bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New MANET Wormhole Detection Algorithm Based on Traversal Time and Hop Count Analysis
Authors: Karlsson Jonny , Dooley Laurence S. , Pulkkis Göran
Published: November 2011

As demand increases for ubiquitous network facilities, infrastructure-less and self-configuring systems like Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET) are gaining popularity. MANET routing security however, is one of the most significant challenges to wide scale adoption, with wormhole attacks being an especially severe MANET routing threat. This is because wormholes are able to disrupt a major component of network traffic, while concomitantly being extremely difficult to detect. This paper introduces a new wormhole detection paradigm based upon Traversal Time and Hop Count Analysis (TTHCA), which in comparison to existing algorithms, consistently affords superior detection performance, allied with low false positive rates for all wormhole variants. Simulation results confirm that the TTHCA model exhibits robust wormhole route detection in various network scenarios, while incurring only a small network overhead. This feature makes TTHCA an attractive choice for MANET environments which generally comprise devices, such as wireless sensors, which possess a limited processing capability.
Gaussian Multiscale Aggregation Applied to Segmentation in Hand Biometrics
Authors: Sierra Alberto de Santos , Ávila Carmen Sánchez , Casanova Javier Guerra , Pozo Gonzalo Bailador del
Published: November 2011

This paper presents an image segmentation algorithm based on Gaussian multiscale aggregation oriented to hand biometric applications. The method is able to isolate the hand from a wide variety of background textures such as carpets, fabric, glass, grass, soil or stones. The evaluation was carried out by using a publicly available synthetic database with 408,000 hand images in different backgrounds, comparing the performance in terms of accuracy and computational cost to two competitive segmentation methods existing in literature, namely Lossy Data Compression (LDC) and Normalized Cuts (NCuts). The results highlight that the proposed method outperforms current competitive segmentation methods with regard to computational cost, time performance, accuracy and memory usage.
Design, Fabrication and Levitation Experiments of a Micromachined Electrostatically Suspended Six-Axis Accelerometer
Authors: Cui Feng , Liu Wu , Chen Wenyuan , Zhang Weiping , Wu Xiaosheng
Published: November 2011

A micromachined electrostatically suspended six-axis accelerometer, with a square plate as proof mass housed by a top stator and bottom stator, is presented. The device structure and related techniques concerning its operating principles, such as calculation of capacitances and electrostatic forces/moments, detection and levitation control of the proof mass, acceleration measurement, and structural parameters design, are described. Hybrid MEMS manufacturing techniques, including surface micromachining fabrication of thin film electrodes and interconnections, integration fabrication of thick nickel structures about 500 μm using UV-LIGA by successful removal of SU-8 photoresist mold, DRIE of silicon proof mass in thickness of 450 μm, microassembly and solder bonding, were employed to fabricate this prototype microdevice. A levitation experiment system for the fabricated microaccelerometer chip is introduced, and levitation results show that fast initial levitation within 10 ms and stable full suspension of the proof mass have been successfully demonstrated.
Opportunities and challenges for statistics education in South Africa
Authors: Zewotir Temesgen , North Delia
Published: November 2011

The South African educational system is in a state of transformation as the Government embarks on a process of grappling with legacies of the past, whilst balancing risks and opportunities for the future. Accordingly, a new school curriculum with outcomes-based education as the fundamental building block was introduced along a sliding scale, starting in 1997. This curriculum, with a vast statistics content, has the potential to change the face of statistics education in South Africa, as statistics had previously been virtually absent from the school syllabus. This article highlights the challenges to and opportunities for optimising the teaching of statistics across all education levels in South Africa.
A general procedure for obtaining the evolving particle‐size distribution of flocculating suspensions
Authors: Yeow Y. Leong , Liow Jong‐Leng , Leong Yee‐Kwong
Published: November 2011

A numerical procedure has been developed to solve the population balance equation (PBE) for the flocculation of colloidal suspensions. It has the flexibility to cope with different flocculation kinetics and spread in particle volume. The two key steps in this procedure are the adoption of the logarithm of particle volume as the independent variable and the implementation of uniform discretization in the logarithmic domain. Together they allow the PBE to be represented accurately over the entire particle range overcoming the failure of the popular geometric discretization scheme to represent the PBE satisfactorily for large particles. The Method of Lines is used to convert the PBE from an integro‐differential equation into a set of first‐order ordinary differential equations, which is then integrated using commercial scientific computing software. The procedure has been tested for different kinetics and initial particle distributions. Preservation of particulate volume of between 1 and 8% is consistently observed. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 3043–3053, 2012
A rare recessive distal hereditary motor neuropathy with HSJ1 chaperone mutation
Authors: Blumen Sergiu C. , Astord Stéphanie , Robin Valérie , Vignaud Ludivine , Toumi Nawel , Cieslik Aurore , Achiron Anat , Carasso Ralph L. , Gurevich Michael , Braverman Itzhak , Blumen Nava , Munich Arnold , Barkats Martine , Viollet Louis
Published: November 2011

Objective:

Distal hereditary motor neuropathies (dHMN) form a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders, characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy predominating at the distal part of the limbs, due to the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord. We report here a novel rare variant of dHMN with autosomal recessive inheritance in a large Jewish family originating from Morocco. The disease is characterized by a predominance of paralysis at the lower limbs and an early adulthood onset. We performed a genetic study in this family to identify and characterized the causing mutation.

Methods:

Homozygosity mapping strategy and sequencing of the candidate genes were performed. Expression studies were made on patient fibroblasts. Functional experiments were performed on a cellular model of motor neuron disease.

Results:

We mapped the disease to the 2q34–q36.1 chromosomal region and identified a homozygous splice mutation in the gene HSJ1 (DNAJB2) decreasing the expression of the 2 main isoforms HSJ1a and HSJ1b. Overexpression of both HSJ1a and HSJ1b reduced inclusion formation induced by the mutated SOD1‐A4V in a neuronal cellular model.

Interpretation:

HSJ1 is a neuronal enriched member of the HSP40/DNAJ co‐chaperone family. Previous studies have shown that HSP40 proteins play a crucial role in protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in several neuronal types, in animal models and human diseases. Interestingly, this mutation causing a loss‐of‐function of HSJ1 is linked to a pure lower motor neuron disease, strongly suggesting that HSJ1 also plays an important and specific role in motor neurons. ANN NEUROL 2012;
LDPE‐based blends and films stabilized with nonreleasing polymeric antioxidants for safer food packaging
Authors: Boragno L. , Stagnaro P. , Losio S. , Sacchi M. C. , Menichetti S. , Viglianisi C. , Piergiovanni L. , Limbo S.
Published: November 2011

Several novel random copolymers of ethylene and 1‐olefin counits bearing a highly efficient phenolic antioxidant moiety placed at different distances from the polymerizable double bond were prepared in the presence of a metallocene catalyst. These copolymers were melt‐blended with an antioxidant‐free LDPE in an internal batch mixer to obtain innovative materials containing nonreleasing polymeric antioxidants suitable for safer food packaging applications. Blends and films, obtained by compression molding, were tested for their thermal and thermo‐oxidative stability by thermogravimetric analysis both in dynamic and isothermal conditions. Films containing the macromolecular antioxidants showed a longer induction time before O2 uptake starts and, consequently, a higher degradation temperature than neat LDPE or LDPE containing a low molecular weight commercial additive. Aging tests demonstrated that the new polymeric antioxidants also exert a valid protection against photo‐oxidation. Eventually, migration tests demonstrated the absence of any trace of products containing the antioxidant moiety when the films were kept in contact with a food simulant. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis of 4‐Aminoquinazolines by Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Imidoylation of N‐(2‐Bromoaryl)amidines
Authors: Van Baelen Gitte , Kuijer Sander , Rýček Lukáš , Sergeyev Sergey , Janssen Elwin , de Kanter Frans J. J. , Maes Bert U. W. , Ruijter Eelco , Orru Romano V. A.
Published: November 2011

Compared with the widespread use of carbonylative Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions, similar reactions involving isocyanide insertion are almost virgin territory. We investigated the intramolecular imidoylative cross‐coupling of N‐(2‐bromoaryl)amidines, leading to 4‐aminoquinazolines. After thorough optimization of the reaction with respect to palladium source and loading, ligand, base, temperature, and solvent, a small library of 4‐aminoquinazolines was prepared to determine the scope of this method. Various substituents are tolerated on the amidine and the isocyanide, providing efficient access to a broad range of diversely substituted 4‐aminoquinazolines of significant pharmaceutical interest.
Hepatitis C virus – T‐cell responses and viral escape mutations
Authors: Petrovic Danijela , Dempsey Eugene , Doherty Derek G. , Kelleher Dermot , Long Aideen
Published: November 2011

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a small, enveloped RNA virus and the number of HCV‐infected individuals worldwide is estimated to be approximately 170 million. Most HCV infections persist, with up to 80% of all cases leading to chronic hepatitis associated with liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV–host interactions have a crucial role in viral survival, persistence, pathogenicity of infection, and disease progression. Maintenance of a vigorous, sustained cellular immune response recognizing multiple epitopes is essential for viral clearance. To escape immune surveillance, HCV alters its epitopes so that they are no‐longer recognized by T cells and neutralizing antibodies, in addition to interfering with host cell cellular components and signaling pathways. The generation of escape variants is one of the most potent immune evasion strategies utilized by HCV. A large body of evidence suggests that single or multiple mutations within HLA‐restricted epitopes contribute to viral immune escape and establishment of viral persistence. Further elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying immune escape will aid in the design of novel vaccines and therapeutics for the disease.
Unexpected Outcomes of the Oxidation of (Pentafluorophenyl)triphenylphosphanegold(I)
Authors: Hofer Manuel , Nevado Cristina
Published: November 2011

Redox gold(I)/gold(III) catalytic cycles have been proposed as the productive mechanistic manifold in a number of gold mediated C–C and C–X bond forming reactions. These transformations rely on the use of stoichiometric oxidants such as iodonium salts and Selectfluor. We have studied the oxidation of electron deficient [Au(C6F5)(PPh3)] (1) in the presence of such oxidizing agents. The reaction of 1 with PhI(OAc)2 afforded cis‐[Au(C6F5)2Cl(PPh3)] (3), which seemed to be produced by oxidation of the starting complex followed by a gold(I)/gold(III) transmetalation process or ligand exchange. The reaction of 1 with Selectfluor afforded an unprecedented gold(I)–gold(III) complex [Au(PPh3)2][Au(C6F5)4] (7).
Organocatalytic “Difficult” Michael Reaction of Ketones with Nitrodienes Utilizing a Primary Amine–Thiourea Based on Di‐tert‐butyl Aspartate
Authors: Tsakos Michail , Kokotos Christoforos G.
Published: November 2011

The primary amine–thiourea based on di‐tert‐butyl (S)‐aspartate and (1R,2R)‐1,2‐diphenylethylene‐1,2‐diamine has been successfully employed in the “difficult” Michael reaction between aromatic ketones or acetone with nitrodienes. The high stability and reactivity of the catalyst led to improved reaction conditions. Thus, the desired products were obtained in high to excellent yields (up to 100 %) and excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 %) even at elevated temperatures.
PlatinumCNV: A Bayesian Gaussian mixture model for genotyping copy number polymorphisms using SNP array signal intensity data
Authors: Kumasaka Natsuhiko , Fujisawa Hironori , Hosono Naoya , Okada Yukinori , Takahashi Atsushi , Nakamura Yusuke , Kubo Michiaki , Kamatani Naoyuki
Published: November 2011

We present a statistical model for allele‐specific patterns of copy number polymorphisms (CNPs) in commercial single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array data. This model is based on the observation that fluorescent signal intensities tend to cluster into clouds of similar allele‐specific copy number (ASCN) genotypes at each SNP locus. To capture the tendency of this clustering to be made vague by instrumental errors, our model allows for cluster memberships to overlap each other, according to a Bayesian Gaussian mixture model (GMM). This approach is flexible, allowing for both absolute scale differences andX/Yscale imbalances of fluorescent signal intensities. The resulting model is also robust toward unobserved ASCN genotypes, which can be problematic for ordinary GMMs. We illustrated the utility of the model by applying it to commercial SNP array intensity data obtained from the Illumina HumanHap 610K platform. We retrieved more than 4,000 allele‐specific CNPs, though 99% of them showed rather simple allele‐specific CNP patterns with only a single aneuploid haplotype among the normal haplotypes. The genotyping accuracy was assessed by two approaches, quantitative PCR and replicated subjects. The results of both of these approaches demonstrated mean genotyping error rates of 1%. We demonstrated a preliminary genome‐wide association study of three hematological traits. The result exhibited that it could form the foundation for new, more effective statistical methods for the mapping of both disease genes and quantitative trait loci with genome‐wide CNPs. The methods described in this work are implemented in a software package, PlatinumCNV, available on the Internet.Genet. Epidemiol. 35:831–844, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Body size and breast cancer risk: The multiethnic cohort
Authors: White Kami K. , Park Song‐Yi , Kolonel Laurence N. , Henderson Brian E. , Wilkens Lynne R.
Published: November 2011

The influence of body size on postmenopausal breast cancer risk was investigated among five racial/ethnic groups in the Multiethnic Cohort. Participants were 45–75 years old at recruitment (1993–1996), living in Hawaii and California. Of the 82,971 White, African American, Native Hawaiian, Japanese and Latina women included in this analysis, 3,030 were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Body mass index (BMI), height, weight and adulthood weight gain were associated with a significantly higher risk and, with the exception of height, were found to vary across ethnic groups. Native Hawaiians and Japanese with a BMI ≥30.0 compared to 20.0–24.9 kg/m2 had the highest risk (hazard ratio = 1.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.31, 2.54, p‐trend = 0.001, and hazard ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence interval: 1.24, 2.05, p‐trend < 0.0001, respectively). Current hormone replacement therapy use modified the impact of a high BMI, as non‐ and former users had a significantly higher risk compared to current users. BMI also had a more pronounced risk for advanced tumors compared to localized tumors. When both BMI and adult weight gain were analyzed simultaneously, adult weight gain, rather than BMI, was a significant risk factor overall. These findings emphasize the significance of maintaining a healthy weight throughout adulthood for the prevention of postmenopausal breast cancer.
The antineoplastic antibiotic taurolidine promotes lung and liver metastasis in two syngeneic osteosarcoma mouse models and exhibits severe liver toxicity
Authors: Arlt Matthias J.E. , Walters Denise K. , Banke Ingo J. , Steinmann Patrick , Puskas Gabor J. , Bertz Josefine , Rentsch Katharina M. , Ehrensperger Felix , Born Walter , Fuchs Bruno
Published: November 2011

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent primary bone tumor. Despite multiagent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, patients with metastatic disease have a poor prognosis. Moreover, currently used chemotherapeutics have severe toxic side effects. Thus, novel agents with improved antimetastatic activity and reduced toxicity are needed. Taurolidine, a broad‐spectrum antimicrobial, has recently been shown to have antineoplastic properties against a variety of tumors and low systemic toxicity. Consequently, we investigated in our study the antineoplastic potential of taurolidine against OS in two different mouse models. Although both OS cell lines, K7M2 and LM8, were sensitive for the compound in vitro, intraperitoneal application of taurolidine failed to inhibit primary tumor growth. Moreover, it enhanced the metastatic load in both models 1.7‐ to 20‐fold and caused severe liver deformations and up to 40% mortality. Thus, systemic toxicity was further investigated in tumor‐free mice histologically, by electron microscopy and by measurements of representative liver enzymes. Taurolidine dose‐dependent fibrous thickening of the liver capsule and adhesions and atrophies of the liver lobes were comparable in healthy and tumor‐bearing mice. Liver toxicity was further indicated by up to eightfold elevated levels of the liver enzymes alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and GLDH in the circulation. Ultrastructural analysis of affected liver tissue showed swollen mitochondria with cristolysis and numerous lipid vacuoles in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. The findings of our study question the applicability of taurolidine for OS treatment and may suggest the need for caution regarding the widespread clinical use of taurolidine as an antineoplastic agent.
Effect of vertebral cement augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate on intervertebral disc and bone tissue
Authors: Krebs Jörg , Ferguson Stephen J. , Goss Ben G. , Stauffer Edouard , Ettinger Ladina , Aebli Nikolaus
Published: November 2011

Vertebral cement augmentation is reported to be a safe and effective technique for providing stabilization and pain relief. However, adjacent intervertebral discs may be at risk of accelerated degeneration as a result of aggravated nutritional constraints. Therefore, we investigated the effects of injecting polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into three adjacent lumbar vertebrae on intervertebral disc and vertebral bone tissue in 12 skeletally mature sheep. After 6 and 12 months of augmentation, the sheep were euthanized and their spines were processes for histological evaluation. Semiquantitative histomorphological analysis of discs and endplates was conducted using published criteria. Histomorphological changes in the augmented bone were assessed qualitatively. Approximately 80% of the length of the endplates was in contact with PMMA. However, there was no significant difference between the histopathological score of the discs adjacent to augmented vertebrae and the score of the control discs. Bone tissue reaction to PMMA was characterized by a thin fibrous tissue layer and occasional foreign‐body reactions. New bone formation was present in all augmented vertebrae. Concerns about aggravation of disc degeneration as a result of vertebral cement augmentation seem to be unsubstantiated. Furthermore, adverse effects of PMMA cement on bone biology do not seem to be a relevant issue. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
The relationships of attachment style and social maladjustment to death ideation in depressed women with a history of childhood sexual abuse
Authors: Smith Phillip N. , Gamble Stephanie A. , Cort Natalie A. , Ward Erin A. , Conwell Yeates , Talbot Nancy L.
Published: November 2011

The current study examined the interaction of attachment orientation and acute social maladjustment as risk factors for death ideation in a sample of women with Major Depression and histories of childhood sexual abuse. Social maladjustment was associated with greater endorsement of death ideation. Avoidant and anxious attachment orientations moderated the social maladjustment and death ideation associations in some domains. Work‐related maladjustment was associated with greater odds of death ideation for those with higher attachment avoidance. Parent‐role maladjustment was associated with greater odds of death ideation for those with lower attachment anxiety. Findings demonstrate strong associations between death ideation and social maladjustment, and suggest that death ideation may be specific to certain domains of adjustment for anxious and avoidant attachment styles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 68:1–10, 2011.
Definitive chemoradiotherapy in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma: An alternative to surgery?
Authors: Tougeron D. , Scotté M. , Hamidou H. , Di Fiore F. , Paillot B. , Michot F. , Michel P.
Published: November 2011

Background and Objectives

Definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is considered curative intent treatment for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Data concerning the usefulness of definitive CRT in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma (ADC) are lacking. The aim of the study was to compare the results of definitive CRT versus surgery in patients with an ADC.

Methods

All consecutive patients with a non‐metastatic ADC treated between 1994 and 2008 were retrospectively assessed. Patients were divided into two groups: surgery group (±pre‐operative treatment) versus definitive CRT group.

Results

In surgery and definitive CRT groups, 67 and 79 patients were evaluated, respectively. A complete resection was achieved in 92.5% of patients in surgery group and a clinical complete response was observed in 49.4% of patients in definitive CRT group. Overall survival was 36.2 ± 2.0 months in surgery group versus 16.5 ± 0.8 months in definitive CRT group (P = 0.02). The predictive factors of survival were age (P < 0.01), stage (P = 0.04), WHO performance status (P < 0.01), initial weight loss (P < 0.01), and the treatment group (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The results of the study do not support definitive CRT as an alternative to surgery in esophageal ADC treatment. Definitive CRT should be reserved for patients with a major operative risk. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:761–766. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Affinity purification of urinary trypsin inhibitor from human urine
Authors: Xin Yu , Yang Hailin , Xiao Xiaole , Zhang Ling , Zhang Yuran , Tong Yanjun , Chen Yi , Wang Wu
Published: November 2011

Affinity protocols for the purification of urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) were developed. To imitate the substrate/inhibitor‐binding domain (S1 domain) of trypsin and chymotrypsin, the key amino acid residues were composed to sorbents. The sorbents were then subjected to adsorption analysis with UTI. The purification process consisted of one step of affinity chromatography and another step of ultrafiltration. The purified enzyme was subjected to SDS‐PAGE, trypsin inhibitor activity and peptide map fingerprinting analysis. As calculated, the theoretical maximum adsorption (Qmax) of two affinity sorbents entitled as S‐D‐G and S‐S‐G were 31.7 and 30.1 mg/g, respectively; the desorption constants Kd of the two sorbents were 8.9 and 18.6 μg/mL, respectively. After the separation of UTI with S‐D‐G and S‐S‐G, reducing SDS‐PAGE analysis revealed that the protein was a single polypeptide with the mass of ∼66 kDa, and the purified proteins were ∼95 and 97% pure, respectively; the band on gel was further confirmed with peptide map fingerprinting analysis. Protein and bioactivity recoveries were 1.3 and 75.9% with S‐D‐G, 1.0 and 70.2% with S‐S‐G, respectively.
MMP9 expression in oesophageal adenocarcinoma is upregulated with visceral obesity and is associated with poor tumour differentiation
Authors: Allott Emma H. , Lysaght Joanne , Cathcart Mary Clare , Donohoe Claire L. , Cummins Robert , McGarrigle Sarah A. , Kay Elaine , Reynolds John V. , Pidgeon Graham P.
Published: November 2011

Overweight and obesity is linked to increased incidence and mortality of many cancer types. Of all cancers, oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) displays one of the strongest epidemiological links with obesity, accounting for up to 40% of cases, but molecular pathways driving this association remain largely unknown. This study aimed to elucidate mechanisms underpinning the association of obesity and cancer, and to determine if visceral obesity is associated with aggressive tumour biology in OAC. Following co‐culture with visceral adipose tissue explants, expression of genes involved in tumour cell invasion and metastasis (matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9) were upregulated between 10‐fold (MMP2) and 5000‐fold (MMP9), and expression of tumour suppressor p53 was downregulated 2‐fold in OAC cell lines. Western blotting confirmed these results at the protein level, while zymographic analysis detected increased activity of MMPs in OAC cell lines following co‐culture with adipose tissue explants. When OAC cell lines were cultured with adipose tissue conditioned media (ACM) from visceral adipose tissue, increased proliferative, migratory and invasive capacity of tumour cells was observed. In OAC patient tumour biopsies, elevated gene expression of MMP9 was associated with visceral obesity, measured by visceral fat area, while increased gene expression of MMP9 and decreased gene expression of tumour suppressor p53 was associated with poor tumour differentiation. These novel data highlight an important role for visceral obesity in upregulation of pro‐tumour pathways contributing to aggressive tumour biology, and may ultimately lead to development of stratified treatment for viscerally obese OAC patients. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Print media portrayals of giving: exploring national ‘cultures of philanthropy’
Authors: McDonald Katie , Scaife Wendy
Published: November 2011

In their 2010 study drawing on 500 empirical philanthropy studies, Bekkers and Wiepking identified eight consistently significant giving mechanisms. The pilot study reported here extends what is known about one mechanism, values, as a giving driver, in particular considering how national cultural values apply to giving. Personal values are not formed in a vacuum. They are influenced by the wider culture and society: thus values have a socio‐cultural dimension. Accordingly, this pilot research draws on media theory and cultural studies work on national ethos to explore how these national cultural values interact with giving. A directed qualitative content analysis has been undertaken to compare US and Australian print media coverage about philanthropy. The two nations share an Anglo–Saxon orientation but differ significantly in national character and philanthropic activity. This study posits that a nation's media coverage about giving will reflect its national cultural ethos. This coverage can also shape personal values, thus implications exist for theory about the antecedents of personal giving values. Wider national values may drive or stifle giving, so this wider view of values as a driver has implications also for philanthropy promotion and fundraising. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DNA requirements for assembly and stability of HIV‐1 intasomes
Authors: Li Min , Ivanov Vassili , Mizuuchi Michiyo , Mizuuchi Kiyoshi , Craigie Robert
Published: November 2011

Integration of viral DNA into the host genome is an essential step in retroviral replication that is mediated by a stable nucleoprotein complex comprising a tetramer of integrase bridging the two ends of the viral DNA in a stable synaptic complex (SSC) or intasome. Assembly of HIV‐1 intasomes requires several hundred base pairs of nonspecific internal DNA in addition to the terminal viral DNA sequence that is protected in footprinting experiments. We find that only one of the viral DNA ends in the intasome requires long‐nonspecific internal DNA for intasome assembly. Although intasomes are unstable in solution when the nonspecific internal DNA is cut off after assembly, they are stable in agarose gels. These complexes are indistinguishable from SSCs with nonspecific internal DNA in Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments suggesting the interactions with the viral DNA and integrase tetramer are the same regardless of the presence of nonspecific internal DNA. We discuss models of how the internal DNA contributes to intasome assembly and stability. FRET is exquisitely sensitive to the distance between the fluorophores and given certain assumptions can be translated to distance measurements. We anticipated that a set of such distance constraints would provide a map of the DNA path within the intasome. In reality, the constraints we could impose from the FRET data were quite weak allowing a wide envelope for the possible path. We discuss the difficulties of converting the FRET signal to absolute distance within nucleoprotein complexes.
Eigenmodes of lined flow ducts with rigid splices
Authors: Brambley E. J. , Davis A. M. J. , Peake N.
Published: November 2011

This paper presents an analytic expression for the acoustic eigenmodes of a cylindrical lined duct with rigid axially running splices in the presence of flow. The cylindrical duct is considered to be uniformly lined except for two symmetrically positioned axially running rigid liner splices. An exact analytic expression for the acoustic pressure eigenmodes is given in terms of an azimuthal Fourier sum, with the Fourier coefficients given by a recurrence relation. Since this expression is derived using a Green’s function method, the completeness of the expansion is guaranteed. A numerical procedure is described for solving this recurrence relation, which is found to converge exponentially with respect to number of Fourier terms used and is in practice quick to compute; this is then used to give several numerical examples for both uniform and sheared mean flow. An asymptotic expression is derived to directly calculate the pressure eigenmodes for thin splices. This asymptotic expression is shown to be quantitatively accurate for ducts with very thin splices of less than 1 % unlined area and qualitatively helpful for thicker splices of the order of 6 % unlined area. A thin splice is in some cases shown to increase the damping of certain acoustic modes. The influences of thin splices and thin boundary layers are compared and found to be of comparable magnitude for the parameters considered. Trapped modes at the splices are also identified and investigated.
DIRECTIVE 93/13 AND THE ‘PRICE TERM EXEMPTION’: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN THE LIGHT OF THE ‘MARKET FOR LEMONS’ RATIONALE
Authors: Schillig Michael
Published: November 2011

In the light of the Supreme Court decision in OFT v Abbey National on unarranged overdraft fees in current account contracts, this article analyses the price term exemption at the heart of Directive 93/13 in its European context, and on a comparative basis. It argues for an interpretation in line with the ‘market for lemons’ rationale, which best fits the regulatory outline of Directive 93/13, and the European Court of Justice's case law. Under this approach, only those contract terms that are subject to the correcting forces of markets and competition are part of the ‘main subject matter of the contract’ and should be exempt from assessment of fairness under Directive 93/13.
Measuring carbon uptake by karsts in southwestern China
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: November 2011

Uptake of carbon by karsts, a type of landscape shaped as water dissolves carbonate bedrock, can be a significant factor in carbon budgets. Yan et al. measured carbon uptake by karsts in the Houzhai Basin in southwestern China from 1986 to 2007. The researchers estimated that the mean uptake rate was 20.7 grams of carbon per square meter per year. Surface water and underground water contributed about equally to the carbon uptake. The scientists also observed seasonal and interannual variations in carbon uptake by karsts. In addition, they estimate that the rate of carbon uptake by karsts in all of China is about 12 teragrams of carbon per year, which is about 57% of the rate of carbon accumulation by forest biomass in China from 1981 to 1998, indicating that karsts are also a relatively important carbon sink. They suggest that carbon uptake by karsts should therefore be included in studies of the regional carbon budget in China. (Journal of Geophysical Research‐Biogeosciences, doi:10.1029/2011JG001686, 2011)
Fmoc-diphenylalanine hydrogels: understanding the variability in reported mechanical properties
Authors: Raeburn Jaclyn , Pont Guillaume , Chen Lin , Cesbron Yann , Lévy Raphaël , Adams Dave J.
Published: November 2011

The mechanical properties of Fmoc-diphenylalanine hydrogels are principally determined by the pH of the gels. Additional variability comes from the solvent and buffer choice.
Correlates of Phonological Awareness in Preschoolers With Speech Sound Disorders
Authors: Rvachew Susan , Grawburg Meghann
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among variables that may contribute to poor phonological awareness (PA) skills in preschool-aged children with speech sound disorders (SSD).

Method

Ninety-five 4- and 5-year-old children with SSD were assessed during the spring of their prekindergarten year. Linear structural equation modeling was used to compare the fit of 2 models of the possible relationships among PA, speech perception, articulation, receptive vocabulary, and emergent literacy skills.

Results

Half the children had significant difficulty with speech perception and PA despite demonstrating receptive language skills within or above the average range. The model that showed the best fit to the data indicated that speech perception is a pivotal variable that has a direct effect on PA and an indirect effect that is mediated by vocabulary skills. Articulation accuracy did not have a direct impact on PA. Emergent literacy skills were predicted by PA abilities.

Conclusions

Children with SSD are at greatest risk of delayed PA skills if they have poor speech perception abilities and/or relatively poor receptive vocabulary skills. Children with SSD should receive assessments of their speech perception, receptive vocabulary, PA, and emergent literacy skills.
AFLP, Pathogenicity, and VCG Analyses of Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium pseudocircinatum from Acacia koa
Authors: Shiraishi Ayami , Leslie John F. , Zhong Shaobin , Uchida Janice Y.
Published: November 2011

Acacia koa (koa), a native tree in Hawaii, suffers from a dieback caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Pathogenicity tests, vegetative compatibility group (VCG) tests, and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) analyses were conducted on Fusarium isolates recovered from diseased koa. Koa seedling mortality with individual strains ranged from 0 to 85%, with 42% of the strains killing no seedlings. Thus, strains of F. oxysporum recovered from dying koa trees may or may not be virulent. In addition to F. oxysporum, F. pseudocircinatum strains were isolated from diseased koa; however, they were either nonvirulent or had weak virulence. This is the first report of F. pseudocircinatum in Hawaii. The 46 strains of F. oxysporum and F. pseudocircinatum were grouped into 16 VCGs, but 86% of the highly virulent strains belonged to VCG 2. In AFLP analyses, strains from the same VCG generally clustered with one another. Identification of the same set of strains using VCG, AFLP, and pathogenicity tests showed that the highly virulent strains are genetically close and that high virulence toward koa is not a property of all strains of F. oxysporum. Thus, VCG 2 with the corresponding AFLP data is a significant biological entity for which we propose the name F. oxysporum f. sp. acaciae to reflect its virulence on koa.
Wireless sensor node localization
Authors: Lédeczi Ákos , Maróti Miklós
Published: November 2011

For most wireless sensor network (WSN) applications, the positions of the sensor nodes need to be known. Global positioning systems have not fitted into WSNs very well owing to their price, power consumption, accuracy and limitations in their operating environment. Hence, the last decade has brought about a large number of proposed methods for WSN node localization. They show tremendous variation in the physical phenomena they use, the signal properties they measure, the resources they consume, as well as in their accuracy, range, advantages and limitations. This paper provides a high-level, comprehensive overview of this very active research area.
Non‐random mate choice in humans: insights from a genome scan
Authors: LAURENT R. , TOUPANCE B. , CHAIX R.
Published: November 2011

Little is known about the genetic factors influencing mate choice in humans. Still, there is evidence for non‐random mate choice with respect to physical traits. In addition, some studies suggest that the Major Histocompatibility Complex may affect pair formation. Nowadays, the availability of high density genomic data sets gives the opportunity to scan the genome for signatures of non‐random mate choice without prior assumptions on which genes may be involved, while taking into account socio‐demographic factors. Here, we performed a genome scan to detect extreme patterns of similarity or dissimilarity among spouses throughout the genome in three populations of African, European American, and Mexican origins from the HapMap 3 database. Our analyses identified genes and biological functions that may affect pair formation in humans, including genes involved in skin appearance, morphogenesis, immunity and behaviour. We found little overlap between the three populations, suggesting that the biological functions potentially influencing mate choice are population specific, in other words are culturally driven. Moreover, whenever the same functional category of genes showed a significant signal in two populations, different genes were actually involved, which suggests the possibility of evolutionary convergences.
Disentangling determinants of egg size in the Geometridae (Lepidoptera) using an advanced phylogenetic comparative method
Authors: DAVIS R. B. , JAVOIŠ J. , PIENAAR J. , ÕUNAP E. , TAMMARU T.
Published: November 2011

We present a phylogenetic comparative study assessing the evolutionary determinants of egg size in the moth family Geometridae. These moths were found to show a strong negative allometric relationship between egg size and maternal body size. Using recently developed comparative methods based on an Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck process, we show that maternal body size explains over half the variation in egg size. However, other determinants are less clear: ecological factors, previously hypothesized to affect egg size, were not found to have a considerable influence in the Geometridae. The limited role of such third factors suggests a direct causal link between egg size and body size rather than an indirect correlation mediated by some ecological factors. Notably, no large geometrid species lay small eggs. This pattern suggests that maternal body size poses a physical constraint on egg size, but within these limits, there appears to be a rather invariable selection for larger eggs.
Sick ants become unsociable
Authors: BOS N. , LEFÈVRE T. , JENSEN A. B. , D’ETTORRE P.
Published: November 2011

Parasites represent a severe threat to social insects, which form high‐density colonies of related individuals, and selection should favour host traits that reduce infection risk. Here, using a carpenter ant (Camponotus aethiops) and a generalist insect pathogenic fungus (Metarhizium brunneum), we show that infected ants radically change their behaviour over time to reduce the risk of colony infection. Infected individuals (i) performed less social interactions than their uninfected counterparts, (ii) did not interact with brood anymore and (iii) spent most of their time outside the nest from day 3 post‐infection until death. Furthermore, infected ants displayed an increased aggressiveness towards non‐nestmates. Finally, infected ants did not alter their cuticular chemical profile, suggesting that infected individuals do not signal their physiological status to nestmates. Our results provide evidence for the evolution of unsociability following pathogen infection in a social animal and suggest an important role of inclusive fitness in driving such evolution.
Colonoscopy‐associated perforation: a 7‐year survey of in‐hospital frequency, treatment and outcome in a German university hospital
Authors: Hagel A. F. , Boxberger F. , Dauth W. , Kessler H. P. , Neurath M. F. , Raithel M.
Published: November 2011

Aim  Perforation occurs rarely after colonoscopy, but is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we assessed the perforation rate in our hospital, its clinical diagnosis and the long‐term outcome.

Method  During the study period, 7535 examinations were performed, of which 4830 were diagnostic and 2705 therapeutic. The latter included polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), dilatation and argon plasma coagulation (APC).

Results  Overall, 25 (0.33%) perforations occurred with two (0.026%) procedure‐related deaths. Seven (0.14%) perforations occurred during a diagnostic procedure and 18 (0.67%) occurred during a therapeutic procedure. Dilation, submusous resection (SMR) and APC accounted for more perforations than polypectomy or diagnostic colonoscopy. Pre‐existing gastrointestinal disease was present in 24 (96%) perforations. Three (12%) patients were treated conservatively and 22 (88%) underwent surgery. The site of perforation was closed by suture in four (18%) patients and resected with colonic anastomosis in five (23%) patients. Two patients underwent endoscopic clipping. A stoma was created after resection in 13 (59%) patients.

Conclusion  Death from perforation after colonoscopy is rare, occurring in 1/3500 examinations. The risk is increased in therapeutic colonoscopy and in the presence of previous gastrointestinal disease. Dilatation, SMR and APC appeared to confer a higher risk of perforation than polypectomy or diagnostic colonoscopy.
Refining the understanding of inhibitory processes: how response prepotency is created and overcome
Authors: Simpson Andrew , Riggs Kevin J. , Beck Sarah R. , Gorniak Sarah L. , Wu Yvette , Abbott David , Diamond Adele
Published: November 2011

Understanding (a) how responses become prepotent provides insights into when inhibition is needed in everyday life. Understanding (b) how response prepotency is overcome provides insights for helping children develop strategies for overcoming such tendencies. Concerning (a), on tasks such as the day‐night Stroop‐like task, is the difficulty with inhibiting saying the name of the stimulus due to the name being semantically related to the correct response or to its being a valid response on the task (i.e. a member of the response set) though incorrect for this stimulus? Experiment 1 (with 40 4‐year‐olds) suggests that prepotency is caused by membership in the response set and not semantic relation. Concerning (b), Diamond, Kirkham and Amso (2002) found that 4‐year‐olds could succeed on the day‐night task if the experimenter sang a ditty after showing the stimulus card, before the child was to respond. They concluded that it was because delaying children’s responses gave them time to compute the correct answer. However, Experiment 2 (with 90 3‐year‐olds) suggests that such a delay helps because it gives the incorrect, prepotent response time to passively dissipate, not because of active computation during the delay.
How do Firms’ Outward FDI Strategies Relate to their Activity at Home? Empirical Evidence for the UK
Authors: Simpson Helen
Published: November 2011

This paper provides new empirical evidence on the relationship between the structure of firms’ overseas FDI and the performance and organisation of their home‐country operations in both manufacturing and business services. It addresses two questions. First, does sorting into multinational status on the basis of productivity extend to the scale of overseas activity? Second, is there evidence that off‐shoring to low‐wage countries has asymmetric effects on high and low‐skill activities in the home economy? The paper considers heterogeneity in firms’ outward FDI strategies and in their behaviour at home, distinguishing between low‐skill and high‐skill‐intensive activities. I differentiate between firms that invest in relatively low‐wage economies and hence might be engaged in vertical FDI, and those that only invest in high‐wage economies. I find that firms that invest in low‐wage economies simultaneously invest in a large number of high‐wage economies, employing complex FDI strategies. I add to existing evidence by demonstrating that selection into multinational status on productivity extends beyond the decision of whether or not to engage in FDI, to the geographic scope of overseas operations. This is consistent with the highest productivity firms being best able to overcome large fixed costs of establishing multiple overseas facilities. I find evidence consistent with differential effects of vertical FDI on firms’ high and low‐skill manufacturing activity in the UK. Relocating low‐skill activity to relatively low‐wage economies could enable a firm to expand output, with potential positive effects on investment, employment and output in complementary (high‐skill) activities at home. For firms investing in relatively low‐wage economies, I find that labour in these countries may substitute for relatively low‐skilled labour in the UK. In high‐skill manufacturing industries I find that multinationals that invest in low‐wage economies are larger, more capital intensive and more intensive in their use of intermediate inputs than other UK‐owned firms.
The CETP I405V polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yu Lei , Shulman Joshua M. , Chibnik Lori , Leurgans Sue , Schneider Julie A. , De Jager Philip L. , Bennett David A.
Published: November 2011

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene plays an essential role in regulating cholesterol homeostasis and is a candidate susceptibility gene for late‐onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent finding suggests that the CETP I405V polymorphism (rs5882) is associated with a slower rate of memory decline and a lower risk of incident dementia. Using data from two ongoing epidemiologic clinical–pathologic cohort studies of aging and dementia in the United States, the Religious Order Study and the Memory and Aging Project, we evaluated the association of the CETP I405V polymorphism (rs5882) with cognitive decline and risk of incident AD in more than 1300 participants of European ancestry. Our results suggest that the CETP I405V polymorphism was associated with a faster rather than a slower rate of decline in cognition over time, and an increased risk of incident AD. This finding is consistent with data showing that the CETP I405V is associated with increased neuritic plaque density at autopsy.