actin filament totally blocked this effect. In addition, TNFR1 knockdown by siRNA did not affect tmTNF-α-mediated cytotoxicity and the inhibitory effect of CytD, suggesting that the involvement of actin in the tmTNF-α-induced apoptosis is linked to the TNFR2 pathway. Our results revealed further that tmTNF-α signaled the inhibition of IκB degradation and NF-κB activity by recruiting RIP1 to and uncoupling TRAF2 from the TNFR2 complex. Nevertheless, CytD totally reversed the tmTNF-α signaling and activated NF-κB by recruiting TRAF2 to and dissociating RIP1 from the TNFR2 complex. Furthermore, tmTNF-α led to activation of caspase-8 by dissociation of cFLIP from TNFR2 and inhibition of the cFLIP expression. Activated caspase-8 cleft RIP1 to suppress NF-κB activity and also mediated tmTNF-α-induced apoptosis. However, CytD blocked the tmTNF-α-induced uncoupling of cFLIP from TNFR2 and prevented caspase-8 activation and the resulting cleavage of RIP1, converting the signaling for tmTNF-α-mediated apoptosis into one for activating NF-κB to survive. These results suggest that the actin cytoskeleton functions in transmitting signals via TNFR2 to mediate tmTNF-α-induced apoptosis.
Comparison of Immunofixation, Serum Free Light Chain, and Immunophenotyping for Response Evaluation and Prognostication in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Paiva Bruno , Martinez-Lopez Joaquin , Vidriales Maria-Belen , Mateos Maria-Victoria , Montalban Maria-Angeles , Fernandez-Redondo Elena , Alonso Lourdes , Oriol Albert , Teruel Ana-Isabel , de Paz Raquel , Laraña José-Garcia , Bengoechea Enrique , Martin Alejandro , Mediavilla Joaquin Diaz , Palomera Luis , de Arriba Felipe , Bladé Joan , Orfao Alberto , Lahuerta Juan-Jose , San Miguel Jesus F.
Published: March 2011

To investigate the impact of immunophenotypic response (IR) versus complete response (CR) and CR plus normal serum free light chain (sFLC) ratio (stringent CR) in elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with novel agents.

Patients and Methods

From a total of 260 elderly patients newly diagnosed with MM included in the GEM05>65y trial, 102 patients achieving at least a partial response with ≥ 70% reduction in M-component after the six planned induction cycles were simultaneously analyzed by immunofixation, sFLC, and multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) immunophenotyping; this population is the focus of this study.

Results

Forty-three percent of patients achieved CR, 30% achieved stringent CR, and 30% achieved IR. Patients in stringent CR showed no significant survival advantage compared with those in CR, whereas patients in IR showed significantly increased progression-free survival (PFS) and time to progression (TTP) compared with those in stringent CR or CR; this was confirmed by multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 4.1; P = .01 for PFS). Discrepancies between the three techniques were relatively common. Notably, in all seven patients achieving IR but remaining immunofixation positive, the M-component disappeared in follow-up analysis. In contrast, MFC-positive patients who were immunofixation negative (n = 20) showed a tendency toward early reappearance of the M-component (median, 3 months). Similarly, in five of 11 stringent CR but MFC-positive patients, symptomatic disease progression was recorded at a median of 13 months after induction.

Conclusion

Achieving an IR translates into superior PFS and TTP compared with conventional CR or stringent CR. These techniques provide complementary information and thus, an effort should be made to refine response criteria in MM.
National Oncology Practice Benchmark: An Annual Assessment of Financial and Operational Parameters—2010 Report on 2009 Data
Authors: Barr Thomas R. , Towle Elaine L.
Published: March 2011

Amid increases in costs and numbers of patients combined with decreasing or stagnant reimbursements from payers, many oncology practices are improving efficiency and decreasing costs. The National Oncology Practice Benchmark, a national survey of community practices, provides data to help practices improve and monitor progress as they adapt to the changing practice environment.
Multifractal spectra for random self-similar measures via branching processes
Authors: Biggins J. D. , Hambly B. M. , Jones O. D.
Published: March 2011

Start with a compact set K ⊂ Rd. This has a random number of daughter sets, each of which is a (rotated and scaled) copy of K and all of which are inside K. The random mechanism for producing daughter sets is used independently on each of the daughter sets to produce the second generation of sets, and so on, repeatedly. The random fractal set F is the limit, as n goes to ∞, of the union of the nth generation sets. In addition, K has a (suitable, random) mass which is divided randomly between the daughter sets, and this random division of mass is also repeated independently, indefinitely. This division of mass will correspond to a random self-similar measure on F. The multifractal spectrum of this measure is studied here. Our main contributions are dealing with the geometry of realisations in Rd and drawing systematically on known results for general branching processes. In this way we generalise considerably the results of Arbeiter and Patzschke (1996) and Patzschke (1997).
Irreducibility and continuity assumptions for positive operators with application to threshold GARCH time series models
Authors: Cline Daren B. H.
Published: March 2011

Suppose that {Xt} is a Markov chain such as the state space model for a threshold GARCH time series. The regularity assumptions for a drift condition approach to establishing the ergodicity of {Xt} typically are ϕ-irreducibility, aperiodicity, and a minorization condition for compact sets. These can be very tedious to verify due to the discontinuous and singular nature of the Markov transition probabilities. We first demonstrate that, for Feller chains, the problem can at least be simplified to focusing on whether the process can reach some neighborhood that satisfies the minorization condition. The results are valid not just for the transition kernels of Markov chains but also for bounded positive kernels, opening the possibility for new ergodic results. More significantly, we show that threshold GARCH time series and related models of interest can often be embedded into Feller chains, allowing us to apply the conclusions above.
On the absolute ruin in a MAP risk model with debit interest
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Yang Hailiang , Yang Hu
Published: March 2011

In this paper we consider a risk model where claims arrive according to a Markovian arrival process (MAP). When the surplus becomes negative or the insurer is in deficit, the insurer could borrow money at a constant debit interest rate to repay the claims. We derive the integro-differential equations satisfied by the discounted penalty functions and discuss the solutions. A matrix renewal equation is obtained for the discounted penalty function provided that the initial surplus is nonnegative. Based on this matrix renewal equation, we present some asymptotic formulae for the discounted penalty functions when the claim size distributions are heavy tailed.
Assessing the Reliability Function of Nanocomponents
Authors: Ebrahimi Nader
Published: March 2011

A nanocomponent is a collection of atoms arranged to a specific design in order to achieve a desired function with an acceptable performance and reliability. The type of atoms, the manner in which they are arranged within the nanocomponent, and their interrelationship have a direct effect on the nanocomponent's reliability (survival) function. In this paper we propose models based on the notion of a copula that are used to describe the relationship between the atoms of a nanocomponent. Having defined these models, we go on to construct a ‘nanocomponent’ model in order to obtain the reliability function of a nanocomponent.
Utility Optimization in Congested Queueing Networks
Authors: Walton N. S.
Published: March 2011

We consider a multiclass single-server queueing network as a model of a packet switching network. The rates packets are sent into this network are controlled by queues which act as congestion windows. By considering a sequence of congestion controls, we analyse a sequence of stationary queueing networks. In this asymptotic regime, the service capacity of the network remains constant and the sequence of congestion controllers act to exploit the network's capacity by increasing the number of packets within the network. We show that the stationary throughput of routes on this sequence of networks converges to an allocation that maximises aggregate utility subject to the network's capacity constraints. To perform this analysis, we require that our utility functions satisfy an exponential concavity condition. This family of utilities includes weighted α-fair utilities for α > 1.
The Probability of Containment for Multitype Branching Process Models for Emerging Epidemics
Authors: Spencer Simon E. F. , O‘Neill Philip D.
Published: March 2011

This paper is concerned with the definition and calculation of containment probabilities for emerging disease epidemics. A general multitype branching process is used to model an emerging infectious disease in a population of households. It is shown that the containment probability satisfies a certain fixed point equation which has a unique solution under certain conditions; the case of multiple solutions is also described. The extinction probability of the branching process is shown to be a special case of the containment probability. It is shown that Laplace transform ordering of the severity distributions of households in different epidemics yields an ordering on the containment probabilities. The results are illustrated with both standard epidemic models and a specific model for an emerging strain of influenza.
Further Calculations for the McKean Stochastic Game for a Spectrally Negative Lévy Process: From a Point to an Interval
Authors: Baurdoux E. J. , Van Schaik K.
Published: March 2011

Following Baurdoux and Kyprianou (2008) we consider the McKean stochastic game, a game version of the McKean optimal stopping problem (American put), driven by a spectrally negative Lévy process. We improve their characterisation of a saddle point for this game when the driving process has a Gaussian component and negative jumps. In particular, we show that the exercise region of the minimiser consists of a singleton when the penalty parameter is larger than some threshold and ‘thickens’ to a full interval when the penalty parameter drops below this threshold. Expressions in terms of scale functions for the general case and in terms of polynomials for a specific jump diffusion case are provided.
On the Skewness of Order Statistics in Multiple-Outlier Models
Authors: Kochar Subhash , Xu Maochao
Published: March 2011

Kochar and Xu (2009) proved that a parallel system with heterogeneous exponential component lifetimes is more skewed (according to the convex transform order) than the system with independent and identically distributed exponential components. In this paper we extend this study to the generalk-out-of-nsystems for the case when there are only two types of component in the system. An open problem proposed in Pǎltǎnea (2008) is partially solved.
Task Parallel Programming on the Cell Processor
Authors: Prell Andreas
Published: March 2011

Parallel programming with tasks — task parallel programming — is a promising approach to simplifying multithreaded programming in the chip multiprocessor (CMP) era. Tasks are used to describe independent units of work that can be assigned to threads at runtime in a way that is transparent to the programmer. Thus, the programmer can concentrate on identifying tasks and leave it to the runtime system to take advantage of the potential parallelism. Supporting the task abstraction on heterogeneous CMPs is more challenging than on conventional CMPs. In this article, we take a look at a lightweight task model and its implementation on the Cell processor, the most prominent heterogeneous CMP available today. Choosing a simple task model over a more complex one makes it possible to target fine-grained parallelism and still improve much in terms of programmability.
Primary Angiitis of the Central Nervous System: Neurologic Deterioration Despite Treatment
Authors: De Tiège Xavier , Van Bogaert Patrick , Aeby Alec , Salmon Isabelle , Parpal Hélène , Poppe Alexandre Y. , Maris Calliope , Lanthier Sylvain
Published: March 2011

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is an idiopathic vasculitis confined to the central nervous system. In children with PACNS, small-vessel (SV) involvement is characterized clinically by progressive neurologic symptoms, multifocal lesions on brain imaging, occasional pseudo-tumor presentation, and normal angiogram results in most patients. Small case series of patients with SV PACNS with short follow-up usually reveal favorable outcomes in children treated with immunosuppressive therapy. We report here the cases of 3 children with biopsy-confirmed SV PACNS and long-term follow-up who developed different patterns of neurologic deterioration despite immunosuppressive therapy. One patient had transient ischemic attacks shortly after initiation of corticosteroid treatment. Early ischemic events probably result from residual thrombogenicity or residual inflammation of recently affected vessels, which supports the use of antiplatelet agents and suggests potential benefits of stronger immunosuppressive therapy. In contrast, the other 2 patients had later neurologic deterioration after corticosteroid withdrawal, which suggests failure of initial immunosuppressant treatment and the need for stronger agents, longer treatment duration, or both. All patients responded to long-term treatment with corticosteroids combined with cytotoxic agents. This particular combination is probably indicated in many cases of SV PACNS, including those with neurologic deterioration that occurs during maintenance corticotherapy or after corticosteroid withdrawal. In 1 case, SV PACNS recurred several years after discontinuation of combination therapy. Long-term relapses may reflect intrinsic predispositions to SV PACNS rather than treatment failure. These cases highlight different chronological patterns of neurologic deterioration despite immunosuppressive therapy, which supports the relevance of monitoring clinical, laboratory, and radiologic responses to treatment and of long-term follow-up of patients with SV PACNS.
An Infant With Trisomy 18 and a Ventricular Septal Defect
Authors: Janvier Annie , Okah Felix , Farlow Barbara , Lantos John D.
Published: March 2011

Decisions for critically ill infants with trisomy 18 raise thorny issues about values, futility, the burdens of treatment, cost-effectiveness, and justice. We presented the case of an infant with trisomy 18 to 2 neonatologists with experience in clinical ethics, Annie Janvier and Felix Okah, and to a parent, Barbara Farlow. They do not agree about the right thing to do.
The Impact of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems on the Effectiveness of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Authors: Morris John J.
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT: Software vendors that market enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have taken advantage of the increased focus on internal controls that grew out of the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) legislation by emphasizing that a key feature of ERP systems is the use of “built-in” controls that mirror a firm’s infrastructure. They argue that these built-in controls and other features will help firms improve their internal control over financial reporting as required by SOX. This study tests that assertion by examining SOX Section 404 compliance data for a sample of firms that implemented ERP systems between 1994 and 2003. The results suggest that ERP-implementing firms are less likely to report internal control weaknesses (ICW) than a matched control sample of non-ERP-implementing firms. It also finds that this difference exists for both general (entity-wide), and individual (account-level) controls.