bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic characterization of cement stabilized marginal granular base materials for road construction
Authors: Berthelot Curtis , Podborochynski Diana , Marjerison Brent , Saarenketo Timo
Published: November 2010

This study investigated the mechanistic climatic constitutive behaviour of granular materials from Saskatchewan, Texas, and Finland. This research employed triaxial frequency sweep testing to characterize various quality granular materials with and without cement modification. Cement stabilization showed a consistent improvement in the response of poor and well graded granular materials, relative to untreated granular materials in terms of both mechanical behavior and climatic durability. As a result, when cement stabilized, poorly graded (or dirty bases) with high fines and (or) fine sand content can be engineered to perform better in the field than well graded (or clean) bases. This research showed that climatic conditioning of laboratory samples significantly influences the mechanical behavior of both unstabilized and cement treated granular materials. Therefore, when characterizing granular base materials for structural design purposes, the mechanistic properties and the effect of climatic conditioning of granular materials representative of field state conditions are needed to provide accurate structural design purposes.
CONNECTION ON PARABOLIC VECTOR BUNDLES OVER CURVES
Authors: BISWAS INDRANIL , LOGARES MARINA
Published: November 2010

Let E*be a parabolic vector bundle over a smooth complex projective curve. We prove that E*admits an algebraic connection if and only if the parabolic degree of every parabolic vector bundle which is a direct summand of E*is zero. In particular, all parabolic semistable vector bundles of parabolic degree zero admit an algebraic connection.
REAL HYPERSURFACES IN COMPLEX TWO-PLANE GRASSMANNIANS WITH 𝔇⊥-PARALLEL STRUCTURE JACOBI OPERATOR
Authors: JEONG IMSOON , MACHADO CARLOS J. G. , DE DIOS PÉREZ JUAN , SUH YOUNG JIN
Published: November 2010

In this paper we give some non-existence theorems for Hopf real hypersurfaces in complex two-plane Grassmannians G2(ℂm+2) with 𝔇⊥-parallel structure Jacobi operator, where 𝔇⊥= Span {ξ1, ξ2, ξ3}.
CHARACTERIZATION BY PRIME GRAPH OF PGL(2, pk) WHERE p AND k > 1 ARE ODD
Authors: AKHLAGHI Z. , KHOSRAVI B. , KHATAMI M.
Published: November 2010

Let G be a finite group. The prime graph Γ(G) of G is defined as follows. The vertices of Γ(G) are the primes dividing the order of G and two distinct vertices p, p′ are joined by an edge if there is an element in G of order pp′. In [G. Y. Chen et al., Recognition of the finite almost simple groups PGL2(q) by their spectrum, Journal of Group Theory, 10 (2007) 71–85], it is proved that PGL(2, pk), where p is an odd prime and k > 1 is an integer, is recognizable by its spectrum.

It is proved that if p > 19 is a prime number which is not a Mersenne or Fermat prime and Γ(G) = Γ(PGL(2, p)), then G has a unique nonabelian composition factor which is isomorphic to PSL(2, p). In this paper as the main result, we show that if p is an odd prime and k > 1 is an odd integer, then PGL(2, pk) is uniquely determined by its prime graph and so these groups are characterizable by their prime graphs.
HYBRID COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE MODELS FOR POROSITY AND PERMEABILITY PREDICTION OF PETROLEUM RESERVOIRS
Authors: HELMY TAREK , FATAI ANIFOWOSE
Published: November 2010

The hybridization of two or more Computational Intelligence (CI) techniques to build a single model has increased in popularity over the recent years. Such models that combine the best properties of different Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques in a single package are very much required in the process of reservoir characterization in petroleum engineering, where a high degree of prediction accuracy is essential for efficient exploration, and management of oil and gas resources. In this paper, we have successfully predicted, with higher accuracy, the porosity and permeability of oil and gas reservoirs through the hybridization of Type-2 Fuzzy Logic (FL), Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Functional Networks (FN), using several real-life well log data. While utilizing the capabilities of data mining and CI, two hybrid models (FFS and FSF) were built. In both models, FN, using its functional approximation capability with least-square fitting algorithm, was used to select the best of the predictor variables from the input data. In the FFS model, the selected predictor variables were passed to Type-2 FL to remove uncertainties in the data (if any), and then to SVM for training and making final predictions. In the FSF model, the best predictor variables from FN were passed to SVM to transform them to a feature space, and then passed to Type-2 FL to remove uncertainties (if any), extract inference rules and make final predictions. The results showed that the hybrid models, with their higher correlation coefficients, performed better than the individual techniques when used separately with the same datasets. An extended study, used as a benchmark, showed that the hybrid models also performed better than a hybridization of only two of the techniques viz. Type-2 FL and SVM, both in terms of higher correlation coefficients and lower execution times. This was attributed to the role of FN in selecting the best variables and reducing the dimensionality of input data in the FFS and FSF models.
DIALOG ACT CLASSIFICATION USING ACOUSTIC AND DISCOURSE INFORMATION OF MAPTASK DATA
Authors: JULIA FATEMA N. , IFTEKHARUDDIN KHAN M. , ISLAM ATIQ U.
Published: November 2010

Dialog act (DA) classification is useful to understand the intentions of a human speaker. An effective classification of DA can be exploited for realistic implementation of expert systems. In this work, we investigate DA classification using both acoustic and discourse information for HCRC MapTask data. We extract several different acoustic features and exploit these features using a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) network to classify acoustic information. For discourse feature extraction, we propose a novel parts-of-speech (POS) tagging technique that effectively reduces the dimensionality of discourse features. To classify discourse information, we exploit two classifiers such as a HMM and Support Vector Machine (SVM). We further obtain classifier fusion between HMM and SVM to improve discourse classification. Finally, we perform an efficient decision-level classifier fusion for both acoustic and discourse information to classify 12 different DAs in MapTask data. We obtain 65.2% and 55.4% DA classification rates using acoustic and discourse information, respectively. Furthermore, we obtain combined accuracy of 68.6% for DA classification using both acoustic and discourse information. These accuracy rates of DA classification are either comparable or better than previously reported results for the same data set. For average precision and recall, we obtain accuracy rates of 74.89% and 69.83%, respectively. Therefore, we obtain much better precision and recall rates for most of the classified DAs when compared to existing works on the same HCRC MapTask data set.
An exploration of climate data using complex networks
Authors: Steinhaeuser Karsten , Chawla Nitesh V. , Ganguly Auroop R.
Published: November 2010

Climate change is a pressing focus of research, social and economic concern, and political attention. According to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), increased frequency of extreme events will only intensify the occurrence of natural hazards, affecting global population, health, and economies. It is of keen interest to identify "regions" of similar climatological behavior to discover spatial relationships in climate variables, including long-range teleconnections. To that end, we consider a complex networks-based representation of climate data. Cross correlation is used to weight network edges, thus respecting the temporal nature of the data, and a community detection algorithm identifies multivariate clusters. Examining networks for consecutive periods allows us to study structural changes over time. We show that communities have a climatological interpretation and that disturbances in structure can be an indicator of climate events (or lackthereof). Finally, we discuss how this model can be applied for the discovery of more complex concepts such as unknown teleconnections or the development of multivariate climate indices and predictive insights.
10th international French speaking conference on knowledge discovery and management (EGC2010)
Authors: Yahia Sadok Ben , Petit JeanMarc
Published: November 2010

This conference report gives an overview of the 10th International French-speaking conference on Knowledge Discovery and Management (KDM) held in Hammamet, Tunisia, January 26-29, 2010. Since 2001, this annual conference has been supported by EGC. EGC is a non-profit French association which aims at promoting KDM both in academia and industries. The conference is the main annual event of the association EGC. Even if the official language is French, the selection process of the conference follows high-quality international standard, e.g. at least 3 reviews per paper, blind reviews, author feedbacks.

At a glance, EGC 2010)2 may be summarized in some key figures: 139 submitted papers, 32 accepted long papers (25% selection ratio), 30 short papers, 31 posters and 12 software demonstrations; 7 joined workshops and 2 tutorials; 4 keynote talks; a best paper contest rewarded by 2 prizes. More than 275 participants from 23 countries attended this edition celebrating the 10th birthday of the conference. The next EGC conference will be held in Brest, France, in January 25-28, 2011.
Cigarette smoking impairs Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the human coronary microcirculation
Authors: Miura Hiroto , Toyama Kazuyoshi , Pratt Phillip F. , Gutterman David D.
Published: November 2010

The extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) has been proposed to link cardiac metabolism with coronary perfusion and arrhythmogenesis, particularly during ischemia. Several animal studies have also supported K+ as an EDHF that activates Na+-K+-ATPase and/or inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channels. Therefore, we examined the vascular reactivity of human coronary arterioles (HCAs) to small elevations in [K+]o, the influence of risk factors for coronary disease, and the role of K+ as an EDHF. Changes in the internal diameter of HCAs were recorded with videomicroscopy. Most vessels dilated to increases in [K+]o with a maximal dilation of 55 ± 6% primarily at 12.5–20.0 mM KCl ( n = 38, average: 16 ± 1 mM). Ouabain, a Na+-K+-ATPase inhibitor, alone reduced the dilation, and the addition of Ba2+, a Kir channel blocker, abolished the remaining dilation, whereas neither endothelial denudation nor Ba2+ alone reduced the dilation. Multivariate analysis revealed that cigarette smoking was the only risk factor associated with impaired dilation to K+. Ouabain significantly reduced the vasodilation in HCAs from subjects without cigarette smoking but not in those with smoking. Cigarette smoking downregulated the expression of the Na+-K+-ATPase catalytic α1-subunit but not Kir2.1 in the vessels. Ouabain abolished the dilation in endothelium-denuded vessels to a same extent to that with the combination of ouabain and Ba2+ in endothelium-intact vessels, whereas neither ouabain nor ouabain plus Ba2+ reduced EDHF-mediated dilations to bradykinin and ADP. A rise in [K+]o dilates HCAs primarily via the activation of Na+-K+-ATPase in vascular smooth muscle cells with a considerable contribution of Kir channels in the endothelium, indicating that [K+]o may modify coronary microvascular resistance in humans. Na+-K+-ATPase activity is impaired in subjects who smoke, possibly contributing to dysregulation of the coronary microcirculation, excess ischemia, and arrhythmogenesis in those subjects. K+ does not likely serve as an EDHF in the human coronary arteriolar dilation to bradykinin and ADP.
Increased propensity for cell death in diabetic human heart is mediated by mitochondrial-dependent pathways
Authors: Anderson Ethan J. , Rodriguez Evelio , Anderson Curtis A. , Thayne Kathleen , Chitwood W. Randolph , Kypson Alan P.
Published: November 2010

Progressive energy deficiency and loss of cardiomyocyte numbers are two prominent factors that lead to heart failure in experimental models. Signals that mediate cardiomyocyte cell death have been suggested to come from both extrinsic (e.g., cytokines) and intrinsic (e.g., mitochondria) sources, but the evidence supporting these mechanisms remains unclear, and virtually nonexistent in humans. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) to calcium (Ca2+) using permeabilized myofibers of right atrium obtained from diabetic ( n = 9) and nondiabetic ( n = 12) patients with coronary artery disease undergoing nonemergent coronary revascularization surgery. Under conditions that mimic the energetic state of the heart in vivo (pyruvate, glutamate, malate, and 100 μM ADP), cardiac mitochondria from diabetic patients show an increased sensitivity to Ca2+-induced mPTP opening compared with nondiabetic patients. This increased mPTP Ca2+ sensitivity in diabetic heart mitochondria is accompanied by a substantially greater rate of mitochondrial H2O2 emission under identical conditions, despite no differences in respiratory capacity under these conditions or mitochondrial enzyme content. Activity of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway mediator caspase-9 was greater in diabetic atrial tissue, whereas activity of the extrinsic pathway mediator caspase-8 was unchanged between groups. Furthermore, caspase-3 activity was not significantly increased in diabetic atrial tissue. These data collectively suggest that the myocardium in diabetic patients has a greater overall propensity for mitochondrial-dependent cell death, possibly as a result of metabolic stress-imposed changes that have occurred within the mitochondria, rendering them more susceptible to insults such as Ca2+ overload. In addition, they lend further support to the notion that mitochondria represent a viable target for future therapies directed at ameliorating heart failure and other comorbidities that come with diabetes.
Evidence for minimal oxygen heterogeneity in the healthy human pulmonary acinus
Authors: Swan Annalisa J. , Tawhai Merryn H.
Published: November 2010

It has been suggested that the human pulmonary acinus operates at submaximal efficiency at rest due to substantial spatial heterogeneity in the oxygen partial pressure (Po2) in alveolar air within the acinus. Indirect measurements of alveolar air Po2 could theoretically mask significant heterogeneity if intra-acinar perfusion is well matched to Po2. To investigate the extent of intra-acinar heterogeneity, we developed a computational model with anatomically based structure and biophysically based equations for gas exchange. This model yields a quantitative prediction of the intra-acinar O2 distribution that cannot be measured directly. Temporal and spatial variations in Po2 in the intra-acinar air and blood are predicted with the model. The model, representative of a single average acinus, has an asymmetric multibranching respiratory airways geometry coupled to a symmetric branching conducting airways geometry. Advective and diffusive O2 transport through the airways and gas exchange into the capillary blood are incorporated. The gas exchange component of the model includes diffusion across the alveolar air-blood membrane and O2-hemoglobin binding. Contrary to previous modeling studies, simulations show that the acinus functions extremely effectively at rest, with only a small degree of intra-acinar Po2 heterogeneity. All regions of the model acinus, including the peripheral generations, maintain a Po2 >100 mmHg. Heterogeneity increases slightly when the acinus is stressed by exercise. However, even during exercise the acinus retains a reasonably homogeneous gas phase.
Transcultural Influences in Dementia Care: Observations from a Psychosocial Intervention Study
Authors: Burns Alistair , Mittelman Mary , Cole Catherine , Morris Julie , Winter Jane , Page Sean , Brodaty Henry
Published: November 2010

Background: Various models of intervention for caregivers of patients with dementia have been described. There has been little direct comparison of cultural differences between countries and the effect any differences may exert on the outcome of caregiver interventions. Aims: The aims of the three-country study (USA, Australia and the UK) were to assess whether caregiver interventions can still be successful when anti-dementia drugs are provided to patients, and whether a caregiver intervention can be successfully implemented using the same methods in three different English-speaking countries. In this paper, the cultural differences and similarities between the three countries are examined. Method: Randomised, controlled trial involving 158 patients and their caregivers (divided equally across three centres, New York, Sydney and Manchester) with all the patients receiving donepezil and the caregivers randomised to a caregiver intervention or treatment as usual. Results: There were few differences between countries in the main outcome measures, and no differences between the treatment-as-usual group and the intervention, but interesting cultural nuances were observed between groups. Despite these differences, the caregiver intervention was associated with positive results on caregiver depression across all the countries. Conclusions: This first multinational carer intervention study has emphasised the similarities between the three countries whilst highlighting crucial differences which may be important when planning cross-cultural studies in the future. The positive results achieved on caregiver depression were replicated across the three centres.
Cisplatin Application in Pregnancy: First in vivo Analysis of 7 Patients
Authors: Marnitz Simone , Köhler Christhardt , Oppelt Peter , Schmittel Alexander , Favero Giovanni , Hasenbein Kati , Schneider Achim , Markman Maurie
Published: November 2010

Cervical cancer in pregnancy is an oncologic challenge. Empirical cisplatin is recommended to prevent cancer progression until fetal maturity. Seven patients with cervical cancer in the second trimester decided to delay delivery together with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After 2–4 cycles, caesarean section and radical hysterectomy were performed above 32 weeks of gestation. Synchronous samples from maternal blood, umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid were taken. All patients delivered healthy babies. Cisplatin concentrations in umbilical cord and amniotic fluid were 31–65 and 13–42% of the maternal blood, respectively. This is the first series on in vivo cisplatin concentration in the fetomaternal compartment.
High-Salt Diet and Hypertension: Focus on the Renin-Angiotensin System
Authors: Drenjančević-Perić I. , Jelaković B. , Lombard J.H. , Kunert M.P. , Kibel A. , Gros M.
Published: November 2010

A high-salt diet is one of the major risk factors in the development and maintenance of hypertension. Numerous experimental and observational studies have confirmed the association of sodium intake with blood pressure levels. The effects of a high-salt diet are related to the function of the renin-angiotensin system, which is normally suppressed by a high-salt diet. Endothelial dysfunction probably plays an important role in the influence of high sodium intake on blood pressure, although the exact mechanisms remain elusive. Genetic factors are known to be very important, and various consomic and congenic rat strains as animal models have proven to be very useful in bringing us a step closer to understanding the interaction between salt intake and hypertension. In this article, experimental data obtained in studies on animals and humans, as well as epidemiological data are reviewed.
Mechanism of Outside-In α
IIb
β
3
-Mediated Activation of Human Platelets by the Colonizing Bacterium,
Streptococcus gordonii
Authors: Keane Ciara , Petersen Helen , Reynolds Kieran , Newman Debra K. , Cox Dermot , Jenkinson Howard F. , Newman Peter J. , Kerrigan Steven W.
Published: November 2010

Objective—

To better understand the mechanism of platelet recruitment and activation by
Streptococcus gordonii
. The oral bacterium
Streptococcus gordonii
, is amongst the most common pathogens isolated from Infective Endocarditis patients, and has the property of being able to activate platelets, leading to thrombotic complications. The mechanism of platelet recruitment and activation by
S. gordonii
is poorly understood.

Methods and Results—

Infective endocarditis is a bacterial infection of the heart valves that carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. The oral bacterium,
S gordonii
, is among the most common pathogens isolated from patients with infective endocarditis and is able to activate platelets, leading to thrombotic complications. Platelets interact with
S gordonii
via glycoprotein Ibα- and α
IIb
β
3
-recognizing
S gordonii
surface proteins haemaglutitin salivary antigen (Hsa) and platelet adherence protein A, respectively. The inhibition of glycoprotein Ibα or α
IIb
β
3
using blocking antibodies or deletion of
S gordonii
Hsa or platelet adherence protein A significantly reduces platelet adhesion. Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-containing proteins have recently played a role in transmitting activating signals into platelets. Platelet adhesion to immobilized
S gordonii
resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of the ITAM-bearing receptor, FcγRIIa, and phosphorylation of downstream effectors (ie, spleen tyrosine kinase [Syk] and phospholipase C [PLC]-γ2). Tyrosine phosphorylation of FcγRIIa resulted in platelet-dense granule secretion, filopodial and lamellipodial extension, and platelet spreading. Inhibition of FcγRIIa ablated both dense granule release and platelet spreading.

Conclusion—

Streptococcus gordonii
binding to the α
IIb
β
3
/FcγRIIa integrin/ITAM signaling complex results in platelet activation that likely contributes to the thrombotic complications of infective endocarditis.
A Critical Role for Chloride Channel-3 (CIC-3) in Smooth Muscle Cell Activation and Neointima Formation
Authors: Chu Xi , Filali Mohammed , Stanic Bojana , Takapoo Maysam , Sheehan Andrea , Bhalla Ramesh , Lamb Fred S. , Miller Francis J.
Published: November 2010

Objective—

We have shown that the chloride-proton antiporter chloride channel-3 (ClC-3) is required for endosome-dependent signaling by the Nox1 NADPH oxidase in SMCs. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ClC-3 is necessary for proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and contributes to neointimal hyperplasia following vascular injury.

Methods and Results—

Studies were performed in SMCs isolated from the aorta of ClC-3-null and littermate control (wild-type [WT]) mice. Thrombin and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) each caused activation of both mitogen activated protein kinase extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1 and 2 and the matrix-degrading enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-9 and cell proliferation of WT SMCs. Whereas responses to thrombin were preserved in ClC-3-null SMCs, the responses to TNF-α were markedly impaired. These defects normalized following gene transfer of ClC-3. Carotid injury increased vascular ClC-3 expression, and compared with WT mice, ClC-3-null mice exhibited a reduction in neointimal area of the carotid artery 28 days after injury.

Conclusion—

ClC-3 is necessary for the activation of SMCs by TNF-α but not thrombin. Deficiency of ClC-3 markedly reduces neointimal hyperplasia following vascular injury. In view of our previous findings, this observation is consistent with a role for ClC-3 in endosomal Nox1-dependent signaling. These findings identify ClC-3 as a novel target for the prevention of inflammatory and proliferative vascular diseases.
Enhanced Foam Cell Formation, Atherosclerotic Lesion Development, and Inflammation by Combined Deletion of ABCA1 and SR-BI in Bone Marrow–Derived Cells in LDL Receptor Knockout Mice on Western-Type Diet
Authors: Zhao Ying , Pennings Marieke , Hildebrand Reeni B. , Ye Dan , Calpe-Berdiel Laura , Out Ruud , Kjerrulf Martin , Hurt-Camejo Eva , Groen Albert K. , Hoekstra Menno , Jessup Wendy , Chimini Giovanna , Van Berkel Theo J.C. , Van Eck Miranda
Published: November 2010

Rationale:

Macrophages cannot limit the uptake of lipids and rely on cholesterol efflux mechanisms for maintaining cellular cholesterol homeostasis. Important mediators of macrophage cholesterol efflux are ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1), which mediates the efflux of cholesterol to lipid-poor apolipoprotein AI, and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), which promotes efflux to mature high-density lipoprotein.

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to increase the insight into the putative synergistic roles of ABCA1 and SR-BI in foam cell formation and atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results:

Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr KO) mice were transplanted with bone marrow from ABCA1/SR-BI double knockout mice, the respective single knockouts, or wild-type littermates. Serum cholesterol levels were lower in ABCA1/SR-BI double knockout transplanted animals, as compared to the single knockout and wild-type transplanted animals on Western-type diet. Despite the lower serum cholesterol levels, massive foam cell formation was found in macrophages from spleen and the peritoneal cavity. Interestingly, ABCA1/SR-BI double knockout transplanted animals also showed a major increase in proinflammatory KC (murine interleukin-8) and interleukin-12p40 levels in the circulation. Furthermore, after 10 weeks of Western-type diet feeding, atherosclerotic lesion development in the aortic root was more extensive in the LDLr KO mice reconstituted with ABCA1/SR-BI double knockout bone marrow.

Conclusions:

Deletion of ABCA1 and SR-BI in bone marrow–derived cells enhances in vivo macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerotic lesion development in LDLr KO mice on Western diet, indicating that under high dietary lipid conditions, both macrophage ABCA1 and SR-BI contribute significantly to cholesterol homeostasis in the macrophage in vivo and are essential for reducing the risk for atherosclerosis.
Free Play Meets Gameplay: iGotBand, a Video Game for Improvisers
Authors: Rosenstock Joshua Pablo
Published: November 2010

The author presents an experimental musical video game called iGotBand. Fans are central to the game's narrative, capturing a feedback loop in which the audience shares responsibility for performance.
Multidimensional Scratching, Sound Shaping and Triple Point
Authors: Van Nort Doug
Published: November 2010

The author discusses performance utilizing his greis software system, which is built around the principle of a “scrubbing” interaction with roots in the recording industry and the paradigm of scrubbing tape across a magnetic head.
Strategies for Managing Timbre and Interaction in Automatic Improvisation Systems
Authors: Hsu William
Published: November 2010

Earlier interactive improvisation systems have mostly worked with note-level musical events such as pitch, loudness and duration. Timbre is an integral component of the musical language of many improvisers; some recent systems use timbral information in a variety of ways to enhance interactivity. This article describes the timbre-aware ARHS improvisation system, designed in collaboration with saxophonist John Butcher, in the context of recent improvisation systems that incorporate timbral information. Common practices in audio feature extraction, performance state characterization and management, response synthesis and control of improvising agents are summarized and compared.
Seeking Out the Spaces Between: Using Improvisation in Collaborative Composition with Interactive Technology
Authors: Nicolls Sarah
Published: November 2010

This article presents findings from experiments into piano and live electronics undertaken by the author since early 2007. The use of improvisation has infused every step of the process—both as a methodology to obtain meaningful results using interactive technology and as a way to generate and characterize a collaborative musical space with composers. The technology used has included pre-built MIDI interfaces such as the PianoBar, actuators such as miniature DC motors and sensor interfaces including iCube and the Wii controller. Collaborators have included researchers at the Centre for Digital Music (QMUL), Richard Barrett, Pierre Alexandre Tremblay and Atau Tanaka.
The ‘Three Crosses’ of Mission Work: Fifty Years of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) in Angola, 1880-1930
Authors: Ball Jeremy
Published: November 2010

In 1930 the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) commemorated fifty years of mission work in central Angola with a celebration that sought to unite thousands of Umbundu Christians into a community. Rituals such as the singing of hymns, daily church services, and bold performances of religious music by the 540-voice Jubilee Choir aimed at reinforcing Christian identity. A historical pageant dubbed the ‘Three Crosses’ was created in order to present a missionary perspective of Angolan history, one that juxtaposed Christian societal improvement with indigenous scenes of death, violence, and ignorance. This paper provides an account of the pageant and argues that its program also transmitted prominent subtexts associated with colonial discourse. Theories of social evolution and racism were widespread among early twentieth-century Americans, and ABCFM missionaries used this rhetoric to preach self-improvement through Christianization by disparaging indigenous Umbundu beliefs. Although providing Western education proved an effective tool for attracting converts and a lasting measure of the ABCFM’s influence in Angola, the legacy of the mission preserves these contradictions of colonial missionary work.
The Myth of Tribal Sovereignty: An Analysis of Native American Tribal Status in the United States
Authors: Ford Algeria R.
Published: November 2010

This article will first explore the history of Native American relations with the United States, examining early treatment of tribal nations by the U.S. government. It will then discuss the idea of sovereignty, more specifically as it relates to Native American tribes. The argument section rejects the idea that Native American Tribes are Sovereign Nations, explains why their current status is more akin to that of “States” by highlighting the similarities between state rights and current Native American, but concludes that native tribes are really quasi-states because they lack protection under the idea of federalism. The final section will discuss native views on the topic.
Volume Scanning Strategies for 3D Wind Retrieval from Dual-Doppler Lidar Measurements
Authors: Drechsel Susanne , Mayr Georg J. , Chong Michel , Chow Fotini K.
Published: November 2010

Dual-Doppler lidar volume scans for 3D wind retrieval must accommodate the conflicting goals of dense spatial coverage and short scan duration. In this work, various scanning strategies are evaluated with semisynthetic wind fields from analytical solutions and numerical simulations over flat and complex terrain using the Multiple-Doppler Synthesis and Continuity Adjustment Technique (MUSCAT) retrieval algorithm. The focus of this study is to determine how volume scan strategies affect performance of the wind retrieval algorithm. Interlaced scanning methods that take into account actual maximum measurement ranges are found to be optimal because they provide the best trade-off between retrieval accuracy, volume coverage, and scan time. A recommendation for scanning strategies is given, depending on actual measurement ranges, the variability of the wind situation, and the trade-off between spatial coverage and temporal smoothing.
Polymorphisms in bovine immune genes and their associations with somatic cell count and milk production in dairy cattle
Authors: Beecher Christine , Daly Mairead , Childs Stuart , Berry Donagh P , Magee David A , McCarthy Tommie V , Giblin Linda
Published: November 2010

Background

Mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland, is a major source of economic loss on dairy farms. The aim of this study was to quantify the associations between two previously identified polymorphisms in the bovine toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1) genes and mammary health indictor traits in (a) 246 lactating dairy cow contemporaries representing five breeds from one research farm and (b) 848 Holstein-Friesian bulls that represent a large proportion of the Irish dairy germplasm. To expand the study, a further 14 polymorphisms in immune genes were included for association studies in the bull population.

Results

TLR4-2021 associated (P < 0.05) with both milk protein and fat percentage in late lactation (P < 0.01) within the cow cohort. No association was observed between this polymorphism and either yield or composition of milk within the bull population. CXCR1-777 significantly associated (P < 0.05) with fat yield in the bull population and tended to associate (P < 0.1) with somatic cell score (SCS) in the cows genotyped. CD14-1908 A allele was found to associate with increased (P < 0.05) milk fat and protein yield and also tended to associate with increased (P < 0.1) milk yield. A SERPINA1 haplotype with superior genetic merit for milk protein yield and milk fat percentage (P < 0.05) was also identified.

Conclusion

Of the sixteen polymorphisms in seven immune genes genotyped, just CXCR1-777 tended to associate with SCS, albeit only in the on-farm study. The lack of an association between the polymorphisms with SCS in the Holstein-Friesian data set would question the potential importance of these variants in selection for improved mastitis resistance in the Holstein-Friesian cow.
Unmet needs, quality of life and support networks of people with dementia living at home
Authors: Miranda-Castillo Claudia , Woods Bob , Galboda Kumari , Oomman Sabu , Olojugba Charles , Orrell Martin
Published: November 2010

Background

There is lack of evidence about the unmet needs of people with dementia (PWD) living at home and the predictors of high levels of unmet needs. The main aim of this study was to identify the relationship between unmet needs, social networks and quality of life of PWD living at home.

Methods

One hundred and fifty two community dwelling PWD and 128 carers were interviewed about PWD's needs, social networks, quality of life and other functional and psychological factors. All the interviews with PWD were carried out at their homes. Interviews with carers were undertaken either at PWD's home, their own home or at the health centre. Whenever possible, PWD and carers were interviewed separately. The data collection took place between November 2005 and July 2007. The majority of participants (129, 84.9%) were recruited from National Health Services (NHS) and the rest (23, 15.1%) were recruited from other organisations such as social services and voluntary organizations in the UK.

Results

The most frequent unmet needs for PWD were daytime activities (77, 50.7%), company (60, 39.5%), and help with psychological distress (47, 30.9%). Higher number of behavioural and psychological symptoms, low-community involvement social networks, having a younger carer and higher carer's anxiety were found to be predictors of higher unmet needs in PWD. Social networks and behavioural and psychological symptoms had an indirect effect on PWD's self-rated quality of life through unmet needs.

Conclusions

Interventions aiming to reduce unmet needs, through the treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms and the involvement of PWD in the community, would potentially improve PWD's quality of life.
Preventive effects of Flos Perariae (Gehua) water extract and its active ingredient puerarin in rodent alcoholism models
Authors: Zhang Zaijun , Li Sha , Jiang Jie , Yu Pei , Liang Jing , Wang Yuqiang
Published: November 2010

Background

Radix Puerariae is used in Chinese medicine to treat alcohol addiction and intoxication. The present study investigates the effects of Flos puerariae lobatae water extract (FPE) and its active ingredient puerarin on alcoholism using rodent models.

Methods

Alcoholic animals were given FPE or puerarin by oral intubation prior or after alcohol treatment. The loss of righting reflex (LORR) assay was used to evaluate sedative/hypnotic effects. Changes of gama-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR) subunits induced by alcohol treatment in hippocampus were measured with western blot. In alcoholic mice, body weight gain was monitored throughout the experiments. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) levels in liver were measured.

Results

FPE and puerarin pretreatment significantly prolonged the time of LORR induced by diazepam in acute alcoholic rat. Puerarin increased expression of gama-aminobutyric acid type A receptor alpha1 subunit and decreased expression of alpha4 subunit. In chronic alcoholic mice, puerarin pretreatment significantly increased body weight and liver ADH activity in a dose-dependent manner. Puerarin pretreatment, but not post-treatment, can reverse the changes of gama-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit expression and increase ADH activity in alcoholism models.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates that FPE and its active ingredient puerarin have preventive effects on alcoholism related disorders.
Expressions and clinical significances of CD133 protein and CD133 mRNA in primary lesion of gastric adenocacinoma
Authors: Yu Ji-wei , Zhang Peng , Wu Ju-gang , Wu Sheng-hua , Li Xiao-qiang , Wang Shi-ting , Lu Rui-qi , Ni Xiao-chun , Jiang Bo-jian
Published: November 2010

Background

To study on expressions and clinical significances of CD133 protein and CD133 mRNA in primary lesion of gastric adenocarcinoma (GC).

Methods

Expressions of CD133 protein by immunostaining (99 cases) and CD133 mRNA by semi-quantitative RT-PCR (31 cases) were detected in primary lesion and in noncancerous gastric mucosa tissue (NCGT). Correlations of CD133 protein expression with clinicopathological parameters and post-operative survival were analyzed. Relations of CD133 mRNA level with Ki-67 labeling index (LI), and lymphatic metastasis were assessed too.

Results

Brown particles indicating CD133 protein positivity occurred in some parts of tumor cells and epithelium. Expressive percentage of CD133 protein positivity was significantly higher in subgroups with >5 cm diameter (P = 0.041), later TNM stage (P = 0.044), severer lymph node metastasis (P = 0.017), occurrences of lymphatic invasion (P = 0.000) and vascular invasion (P = 0.000) respectively. Severer invasion depth (P = 0.011), lymph node metastasis occurrence (P = 0.043) and later TNM stage (P = 0.049) were the independent risk factors for CD133 protein expression. Average brightness scale value (BSV) of CD133 mRNA was significantly higher in subgroups with >5 cm diameter (P = 0.041), lymph node metastasis occurrence (P = 0.004) and in lower Ki-67 LI (P = 0.02). Relative analysis revealed that BSV of CD133 mRNA related positively to metastatic lymphatic nodes ratio (P = 0.008) and metastatic lymph node number (P = 0.009), but negatively to Ki-67 LI (P = 0.009). Survival of positive subgroup of CD 133 protein was significantly poorer (P = 0.047). Lymph node metastasis occurrence (P = 0.042), later TNM stage (P = 0.046) and CD 133 protein positive expression (P = 0.046) were respectively the independent risk factors to survival.

Conclusion

Higher expressive level of CD133 mRNA is associated to lower Ki-67 LI and severer lymphatic metastasis. Therefore, the expressive level of CD133 mRNA can play an appropriate role to reflect the status of lymph node metastasis and proliferation of GC. CD133 protein expression is closely related with larger tumor, later TNM stage, lymphtic metastasis and survival of GC.
Female choice in the red mason bee,Osmia rufa(L.) (Megachilidae)
Authors: Conrad Taina , Paxton Robert J. , Barth Friedrich G. , Francke Wittko , Ayasse Manfred
Published: November 2010

Females are often thought to use several cues and more than one modality in selection of a mate, possibly because they offer complementary information on a mate's suitability. In the red mason bee, Osmia rufa, we investigated the criteria a female uses to choose a mating partner. We hypothesized that the female uses male thorax vibrations and size as signs of male viability and male odor for kin discrimination and assessment of genetic relatedness. We therefore compared males that had been accepted by a female for copulation with those rejected, in terms of their size, their immediate precopulatory vibrations (using laser vibrometry), the genetic relatedness of unmated and mated pairs (using microsatellite markers) and emitted volatiles (using chemical analyses). Females showed a preference for intermediate-sized males that were slightly larger than the modal male size. Furthermore, male precopulatory vibration burst duration was significantly longer in males accepted for copulation compared with rejected males. Vibrations may indicate vigor and assure that males selected by females are metabolically active and healthy. Females preferentially copulated with males that were genetically more closely related, possibly to avoid outbreeding depression. Volatiles of the cuticular surface differed significantly between accepted and rejected males in the relative amounts of certain hydrocarbons, although the relationship between male odor and female preference was complex. Females may therefore also use differences in odor bouquet to select among males. Our investigations show that O. rufa females appear to use multiple cues in selecting a male. Future investigations are needed to demonstrate whether odor plays a role in kin recognition and how the multiple cues are integrated in mate choice by females.
Ballistic movements of jumping legs implemented as variable components of cricket behaviour
Authors: Hustert R. , Baldus M.
Published: November 2010

Ballistic accelerations of a limb or the whole body require special joint mechanisms in many animals. Specialized joints can be moved by stereotypic or variable motor control during motor patterns with and without ballistic components. As a model of variable motor control, the specialized femur–tibia (knee) joints of cricket (Acheta domesticus) hindlegs were studied during ballistic kicking, jumping and swimming and in non-ballistic walking. In this joint the tendons of the antagonistic flexor and the extensor muscles attach at different distances from the pivot and the opposed lever arms form an angle of 120 deg. A 10:1 ratio of their effective lever arms at full knee flexion helps to prepare for most ballistic extensions: the tension of the extensor can reach its peak while it is restrained by flexor co-contraction. In kicks, preparatory flexion is rapid and the co-contraction terminates just before knee extensions. Therefore, mainly the stored tension of the extensor muscle accelerates the small mass of the tibia. Jumps are prepared with slower extensor–flexor co-contractions that flex both knees simultaneously and then halt to rotate both legs outward to a near horizontal level. From there, catapult extension of both knees accelerates the body, supported by continued high frequency motor activity to their tibia extensor muscles during the ongoing push-off from the substrate. Premature extension of one knee instantly takes load from the lagging leg that extends and catches up, which finally results in a straight jump. In swimming, synchronous ballistic power strokes of both hindlegs drive the tibiae on a ventral-to-posterior trajectory through the water, well coordinated with the swimming patterns of all legs. In walking, running and climbing the steps of the hindlegs range between 45 deg flexion and 125 deg extension and use non-ballistic, alternating activity of knee flexor and extensor muscles. Steep climbing requires longer bursts from the extensor tibiae muscles when they support the extended hindlegs against gravity forces when the body hangs over. All ballistic movements of cricket knees are elicited by a basic but variable motor pattern: knee flexions by co-contraction of the antagonists prepare catapult extensions with speeds and forces as required in the different behaviours.
The energy budget, thermogenic capacity and behavior in Swiss mice exposed to a consecutive decrease in temperatures
Authors: Zhao Zhi-Jun , Chi Qing-Sheng , Cao Jing , Han Ying-Dong
Published: November 2010

The limitation on sustainable energy intake (SusEI) is important because it establishes the upper energetic limit on the ability of animals to disperse, survive and reproduce. However, there are still arguments about what factors impose that limitation. Thermoregulation in cold environments imposes great energy demands on small mammals. A cold-exposed animal has been suggested to be a model suitable for testing these factors. Here, we examined the changes in food intake and digestible energy intake (DEI) as measures of SusEI, thermogenic capacity and behavioral patterns in Swiss mice exposed to consecutively lower ambient temperatures from 23 to –15°C. Cold-exposed mice showed significant decreases in body mass, fat content of the carcass and body temperature, and increases in DEI compared with controls. The time spent on feeding significantly increased with decreasing temperatures, and time spent on general activity decreased following cold exposure. Resting metabolic rate, nonshivering thermogenesis and serum tri-iodothyronine levels significantly increased in mice exposed to lower temperatures in comparison with controls, whereas these thermogenic variables were not significantly different between 0 and –15°C. It might suggest that SusEI in cold exposed Swiss mice was constrained peripherally by the capacity to produce heat and also by the ability to dissipate body heat, but to a different extent. Moderate cold exposure might result in a relaxation of the heat dissipation limit (HDL), allowing the animals to increase food intake to meet cold stress. When animals are exposed to severe cold, the thermogenenic capacity might reach a ceiling, failing to compensate for the heat loss and which would finally result in lower body temperature and considerable weight loss. This might indicate that the HDL was set at a higher level than peripheral limits for Swiss mice exposed to a consecutive decrease in ambient temperatures.
Lack of prediction for high-temperature exposures enhances Drosophila place learning
Authors: Sitaraman Divya , Zars Troy
Published: November 2010

Animals receive rewards and punishments in different patterns. Sometimes stimuli or behaviors can become predictors of future good or bad events. Through learning, experienced animals can then avoid new but similar bad situations, or actively seek those conditions that give rise to good results. Not all good or bad events, however, can be accurately predicted. Interestingly, unpredicted exposure to presumed rewards or punishments can inhibit or enhance later learning, thus linking the two types of experiences. In Drosophila, place memories can be readily formed; indeed, memory was enhanced by exposing flies to high temperatures that are unpaired from place or behavioral contingencies. Whether it is the exposure to high temperatures per se or the lack of prediction about the exposure that is crucial for memory enhancement is unknown. Through yoking experiments, we show that the uncertainty about exposure to high temperatures positively biases later place memory. However, the unpredicted exposures to high temperature do not alter thermosensitivity. Thus, the uncertainty bias does not alter thermosensory processes. An unidentified system is proposed to buffer the high-temperature reinforcement information to influence place learning when accurate predictions can be identified.