bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MODELING LIQUIDITY EFFECTS IN DISCRETE TIME
Authors: Çetin Umut , Rogers L. C. G.
Published: December 2006

We study optimal portfolio choices for an agent with the aim of maximizing utility from terminal wealth within a market with liquidity costs. Under some mild conditions, we show the existence of optimal portfolios and that the marginal utility of the optimal terminal wealth serves as a change of measure to turn the marginal price process of the optimal strategy into a martingale. Finally, we illustrate our results numerically in a Cox–Ross–Rubinstein binomial model with liquidity costs and find the reservation ask prices for simple European put options.
Hispanic Women Managers and Professionals: Reflections on Life and Work
Authors: Hite Linda M.
Published: December 2006

Much of the research on professional and managerial women actually describes the experiences of White women, excluding those of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. This exploratory qualitative study focuses on the life and work experiences of Hispanic women in managerial and professional positions and how those experiences influence their career possibilities. Data from individual interviews of first‐, second‐ and third‐generation Hispanic women in the USA are used to illustrate a framework of career possibilities that reflects both cultural and personal perspectives. Implications for further study are addressed.
Sales force automation: review, critique, research agenda
Authors: Buttle Francis , Ang Lawrence , Iriana Reiny
Published: December 2006

We review and critique the research literature on sales force automation (SFA). SFA involves the application of information technology to support the sales function. SFA software provides functionality that helps companies manage sales pipelines, track contacts and configure products, inter alia. The paper is organized into four main sections. First, we review the SFA environment, identifying definitions, vendor classifications and software attributes. We then move to a review and classification of the academic research that has been published on SFA. We find that the entire body of SFA knowledge attempts to answer just four questions: Why do organizations adopt SFA? What are the organizational impacts of SFA? What accounts for the success or failure of SFA projects? What accounts for variance in salesperson adoption of SFA? We then critique this body of knowledge on a number of theoretical and methodological grounds, and finally propose a research agenda for the future.
Alcohol Intoxication Inhibits Pulmonary S100A8 and S100A9 Expression in Rats Challenged With Intratracheal Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Zhang Ping , Zhong Qiu , Bagby Gregory J. , Nelson Steve
Published: December 2006

Background: Alcohol is known to inhibit the recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) into tissue sites including the lung. During infection and inflammation, recruited neutrophils (PMNs) release S100 proteins that function to promote the recruitment of additional phagocytes.

Methods and Results: This study investigated the effects of alcohol intoxication on S100 protein production in the lung in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Animals were administered alcohol (5.5 g/kg) or saline 30 minutes before intratracheal challenge with LPS (100 μg/rat). Alcohol suppressed PMN recruitment into the lung following intratracheal LPS, which was associated with an inhibition of increase in S100A8 levels in both the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lysates of cells recovered by BAL at 90 minutes and 4 hours post‐LPS challenge. S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA expression in cells recovered by BAL was significantly up‐regulated at both 90 minutes and 4 hours after the LPS challenge, and alcohol also suppressed this response. In addition, intratracheal LPS caused a transient increase in S100A8 mRNA expression in circulating leukocytes at 90 minutes after the challenge. Similarly, this LPS‐induced up‐regulation of S100A8 mRNA expression was inhibited in rats intoxicated with alcohol.

Conclusion: These data show that alcohol inhibits the S100 protein response in the lung, which may serve as a mechanism underlying alcohol‐induced suppression of PMN recruitment into the terminal airways during pulmonary infection.
The Performance Impact of Content and Process in Product Innovation Charters
Authors: Bart Chris , Pujari Ashish
Published: December 2006

The significance of product innovation charters (PICs) cannot be overemphasized, as they provide understanding and a tool for setting organizational goals, charting strategic direction, and allocating resources for new product portfolios. In a unique way, a PIC represents a sort of mission statement mutation for new products. With the backdrop of strategy formulation and product innovation literatures, this article investigates the impact of both content specificity within PICs and satisfaction with the PIC formulation process on new product performance in North American corporations. A survey was undertaken among executives knowledgeable about their organization's new product development process. The respondents included chief executive officers, vice presidents, directors, and managers. The findings demonstrate that significant differences exist both in PIC content specificity and process satisfaction between highly innovative and low innovative firms. The study also shows that PIC specificity in terms of the factors mission content and strategic directives positively influences new product performance. Further, the study demonstrates that satisfaction with the process of formulating PICs plays a positive and powerful mediating role in the PIC specificity–performance relationship. The results suggest that product innovation charters, like their mission statement cousins, may be of more value than most managers realize. The study shows that achieving a state of organizational satisfaction with a PIC's formulation process is critical for obtaining better new product performance. Directions for future research also are suggested.
Amebiasis cutis revisited
Authors: Ramdial Pratistadevi K. , Calonje Eduardo , Singh Bhugwan , Bagratee Jayanthilall S. , Singh Shivon M. , Sydney Clive
Published: December 2006

Background:  Amebiasis cutis (AC) is reported infrequently. This study assesses the clinicopathological spectrum, co‐existent visceral involvement and impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co‐infection on AC.

Methods:  An 8‐year prospective clinicopathological evaluation of patients with AC.

Results:  Thirty‐one biopsies of ulcers, fistulae, fissures, abscesses, polypoid and warty lesions in perianal, penile, scrotal, vulval, buttock, chest and abdominal wall sites were evaluated. Of these, 11 had a ‘superficial’ (superficial AC) and 20 a ‘deep’ (deep AC), histopathological pattern. Superficial AC showed predominant epidermal spongiosis, liquefactive necrosis, ulceration and fissures with hematophagous amebic trophozoites (HATs). Deep AC had confluent deep dermal and subcutaneous liquefactive, coagulative or suppurative necrosis and HATs. Seven biopsies showed vasculitis or thrombosis with luminal HATs.

Outcome:  Fourteen patients died; 9 had concomitant visceral amebiasis, 5 had other co‐infections. Six who died were HIV seropositive, three were seronegative; all had deep AC. Of the 17 survivors, 11 (8 HIV positive) had superficial AC that healed with metronidazole treatment; the remaining 6 (one HIV seropositive) required additional surgical intervention.

Conclusion:  Deep AC is predictive of co‐existent, contiguous visceral disease. The effective management, histopathological mimickers and diagnostic pitfalls of superficial and deep AC differ. The outcome in HIV‐infected patients is dependent on co‐existent systemic diseases.
Expression of polycomb group protein EZH2 in nevi and melanoma
Authors: McHugh Jonathan B. , Fullen Douglas R. , Ma Linglei , Kleer Celina G. , Su Lyndon D.
Published: December 2006

Background:  Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a polycomb group protein that regulates the cell cycle, has recently been implicated in the progression of several human cancers. We sought to determine the pattern of EZH2 expression in benign and malignant melanocytic tumors to see if EZH2 might play a role in melanoma pathogenesis and progression.

Methods:  We identified and reviewed 11 compound nevi, 13 dysplastic nevi, 13 Spitz nevi, 9 in situ melanomas, 10 non‐metastatic invasive melanomas and 19 melanomas metastatic to lymph nodes from the University of Michigan pathology archives. Sections immunostained with anti‐EZH2 antibody were scored independently and blindly for staining intensity on a scale of 1–4 by three dermatopathologists. Results were analyzed and compared statistically.

Results:  We observed an incremental increase in EZH2 expression from benign nevi to melanoma: scores of 1.18 and 1.08 for ordinary and dysplastic nevi, 1.7 and 1.78 for Spitz nevi and in situ melanoma, and 1.9 and 3.0 for invasive and metastatic melanoma, respectively. EZH2 expression for metastatic melanoma was significantly higher compared with invasive and in situ melanoma and benign nevi (p ≤ 0.01).

Conclusions:  EZH2 protein levels increase incrementally from benign nevi to melanoma, which suggests that EZH2 may play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of melanoma.
Lipid Peroxidation and Glutathione Levels in Porcine Kidney PK15 Cells after Individual and Combined Treatment with Fumonisin B1, Beauvericin and Ochratoxin A
Authors: Klarić Maja Šegvić , Pepeljnjak Stjepan , Domijan Ana‐Marija , Petrik József
Published: December 2006

Abstract:  Individual and combined effects of the mycotoxins fumonisin B1, beauvericin and ochratoxin A on cell viability, lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and intracellular glutathione (GSH) were studied on porcine kidney epithelial cells (PK15). Cells were treated with 0.05, 0.5 and 5 µg/ml of each mycotoxin or the combinations of two or all three applied in equal concentrations for 24 and 48 hr. Changes in cell viability, GSH and TBARS levels showed that the cytotoxic effects of these mycotoxins were concentration‐ and time‐dependent. After 24 hr, cell viability was significantly decreased by the exposure to 5 µg/ml of fumonisin B1 (25%), beauvericin (30%) and ochratoxin A (35%), as compared to controls. Only ochratoxin A (5 µg/ml) increased TBARS (56%), with further significant increase (85%) after 48 hr exposure. Fumonisin B1 and beauvericin significantly increased TBARS (57% and 80%, respectively) only when the highest dose was applied for 48 hr. After 24 hr, GSH was significantly decreased (18%) by ochratoxin A (0.05 µg/ml), whereas fumonisin B1 and beauvericin significantly decreased GSH at the concentration of 0.5 µg/ml. Combined treatment with fumonisin B1, beauvericin and ochratoxin A resulted mostly in additive effects especially after a 24‐hr exposure, although synergistic as well as antagonistic interactions could not be excluded depending on toxin concentrations and time of exposure. This is the first report on beauvericin‐induced effects on lipid peroxidation and GSH in animal cells.
Helping European Agriculture to Adjust — A Proactive Approach to Agricultural Policy
Authors: Blandford David , Hill Berkeley
Published: December 2006

Helping European Agriculture to Adjust ‐ A Proactive Approach to Agricultural Policy

In the European Union the next five to ten years are likely to witness continued pressures for agricultural policy reform. If cost‐effective ways of dealing with adjustment issues can be identified, reform may be less difficult to achieve. This article looks at the economic, equity and political arguments for providing adjustment assistance to farmers. Compensation for changes in policy has a role to play, but if poorly designed can inhibit structural change. A review of how farmers have reacted to policy reform in a number of OECD countries concludes that their ability to adapt is often under‐estimated, but that two characteristics are particularly important in facilitating change. The first is effectively functioning factor markets, particularly the market for land, and the second is the quality of human capital. These characteristics should be the primary focus of public policy to facilitate adjustment. The policies we propose would satisfy the Green Box requirements of the WTO that payments to farmers be minimally production and trade distorting. By establishing the conditions under which adapting to change is made easier, agricultural policy becomes sustainable, since adjustment is a process that is not limited to any single round of policy reform.
Enhanced Algorithms of Contact Simulation for Hypoid Gear Drives Produced by Face-Milling and Face-Hobbing Processes
Authors: Fan Qi
Published: December 2006

Modeling of tooth surface generation and simulation of contact is an important part of computerized design and manufacturing of spiral bevel and hypoid gears. This paper presents new developments in this subject. Specifically, the paper covers: (i) development of a generic model of tooth surface generation for spiral bevel and hypoid gears produced by face-milling and face-hobbing processes conducted on free-form computer numerical control (CNC) hypoid gear generators which are incorporated with the Universal Motions Concept (UMC); (ii) a modified algorithm of tooth contact simulation with reduced number of equations of the nonlinear iterations and stabilized iteration convergence; and (iii) an algorithm of numerical determination of contact lines that form the contact patterns. The enhanced approach of contact simulation can be generally applied to other forms of gearings. Two examples, a face-hobbing design and a face-milling design, are illustrated to verify the implementation of the developed algorithms.
Optimum Kinetimatics Design of Drives for Wheeled Mobile Robots Based on Cam-Roller Pairs
Authors: Chen Chao , Angeles Jorge
Published: December 2006

This paper proposes innovative drives for omnidirectional and quasi-omni-directional wheeled mobile robots. A novel epicyclic cam transmission is developed to transmit motion in the drives, with some advantages over its gear-train counterparts: low friction, high stiffness, and high precision. In this work, three new indices, the contact ratio in cam transmissions, the generalized transmission index, and the total transmission index, are proposed to evaluate the force and motion transmission qualities. Furthermore, the first two indices are the objective functions of the design of the dual-wheel transmission, the final design thus achieving the best transmission performance. The reported drives have been virtually prototyped.
Comment on "Early Domesticated Fig in the Jordan Valley"
Authors: Lev-Yadun Simcha , Ne'eman Gidi , Abbo Shahal , Flaishman Moshe A.
Published: December 2006

Kislev
et al
. (Reports, 2 June 2006, p. 1372) described Neolithic parthenocarpic fig fruits and proposed that they derive from trees propagated only by cuttings and thus represent the first domesticated plant of the Neolithic Revolution. Because parthenocarpic fig trees naturally produce both seeded and seedless fruits and are capable of spontaneous reproduction, we argue that the finds do not necessarily indicate cultivation, nor horticulture predating grain crops.
From a Monk in His Garden
Authors: Winters R. Scott
Published: December 2006

Gregor Mendel: Planting the Seeds of Genetics
.
developed by the Field Museum, the Vereinigung zur Förderung der Genomforschung in Vienna, Austria, and the Mendel Museum in Brno, Czech Republic
. The Field Museum, Chicago, through 1 April 2007.
www.fieldmuseum.org/mendel/

This relatively small exhibition uses artifacts from Mendel's life to place his work in context and interactive displays to help explain genetics.
Mineralogy and Petrology of Comet 81P/Wild 2 Nucleus Samples
Authors: Zolensky Michael E. , Zega Thomas J. , Yano Hajime , Wirick Sue , Westphal Andrew J. , Weisberg Mike K. , Weber Iris , Warren Jack L. , Velbel Michael A. , Tsuchiyama Akira , Tsou Peter , Toppani Alice , Tomioka Naotaka , Tomeoka Kazushige , Teslich Nick , Taheri Mitra , Susini Jean , Stroud Rhonda , Stephan Thomas , Stadermann Frank J. , Snead Christopher J. , Simon Steven B. , Simionovici Alexandre , See Thomas H. , Robert François , Rietmeijer Frans J. M. , Rao William , Perronnet Murielle C. , Papanastassiou Dimitri A. , Okudaira Kyoko , Ohsumi Kazumasa , Ohnishi Ichiro , Nakamura-Messenger Keiko , Nakamura Tomoki , Mostefaoui Smail , Mikouchi Takashi , Meibom Anders , Matrajt Graciela , Marcus Matthew A. , Leroux Hugues , Lemelle Laurence , Le Loan , Lanzirotti Antonio , Langenhorst Falko , Krot Alexander N. , Keller Lindsay P. , Kearsley Anton T. , Joswiak David , Jacob Damien , Ishii Hope , Harvey Ralph , Hagiya Kenji , Grossman Lawrence , Grossman Jeffrey N. , Graham Giles A. , Gounelle Matthieu , Gillet Philippe , Genge Matthew J. , Flynn George , Ferroir Tristan , Fallon Stewart , Ebel Denton S. , Dai Zu Rong , Cordier Patrick , Clark Benton , Chi Miaofang , Butterworth Anna L. , Brownlee Donald E. , Bridges John C. , Brennan Sean , Brearley Adrian , Bradley John P. , Bleuet Pierre , Bland Phil A. , Bastien Ron
Published: December 2006

The bulk of the comet 81P/Wild 2 (hereafter Wild 2) samples returned to Earth by the Stardust spacecraft appear to be weakly constructed mixtures of nanometer-scale grains, with occasional much larger (over 1 micrometer) ferromagnesian silicates, Fe-Ni sulfides, Fe-Ni metal, and accessory phases. The very wide range of olivine and low-Ca pyroxene compositions in comet Wild 2 requires a wide range of formation conditions, probably reflecting very different formation locations in the protoplanetary disk. The restricted compositional ranges of Fe-Ni sulfides, the wide range for silicates, and the absence of hydrous phases indicate that comet Wild 2 experienced little or no aqueous alteration. Less abundant Wild 2 materials include a refractory particle, whose presence appears to require radial transport in the early protoplanetary disk.
Isotopic Compositions of Cometary Matter Returned by Stardust
Authors: McKeegan Kevin D. , Aléon Jerome , Bradley John , Brownlee Donald , Busemann Henner , Butterworth Anna , Chaussidon Marc , Fallon Stewart , Floss Christine , Gilmour Jamie , Gounelle Matthieu , Graham Giles , Guan Yunbin , Heck Philipp R. , Hoppe Peter , Hutcheon Ian D. , Huth Joachim , Ishii Hope , Ito Motoo , Jacobsen Stein B. , Kearsley Anton , Leshin Laurie A. , Liu Ming-Chang , Lyon Ian , Marhas Kuljeet , Marty Bernard , Matrajt Graciela , Meibom Anders , Messenger Scott , Mostefaoui Smail , Mukhopadhyay Sujoy , Nakamura-Messenger Keiko , Nittler Larry , Palma Russ , Pepin Robert O. , Papanastassiou Dimitri A. , Robert François , Schlutter Dennis , Snead Christopher J. , Stadermann Frank J. , Stroud Rhonda , Tsou Peter , Westphal Andrew , Young Edward D. , Ziegler Karen , Zimmermann Laurent , Zinner Ernst
Published: December 2006

Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotopic compositions are heterogeneous among comet 81P/Wild 2 particle fragments; however, extreme isotopic anomalies are rare, indicating that the comet is not a pristine aggregate of presolar materials. Nonterrestrial nitrogen and neon isotope ratios suggest that indigenous organic matter and highly volatile materials were successfully collected. Except for a single
17
O-enriched circumstellar stardust grain, silicate and oxide minerals have oxygen isotopic compositions consistent with solar system origin. One refractory grain is
16
O-enriched, like refractory inclusions in meteorites, suggesting that Wild 2 contains material formed at high temperature in the inner solar system and transported to the Kuiper belt before comet accretion.
Elemental Compositions of Comet 81P/Wild 2 Samples Collected by Stardust
Authors: Flynn George J. , Bleuet Pierre , Borg Janet , Bradley John P. , Brenker Frank E. , Brennan Sean , Bridges John , Brownlee Don E. , Bullock Emma S. , Burghammer Manfred , Clark Benton C. , Dai Zu Rong , Daghlian Charles P. , Djouadi Zahia , Fakra Sirine , Ferroir Tristan , Floss Christine , Franchi Ian A. , Gainsforth Zack , Gallien Jean-Paul , Gillet Philippe , Grant Patrick G. , Graham Giles A. , Green Simon F. , Grossemy Faustine , Heck Philipp R. , Herzog Gregory F. , Hoppe Peter , HoÌrz Friedrich , Huth Joachim , Ignatyev Konstantin , Ishii Hope A. , Janssens Koen , Joswiak David , Kearsley Anton T. , Khodja Hicham , Lanzirotti Antonio , Leitner Jan , Lemelle Laurence , Leroux Hugues , Luening Katharina , MacPherson Glenn J. , Marhas Kuljeet K. , Marcus Matthew A. , Matrajt Graciela , Nakamura Tomoki , Nakamura-Messenger Keiko , Nakano Tsukasa , Newville Matthew , Papanastassiou Dimitri A. , Pianetta Piero , Rao William , Riekel Christian , Rietmeijer Frans J. M. , Rost Detlef , Schwandt Craig S. , See Thomas H. , Sheffield-Parker Julie , Simionovici Alexandre , Sitnitsky Ilona , Snead Christopher J. , Stadermann Frank J. , Stephan Thomas , Stroud Rhonda M. , Susini Jean , Suzuki Yoshio , Sutton Stephen R. , Taylor Susan , Teslich Nick , Troadec D. , Tsou Peter , Tsuchiyama Akira , Uesugi Kentaro , Vekemans Bart , Vicenzi Edward P. , Vincze Laszlo , Westphal Andrew J. , Wozniakiewicz Penelope , Zinner Ernst , Zolensky Michael E.
Published: December 2006

We measured the elemental compositions of material from 23 particles in aerogel and from residue in seven craters in aluminum foil that was collected during passage of the Stardust spacecraft through the coma of comet 81P/Wild 2. These particles are chemically heterogeneous at the largest size scale analyzed (â¼180 ng). The mean elemental composition of this Wild 2 material is consistent with the CI meteorite composition, which is thought to represent the bulk composition of the solar system, for the elements Mg, Si, Mn, Fe, and Ni to 35%, and for Ca and Ti to 60%. The elements Cu, Zn, and Ga appear enriched in this Wild 2 material, which suggests that the CI meteorites may not represent the solar system composition for these moderately volatile minor elements.
Merocyanine 540 as an Optical Probe of Transmembrane Electrical Activity in the Heart
Authors: Salama Guy , Morad Martin
Published: December 2006

Frog hearts stained with merocyanine 540 show a 1.5 to 2.0 percent increase in fluorescence intensity at 585 nanometers during the cardiac action potential when excited with a 540-nonometer light beam. Fluorometric action potentials similar to those recorded with intracellular microelectrodes in pacemaker, atrial, and ventricular tissues were recorded by focusing a 1-millimeter excitation beam on various regions of the heart. The signal-to-noise ratio for a single action potential ranged between 10/1 and 40/1. In spontaneously pacing hearts the slower rate of rise of the fluorescence action potential is due to the slow propagation of the electrical signal. In solutions containing normal calcium concentrations the fluorometric signal is altered by contractions. Merocyanine 540 is biologically inert as it stains the cardiac cell membrane and acts as a sensitive optical probe of the change in transmembrane potential.
QUANTUM MONTE CARLO STUDY OF OVERPRESSURIZED LIQUID 4He AT ZERO TEMPERATURE
Authors: MARKIĆ LEANDRA VRANJEŠ , BORONAT JORDI , CASULLERAS JOAQUIM , CAZORLA CALUDIO
Published: December 2006

We present a diffusion Monte Carlo simulation of metastable superfluid 4 He at zero temperature and pressures beyond freezing (~ 25 bar) up to 275 bar. The equation of state of liquid 4 He is extended to the overpressurized regime, where the pressure dependence of the static structure factor and the condensate fraction is obtained. Along this large pressure range, excited-state energy corresponding to the roton has been determined using the release-node technique. Our results show that both the roton energies and the condensate fraction decrease with increasing pressure but do not become zero. We compare our calculations to recent experimental data in overpressurized regime.
EXACT BCS SOLUTION IN THE BCS-BEC CROSSOVER
Authors: DUKELSKY J. , ORTIZ G. , ROMBOUTS S. M. A.
Published: December 2006

The exact Richardson solution of the reduced BCS Hamiltonian is used to study the BCS-to-BEC crossover, as well as the nature of Cooper pairs, in superconducting and Fermi superfluid media. Based on the exact eigenstate we will discuss the Cooper-pair concept proposing a scenario for the BCS-to-BEC crossover in which a mixture of quasifree fermions and pair resonances (BCS) evolves to a system of weakly bound molecules (BEC). In this single unified scenario the Cooper-pair wavefunction has a unique functional form. We propose a new definition of the condensate fraction which, within the limits of the BCS model, gives a qualitative description of recent experiments in ultracold atomic Fermi gases. Finally, we will introduce a new integrable model for asymmetric superfluid systems able to describe different homogeneous and inhomogeneous competing phases such as, breached superconductivity, deformed Fermi superfluidity, and the elusive Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Flde-Ferrell (LOFF) state.
ZERO-TEMPERATURE PHASE DIAGRAM OF DISSIPATIVE RANDOM ISING FERROMAGNETIC CHAINS
Authors: CUGLIANDOLO L. F. , LOZANO G. S. , LOZZA H. F.
Published: December 2006

We study the zero-temperature critical behavior of dissipative quantum Ising spin chains of finite and infinite length. The spins interact with either constant or random nearest-neighbor ferro-magnetic couplings. They are also subject to a transverse field and coupled to an Ohmic bath of quantum harmonic oscillators. We analyze the coupled system performing Monte Carlo simulations on a classical two-dimensional counterpart model. We find that the coupling to the bath enhances the extent of the ordered phase, as it is known for mean-field spin-glass models. In the case of finite chains we show that a generalization of the Caldeira-Leggett localization transition exists.
QUANTUM CRITICAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE INSULATING REGION OF THE 2D METAL INSULATOR TRANSITION
Authors: NEILSON DAVID , WALLACE GELDART D. J.
Published: December 2006

We show the insulating region of the metal-insulator transition phenomena in disordered two-dimensional electron systems contains new information about the quantum critical dynamics at low T because the insulating region and the quantum critical region are two aspects of the localized phase.
A NEW REALISTIC MANY-BODY APPROACH FOR THE DESCRIPTION OF HIGH-ENERGY SCATTERING PROCESSES OFF COMPLEX NUCLEI
Authors: ALVIOLI M. , CIOFI DEGLI ATTI C. , MORITA H.
Published: December 2006

A new linked cluster expansion for the calculation of ground state observables of many-body nuclei with realistic interactions has been developed, in order to single out the major contributions to the relevant quantities when Nucleon-Nucleon correlations are taken into account in the wave function. Using the V8′ potential the ground state energy, density and momentum distribution of complex nuclei have been calculated and found to be in good agreement with the results obtained within the Fermi Hyper Netted Chain, and Variational Monte Carlo approaches. Using the same cluster expansion, with wave function and correlations parameters fixed from the calculation of the ground-state observables, we have calculated various high energy scattering processes off complex nuclei. We made use of the Glauber multiple scattering theory, which can be readily included into the cluster expansion we have developed, to take into account final state interaction effects in the semi-inclusive reaction A(e,e′p)X, and calculated the distorted momentum distribution, which is a necessary ingredient to estimate the cross section.
CORRELATIONS IN HOT ASYMMETRIC NUCLEAR MATTER
Authors: POLLS A. , RIOS A. , RAMOS A. , MÜTHER H.
Published: December 2006

The single-particle spectral functions in asymmetric nuclear matter are computed using the ladder approximation within the theory of finite temperature Green's functions. The internal energy and the momentum distributions of protons and neutrons are studied as a function of the density and the asymmetry of the system. The proton states are more strongly depleted when the asymmetry increases, whereas the occupation of the neutron states is enhanced compared to the symmetric case. Preliminary results for the entropy and the free energy are also presented.
AN EFFICIENT FEATURE SELECTION ALGORITHM FOR COMPUTER-AIDED POLYP DETECTION
Authors: LI JIANG , YAO JIANHUA , SUMMERS RONALD M. , PETRICK NICHOLAS , MANRY MICHAEL T. , HARA AMY K.
Published: December 2006

We present an efficient feature selection algorithm for computer aided detection (CAD) computed tomographic (CT) colonography. The algorithm (1) determines an appropriate piecewise linear network (PLN) model by cross validation, (2) applies the orthonormal least square (OLS) procedure to the PLN model utilizing a Modified Schmidt procedure, and (3) uses a floating search algorithm to select features that minimize the output variance. The undesirable "nesting effect" is prevented by the floating search approach, and the piecewise linear OLS procedure makes this algorithm very computationally efficient because the Modified Schmidt procedure only requires one data pass during the whole searching process. The selected features are compared to those obtained by other methods, through cross validation with support vector machines (SVMs).
MINING TRUST VALUES FROM RECOMMENDATION ERRORS
Authors: O'DONOVAN JOHN , SMYTH BARRY
Published: December 2006

Increasing availability of information has furthered the need for recommender systems across a variety of domains. These systems are designed to tailor each user's information space to suit their particular information needs. Collaborative filtering is a successful and popular technique for producing recommendations based on similarities in users' tastes and opinions. Our work focusses on these similarities and the fact that current techniques for defining which users contribute to recommendation are in need of improvement.

In this paper we propose the use of trustworthiness as an improvement to this situation. In particular, we define and empirically test a technique for eliciting trust values for each producer of a recommendation based on that user's history of contributions to recommendations.

We compute a recommendation range to present to a target user. This is done by leveraging under/overestimate errors in users' past contributions in the recommendation process. We present three different models to compute this range. Our evaluation shows how this trust-based technique can be easily incorporated into a standard collaborative filtering algorithm and we define a fair comparison in which our technique outperforms a benchmark algorithm in predictive accuracy.

We aim to show that the presentation of absolute rating predictions to users is more likely to reduce user trust in the recommendation system than presentation of a range of rating predictions. To evaluate the trust benefits resulting from the transparency of our recommendation range techniques, we carry out user-satisfaction trials on BoozerChoozer, a pub recommendation system. Our user-satisfaction results show that the recommendation range techniques perform up to twice as well as the benchmark.
LOGIC OF DETERMINATION OF OBJECTS: THE MEANING OF VARIABLE IN QUANTIFICATION
Authors: DESCLÉS JEAN-PIERRE , PASCU ANCA
Published: December 2006

This article constitutes a contribution to an analysis of the notion of variable. Within the framework of Combinatory Logic as a formalism without bound variables, the Logic of Determination of Objects (LDO) provides an explanation for the necessary distinction between "whatever, any" and "indeterminate, indefinite" used by the introduction and elimination rules of quantifiers in Natural Deduction. The intension of a concept and typical and atypical occurrences of a concept are also introduced yielding new quantifiers which are more adequate to natural language processing (NPL) and to the study of natural inferences in common reasoning.
SPECKLE REDUCTION IN POLARIMETRIC SAR IMAGERY COMBINING BY PWF AND STATIONARY WAVELET THRESHOLDING
Authors: GAO QINGWEI , ZHANG DEXIANG , WANG YANG
Published: December 2006

As we know, a polarimetric whitening filter can efficiently reduce speckle under the circumstances of keeping the same resolution, but it is not self-adaptive. Although it can be transformed to be self-adaptive by adding a window, the blur is serious on the heterogeneous areas or brightness. In this paper, we present a new algorithm. First, fully polarimetric measurements (HH, HV, VV) are processed by polarimetric whitening filters (PWF) method. Second, the PWF result is de-noised by stationary wavelet transform thresholding. Experimental result shows that this method not only suppresses the speckle noise effectively, but also preserves as many target characteristics of original images as possible. The final visual effect of the recovery SAR image is satisfying.
TUNING SVM PARAMETERS FOR CLASSIFYING GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGINS OF CHINESE MEDICAL HERBS
Authors: XU JIANHUA , ZHANG XUEGONG , SUN SUQIN
Published: December 2006

The quality of Chinese medical herbs depends on their geographical origins. Combining support vector machine (SVM) with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a fast, accurate and nondestructive technique to classify the herbal origins. It is time consuming to tune the key parameters of SVM elaborately. However, a special leave-one-out (LOO) error bound of generalization ability (i.e., the ratio of the number of support vectors to the number of training vectors) can be estimated through training binary SVM once. In this paper, averaging all LOO error bounds over binary SVM classifiers is defined as the LOO error bound for multiclass problem according to one-against-other technique. Using this error bound and grid search, we can estimate the regularization and kernel parameters in SVM efficiently. In our experiments, 269 spectral curves of Dahurian Angelica Root (Baizhi in Chinese) from four provinces in China are examined in detail using polynomial and RBF kernels. On eight testing subsets, the average error rate is 3.53%. For four geographical origins, the highest error rate 6.07% is obtained using Zhejiang's herb. These results demonstrate that for classifying the herbal origins our proposed method can effectively tune SVM parameters and achieve high classification accuracy simultaneously.
LINEAR AND NONLINEAR FEATURE-BASED FUSION ALGORITHMS FOR FACE RECOGNITION
Authors: HUANG JIAN , YUEN PONGCHI , CHEN WEN-SHENG , LAI JIANHUANG , YOU XINGE
Published: December 2006

Integration of various face recognition algorithms has proved to be a feasible approach to improve the performance of a face recognition system. Different face recognition algorithms are often based on different representations of the input patterns or on extracted features and hence may complement each other. Linear and nonlinear feature based algorithms can capture and handle different kinds of variations, such as pose, illumination and expression variations. To make full use of the different advantages of different classifiers, we propose combining four linear and nonlinear face recognition algorithms via a weighted combination scheme to improve the recognition performance of a face recognition system. The FERET, YaleB and CMU PIE database are used for evaluating the combination scheme and the results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed combination scheme.
SPECTRUM OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS–ASSOCIATED DISEASES
Authors: Kutok J.L. , Wang F.
Published: December 2006

The association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and a large number of benign and malignant diseases is unique among DNA viruses. Within infected tissues, proteins that are expressed during the normal lytic and latent viral life cycle lead to cellular alterations that contribute to these EBV-associated diseases. Although the early events of EBV infection are poorly understood, increasing knowledge of the viral processes that govern viral latency has shed light upon the potential mechanisms by which EBV infection can lead to cellular transformation. Our current understanding of the role of EBV in the development of Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and other EBV-associated diseases is discussed.
Role of myosin regulatory light chain and Rac1 in the migration of polyamine-depleted intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Ray Ramesh M. , Guo Huazhang , Patel Minesh , Jin Shi , Bhattacharya Sujoy , Johnson Leonard R.
Published: December 2006

We have previously shown that polyamine depletion decreased migration, Rac activation, and protein serine threonine phosphatase 2A activity. We have also shown that polyamine depletion increased cortical F-actin and decreased lamellipodia and stress fibers. In this study, we used staurosporine (STS), a potent, cell-permeable, and broad-spectrum serine/threonine kinase inhibitor, and studied migration. STS concentrations above 100 nM induced apoptosis. However, in polyamine-depleted cells, a lower concentration of STS (5 nM) increased attachment, spreading, Rac1 activation, and, subsequently, migration without causing apoptosis. STS-induced migration was completely prevented by a Rac1 inhibitor (NSC-23766) and dominant negative Rac1. These results imply that STS restores migration in polyamine-depleted cells through Rac1. The most important finding in this study was that polyamine depletion increased the association of phosphorylated myosin regulatory light chain (pThr18/Ser19-MRLC) at the cell periphery, which colocalized with thick cortical F-actin. Localization of pThr18- and pSer19-MRLC was found with stress fibers and nuclei, respectively. STS decreased the phosphorylation of cellular and peripheral pThr18-MRLC without any effect on nuclear pSer19-MRLC, dissolved thick cortical F-actin, and increased lamellipodia and stress fiber formation in polyamine-depleted cells. In control and polyamine-depleted cells, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) colocalized with stress fibers and the actin cortex, respectively. STS reorganized FAK, paxillin, and the cytoskeleton. These results suggest that polyamine depletion prevents the dephosphorylation of MRLC and thereby prevents the dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and decreases lamellipodia formation resulting in the inhibition of migration.
IFN-γ and TNF-α decrease serotonin transporter function and expression in Caco2 cells
Authors: Foley Kevin F. , Pantano Cristen , Ciolino Allison , Mawe Gary M.
Published: December 2006

Recent studies have shown that mucosal serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) expression is decreased in animal models of colitis, as well as in the colonic mucosa of humans with ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Altered SERT function or expression may underlie the altered motility, secretion, and sensation seen in these inflammatory gut disorders. In an effort to elucidate possible mediators of SERT downregulation, we treated cultured colonic epithelial cells (Caco2) with conditioned medium from activated human lymphocytes. Application of the conditioned medium caused a decrease in fluoxetine-sensitive [3H]5-HT uptake. Individual proinflammatory agents were then tested for their ability to affect uptake. Cells were treated for 48 or 72 h with PGE2 (10 μM), IFN-γ (500 ng/ml), TNF-α (50 ng/ml), IL-12 (50 ng/ml), or the nitric oxide-releasing agent S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO; 100 μM). [3H]5-HT uptake was then measured. Neither PGE nor IL-12 had any effect on [3H]5-HT uptake, and GSNO increased uptake. However, after 3-day incubation, both TNF-α and IFN-γ elicited significant decreases in SERT function. Neither TNF-α nor IFN-γ were cytotoxic when used for this period of time and at these concentrations. These two cytokines also induced decreases in SERT mRNA and protein levels. By altering SERT expression, TNF-α and IFN-γ could contribute to the altered motility and expression seen in vivo in ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase is a molecular vascular target for the Chinese herb Danshen in hypertension
Authors: Kim David D. , Sánchez Fabiola A. , Durán Ricardo G. , Kanetaka Takehito , Durán Walter N.
Published: December 2006

Danshen, a Chinese herb, reduces hypertension in Oriental medicine. We hypothesized that Danshen acts partially through endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling mechanisms. We tested the hypothesis using tanshinone IIA, an active ingredient of Danshen, and the two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertension model in hamsters. Oral tanshinone (50 μg/100 g body wt) reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) from 161.2 ± 6.9 to 130.0 ± 7.8 mmHg (mean ± SE; P < 0.05) in hypertensive hamsters. MAP in sham-operated hamsters was 114.3 ± 9.2 mmHg. Topical tanshinone at 1 μg/ml and 5 μg/ml increased normalized arteriolar diameter from 1.00 to 1.25 ± 0.08 and 1.57 ± 0.11, respectively, and increased periarteriolar nitric oxide concentration from 87.1 ± 11.3 to 146.9 ± 23.1 nM ( P < 0.05) at 5 μg/ml in hamster cheek pouch. NG-monomethyl-l-arginine inhibited tanshinone-induced vasodilation. Hypertension reduced eNOS protein relative to sham-operated control. Tanshinone prevented the hypertension-induced reduction of eNOS and increased eNOS expression to levels higher than sham-operated control in hamster cheek pouch. Topical tanshinone increased normalized arteriolar diameter from 1.0 to 1.47 ± 0.08 in the cremaster muscle of control mice and to 1.12 ± 0.13 in cremasters of eNOS knockout mice. In ECV-304 cells transfected with eNOS-green fluorescent protein, tanshinone increased eNOS protein expression 1.35 ± 0.05- and 1.85 ± 0.07-fold above control after 5-min and 1-h application, respectively. Tanshinone also increased eNOS phosphorylation 1.19 ± 0.07- and 1.72 ± 0.20-fold relative to control after 5-min and 1-h application. Our data provide a basis to understand the action of a Chinese herb used in alternative medicine. We conclude that eNOS stimulation is one mechanism by which tanshinone induces vasodilation and reduces blood pressure.
Methyl-3-indolylacetate inhibits cancer cell invasion by targeting the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Siyuan , Li Zhi , Wu Ximei , Huang Qing , Shen Han-Ming , Ong Choon-Nam
Published: December 2006

Epidemiologic studies have suggested an inverse correlation between dietary intake of cruciferous vegetables and cancer risk. It is thus of interest to investigate the anticancer potential of phytochemicals presented in cruciferous vegetables. In this study, methyl-3-indolylacetate (MIA), a cruciferous indole for which the bioactivity has not been previously reported, was found to significantly suppress the invasion of cancer cells stimulated by the 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Our data show that MIA pretreatments inhibited matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) expression in a concentration-dependent manner, resulting in decreased MMP-9 activity. By using real-time reverse transcription-PCR, luciferase reporter gene assay, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we provided convincing evidence that MIA suppresses MMP-9 gene transcription via targeting the activator protein-1 signaling but not the nuclear factor-κB pathway. The TPA-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation cascade was also analyzed. Despite extensive activation of major MAPKs [c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, p38, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2)] under TPA stimulation, only the ERK1/2 activation and its consequent nuclear translocation were found to be diminished by MIA. Interestingly, MIA did not affect the TPA-induced phosphorylation of either c-Raf or MAPK/ERK kinase-1/2 (MEK1/2), two upstream kinases of ERK. Moreover, using the in vitro kinase assay, MIA was shown to inhibit the kinase activity of MEK1/2, the upstream kinases of ERK, suggesting that MEK is the major molecular target of MIA. In conclusion, data from this study provided new insight into the anticancer potential of MIA, a cruciferous vegetable–derived indole compound. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(12):3285–93]
Fanconi anemia D2 protein confers chemoresistance in response to the anticancer agent, irofulven
Authors: Wang Yutian , Wiltshire Timothy , Senft Jamie , Wenger Sharon L. , Reed Eddie , Wang Weixin
Published: December 2006

The Fanconi anemia-BRCA pathway of genes are frequently mutated or epigenetically repressed in human cancer. The proteins of this pathway play pivotal roles in DNA damage signaling and repair. Irofulven is one of a new class of anticancer agents that are analogues of mushroom-derived illudin toxins. Preclinical studies and clinical trials have shown that irofulven is effective against several tumor cell types. The exact nature of irofulven-induced DNA damage is not completely understood. Previously, we have shown that irofulven activates ATM and its targets, NBS1, SMC1, CHK2, and p53. In this study, we hypothesize that irofulven induces DNA double-strand breaks and FANCD2 may play an important role in modulating cellular responses and chemosensitivity in response to irofulven treatment. By using cells that are proficient or deficient for FANCD2, ATR, or ATM, we showed that irofulven induces FANCD2 monoubiquitination and nuclear foci formation. ATR is important in mediating irofulven-induced FANCD2 monoubiquitination. Furthermore, we showed that FANCD2 plays a critical role in maintaining chromosome integrity and modulating chemosensitivity in response to irofulven-induced DNA damage. Therefore, this study suggests that it might be clinically significant to target irofulven therapy to cancers defective for proteins of the Fanconi anemia-BRCA pathway. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(12):3153–61]
Interleukin-13 receptor–targeted nanovesicles are a potential therapy for glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Madhankumar A.B. , Slagle-Webb Becky , Mintz Akiva , Sheehan Jonas M. , Connor James R.
Published: December 2006

The difficulties associated with treatment of malignant brain tumors are well documented. For example, local infiltration of high-grade astrocytomas prevents the complete resection of all malignant cells. It is, therefore, critical to develop delivery systems for chemotherapeutic agents that ablate individual cancer cells without causing diffuse damage to surrounding brain tissue. Here, we describe sterically stable human interleukin-13 (IL-13)–conjugated liposomes, which efficiently bind to the brain cancer cells that overexpress the IL-13 receptor α2 protein. The conjugated liposomes bind to glioblastoma multiforme tissue specimens but not to normal cortex. Conjugating the liposomes with human IL-13 allows for specific binding to glioma cells and uptake of the liposomes via endocytosis. Delivering doxorubicin to glioma cells by IL-13–conjugated liposomes results in enhanced cytotoxicity and increased accumulation and retention of drug in the glioma cells compared with delivery of free drug. The therapeutic potential and targeting efficacy of the IL-13–conjugated liposomes carrying doxorubicin was tested in vivo using a s.c. glioma tumor mouse model. Animals receiving i.p. injections of IL-13–conjugated liposomes carrying doxorubicin for 7 weeks had a mean tumor volume of 37 mm3 compared with a mean volume of 192 mm3 in animals injected with nontargeted liposomes. These results strongly suggest that IL-13–conjugated liposomes carrying cytotoxic agents are a feasible approach for creating a nanovesicle drug delivery system for brain tumor therapy. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(12):3162–9]