bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nesting failure in Finnish Northern Goshawks Accipiter gentilis: incidence and cause
Authors: BYHOLM PATRIK , NIKULA ARI
Published: April 2007

Habitat composition is an important factor influencing nesting failure probability in birds. However, although various habitat effects such as fragmentation and edge density are known to have clear negative effects on the breeding success of passerines, the role that habitat composition plays in shaping nesting failure patterns among other avian groups is less well known. We studied nesting failure in a large forest raptor, the Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis, during the period 1999–2003 in Finland. Illegal human persecution was found to constitute a major cause of failure among nests where cause could be determined accurately (comprising c. 60% of all failed nesting attempts). Egg predation by corvids and nestling predation by Eagle Owls Bubo bubo were also common. However, the exact cause of nesting failure could not be inferred in every case. Overall, the degree of initial parental investment (clutch size and egg volume) was significantly smaller in nests that failed than in nesting attempts that were successful. This did not apply to nests that were destroyed by humans, in which investment was at a level equal to nests that were successful. Although the probability that a nesting attempt would fail was also related to small‐scale nest concealment, nesting failure probability was not associated with main prey density or several measures describing territorial habitat composition at larger scales. Small initial parental investment, not habitat composition, is thus the major correlate of nesting failure in Goshawks.
Populism as political communication style: An empirical study of political parties' discourse in Belgium
Authors: JAGERS JAN , WALGRAVE STEFAAN
Published: April 2007

Abstract.  The scientific debate about populism has been revitalised by the recent rise of extreme‐right parties in Western Europe. Within the broad discussion about populism and its relationship with extreme‐right, this article is confined to three topics: a conceptual, an epistemological and an empirical issue. First, taking a clear position in the ongoing definition struggle, populism is defined primarily as a specific political communication style. Populism is conceived of as a political style essentially displaying proximity of the people, while at the same time taking an anti‐establishment stance and stressing the (ideal) homogeneity of the people by excluding specific population segments. Second, it is pointed out that defining populism as a style enables one to turn it into a useful concept that has too often remained vague and blurred. Third, drawing on an operational definition of populism, a comparative discourse analysis of the political party broadcasts of the Belgian parties is carried out. The quantitative analysis leads to a clear conclusion. In terms of the degree and the kinds of populism embraced by the six political parties under scrutiny, the extreme‐right party Vlaams Blok behaves very differently from the other Belgian parties. Its messages are a copybook example of populism.
Evaluating expert judgments
Authors: STEENBERGEN MARCO R. , MARKS GARY
Published: April 2007

Abstract. Although expert surveys have gained a prominent place in comparative studies of party positions on issues, their validity has been called into question. In this article, some of the validity concerns are evaluated in the context of the authors' own expert survey on national party positions vis‐à‐vis European integration. One goal of the article is to demonstrate that this expert survey produces valid measures of party positions. An equally important goal, however, is to suggest some methods that can help in assessing the quality of expert survey data. These methods, which are rooted in psychometric theory, are applicable in a variety of contexts and are easily implemented.
Temporal denitrification patterns in different horizons of two riparian soils
Authors: Cosandey A‐C. , Maître V. , Guenat C.
Published: April 2007

The dynamics of biological denitrification in riparian soil is still poorly understood. We studied the spring‐time pattern of denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA) and the rate of denitrification (DNT) in two hydromorphic riparian soils, one a mollic Gleysol and the other a terric Histosol. The average DEA ranged from 73 to 1232 ng N g−1 hour−1, and DNT ranged from 4 to 36 ng N g−1 hour−1. Both DEA and DNT diminished with increasing depth in both soil types. This decrease corresponded to a decrease in total and K2SO4‐extractable organic carbon and K2SO4‐extractable mineral nitrogen. The DEA and DNT differed in their dynamics. The former had no evident pattern in subsurface horizons but increased with temperature at the end of spring in surface and structural horizons. The DNT diminished as the soil dried in the mollic Gleysol when the water table fell. In the terric Histosol, the water table was still too high at the end of spring to affect the DNT. The results suggest that the vertical pattern of denitrification is related to that of organic carbon content. This organic carbon content determines biological activity and the supply of carbon and nitrous oxides. In biologically active horizons temperature drives the dynamics of DEA, whereas soil moisture drives the dynamics of DNT. Our results show the importance of the dynamic soil–water relationship in controlling denitrification within the riparian zone.
Prevalence and incidence of depressive disorder: the Baltimore ECA follow‐up, 1981–2004
Authors: Eaton W. W. , Kalaydjian A. , Scharfstein D. O. , Mezuk B. , Ding Y.
Published: April 2007

Objective:  To describe trends in prevalence and incidence of depressive disorder in a cohort from Eastern Baltimore.

Method:  Twenty‐three‐year‐old longitudinal cohort, the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Follow‐up. Participants were selected probabilistically from the household population in 1981, and interviewed in 1981, 1993, and 2004. Diagnoses were made via the Diagnostic Interview Schedule according to successive editions of the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

Results:  Older age, lower education, non‐White race, and cognitive impairment are independent predictors of attrition due to death and loss of contact, but depressive disorder is not related to attrition. Prevalence rates rise for females between 1981, 1993, and 2004. Incidence rates in the period 1993–2004 are lower than the period 1981–1993, suggesting the rise in prevalence is due to increasing chronicity.

Conclusion:  There has been a rise in the prevalence of depression in the prior quarter century among middle‐aged females.
A cost‐effectiveness analysis of caspofungin vs. liposomal amphotericin B for treatment of suspected fungal infections in the UK
Authors: Bruynesteyn Karin , Gant Vanya , McKenzie Catherine , Pagliuca Tony , Poynton Chris , Kumar Ritesh N. , Jansen Jeroen P.
Published: April 2007

Objective:  To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of caspofungin vs. liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of suspected fungal infections in the UK.

Methods:  The cost‐effectiveness of caspofungin vs. liposomal amphotericin B was evaluated using a decision‐tree model. The decision tree was populated using both data and clinical definitions from published clinical studies. Model outcomes included success in terms of resolution of fever, baseline infection, absence of breakthrough infection, survival and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) saved. Discontinuation due to nephrotoxicity or other adverse events were included in the model. Efficacy and safety data were based on additional analyses of a randomised, double blind, multinational trial of caspofungin compared with liposomal amphotericin B. Information on life expectancy, quality of life, medical resource consumption and costs were obtained from peer‐reviewed published data.

Results:  The caspofungin mean total treatment cost was £9762 (95% uncertainty interval 6955–12 577), which was £2033 (−2489; 6779) less than liposomal amphotericin B. Treatment with caspofungin resulted in 0.40 (−0.12; 0.94) additional QALYs saved in comparison with liposomal amphotericin B. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis found a 95% probability of the incremental cost per QALY saved being within the generally accepted threshold for cost‐effectiveness (£30 000). Additional analyses with varying dose of caspofungin and liposomal amphotericin B confirmed these findings.

Conclusion:  Given the underlying assumptions, caspofungin is cost‐effective compared with liposomal amphotericin B in the treatment of suspected fungal infections in the UK.
The prognostic significance of cytogenetic aberrations in childhood acute myeloid leukaemia. A study of the Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG)
Authors: Betts David R. , Ammann Roland A. , Hirt Andreas , Hengartner Heinz , Beck‐Popovic Maja , Kuhne Thomas , Nobile Luisa , Caflisch Ueli , Wacker Pierre , Niggli Felix K.
Published: April 2007

In childhood‐onset acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) the clinical value of karyotypic aberrations is now acknowledged, although there is still debate concerning the prognostic significance of some events. To add to this knowledge, cytogenetic analysis was performed on a consecutive series of 84 childhood AML patients diagnosed in Switzerland. A result was obtained for all patients, with 69 (82%) showing a clonal karyotypic aberration. In the remaining 15 (18%), no karyotypic aberration was seen by either conventional or fluorescence in situ hybridisation analyses. The most frequent aberrations observed were t(11q23) (19% of all patients), t(8;21) (12%) and +8 (11%). Except for cytogenetics, no clinical parameter was shown to be significantly associated with outcome. The analysis of individual cytogenetic subgroups demonstrated that aberrations involving chromosome 16q were the strongest predictor of a good prognosis, while +8 and complex karyotypes represented the strongest predictors of a poor prognosis. It was also noteworthy that patients with the rare aberrations of del(11q) (n = 4) and t(16;21)(p11;q22) (n = 3) had a poor outcome. The results support the importance of cytogenetic analysis in childhood AML, but show that further work is required in the classification of the poor prognosis aberrations.
Alopecia areata in a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Beardi B. , Wanert F. , Zöller M. , Freyschmidt‐Paul P. , Bodemer W. , Kaup F.‐J.
Published: April 2007

Background  A 14‐year‐old female rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) of Chinese origin has been suffering from alopecia universalis since childhood.

Methods  Recently, the health status of the animal was recorded comprehensively by detailed clinical examination including hematology and serology supplemented by histological and immunohistochemical investigations of skin biopsies and molecular biological techniques to clarify the causes of the persistent hair loss.

Results and conclusions  The hairless gene (hr) nonsense mutation was ruled out by polymerase chain reaction and by sequencing of the corresponding gene. Histological examinations revealed a prominent chronic lymphocytic perifolliculitis and folliculitis affecting anagen stage hair follicles as well as miniaturized hair follicles. Immunohistochemistry using the antibodies CD3, CD20 and CD4 confirmed the diagnosis of a T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune disease resembling alopecia areata universalis in humans.
Pegylated interferon‐α2a treatment of chronic SIV‐infected macaques
Authors: Asmuth D.M. , Abel K. , George M.D. , Dandekar S. , Pollard R.B. , Miller C.J.
Published: April 2007

Background  In vitro and clinical observations in HIV‐infected patients receiving interferon α therapy have shown a reduction in HIV loads. Limited investigations have explored the innate or adaptive immune responses of IFN‐α on SIV replication in vivo.

Methods  Seven chronically infected rhesus macaques were given pegylated IFN‐α2a (n = four) or saline (n = three) injections once weekly for 14 weeks. Weekly peripheral blood samples were taken for safety parameters, viral load determinations, and measurements of innate and adaptive immune responses.

Results  Pharmacokinetic measurements demonstrated therapeutic peg‐IFN‐α levels for the initial period of therapy and IFN‐α inducible antiviral molecules were increased sporadically in the PBMC mRNA of the treatment group. Despite the demonstrable effect of the IFN‐α injections, the treatment had no effect on plasma viral RNA levels.

Conclusions  This work demonstrates that while short term IFN‐α therapy induces innate antiviral immunity, it does not dramatically enhance or suppress viral replication. However, studies in the SIV model to determine therapeutic potential of chronic IFN‐α therapy for the treatment of HIV will require macaque specific cytokines.
Autonomous folding of interdomain regions of a modular polyketide synthase
Authors: Richter Carsten D. , Stanmore David A. , Miguel Ricardo N. , Moncrieffe Martin C. , Tran Lucky , Brewerton Suzanne , Meersman Filip , Broadhurst R. William , Weissman Kira J.
Published: April 2007

Domains within the multienzyme polyketide synthases are linked by noncatalytic sequences of variable length and unknown function. Recently, the crystal structure was reported of a portion of the linker between the acyltransferase (AT) and ketoreductase (KR) domains from module 1 of the erythromycin synthase (6‐deoxyerythronolide B synthase), as a pseudodimer with the adjacent ketoreductase (KR). On the basis of this structure, the homologous linker region between the dehydratase (DH) and enoyl reductase (ER) domains in fully reducing modules has been proposed to occupy a position on the periphery of the polyketide synthases complex, as in porcine fatty acid synthase. We report here the expression and characterization of the same region of the 6‐deoxyerythronolide B synthase module 1 AT‐KR linker, without the adjacent KR domain (termed ΔN AT1‐KR1), as well as the corresponding section of the DH‐ER linker. The linkers fold autonomously and are well structured. However, analytical gel filtration and ultracentrifugation analysis independently show that ΔN AT1‐KR1 is homodimeric in solution; site‐directed mutagenesis further demonstrates that linker self‐association is compatible with the formation of a linker‐KR pseudodimer. Our data also strongly indicate that the DH‐ER linker associates with the upstream DH domain. Both of these findings are incompatible with the proposed model for polyketide synthase architecture, suggesting that it is premature to allocate the linker regions to a position in the multienzymes based on the solved structure of animal fatty acid synthase.
Successful management of deep facial burns in a patient with extensive third‐degree burns: the role of a nanocrystalline silver dressing in facilitating resurfacing
Authors: Marazzi Mario , De Angelis Armando , Ravizza Adriano , Ordanini Marco N. , Falcone Leonarda , Chiaratti Anna , Crovato Francesca , Calò Donata , Veronese Silvio , Rapisarda Vincenzo
Published: April 2007

Full‐thickness burns of the face are notoriously difficult to repair and their management poses a series of problems to the surgeon. We present the case of a 49‐year‐old man (only survivor of a catastrophic airport accident) with third‐degree flame burns to >80% of total body surface area and extensive face damage who achieved a fully satisfactory outcome after a treatment plan based on gradual escharectomy followed by application of artificial dermis and, later, grafting with sheets of cultured keratinocytes. Re‐epithelialisation was already visible at day 16 after admission and all facial wounds were closed by day 56, the treatment continuing on the scalp. Within 6 months of the accident, the patient had recovered functional and cosmetic features (including re‐growth of skin appendages) that were beyond expectations. The use of nanocrystalline silver‐coated dressings during the escharectomy and resurfacing phases was important, as part of a multifaceted strategy, in ensuring excellent antimicrobial control, thus avoiding the need for autologous grafting and contributing to a rapid healing and complete restoration of the face and head skin.
Clinical predictors of treatment failure for diabetic foot infections: data from a prospective trial
Authors: Lipsky Benjamin A , Sheehan Peter , Armstrong David G , Tice Alan D , Polis Adam B , Abramson Murray A
Published: April 2007

To aid clinicians in selecting the appropriate approach for treating patients with diabetic foot infections, we investigated whether any baseline clinical findings predicted an unfavourable clinical outcome. Using data from a large, prospective treatment trial of diabetic foot infections (SIDESTEP), we assessed the association between clinical treatment failure and baseline history, physical and laboratory findings, by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Among 402 patients clinically evaluable 10 days after completing antibiotic therapy, baseline factors significantly (P < 0·05) associated by univariate analysis with treatment failure were ‘severe’ (versus ‘moderate’) University of Texas (UT) wound grade; elevated white blood cell count, C‐reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate; high wound severity score; inpatient treatment; low serum albumin; male sex; and skin temperature of affected foot >10°C above that of unaffected foot. By multivariate logistic regression only severe UT wound grade (odds ratio 2·1) and elevated white blood cell count [odds ratio 1·7 for a 1 standard deviation (2971 cells/mm3) increase] remained statistically significant. Clinical failure rates were 46% for patients with both risk factors compared with 10% for patients with no risk factors and 16–17% for patients with one risk factor. Increased white blood cell count and severe UT wound grade at baseline, but not other features, were significant independent and additive risk factors for clinical failure in patients treated for a diabetic foot infection.
Comment on "Divergent Induced Responses to an Invasive Predator in Marine Mussel Populations"
Authors: Rawson Paul D. , Yund Philip O. , Lindsay Sara M.
Published: April 2007

Freeman and Byers (Reports, 11 August 2006, p. 831) presented evidence for the rapid evolution of antipredator defenses in the mussel
Mytilus edulis.
However, their analysis is confounded by three issues. Samples from some sites are likely to have included a second species,
M. trossulus
; their manipulation of chemical cues does not preclude other interpretations; and they failed to establish an adaptive significance to shell thickening.
Response to Comment on "Divergent Induced Responses to an Invasive Predator in Marine Mussel Populations"
Authors: Freeman Aaren S. , Byers James E.
Published: April 2007

Preliminary DNA analysis indicates that only a few
Mytilus trossulus
mussels were present in our study of
M. edulis
. Excluding these
M. trossulus
did not influence the outcome of our analyses. Our study provides essential evidence that populations of
M. edulis
respond differently to the two crab predators, and the adaptive significance of shell thickening in mollusks is well established.
Acid Catalysis in Basic Solution: A Supramolecular Host Promotes Orthoformate Hydrolysis
Authors: Pluth Michael D. , Bergman Robert G. , Raymond Kenneth N.
Published: April 2007

Although many enzymes can promote chemical reactions by tuning substrate properties purely through the electrostatic environment of a docking cavity, this strategy has proven challenging to mimic in synthetic host-guest systems. Here, we report a highly charged, water-soluble, metal-ligand assembly with a hydrophobic interior cavity that thermodynamically stabilizes protonated substrates and consequently catalyzes the normally acidic hydrolysis of orthoformates in basic solution, with rate accelerations of up to 890-fold. The catalysis reaction obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics and exhibits competitive inhibition, and the substrate scope displays size selectivity, consistent with the constrained binding environment of the molecular host.
Seeing Is Believing?
Authors: Ritvo Harriet
Published: April 2007

Charles Darwin and Victorian Visual Culture
.
By Jonathan Smith
. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2006. 374 pp. $100, £60. ISBN 9780521856904. Cambridge Studies in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture.

Smith explores how Darwin used images to support his scientific claims as well as the cultural influence of his evolutionary explanation for beauty.
Rational Peptide Selection To Detect Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Specific T-Cell Responses under Resource-Limited Conditions
Authors: Willberg C. B. , Pillai S. K. , Sharp E. R. , Rosenberg M. G. , Agudelo J. D. , Barbour J. D. , Nixon D. F.
Published: April 2007

Understanding human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses is important for the development of vaccines and therapies. We describe a novel method for the rational selection of peptides that target stable regions of the HIV-1 genome, rich in epitopes specifically recognized by the study population. This method will be of particular use under resource/sample-limited conditions.
Immune Responses Induced by Replication-Defective Adenovirus Expressing the C-Terminal Portion of theMycoplasma hyopneumoniaeP97 Adhesin
Authors: Okamba F. R. , Moreau E. , Cheikh Saad Bouh K. , Gagnon C. A. , Massie B. , Arella M.
Published: April 2007

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia, colonizes the respiratory cilia of affected swine, causing significant economic losses to swine production worldwide. Vaccination is the most cost-effective strategy for the control and prevention of this disease. The goal of this study was to design and evaluate a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus, rAdP97c, expressing the C-terminal portion of P97 adhesin (P97c), an important pathogenesis-associated protein ofM. hyopneumoniae, as a new vaccine candidate againstM. hyopneumoniaeinfection. P97c-specific immune responses were evaluated in BALB/c mice following intranasal and intramuscular inoculation with rAdP97c. Mice inoculated by both routes of immunization produced significant levels of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the serum and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALs). Animals immunized intranasally also produced a significant level of P97c-specific IgA in BALs. Intramuscular inoculation of rAdP97c induced a systemic and mucosal Th1-type biased response, evidenced by the predominance of IgG2a in the serum and BALs, whereas intranasal inoculation resulted in a mixed Th1/Th2-type response (balanced levels of IgG1 and IgG2a) in both sytemic and mucosal compartments. P97c-specific antibodies were able to inhibit the growth ofM. hyopneumoniaecells in vitro. These data suggest that rAdP97c vaccine may represent a new strategy for controlling infection byM. hyopneumoniae.
Serotype Distribution and Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Nasopharyngeal Isolates of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
from Children Hospitalized for Acute Respiratory Illnesses in Hong Kong
Authors: Ip Margaret , Nelson E. Anthony S. , Cheuk Edmund S. C. , Sung Rita Y. T. , Li Albert , Ma Helen , Chan Paul K. S.
Published: April 2007

Five hundred nineteen
Streptococcus pneumoniae
isolates from nasopharyngeal aspirates of 3,157 children (age, <16 years) participating in a respiratory surveillance study in Hong Kong in 2005 and 2006 indicated that 64.9% and 37.2% of the isolates were not susceptible to penicillin and cefotaxime, respectively. The rate of potential coverage by the seven-valent conjugate vaccine was 72.3%, and the rate increased to 74.6% for serogroup-specific types.
Base Pairing between
cis
-Acting Sequences Contributes to Template Switching during Plus-Strand DNA Synthesis in Human Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Lewellyn Eric B. , Loeb Daniel D.
Published: April 2007

Hepadnaviruses utilize two template switches (primer translocation and circularization) during synthesis of plus-strand DNA to generate a relaxed-circular (RC) DNA genome. In duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) three
cis
-acting sequences, 3E, M, and 5E, contribute to both template switches through base pairing, 3E with the 3′ portion of M and 5E with the 5′ portion of M. Human hepatitis B virus (HBV) also contains multiple
cis
-acting sequences that contribute to the accumulation of RC DNA, but the mechanisms through which these sequences contribute were previously unknown. Three of the HBV
cis
-acting sequences (h3E, hM, and h5E) occupy positions equivalent to those of the DHBV 3E, M, and 5E. We present evidence that h3E and hM contribute to the synthesis of RC DNA through base pairing during both primer translocation and circularization. Mutations that disrupt predicted base pairing inhibit both template switches while mutations that restore the predicted base pairing restore function. Therefore, the h3E-hM base pairing appears to be a conserved requirement for template switching during plus-strand DNA synthesis of HBV and DHBV. Also, we show that base pairing is not sufficient to explain the mechanism of h3E and hM, as mutating sequences adjacent to the base pairing regions inhibited both template switches. Finally, we did not identify predicted base pairing between h5E and the hM region, indicating a possible difference between HBV and DHBV. The significance of these similarities and differences between HBV and DHBV will be discussed.
Herpes Simplex Virus Latency-Associated Transcript Sequence Downstream of the Promoter Influences Type-Specific Reactivation and Viral Neurotropism
Authors: Bertke Andrea S. , Patel Amita , Krause Philip R.
Published: April 2007

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) establishes latency in sensory nerve ganglia during acute infection and may later periodically reactivate to cause recurrent disease. HSV type 1 (HSV-1) reactivates more efficiently than HSV-2 from trigeminal ganglia while HSV-2 reactivates more efficiently than HSV-1 from lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) to cause recurrent orofacial and genital herpes, respectively. In a previous study, a chimeric HSV-2 that expressed the latency-associated transcript (LAT) from HSV-1 reactivated similarly to wild-type HSV-1, suggesting that the LAT influences the type-specific reactivation phenotype of HSV-2. To further define the LAT region essential for type-specific reactivation, we constructed additional chimeric HSV-2 viruses by replacing the HSV-2 LAT promoter (HSV2-LAT-P1) or 2.5 kb of the HSV-2 LAT sequence (HSV2-LAT-S1) with the corresponding regions from HSV-1. HSV2-LAT-S1 was impaired for reactivation in the guinea pig genital model, while its rescuant and HSV2-LAT-P1 reactivated with a wild-type HSV-2 phenotype. Moreover, recurrences of HSV-2-LAT-S1 were frequently fatal, in contrast to the relatively mild recurrences of the other viruses. During recurrences, HSV2-LAT-S1 DNA increased more in the sacral cord compared to its rescuant or HSV-2. Thus, the LAT sequence region, not the LAT promoter region, provides essential elements for type-specific reactivation of HSV-2 and also plays a role in viral neurotropism. HSV-1 DNA, as quantified by real-time PCR, was more abundant in the lumbar spinal cord, while HSV-2 DNA was more abundant in the sacral spinal cord, which may provide insights into the mechanism for type-specific reactivation and different patterns of central nervous system infection of HSV-1 and HSV-2.
The Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus K5 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Modulates Targets by Multiple Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Means Robert E. , Lang Sabine M. , Jung Jae U.
Published: April 2007

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus encodes two highly related membrane-associated, RING-CH-containing (MARCH) family E3 ubiquitin ligases, K3 and K5, that can down regulate a variety of cell surface proteins through enhancement of their endocytosis and degradation. In this report we present data that while K5 modulation of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) closely mirrors the mechanisms used by K3, alternative molecular pathways are utilized by this E3 ligase in the down regulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and B7.2. Internalization assays demonstrate that down regulation of each target can occur through increased endocytosis from the cell surface. However, mutation of a conserved tyrosine-based endocytosis motif in K5 resulted in a protein lacking the ability to direct an increased rate of MHC-I or ICAM-1 internalization but still able to down regulate B7.2 in a ubiquitin-dependent but endocytosis-independent manner. Further, mutation of two acidic clusters abolished K5-mediated MHC-I degradation while only slightly decreasing ICAM-1 or B7.2 protein destruction. This same mutant abolished detectable ubiquitylation of all targets. These data indicate that while K5 can act as an E3 ubiquitin ligase to directly mediate cell surface molecule destruction, regulation of its targets occurs through multiple pathways, including ubiquitin-independent mechanisms.
Location and Role of Free Cysteinyl Residues in the Sindbis Virus E1 and E2 Glycoproteins
Authors: Whitehurst Christopher B. , Soderblom Erik J. , West Michelle L. , Hernandez Raquel , Goshe Michael B. , Brown Dennis T.
Published: April 2007

Sindbis virus is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus. It is composed of 240 copies of three structural proteins: E1, E2, and capsid. These proteins form a mature virus particle composed of two nested T=4 icosahedral shells. A complex network of disulfide bonds in the E1 and E2 glycoproteins is developed through a series of structural intermediates as virus maturation occurs (M. Mulvey and D. T. Brown, J. Virol. 68:805-812, 1994; M. Carleton et al., J. Virol. 71:1558-1566, 1997). To better understand the nature of this disulfide network, E1 and E2 cysteinyl residues were labeled with iodoacetamide in the native virus particle and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. This analysis identified cysteinyl residues of E1 and E2, which were found to be label accessible in the native virus particle, as well as those that were either label inaccessible or blocked by their involvement in disulfide bonds. Native virus particles alkylated with iodoacetamide demonstrated a 4-log decrease in viral infectivity. This suggests that the modification of free cysteinyl residues results in the loss of infectivity by destabilizing the virus particle or that a rearrangement of disulfide bonds, which is required for infectivity, is blocked by the modification. Although modification of these residues prevented infectivity, it did not alter the ability of virus to fuse cells after exposure to acidic pH; thus, modification of free cysteinyl residues biochemically separated the process of infection from the process of membrane fusion.
Ionic Liquid Supports Stable Under Conditions of Peptide Couplings, Deprotections and Traceless Suzuki Reactions
Authors: Mincheva Zoia , Bonnette Fabien , Lavastre Olivier
Published: April 2007

Ionic liquid supports (ILS) functionalized with carboxylic, alcoholic or amino groups were synthesized, based on 1-methylimidazolium and pyridinium cations, and bromide, chloride, iodide and tetrafluoroborate anions. These reactive ionic liquids were fully characterized by NMR and HRMS. Ionic liquids based on 1-(6-aminohexyl)-3-methylimidazolium iodide have been used in the conditions of peptide chemistry such as coupling and deprotection reactions. A method for attaching (bromophenyl)silanes to the ionic liquid supports was also developed to introduce traceless linkers. An ionic liquid with attached bromobenzene was reacted with ArB(OH)2 under the Suzuki cross-coupling conditions and the resulting compound was cleaved by bromodesilylation with Br2/pyridine to give the substituted products in good yields. The substrate loading of the ILS is high and can be tuned to between 2.5 and 5.0 mmol/g.
The effect of individual counselling and education on work ability and disability pension: a prospective intervention study in the construction industry
Authors: de Boer A G E M , Burdorf A , van Duivenbooden C , Frings-Dresen M H W
Published: April 2007

Objectives:

To investigate the effectiveness of a counselling and education programme on work ability and work disability pension for employees in the construction industry.

Methods:

Employees with a high disability risk of 38% or more in the following four years were included. Employees in the intervention group were either selected by an occupational physician or enrolled themselves. They received an assessment and individual programme focused on optimising work functioning, while the control group received care-as-usual. Data on work ability measured with the Work Ability Index (WAI) and work disability pensions were collected at baseline during a periodic occupational health examination and at 9, 18 and 26 months after the start of the intervention using a questionnaire.

Results:

Most employees in both the intervention (n = 83) and control group (n = 209) were carpenters (43% and 37%) and bricklayers (7% and 15%). In the intervention group, 42% successfully completed the programme. Work ability in the intervention group was lower at baseline but showed an increase over time while work ability of the control group remained the same. The work ability in the intervention group improved slightly more (p = 0.09). No statistically significant differences in percentages of employees receiving a disability pension between the intervention and control group were found at 9 or 18 months and no differences in the age-adjusted percentages of employees receiving a disability pension were found between the groups at any measurement.

Conclusions:

The programme was slightly effective in improving the work ability but not in reducing work disability pensions. A more comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention programme might be necessary.
AUTOMATED RANGE-OF-MOTION DEVICE FOR TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY PROSTHESIS
Authors: Prabhakar Prashanth P. , Chen Qingshan , Schultz Fredrick , Lazennec Jean Yves , An Kai-Nan
Published: April 2007

Hip simulators are regularly used by researchers to assess total hip arthroplasty (THA) implants, range of motion, stability, and alignment of acetabular cup and stem. Previous papers have described three types of simulators: three-dimensional protractors, biaxial rocking motion (BRM) protractors, and single-axis prosthetic range-of-motion (PROM) devices. We have developed a new hip simulator in which the ROM device is completely automated in three independent axes (elevation, internal/external rotation, and plane of elevation). Coupled with the simulator, we used a FaroArm Gold Series coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to accurately align the implant components. The results show that the methodology and alignment setup are accurate and repeatable. With this simulator and digitizer, we are able to study the characteristics of numerous THA implants at various orientations of the pelvis, acetabular cup, stem, and femur.
CHALLENGING DEGENERATIVE LUMBAR SCOLIOSIS WITH SEGMENTAL CORRECTIVE FUSION SURGERY
Authors: Iizuka Takahiro , Yamada S.
Published: April 2007

Changes in the curvature have not been reported in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) when the correction surgery was performed. The purpose of our study was to clarify the influence of the correction surgery of DLS. Twenty-one patients underwent corrective lumbar reconstruction surgery (1998–2003) only at the neurologically affected levels. The spinal curvature was retrospectively evaluated in these 21 patients with DLS using Cobb's methods. The mean preoperative Cobb's angle was 17.7° while the mean postoperative Cobb's angle was 6.1° (p < 0.0001) at 1 month after the surgery and 9.0° at the final follow-up. The correction rate was 65.2% at 1 month after the surgery and 50.2% at the final follow-up. Cobb's angle increased by 2.9°/43.4 months (mean, 0.80°/year) in these procedure. The surgical goals of DLS are the relief of neurological disorders and the cessation of the deterioration of spinal alignment. Strategies for DLS may include complete decompression, or correction of the spinal alignment in elderly patients with poor bone quality. Decompression and correction in the PLIF procedure only at neurologically affected levels may be one of the surgical procedures to challenge DLS.
USE OF THE ONE-AND-A-HALF-SPECTRUM TO DETERMINE BARKHAUSEN NOISE ASYMMETRY
Authors: MILLS A. C. , WEISSMAN M. B. , DURIN G.
Published: April 2007

We demonstrate the use of the one-and-a-half spectrum as a way of looking at the time-asymmetry of Barkhausen noise. This method is of particular value because it allows us to look in the regime where individual Barkhausen pulses are no longer distinguishable. We use the one-and-a-half spectrum on Barkhausen data from two different ferromagnetic samples and find asymmetries in the noise of both. The magnitude of the asymmetry is different in the two samples and we find no clear change in the asymmetry when we move from the regime of well-separated jumps at low field rate to the continuous fluctuating signal at higher rates.
NOISE MEASUREMENTS ON NbN THIN FILMS WITH A NEGATIVE TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE COEFFICIENT DEPOSITED ON SAPPHIRE AND ON SiO2
Authors: LEROY G. , GEST J. , VANDAMME L. K. J. , BOURGEOIS O.
Published: April 2007

We characterize granular NbN x thin cermet films deposited on either sapphire substrate or on SiO 2 and compare the 1/f noise at 300 K and 80 K. The films were characterized with an impedance analyzer from 20 Hz to 1 MHz and analyzed as a resistor R in parallel with a capacitor C. The calculated noise voltage spectral density SvTh of the sample is in agreement with the experimentally observed noise for unbiased samples.

The noise measurements on biased samples show 1/f noise. We checked that contact noise does not contribute to our measurements. The 1/f noise was compared for the films deposited on the silicon substrate and on the sapphire.

Finally a model is proposed to explain the observed trends in the temperature resistance coefficient (TRC < 0 for all samples) and the relative 1/f noise at 300 K and 80 K with the composition x = N/Nb of the layers.
AN INFINITE DIMENSIONAL VERSION OF THE SCHUR CONVEXITY PROPERTY AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: VALLÉE CLAUDE , RĂDULESCU VICENŢIU
Published: April 2007

We extend to infinite dimensional separable Hilbert spaces the Schur convexity property of eigenvalues of a symmetric matrix with real entries. Our framework includes both the case of linear, selfadjoint, compact operators, and that of linear selfadjoint operators that can be approximated by operators of finite rank and having a countable family of eigenvalues. The abstract results of the present paper are illustrated by several examples from mechanics or quantum mechanics, including the Sturm–Liouville problem, the Schrödinger equation, and the harmonic oscillator.
STOCHASTIC SOLUTIONS OF THE TWO-DIMENSIONAL PRIMITIVE EQUATIONS OF THE OCEAN AND ATMOSPHERE WITH AN ADDITIVE NOISE
Authors: EWALD B. , PETCU M. , TEMAM R.
Published: April 2007

The aim of this article is to establish the existence and uniqueness of stochastic solutions of the two-dimensional equations of the ocean and atmosphere. White noise is additive, and the solutions are strong in the probabilistic sense. Finally, from the point of view of partial differential equations, they are of the type z-weak, that is, bounded in L∞(L2) together with their derivative in z.
MULTIPLE SOLITON SOLUTIONS FOR THE NAGUMO EQUATION AND THE MODIFIED GENERAL BURGERS-FISHER EQUATION
Authors: ABDUSALAM H. A.
Published: April 2007

A generalized tanh-function method is used for constructing exact travelling wave solutions for Nagumo's equation and the modified generalized Burger-Fisher equation. Also new multiple soliton solutions are obtained for both equations. Limit case of the time delay is studied and the results of the general Burgers-Fisher equations are verified.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF ARBITRARY-SHAPED CRACKS IN PIEZOELECTRIC SOLIDS UNDER SHEAR LOADING
Authors: YU HE-GEN , CHEN MENG-CHENG
Published: April 2007

This paper is a sequel of the author's previous work [Chen (2004)]. It deals with some basic linear electro-elastic fracture problems for an arbitrary-shaped planar crack in a three-dimensional infinite transversely isotropic piezoelectric material subjected to shear loading that is antisymmetric with respect to the crack. The finite-part integral concept is used to derive hypersingular integral equations for the crack from available solutions of the point force and charge for an infinite transversely isotropic piezoelectric solid. Closed-type solutions for the full electro-elastic fields, for the stress and electric displacement K-fields and the energy release rate G are obtained. In particular, under uniform shear loading, exact expressions for an elliptical crack are derived with introducing the ellipsoidal coordinates. Finally, numerical examples for some typical crack problems are also demonstrated in table and graphic forms.
THE DETECTION OF PERSONS IN CLUTTERED BEACH SCENES USING DIGITAL VIDEO IMAGERY AND NEURAL NETWORK-BASED CLASSIFICATION
Authors: GREEN STEVE , BLUMENSTEIN MICHAEL , BROWNE MATTHEW , TOMLINSON RODGER
Published: April 2007

This paper presents an investigation into the detection and quantification of persons in real-world beach scenes for the automated monitoring of public recreation areas. Aside from the obvious use of video and digital imagery for surveillance applications, this research focuses on the analysis of images for the purpose of predicting trends in the intensity of public usage at beach sites in Australia. The proposed system uses image enhancement and segmentation techniques to detect objects in cluttered scenes. Following these steps, a newly proposed feature extraction technique is used to represent salient information in the extracted objects for training of a neural network. The neural classifier is used to distinguish the extracted objects between "person" and "non-person" categories to facilitate analysis of tourist activity. Encouraging results are presented for person classification on a database of real-word beach scene images.
ENHANCED FRAME-BASED VIDEO CODING TO SUPPORT CONTENT-BASED FUNCTIONALITIES
Authors: HOSUR PRABHUDEV , CARRASCO ROLANDO
Published: April 2007

This paper presents the enhanced frame-based video coding scheme. The input source video to the enhanced frame-based video encoder consists of a rectangular-sized video and shapes of arbitrarily shaped objects on video frames. The rectangular frame texture is encoded by the conventional frame-based coding technique and the video object's shape is encoded using the contour-based vertex coding. It is possible to achieve several useful content-based functionalities by utilizing the shape information in the bitstream at the cost of a very small overhead to the bit-rate.
CALIBRATION OF AN ARTIFICIAL MOUTH FOR AUTOMATIC PERFORMANCE OF A TRUMPET USING A GENETIC ALGORITHM
Authors: BILITSKI JAMES
Published: April 2007

The artificial mouth is a robotic device that simulates a human mouth. It consists of moveable lips and an adjustable air supply. In this study the use of a genetic algorithm to compute air pressure and lip pressure values so that the artificial mouth can correctly play five notes on a brass instrument is investigated. In order to properly play a brass instrument, a player must apply proper tension between the lips and apply proper airflow so that the lips vibrate at the proper frequency. A fast search algorithm was needed because it takes about 4 seconds to measure the frequency produced by each combination of pressure parameters. This measurement is slow because of the slow moving mechanics of the system and a delay produced while the notes are measured for pitch. The efficiency of this algorithm was compared to an exhaustive search. Experimentation was performed using various combinations of genetic parameters, including population size, crossover rate, and mutation rate. The genetic search was shown to be about 10 times faster than the exhaustive search because the genetic algorithm searches only very small portions of the search space.
A NEW LECTURE ALLOCATION SUPPORT SYSTEM BASED ON USERS' MULTIPLE PREFERENCES IN CAMPUS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Authors: MATSUO TOKURO , FUJIMOTO TAKAYUKI
Published: April 2007

This paper proposes an effective lecture allocation method based on users' profiles and utilities in elective subjects. In many universities and colleges, elective subject systems are employed as a curriculum in which students make their own learning experiences. Students select multiple subjects based on their interests and preferences. Generally, each university determines members of elective subjects based on simple rules, such as the order of grade, random selection, and first arrival. Current determination systems have strong limitations in terms of reflecting users' multiple preferences. We propose a new determination algorithm and a user support system based on users' profiles and multi-attribute preferences. When users' preferences are not reflected in algorithm-based determination, a coordination agent decides lecture allocation cooperatively with each user's agent. Main advantage of our system is mainly that lectures are allocated effectively that reflected users' multiple preferences.
Difficulties in fitting scientific data
Authors: Dunham Charles B.
Published: April 2007

The major potential difficulties in obtaining parameters of a model from scientific observations are discussed in the context of the theory of best approximation.
Comparison of some available packages for use in research data management
Authors: Greenberg Edward A. , Ivey Wm. Max , Lewis Bruce R.
Published: April 2007

Data management features of SIR, SAS, and SPSS were applied to a sample hierarchical data base. For each package, the areas investigated included the logical definition of the data base, data entry, data retrieval, data integrity, security, reporting, and updating.
The 1940 and 1950 Public Use Sample Project
Authors: Cohn Richard M. , Prouse Howard R.
Published: April 2007

The 1940 and 1950 Public Use Sample Project is the creation of 1/100 household samples from the 1940 and 1950 Censuses of Population. The data source for the samples is the microfilmed original Population Schedules which contain the census enumerator's recording of household information. The procedure to sample the universe of household listings and transcribe the sample households' data is described in the paper. A pretest of the 1940 Public Use Sample included a comparison of three methods of sampling and transcription. The results of this comparison are reported. The applicability of these procedures to similar projects is discussed.