bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety Impacts of SUVs, Vans, and Pickup Trucks in Two‐Vehicle Crashes
Authors: Toy Edmond L. , Hammitt James K.
Published: July 2003

Policy makers, vehicle manufacturers, and consumers have shown growing concern about the relative safety of sport utility vehicles (SUVs), vans, pickups, and cars. Empirical analysis of real‐world crashes is complicated by the possibility that apparent relationships between vehicle type and safety may be confounded by other factors, such as driver behavior and crash circumstances. This study compares different vehicle types with respect to their crashworthiness (self‐protection) and aggressivity (risk to others) in crashes between two passenger vehicles. The U.S. Crashworthiness Data System is used to analyze detailed information on 6,481 drivers involved in crashes during 1993–1999. Logistic regression analysis is used to model the risk of serious injury or death to a driver, conditional on a crash occurring. Covariates include the body type of each vehicle in the crash; the driver's age, gender, and restraint use; and the configuration of the crash. A unique feature of this study is the use of “delta‐v” to represent the joint effects of vehicle mass and crash severity. While estimated effects are somewhat sensitive to the injury severity level used as the outcome variable, SUVs, vans, and pickups appear to be more aggressive and may be more crashworthy than cars. Effects of pickups are most pronounced. Drivers in pickups face less risk of serious injury than car drivers (odds ratio [OR], 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20–0.60), and drivers who collide with pickups experience more than twice the risk than those who collide with a car (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.03–4.62). While vehicle mass and crash severity contribute to the apparent crashworthiness and aggressivity of passenger vehicles, other vehicle characteristics associated with body type (e.g., the stiffness and height of the underlying structure of the vehicle) also influence safety risks.
Perception of Environmental Hazards in Hong Kong Chinese
Authors: Chuk‐ling Lai Julian , Tao Julia
Published: July 2003

A public sample of Hong Kong Chinese(N= 167)rated the levels of threat of 25 environmental hazards and gave quantitative judgments to six risk characteristics for each hazard. It was found that women, older participants, and less educated individuals found the hazards to be more threatening to the environment than did men, younger participants, and more educated individuals, respectively. A new spatial model emerged from a principal component analysis carried out on responses to six risk characteristics. Instead of replicating the well‐documented factors ofunknown riskversusdread risk, we found a structure defined by aknown and dread riskfactor and acontrollable riskfactor. Findings were discussed in light of potential influences of the Confucian heritage on the perception of risks among Hong Kong Chinese.
What Risks Are Chinese People Concerned About?
Authors: Xie Xiaofei , Wang Mei , Xu Liancang
Published: July 2003

The aim of this study is to investigate public perceived risk on various issues in present‐day China. Two surveys were conducted in urban China in 1996 and 1998. In the first survey, risk perceptions of different occupational groups are compared. Gender differences within each occupational group are also analyzed. In the second survey, participants with diverse employment status were recruited. The overall risk rankings of both surveys indicate great concern with risks that threaten national stability and economic development, and less concern with high‐technology risk such as threat from a nuclear power plant. It is also found that employees from high‐profit firms are more concerned about macroscopic catastrophic risks, whereas laid‐off workers and employees from money‐losing enterprises are more concerned about daily life or self‐concerned risks. The importance of actual exposure to risk, mass media coverage, culture, and psychometric dimensions are discussed.
How Do Individuals Apply Risk Information When Choosing Among Health Care Interventions?
Authors: Gyrd‐Hansen Dorte , Kristiansen Ivar Sønbø , Nexøe Jørgen , Nielsen Jesper Bo
Published: July 2003

A sample of 3,201 Danes was subjected to personal interviews in which they were asked to state their preferences for risk‐reducing health care interventions based on information on absolute risk reduction (ARR) and relative risk reduction (RRR). The aim of the study was to measure the relative weighting of different types of risk information under various circumstances. The effect of presenting questions, and of explicitly formulating RRR, was analyzed. A preference for increases in RRR was demonstrated. There was a stronger inclination to choose the intervention that offered the highest RRR if RRR was explicitly stated. Individuals with more than 10 years of schooling also demonstrated a preference for increased ARR, but only when facing individually framed choices. In a social choice context, preferences for RRR remained intact, but the magnitude of ARR had no impact on choices. Results imply that social framing may induce a propensity to prefer interventions that target high‐risk populations. Those respondents who had received ≤10 years of schooling demonstrated preferences for RRR but not ARR, and no impact of social framing was observed.
Trust and Risk Perception in Western Europe: A Cross‐National Study
Authors: Viklund Mattias J.
Published: July 2003

The relationship between trust and risk perception was investigated, within and across four European countries (Sweden, Spain, United Kingdom, and France). Survey data were collected in 1996; total number of respondents was approximately 1,000 (United Kingdom and Spain), 1,350 (France), and 2,050 (Sweden). Trust was a significant predictor of perceived risk within countries, but the strength of the relationship varied from weak (Spain and France) to moderate (United Kingdom and Sweden). General trust was also a significant source of variation in perceived risk among countries, but much of the variation in perceived risk remained unexplained. Correlations between trust and risk perception also varied depending on the type of risk (i.e., nuclear risks were more influenced by trust) and trust measure (i.e., general trust explained perceived risk better than specific trust). It is concluded that trust may be an element in models explaining risk perception, but it is not as powerful as often argued in the risk perception literature.
Attitudes and Risk Perceptions of Stakeholders in a Nuclear Waste Siting Issue
Authors: Sjöberg Lennart
Published: July 2003

Stakeholders are often regarded as a critically important group in such issues as the siting of nuclear facilities. In this article, stakeholders were identified on the basis of self‐reported activities with regard to a nuclear waste siting issue under debate in four communities. Data were obtained in an extensive mailed survey from a total of 2,548 respondents, approximately an equal number from each community. The overall response rate was 43.9%. Some of the results and telephone interviews with a sample of the nonrespondents indicated that the data are reasonably representative of the respective populations. Stakeholder activities were measured by 20 questions and combined with an index of stakeholder activity level, dichotomized at the 90th percentile. Stakeholders were found to have a higher level of education than others, but otherwise they did not differ in demographics. They did not tend to see risks in general as high, but were quite interested and involved in the nuclear waste siting issue. The stakeholder activity level correlated with risk perception and attitudes in the waste siting issue, but with different signs for those who were for and those who were opposed: stakeholders of both types had more extreme views than others, but in different directions. In addition, stakeholder opponents were much more likely to strongly espouse extreme statements regarding the project than were supporters who also were stakeholders. Implications for risk management and communication are discussed.
Evaluating Risk Communication about Fish Consumption Advisories: Efficacy of a Brochure versus a Classroom Lesson in Spanish and English
Authors: Burger Joanna , McDermott Melanie Hughes , Chess Caron , Bochenek Eleanor , Perez‐Lugo Marla , Pflugh Kerry Kirk
Published: July 2003

Presentation format can influence the way target audiences understand risk‐related information. Brochures or fish fact sheets are the methods traditionally used by state agencies to inform the public about fish consumption advisories and the risks from consuming fish. This study examines the efficacy of presenting information about the risks from consuming contaminated fish and shellfish in two different formats: a brochure and classroom presentation. The two instruments were developed and tested in Spanish and English, reflecting the local ethnic composition in the Newark Bay Complex. The instruments were tested on women of child‐bearing age at the Women, Infants, and Children Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Detailed diagrams were used in both presentations, including contaminated fish species, fish preparation methods, and food chain bioaccumulation and transmission to the fetus. There were few language‐related differences in the efficacy of the classroom lesson, and the main ideas were understood by both groups. Where there were significant differences in understanding about the risks from consuming fish or crabs from the contaminated waters of Newark Bay, in all cases the women exposed to the classroom lesson had a better understanding than those who read the brochure. Ninety‐six percent of the women who heard the lesson understood that it was unsafe to eat fish from the port, compared to 72% of those reading the brochure. Both formats succeeded in imparting information to most women about the area under advisories, the fish species under advisories, and transmission of toxins to the fetus. Information on fish preparation was recalled less clearly, partly because women were asked to relate methods to reduce the risk from consuming fish from 11 presented, and most recalled only two or three of the list. The advantages and disadvantages of conducting short classes to women of child‐bearing age are discussed.
Vulnerability and Risk: Some Thoughts from a Political and Policy Perspective
Authors: Sarewitz Daniel , Pielke Roger , Keykhah Mojdeh
Published: July 2003

Public policies to mitigate the impacts of extreme events such as hurricanes or terrorist attacks will differ depending on whether they focus on reducing risk or reducing vulnerability. Here we present and defend six assertions aimed at exploring the benefits of vulnerability‐based policies. (1) Risk‐based approaches to covering the costs of extreme events do not depend for their success on reduction of vulnerability. (2) Risk‐based approaches to preparing for extreme events are focused on acquiring accurate probabilistic information about the events themselves. (3) Understanding and reducing vulnerability does not demand accurate predictions of the incidence of extreme events. (4) Extreme events are created by context. (5) It is politically difficult to justify vulnerability reduction on economic grounds. (6) Vulnerability reduction is a human rights issue; risk reduction is not.
The Speeding Attitude Scale and the Role of Sensation Seeking in Profiling Young Drivers at Risk
Authors: Whissell Robert W. , Bigelow Brian J.
Published: July 2003

Seven driving attitude scales representing driving behaviors and beliefs about driving were created and initially validated using 257 undergraduate students (168 females, 89 males) in Study 1. However, the Speeding Attitude Scale (SAS) accounted for most of the strength of the intercorrelations among these scales and discriminant classification analyses showed that SAS dominated the other scales as a sufficient explanation for having speeding tickets. Study 2, using 180 students (75 males, 105 females), replicated findings regarding the significant but low correlation between SAS and speeding tickets, and was significantly correlated with Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS). Replication also showed that males had higher SAS scores and more speeding tickets. Accidents were typically a function of sex, increasing age, and variables related to recent accident history. Objective sources of speeding attitude confirmation may enhance the future validity of the SAS. Potential interventions for being a safe passenger and attitudinal control in the training of young drivers were discussed.
Communicating Worst‐Case Scenarios: Neighbors' Views of Industrial Accident Management
Authors: Johnson Branden B. , Chess Caron
Published: July 2003

The prospect of industrial accidents motivated the U.S. Congress to require in the Clean Air Act of 1990 that manufacturing facilities develop Risk Management Plans (RMP) to submit to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) by July 1999. Industry worried that the requirement to communicate to the public a “worst‐case scenario” would arouse unnecessary and counterproductive fears among industry neighbors. We report here the results of focus groups and surveys with such neighbors, focusing particularly upon their reactions to messages about a hypothetical worst‐case scenario and management of these risks by industry, government, and other parties. Our findings confirmed our hypotheses that citizens would be skeptical of the competence and trustworthiness of these managers and that this stance would color their views of industrial‐facility accident risks. People with job ties to industry or who saw industrial benefits to the community as exceeding its risks had more positive views of industrial risks, but still expressed great concern about the risk and doubt about accident management. Notwithstanding these reactions, overall respondents welcomed this and other related information, which they wanted their local industries to supply. Respondents were not more reassured by additional text describing management of accidents by government and industry. However, respondents did react very positively to the concept of community oversight to review plant safety. Claims about the firm's moral obligation or financial self‐interest in preventing accidents were also received positively. Further research on innovative communication and management of accident risks is warranted by these results, even before recent terrorist attacks made this topic more salient.
Introduction: The Residential Context of Health
Authors: Hartig Terry , Lawrence Roderick J.
Published: July 2003

Our understanding of the relationship between housing and health will improve with closer attention to the characteristics of residents, their activities in relation to their housing, and social ecological factors that set the boundaries for those activities. To highlight these aspects of the subject area, we propose recharacterizing the housing and health field as one of inquiry into the residential context of health. In introducing this issue of the journal, we first elaborate on this proposal in conceptual and practical terms. We then overview the individual articles, each of which helps us develop a more nuanced view of the subject area. Finally, we comment on two themes running through multiple articles—stress and coping, and social ecological influences on residence.
Residents and Residence: Factors Predicting the Health Disadvantage of Social Renters Compared to Owner‐Occupiers
Authors: Hiscock Rosemary , Macintyre Sally , Kearns Ade , Ellaway Anne
Published: July 2003

Numerous studies have found that owner‐occupiers live longer and stay healthier than renters. Epidemiologists often view housing tenure as a proxy for economic circumstances rather than as having directly health‐promoting or damaging effects. Housing researchers, on the other hand, have tended to study physical and psychosocial aspects of housing that might directly impact upon health. Linking these two literatures, we analyzed nearly 3,000 postal questionnaires from a stratified random sample of Scottish adults. In particular, we examined differences between owners and social renters that might explain observed tenure differences in health. Personal characteristics explained much of the difference between owners and social renters, but some dwelling and neighborhood characteristics also played a role.
Double Indemnity or Double Delight? The Health Consequences of Shared Housing and “Doubling Up”
Authors: Ahrentzen Sherry
Published: July 2003

With “doubling up” and shared housing increasing in the United States, it is time to revisit and reconsider the research literature on the physical, psychological, social, and economic health consequences of these living conditions; and to consider how specific social and physical environmental factors of shared housing may foster or deter healthy living situations for various household arrangements. In this light, this article examines the existing research in order to identify critical constructs and factors, and to craft research questions that can best guide future investigations of homesharing in a direction that points towards viable and healthy housing solutions, particularly for those in transitional life stages.
Virulence of EnteropathogenicEscherichia coli, a Global Pathogen
Authors: Clarke S. C. , Haigh R. D. , Freestone P. P. E. , Williams P. H.
Published: July 2003

EnteropathogenicEscherichia coli(EPEC) remains an important cause of diarrheal disease worldwide. Research into EPEC is intense and provides a good virulence model of otherE. coliinfections as well as other pathogenic bacteria. Although the virulence mechanisms are now better understood, they are extremely complex and much remains to be learnt. The pathogenesis of EPEC depends on the formation of an ultrastructural lesion in which the bacteria make intimate contact with the host apical enterocyte membrane. The formation of this lesion is a consequence of the ability of EPEC to adhere in a localized manner to the host cell, aided by bundle-forming pili. Tyrosine phosphorylation and signal transduction events occur within the host cell at the lesion site, leading to a disruption of the host cell mechanisms and, consequently, to diarrhea. These result from the action of highly regulated EPEC secreted proteins which are released via a type III secretion system, many genes of which are located within a pathogenicity island known as the locus of enterocyte effacement. Over the last few years, dramatic increases in our knowledge of EPEC virulence have taken place. This review therefore aims to provide a broad overview of and update to the virulence aspects of EPEC.
Reprogramming the Host Response in Bacterial Meningitis: How Best To Improve Outcome?
Authors: van der Flier M. , Geelen S. P. M. , Kimpen J. L. L. , Hoepelman I. M. , Tuomanen E. I.
Published: July 2003

Despite effective antibiotic therapy, bacterial meningitis is still associated with high morbidity and mortality in both children and adults. Animal studies have shown that the host inflammatory response induced by bacterial products in the subarachnoid space is associated with central nervous system injury. Thus, attenuation of inflammation early in the disease process might improve the outcome. The feasibility of such an approach is demonstrated by the reduction in neurologic sequelae achieved with adjuvant dexamethasone therapy. Increased understanding of the pathways of inflammation and neuronal damage has suggested rational new targets to modulate the host response in bacterial meningitis, but prediction of which agents would be optimal has been difficult. This review compares the future promise of benefit from the use of diverse adjuvant agents. It appears unlikely that inhibition of a single proinflammatory mediator will prove useful in clinical practice, but several avenues to reprogram a wider array of mediators simultaneously are encouraging. Particularly promising are efforts to adjust combinations of cytokines, to inhibit neuronal apoptosis and to enhance brain repair.
Biology and Pathogenesis of Thrombosis and Procoagulant Activity in Invasive Infections Caused by Group A Streptococci andClostridium perfringens
Authors: Bryant Amy E.
Published: July 2003

Group A streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis/myonecrosis and Clostridium perfringens gas gangrene are two of the most fulminant gram-positive infections in humans. Tissue destruction associated with these infections progresses rapidly to involve an entire extremity. Multiple-organ failure is common, and morbidity and mortality remain high. Systemic activation of coagulation and dysregulation of the anticoagulation pathways contribute to the pathogenesis of many diverse disease entities of infectious etiology, and it has been our hypothesis that microvascular thrombosis contributes to reduced tissue perfusion, hypoxia, and subsequent regional tissue necrosis and organ failure in these invasive gram-positive infections. This article reviews the coagulation, anticoagulation, and fibrinolytic systems from cellular players to cytokines to novel antithrombotic therapies and discusses the mechanisms contributing to occlusive microvascular thrombosis and tissue destruction in invasive group A streptococcal and C. perfringens infections. A thorough understanding of these mechanisms may suggest novel therapeutic targets for patients with these devastating infections.
Mycobacterium tuberculosisPathogenesis and Molecular Determinants of Virulence
Authors: Smith Issar
Published: July 2003

Tuberculosis (TB), one of the oldest known human diseases. is still is one of the major causes of mortality, since two million people die each year from this malady. TB has many manifestations, affecting bone, the central nervous system, and many other organ systems, but it is primarily a pulmonary disease that is initiated by the deposition ofMycobacterium tuberculosis, contained in aerosol droplets, onto lung alveolar surfaces. From this point, the progression of the disease can have several outcomes, determined largely by the response of the host immune system. The efficacy of this response is affected by intrinsic factors such as the genetics of the immune system as well as extrinsic factors,e.g., insults to the immune system and the nutritional and physiological state of the host. In addition, the pathogen may play a role in disease progression since some M. tuberculosis strains are reportedly more virulent than others, as defined by increased transmissibility as well as being associated with higher morbidity and mortality in infected individuals. Despite the widespread use of an attenuated live vaccine and several antibiotics, there is more TB than ever before, requiring new vaccines and drugs and more specific and rapid diagnostics. Researchers are utilizing information obtained from the complete sequence of the M. tuberculosis genome and from new genetic and physiological methods to identify targets in M. tuberculosis that will aid in the development of these sorely needed antitubercular agents.
Mycotoxins
Authors: Bennett J. W. , Klich M.
Published: July 2003

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that are capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals. Because of their pharmacological activity, some mycotoxins or mycotoxin derivatives have found use as antibiotics, growth promotants, and other kinds of drugs; still others have been implicated as chemical warfare agents. This review focuses on the most important ones associated with human and veterinary diseases, including aflatoxin, citrinin, ergot akaloids, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, patulin, trichothecenes, and zearalenone.
Borna Disease Virus Infection, a Human Mental-Health Risk
Authors: Bode Liv , Ludwig Hans
Published: July 2003

This article focuses on human Borna disease virus (BDV) infections, most notably on the development of valid diagnostic systems, which have arisen as a major research issue in the past decade. The significance of a novel modular triple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that is capable of specifically measuring anti-BDV antibodies as well as major structural proteins N (p40) and P (p24) in the blood, either as free antigens in the plasma or as antibody-bound circulating immune complexes (CICs), is explained. The impact of CICs and plasma antigen, which indicate periods of antigenemia in the course of BDV infection, along with other infection markers that are still in use is discussed. The review further provides new insight into possible links of BDV to human diseases, summarizing cross-sectional and longitudinal data which correlate acute depression with the presence and amount of antigen and CICs. Moreover, BDV prevalence in healthy people is reevaluated, suggesting that this was previously underestimated. Antiviral efficacy of amantadine, in vivo and in vitro, is outlined as well, with emphasis on wild-type (human and equine) versus laboratory strains. Finally, the pros and cons of the association of BDV with human disease, as detailed in the literature, are critically discussed and related to our data and concepts. This article supports existing correlative evidence for a pathogenic role of BDV infection in particular human mental disorders, in analogy to what has been proven for a variety of animal species.
Virus-Neutralizing Activity Mediated by the Fab Fragment of a Hemagglutinin-Specific Antibody Is Sufficient for the Resolution of Influenza Virus Infection in SCID Mice
Authors: Mozdzanowska Krystyna , Feng Jingqi , Gerhard Walter
Published: July 2003

Antibodies (Abs) contribute to the control of influenza virus infection in vivo by reducing progeny virus yield from infected cells (yield reduction [YR]) and by inhibiting progeny virus from spreading the infection to new host cells (virus neutralization [VN]). Previous studies showed that the infection could be resolved in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice by treatment with hemagglutinin (HA)-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that exhibit both VN and YR activities but not by MAbs that exhibited only YR activity. To determine whether virus clearance requires both activities, we measured the therapeutic activity of an HA-specific MAb (VN and YR) and its Fab fragment (VN) by intranasal (i.n.) administration to infected SCID mice. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Fab cleared the infection with i.n. 50% effective doses (ED50s) of 16 and 90 pmol, respectively. To resolve an established infection solely by VN activity, Fab must be present in the respiratory tract at an effective threshold concentration until all infected cells have died and production of virus has ceased. Because IgG and Fab had different half-lives in the respiratory tract (22 and 8 h, respectively) and assuming that both operated mainly or solely by VN, it could be estimated that clearance was achieved 24 h after Ab treatment when both reagents were present in the respiratory tract at ∼10 pmol. This dose was ∼200 times larger than the respiratory tract-associated Ab dose resulting from administration of the intraperitoneal ED50(270 pmol) of IgG. This indicated that our procedure of i.n. administration of Ab did not make optimal use of the Ab's therapeutic activity.
Chimeric Human Papillomavirus Type 16 (HPV-16) L1 Particles Presenting the Common Neutralizing Epitope for the L2 Minor Capsid Protein of HPV-6 and HPV-16
Authors: Varsani Arvind , Williamson Anna-Lise , de Villiers Debbie , Becker Inga , Christensen Neil D. , Rybicki Edward P.
Published: July 2003

Both the
Human papillomavirus
(HPV) major (L1) and minor (L2) capsid proteins have been well investigated as potential vaccine candidates. The L1 protein first oligomerizes into pentamers, and these capsomers assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs) that are highly immunogenic. Here we examine the potential of using HPV type 16 (HPV-16) L1 subunits to display a well-characterized HPV-16 L2 epitope (LVEETSFIDAGAP), which is a common-neutralizing epitope for HPV types 6 and 16, in various regions of the L1 structure. The L2 sequence was introduced by PCR (by replacing 13 codons) into sequences coding for L1 surface loops D-E (ChiΔC-L2), E-F (ChiΔA-L2), and an internal loop C-D (ChiΔH-L2); into the h4 helix (ChiΔF-L2); and between h4 and β-J structural regions (ChiΔE-L2). The chimeric protein product was characterized using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that bind to conformational and linear epitopes, as well as a polyclonal antiserum raised to the L2 epitope. All five chimeras reacted with the L2 serum. ChiΔA-L2, ChiΔE-L2, and ChiΔF-L2 reacted with all the L1 antibodies, ChiΔC-L2 did not bind H16:V5 and H16:E70, and ChiΔH-L2 did not bind any conformation-dependent MAb. The chimeric particles elicited high-titer anti-L1 immune responses in BALB/c mice. Of the five chimeras tested only ChiΔH-L2 did not elicit an L2 response, while ChiΔF-L2 elicited the highest L2 response. This study provides support for the use of PV particles as vectors to deliver various epitopes in a number of locations internal to the L1 protein and for the potential of using chimeric PV particles as multivalent vaccines. Moreover, it contributes to knowledge of the structure of HPV-16 L1 VLPs and their derivatives.
Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Utilizes Host Vesicular Protein Sorting Machinery during Particle Release
Authors: Tanzi Giancarlo O. , Piefer Andrew J. , Bates Paul
Published: July 2003

A final step in retrovirus assembly, particle release from the cell, is modulated by a small motif in the Gag protein known as a late domain. Recently, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Moloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) were shown to require components of the cellular vacuolar protein sorting (VPS) machinery for efficient viral release. HIV-1 interacts with the VPS pathway via an association of HIV-1 Gag with TSG101, a component of the cellular complexes involved in VPS. Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is unique among enveloped viruses studied to date because it utilizes a novel motif, YPDL in Gag, as a late domain. Our analysis of EIAV assembly demonstrates that EIAV Gag release is blocked by inhibition of the VPS pathway. However, in contrast to HIV-1, EIAV Gag release is insensitive to TSG101 depletion and EIAV particles do not contain significant levels of TSG101. Finally, we demonstrate that fusing EIAV Gag directly with another cellular component of the VPS machinery, VPS28, can restore efficient release of an EIAV Gag late-domain mutant. These results provide evidence that retroviruses can interact with the cellular VPS machinery in several different ways to accomplish particle release.
Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoproteins gD and gE/gI Serve Essential but Redundant Functions during Acquisition of the Virion Envelope in the Cytoplasm
Authors: Farnsworth Aaron , Goldsmith Kimberly , Johnson David C.
Published: July 2003

The late stages of assembly of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and other herpesviruses are not well understood. Acquisition of the final virion envelope apparently involves interactions between viral nucleocapsids coated with tegument proteins and the cytoplasmic domains of membrane glycoproteins. This promotes budding of virus particles into cytoplasmic vesicles derived from the
trans
-Golgi network or endosomes. The identities of viral membrane glycoproteins and tegument proteins involved in these processes are not well known. Here, we report that HSV mutants lacking two viral glycoproteins, gD and gE, accumulated large numbers of unenveloped nucleocapsids in the cytoplasm. These aggregated capsids were immersed in an electron-dense layer that appeared to be tegument. Few or no enveloped virions were observed. More subtle defects were observed with an HSV unable to express gD and gI. A triple mutant lacking gD, gE, and gI exhibited more severe defects in envelopment. We concluded that HSV gD and the gE/gI heterodimeric complex act in a redundant fashion to anchor the virion envelope onto tegument-coated capsids. In the absence of either one of these HSV glycoproteins, envelopment proceeds; however, without both gD and gE, or gE/gI, there is profound inhibition of cytoplasmic envelopment.
NF-κB Inhibits Gammaherpesvirus Lytic Replication
Authors: Brown Helen J. , Song Moon Jung , Deng Hongyu , Wu Ting-Ting , Cheng Genhong , Sun Ren
Published: July 2003

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and B-cell lymphomas are human malignancies associated with gammaherpesvirus infections. Members of this virus family are characterized by their ability to establish latent infections in lymphocytes. The latent viral genome expresses very few gene products. The infected cells are therefore poorly recognized by the host immune system, allowing the virus to persist for long periods of time. We sought to identify the cell-specific factors that allow these viruses to redirect their life cycle from productive replication to latency. We find that the cellular transcription factor NF-κB can regulate this process. Epithelial cells and fibroblasts support active (lytic) gammaherpesvirus replication and have low NF-κB activity. However, overexpression of NF-κB in these cells inhibits the replication of the gammaherpesvirus murine herpesvirus 68 (MHV68). In addition, overexpression of NF-κB inhibits the activation of lytic promoters from MHV68 and human gammaherpesviruses Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In lymphocytes latently infected with KSHV or EBV, the level of NF-κB activity is high, and treatment of these cells with an NF-κB inhibitor leads to lytic protein synthesis consistent with virus reactivation. These results suggest that high levels of NF-κB can inhibit gammaherpesvirus lytic replication and may therefore contribute to the establishment and maintenance of viral latency in lymphocytes. They also suggest that NF-κB may be a novel target for the disruption of virus latency and therefore the treatment of gammaherpesvirus-related malignancies.
The Gammaherpesvirus Chemokine Binding Protein Binds to the N Terminus of CXCL8
Authors: Webb Louise M. C. , Clark-Lewis Ian , Alcami Antonio
Published: July 2003

Viruses encode proteins that disrupt chemokine responses. The murine gammaherpesvirus 68 geneM3encodes a chemokine binding protein (vCKBP-3) which has no sequence similarity to chemokine receptors but inhibits chemokine receptor binding and activity. We have used a panel of CXCL8 analogs to identify the structural requirements for CXCL8 to bind to vCKBP-3 in a scintillation proximity assay. Our data suggest that vCKBP-3 acts by mimicking the binding of chemokine receptors to CXCL8.
E4orf3 Is Necessary for Enhanced S-Phase Replication of Cell Cycle-Restricted Subgroup C Adenoviruses
Authors: Shepard Robin N. , Ornelles David A.
Published: July 2003

E1B-55K-mutant or E4orf6-mutant adenoviruses replicate more effectively after infecting cells in S phase than after infecting cells in G
1
. Enhanced S-phase replication of the E4orf6-mutant viruses requires the E4orf3 gene. This report demonstrates that the E4orf3 gene is also required for enhanced S-phase replication of the E1B-55K-mutant virus.
Coupling Nonlinear σ-Models to Relaxed Yang-Mills Supermultiplets in (2,0)-Superspace
Authors: Góes-Negrão M. S. , Helayël-Neto J. A. , Negrão M. R.
Published: July 2003

Following a previous work on 2-dimensional Abelian (2,0)-gauge theories, one reacesses the analysis of the consistency of the dynamics of (2,0) "relaxed" Yang-Mills super-potentials and their coupling to (2,0)-nonlinear σ-model, by gauging the isotropy or the isometry group of the latter. One pays special attention to the extra "chiral-like" component-field gauge potential that comes out from the relaxation of superspace constraints.
Perturbative Computation in a Deformed Quantum Field Theory
Authors: Bezerra V. B. , Curado E. M. F. , Rego-Monteiro M. A.
Published: July 2003

We present the result concerning the perturbative computation of the scattering process 1 + 2 → 1′ + 2′ up to second order in the coupling constant. This was obtained in the context of a deformed quantum field theory which is interpreted as a phenomenological theory describing the scattering of spin-0 composite particles.
Forms on Vector Bundles Over Compact Real Hyperbolic Manifolds
Authors: Bytsenko A. A. , Gonçalves A. E. , Williams F. L.
Published: July 2003

We study gauge theories based on abelian p- forms on real compact hyperbolic manifolds. The tensor kernel trace formula and the spectral functions associated with free generalized gauge fields are analyzed.
Nonrelativistic Scattering Analysis of Charged Particle by a Magnetic Monopole in the Global Monopole Background
Authors: Cavalcanti de Oliveira A. L. , Bezerra de Mello E. R.
Published: July 2003

We analyze the nonrelativistic quantum scattering problem of a charged particle by an Abelian magnetic monopole in the background of a global monopole. In addition to the magnetic and geometric effects, we consider the influence of the electrostatic self-interaction on the charged particle. Moreover, for the specific case where the electrostatic self-interaction becomes attractive, charged particle-monopole bound system can be formed and the respective energy spectrum is hydrogen-like one.
Variances of Relativistic Quantum Field Fluctuations
Authors: Cognola G. , Zerbini S.
Published: July 2003

A general expression for the vacuum expectation values of some physical observables as well as their relative variances are derived by means of zeta function regularisation.
Lessons from the Casimir Effect on a Spinning Circle
Authors: de Lorenci V. A. , Moreira E. S.
Published: July 2003

This work is a pedagogical account on the diagnosis of certain pathologies which arise when standard canonical quantization procedures are improperly used in the context of non globally hyperbolic spacetimes. The improper use of "helical times" to implement quantization is also addressed.
Reduction of Euler-Lagrange Equations in Gauge Theories
Authors: Geyer B. , Gitman D. , Tyutin I.
Published: July 2003

We present a reduction procedure to the so-called canonical form for the Euler-Lagrange equations of a general gauge theory. The reduction procedure reveals constraints in the Lagrangian formulation of singular theories and, in that respect, is similar to the Dirac procedure in the Hamiltonian formulation. Moreover, the reduction procedure allows one to reveal the gauge identities between the Euler-Lagrange equations. As a demonstration we apply the reduction procedure to theories without higher derivatives.
Monopole Confinement in Non-Abelian Theories
Authors: Kneipp M. A. C.
Published: July 2003

We review some generalizations of 't Hooft and Mandelstam ideas on confinement for theories with non-Abelian unbroken gauge groups.
TFD Approach to Bosonic Strings and Dp-Branes
Authors: Abdalla M. C. B. , Gadelha A. L. , Vancea I. V.
Published: July 2003

In this work we explain the construction of the thermal vacuum for the bosonic string, as well that of the thermal boundary state interpreted as a Dp-brane at finite temperature. In both case we calculate the respective entropy using the entropy operator of the Thermo Field Dynamics theory. We show that the contribution of the thermal string entropy is explicitly present in the Dp-brane entropy. Furthermore, we show that the Thermo Field approach is suitable to introduce temperature in boundary states.
Open and Closed Superstring Five-Point Amplitudes at Tree-Level
Authors: Brandt F. , Machado F. , Medina R.
Published: July 2003

In this contribution the tree-level effective actions for gluons and gravitons, as derived from Open and Closed Superstring theories, are reviewed respectively. As known for a long time, at zero order in α′ (the string fundamental constant) the first action is pure Yang-Mills while the second one is pure Einstein-Hilbert. The first Superstring Theory corrections turn up to appear at [Formula: see text] order in the first case while they appear at [Formula: see text] in the second one, as known from the three and four-point scattering amplitudes for gluons and gravitons, respectively. Recent work involving the [Formula: see text] order contributions to the Yang-Mills action is reviewed with some detail, including the authors' present line of research. Also, the uncharted territory of five graviton scattering is commented, looking forward to derive the [Formula: see text] Superstring Theory corrections to the Einstein-Hilbert action.
Viscous Cosmology and the Cardy-Verlinde Formula
Authors: Brevik I.
Published: July 2003

The holographic principle in a radiation dominated universe is extended to incorporate the case of a bulk-viscous cosmic fluid. This corresponds to a nonconformally invariant theory. Generalization of the Cardy-Verlinde entropy formula to the viscous case appears to be possible from a formal point of view, although we question on physical grounds the manner in which the Casimir energy is evaluated in this case. Also, we consider in the present paper an observation recently made by Youm, namely that the entropy of the universe is no longer expressible in the conventional Cardy-Verlinde form if one relaxes the radiation dominance equation of state and instead merely assumes that the pressure is proportional to the energy density. We show that Youm's generalized entropy formula remains valid when the cosmic fluid is no longer ideal, but endowed with a constant bulk viscosity ζ.
Operator Product on Locally Symmetric Spaces of Rank One and the Multiplicative Anomaly
Authors: Bytsenko A. A. , Elizalde E. , Guimarães M. E. X.
Published: July 2003

The global multiplicative properties of Laplace type operators acting on irreducible rank one symmetric spaces are considered. The explicit form of the multiplicative anomaly is derived and its corresponding value is calculated exactly, for important classes of locally symmetric spaces and different dimensions.
On Recent Strategies Proposed for Proving the Riemann Hypothesis
Authors: Elizalde E. , Moretti V. , Zerbini S.
Published: July 2003

We comment on some apparently weak points in the novel strategies recently developed by various authors aiming at a proof of the Riemann hypothesis. After noting the existence of relevant previous papers where similar tools have been used, we refine some of these strategies. It is not clear at the moment if the problems we point out here can be resolved rigorously, and thus a proof of the RH be obtained, along the lines proposed. However, a specific suggestion of a procedure to overcome the encountered difficulties is made, what constitutes a step towards this goal.
A Quantum-Geometrical Description of Fracton Statistics
Authors: da Cruz W.
Published: July 2003

We consider the fractal characteristic of the quantum mechanical paths and we obtain for any universal class of fractons labeled by the Hausdorff dimension defined within the interval 1 < h < 2, a fractal distribution function associated with a fractal von Newmann entropy. Fractons are charge-flux systems defined in two-dimensional multiply connected space and they carry rational or irrational values of spin. This formulation can be considered in the context of the fractional quantum Hall effect-FQHE and number theory.
Quantum Logic Gates with Ion Trap in an Optical Cavity
Authors: Sharma S. Shelly
Published: July 2003

The time evolution of ionic internal states for trapped cold ions interacting with external laser in a harmonic oscillator potential, and a potential with a small nonlinear component varying as x6, modeled through a q-deformed harmonic oscillator, is briefly discussed. The entanglement of ionic internal states and center of mass vibrational states results in collapse and revival of population inversion. For deformation parameter, τ = 0.004(q = eτ), the population inversion shows an extremely well behaved collapse and revival pattern. Next a simple application where entanglement is used for implementing quantum logic gates with ion trap placed inside an optical cavity, is presented. It is found that faster ionic state manipulation times can be obtained by working beyond the Lamb-Dicke regime.
DQEM for Buckling Analysis of Nonprismatic Columns with and Without Elastic Foundation
Authors: Chen Chang-New
Published: July 2003

The differential quadrature element method is used to solve the buckling problems of nonprismatic column structures with and without elastic foundation. The extended differential quadrature is used to discretize the governing differential eigenvalue equations defined on all elements, the transition conditions defined on the inter-element boundary of two adjacent elements and the boundary conditions. Numerical results obtained by DQEM are presented. They demonstrate the developed numerical solution procedure.
Analysis of Toroidal Shells Using the Differential Quadrature Method
Authors: Redekop D. , Muhammad T.
Published: July 2003

In new applications of toroidal shells it is often necessary to solve problems of statics, response, vibration, and buckling. While the finite element method can serve as the main means of analysis it is desirable to have available a second, complementary, method that can be used for verification, parametric studies, and specialized analyses. In this paper the use of the new differential quadrature method in such a complimentary role is investigated. Problems involving the statics, response, vibration, and buckling of toroidal shells are analyzed. Numerical results obtained are compared with finite element calculations. Finally conclusions are drawn concerning the agreement between the methods, and the usefulness of the new method for specialized studies.
Team Building as a Foundation for Knowledge Management: Findings from Research into Social Learning in the Australian Defence Organisation
Authors: Warne Leoni , Ali Irena M. , Pascoe Celina
Published: July 2003

This paper describes findings from a four-year research study which used a mixture of qualitative and quantitative research methods to identify factors that facilitate social learning and collaborative knowledge development. Social learning includes those factors which enable transmission of knowledge and practice and which foster generative learning. This paper's specific focus is on the facilitators of team building that support knowledge sharing and knowledge development.
Making a Journey in Knowledge Management Strategy
Authors: Edwards John S. , Collier Paul M. , Shaw Duncan
Published: July 2003

This paper reports results from an ongoing project examining what managers think about knowledge management in the context of their organisation. This was done in a facilitated computer-assisted group workshop environment. Here we compare the outcomes of workshops held for two relatively large UK organisations, one public sector and the other private. Our conclusions are that there are relatively few differences between the perceptions of these two groups of managers, and that these differences stem more from the stage of the knowledge management life cycle that the two organisations have reached, rather than from the difference in context between public and private sector.
Managing Maintenance Knowledge in the Context of Large Engineering Projects: Theory and Case Study
Authors: Hall William P.
Published: July 2003

Tenix Defence, one of Australia's largest defence contractors, depends on winning bids and managing contracts for long-lifecycle engineering projects. The ability to capture, manage and deliver project knowledge in explicit formats is crucial to its success. Tenix is moving from a paradigm of traditional paper documents to electronically managing and automating structured knowledge artefacts in a knowledge management framework based on Karl Popper's (1973) three worlds of knowledge. The new technology captures the authors' implicit knowledge that was inevitably lost when working with paper documents and also moves aspects of personal cognition from the subjective and personal World 2 into the objective, virtual and persistent World 3.