bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Recent Fast Upsurge of Immigrants in Spain and Their Employment Patterns and Occupational Attainment
Authors: Bernardi Fabrizio , Garrido Luis , Miyar Maria
Published: December 2010

This article provides an analysis of employment and occupational attainment of recent immigrants to Spain. We use data from the Spanish labour force surveys for the years between 2002 and 2007 and compare the probability of being active versus inactive and that of being employed versus unemployed among immigrants and native‐born Spaniards, using logistic regression models. The paper then moves on to investigate the quality of the occupation achieved by means of multinomial logistic regression models. We find evidence that immigrants are not at a disadvantage in comparison to native‐born Spaniards regarding the risk of unemployment. This is true even after controlling for differences in socio‐demographic characteristics between immigrants and Spaniards and, in particular, after accounting for the duration of time spent in the labour market. On the other hand, a strong and persistent disadvantage even after controlling for socio‐demographic characteristics is confirmed for immigrants as far as their access to skilled occupations is concerned. Furthermore, this disadvantage does not disappear as time spent in the host country increases. Our findings, thus, go against the assimilation hypothesis that predicts that immigrant’s occupational attainment should progressively converge to that of natives.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase 4 is involved in the regulation of mitotic and cytokinetic microtubule transitions in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Beck Martina , Komis George , Ziemann Anja , Menzel Diedrik , Šamaj Jozef
Published: December 2010

See also the Commentary by Bogre
Determinants of beta diversity of spiders in coastal dunes along a gradient of mediterraneity
Authors: Carvalho José C. , Cardoso Pedro , Crespo Luís C. , Henriques Sérgio , Carvalho Rui , Gomes Pedro
Published: December 2010

Aim  The Mediterranean Basin is recognized for its high levels of species richness, rarity and endemicity. Our main aim was to evaluate the relative effects of environmental and spatial variables and their scale‐specific importance on beta diversity patterns along a gradient of mediterraneity, using spiders as a model group.

Location  This study was carried out in 18 coastal dune sites along the Portuguese Atlantic coast. This area encompasses 445 km and comprises two distinct biogeographic regions, Eurosiberian (northern coast) and Mediterranean (centre and south).

Methods  A forward selection procedure was carried out to select environmental and spatial variables responsible for determining beta diversity patterns. Variation partitioning and principal coordinates of neighbour matrices (PCNM) were used to estimate the contribution of pure environmental and pure spatial effects and their shared influence on beta diversity patterns and to estimate the relative importance of environmental structured variation and pure spatial variation at multiple spatial scales.

Results  Climate, ground vegetation dune cover and area were selected by a forward selection procedure. The same procedure identified three PCNM variables, all corresponding to large and medium spatial scales. Variation partitioning revealed that 46.1% of the variation of beta diversity patterns was explained by a combination of environmental and PCNM variables. Most of this variation (42.5%) corresponded to spatial variation (environmental spatially structured and pure spatial). Climate and vegetation structure influences were predominant at the PCNM1 and PCNM3 scales, while area was more important at the intermediate PCNM2 scale.

Main conclusions  Our study revealed that beta diversity of spiders was primarily controlled by a broad‐scale gradient of mediterraneity. The relative importance of environmental variables on the spider assemblage composition varied with spatial scale. This study highlights the need of considering the scale‐specific influence of niche and neutral processes on beta diversity patterns.
Protein kinase C regulates ezrin–radixin–moesin phosphorylation in canine osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Hong S.‐H. , Osborne T. , Ren L. , Briggs J. , Mazcko C. , Burkett S. S. , Khanna C.
Published: December 2010

The development of metastasis is the most significant cause of death for both canine and human patients with osteosarcoma (OS). Ezrin has been associated with tumour progression and metastasis in human, canine and murine OS. Ezrin activation is dynamically regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) during metastatic progression in human and murine OS. To include the dog in the development of therapeutics that target ezrin biology, we characterized four new canine OS cell lines and confirmed the relationship between PKC and ezrin in these cells. Three of four cell lines formed tumours in mice that were histologically consistent with OS. All cell lines were markedly aneuploid and expressed ezrin and PKC. Finally, both ezrin phosphorylation and cell migration were inhibited using a PKC inhibitor. These data suggest that an association between PKC‐mediated activation of ezrin and the metastatic phenotype in canine OS cells.
Thinking Theologically about Consumer Society
Authors: Hoffmeyer John F.
Published: December 2010

Abstract:  To my knowledge, the first Christian theological monograph published in English on consumer society was John Kavanaugh's Following Christ in a Consumer Society, which appeared in 1982. Kavanaugh's groundbreaking text did not exactly open a floodgate. Sixteen years passed before the multi‐authored The Consuming Passion: Christianity and the Consumer Culture appeared, edited by Rodney Clapp. The intervening decade has seen a modest flow of publications on the topic. Most influential in the general theological discussion have probably been Vincent Miller's Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture, and Tom Beaudoin's Consuming Faith: Integrating Who We Are with What We Buy. In view of the spiritual challenges of consumer society, and in comparison with the attention given to consumer society by theoreticians other than theologians, there is a pressing need for more theological reflection on the topic. Thus the current issue of Dialog is before you.
The 30¢ Deal of a Lifetime: Using Luther's Small Catechism with Teenagers to Engage Consumerist Culture
Authors: Zandstra Lee A.
Published: December 2010

Abstract:  This article explores the interaction of teenagers in the current consumerist culture, and how Martin Luther's Small Catechism offers multiple entry points to begin conversation around the illusions of consumerism. It examines motives behind consumption and what the church has to say in response to the consumerist “catechism.” Suggestions pertaining to the Ten Commandments, Apostles’ Creed, and Lord's Prayer are provided for pastors and teachers of catechetical students.
The Questions We Left Behind: Reflections from a Teaching Theologian
Authors: Stortz Martha E.
Published: December 2010

Abstract:  While the ordination of women made great strides in ending gender injustice for women in church‐related vocations, women also have raised other questions, specifically: the appropriate role of experience in theological discourse and moral deliberation; the displacement of advocacy by representation; and the tension between the personal and the political. Fore‐mothers leave behind these issues for their after‐daughters, as they meet challenges their fore‐mothers in the faith could hardly imagine.
Screening of deoxyribozyme with high reversal efficiency against multidrug resistance in breast carcinoma cells
Authors: Gao Peng , Wei Jun‐Min , Li Peng‐Yu , Zhang Cui‐Juan , Jian Wen‐Cheng , Zhang Yu‐Hua , Xing Ai‐Yan , Zhou Geng‐Yin
Published: December 2010

Specific inhibition of P‐glycoprotein (Pgp) expression, which is encoded by multidrug resistance gene‐1 (MDR1), is considered a well‐respected strategy to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). Deoxyribozymes (DRz) are catalytic nucleic acids that could cleave a target RNA in sequence‐specific manner. However, it is difficult to select an effective target site for DRz in living cells. In this study, target sites of DRz were screened according to MDR1 mRNA secondary structure by RNA structure analysis software. Twelve target sites on the surface of MDR1 mRNA were selected. Accordingly, 12 DRzs were synthesized and their suppression effect on the MDR phenotype in breast cancer cells was confirmed. The results showed that 4 (DRz 2, 3, 4, 9) of the 12 DRzs could, in a dose‐dependent response, significantly suppress MDR1 mRNA expression and restore chemosensitivity in breast cancer cells with MDR phenotype. This was especially true of DRz 3, which targets the 141 site purine‐pyrimidine dinucleotide. Compared with antisense oligonucleotide or anti‐miR‐27a inhibitor, DRz 3 was more efficient in suppressing MDR1 mRNA and Pgp protein expression or inhibiting Pgp function. The chemosensitivity assay also proved DRz 3 to be the best one to reverse the MDR phenotype. The present study suggests that screening targets of DRzs according to MDR1 mRNA secondary structure could be a useful method to obtain workable ones. We provide evidence that DRzs (DRz 2, 3, 4, 9) are highly efficient at reversing the MDR phenotype in breast carcinoma cells and restoring chemosensitivity.
Structural evidence of α‐aminoacylated lipoproteins of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Asanuma Miwako , Kurokawa Kenji , Ichikawa Rie , Ryu Kyoung‐Hwa , Chae Jun‐Ho , Dohmae Naoshi , Lee Bok Luel , Nakayama Hiroshi
Published: December 2010

Bacterial lipoproteins are known to be diacylated or triacylated and activate mammalian immune cells via Toll‐like receptor 2/6 or 2/1 heterodimer. Because the genomes of low G+C content Gram‐positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, do not contain Escherichia coli‐type apolipoprotein N‐acyltransferase, an enzyme converting diacylated lipoproteins into triacylated forms, it has been widely believed that native lipoproteins of S. aureus are diacylated. However, we recently demonstrated that one lipoprotein SitC purified from S. aureus RN4220 strain was triacylated. Almost simultaneously, another group reported that another lipoprotein SA2202 purified from S. aureus SA113 strain was diacylated. The determination of exact lipidated structures of S. aureus lipoproteins is thus crucial for elucidating the molecular basis of host–microorganism interactions. Toward this purpose, we intensively used MS‐based analyses. Here, we demonstrate that SitC lipoprotein of S. aureus RN4220 strain has two lipoprotein lipase‐labile O‐esterified fatty acids and one lipoprotein lipase‐resistant fatty acid. Further MS/MS analysis of the lipoprotein lipase digest revealed that the lipoprotein lipase‐resistant fatty acid was acylated to α‐amino group of the N‐terminal cysteine residue of SitC. Triacylated forms of SitC with various length fatty acids were also confirmed in cell lysate of the RN4220 and Triton X‐114 phase in three other S. aureus strains, including SA113 strain and one Staphylococcus epidermidis strain. Moreover, four other major lipoproteins including SA2202 in S. aureus strains were identified as N‐acylated. These results strongly suggest that lipoproteins of S. aureus are mainly in the N‐acylated triacyl form.
Prospects for detection of exoplanet magnetic fields through bow-shock observations during transits
Authors: Vidotto A. A. , Jardine M. , Helling Ch.
Published: December 2010

An asymmetry between the ingress and egress times was observed in the near-UV light curve of the transit planet WASP-12b. Such asymmetry led us to suggest that the early ingress in the UV light curve of WASP-12b, compared to the optical observations, is caused by a shock around the planet, and that shocks should be a common feature in transiting systems. Here, we classify all the transiting systems known to date according to their potential for producing shocks that could cause observable light curve asymmetries. We found that 36/92 of known transiting systems would lie above a reasonable detection threshold and that the most promising candidates to present shocks are: WASP-19b, WASP-4b, WASP-18b, CoRoT-7b, HAT-P-7b, CoRoT-1b, TrES-3 and WASP-5b. For prograde planets orbiting outside the corotation radius of fast rotating stars, the shock position, instead of being ahead of the planetary motion as in WASP-12b, trails the planet. In this case, we predict that the light curve of the planet should present a late-egress asymmetry. We show that CoRoT-11b is a potential candidate to host such a behind shock and show a late egress. If observed, these asymmetries can provide constraints on planetary magnetic fields. For instance, for a planet that has a magnetic field intensity similar to Jupiter's field (∼14 G) orbiting a star whose magnetic field is between 1 and 100 G, the stand-off distance between the shock and the planet, which we take to be the size of the planet's magnetosphere, ranges from 1 to 40 planetary radii.
Abduction and Modality
Authors: BIGGS STEPHEN
Published: December 2010

This paper introduces a modal epistemology that centers on inference to the best explanation (i.e. abduction). In introducing this abduction‐centered modal epistemology, the paper has two main goals. First, it seeks to provide reasons for pursuing an abduction‐centered modal epistemology by showing that this epistemology aids a popular stance on the mind‐body problem and allows an appealing approach to modality. Second, the paper seeks to show that an abduction‐centered modal epistemology can work by showing that abduction can establish claims about necessity/possibility (i.e. modal claims)—where ‘necessity’ and ‘possibility’ denote metaphysical necessity and possibility, ways things may or may not have been given how they actually are.
Intrinsicality and Hyperintensionality
Authors: EDDON M.
Published: December 2010

The standard counterexamples to David Lewis’s account of intrinsicality involve two sorts of properties: identity properties and necessary properties. Proponents of the account have attempted to deflect these counterexamples in a number of ways. This paper argues that none of these moves are legitimate. Furthermore, this paper argues that no account along the lines of Lewis’s can succeed, for an adequate account of intrinsicality must be sensitive to hyperintensional distinctions among properties.
Can Counterfactuals Solve the Exclusion Problem?
Authors: ZHONG LEI
Published: December 2010

A quite popular approach to solving the Causal Exclusion Problem is to adopt a counterfactual theory of causation. In this paper, I distinguish three versions of the Causal Exclusion Argument. I argue that the counterfactualist approach can block the first two exclusion arguments, because the Causal Inheritance Principle and the Upward Causation Principle upon which the two arguments are based respectively are problematic from the perspective of the counterfactual account of causation. However, I attempt to show that the counterfactualist approach is unable to refute a sophisticated version (i.e. the third version) of the exclusion argument in that the Downward Causation Principle, a premise of the third exclusion argument, is actually implied by the counterfactual theory of causation. Therefore, even if other theories of causation might help the non‐reductive physicalist to solve the exclusion problem, the counterfactual theory of causation cannot.
Contingent A Priori Knowledge
Authors: TURRI JOHN
Published: December 2010

I argue that you can have a priori knowledge of propositions that neither are nor appear necessarily true. You can know a priori contingent propositions that you recognize as such. This overturns a standard view in contemporary epistemology and the traditional view of the a priori, which restrict a priori knowledge to necessary truths, or at least to truths that appear necessary.
Ontological Minimalism about Phenomenology
Authors: SCHELLENBERG SUSANNA
Published: December 2010

I develop a view of the common factor between subjectively indistinguishable perceptions and hallucinations that avoids analyzing experiences as involving awareness relations to abstract entities, sense‐data, or any other peculiar entities. The main thesis is that hallucinating subjects employ concepts (or analogous nonconceptual structures), namely the very same concepts that in a subjectively indistinguishable perception are employed as a consequence of being related to external, mind‐independent objects or property‐instances. These concepts and nonconceptual structures are identified with modes of presentation types. Since a hallucinating subject is not related to any such objects or property‐instances, the concepts she employs remain empty. I argue that the phenomenology of hallucinations and perceptions can be identified with employing concepts and analogous nonconceptual structures. By doing so, I defend an ontologically minimalist view of the phenomenology of experience that (1) vindicates Aristotelianism about types and (2) amounts to a naturalized view of the phenomenology of experience.
A Framework for Analysis of Production Authorization Card‐Controlled Production Systems
Authors: MacDonald Corinne , Gunn Eldon A.
Published: December 2010

A framework for the analysis of manufacturing systems operating under a production authorization card (PAC) system is outlined. The PAC system provides a single model, which encompasses a broad variety of control strategies, including Kanban and CONWIP. This paper describes a framework for the performance analysis and comparison of both specific and families of control strategies. The framework starts with system performance measures estimated by simulation. These simulations in turn provide training data for neural network metamodels. The metamodels allow for a variety of analysis and optimization approaches, including the construction of optimal policy curves, which can provide considerable insight into the systems under study.
The Impact of Variability and Patient Information on Health Care System Performance
Authors: Salzarulo Peter A. , Bretthauer Kurt M. , Côté Murray J. , Schultz Kenneth L.
Published: December 2010

In the delivery of health care services, variability in the patient arrival and service processes can cause excessive patient waiting times and poor utilization of facility resources. Based on data collected at a large primary care facility, this paper investigates how several sources of variability affect facility performance. These sources include ancillary tasks performed by the physician, patient punctuality, unscheduled visits to the facility's laboratory or X‐ray services, momentary interruptions of a patient's examination, and examination time variation by patient class. Our results indicate that unscheduled visits to the facility's laboratory or X‐ray services have the largest impact on a physician's idle time. The average patient wait is most affected by how the physician prioritizes completing ancillary tasks, such as telephone calls, relative to examining patients. We also investigate the improvement in system performance offered by using increasing levels of patient information when creating the appointment schedule. We find that the use of policies that sequence patients based on their classification improves system performance by up to 25.5%.
Ivermectin and Milbemycin Oxime in Experimental Adult Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) Infection of Dogs
Authors: Snyder D.E. , Wiseman S. , Cruthers L.R. , Slone R.L.
Published: December 2010

Background: The US Food and Drug Administration reports an increase in the frequency of reports of lack of effectiveness claims for heartworm (HW) prevention products.

Hypothesis: At their labeled doses, single doses of commercially available HW prevention products are not completely effective against all field isolates of HW.

Animals: Forty‐two HW‐free dogs experimentally inoculated with a recent HW field isolate.

Methods: Placebo‐controlled, blinded laboratory clinical trial. Dogs randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups with 14 dogs per group. Groups were untreated control or PO dosed with milbemycin oxime (MBO) or ivermectin (IVM). Dogs were inoculated with 50 HW third stage larvae 30 days before dosing and necropsy was performed on Day 123 after treatment to enumerate adult HW.

Results: Thirteen of 14 control dogs had adult HW detected at necropsy with a geometric mean worm count of 22.3. One HW was found in 1 dog in each of the MBO and IVM treatment groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Two currently approved macrocyclic lactone HW preventives used at their labeled dose rates were <100% effective against a recent HW field isolate, supporting the hypothesis that the effectiveness of a single dose of these preventives can vary. This is important in guiding clients on expectations of product effectiveness.
Extraterrestrial amino acids in the Almahata Sitta meteorite
Authors: GLAVIN Daniel P. , AUBREY Andrew D. , CALLAHAN Michael P. , DWORKIN Jason P. , ELSILA Jamie E. , PARKER Eric T. , BADA Jeffrey L. , JENNISKENS Peter , SHADDAD Muawia H.
Published: December 2010

Abstract–

Amino acid analysis of a meteorite fragment of asteroid 2008 TC3 called Almahata Sitta was carried out using reverse‐phase liquid chromatography coupled with UV fluorescence detection and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐FD/ToF‐MS) as part of a sample analysis consortium. LC‐FD/ToF‐MS analyses of hot‐water extracts from the meteorite revealed a complex distribution of two‐ to seven‐carbon aliphatic amino acids and one‐ to three‐carbon amines with abundances ranging from 0.5 to 149 parts‐per‐billion (ppb). The enantiomeric ratios of the amino acids alanine, β‐amino‐n‐butyric acid, 2‐amino‐2‐methylbutanoic acid (isovaline), and 2‐aminopentanoic acid (norvaline) in the meteorite were racemic (d/l ∼ 1), indicating that these amino acids are indigenous to the meteorite and not terrestrial contaminants. Several other nonprotein amino acids were also identified in the meteorite above background levels including α‐aminoisobutyric acid (α‐AIB), 4‐amino‐2‐methylbutanoic acid, 4‐amino‐3‐methylbutanoic acid, and 3‐, 4‐, and 5‐aminopentanoic acid. The total abundances of isovaline and α‐AIB in Almahata Sitta are approximately 1000 times lower than the abundances of these amino acids found in the CM carbonaceous chondrite Murchison. The extremely low abundances and unusual distribution of five‐carbon amino acids in Almahata Sitta compared to CI, CM, and CR carbonaceous chondrites may reflect extensive thermal alteration of amino acids on the parent asteroid by partial melting during formation or subsequent impact shock heating. It is also possible that amino acids were synthesized by catalytic reactions on the parent body after asteroid 2008 TC3 cooled to lower temperatures, or introduced as a contaminant from unrelated meteorite clasts and chemically altered by α‐decarboxylation.
RGD modified albumin nanospheres for tumour vasculature targeting
Authors: Dubey Praveen K , Singodia Deepak , Verma Rahul K , Vyas Suresh P
Published: December 2010

Objectives

Cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide-anchored sterically stabilized albumin nanospheres (RGD-SN) have been investigated for the selective and preferential presentation of carrier contents at angiogenic endothelial cells overexpressing avb3 integrins on and around tumour tissue. Their targetabilty was assessed.

Methods

Albumin nanospheres were formulated, conjugated with RGD/RAD peptide and characterized on the basis of size and size distribution. The control Arginine-Alanine-Aspartic acid (RAD) peptide-anchored sterically stabilized nanospheres (RAD-SN) and nanosphere with 5 mol% PEG (SN) without peptide conjugate were used for comparison with RGD-SN for in vitro cell binding, in vivo organ distribution and tumor angiogenesis studies.

Key findings

The average size of all nanospheres prepared was approximately 100 nm and maximum drug entrapment was 67.2 ± 5.2%. In-vitro endothelial cell binding of nanospheres exhibited 8-fold higher binding of RGD-SN to human umbilical vein endothelial cells in comparison with the SN and RAD-SN. RGD peptide-anchored nanospheres were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) effective in the prevention of lung metastasis, angiogenesis and in effective regression of tumours compared with free fluorouracil, SN and RAD-SN. Results indicated that cyclic RGD peptide-anchored sterically stabilized nanospheres bearing fluorouracil were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) active against primary tumour and metastasis than the nontargeted sterically stabilized nanospheres and free drug.

Conclusions

Cyclic RGD peptide-anchored sterically stabilized nanospheres appears promising for targeted cancer chemotherapeutics.
Preparation and the in-vivo evaluation of paclitaxel liposomes for lung targeting delivery in dogs
Authors: Zhao Ling , Ye Yun , Li Juan , Wei Yu-meng
Published: December 2010

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop paclitaxel liposomes for a lung targeting delivery system.

Methods

The liposomes composed of Tween-80/HSPC/cholesterol (0.03 : 3.84 : 3.84, mol/mol), containing paclitaxel and lipids (1 : 40, mol/mol), were prepared by a combination of solid dispersion and effervescent techniques, and then subjected to ultrasonication. The pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of liposomal and injectable formulation of paclitaxel in dogs were studied after intravenous administration.

Key findings

The mean diameter, polydispersity index, zeta-potential and entrapment efficiency of the liposomes were 501.60 ± 15.43 nm, 0.28 ± 0.02, −20.93 ± 0.06 mV and 95.17 ± 0.32%, respectively. The liposomal formulation kept stable for at least 3 months at 6 ± 2°C and didn't cause haemolysis. The liposome carrier decreased the area under the curve and terminal half-life of paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel injection ranging from 0.352 ± 0.031 mg/l*h and 0.0671 ± 0.144 h to 0.748 ± 0.062 mg/l*h and 1.978 ± 0.518 h, respectively. The paclitaxel liposomes produced a drug concentration in the lung that was markedly higher than that in other organs or tissues and was about 15-fold of that of paclitaxel injection at 2 h.

Conclusions

To sum up, these results demonstrated that the paclitaxel liposomes are an effective lung targeted carrier in the treatment of lung cancer.
Feasible Geometrical Configurations for Split Torque Gearboxes With Idler Pinions
Authors: Vilán Vilán José A. , Robleda Abraham Segade , Lago Marcos López , Ruiz Enrique Casarejos
Published: December 2010

The split torque gearbox is a practical solution to the transmission of high torques with the lowest possible weight. In this article, we perform the mathematics necessary to calculate possible solutions for the simultaneous meshing of four wheels on the basis of geometric conditioning factors. These calculations will be illustrated by numerical applications. Finally, particular cases of planetary gearboxes and a gearbox with equal idler pinions are studied, with the conclusion that their application is appropriate in specific conditions.
Experimentally Simulated Global Warming and Nitrogen Enrichment Effects on Microbial Litter Decomposers in a Marsh
Authors: Flury Sabine , Gessner Mark O.
Published: December 2010

Atmospheric warming and increased nitrogen deposition can lead to changes of microbial communities with possible consequences for biogeochemical processes. We used an enclosure facility in a freshwater marsh to assess the effects on microbes associated with decomposing plant litter under conditions of simulated climate warming and pulsed nitrogen supply. Standard batches of litter were placed in coarse-mesh and fine-mesh bags and submerged in a series of heated, nitrogen-enriched, and control enclosures. They were retrieved later and analyzed for a range of microbial parameters. Fingerprinting profiles obtained by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) indicated that simulated global warming induced a shift in bacterial community structure. In addition, warming reduced fungal biomass, whereas bacterial biomass was unaffected. The mesh size of the litter bags and sampling date also had an influence on bacterial community structure, with the apparent number of dominant genotypes increasing from spring to summer. Microbial respiration was unaffected by any treatment, and nitrogen enrichment had no clear effect on any of the microbial parameters considered. Overall, these results suggest that microbes associated with decomposing plant litter in nutrient-rich freshwater marshes are resistant to extra nitrogen supplies but are likely to respond to temperature increases projected for this century.
Synanthropic Birds Influence the Distribution of
Borrelia
Species: Analysis of
Ixodes ricinus
Ticks Feeding on Passerine Birds
Authors: Dubska Lenka , Literak Ivan , Kocianova Elena , Taragelova Veronika , Sverakova Veronika , Sychra Oldrich , Hromadko Miloslav
Published: December 2010

Ixodes ricinus
ticks collected from 835 birds and from vegetation in the Czech Republic were analyzed. Host-seeking ticks (
n
= 427) were infected predominantly by
Borrelia afzelii
(25%). Ticks (
n
= 1,012) from songbirds (Passeriformes) were infected commonly by
Borrelia garinii
(12.1%) and
Borrelia valaisiana
(13.4%). Juveniles of synanthropic birds, Eurasian blackbirds (
Turdus merula
) and song thrushes (
Turdus philomelos
), were major reservoir hosts of
B. garinii.
Differential Effects of Three CanonicalToxoplasmaStrains on Gene Expression in Human Neuroepithelial Cells
Authors: Xiao Jianchun , Jones-Brando Lorraine , Talbot C. Conover , Yolken Robert H.
Published: December 2010

Strain type is one of the key factors suspected to play a role in determining the outcome ofToxoplasmainfection. In this study, we examined the transcriptional profile of human neuroepithelioma cells in response to representative strains ofToxoplasmaby using microarray analysis to characterize the strain-specific host cell response. The study of neural cells is of interest in light of the ability ofToxoplasmato infect the brain and to establish persistent infection within the central nervous system. We found that the extents of the expression changes varied considerably among the three strains. Neuroepithelial cells infected withToxoplasmatype I exhibited the highest level of differential gene expression, whereas type II-infected cells had a substantially smaller number of genes which were differentially expressed. Cells infected with type III exhibited intermediate effects on gene expression. The three strains also differed in the individual genes and gene pathways which were altered following cellular infection. For example, gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that type I infection largely affects genes related to the central nervous system, while type III infection largely alters genes which affect nucleotide metabolism; type II infection does not alter the expression of a clearly defined set of genes. Moreover, Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) suggests that the three lineages differ in the ability to manipulate their host; e.g., they employ different strategies to avoid, deflect, or subvert host defense mechanisms. These observed differences may explain some of the variation in the neurobiological effects of different strains ofToxoplasmaon infected individuals.
Mucosal Vaccination with a Multivalent, Live-Attenuated Vaccine Induces Multifactorial Immunity against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Acute Lung Infection
Authors: Kamei Akinobu , Coutinho-Sledge Yamara S. , Goldberg Joanna B. , Priebe Gregory P. , Pier Gerald B.
Published: December 2010

Many animal studies investigating adaptive immune effectors important for protection against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
have implicated opsonic antibody to the antigenically variable lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O antigens as a primary effector. However, active and passive vaccination of humans against these antigens has not shown clinical efficacy. We hypothesized that optimal immunity would require inducing multiple immune effectors targeting multiple bacterial antigens. Therefore, we evaluated a multivalent live-attenuated mucosal vaccination strategy in a murine model of acute
P. aeruginosa
pneumonia to assess the contributions to protective efficacy of various bacterial antigens and host immune effectors. Vaccines combining 3 or 4 attenuated strains having different LPS serogroups were associated with the highest protective efficacy compared to vaccines with fewer components. Levels of opsonophagocytic antibodies, which were directed not only to the LPS O antigens but also to the LPS core and surface proteins, correlated with protective immunity. The multivalent live-attenuated vaccines overcame prior problems involving immunologic interference in the development of O-antigen-specific antibody responses when closely related O antigens were combined in multivalent vaccines. Antibodies to the LPS core were associated with
in vitro
killing and
in vivo
protection against strains with O antigens not expressed by the vaccine strains, whereas antibodies to the LPS core and surface proteins augmented the contribution of O-antigen-specific antibodies elicited by vaccine strains containing a homologous O antigen. Local CD4 T cells in the lung also contributed to vaccine-based protection when opsonophagocytic antibodies to the challenge strain were absent. Thus, multivalent live-attenuated vaccines elicit multifactorial protective immunity to
P. aeruginosa
lung infections.
A REVIEW STUDY OF THE 3-PARTICLE TODA LATTICE AND HIGHER ORDER TRUNCATIONS: THE EVEN-ORDER CASES — PART II
Authors: ZACHILAS LOUKAS
Published: December 2010

We complete the study of the numerical behavior of the truncated 3-particle Toda lattice (3pTL) with even truncations at orders n = 2k, k = 2, …, 10. We use (as in Part I): (a) the method of Poincaré surface of section, (b) the maximum Lyapunov characteristic number and (c) the ratio of the families of ordered periodic orbits. We derived some similarities and quite many differences between the odd and even order expansions.
MULTIPLE EQUILIBRIA AND BIFURCATIONS IN AN ECONOMIC GROWTH MODEL WITH ENDOGENOUS CARRYING CAPACITY
Authors: CAI DONGHAN
Published: December 2010

In this paper, we setup a model to analyze the structural change of an economic growth model with endogenous carrying capacity when the parameters vary. By integrating the logistically variable population carrying capacity into the classical Solow model, a two-dimensional dynamical system describing the model is obtained. It is proved that the dynamical system which describes the model has one, two or three equilibria under different conditions. It undergoes saddle-node bifurcations and the economy described by the model has multiple growth paths under the specified parameters. The "Malthusian trap" appears in the economy when the technological level and the saving rate are low or the carrying capacity grows slowly and the economy can escape the "Malthusian trap" by promoting technological levels or the saving rate or having high carrying capacity growth rate.
IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ENCRYPTED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING NESTED CHAOTIC MAPS
Authors: ABID A. M. , NASIR Q. , ELWAKIL A. S.
Published: December 2010

This paper proposes an implementation of a synchronization method for wireless communication systems using a pseudo-True Random Bit Generator (PTRBG) based on chaotic maps. Chaos is generated using Nested Piecewise Linear Maps (NPWLM) to improve the statistical degradation introduced due to finite word length processing. Synchronization of nested maps using the backward iteration algorithm is introduced. This algorithm uses a mathematically driven formula to determine the initial condition of the nested map at the receiver in order to synchronize with the map at the transmitter. The implementation test bed for the complete wireless communication system is based on a Chipcon wireless development kit [] and an assessment of the pseudo- true random bits generated is performed using the NIST statistical test suite.
NON-GAUSSIAN NOISE-INDUCED COHERENCE RESONANCE OF CALCIUM OSCILLATIONS IN BIDIRECTIONALLY COUPLED CELLS
Authors: GONG YUBING , LIN XIU , HAO YINGHANG , MA XIAOGUANG
Published: December 2010

We have studied the effect of a particular kind of non-Gaussian noise (NGN), mainly of its deviation q from Gaussian noise, on the intercellular calcium (Ca2+) oscillations in an array of bidirectionally coupled cells. It is found that as q is increased, the Ca2+ oscillation becomes the most regular at an intermediate optimal q value, representing the occurrence of coherence resonance (CR). This deviation-induced CR behavior shows that the intercellular Ca2+ oscillations of the coupled cells can be enhanced and even optimized by the appropriate NGN. This result provides a new insight into the constructive role of the NGN on the transmission of Ca2+ signaling in coupled cells.
GENERALIZED CONTROLLED DENSE CODING WITH MAXIMALLY ENTANGLED MULTIQUBIT STATES
Authors: KUMAR ATUL , KRISHNAN MANGALA SUNDER
Published: December 2010

Controlled dense coding which uses different five-qubit entangled systems is described in this article. Using a criterion based on quantum-statistical correlations to define the extent of entanglement, five-qubit states are shown to have genuine entanglement. Different schemes which are easily implementable experimentally for a receiver to decode the message from a sender are described. The importance of representation of a quantum channel and distribution of qubits in a communication protocol are emphasized. It is observed that when a controller is involved it is desirable that measurement results are transmitted to the receiver and not to the sender for experimental convenience. In addition, a controlled dense coding protocol for average information transfer is given for arbitrary (2N + 1)-qubit entangled systems, using the above schemes.
AN INVESTIGATION OF A NONLOCAL ENTANGLEMENT OF TWO UNCOUPLED ATOMS EMBEDDED IN A COHERENT CAVITY FIELD AND THE ASSOCIATED PHASE SPACE DISTRIBUTION: ONE QUANTUM NONLINEAR PROCESS
Authors: ATETO M. S.
Published: December 2010

Entanglement properties of two uncoupled atoms embedded in a coherent field distribution through one quantum transition process are studied. A case of non-linear Hamiltonian of the problem is considered through which the effect of non-linear media is illustrated. Moreover, the effect of the frequency difference between the inter-atomic transition and the electromagnetic field is also analyzed. We show that, adjusting the considered parameters of the non-linear media and frequency difference leads to a strong control of the degree of entanglement where excellent periodicity of evolution with significant amplitudes maxima of entanglement can be obtained that is very important in predicting the behavior of transmitted information through the application of various information processing schemes. We present a detailed and comparative study of atom–atom entanglement for two cases corresponding to different injections of the two atoms one by one into the cavity field. In addition, we present an answer to the question: How is the quantum phase space structure for a composite system related to the entanglement characteristics of the corresponding quantum system? We demonstrate how can the entanglement in nonlinear tripartite systems be strongly associated with a delocalization in the phase space distribution.
QUANTUM STATE SPLITTING WITH YEO–CHUA GENUINE ENTANGLED STATE
Authors: LIU YI-MIN , ZHANG WEN , ZUO XUE-QIN , ZHANG ZHAN-JUN
Published: December 2010

Utilizing the four-qubit genuine entangled state presented by Yeo and Chua [Phys. Rev. Lett.96 (2006) 060502], we propose a tripartite quantum state splitting scheme for a sender to achieve the bipartition of his/her arbitrary two-qubit pure state between two sharers. During the scheme design, two novel and important ideas originated, respectively, from Phys. Rev. A74 (2006) 054303 and J. Phys. B41 (2008) 145506 are adopted to enhance the security and optimize resource consumption, operation complexity, and intrinsic efficiency. In the scheme, first the sender performs two Bell-state measurements and publishes the results. Afterwards, if and only if the two sharers cooperate together, they can perfectly restore the sender's quantum pure state by executing first a two-qubit collective unitary operation and then two single-qubit unitary operations.
Digital elevation models in the marine domain: investigating the offshore tsunami hazard from submarine landslides
Authors: Tappin David R.
Published: December 2010

Digital elevation models (DEMs) of seabed relief are now commonly available at a number of scales. On a global scale three-dimensional (3D) relief maps of the ocean floor are derived from satellite gravity measurements validated by single-beam echo soundings. On a smaller, more local, scale, the development of multibeam bathymetric mapping technology provides detailed seabed data from which DEMs are derived. Over the past 30 years multibeam bathymetry has replaced single-beam echo soundings as the main tool used to map the sea floor. Multibeam bathymetry has revolutionized our ability to interpret seabed morphology. It has the capability to provide complete seabed coverage and gives a 3D visualization of the seabed not previously available. DEMs derived from multibeam are comparable to those on land. One aspect of the improved seabed visualization is in mapping marine geohazards. Here three DEMs, from Papua New Guinea, Hawaii and the Indian Ocean, are presented. These DEMs have been used to investigate submarine seabed failure and volcanic flank collapse in the context of their tsunami hazard. For these three areas the DEMs contribute to an improved interpretational capability in marine geohazards. In addition, the DEMs underpin newly developed modelling methodologies of landslide-generated tsunami.
Filtering of ASTER digital elevation models using mathematical morphology
Authors: Danneels G. , Havenith H. B. , Caceres F. , Outal S. , Pirard E.
Published: December 2010

This paper presents results of research undertaken on the creation and filtering of digital elevation models (DEMs) from a stereo pair of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) images. The raw DEM, created by automatic image matching, appears to be very noisy. Two types of irregularities can be observed. First, a random occurrence of small sinks and mounds with high amplitude is observed. Secondly, a more regular east–west-oriented pattern of noise is present. Many DEM-creation programs provide some editing tools to smooth out the irregularities, including some noise removal, smoothing and interpolation algorithms. However, the application of these algorithms has an important impact on the values of the parameters derived from the elevation, such as slope, aspect and curvature. In this study we propose a filtering algorithm based on morphological greyscale reconstruction in order to remove the sinks and mounds. This technique is very effective in mitigating the artefacts while preserving the remaining structures. For the regular pattern, a linear north–south-oriented low-pass filtering showed the best results. This approach was compared with a median filter and proved to be more effective in terms of both elevation and slope parameters.
Cross-layer interactions in multihop wireless sensor networks
Authors: Song Yang , Fang Yuguang
Published: December 2010

In this article, we propose a constrained queueing model to investigate the performance of multihop wireless sensor networks. Specifically, the cross-layer interactions of rate admission control, traffic engineering, dynamic routing, and adaptive link scheduling are studied jointly with the proposed queueing model. In addition, the stochastic network utility maximization problem in wireless sensor networks is addressed within this framework. We propose an adaptive network resource allocation scheme, called the ANRA algorithm, which provides a joint solution to the multiple-layer components of the stochastic network utility maximization problem. We show that the proposed ANRA algorithm achieves a near-optimal solution, that is, (1-ϵ) of the global optimum network utility where ϵ can be arbitrarily small, with a trade-off with the average delay experienced in the network. The proposed ANRA algorithm enjoys the merit of self-adaptability through its online nature and thus is of particular interest for time-varying scenarios such as multihop wireless sensor networks.
Cross-layer design for efficient resource utilization in wimedia UWB-based WPANs
Authors: Al-Zubi Raed , Krunz Marwan
Published: December 2010

Ultra-WideBand (UWB) communications has emerged as a promising technology for high data rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs). In this article, we address two key issues that impact the performance of a multihop UWB-based WPAN: throughput and transmission range. Arbitrary selection of routes in such a network may result in reserving an unnecessarily long channel time, and hence low network throughput and high blocking rate for prospective reservations. To remedy this situation, we propose a novel cross-layer resource allocation design. At the core of this design is a routing technique (called RTERU) that uses the allocated channel time as a routing metric. RTERU exploits the dependence of this metric on the multiple-rate capability of an UWB system. We show that selecting the route that consumes the minimum channel time while satisfying a target packet delivery probability over the selected route is an NP-hard problem. Accordingly, RTERU resorts to approximate path selection algorithms (implemented proactively and reactively) to find near-optimal solutions at reasonable computational/communication overhead. We further enhance the performance of RTERU by integrating into its design a packet overhearing capability. Simulations are used to demonstrate the performance of our proposed solutions.
End-user training methods
Authors: Gupta Saurabh , Bostrom Robert P. , Huber Mark
Published: December 2010

End-User Training (EUT) has enjoyed a rich tradition of research in Information Systems. However, with the growing pace of change in technology and the dynamic nature of business, organizations are spending an increasing amount of money on end-user training. Training methods are also changing with little research to support new approaches. Thus, extensive research is required in the future. To be credible, end-user training research should preserve and build upon the significant literature that exists, both in IS and Education. This paper provides a review of EUT literature focusing on training methods. It summarizes research findings, while pointing out key future research issues.
A Novel Manufacturing Technology for RF MEMS Devices on Ceramic Substrates
Authors: Schirosi V. , Del Re G. , Ferrari L. , Caliandro P. , Rizzi L. , Melone G.
Published: December 2010

Microelectromechanical systems are often used for their enormous capability and good qualities in T/R modules especially for space modular applications. High isolation and very low insertion loss are guaranteed by their intrinsic working principle. This is a very robust, flexible, and low-cost technology, and it provides high reliability, good reproducibility, and complete fulfillment of technical requirements.
Nanocomposite Hole-Extraction Layers for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Li Jiao , Liu Juncheng , Gao Congjie , Chen Guohua
Published: December 2010

The influence of nanocomposite hole-extraction layers on the performance of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells based on blends of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C-61-buytyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) has been investigated. The hole-extraction layers consist of poly(3,4,-ethylene dioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonic acid (PEDOT:PSS) doped with different concentrations of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Compared with a pristine device (i.e., without MWCNTs), the MWCNTs-doped OPV cells shows an improved short-circuit current density, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency from 8.82 to 9.03 mA/cm2, 0.43 to 0.474, and 2.12% to 2.39% (i.e., by about 13%), respectively. Reasons for the improved performance of the devices are discussed. It shows that the reduction of series resistance of the devices might be correlated with the improvement of the OPV cells, performance achieved through the incorporation of MWCNTs into the hole-extraction layer of PEDOT:PSS.