bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“You've got to get on to get off”: Shortbus and the Circuits of the Erotic
Authors: Tinkcom Matthew
Published: July 2011

This essay argues that the ubiquity of digital media for representations of sexuality is rivaled only by the fact that any positive outcome for such media is largely ignored in both popular and scholarly imaginations about it. The essay examines John Cameron Mitchell's 2006 Shortbus, a film noted for the explicitness of its sexual representations, against the terms of its digital supplements in order to suggest that the sex life of the digital does not exist but as an array of demonized forms. That is, digital sexualities and the erotic affinities afforded by the technological innovations of the past twenty years—such as anonymity, decorporalization, self-invention and reinvention, randomness—are largely disregarded by older “dominant” media forms and their subtending industries. Thus, few such mediations (including cinema, television, and print media) seek to account for the sexualities of the digital in nonpathologized ways. Simultaneously, sexual subjects go about their business of putting digital mediations to uses largely undisclosed to all but themselves, and in light of this, the essay examines three digital technologies that appear in Shortbus as being unnarratable: though they appear as ordinary elements of the diegesis, the digital camera, the Internet, and the cellular smartphone each allow the film's queer male figures to exceed the generic constraints of the film in its customary dimensions and to see where digital sexualities—the visual iconography of digital photography, the pleasures of Internet pornography, and the sexual networks of the cellular—part ways with the cinematic.
Are High-Quality Schools Enough to Increase Achievement Among the Poor? Evidence from the Harlem Children's Zone
Authors: Dobbie Will , Fryer Roland G
Published: July 2011

Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), an ambitious social experiment, combines community programs with charter schools. We provide the first empirical test of the causal impact of HCZ charters on educational outcomes. Both lottery and instrumental variable identification strategies suggest that the effects of attending an HCZ middle school are enough to close the black-white achievement gap in mathematics. The effects in elementary school are large enough to close the racial achievement gap in both mathematics and ELA. We conclude with evidence that suggests high-quality schools are enough to significantly increase academic achievement among the poor. Community programs appear neither necessary nor sufficient. (JEL H75, I21, I28, J13, R23)
Subsidizing Vocational Training for Disadvantaged Youth in Colombia: Evidence from a Randomized Trial
Authors: Attanasio Orazio , Kugler Adriana , Meghir Costas
Published: July 2011

This paper evaluates the impact of a randomized training program for disadvantaged youth introduced in Colombia in 2005. This randomized trial offers a unique opportunity to examine the impact of training in a middle income country. We use originally collected data on individuals randomly offered and not offered training. The program raises earnings and employment for women. Women offered training earn 19.6 percent more and have a 0.068 higher probability of paid employment than those not offered training, mainly in formal-sector jobs. Cost-benefit analysis of these results suggests that the program generates much larger net gains than those found in developed countries. (JEL I28, J13, J24, O15)
Returns to Local-Area Health Care Spending: Evidence from Health Shocks to Patients Far From Home
Authors: Doyle Joseph J
Published: July 2011

Health care spending varies widely across markets, and previous research finds little evidence that higher spending translates into better health outcomes. The main innovation in this paper exploits this cross-sectional variation in hospital spending in a new way by considering emergency patients who are exposed to healthcare systems when they are far from home. Visitors to Florida who become ill in high-spending areas have significantly lower mortality rates compared to visitors in lower spending areas. The results are robust within groups of similar visitors and within groups of destinations that appear to be close demand substitutes—areas that likely attract similar visitors. (JEL H75, I11, I18)
Do Value-Added Estimates Add Value? Accounting for Learning Dynamics
Authors: Andrabi Tahir , Das Jishnu , Ijaz Khwaja Asim , Zajonc Tristan
Published: July 2011

This paper illustrates the central role of persistence in estimating and interpreting value-added models of learning. Using data from Pakistani public and private schools, we apply dynamic panel methods that address three key empirical challenges: imperfect persistence, unobserved heterogeneity, and measurement error. Our estimates suggest that only one-fifth to one-half of learning persists between grades and that private schools increase average achievement by 0.25 standard deviations each year. In contrast, value-added models that assume perfect persistence yield severely downward estimates of the private school effect. Models that ignore unobserved heterogeneity or measurement error produce biased estimates of persistence. (JEL I21, J13, O15)
Estimating the Market-Perceived Monetary Policy Rule
Authors: Hamilton James D , Pruitt Seth , Borger Scott
Published: July 2011

We introduce a novel method for estimating a monetary policy rule using macroeconomic news. We estimate directly the policy rule agents use to form their expectations by linking news' effects on forecasts of both economic conditions and monetary policy. Evidence between 1994 and 2007 indicates that the market-perceived Federal Reserve policy rule changed: the output response vanished, and the inflation response path became more gradual but larger in long-run magnitude. These response coefficient estimates are robust to measurement and theoretical issues with both potential output and the inflation target. (JEL C51, E31, E43, E52, E58)
Learning about Risk and Return: A Simple Model of Bubbles and Crashes
Authors: Branch William A , Evans George W
Published: July 2011

This paper demonstrates that an asset pricing model with least-squares learning can lead to bubbles and crashes as endogenous responses to the fundamentals driving asset prices. When agents are risk-averse they need to make forecasts of the conditional variance of a stock's return. Recursive updating of both the conditional variance and the expected return implies several mechanisms through which learning impacts stock prices. Extended periods of excess volatility, bubbles, and crashes arise with a frequency that depends on the extent to which past data is discounted. A central role is played by changes over time in agents' estimates of risk. (JEL D81, D83, E32, G01, G12)
Optimal Inflation for the US Economy
Authors: Billi Roberto M
Published: July 2011

This paper studies the optimal long-run inflation rate (OIR) in a small New Keynesian model, where the only policy instrument is a short-term nominal interest rate that may occasionally run against a zero lower bound (ZLB). The model allows for worst-case scenarios of misspecification. The analysis shows first, if the government optimally commits, the OIR is below 1 percent annually. Second, if the government re-optimizes each period, the OIR rises markedly to 17 percent. Third, if the government commits only to an inertial Taylor rule, the inflation bias is eliminated at very low cost in terms of welfare for the representative household. (JEL E12, E31, E43, E52, E58)
CONDI: A Cost-of-Nominal-Distortions Index
Authors: Eusepi Stefano , Hobijn Bart , Tambalotti Andrea
Published: July 2011

We construct a PCE-based price index whose weights minimize the welfare costs of nominal distortions: a cost-of-nominal-distortions index. We compute these weights in a multi-sector New Keynesian model, calibrated to match US data on price stickiness, labor shares, and inflation across sectors. The CONDI weights mostly depend on price stickiness. Moreover, CONDI stabilization leads to negligible welfare losses compared to the optimal policy and is better approximated by core rather than headline inflation targeting. An even better approximation can be obtained with an adjusted core index. (JEL C14, E12, E25, E31, E52).
Structural basis and sequence co-evolution analysis of the hemagglutinin protein of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 (2009) virus
Authors: Tse Herman , Kao Richard Y T , Wu Wai Lan , Lim Wilian W L , Chen Honglin , Yeung Ming Yiu , Woo Patrick C Y , Sze Kong-Hung , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: July 2011

Severe pandemic influenza A H1N1 (2009) infection, especially in the lower respiratory tract, is often associated with the virus carrying a D222G substitution in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of the virus. The mechanism for this association has not been fully explored. In the in vitro binding assay, it was found that clinical isolates carrying D222G substitution exhibit higher binding avidity to 2,3-linked sialic acids than the wild-type virus. The receptor binding pocket of the pandemic influenza (H1N1) HA was found to be smaller than those of other influenza A strains, allowing tighter binding of the virus with the receptor, yet also inducing steric stress for the binding. Our homology modeling and molecular docking calculations implicated that residue 222 may affect the positioning of the conserved Q223 residue, hence modulating flexibility of the binding pocket and steric hindrance during receptor binding. The molecular property of residue 222 can also directly influence the ‘lysine fence’ via the polarity of the amino acid residue where D222G substitution will enhance the electrostatic interactions between the receptor and the protein. The potential importance of residue 222 was illustrated by evolutionary analysis, which showed that this site is under intense selection pressure during adaptation of the virus to human host. Our findings provide a useful reference for follow-up studies in monitoring the ongoing evolution of the pandemic influenza A H1N1 (2009) virus.
Comparison of the Abbott m2000 HIV-1 Real-Time and Roche AMPLICOR Monitor v1.5 HIV-1 assays on plasma specimens from Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Ssebugenyi I , Kizza A , Mpoza B , Aluma G , Boaz I , Newell K , Laeyendecker O , Shott J P , Serwadda D , Reynolds S J
Published: July 2011

The need for viral load (VL) monitoring of HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings (RLS) has become apparent with studies showing the limitations of immunological monitoring. We compared the Abbott m2000 Real-Time (Abbott) HIV-1 assay with the Roche AMPLICOR Monitor v1.5 (Roche) HIV-1 assay over a range of VL concentrations. Three hundred and eleven plasma samples were tested, including 164 samples from patients on ART ≥ six months and 147 from ART-naïve patients. The Roche assay detected ≥400 copies/mL in 158 (50.8%) samples. Of these, Abbott produced 145 (91.8%) detectable results ≥400 copies/mL; 13 (8.2%) samples produced discrepant results. Concordance between the assays for detecting HIV-1 RNA ≥400 copies/mL was 95.8% (298/311). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Abbott to detect HIV-1 RNA ≥400 copies/mL were 91.8%, 100%, 100% and 92.2%, respectively. For the 151 samples with HIV-1 RNA ≥400 copies/mL for both assays, a good linear correlation was found ( r = 0.81, P < 0.0001; mean difference, 0.05). The limits of agreement were −0.97 and 1.07 log10 copies/mL (mean ± 2 SD). The Abbott assay performed well in our setting, offering an alternative methodology for HIV-1 VL for laboratories with realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR) capacity.
Determinants of condom use among HIV-positive men who have sex with men
Authors: Schutz M , Godin G , Kok G , Vézina-Im L-A , Naccache H , Otis J ,   the MAYA Study Group
Published: July 2011

The main objectives of this study were to identify the determinants of condom use among HIV-positive men having anal sex with HIV-negative men or men of unknown HIV status and moderators of the intention–behaviour relationship. A cohort of 237 sexually active HIV-positive men having sex with men was followed over a period of six months. The cognitive variables measured were guided by an extended version of the theory of planned behaviour. Results indicated that past behaviour (odds ratio [OR] = 9.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.48–21.26), intention (OR = 3.13; 95% CI: 1.25–7.81), self-efficacy (OR = 3.62; 95% CI: 1.40–9.37) and use of sex drugs (OR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.06–0.45) contributed to the prediction of 100% condom use. Self-efficacy also interacted with intention as a significant moderator of the intention–behaviour relationship (OR = 20.96; 95% CI: 2.90–151.51). Interventions promoting condom use should increase self-efficacy to use condoms and target users of sex drugs.
Coverage of highly active antiretroviral therapy among postpartum women in Malawi
Authors: Kumwenda J , Matchere F , Mataya R , Chen S , Mipando L , Li Q , Kumwenda N I , Taha T E
Published: July 2011

The expanding services of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa provide unique opportunities to reduce HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality. In these settings, HIV prevalence among antenatal women remains high and treating eligible pregnant or breastfeeding women with antiretrovirals can substantially reduce transmission of HIV from the mother to her infant. However, identification of women eligible for treatment and ensuring access to ART services is challenging. In this analysis, we used data from a large clinical trial (the PEPI-Malawi study, 2004–09) to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV through extended antiretroviral prophylaxis of infants to examine barriers for wider coverage with highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) of postpartum women. Maternal HAART was not part of the original PEPI-Malawi clinical trial but became available through a government programme during the course of the study. Therefore, eligible women (CD4 cell count <250) who participated in the PEPI-Malawi trial were counselled and referred to the government ART clinics to initiate HAART. Of 3335 women who enrolled in the PEPI-Malawi study, 803 (24%) were eligible for HAART based on CD4 cell count. The proportion of women newly initiating HAART at the ART clinic remained low and constant (<20%) throughout the study period. However, the cumulative proportion of women receiving HAART increased substantially over time (29% in 2005 to 69% in 2009). Similarly, counselling and referral of eligible women substantially increased and became 100% during the last two years. There were no statistically significant differences in characteristics of eligible women who received or did not receive HAART postpartum. Despite limitations of not being able to obtain detailed data, the main barriers appeared to be related to the health-care system delivery of ART services. Issues of physical space, more personnel and better delivery need to be addressed to increase access to HAART in these settings.
Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus 2 among Hispanics in the USA: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2008
Authors: Molina M , Romaguera R A , Valentine J , Tao G
Published: July 2011

To examine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) among Hispanics in the USA, we used the cross-sectional, nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to compare the seroprevalence of HSV-2 between Hispanic persons of Mexican heritage and non-Mexican heritage aged 14–44 years, from survey years 2007–2008. The overall HSV-2 seroprevalence among Hispanics aged 14–44 years was 17.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.2, 20.1) in the USA. HSV-2 seroprevalence was significantly lower among Mexican Americans than among other Hispanics (11.7% vs. 27.8%, P < 0.01). Prevalence of HSV-2 was also significantly associated with gender and age. The significant difference in HSV-2 seroprevalence between Hispanic persons of Mexican heritage and non-Mexican heritage suggested that targeting specific subgroups of Hispanics for preventive interventions may be a strategy to reduce the transmission of HSV-2 and HIV among Hispanics in the USA.
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy: an update on mechanisms
Authors: Natarajan Sathish Kumar , Thangaraj Kavitha R , Goel Ashish , Eapen C E , Balasubramanian K A , Ramachandran Anup
Published: July 2011

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP), characterized by hepatic microvesicular steatosis, is a sudden catastrophic illness occurring almost exclusively in the third trimester of pregnancy. Defective fatty acid oxidation in the fetus has been shown to be associated with this disease. Since the placenta has the same genetic makeup as the fetus and as AFLP patients generally recover following delivery, we hypothesized that the placenta might be involved in pathogenesis of this disease. In an animal model of hepatic microvesicular steatosis (using sodium valproate), we found that microvesicular steatosis results in mitochondrial structural alterations and oxidative stress in subcellular organelles of the liver. In placentas from patients with AFLP, we observed placental mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in subcellular organelles. In addition, defective placental fatty acid oxidation results in accumulation of toxic mediators such as arachidonic acid. Escape of these mediators into the maternal circulation might affect the maternal liver resulting in microvesicular steatosis.
Numerical Analysis and Active Control Simulation of Sound Transmission from Air to Water through Plates
Authors: Li Sheng
Published: July 2011

Numerical analysis and active control simulation of sound transmission from air to water through laminated plates excited by a harmonic oblique incident plane wave and mounted in an infinite baffle are presented. The finite element method is used for modeling the dynamic behavior of the laminated plates integrated with piezoelectric layers and viscoelastic layer. The Rayleigh integral on the plate surface is coupled with the finite element formulation to obtain the required structural-acoustic quantities of the baffled plates. The numerical results show that the influence of the stiffness and mass of the plates on the sound transmission loss from air to water is not significant and indicate that damping control is an effective control strategy to increase the transmission loss at the resonance frequencies of the plates for sound transmission control from air to water. Active damping control and hybrid damping control are used to control the sound transmission from air to water through a plate. Numerical simulations show that both the active damping control and hybrid damping control can increase the transmission loss at the resonance frequency of the plate effectively, and especially the hybrid damping control is more favorable. The numerical results also show that the positions of peaks and dips on the transmission loss curve of a composite laminate are sensitive to the laminate layup pattern and the lamination angle of the fibers.
A Simple Method for Calculating the Overall Adsorption Rate Constant in the Wheeler–Jonas Equation
Authors: Zhou Chongyang , Feng Shujuan , Zhou Gouqing , Jin Yuren , Liang Junfu , Xu Jingming
Published: July 2011

Use of the Wheeler–Jonas (WJ) equation to predict adsorbate breakthrough for a packed bed of granular activated carbon requires the calculation of the overall adsorption rate constant (kν) and the amount adsorbed. These quantities can be calculated from the intercept (A) and slope (B) of a linear fit to the elapsed time as a function of the logarithm of the ratio of the adsorbate concentration (C0 – Cx)/Cx based on the breakthrough curve. Because kν varies with the flow rate (F), numerous measurements at different values of F were performed to find the appropriate value of kν. One relatively simple method for calculating kν directly from the WJ equation is presented and the physical meaning of A and B revealed. The key factors that lead to a simplified calculation of kν are the ratio of the breakthrough time to the equilibrium time (t0.05/t0.50) and the ratio of the equilibrium time to the saturation time (t0.50/t0.95), both of which remain nearly constant for different values of F, concentration and temperature. Knowledge of kν, A and B, and their relationships, are very helpful for predicting the breakthrough behaviour of packed bed adsorbents using the WJ equation.
The Greek Energy Market and the International Commitments: Tale of a Spoiled Brat
Authors: Chatzitheodoridis Fotios , Kolokontes Argyrios D.
Published: July 2011

Because of its ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and membership of European Union, Greece has agreed to regulate its greenhouse gas emissions and improve the penetration of renewable energy sources in its energy mix. This study outlines the modifications made to the Greek legislative framework in connection with the liberalization of its energy market and the promotion of renewable energy. The capability of Greece to fulfil these obligations is not examined. However, more rational, complete and long-term energy planning would have to be adopted in future because the new EU targets require more punctuality, reliability, effort and effectiveness than the present system allows.
An Assessment of Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reductions from Replacing Halogen Lamps with Light Emitting Diodes in Traffic Lights — A Case Study of Gloucestershire County's Initiative
Authors: Sabapathy Ashwin , Whittaker John
Published: July 2011

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) in the United Kingdom has recently initiated a project to replace all of its halogen lamps in traffic lights with low energy Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamp heads across the County. In order to assess energy savings and carbon reductions from the initiative before implementation, baseline energy monitoring was carried out at 45 sample sites using a power analyzer equipped with a data logger. A regression model to predict annual energy consumption was developed with the numbers of each type of lamp head for each junction as independent variables. The model parameters were then used to estimate baseline emissions for a single trial site where LEDs have been installed and for which energy monitoring was carried out. The estimated baseline energy consumption for this site and the monitored energy consumption after the LEDs have been installed were used to estimate the actual energy savings that can be expected from GCC's initiative. Annual energy savings from this analysis were estimated to range from 64.2 to 74.1 percent (95% Confidence Intervals). The cost savings resulting from the LED initiative were found to payback the investment over a period of about six years. This paper presents a low cost approach and method by which the energy and cost savings of a large scale replacement initiative can be estimated with a single pilot replacement installation of a traffic signal. Such an exercise would be useful for local governments to carry out before making large investment decisions.
Predicting the strength of Populus spp. clones using artificial neural networks and ε-regression support vector machines (ε-rSVM)
Authors: Mansfield Shawn D. , Kang Kyu-Young , Iliadis Lazaros , Tachos Stavros , Avramidis Stavros
Published: July 2011

Wood properties, including bending stiffness and strength, basic density and microfibril angle were experimentally obtained for six aspen and six hybrid poplar clones grown in Western Canada. Data analysis attempted to establish a relationship between wood mechanical properties and intrinsic wood attributes by means of artificial neural networks (ANN) and ε-regression support vector machines (ε-rSVM) employing a 5-fold cross validation approach (5-fold CV). Initial results for strength were acceptable, but require further improvement. Estimations of stiffness results (MOE) were inferior to those of strength (MOR) due to the fact that in several regression cases, the developed model worked well for narrow windows of data, but failed on a large scale due to the high variations in the values of the input data vectors. In such cases, the result is probably the development of regression with uneven performance throughout the input data set, and therefore the modeling capacity is poor. To avoid this predicament, different neural networks with one output neuron were developed in order to estimate either the stiffness or the strength, and at the same time the approximation capabilities of ε-rSVM were employed. In both methods, 5-fold CV was carried out in order to attain a more generalized solution by eliminating the boundary effect phenomena and by avoiding local behavior of the global support vector regression. The resultant models were evaluated by common metrics. The best ANN for the estimation of strength in combination with 5-fold CV, was a modular back propagation with average R2=0.70, and mean root mean square error (MRMSE) equal to 0.19 and mean average percent error (MAPE) equal to 12.5%. The Gaussian kernel 5-fold CV ε-rSVM estimated MOR with similar accuracy. The best 5-fold CV ANN for MOE estimation was a feed forward back propagation one, with average R2=0.60, MRMSE equal to 0.23 and MAPE equal to 41.5%, which was better than all other kernel methods employed.
Mechanisms of TMP peroxide bleaching using Mg-based alkalis
Authors: Savoye Liliane , Petit-Conil Michel , Meyer Valérie
Published: July 2011

The driving force for pulp and paper industry is to develop new technologies with less impact to the environment. In this context, the successful approach in the present paper was the substitution of sodium hydroxide during peroxide bleaching of thermomechanical pulp (TMP) by magnesium hydroxide or magnesium carbonate. Looking at brightening development, thioacidolysis showed that Mg-based processes eliminated less coniferaldehydes than NaOH-based bleaching. Moreover, 19F NMR analysis showed slightly more residual quinone in lignin isolated from NaOH-based bleached pulp than lignin extracted after Mg-based bleaching. Replacing NaOH by Mg-based compounds affected the strength properties of the paper: tensile index was 10% lower than conventional bleached paper, probably due to Mg2+ adsorption on the acid groups of fibers. However, the brightness reversion of Mg-based bleached paper decreased by about two ISO points during photoageing under sunlight. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy supported the conclusion that Mg-based bleaching caused less re-deposition of lignin and extractives onto the fiber surface compared to the conventional process resulting in less light-induced yellowing.
Performance of biopolymer films with reinforcing cellulose-containing fillers from pine pulp and bark and birch sawdust
Authors: Laka Marianna , Chernyavskaya Svetlana , Treimanis Arnis
Published: July 2011

No abstract available
Molecular cloning and sequence of retinoid X receptor in the green crab Carcinus maenas: a possible role in female reproduction
Authors: Nagaraju Ganji Purna Chandra , Rajitha Balney , Borst David W
Published: July 2011

Retinoid X receptor (RXR) belongs to an ancient superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors, and plays an important role in reproduction of vertebrates. However, the reproductive role of RXR has not been clarified in crustaceans. In this investigation, we first report the cloning of two alternative splice variants of RXR cDNA from green crab ovarian RNA. RXR mRNA levels were quantified in different vitellogenic stages of the crab hepatopancreas (HP) and ovary. The expression of RXR mRNA relative to the arginine kinase mRNA was significantly increased in the HP of vitellogenic crabs in a stage-dependent manner. The relative levels of RXR mRNA in the ovary were significantly lower in vitellogenic stage III crabs than in crabs in the other three stages. These data indicate that the HP and ovary of the crab are capable of expressing RXR, which may regulate, in part, vitellogenesis in the crab. We also examined the effects of methyl farnesoate (MF) and RXR-dsRNA treatments on vitellogenin and RXR gene expression. Vitellogenin and RXR mRNA levels in HP and ovarian fragments incubated in MF were significantly (P<0.001) higher than in control tissue fragments prepared from the same animal. Treatment of crabs with RXR-dsRNA significantly (P<0.001) reduced mRNA levels for RXR and for vitellogenin as well as MF levels in hemolymph. These results indicate that, MF and RXR form a complex (MF–RXR) directly and together stimulate ovarian development in these green crabs. This interaction of RXR, MF, and ovary development axis is a novel finding and is the first report to the best of our knowledge.
Chemokine response induced by Chlamydia trachomatis in prostate derived CD45+ and CD45− cells
Authors: Mackern Oberti J P , Breser M L , Nuñez N , Maccioni M , Rodríguez N , Wantia N , Ertl T , Miethke T , Rivero V E
Published: July 2011

The role of innate cells and their receptors within the male genital tract remains poorly understood. Much less is known about the relative contribution of different genital tract cells such as epithelial/stromal cells and resident leucocytes. In this study, we examined innate immune responses toChlamydia trachomatisby prostate epithelial/stromal cells and prostate resident leucocytes. Murine prostate primary cultures were performed and leucocyte and epithelial/stromal cells were sorted based on surface protein expression of CD45 by magnetism-activated cell sorting or fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Prostate derived CD45− and CD45+ cells were infected withC. trachomatisand chemokine secretion assayed by ELISA. Similar experiments were performed using prostate CD45+ and CD45− cells from myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88−/−) mice or toll-like receptor (Tlr2−/−) andTlr4mutantdouble-deficient mice. Moreover, a TLR-signalling pathway array was used to screen changes in different genes involved in TLR-signalling pathways by real-time PCR. Prostate derived CD45− and CD45+ cells responded to chlamydial infection with the production of different chemokines. Both populations expressed genes involved in TLR signalling and required to respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns and toC. trachomatisinfection. Both populations required the adaptor molecule MYD88 to elicit chemokine response againstC. trachomatis. TLR2–TLR4 was essential for chemokine production by CD45+ prostate derived cells, but in their absence, CD45− cells still produced significant levels of chemokines. We demonstrate thatC. trachomatisis differentially recognised by prostate derived CD45+ and CD45− cells and suggest that diverse strategies are taking place in the local microenvironment of the host in response to the infection.
Longitudinal Changes in Active Transportation to School in Canadian Youth Aged 6 Through 16 Years
Authors: Pabayo Roman , Gauvin Lise , Barnett Tracie A.
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND:

Concern has been raised regarding the increased prevalence of physical inactivity among children. Active transportation, such as walking and cycling to school, is an opportunity for children to be physically active.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify the sociodemographic predictors of active transportation to schools across time among school-aged children participating in the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY).

METHODS:

The sample included 7690 school-aged children attending public schools who were drawn from cycle 2 (1996 and 1997) of the Canadian NLSCY. Data were collected through interviews with the person most knowledgeable about the child. Parents were asked how their child usually gets to school. Responses were dichotomized into active (walking or bicycling) or inactive (school bus, public transit, is driven, or multiple) modes. Using 3 waves of data from the Canadian NLSCY (1996–2001), we estimated the effect of sociodemographic factors on the likelihood of active transportation to school across time using random-effects models.

RESULTS:

Longitudinal analyses indicated that as children aged, the likelihood of using active transportation to school increased, peaked at the age of 10 years, and then decreased. Urban settings (odds ratio [OR]: 3.66 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.23–4.15]), households with inadequate income (OR: 1.21 [95% CI: 1.06–1.38]), living with 1 parent (OR: 1.46 [95% CI: 1.29–1.65]), and having an older sibling living at home (OR: 1.14 [95% CI: 1.04–1.25]) were significant predictors of active transportation to school at baseline and carried through across time.

CONCLUSIONS:

Understanding the factors that influence active transportation may support its adoption by children, which in turn may contribute to meeting physical activity guidelines.
Hepatitis A Infection in Recent International Adoptees and Their Contacts in Minnesota, 2007–2009
Authors: Sweet Kristin , Sutherland Wendy , Ehresmann Kristen , Lynfield Ruth
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE:

The goal of this study was to describe hepatitis A–infected adoptees and the risk of transmission to their contacts.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective review of adoptee-associated cases of hepatitis A and hepatitis A–infected adoptees identified in Minnesota from 2007 through 2009.

RESULTS:

From 2007 through 2009 in Minnesota, 10 cases of hepatitis A, including 1 fulminant case, were associated with international adoptees. Eight cases were direct contacts of a hepatitis A–infected adoptee, and 2 other cases secondary contacts of an adoptee. During the same period, hepatitis A infection was identified in 21 recently arrived foreign-born adoptees; all were younger than 60 months of age, and only 6 were symptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS:

Clinicians should be aware that transmission of hepatitis A may occur among both direct and secondary contacts of young children recently adopted from hepatitis A–endemic areas and that infected young children may be asymptomatic. Household members and other close contacts of international adoptees should be counseled about hepatitis A prevention, including vaccination. In addition, screening for hepatitis A should be considered for recently arrived adoptees from endemic areas.
Identification of Developmental-Behavioral Problems in Primary Care: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sheldrick R. Christopher , Merchant Shela , Perrin Ellen C.
Published: July 2011

CONTEXT:

Recent mandates and recommendations for formal screening programs are based on the claim that pediatric care providers underidentify children with developmental-behavioral disorders, yet the research to support this claim has not been systematically reviewed.

OBJECTIVE:

To review research literature for studies regarding pediatric primary care providers' identification of developmental-behavioral problems in children.

METHODS:

On the basis of a Medline search conducted on September 22, 2010, using relevant key words, we identified 539 articles for review. We included studies that (1) were conducted in the United States, (2) were published in peer-reviewed journals, (3) included data that addressed pediatric care providers' identification of developmental-behavioral problems in individual patients, (4) included an independent assessment of patients' developmental-behavioral problems, such as diagnostic interviews or validated screening instruments, and (5) reported data sufficient to calculate sensitivity and specificity. Studies were not limited by sample size. Eleven articles met these criteria. We used Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) criteria to evaluate study quality. Although the studies were similar in many ways, heterogeneous methodology precluded a meta-analysis.

RESULTS:

Sensitivities for pediatric care providers ranged from 14% to 54%, and specificities ranged from 69% to 100%. The authors of 1 outlier study reported a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 61%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pediatricians are often the first point of entry into developmental and mental health systems. Knowing their accuracy in identifying children with developmental-behavioral disabilities is essential for implementing optimal evaluation programs and achieving timely identification. Moreover, these statistics are important to consider when planning large-scale screening programs.
Composite Measures Quantify Households' Obesogenic Potential and Adolescents' Risk Behaviors
Authors: Grunseit Anne Carolyn , Taylor Alan J. , Hardy Louise Lawson , King Lesley
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE:

The aims of this study were to generate composite measures quantifying a household's obesogenic potential and to examine the relationship of the composite variables with older children's eating, physical activity (PA), and small screen recreation.

METHODS:

Data were from surveys with 1685 child-parent pairs in which the child was in grade 6, 8, or 10 (mean age: 14 years). Composite measures of the obesogenic household environment were generated from 11 measures using nonlinear principal components analysis. Associations between the composite measures and the children's healthy and unhealthy food intake, PA, and screen time were tested (adjusting for demographic characteristics).

RESULTS:

Two scales were generated: (1) obesogenic control, which clustered together factors that mitigate risk; and (2) obesogenic risk. Higher scores on the control scale were associated with higher adolescent intake of healthy foods, lower intake of unhealthy foods, higher PA, and less screen time. Higher scores on the risk scale were associated with lower adolescent intake of healthy foods, higher intake of unhealthy foods, lower PA, and more screen time. There were significant 2-way interactions between the scales for soft drink consumption and PA.

CONCLUSIONS:

Household obesogenic potential may be quantified as 2 factors reflecting cumulative risk and control practices. These factors have both additive associations with obesogenic behaviors and, in some cases, modify each other, suggesting that a healthy home environment requires attention to both. Health promotion messages could incorporate these 2 different but interacting factors that parents can use to modify the obesogenic potential of their household.
Effect of dietary electrolyte balance on production, immune response and mineral concentrations of the femur in broilers
Authors: Szabó József , Vucskits András , Andrásofszky Emese , Berta Erzsébet , Bersényi András , Börzsönyi László , Pálfi Vilmos , Hullár István
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study was to assess the age-related effects of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on the performance, immune response (from day 0 to 42) and macromineral content of femur ash of broilers. The DEB values of the purchased commercial broiler diets were modified with the addition of NH4Cl or NaHCO3 to formulate the diets (DEB 325, 250, 175, 100, 25 and −50 mmol/kg) for this investigation. A total of 396 chickens were divided into 6 treatment groups and fed with the experimental diets for 6 weeks. During the first two weeks of life, DEB did not influence feed intake and body weight gain; however, by the 21st day of age DEB 175 and between 22 and 42 days of age DEB 250 mmol/kg gave significantly better results than the control. DEB did not affect the macromineral concentrations of bone ash. The immune response of broilers on low DEB (< 175 mmol/kg) was faster and more intensive than that of chickens on diets with medium or high DEB (> 175 mmol/kg). It can be concluded that the optimal DEB value required for the best body weight gain is significantly influenced by the age of broilers. Our results call attention to the discrepancy between the decreasing DEB level of commercial broiler diets and the age-related increase of ‘electrolyte requirements’ of broilers. It is also interesting that DEB may influence not only the performance but also the immune response of broilers.
Experimental results of using autologous rectus fascia sheath for venous patch grafts in dogs
Authors: Csébi Péter , Németh Tibor , Jakab Csaba , Patonai Attila , Garamvölgyi Rita , Manczur Ferenc , Spitzner Ádám , Arany-Tóth Attila , Kóbori László
Published: July 2011

Autologous vascular patch grafts developed from the internal rectus sheath were implanted onto the bilateral common iliac vein and jugular vein of 4 experimental beagle dogs. During the development and implanting of the grafts no technical difficulties or perioperative complications were encountered. The follow-up lasted 6 months and 3 months in the case of the common iliac vein grafts and the jugular grafts, respectively. In the postoperative period, the morphological and functional characteristics of the implanted venous sections were examined by Doppler ultrasonography and CT angiography. Normal patency was detected, and none of these check-ups showed obturation or stenosis. The histological survey showed no mesothelial cell layer, but the insides of the grafts showed total restructuring and were covered by a normal endothelial layer. No difference could be detected between samples harvested 3 and 6 months after implanting. The immunohistochemical examinations using anti-claudin-5 and anti-CD31 antibodies confirmed the preliminary results of the histological examinations that the luminal surfaces of the implanted grafts developed a differentiated monolayer endothelium which was free of degenerative and inflammatory signs. The control examinations show the suitability of the internal rectus sheath as a venous wall donor.
Restoration of Failing Maxillary Implant-Supported Fixed Prosthesis With Cross Arch Splinted Unilateral Zygomatic Implant: A Clinical Report
Authors: Gunaseelan Rajan , Saravanakumar Mariappan , Hariharan Ramasubramanian
Published: July 2011

Management of one or more failing distal implants in an implant supported fixed prosthesis in a completely edentulous maxilla creates a challenging situation. Restoring immediate function with additional implants in such a situation can be a challenge considering the loss of supporting bone, need for grafting, age, and the patient's desire for immediate fixed dental prosthesis. This clinical report describes a situation where a zygomatic implant has been placed unilaterally and splinted with osseointegrated conventional implants by an immediate fixed provisional restoration.
Assessing the impact of road schemes on people and communities
Authors: Mitchard Nick , Frost Laura C. , Harris Jody , Baldrey Simon , Ko Joan
Published: July 2011

As the body responsible for the functioning of the strategic road network, the work of the Highways Agency influences the lives of millions of people across England. Highways are critical to the UK economy. Therefore, their efficient and effective functioning promotes national well-being. At the same time, the Highways Agency recognises that roads can have profound impacts on the local well-being of neighbouring communities. This paper discusses the drivers shaping the Highway Agency's response to social and community effects. It summarises research on what social sustainability means for road schemes, and describes how these findings could form the basis for a new methodology for assessing community effects. The Highways Agency is considering the possibility of including this methodology in its widely used Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB). A revised chapter in the manual would provide strengthened guidance on how environmental assessments should account for the effects of road schemes on communities including the different groups of people within these communities. It would be a key resource for designers and engineers to understand and address the social dimensions of new road construction and the maintenance and improvement of existing roads.
Geothermal energy: settlement and water chemistry in Cork, Ireland
Authors: Hemmingway Phil , Long Mike
Published: July 2011

Detailed analysis of potential water chemistry and settlement issues associated with the installation of open-loop geothermal systems is infrequently carried out. This has led to the failure of several previously installed systems. Chemical analysis of water extracted from beneath the Cork docklands, Ireland has been performed by the authors in order to assess the suitability of the area for the exploitation of open-loop geothermal energy. The possibility of settlement induced by pumping of groundwater for open-loop systems has also been examined. Current market penetration of ground source heat pumps in Ireland is discussed to illustrate the infancy of the technology in Ireland relative to other European countries and to highlight the necessity of approaching the possible installation of such systems with the care required. Water extracted from beneath the docklands shows that significant water chemistry issues exist. Laboratory and field tests confirm that optimal concentration levels of several water chemistry characteristics are significantly exceeded; leading to the conclusion that open-loop exploitation in the area may not be suitable. In addition, settlement induced by pumping of water could potentially lead to a consolidation settlement in excess of 30 mm due primarily to the existence of highly compressible alluvium.
Impact of second‐generation biofuel agriculture on greenhouse‐gas emissions in the corn‐growing regions of the US
Authors: Davis Sarah C , Parton William J , Grosso Stephen J Del , Keough Cindy , Marx Ernest , Adler Paul R , DeLucia Evan H
Published: July 2011

In the US, 95% of biofuel is produced from corn (Zea mays L), an intensively managed annual crop that is also grown for food and animal feed. Using the DAYCENT model, we estimated the effects on ecosystem services of replacing corn ethanol feedstocks with the perennial cellulosic feedstocks switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L) and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deuter). If cellulosic feedstocks were planted on cropland that is currently used for ethanol production in the US, more ethanol (+82%) and grain for food (+4%) could be produced while at the same time reducing nitrogen leaching (−15 to −22%) and greenhouse‐gas (GHG) emissions (−29 to −473%). The GHG reduction was large even after accounting for emissions associated with indirect land‐use change. Conversion from a high‐input annual crop to a low‐input perennial crop for biofuel production can thus transition the central US from a net source to a net sink for GHGs.
Nonregular ultrafilters on ω2
Authors: Cox Sean
Published: July 2011

We obtain lower bounds for the consistency strength of fully nonregular ultrafilters on ω2.
Relative enumerability and 1-genericity
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: July 2011

A set of natural numbers B is computably enumerable in and strictly above (or c.e.a. for short) another set C if C <TB and B is computably enumerable in C. A Turing degree b is c.e.a. c if b and c respectively contain B and C as above. In this paper, it is shown that if b is c.e.a. c then b is c.e.a. some 1-generic g.
Low5 Boolean Subalgebras and Computable Copies
Authors: Miller Russell
Published: July 2011

It is known that the spectrum of a Boolean algebra cannot contain a low4 degree unless it also contains the degree 0; it remains open whether the same holds for low5 degrees. We address the question differently, by considering Boolean subalgebras of the computable atomless Boolean algebra . For such subalgebras , we show that it is possible for the spectrum of the unary relation on to contain a low5 degree without containing 0.